The wagging butt of a tailless dog, a philosophical conversation between a tattered trash bag and a shard of glass, plus all the real-life expressions of love and laughter and hope and heartache that color everyday people’s lives. These are the experiences of Trashbag Birdie, the third solo CD by singer-songwriter Joni Laurence, a girl with a guitar who is anything but “just another” girl with a guitar.
While the sound of Joni Laurence certainly has its roots in folk music, Trashbag Birdie veers slightly from the feel of Joni’s two previous releases as she explores the boundaries of the folk genre. The fourteen original tracks cover a wide range of styles, from the funk driven electric guitar energy of “Sneak-up” to the irresistible sweetness of “I Love You” to the imaginative storyline and upbeat, foot-tapping tempo of “Trashbag Birdie,” which will stick in your head for days after you’ve heard it only once.
Community radio D.J., Kevin Elliott, WEFT 90.1, has this to say about Trashbag Birdie:
“Trashbag Birdie is one of my favorite CDs of the year. Joni has stirred up an eclectic menu of styles, embellished by a stellar supporting cast. She is in fine voice, with her customary mix of lyrical sensitivity and wit. This is Joni at her best…I really love this CD.”
In Joni’s performances, the Midwestern roots of a woman born and raised in Illinois clearly show themselves. She tells a few stories, but mostly lets the music speak for itself, which happens effortlessly because of Joni’s simple and accessible, while still captivating, performance style. Joni’s early influences, audible in her music, include Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Indigo Girls and Nanci Griffith, although her earliest influences were likely her musical parents, who once sang duets on central Illinois’ first television variety show, the Possum Holler Opry.
Whatever her influences, Joni has been drawing audiences into her world – and keeping them there – for over 10 years while performing in and around the Midwest at venues such as The Old Town School of Folk, Chicago, IL and the Blue Moon Coffee House, Bloomington, IL. Joni’s two previous releases, Short Time (1998) and Daphne Speaks (2000) have received high praise. The creative songwriter has been a finalist in a number of song writing contests including the Songwriters Association of Washington Song Contest and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and she has opened for such artists as Carrie Newcomer, John Gorka and Lynn Miles, among others.
In a way, Joni Laurence is indeed “just another” girl with a guitar, just like Eleanor Roosevelt was just another radical First Lady and Donna Summers was just another disco queen. Joni is set apart by her unique and soul-stirring talent for translating the human experience into insightful lyrics and unforgettable music. Ben Omart of the Muse’s Muse, in reviewing Short Time is right – Joni Laurence is simply, purely and wonderfully “gifted.”
Salut!!
Thanks for the add and for taking a listen....any comment or feedback would be great!..much appreciated!..i'm loving this time of year, any don't work too hard!!have a good Tuesday!!
Youna :)
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Time to stop being a stranger for me... Haha, anyway how have you been doing? How is the music going? I would love to hear about your journey for sure.
Hey Joni! You know, I saw you about 7 years ago at a bar in Champaign, IL called Ruby's, bought "Short Time" that night, and am still listening to it to this day. Can't wait to get your other CDs too!
How have you been?
Would you stop by my page and comment my new single Good Man? I will be Back on tour in April with new dates posting soon.
I hope to see you & keep in touch!
Have a great day.
Thank you,
Hi Joni, I have to say I miss seeing your shows here in C-U. However, I am so glad that you are doing well out west. I'll be looking forward to your next show back "home" in Brown Town. Your music means so much to myself and my partner. Thank you. Anne Jackson
My dearest aunt..I love the song "breathing", I just had to add it on to my page so my friends could listen to it. Well, thank you for being a great artist...love you!
