You have reached a quiet bamboo grove, where you will find an eclectic mix of nature, music, writing, and other creative arts. Tao-Talk is curated by a philosophical daoist who has thrown the net away.
That’s true, but, like, everyone in Hollywood pretty much knows who Joey is. Even Marc, like I said in the book, we were drinking and he asked if “Joey” was about him. I said, “Yeah,” and he said, “Do you owe me money?” (Laughs) And I said, “No, I don’t think so.” But it’s been fun. I’m 57-years-old and I want to tell my own stories. I’ve had my own identity completely created and misinterpreted and misunderstood and owned, and it’s time for me to own who I am. — Johnette Napolitano in interview with Al Kaufman at Atlanta Music Guide.com
Johnette Napolitano (nee Jonette L. Napolitano) (b. 9/22/57) is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter, and bassist for the rock band Concrete Blonde.
Early Life Johnette was born and raised in Los Angeles, the eldest of five children in an Italian American family. Her parents recognized their daughter possessed musical talent when, as a child, she was able to play “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” on piano by ear. Her mother loved show tunes. The family also listened to Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, and the Rat Pack. At age five she enrolled in a gifted kids art program at UCLA.
Concrete Blonde In 1986, Napolitano co-founded Concrete Blonde with guitarist James Mankey. She sang and sometimes played bass guitar. The pair had worked together under a variety of names since 1982. They released seven studio albums between 1986 and 2004, and one additional album as a collaboration with Los Illegals. Concrete Blonde had several moderately successful singles, including “God is a Bullet”, “Joey”, “Tomorrow Wendy”, and a cover version of “Everybody Knows”, originally by Leonard Cohen. Concrete Blonde broke up and re-formed several times, with Napolitano and Mankey as the only constant members. The band has not been active since 2012.
Solo Career In 1996-97 she opened for Paul Weller and performed many of the songs on her new album, Sound of a Woman, but Island Records had a shake-up at the time and the album was, effectively, lost in the shuffle; at this point is unlikely to ever be officially released. Bootleg copies of this album are rare and highly valued.
Other Bands Before Concrete Blonde, Johnette was a member of Dream 6, who released their self-titled debut EP in 1983. She was involved with several musical projects, including Vowel Movement, a semi-improvisational musical collaboration with Holly Beth Vincent; and Pretty & Twisted, a band that also featured former Wall of Voodoo guitarist Marc Moreland. She is one of several vocalists featured on the 1996 album No Talking, Just Head, by The Heads, including the single “Damage I’ve Done”. The group was formed by three members of Talking Heads (Jerry Harrison, Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth.) Johnette was the primary vocalist for The Heads’ only concert tour.
As of 2009, Napolitano lives in Joshua Tree, California. She composes music for films and works as a gallery artist, specializing in working with discarded and reclaimed materials. She also cares for rescue horses. The Atlanta Music Guide interview also mentioned her being a tattoo artist.
Discography and Filmography With Concrete Blonde Studio albums = 8 Compilation and Live albums = 5 Non-album tracks = 8 Singles = 24 Films and TV programs also feature songs performed by Concrete Blonde = 14 Soundtracks featuring Concrete Blonde = 9
Solo albums Albums = 10 With Pretty & Twisted = 1 Other Projects including acting, composing and producing = many
Johnette has a WordPress page, coffee & a card (daily tarot) which takes you to a site with Johnette reading a daily tarot “for entertainment purposes only.” I want to note that I’ve been listening to her daily tarot reading since writing this up about a month ago, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in tarot!
Glad to see you can comment now. I got up late, headed out of the door at 12:30 or so and just got home. Thank goodness tomorrow is a day of rest. Having fun but it’s wearing me out.
Yes, I loved learning about Johnette and the various groups she was involved with. Had no idea Heads was a group but what an honor to replace
David Byrne.
I saw the email, ran over to the computer and saw others were commenting, and that’s all I had time for. Thanks for the heads-up. It seems to have sorted itself out.
About Johnette, I’ve been loving her daily tarot readings!
No problem…sometimes people turn off comments because of spam and that is what I thought…they seem to be back on now.
I clicked on that link…that is cool!
I never turn them off because I’d never remember to turn them back on. I don’t even know how to. I will have to learn because I’m taking a blogging break for the month of May. It’s time.
I’ve never done it before either. Some do it and never turn them back on…I never could do that…comments are the reason I still do it…but yea…that is a good idea when you leave for a while
Walt, I try to write a good general information and share some samples, and if the reader/listener likes what they read/hear, they can take it from there. Thanks much.
I think she goes by the Waite deck, so you can use your own deck to see. Yes, for those who don’t have decks. I’ve just been visualizing it as she describes each card.
I am partial to the first Concrete Blonde album with “True”, “Still in Hollywood” and a number of other tracks. “True,” in particular, is a killer track.
Johnette Napolitano, photo by Greg Allen
at the Royale in Boston, June 8, 2010
Tao-Talk 
This was great, Lisa and I liked all of the videos.
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Glad you listened and liked what you heard, Jim.
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Now that woke me up. Nice choice, Li❣️
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Thanks, Cindy, yes, she’s a talented singer!
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She sure is❣️
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Hell Yeah! :)
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💃🏻🌹💕
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I liked their music and she sounds great…she has a very cool look!
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Glad to see you can comment now. I got up late, headed out of the door at 12:30 or so and just got home. Thank goodness tomorrow is a day of rest. Having fun but it’s wearing me out.
Yes, I loved learning about Johnette and the various groups she was involved with. Had no idea Heads was a group but what an honor to replace
David Byrne.
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Ignore my email! I though maybe you cut the comments off…I’ll comment on those others I missed if it lets me!
I do like that band…and thank you for telling me more about her….yes that is an honor.
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I saw the email, ran over to the computer and saw others were commenting, and that’s all I had time for. Thanks for the heads-up. It seems to have sorted itself out.
About Johnette, I’ve been loving her daily tarot readings!
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No problem…sometimes people turn off comments because of spam and that is what I thought…they seem to be back on now.
I clicked on that link…that is cool!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never turn them off because I’d never remember to turn them back on. I don’t even know how to. I will have to learn because I’m taking a blogging break for the month of May. It’s time.
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I’ve never done it before either. Some do it and never turn them back on…I never could do that…comments are the reason I still do it…but yea…that is a good idea when you leave for a while
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I liked all three tracks. ‘Amazing’ was my fav though.
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Glad you liked them, Glyn. I think the vampire one is my fave.
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Nice to take a trip back into the late 80s/early 90s!
Good work on all these writeups!
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Walt, I try to write a good general information and share some samples, and if the reader/listener likes what they read/hear, they can take it from there. Thanks much.
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I like her work with the Heads–never heard it before. And thanks for the Tarot link. Wish she pictured the card though. (K)
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I think she goes by the Waite deck, so you can use your own deck to see. Yes, for those who don’t have decks. I’ve just been visualizing it as she describes each card.
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Johnette Napolitano and Concrete Blonde are all new to me. Based on my initial impression, Johnette sounds intriguing – thanks for the intro! :-)
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Christian, I’m surprised you haven’t heard of them, but I’m glad you are aware of them now.
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Great this has now changed – thanks again for the intro! :-)
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You’re welcome :)
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I am partial to the first Concrete Blonde album with “True”, “Still in Hollywood” and a number of other tracks. “True,” in particular, is a killer track.
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Thanks for your recommendations. You’re right, “True” is killer.
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