Jonatha Brooke

Infobox musical artist
Name = Jonatha Brooke


Img_capt = Jonatha Brooke performs in Kansas City, 2001
Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jonatha Brooke
Alias =
Born = birth date and age|1964|1|23
Illinois, U.S.Cite web | url = http://www.musicianguide.com/biographies/1608004699/Jonatha-Brooke.html| publisher = Net Industries | title = Jonatha Brooke Biography | accessdate = 2008-08-27]
Died =
Origin =
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar
Genre = Folk rock
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1980s - Present
Label = Bad Dog Records
Associated_acts = The Story
URL = [http://www.jonathabrooke.com jonathabrooke.com]
Notable_instruments =

Jonatha Brooke is an American folk rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. She began her career in the late 1980s as one half of the folk duo The Story, and began her solo career in 1994. Her music merges elements of folk, rock and pop, often with poignant lyrics and complex harmonies.

Biography

The Story

Brooke and fellow Bostonian Jennifer Kimball began playing music together in the 1980s after having met at Amherst College. Despite playing locally on a regular basis during their college career (billed as "Jonatha & Jennifer"), the duo did not create any demos or albums. They took a break for a period after graduation, during which time Brooke focused on her ballet career.

In 1989, the group created a demo called "Over Oceans". The two friends were promptly signed to the independent Green Linnet label, which, in 1991, issued the duo's debut full-length album, "Grace in Gravity". It was not long before the larger label Elektra Records signed The Story and re-issued their debut. Their second album, "The Angel in the House", was released in 1993. Both albums featured dissonant vocal harmonies to an extent not found in most albums in the genre.

olo career

In 1994 Brooke parted ways with Kimball and pursued a solo career. She released her first solo album, "Plumb" (1995), which, despite Kimball no longer being part of the act, was credited to Jonatha Brooke & The Story. This was followed by "10 Cent Wings", which also marked a shift from her earlier folk-pop to more of a radio-friendly style. This shift continued onto her next release "Steady Pull", a more rock-influenced album which was co-produced by Brooke and renowned studioman Bob Clearmountain (who has worked with Bryan Adams, The Rolling Stones, The Corrs, Hall & Oates, and other major artists).

In the late 1990's, Brooke's vocals were featured in Goodyear Tire's commercial jingle, "Serious Freedom, Goodyear, Goodyear."

Beginning in the late 1990s, Brooke's albums were issued via her own record label, Bad Dog. "Back in the Circus", released in 2004, features new material along with covers of songs by Alan Parsons Project ("Eye in the Sky"), The Beach Boys ("God Only Knows"), and James Taylor ("Fire and Rain"). The album was also released in the UK in 2005, combining some of its tracks with some from "Steady Pull". In August 2006 she released a combination CD and DVD titled "Live in New York".

In 2002, she performed a pair of songs on Disney's "Return to Never Land" soundtrack, contributing an original composition ("I'll Try") and a cover ("The Second Star to the Right"). Brooke has been featured as a guest vocalist with artists such as Lisa Loeb, Chris Botti and Patty Larkin, and has co-written tracks for Joe Sample's "The Pecan Tree".

Her latest studio album, "Careful What You Wish For", was released on April 3, 2007 via Rykodisc distribution.

Brooke's song "Because I Told You So" (from "Ten Cent Wings") was covered by Nick Lachey on the European release of his 2006 album "What's Left of Me". Her song "Inconsolable" (from "Plumb") was featured in an episode of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer entitled "Prophecy girl". "Landmine" (from "Ten Cent Wings") was featured in an episode of Ally McBeal.

In February 2008, Jonatha entered the studio once again to record "The Works", which was released in August 2008. The set is a collection of Woody Guthrie inspired songs. [Paste Magazine [http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2008/06/jonatha-brooke-set-to-release-album-of-guthrie-lyr.html Jonatha Brooke Set to Release Album of Guthrie Lyrics] ]

Charity

In 2008 she participated in a music album called Songs for Tibet, which is an initiative to support Tibet, Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso and to underline the human rights situation in Tibet. The album was issued on August 5 via iTunes and on August 19 in music stores around the world. [E-Online (July 22, 2008) [http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/b147502_sting_matthews_mayer_gamer_tibet_beijing.html Sting, Matthews, Mayer Gamer for Tibet Than Beijing] ]

Discography

* "Plumb" (1995)
* "10 Cent Wings" (1997)
* "Live" (1999)
* "Steady Pull" (2001)
* "Back in the Circus" (2004)
* "Live In New York" (CD/DVD set) (2006)
* "Careful What You Wish For" (2007)
* "The Works" (2008)

External links

* [http://www.jonathabrooke.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.sirensofsong.com/brooke.htm Sirens of Song: Jonatha Brooke]
*imdb|1064844
* [http://laist.com/2008/10/07/jonatha_brooke.php/ LAist.com Interview]
*myspace|jonathabrooke|Jonatha Brooke

References