Dan's Papers - February 15, 2008 - Joan Osborne Up Close and Personal at the Talkhouse

It's hard not to associate folkie soul singer Joan Osborne with anything but her 1995 hit single "One of Us." Yeah, you know "What if God was one of us/ Just a slob like one of us." Not only did it ask a few simple, yet poignant questions, it also lent itself to top 40 playlists for a lifetime, and became a theme song for Bible study groups across the country. Although the image of Midwestern housewives in draping frocks, holding hands and singing "One of Us" while praising the baby Jesus is far from what Osborne intended when she released Relish, it's hard to control a song once it's in the hands of the public. (Just ask Bruce Springsteen or Woody Guthrie, both of whom have had their most popular songs, "This Land is Your Land" and "Born in the USA," misconstrued by the politicking right for a few decades. Reagan even wanted to use Springsteen's anti-Vietnam anthem for his re-election campaign!) But hey, if your legacy is going to be misinterpreted, it's nice to be in the company of greats like Guthrie and the Boss.

Fortunately for Ms. Osborne, 45, her post "One of Us" accomplishments outweigh the one-hit wonder status she has been afforded by those who clearly aren't paying attention. While the public has been busy lapping up regurgitated J.Lo singles, Osborne has been making a name for herself in the world of soul, most notably appearing with the Funk Brothers, the Motown session band that has played on "more number one hits than The Beatles, Elvis Pressley, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys combined." Osborne's unique blend of folkie soul struck a chord with many on the mid-90's Lilith Fair tour. She also appeared in the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, a film about the legacy of The Funk Brothers, whose careers were being omitted from the credits on albums they were a part of (It wasn't until 1971 release of Marvin Gaye's What's Going On that the band received any credit on a record.) Osborne teamed with the Funk Brothers for the soundtrack, reviving Motown classics "(Love is Like a) Heat Wave" and "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted." The collaboration proved so successful that Joan and the Funk Brothers eventually embarked on a world tour, playing such high profile gigs as the annual Ottawa Blues Fest.

And then there is that little matter of Osborne's time as a member of The Dead, you know, the Jerry Garcia-less version of The Grateful Dead, reincarnated in 2003. I had the pleasure of catching The Dead a few times that summer and I thank God Osborne was there to hit the high-notes. Bobby Weir just doesn't have it like he used to. While Osborne's tenure with The Dead lasted only for one tour, her vintage vibe must've left a lasting impression on long-time Dead bassist Phil Lesh, who has repeatedly featured Osborne in the touring version of his "Phil & Friends." On the last stop of their 2006 Summer Tour with Trey Anastasio of Phish fame, I caught Lesh and Osborne in Vermont, where her soaring, yet delicate, vocals shined on Jerry Garcia classics "They Love Each Other" and, especially, the tragic Mardi Gras love affair of "Ruben & Cherise."

Not one to lay low for long, Osborne recently made guest appearances with Patti Smith and her band at New York's Bowery Ballroom, where Smith was holed up for a three day New Years run. When she's not appearing with other famous vocalists, Osbourne can be found in the studio. Recently she contributed to the soon-to-be released reggae tribute to The Police Spirits in the Material World, which also features a who's who of reggae demi-gods like Gregory Issacs, Toots Hibbert, Lee Perry, Inner Circle and the Wailing Souls. Joan's take on The Police classic "Every Breath You Take" is sure to be a refreshing mix of sun and soul. Hopefully it'll get rid of that sour taste created P. Diddy after he sampled Sting's anthem in tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G.

While hanging out with bad ass legends of rock is all fun and games, it doesn't stop Osborne from performing on her own. In fact, she will be coming to The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett on Saturday March 1st for a super intimate performance that is sure to leave fans as happy as Giants fans after the unbelievable Super Bowl victory. While there couldn't be a better venue to see an artist up close and personal, the show will also serve as a warm-up of sorts to Osborne's March 7th performance at Carnegie Hall, where her years of hardworking and undying passion will finally pay off as she plays a venue most only dream of.