Review: Jonatha Brooke - The Works

Jonatha Brooke releases her seventh solo album, The Works, today. It is a collection of previously unheard lyrics by Woody Guthrie with music by Jonatha.

The title of the album comes from from Guthrie's own words: "I fully aim at this time, dear lay man and lay woman, to walk up and to run bare back down both of these trails and to get my soul known again as the two, both, the sexual maniac, the saint, the sinner, the drinker, the thinker, the queer, the works. The Whole Works."

Recording this album makes Jonatha Brooke the first woman to compose, arrange, produce, and perform a complete album of Woody Guthrie's songs. His daughter, Nora Guthrie says, "The gods must be shaking their heads, 'bout time!"

I'll admit first up that I am not very familiar with Woody Guthrie. However, since hearing this album I find myself wanting to know more. His words are timeless. They hold just as much power today as they did when he first penned them decades ago. These words fit Jonatha Brooke like a glove. She takes Guthrie's lyrics and masterfully brings them to life. The songs may have been written back in the Dust bowl Era but they sound as if they were written yesterday.

Jonatha is in high spirits on this album. You can hear the connection she has with these words as she sings them. The highlight for me is the song New Star which Guthrie wrote in December of 1954, while he was at Brooklyn State Hospital. He suffered from Huntington's Disease, something they did not even know existed back then. The words of this song are so pure and simple. They're touching in a way that is rare in music nowadays.

Jonatha gives us a variety of sounds on this disc. From funky jazz like uptempo tracks, to bluesy mid tempo, and touching ballads. It is a beautiful album that starts perfectly and ends even better. She includes to of her own songs on this disc and they fit right in with the rest. This is an album it seems she was always meant to record. These songs sound so utterly natural coming from her.

Jonatha is not alone on this disc. She had help from a lot of great musicians: Steve Gadd, Joe Sample, Christian McBride, Keb' Mo', Eric Bazilian, Derek Trucks, and Glen Phillips.

Jonatha is one of the best singer/songwriters working today and on The Works, she proves she can handle the words of an Icon just as well as her own. She has made a touching and beautifully arranged album here. It all adds up to a brilliant achievement. I think Woody Guthrie would be proud.

The Works is in stores (and iTunes) now!

Jonatha is also going on tour to support The Works. Here are the upcoming tour dates:

10/15 - The State Theatre - State College, PA
10/16 - WIlbur Theatre - Boston, MA
10/17 - World Cafe Live - Philadelphia, PA
10/18 - The Concert Hall - New York, NY
10/19 - Fairfield Theater Company - Fairfield, CT
10/24 - Jonathan's Restaurant - Ogunquit, ME
10/25 - Infinity Hall - Norfolk, CT
10/26 - Iron Horse Music Hall - Northampton, MA
11/1 - M&T Bank Pavilion - Baltimore, MD
11/2 - The Birchmere - Alexandria, VA
11/7 - Jaqua Concert Hall - Shedd Institute - Eugene, OR
11/12 - Largo - Los Angeles, CA
11/20 - Old Town School of Folk Music - Chicago, IL
12/1 - Turner Hall - Milwaukee, WI
12/3 - Majestic Theatre - Madison, WI
12/4 - The Ark - Ann Arbor, MI