Singer/songwriter/guitarist Jonatha Brooke has been issuing albums that merge folk and pop since the early '90s, first as a member of a duo called the Story and then later as a solo artist. Brooke formed the Story (originally called Jonatha & Jennifer for their first few years together) along with another vocalist, Jennifer Kimball, while the pair was both attending Boston's Amherst College in the early '80s. Despite playing locally on a regular basis during their college career, the duo never issued any demos or albums and took a break for a period after graduation, during which time Brooke joined a dance troupe. But by the end of the '80s, the group had re-formed, now called the Story, and issued a demo called Over Oceans in 1989. The Story was promptly signed to the independent Green Linnet label, which issued the duo's debut full-length album, Grace in Gravity, in 1991. It wasn't long before Elektra Records expressed interest in the band, in turn reissuing their debut the same year, as well as a sophomore effort, The Angel in the House, two years later.

But by 1994, the Story had split up for good, with Brooke pursuing a solo career. Despite Kimball not being present anymore, Brooke's solo debut, 1995's Plumb, was credited to Jonatha Brooke & the Story. But Brooke was the sole creditor beginning with 1997's 10 Cent Wings, which also marked a shift from her earlier folk-pop to more of a radio-friendly style. This continued on such further releases as 1999's Live and 2001's Steady Pull, the latter of which was co-produced by Brooke and renowned studioman Bob Clearmountain (who has worked with the likes of Bryan Adams, the Rolling Stones, the Corrs, and Hall & Oates, among countless others). Beginning in the late '90s, Brooke's albums were issued via her very own record label, Bad Dog; while in 2002, Brooke 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"). In 2004, Brooke performed a set of ten shows at the Public Theater in New York, the highlights of which were collected for the 2006 release of Live in New York, complete with a DVD of the concert. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide see full bio >>

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