Joanna Newsom » Ys

Ys by Joanna Newsom

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Tracklist

    Track     Duration Listeners
1 Emily 12:05 141,388
2 Monkey & Bear 9:26 119,256
3 Sawdust & Diamonds 9:53 117,881
4 Cosmia 7:15 122,173
4 Only Skin 16:49 107,346
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About this album

5 tracks (55:28)
Ys (pronounced /ˈiːs/) is the second album by Joanna Newsom. It was released by Drag City on November 14, 2006. The album was named for the mythical city of Ys, supposedly built on the coast of Brittany, France, and later swallowed by the ocean.

The album features full orchestra arrangements by Van Dyke Parks on four of the five tracks. Parks also contributes accordion. Newsom’s harp and vocals were recorded by Steve Albini and the orchestra was recorded by Tim Boyle. Newsom and Parks produced the album and it was mixed by Jim O’Rourke. The recording process was completely analog, on two 24-track tape recorders. The music was mixed to tape and mastered at Abbey Road Studios.
Bass guitar is contributed by Lee Sklar, and electric guitar by jazz guitarist Grant Geissman. Don Heffington played percussion and Matt Cartsonis played mandolin and banjo. Bill Callahan provides backing vocals on the song “Only Skin”, while on “Emily” these are sung by Joanna’s sister Emily Newsom, for whom the song is named.
The album, particularly the length of the songs and orchestral arrangements, was inspired by the 1971 Roy Harper album Stormcock. In September 2007, Harper supported Joanna Newsom at her Royal Albert Hall performance, playing Stormcock in its entirety. Newsom was also impressed by Van Dyke Parks’ album Song Cycle, and asked him to collaborate on Ys after listening to that 1968 record.
On her fall 2007 tour, Newsom performed the album in its entirety, backed by a 29-piece orchestra.
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Shouts

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  • kelsska

    this is her dark night of the soul

    3 hours ago

  • pp7z

    there is something truly amazing about this album...i fuckin love it. One of the best.

    last month

  • janelesque

    I pity people who have no idea who Joanna is and/or have short attention spans. This album is massive in beauty, creativity, and the reward of listening to it.

    last month

  • janelesque

    I'm never getting over Ys. Never.

    last month

  • Pippitty

    Beautiful

    last month

  • MatheusAgostin

    Épico.

    March 2012

  • ColonelSlog

    Steve Albini....follows ya everywhere

    March 2012

  • yomanhiphopper

    This is gonna drive me nuts.

    February 2012

  • IlanDatabase

    one of my favorites, definitely. incredible...

    January 2012

  • lesmorceaux

    if i could only listen to one album for the rest of my life, this would be it. [2]

    January 2012

  • avele_zosele

    only after a year of listening i realized how GREAT this album is. at first it sounded like simple beautiful music. what was wrong with me? it's not simply beautiful! it's a masterpiece!

    January 2012

  • bloodmaw

    perfect album. NBD

    January 2012

  • Buggy08

    Still a masterpiece

    January 2012

  • Chemin

    Her lyrics are quite the trip.

    December 2011

  • adelsmusic

    She has some bizarre lyrics.

    November 2011

  • Modestmilk

    I've found that listening to this album every night before bed is good for me.

    November 2011

  • amelia421

    why the long face?

    November 2011

  • rejoyz

    getting to the point where i think i can recite it. the best thing i have ever heard.

    November 2011

  • KateRayearth

    Perfection.

    November 2011

  • r00dris

    Her best album by far.

    November 2011
See all 211 shouts

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