Johnette Napolitano

Napolitano is a California-based musician who rose to prominence with her band Concrete Blonde. CB have again dissolved after a brief return, touring on the back of the Group Therapy album. Napolitano is an amazing artist armed with a fine sense of lyricism and emotive voice. Her latest album is Sketchbook 2. REVIEW: What is it about Californian singer Johnette Napolitano that makes her music so compelling? The husky, tequila-n-cigarette voice so laden with emotion? The simple, catchy riffs? The sheer range of her voice, capable of ranging from heartfelt melancholy to rambunctious rock n roll? Tick D, all of the above, and settle in for a quiet night at home with her latest offering. Now that her 80s vehicle, Concrete Blonde, has again been put to rest after its recent comeback, she has released this second album in the Sketchbook series. This effort holds together better than the first, which was largely a collection of doodlings and noodlings recorded as she experimented with new music technology like Protools. Number 2 has 11 tracks which, while spare, are at least complete songs and ably demonstrate her ability to lament, regret and encourage with equal emotion. Hang On is perhaps the most upbeat tune here, an optimistic plea which is easily imagined being sung to her Australian goddaughter. The Aussie connection is stronger on the Wedding Theme from Candy, written for the Australian film. But it is on songs like Before the Fall, Bringing Me Down and the gorgeous ode New Orleans Ain’t Been the Same (Since You’ve Been Gone) that her voice strikes that lonely chord and you feel yourself drawn down into the music. The latter is particularly effecting in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, so forlorn with its beat reminiscent of a funeral march. These songs are basic guitar and synthesisers, some more effective than others, but the voice carries the message and it’s worth looking into this singer and her cannon: such versatility and sheer honest style is hard to find. Johnette's website