I've been humming "Sprout and the Bean" ever since I saw this news pop up on blogs, that news being that Joanna Newsom's tribute album, Versions of Joanna, is free for streaming and available for purchasing with profits going to Oxfam International.
Joanna's usual nasally shrillness is excellent for me to sing – or in the case of the past ten minutes, hum – along to, and apparently 21 other artists agree. Participants include those such as Billy Bragg, M. Ward, Ian Cooke and Ben Sollee, and though I'm not well-versed in the other artists I am learning to love them as they elegantly and beautifully replicate Joanna's music.
What's also strange is I heard about Ian Cooke six years ago, downloaded two of his tracks off his myspace, and then never heard anything about him ever again. Then voila! He's here twice, accompanying his tenor with moving cello. Blast from the past, most certainly.
Enjoy all 21 tracks below, or purchase here starting at $10.
(via CoS)