It's late, and I need to get up early tomorrow, but before I go to bed I just have to jot down some thoughts about the greatest musical experience I witnessed in my entire life. Greater than oft-repeated highlights of hearing the mellotron intro to kid a at the impressionable age of 14; or being clued into the raw power of tube amp distortion - those were influential, revelatory, but relatively succinct episodes; Joanna Newsom's concert was 90 mins worth of quintessential live music experience.
Listening to her breathtaking harp and weirdly wondrous voice on record is a marvel - watching it live is something that opens one's mind to new musical horizons. The requisite alacrity for harp proficiency might ostensibly produce an immediate but superficial awe, but let's not forget that Newsom is a songwriter and performer - and vocalist, particularly since the recording of Have One on Me - of the highest order; destined to be immortalized in the annals of folk music, like her hero and opening performer Roy Harper.
Backed by a band of immensely talented individuals (who are self-confident enough to realize one or two little mistakes need not detract from the performance at all), she brought the regal classicism of technical excellence to a show with the grandiose momentum of an arena rock event. From the conspicuous - such as the graceful arm gestures after a pizzicato violin phrase - to the subtle - as with the sympathetic resonance of un-muted mandolin strings - each moment was immaculately crafted to perfection. I watched in amazement - without an ounce of envy, or the slightest feeling of "hey, maybe one day I might be able to play something like that", that I sometimes catch myself experiencing at such shows - and simply enjoyed witnessing masters of their craft at work.
But back to Joanna... she was so sweet and lovely in person! Whoever gave me the impression that she was something of a snob? Her inimitable vocal inflections - in turns delicate and tender; or playful and lilting - never fails to seize one's attention; hearing it live was strangely natural, and further testament of how well she's developed it as an integral instrument in her music. I could, and really should, go on, but I'll spare everyone the allegories and alliteration (but mostly, I need sleep). In closing, I thank God for such a beautiful, downright moving performance.
Tomorrow, I return to the mundane drudgery of engineering texts and school projects. But today..today I remember how wondrous a gift music is. On a day where terrible weather, train delays, and the incessant shifting around of an old man in the seat in front of me threatened to make my day miserable.. Thank You God for the splendid creativity You have blessed people like Joanna with; and enabling them to share their gift with the world. Heck, thank You that I'm able to appreciate her music (cos there are people who don't *shrug*). And of course, thank you, Joanna.

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silence from you is like the death of a tune

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so goes the backing track of all the sighs we ever sighed