The Works

My goodness... the other reviewers have captured the feeling nicely but I'd like to add my impressions. This is a Jonatha Brooke CD that, to me, is hard to describe, yet worth writing about for hours.My first comment is that it's a noticable departure from her previous music, and that's what makes it so engaging upon first listen. The band sounds very different (I LOVE Joe Sample and Steve Gadd, miss Darren Embry!!), and the production from Bob Clearmountain makes for a less dense sound compared to her regular brilliant cast. The organ is featured often here, and the guest vocalists have a more prominent role than previous CDs with varying degrees of success in my book. Her music is a bit more "controlled", as the energy is tempered and the chords align perfectly throughout the CD; so many of her previous songs take us on a sharp or flat step over or under the anticipated note on the musical scale. I don't know the musical terms but if you know Jonatha from her earliest days, you understand what I mean.This is a melodic, simple record, yet so full of emotion and depth. What fun she must have had making this, bringing Woody's feelings to life in her own, singular, amazing way! The first and the last songs on this release are my faves. Most of songs work as well, but "You'd Oughta Be Satisfied Now" and a couple others are below her high bar, thus my four stars. Having said that, the ones that work are spacious in sound and precious in feeling. After listening, I think you'll agree that she is so on top of her craft right now, following up on the live CD, her "Careful What You Wish For" achievement, and so many other tunes that show her musical prowess and melt-in-your-mind lyrics. She's among the very best making listenable music right now - and there are PLENTY of artists that think music is all about volume and how promiscuous you can make the lyrics. Oh, and, in their minds, who needs rhythm?Thanks, Jonatha, for another sensational CD which reminds us how GOOD music can sound and how great it can make you feel.

I heard about this album on NPR and was intrigued by the interpretation of Woody Guthrie's works by someone not of his generation. The result is wonderful--it's the type of CD you can give to friends knowing it will be an instant favorite. I liked The Works so much I bought a few of the Jonatha Brooke's other (prior) CDs too. While those CDs are pretty good, The Works is definitely a cut above anything else of hers I've heard (so far). It could just be that Woody is a better poet than she is, and she's a better editor of his work than others (such as the Wilco Mermaid Avenue CDs which are good but not "Wow.") The Works is wonderful and the duets are just fantastic. I really hope she makes another album based on Woody's poems.

I always loved Jonatha Brooke's voice but this album was beyond anything I could have expected. It is absolutely beautiful; crafted to the highest degree. I can't say enough about the great things she has done with Woddy's lyrics. The arrangements are apot on and Keb Mo just brings it to another level with his vocals. Don't let this one get by. Every cut is a gem. Thanks Jonatha!

Incredible pairing of Woody Guthrie's lyrics with Jonatha Brooke's compositions, and the players contributing are nothing less than stellar! Only cut I don't particularly care for is a electric 'power' remix of an acoustic version earlier in the session. Out of the 13 tunes (and one remix makes 14), I love all 13.

thi is one of the most beautiful cds i have ever listened to. it highlights the brilliance of guthrie and brooke's voice is pure angelic honey. the music is wonderful. i had never heard of jonatha until npr highlighted this music. get it today. you will love it.

I love this album ! Jonatha Brooke does Woody proud with this album of his poems. If you like this you may also want to look at the first albums of Woody's unreleased poems set to music from about 10 years ago : Mermaid Avenue and Mermaid Avenue Vol.II by Billy Bragg and Wilco.

Lived up to my expectations. Jonatha does Woody proud. Especially enjoy "All You Gotta Do is Touch Me," "Taste of Danger" and "There's More True Lovers Than One."

I like the CD and Jonathan Brooke very much, but still LOVE the original STORY CDs best.