JOHNETTE NAPOLITANO: Sketchbook

Johnette Napolitano

Sketchbook

© 2002 Johnette Napolitano (634479168109)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Eccentric bits and pieces suitable for bathing to, vacuuming, cooking & reading.

tracks

1 Difficult Woman
2 Full Moon Mix
3 Mississippi George
4 Shocking
5 Whalecalls
6 Summer Rain
7 Sweat in the Saddle
8 Like a Cloud
9 Freaky Dreaming
10 Superstar
11 Prayer
12 Why Not Stand Down
13 Amazon
14 Giant Gongs & Backwards Guitars
15 Mood Music
16 When I'm Gone

notes

Johnette Napolitano is the singer/writer/bassist/instrumentalist for Concrete Blonde & formerly of Pretty & Twisted with the late great Marc Moreland of Wall of Voodoo and also of The (Talking Heads) with Weymouth, Harrison & Franz.
While Concrete Blonde is still active and touring and soon to release 'Live in Brazil' this Spring, Johnette got herself into computers, Pro-Tools and Sangre de Toro Spanish Red and this is what happened. An extremely limited edition, there are less than 1000 copies of 'Sketchbook' available, formerly an exclusive on the Concrete Blonde Official Website.

'Sketchbook' is exactly that, experiments, ideas, self-indulgent harmonies and various Art Bell guests set to musical dreamscapes. Guests include George Holstein on dobro, steel guitar and baby voices, and former Pretty & Twisted drummer Danny Montgomery. 'Sketchbook' was recorded by Johnette at her former Hollywood home studio, The Brando Room. She has recently relocated to a patch of desert near Joshua Tree, California with her 3 dogs, Frida, Chichinitza & Coco.

'Sketchbook 2' is currently simmering on the vintage Wedgewood.

reviews

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  • Great CD
    author: Jason Pudwill

    I have been a fan of Concrete Blonde and Johnette for a long time. This album is a great, well worth owning. Much better than Sound of a Woman.

  • when I'm gone, hopefully I will have owned this CD
    author: sundown

    This album, like everything Johnette has done, leaves me feeling at peace, like I've taken a long trip through the winding countryside on my Heritage Softail. The only problem is I DON'T OWN A COPY. I have tried everything to get one, and if anyone can help please email me at sundownz@juno.com. Will pay any price...so that sums up what I think of this CD...PRICELESS.

  • i like your band
    author: ·ç¾ý×Ó

    hai ,i am a chinese.when i was a sopheman ,i began listining your songs.i love you,i love especially!it's perfect!

  • ...... a common denominator for lfe.
    author: coconut

    johnette ... as always displays her connection with reality. showing that bumps in the road are the jewels of life.

  • Johnette will always kick ass !
    author: Rebik Pulawnisko

    Hooray for little experimental forays into unchartered territory. This CD is a gem. I think it's quirky, funny, political, and bold. Everything that mainstream radio is not. Thank GOD (or whomever)!!!

  • A real treasure...
    author: Gene Sturges

    Sketchbook is a remarkable CD that keeps getting better with each listen. Get into this treasure chest with your headphones on! Thanks Johnette!

  • Johnette will always kick ass!
    author: Rebik Pulawnisko

    Hooray for little experimental forays into unchartered territory. This CD is a gem. Quirky, funny, political, bold. Everything mainstream radio is not. Thank GOD (or whoever)!!!

  • How can you NOT love this woman?
    author: redjazzy1

    I close my eyes and I can SEE Johnette at 3:30 in the morning, unable to sleep, sitting at her computer, and birthing these wonderful works of musical artistry. Thank you Johnette!

  • Johnette's originality affects eternity, no one knows where it stops...
    author: JP Goodwin

    The principal mark of Sketchbook is Johnette's unflinching ability to create in her personal element whilst simultaneously heaving open universal windows. A collection without boundaries that allows for any degree of immersion at any time. You will definitely enjoy being under the influence of this divining rod...

  • sketchbook is like good comfort food...
    author: Rob Roy

    sketchbook is like good comfort food,a bedtime story by the fireplace,the patches on your coat-it's the beaconing light when you've gone and lost your way-it is the sound of home

  • Awesome
    author: James Burrow

    Simply amazing! Johnette delivers, tried and TRUE. Your music is what life's all about. Can't wait for your next CD.

  • Facinating glimpse of an artist at work
    author: Rick B

    If you are looking at this CD you are probably a fan of the band.Be ready for music that is more experimental in nature,after all,it is a sketchbook.Be ready to be wonderfully surprised as well.Johnette's voice sounds as strong and clear as ever with the appropriate level of restraint when needed.Difficult Woman is a great introduction.Songs like Summer Rain and Like a cloud are simply beautiful.There are some offbeat songs here but it all comes together when you take the time to sit down and really listen.There is a hypnotic,haunting underlying rhythm throughout.Highly recommended for longtime fans.Looking forward to Sketchbook II...

  • Idiosyncratic and intriguing.
    author: John Williamson

    I was pleasantly surprised, given that homemade albums are usually sort of deficient in variety of material, sonic dynamics, etc. It's fascinating to watch a real artist at work. Her vocal on "Superstar" is remarkable as are all the great bass workouts on the other tunes. Also, the use of synths is neat-- real atmospheric.

  • Johnette sketched on this soul
    author: Valley Blossom

    You know, I knew I would love this album....Its very haunting and experimentally raw! I dig it! I cant wait to hear more of these etchings. While listening to this album I could vision Johnette in her home studio late into the wee hours, glass of MERLOT, having a blast!

  • Incredibly open. An honest and insightful glimpse of her artistic vision.
    author: Mike Wilkinson

    Johnette has never had a problem sharing her thoughts with others through her writings and this solo effort is no exception. From beginning to end she never fails to make you feel something and, on more than a few tracks, she manages to touch a nerve or two. It's no exaggeration to say that Johnette has one of the most powerful voices in music but when you consider the power of the mind behind the words you are faced with a world changing LP. Now if we can just get her the respect she deserves!!!

  • This is what an solo record should be like
    author: Glers

    Great to see a solo record that is a departure from her work with Concrete Blonde, This is what an experimental record should be like, It's Shocking

  • Very personal music - get to know her better - recommended
    author: Brandon Marlowe

    This is very personal music, NOT Concrete Blonde and mellow. If you like Johnette you'll enjoy getting to know her better through this CD.

  • Great disc. And CD Baby's service was Great, too!
    author: John

    Great disc. And CD Baby's service was Great, too!

  • Johnette is amazing, of course
    author: Elizabeth Elkins, Alastor

    Excellent, excellent, excellent.

  • Johnette is amazing. Her music is amazing. GREAT CD!!!!!
    author: Mike B.

    Fantastic compilation of music. One of the best CDs I own. If you like Concrete Blonde, then this is a must for the collection. THANK YOU JOHNETTE!!!!!

  • Wait for sunset,Crack open the Red,Press play,Dream
    author: Troy

    You know that feeling you get when you are halfway thru a good bottle of Red?Thats how I feel while listening to this CD.Dreamy,giddy,with a sense of floating,even.Worth the price of admission for her voice alone.The songs may be a few strokes of the Lady Johnettes paintbursh, but as a whole still make for a strong listening experience with many magical musical moments.Thank you for sharing Johnette

  • Two Dimensional Art!
    author: Fritz Koepke

    Outstanding artistic accomplishment on (at least) 2 dimensions! Music is outstanding, shows the tamer side of the pulse of Concrete Blonde. Johnette tops the great CD with an totally personal artistic package! Outstanding!!!

  • Johnette ROX this world!!!
    author: Deanna-Larky *

    This cd is divine! but can mostly be appreciated by those who have been following Johnette through the years.I find the music to be very dreamy,like i have to come to and realize no i didnt smoke any dope.Its not the angry passionate screaming I'm used to but a more sophisticated passion.It made me think about and love our earth even more,dont know if that was intended or not.nevertheless this is a beautiful experimental sounding cd that will def calm your soul and take you to another world.My fave- When I'm Gone -the feeling of leaving this life contented and to become part of the universe.LOVELY!!

  • Exquisite
    author: Trithemius

    Excellent brain food, excellent backdrop for hacking or a mellow day in general - and Giant Gongs is an excellent way to introduce yourself to the new neighbors.. When can we look forward to more?

  • Johnette NEVER EVER disappoints!!
    author: Iliff Hicks

    This CD is MORE than great! It's INCREDIBLE!! Johnette fires off another batch of raw, emotional tunes that are as good as ANYTHING she's ever put out. She explores new musical landscapes that she's never really been to before and takes the listener through a WILD, TRIPPY JOURNEY. Put the headphones on, turn off the lights and prepare to be BLOWN AWAY. Thank GOD for Johnette! We love you!

  • Must have!
    author: Siggster

    CD was great!! Lots of interesting music, sounds, and bytes. Definitely a must have for Johnette and Blonde fans.

  • THE WOMAN CAN DO NO WRONG!
    author: J. Ike

    Not much to say, if you are a fan of johnette, then get it!If you never heard of her or concrete blonde, etc. then all I can say is "I'm sorry" Johnette, keep the passion alive! And please keep shareing it with us.

  • johnette creates a work of art
    author: meredith

    creative. raw. intense. if you are a fan of concrete blonde, this limited edition will be a prize worth adding to your collection. why not stand down spawns thought and action, shocking offers an eery sense of the end of it all - the entire album of intentionally unpolished ideas proves napolitano still has powerful messages and compassion despite the crumbling and corrupt world around her. i truly cannot say enough wonderful things about this CD. buy it and see for yourself.

  • The Always Trying Something New Artist
    author: jane

    Having just seen C.Blonde in NY a few days before this arrived, I was thrilled !!! Like everything else she does Johnette produced something new, personal, universal and beautiful. I am eternally grateful she keeps putting herself out there to share with allof us.

  • don't leave home without it...
    author: stephanie

    once again johnette comes through. arriving on a not so great day, sketchbook took me out of me head and into a place of wonder and awe! every track brings a different feeling, a different sensation. i could sense some pretty and twisted, but at the same time all of it is very new, somewhat refreshing, and definately inspirational. so fantastic that i am about to purchase a second copy for my girlfriend because it is to good to share, and i don't leave home without it.

  • Interesting! Johnette continues to be a dynamic force in music
    author: Bill Bradley

    Very interesting cd - Johnette never ceases to amaze me with her vocal talent and her ability to explore new musical avenues. She has some stand out tracks including Difficult Woman, Summer Rain and Why Not Stand Down. Personally I would prefer more tracks with her singing but I'll take whatever she puts out.

  • From Concrete Blonde, P&T,and all ventures music is from her Heart.
    author: Mylo Ironbear

    I am more than pleased at listening to the music of Johnette, I enjoy the love of an artist and the gifts they have to share with their fans. To hear this music is to feel the music and most important bask in it's hearts love. If you haven't ordered your copy, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR hear for yourself and get your friends together and so on and so on..... I enjoyed and so will her fans...PEACE

  • Buy This cd & support Johnette
    author: Dozza in OZ

    a mixed bag but one you can wear with any outfit! Johnette delivers songs from the Sublime to the Meticulous Looking forward to Sketchbook 2

  • JoNa RULES!!!
    author: Patrick Lannan

    As always Johnette continues to amaze and surprise me - I recommend this CD to everyone who loves Eno - that's right -ENO! Johnette is more than the world's geatest singer - she's the perfect example of a well rounded musician / songwriter. As a fellow songwriter, I bow my hat to you. If you ever read this, please drop me a line Johnette pal0103@aol.com

  • still interesting
    author: Esteban ¡Hala Madrid!

    As a Concrete Blonde fanatic I have to say that the cd contains lots of ideas. Some are good for the most part. A few are not so great, but the overall sensation is that we´re dealing with an interesting, dark, personal proyect, somehow similar to Pretty & Twisted. The cd came with an autograph, so hey! good for everyone! If you like Concrete blonde you have to have this one

  • author: jennjr9

    Johnette you are incredible.. Your voice takes me away.. Please make another solo album..Love ya..

  • Of course it's wonderful....it's Johnette
    author: Stacey

    This is my kind of CD. It gets you closer to the creative, artistic force that is Johnette Napolitano. Sketchbook is the perfect title. As a painter myself, your sketchbook is where ideas are born. I hope there are more CDs like this to come.

  • Break out the duct tape, the planet's going intergalactic!
    author: The Beast With One Nose

    There is no other recording artist I would want to hear this from. I've always said I would pay a hundred bucks to hear Johnette sing "Row Row Row Your Boat" for half a minute and feel like I got my money's worth. She's that good. Sketchbook is a rare glimpse of an artist's work in the developmental stages and it works brilliantly. Some songs are just fragments, a chorus, or a repeated bass line with sound effects. Only a handful of what I would consider finished songs. This is a rare and wonderful treat for her many fans and we eagerly await Sketchbook II. She always has at least one song on an album that will blow you away, and this time it's "Why Not Stand Down." That song just sizzles with passion. And the samples from the Art Bell Show on "Shocking" unnerved me to the point of wrapping my entire house in duct tape in preparation for our planet's journey off its axis. Thanks, Johnette. You remain a profound inspiration to the world. And thanks CDBaby. Your emails made me howl with laughter!

  • it rocks! it's great! i love it!`
    author: r. mcclain - re: johnette napolitano - sketchbook

    i've been a fan of johnette and concrete blonde since the early 90s. no one in the industry can put me in a melancholy mood the way johnette can. i can relate to so many of her songs, and this cd is no exception. it's great! it's powerful! i would recommend it to everyone that likes music. the day johnette stops rockin' is the day the industry loses its finest artist. rock on, johnette!

  • This could have been a 4ad record, its etheric
    author: coyoteman rob

    First, cd baby your awsome, no complaints lots of prase, I got the disc put it on as it started to rain, in Sf. I found it very seperate from the Concrete blonde stuff, at times it reminded me of Kendra smith, at times test dept, grahm revell, stuff, all in all its very haunting, favorite tracks are,Whalecalls Summer rain, beautiful..

  • sketches in the dark
    author: millerdog

    Turn off the lights, light some candles and then put on this CD. That's what this CD feels like to me. One star short of greatness, for it feels like a sketchbook also; rough and unfinished. Yet it also rises to something other CDs aspire to. It is fresh, inspiring, and it brings a sort of impromptu feel to the music. Get it before it's gone.

  • This is GREAT
    author: Gary McCluskey

    Anyone who knows her work will already be interested in this. Don't wait, get it now.I expected to like it, but it's even better than I hoped.She keeps showing us year after year what it means to a REAL artist.

  • This CD will grow on you
    author: Benjamen

    I prefer more poetry from Johnette over the instrumentials. P&T was ans still is my alltime favorite. I was just hopeing for P&T2

  • Totally Awesome... no better than that even....
    author: Walter Zumbrennen

    I love it... I have been a fan since ... well lets just say a long time.. I have bought every CD and tape and DVD I could get my hands on and I haven't been disappointed yet... The highlight of my life was being able to attend a Concrete Blonde concert... Keep the good music coming...

  • 'Bout Time!
    author: Réné

    Ever since Johnette's solo album "Sound of a Woman" fell through, I've been waiting for a solo from her, and here it finally is. It is wonderful and I love it. Keep up the good work, Johnette! No matter what you do, you never disappoint.

  • Excellent, Johnette at the top of her game as always!
    author: Bryan

    Excellent, Johnette at the top of her game as always!

  • can you say YOWZA!?!?
    author: the one, the only... methywoz

    I LOVE IT!! YOU WILL TOO!! cerebral, innovative, sensual... this work is truly a must have! this is powerful stuff!! get your copy today!! WAHOOOOOOOO!!! =0)

  • Never a disappointment
    author: nyx

    I can always count on Johnette to be fresh, original, and genuine. This is not like anything else I've heard from her, but it is outstanding. I was hooked on the first song, Difficult Woman, for quite a while before I quit rewinding and listened to the rest of the CD. With the exception of the Art Bell interviews, I can listen to it over and over and over and over and never get tired of it. It's a shame we don't hear this kind of stuff on the radio. Thanks, Johnette. This was definitely worth the wait.

  • Lot's of love goes out to my girl Johnette!
    author: Aimee M. Roseberry - NDNpainthorse

    Lot's of love goes out to my girl Johnette! This girl knows her shit when it comes to art, and music. By far I think this cd is one of her greatest. It gives us a view into what she does when she is at her studio doing what she loves. I love the whole thing. I have to say my all time favorites on here are going to be - Why Not Stand Down (I can't wait till Bush hears this one!) Like A Cloud and Superstar. I think that Sweat In The Saddle should be used in the next western movie that comes out. It's great. The rest of them are very awesome as well. If you don't have this cd then get it. I can't wait till Sketchbook 2 is out!

  • excellent-johnette best artist of the century
    author: dan lawson

    i've followed concrete blonde since their start and this cd is nothing short of heartfelt greatness - thanks to people like johnette rock will never die - this cd should not be passed up - excellent!!!!!!!

  • God bless Johnette!
    author: Frank Wheeler- drrock.com

    God bless Johnette. Fucking outstanding. The last Blonde should've been this good. All that desert air definately agrees with her.

  • Typically wonderful
    author: dfeebs

    It's true that most of this disc wouldn't sound right for Concrete Blonde, but they are pure Napolitano (wonderful). 16(!) lush, beautifully produced tracks. A real treat! 'Why Not Stand Down' is a standout, and a tune for anyone disgusted by what has been going down the last few years. The bonus artwork is icing on the cake. Thank you, Johnette.

  • Fantastic
    author: Gary

    This is a great CD, and I recommend that everyone interested should try to buy it soon before they run out completely. If it had been a cassette tape and not a CD it would have been worn out already. I can't wait to see what Johnette puts out next.

  • CD Baby Service & Sketchbook BOTH Phenomenal!
    author: Sandy

    I am not only impressed with Johnette's latest effort, CD Baby is quite a cute little service! I love the emails! This is definitely a must have for any true fan, and is full of material that I could hear on college radio and more! Although I believe artists should definitely be paid for their work, if you didn't get a copy of Sketchbook before it sold out, hopefully you will find it on a file sharing site before they all disapper! It is WELL worth the download time.

  • Outstanding...
    author: L.J.

    I think the CD is fantastic. It's very meditative in a way. Once you start listening to it, it's over before you know it and then you want to listen to it again. Quite moody - you won't be tapping your toes to any of the tracks - goes quite well with a night of wine... I'm dying to try Sangre de Toro...

  • SKETCHBOOK is one the best things Johnette ever made. It's really inspiring and
    author: Grandeza

    I've been waiting for this cd for a couple months and after listening to it, it's even better than I was expecting... Sometimes it's uptempo, sometimes downtempo, there are lots of sounds in each track to be discovered... Jo is really the best!!!

  • Great stuff
    author: Danishtripod

    A disc for the hardcore fan that's bought all the Concrete Blonde singles and bootlegs floating around E-Bay,... and still can't get enough. A quieter outing than Vovel Movement with Holly Vincent, it takes you through a beautiful, disturbing, wonderfully engaging soundscape. One of those rare albums you can intensely ponder while staring at a candle flicker on the ceiling or put on as a nice soundscape to get you through a pile of dishes and the ironing. One negative, the funky cardboard packaging leaves your disc vulnerable to scratches (put the disc in a jewel box) and the sleeve itself, an open invitation to stains and dogears, a real bummer since this is a signed and numbered edition.

  • something to listen to over and over
    author: antonette monardo

    great music, great mind, loved every track... Johnettes the greatest!

  • author: Nancy

    I've played this religiously since I got it a couple of weeks ago.. It's mystical, creative, thought provoking, and thoroughly enjoyable. love it!

  • CDBaby & Johnette are our heros!
    author: sydsview

    This CD is beyond awesome. Johnette puts her heart and soul into the music, lyrics and compilation of songs. Being a long-time fan, I cannot say enough great things about Sketchbook or Johnette. I also want to mention the wonderful service from CD Baby: There was an initial mix-up with the original distributors and a delay followed by a lot of confusion, but CD Baby picked up the reins and have not only made good on their excellent service but have made communications regarding status a joy to receive and wonderfully humorous to share. Great Job CD Baby! And Thank You Johnette...from the bottom of all of your fans' hearts. You're the best!

  • Absolutely Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!
    author: Jenn Rodman

    SKETCHBOOK is one of the greatest pieces of music this year..... If you dont have it I suggest you get it fast because it's going quick........ This is my second purchase for SKETCHBOOK... Johnette's voice is so powerful she just pulls you in.... ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

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