JOHNETTE NAPOLITANO: Sketchbook 2

Johnette Napolitano

Sketchbook 2

© 2006 Johnette Napolitano (634479260919)

CD permanently out of stock. Sorry!

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Heavy edge homemade dark guitar pop - more vocals & lyrics than Sketchbook 1.

notes

Johnette Napolitano is a multi-media artist/musician currently living in the high desert community of Joshua Tree, California.

Probably best known as the main songwriter/bassist/lead singer of the hugely successful L.A. band Concrete Blonde, Johnette has also collaborated with some of rock’s most respected artists (see Johnettes’s profile on MYSPACE.COM), and most recently, UK group Catfish Scar.

Second in a limited edition series, Sketchbook 2 is a collection of “ideas, demos, some things that seem finished and some that seem unfinished but are just too good to re-record, yet too good to scrap.” Originally conceived to be released twice a year as a signed & numbered edition, Sketchbook 1 sold out quickly and Sketchbook 2 is expected to do the same, although this SB2 will be made available for digital download. In the interest of making the CD available as quickly as possible SB2 will be signed but not numbered. Johnette will hold 100 personal copies and 900 will be made available through CDBABY. As with the last edition this edition features original drawings and is beautifully packaged by MediaLab's Brian Mansell.

‘Wedding Theme For Candy’, one of the tracks on Sketchbook 2, will appear in the upcoming Australian film ‘Candy’ based on the novel of the same name.

“That was a great thing to do. They sent me the book and the scene, for which they’d already had a song in mind for me to cover but couldn’t get the clearance at the last minute. I wrote and recorded something original for the scene, and was able to send the tracks via satellite to the film’s main composer… that was fantastic. I can live out in the middle of nowhere, be at home with my art and my books and my pups and work. That wasn’t possible 10 years ago. It’s very cool of them to let me use it on my record.”

‘Candy’ premieres at the Berlin Film Festival in February 2006. Since the last ‘Sketchbook’, Johnette has contributed to the American films ‘Underworld’ ‘Wicker Park’ and the new documentary ‘The Last Western’ about the California desert former movie set turned legit community, Pioneertown. Two years in the making, a major element of this amazing documentary features Johnette’s interview, live performance and studio footage of the recording of ‘Cheap Tequila’ (available on CDBABY) with the late ex-con blues singer Buzz Gamble. 'The Last Western' will premiere this March at the South by Southwest Film Festival.

“Even if I had nothing to do with it” says Johnette, “I think this documentary should win an Oscar next year. ‘The Last Western’ is like a capsule of American film history, and (director) Chris Deaux did an amazing job of putting it together. Buzz, wherever he is, is the star he was always meant to be, in spite of himself.”

Johnette also appears as guest vocalist on the upcoming album by AltGoth supergroup BlackLightBurns on Geffen Records.

About some of the other tracks on ‘Sketchbook 2’:

‘New Orleans Ain’t Been The Same (Since You’ve Been Gone.)’ I started this song a few years ago when my dear friend DeLoris moved out of the French Quarter, where she’d worked as a psychic medium for many years. I finished it during hurricane Katrina.

‘Theme from Cocktails In Paradise’ is the instrumental behind my first short film of the same name which hopefully will be a series and can be seen on my website in the Little Theatre.

“Hang On’ is for my ‘little sister’ FatDebDeb from Hong Kong who I met in Spain last summer studying Flamenco. She had lost her boyfriend and was suffering. She’s a beautiful spirit and I know we’ll see each other again.

“Look What They’ve Done To My Nikola” is for my all time hero, Nikola Tesla, who I believe to be the greatest scientist who ever lived, divinely inspired. Tesla had patents and ideas for free, clean, sustainable power back in the 1800's. I heard Bowie is playing Nik in a film this year. The man was way ahead of his time but I believe his time has finally come."

Links: www.johnettenapolitano.com ; www.myspace.com/catfishscar;
www.concreteblondeofficialwebsite.com; http://www.myspace.com/johnettenapolitano;
www.thelastwestern.com

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • author: L.A.

    just like wine... ages so lovely.

  • Some really great tracks
    author: igj

    For something treated as just sketches, there are some excellent tracks on this disc. A very nice find.

  • This is definitely worth a listen!
    author: Ashley Graham

    Wow, I guess I bought this CD just in time! I just received it in the mail today and the music is just incredible. The songs are beautifully arranged and the vocals are out of this world. The tone is reminiscent of Johnette's "Bloodletting" days, with a dash of the "Mojave" vocals. Although there are no lyrics included on the insert, it won't take too long to transcribe them and put them on the net for everyone else to enjoy (not to mention easy to understand, as most of the album lyrics are clearly ennunciated, thankfully). I'm very glad I bought this when I did and I am very happy with my purchase. I can't wait to hear her other solo work. Don't forget to look her up on MySpace and check out her latest song, "Amazing" (which is, as the title suggests, amazing...).

  • better than expected
    author: David M.N.

    Knowing it was Johnette I had really high expectations. I have to say, this CD was even better than I thought it would be. I even like it better than a lot of her Concrete Blonde songs. And that's something I didn't think I would be able to say. If you like her music buy this CD......it won't last long.

  • Thanks Johnette!
    author: Jestyre on MySpace

    This offering has a very DIY feel -- nothing slick or "produced" feeling here. Dark & smokey with haunting melodies. Very listenable over & over. If you're a Concrete Blonde fan, you can hear sketches of songs here that could easily be CB hits. Although I loved the last CB album, Mojave, this "Sketch" has more accessible songwriting. Thanks for continuing to share your art Johnette.

  • What a great talent!
    author: Greg Lawless

    Very emotional collection of songs, and as much as I love to hear Johnette really belt out a song, this really hit the spot for me. The signed copy was a bonus, too. "La Chanson Noire" is very moving. "Bringing me down" is another song that I particularly liked. The album has that haunting feeling that so many of Johnette's songs have for me. The raw sound makes it feels like she's in the room singing for me. What a great talent!

  • This CD is well worth your bucks!
    author: Dianne in New Market

    This CD is well worth buying, and a must for any Johnette Napolitano and Concrete Blonde fan. The songs included are not necessarily the same style as Concrete Blonde, but that doesn't make them any less amazing. Johnette's voice is as stong as ever.

  • art you can feel
    author: Crystal

    When I bought myself this album it was as a huge fan of Johnette Napolitano. The copies I've been buying as gifts are because I love Sketchbook 2. It's dark and raw and edgy and great for so many of my less-than-company-manners moods. The magic is in her ability to plunge into those jagged-edged tears in the soul and pull out a rich sense of wonder and beauty and hope.

  • there are never enough adjectives for johnette. . .
    author: lucasmayo999@yahoo.com

    New Orleans Ain't Been The Same and Bringing Me Down are my favorites upon the initial listen. Not to downplay the overall genius of this cd, but those are the first two that hit my radar screen. The artwork is wonderful. I love the just-got-up-at-three-a.m.-with-my-coffee-and-my-chihuahua- gonna-record-some-songs illustration! Worthy cd. Buy it. CD Baby is the most rockin' internet cd store.

  • Kickin' mix of incredible music.
    author: AmyG (Mancos, CO)

    Once again another bitchin' lot of music from Johnette Napolitano. As always, she makes you feel like you are her good friend and she is playing this for you personally in her living room. This is NOT pop music but an ecclectic mix of thought provoking music with an emotional edge. Buy it, listen to it, dig it. Keep it coming!!! Thanks to you cdbaby for a wonderful outlet for independent music.

  • Fantastic. Better than I could have imagined.
    author: Siobhan

    This CD is Amazing. I am never dissapointed with Johnette's voice, lyrics, or music. All the songs are so good, I can't decide which one is my favorite.

  • Insightful, beautiful, thought provoking, chilling channeling by one of the grea
    author: Cristofer Lix

    I too was fortunate to witness the Denver perfomance, which led me to this CD, which continues to prove that Johnette has much to bestow upon us as artist, activist, and icon. I haven't stopped listening to it since I bought it. More beautiful, raw, original, thought provoking music. From the desert or the city, Johnette remains one of the all time greats. I look forward to the next installment.

  • Nice warm up to the show!
    author: Kelly

    I was one of a privledged few to see Johnette last night in Denver. There is no offering from this artist that is less than 5 stars. The CD is excellent and the artwork alone is priceless. Buy it.

  • Sketchbook 2 is another Johnette masterpiece!
    author: ToddEvans

    "Mileva Einstein's Scream" is as beautiful and powerful a piece of music as I have heard . . . like an angry Native American princess on the warpath! A lot of it is sad . . . people who have suffered need to hear others who have too, I think. The entire CD is TOO GOOD, but we who are "in the know" expect that from Johnette. She's brilliant, serious about her art, knows life and the world, and she's COOL. I wish I was that cool. :)

  • Never dissapointed
    author: Rene

    I am never dissapointed in Johnette's music, and this album definitely holds up to her standard of musical art and emotion. Well done!

  • author: Haardvark

    Always interested in what Johnette's doing and this doesn't disappoint,completely immersed,got "Look what they've done to my Nikola" still entrenched in my head.Excellent

  • Striped Raw. Real And Powerfully Emotional.
    author: Mike Wilkinson

    Layered and heavily produced will never be used to describe this CD...which works because it dosen't need it. Johnette's incredible voice has always been more than enough to distribute the goods (Look for a recording of her solo version of Mercedes Benz). This LP is raw and powerful. No producer could give this kind of depth to any artist and few artists could rip themselves open and share a piece of the their soul the way Johnette does on every recording she makes. She continues to improve on herself with her every outting and this disc carries on that momentum...leaving me with only one question: What's next?

  • Souls often have unfinished work to do
    author: jim woronow

    Sketchbook 2 grinds across your soul with corase girt - and that is just great. Johnette's voice is a sultry Pattie Page without the camp. More I listen the more I want to drink.

  • Beatnik
    author: Randy Patrick

    This CD brings out the modern day Beatnik best of Napolitano. 'Wedding Theme For Candy' is an excellent song and has this wonderfully soothing groove to it. ‘Theme from Cocktails In Paradise' is addictive and I could just let it loop over and over. Overall 'Sketchbook 2' is very well done without any defective filler material. Randy Orlando, Florida

  • author: farrel

    what can i say about johnette .... she sets the standards for american songsmiths.... dazzling the song new orleans aint been the same since youve been gone really its home especially in these post katrina days .... thanks johnette i love you ... farrel

  • Makes you worry, as it should. perfect.
    author: boska

    I keep buying Napolitano cd`s, and she just keeps growing inwards and outwards.

  • Barbara Stresisad, she aint ...
    author: Off The Edge

    That voice will capture you at every turn. Barbara Streisand, she aint, and that's a good thing. You don't just listen, you feel. This is music for the senses. Skip the coffee, go for the sketchbook, this is great stuff as usual from Johnette; but what did you expect? It won't let you down.

  • another awesome sketchbook
    author: methy

    YESSSS! this incredible artist has created yet another wonderful cd full of gems. favorite tracks are: long black car, bringing me down, hang on, look what they've done to my nikola, wedding theme from candy, la chanson noire. the others are great too! i highly recommend adding this piece to your collection. johnette napolitano never ceases to amaze!

  • Extraodinary
    author: Pavlos Kanakis

    I am still waiting to be dissapointed by Johnette's work of true and genuine art. It seems that once again I will have to wait for her next project. Well done to this true artist! Greece loves you!!

  • Like A Good Friend
    author: Tim

    Her voice is very comforting to me , like hearing from an old friend on a bad day, it lifts your spirits.Plus, the sketch with the coffee is sooo me in the morning!Thank you for remaining TRUE. :)

  • Johnette's voice and words are awesome.
    author: Jackie

    By the fourth time in a row I listened to it Johnette's voice and words had gotten under my skin and now are in my heart. La Chanson Noire is my favorite. Mileva Einstein's Scream is also right up there. The beat and sound of Johnette's voice is a meditation in itself. Do you ever play in Oregon Johnette? I am grateful for your blessed light in this world. Thank you.

  • Musical Art Work at it's best
    author: G Haunt Allenbach

    Sketch Book 2 ( Along with Sketch Book One) Should be played in Museums and Art Galleries and admired by the masses. Each song is an art form in it self.

  • Fabulous
    author: kelly

    I love it! Immediately put the songs onto my MP# player so I can listen to it frequently! Johnette's voice is so soothing. I missed out on Sketchbook 1, but so very glad that I did not miss out on this one.

  • Johnette never lets you down...
    author: James Krieger

    Once again, Miss Napolitano never disappoints. I was glad to see a "Sketchbook 2" arrive, as I loved the first one and the insight it gave to this great artist and her songwriting alone. If you are a casual fan or a Concrete Blonde fan this cd is a must have, strong songs and the dark beautiful voice that speaks from the true soul of an ARTIST, not a corporate manufactured performer. Cheers Johnette, this was great.

  • Unbelievable creativity...Johnette is a true artist
    author: Rachel

    I enjoyed each and every track on this cd. The compilation is an honest observation of the world around the artist. The mood is somewhat dark and haunting. Absolutely fabulous.

  • BRILLIANT
    author: ADAM-- LONDON UK

    Still making great lyrics and songs-what a voice such emotion and power-and still looking good!!!

  • She's Back! Stronger than ever!
    author: Tria

    The CD is such a groove, melodic, and thought provoking piece of music that I'm still taking it in. No problem in putting it on continuous. "Bringing Me Down" is revealing, La Chanson Noire leaves a groovy haunting and smoky haze with vocals of a scream without the volume which adds to emotion. "Wedding Theme From Candy" shows Napolitano should be doing entire movie soundtracks. The rest of the CD will take longer to review and I'm still listening to it...Thank you Johnette, we missed you-

  • author: Piper

    Smooth and gritty, robust artistic energy. Johnette's voice and lyrics transport you to a dark and realistic world.

  • author: nicolette

    Excellent collection of work...Songs are deep and full of passion and the human experience...catchy guitar riffs on a few tracks...production is a little off in spots, yet overall very well done...Johnnette is a brilliant storyteller and songwriter...Thanks cd baby for restocking this cd and for the reminder option

  • Johnette is a Goddess!
    author: shelby

    Sketchbook 2 is simply exquisite! The tracks are raw, real and from the heart. I loved it!

  • author: joyce trujillo

    I was so very glad to receive my cd Sketchbook 2 so quickly. (as usual from CD BABY) Once it started and Johnette was in our house! My husband smiled and said "there she is"! j can make two sad folks smile with her voice and words.

  • author: Lina

    What can I say, really? It's all excellent. This woman is a superhero. My favorite tracks are Mileva Einstein's Scream and Long Black Car. Mileva Einstein's Scream has those great haunting vocalizations -- Johnette, I would buy a whole CD of you singing like that; it's just awesome. And Long Black Car is pure goth candy.

  • Perfect listening
    author: Hilzabeth

    this cd is wonderful, im always blown away by anything that comes from the mind of Johnette!

  • Always a pleasure
    author: George-GREECE

    Thanks to cd baby for sending the cd,Johnette's voice is always a pleasure to hear in everything she does. experimental and cinematic tracks and classic Johnette heartbreaking songs.A MUST La chanson noire,my fave Thanks

  • brilliant insight into a gifted artist
    author: Michael "Reefy" Blades

    Another wonderful glimpse into the world of one of America's premier artists and songwriters....a true gem...highly reccommended!!!

  • Blown Away
    author: Just a Man looking for a Plan

    Johnette Napolitano is one of those few artists that never seem to let me down. This cd is raw and simple and perfect. I loved every second of it! From the rough and tumble to the tender and loving, Johnette enbodies everything that a great singer/songwriter/musician should be, each track painting a picture that blossoms inside my head.

  • Cinematic and atmospheric
    author: Gene

    It's like listening to a bunch of little films or short stories. There's alot going on in each song and each listen reveals more (headphones, put 'em on!) and more. Johnette's voice is an amazing thing and on "New Orleans.." "Look What They've done..." and "La Chanson Noire" it just sends you there, into the story. Thanks Johnette, you're the real deal!

  • Another AMAZINGLY COOL album from Johnette
    author: Chris Gregory

    Johnette Napolitano is the most criminally underated female singer of the past 20 years. Whether she is soaring to blissfully high notes, belting from her heart or whispering with a slight rasp- she never fails to draw me in. I have every recording that Johnette has done and this album is right up there with SB1 or anything she did with CB. Johnette, I live in the Central Australian Desert so an awful lot of your visions and muse are instantly recognizable to me. For anyone out there who has overlooked Concrete Blonde's last album "Mojave"- find it and buy it now. I have only one question- When are you coming to visit us in Alice Springs, Australia? 5 stars- SB2 is stylish, cool, and altogether wonderful. Do yourselves a favour!

  • Very cool
    author: P Lewis

    Great CD for those of us who wish to get a glimpse into the creative mind of Johnette. Aptly titled since these are all sketches of songs that easily could have been fleshed out - they are that strong - but would have probably lost some of the intimate charm they hold when expressed in this form.

  • Another worthy addition to my collection
    author: Julian Meredith

    Another good intriguing cd. Grows very well listen after listen. Sits very well amongst my large Concrete Blonde collection.

  • My cd came on a perfect, rainy day. I am always blown away by Johnette's never
    author: Cyndy

    She truly is one of this planet's greatest songwriters, past and present. Her creativity does not end. An inspiration for everyone to keep creating, whatever your passion is.

  • author: desertratblondie

    fabulous work of art. hypnotic and soothing to the soul. a masterpeice by Johnette. looking forward to another work by her.

  • Worth the Wait!
    author: Lizard Lover

    All the tracks are great and have their own unique personality. Well done! Looking forward to the next release.

  • Great again
    author: Philip - Las Vegas

    Love johnette, make more!

  • Excellent
    author: Jason McNary

    Great album! All fans must get this one.

  • Fine stuff...
    author: Christen

    This is even better than SB1. Brilliant work from Johnette. She also took the time and trouble to sign the front.

  • just great-
    author: adam, england

    always an inspiration to listen too--and this is no exception---

  • Excellent
    author: SteveQVS

    If you are a fan of Concrete Blonde or Johnette Napolitano you will not be disapointed. If you are new to both, fasten your seatbelt for a journey of epic proportions. Somewhat experimental but very accessable music. This is finely crafted music, not the mindless pop that dominates radio play today!

  • Top notch stuff
    author: simon bennett (Manchester UK)

    Firstly thanks to CDBaby for the superfast international shipping. The CD is as good as anything else we've come to expect from Johnette, it's welded into my CD player now and I dont think it will be coming out for a while yet:) If you haven't bought it already....what are you waiting for???

  • author: Jodie

    Full of depth, excellent package, will welcome SB III with open ears too. Great delivery by Johnette as usual! Thanks CD Baby.

  • best release of the year
    author: sundown

    Johnette outdid herself on this one. It's like a soundtrack for what's going on in the world today. If you liked Sb1, #2 will blow you away, more lyrics, more anger, more johnetty!

  • A must have masterpiece!! Great work!!
    author: Cheryl (SC)

    SB 2 is great!! It is a display of a true artist's talent and originality. I love it!!

  • Experimental and Hypnotic
    author: CHINASKI

    Concrete Blonde fans should expect a more experimental approach on Sketchbook2 that hypnotically weaves Johnette's unflinching personal outlook with universal themes throughout. 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.

  • Spotty production on some tracks, but worthy nonetheless
    author: zlh67

    This is NOT a Concrete Blonde album obviously, but the genesis of several tracks that could easily have been on the next Concrete Blonde album are here. Be warned that this is a collection of IDEAS and demos, so some tracks sound rough in terms of production, but if you like Concrete Blonde and/or Johnette, this is still worth checking out. The near- instrumental opening track is a haunting groove that I could listen to for hours and features Johnette wailing in an Indian sounding chant that is mesmorizing! Track #2 (Bringing Me Down) would make a fine Concrete Blonde track. Some of Johnette's film soundtrack work make up some of the other more memorable moments, but the poor production make some of the lesser tracks very skippable. All in all though, this is something I can easily recommend, particularly to hardcore Concrete Blonde/Johnette fans.

  • author: roger (barcelona)

    Received Sketchbook2 today: great music in this CD... Can’t wait for Sketchbook#3! And thanks to CDBaby for the ultra-fast shipping!!

email

Please log in to email this artist.