From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V4 #151 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk JMDL Digest Friday, April 9 1999 Volume 04 : Number 151 Join the Joni Mitchell Internet Community Glossary project. Send a blank message to for all the details. ------- The Official Joni Mitchell Homepage is maintained by Wally Breese at http://www.jonimitchell.com and contains the latest news, a detailed bio, original interviews and essays, lyrics, and much more. ------- The JMDL website can be found at http://www.jmdl.com and contains interviews, articles, the member gallery, archives, and much more. ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: For The Roses ["Kakki" ] Re: Pronunciation of Hejira ["Eric Taylor" ] HOSL (JC) [evian ] thank you! (NJC) ["P. Henry" ] Re: Pronunciation of Hejira ["Kakki" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 22:45:02 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: For The Roses Russell wrote: >2. I need some education concerning FTR. I love many of the songs and have >listened to this one for years........but there's something about it that I JUST >DON"T GET!!!! The overall concept (if there is one) escapes me totally. >Electricity is perhaps my fave song, But I JUST DON'T GET IT!! >Help!! It's difficult to articulate all the many reasons why FTR is my most ecstatic fave but I feel challenged to give it a try. Disclaimer: These are only my personal feelings and interpretation regarding this work and I don't purport to speak for anyone else! I started out with Joni from the beginning and anticipated each new album like a rare jewel, always eagerly looking forward to her next creation. I considered all the early albums mostly as personal stories of her own ongoing life, experiences and growth. When "Blue" came out, I had no idea that she was suffering an emotional crisis or "nervous breakdown" (as she recounted later in several interviews) but I did hear reports on the radio that she was in very bad shape and that people were very worried about her. At that time, her upset was attributed to breaking up with James Taylor and there was also some blame cast on Carly Simon for "stealing" James away and putting Joni in a less than flattering light in her popular song "No Secrets". So I also worried and wondered about Joni and did not hear any more news on her for almost a year. Then I was so relieved to hear that she had released a new album "For The Roses" and I rushed to buy it. Every single song knocked me out on the first listen. Not only was each one gorgeous melodically but each set of lyrics seemed to address and confront so many life issues which she (and many of the rest of us) was struggling with: disparities and inequities in the American Dream - "Banquet"; problems with a lover (James) - Cold Blue Steel; struggle with love, self confidence and self-esteem - "Lesson in Survival" ; time-old conflicts with one's mother - "Let the Wind Carry Me"; second-thoughts, burn-out, and cynicism toward one's career (record biz) and fame -"For The Roses"; longing and difficulty in letting go of a love - "See You Sometime"; "Electricity"; "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio"; womanizing lovers - "Blonde in The Bleachers" and "Woman of Heart and Mind" (which also makes an allusion to the long-lost child). The closing song, "Judgement of the Moon and Stars" touches on all these issues and she ends in fighting spirit, "shaking her fists at lightning now" and deciding (and also exhorting the listener) to "spread your light like blazes all across the sky" and "strike every chord that you feel." It's like she fell into the deep, dark tunnel but ultimately emerged triumphantly into the light. I thought the whole album was this most amazing tale of confronting and processing one's heartaches and demons and finding some resolution and she expressed the experience through the vehicle of this beautiful creation. One should also consider that this was not the ordinary or typical kind of album made by a female artist back in 1972, either. I can't think of many others from that time who put right out there such personal issues in an entire album. Laura Nyro is the only one I can recall offhand. So it was definitely a mold breaker in many ways at the time. In interviews, Joni has talked about this period. After "Blue", she was going to quit the record biz and she ran off to British Columbia to escape everything and started building her little cottage up there. She talks about her dark period of breakdown and depression there. She said that she would swim in the ocean everyday and one day as she emerged from the water, the "cloud" suddenly lifted and she knew she was going to be alright. So everytime I play this album it reminds me of her triumphant return and victory and it is just as compelling as the first time I experienced it. I was just so glad she made it back and brought us this gorgeous music as an eternal bonus. Kakki the Rosarian ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Apr 1999 02:23:23 -0400 From: "Eric Taylor" Subject: Re: Pronunciation of Hejira Cathy asked: <> I offered: <> Jason clarified: <> That's what I've always thought! "Hejira" is pronounced phonetically in English. Joni just put that Canadian twist on it.... Okay. I am an Hejira lover and just want to scream: "Get a hearing aid!" when people call it "bland." The word that comes to my mind is "hypnotic." I think that anyone who doesn't absolutely ADORE this album has never really been high or else never listened to it on a good stereo. I'd also like to comment on The Jungle Line. When I first heard it back in 75, it was my favorite song Joni had ever done. I remember blasting it all the time and really think that it contributed to my growing appreciation for World Beat music. The brave critics panned her for it back then but who can argue now that Joni didn't break the ground for the best of what we hear today? And I still think the Shadows & Light video inspired MTV.... E.T. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Apr 1999 00:37:44 -0600 From: evian Subject: HOSL (JC) Okay.... I am coming out of the Joni closet and I am going to say.... I prefer HOSL to Hejira!!! HOSL really annoyed me the first few years I had it, and then, after really listening to it, I find it pure genius! I love love love Hejira, and I seem to identify with it more and more as I grow older, and it is a much more.. hmm.. what word am I looking for.... personal album for me, but HOSL is just pure genius and ballsy to me! There is something about how it departs from everything else she has done, while at the same time builds on it, that really catches me. As well, why "The Boho Dance" wasn't a single, I will never know. Anyway, just another late night ramble, since we have been talking about the Hejira and FTR debate. Evian np: Yaz -- Upstairs at Erics ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Apr 1999 22:43:03 -0800 From: "P. Henry" Subject: thank you! (NJC) Les, Thank you VERY much!!! I, for one, REALLY appreciate this new feature being added! pat Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 23:45:56 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: Pronunciation of Hejira Eric wrote: > Okay. I am an Hejira lover and just want to scream: "Get a hearing >aid!" when people call it "bland." The word that comes to my mind is >"hypnotic." I think that anyone who doesn't absolutely ADORE this album has >never really been high or else never listened to it on a good stereo. Eric, I acknowledge and appreciate you as even more of a total, rabid Joni loyalist than myself, but calm down ;-) "Bland"may not have been the best choice of words but it can have many meanings, not always derogatory! I prefer one of my dictionary's definitions - "pleasantly smooth in manner, suave, mild and soothing, not sharp, harsh." Hejira is just a tad too smooth for me personally (excepting Black Crow). Think I just prefer it when Joni's jars and mixes up the elements a little more. And why does one have to be "really high" to truly enjoy Joni!? Geez, I think she alone is the best drug there is and doesn't need any "enhancement" to make the experience better ;-D Kakki ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V4 #151 ************************** There is now a JMDL tape trading list. Interested traders can get more details at http://www.jmdl.com/trading ------- The Song and Album Voting Booths are open again! Cast your votes by clicking the links at http://www.jmdl.com/gallery username: jimdle password: siquomb ------- Don't forget about these ongoing projects: FAQ Project: Help compile the JMDL FAQ. 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