From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V4 #371 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk JMDL Digest Friday, August 27 1999 Volume 04 : Number 371 The Laborday JoniFest is happening this fall! For information: send a message to Join the mailing list at: ------- 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: OZ speak ["John Low" ] Re: Album suggestions [=?iso-8859-1?Q?Winfried_H=FChn?= ] Re: Oz Speak (NJC) [catman ] Re: Carole King (NJC) ["Helen M. Adcock" ] Re: Where I was when... [MDESTE1@aol.com] Cat Tonic (NJC) ["Paul Castle" ] Where I was when... ["Paul Castle" ] Re: Opening tracks [Jerry Notaro ] Where I was when I was being there ow, but getting there later [MGVal@ao] RE: SNL (NJC) [Louis Lynch ] Re: Album suggestions ["Mark or Travis" ] Re: Your Next Joni-Purchase ["Jennifer L. Nodine" ] Kiwi Cake (NJC) [Steve Dulson ] Coyote ["Jennifer L. Nodine" ] Richard Thompson's "Mock Tudor" -- a review (long NJC) [Don Rowe ] re: album suggestions ["Ray & Cathy" ] Re: SNL (NJC) [waytoblu@mindspring.com] PWWAM [Janet Hess ] Re: Scaredy Cat [Martin Giles ] Re: Scaredy Cat - NJC [Siresorrow@aol.com] RE: Opening Tracks ["Chad Burkhart" ] RE: Blue Heron (NJC) ["John Low" ] Re: My favorite SNL music memories (NJC) [Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com] Re: Where I was when... [Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com] Re: Fwd: Opening Tracks [Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com] Re: Jazz Joni vs Classic Joni/Twisted [Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com] NJC: Re: Trademark Violation ["Jim L'Hommedieu" ] "Coyote" availability ["Jim L'Hommedieu" ] Re: Where I was when... ["Mark or Travis" ] Re: SNL (NJC) ["Mark or Travis" ] Re: Blue Heron (NJC) ["Mark or Travis" ] Re: Where I was when... [Mark Domyancich ] CD Now - Artist of the Millenium Poll and No Joni! ["Kakki" ] Re: Sarah & Billie (was SNL) (NJC) ["Kakki" ] Re: Blue Heron (NJC) ["Kakki" ] He.lp a JMDL'er spend some cash! [Bounced Message ] Cruelty Towards Others [Joseph Palis ] Re: Nina Simone ["Mark or Travis" ] SNL Finest Moments [Thunderthumbs ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 00:41:09 PDT From: "John Low" Subject: RE: OZ speak I'm having trouble keeping up with this sudden 'list' interest in the Aussie language. Martin wrote: >Is the expression "Flat out like a lizard drinking" real OZ speak? I >think it comes from Barrie Humphreys. According to a dictionary of Australian colloquialisms I have, the term does indeed pre-date Barry H. According to this book it was certainly in existence in 1944 - used in a novel by Jean Devanny, "By Tropic, Sea and Jungle", published that year. It means, of course, "working flat out without a moment to spare". John (in Sydney). ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 10:01:35 +0200 From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Winfried_H=FChn?= Subject: Re: Album suggestions Kim writes: > I guess I can trust this group. Can I get some suggestions as to what my 1st > album > (post Court and Spark, I guess-not exactly sure of the chronology) should be > since I'm feeling ready to take the plunge. > Also what album is Coyote on? I heard her sing this in The Last Waltz and it > was awesome Hi Kim, welcome to the state of de-lurkdom! Hope to read more from you in the future! Coyote is on "Hejira", my personal favorite. Personally, I've had some bad experiences with exposing my friends to this album, but since you've already had a taste of Joni, I'd still recommend this Album to you. It is pretty much inevitable. Winfred in Germany, who is also 29 years old, btw ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 05:53:51 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: RE: Carole King (NJC) you're right. and you know what i really like a lot about R & R? the strings. she was really getting into orchestrating her songs back then. i feel that carole is a little underrated. she made some bad choices along the way too. [corazon makes me want to jump out of some window.] but she knows more about harmony and composition theory than most of the rest. that's something i really admire: she can whip up a dozen songs in a jiffy, and ten will be outstanding. wallyk >Don't you think it just has a better feel thenTapestry? I mean that album is >like a Joni album where EVERY song is a winner. I could listen to that album >all day long. I jst love Fergason Road and The First Day in >august. The harmonies are so sweet and the lyrics awesome. If she would >have stayed strong throughout the years she would have been Joni's biggest >contenters in mho! >Catgirl ...do you think you can hear me?...... :o) > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 10:58:51 +0100 From: catman Subject: Re: Oz Speak (NJC) Whipping the cat? Wash you mouth out! I kick mine-hence the flat faces. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 23:20:37 +1200 From: "Helen M. Adcock" Subject: Re: Carole King (NJC) Catgirl wrote: >Don't you think it just has a better feel thenTapestry? I mean that album is >like a Joni album where EVERY song is a winner. I could listen to that album >all day long. I jst love Fergason Road and The First Day in >august. The harmonies are so sweet and the lyrics awesome. If she would >have stayed strong throughout the years she would have been Joni's biggest >contenters in mho! Now, I don't want to sound too negative (no flames, please!) - I love Carole's music - but to me she was never in Joni's league lyrically. She could (and still can) write wonderful songs, but you don't get songs like "Sire of Sorrow (Job's Sad Song)" or "Hejira" from Carole. Her music is much lighter and still appeals on that level, but I wonder if the years of writing "formula" hits with Gerry Goffin in her little sound booth had an affect on her writing. This is not (and I stress this!) a bad thing, but Joni's lyrics always hit me more intellectually as well as emotionally. Carole was my favourite artist until I was 17 or 18, then Joni took over, big time! Maybe it was my own naivete in life up until then, but my fervour for Carole has waned somewhat over the years, whereas my enthusiasm for Joni's music has only gotten stronger. Or maybe it's just really late and I'm philosophising too much! I think a lot of that difference is in the lifestyles they chose. Joni chose the the travelling "explorer" route, ie. "I am on a lonely road, and I am travelling... looking for something, what can it be?" Whereas Carole pretty much settled down in the mountains with her family. Look at some of the lyrics from the "Welcome Home" album, eg. "At times I feel a golden spirit running through me, thinking of my life and what it's given to me. I will live within that spirit, ever knowing, I'm where I'm supposed to be. Welcome home, welcome Home, etc., etc." Food for thought, or the over-tired ramblings of a mad woman! I'll leave it to you to decide! And, yes, I agree (in answer to your actual question!) Rhymes and Reasons does have a better feel than Tapestry! Some absolutely beautiful songs - well-crafted and beautifully arranged. I love that album! Helen NP - The cat, who has gone completely mental and is chasing non-existent mice (I assume it's mice - it could be lizards, or cows, for all I know) all over the house. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 08:03:19 EDT From: MDESTE1@aol.com Subject: Re: Where I was when... This is an interesting thread. The question is why has Jonis music created the effect of remembering where it was first heard. I believe it is because it is impressionistic. Impressionism is not just art. It is mental "agitation". A normal painting is clear and in spite of having many details all the details are refined and resolved as to exactly what they are. The mind has all the answers and the details it needs to determine what the painting is saying or communicating. Impressionism is far different. Impressionism doesnt provide many of the details or asnswerss instead relying on smudges and lines to force the MIND and the IMAGINATION of the viewer to WORK at determining the precise nature of the scene or the meaning. Of course this leaves open the possibility of different minds with their different references coming to different conclusions. That is always possible with impressionism. That is also why I think too much we here arrive at conclusions as to what Joni is saying when it sometimes is clear to me that she may just be saying something way different than one of our conclusions. This art of agitating the mind obviously distracts the mind from what ever it was thinking about at the time the album was heard as we are drawn into the contents of the album. Hence we remember vividly what we were doing and where we were when we FIRST heard the album. Other more simplistic albums leave us free to just sort of feel the music and keep on doing what we are doing. Great hits with great hooks also will cause deep etched memories of first listens but they do it with the strong repreated hook line "We are family". The funny thing is one usually remembers seasons with the hits ie "summer of 69". With Joni it is moments. marcel. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 13:14:08 +0100 From: "Paul Castle" Subject: Cat Tonic (NJC) I'm sorry - I know this is going to enflame many of you but I have just the prettiest little cat in the whole world - a grey kitten-like stray who has stayed the same size (bigger belly) over the last couple of years and recently has taken to standing on my knees blocking my view of the computer screen as she tries to find out where in the world Ashara is or who Michael's touring with, or whether anyone out there shares her liking for Hot Tuna and Canned Heat! PaulC and Scruddle "Get down off of there!" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 13:36:09 +0100 From: "Paul Castle" Subject: Where I was when... Valerie Richardson valkraemer@igc.org wrote: >I remember spending a lot of warm summer evenings >that year hanging out with my girlfriends on our street corner. >A car would go by with Joni Mitchell blasting out from the car's >speakers, and everything seemed right with the world. Oh BLESS Valerie - I live this. PaulC ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 08:37:09 -0400 From: Jerry Notaro Subject: Re: Opening tracks Mark or Travis wrote: > > > While we're on the subject, just what the heck are window jars anyway? Mine were old mayonnaise jars, believe it or not! Jerry sp: Babs: I've Dreamed of You (by one of my favorites, Ann Hampton Callaway) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 08:58:12 EDT From: MGVal@aol.com Subject: Where I was when I was being there ow, but getting there later So many Joni "where I was when" memories, so little time.... I remember the day that I bought WTRF. I was attending Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. I bought the album one afternoon in their bookstore, giddy with excitement. It was a real visual feast, what with all of the paintings. I can remember scrutinizing each one and greedily reading the lyrics and liner notes like a starved person at a HomeTown Buffet. Coincidentally, I was also waiting to meet a blind date. In those ancient, no-mobile-phone days, I had no way to contact him to cancel because I had to get home to listen to the album, so I sat and contented myself w/ the aforementioned visual stuff and waited for my date. The focus on WTRF seems to have captured that whole afternoon like a bug in amber. Even as I type this, I can see his green Datsun wagon and remember the dismay that I felt when I noticed that his shoes were some funky-isn't-the-word-for-it, handmade, mountain man kinda thing. I can remember his green, green eyes and how he smelled of patchouli. After exchanging greetings, he asked what I had in mind for the afternoon and I showed him my album and explained how my joni-jones were acting up real, real bad. He graciously accompanied me to the listening lounge in the college's library and sat reading while I plugged in the headphones and listened over and over and over and over, remembering my date not at all until the librarian tapped my shoulder and said that my time was up. Chris the Alien went on to become an important boyfriend in my life, weird shoes notwithstanding. And I think that he never would have made it past the footwear judgment stage had it not been for his patience and understanding while I sat and indulged in that album. MG - back online once again with many many thanks to Al!!! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 06:43:21 -0700 From: Louis Lynch Subject: RE: SNL (NJC) Most of the SNL performances you all mentioned were great (Paul Simon & Ladysmith, rah!!!). Did anyone catch Kate Bush performing "Man with the Child in His Eyes"? I still regard it as one of the all-time highpoints of televised music, right up there with Bing and Bowies doing "Little Drummer Boy." Her "dance" on top of the piano was pure sexy! It gets my vote as SNL #1, for sure. And I've been a Kate Bush fan ever since. And, for Rickie Lee ... I liked her songs until I saw her perform on SNL -- her stage appearance really turned me off. Around then, she also made some rather gratuitous public cracks about Joni being too white to sing jazz (remember that?), and she fell far from grace with me. Even her spellbinding take on "Just Walk Away Renee" hasn't redeemed her. Sorry RLJ fans, but I list her SNL act as highly forgettable, ranking about ten notches below Vanilla Ice. Sneaking from the lurking, Harper Lou ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 06:47:53 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: Album suggestions > Hi Kim, > > welcome to the state of de-lurkdom! Hope to read more from you in the > future! > Coyote is on "Hejira", my personal favorite. Personally, I've had some bad > experiences with exposing my friends to this album, but since you've already > had a taste of Joni, I'd still recommend this Album to you. It is pretty > much inevitable. > > Winfred in Germany, > who is also 29 years old, btw > Checking in with another 'Welcome to the list, Kim' and my $.02. Hejira is great but I would recommend Night Ride Home. I think it would be an easier transition for you from the early albums. Just my opinion Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 11:02:03 -0400 From: "Jennifer L. Nodine" Subject: Re: Your Next Joni-Purchase Oh, Kim, I can agree with your fear of letting go of your old favorites to let more in. It's kinda like a fear I have of having any more babies. I have one now, and of course she's my favorite, and I sometimes feel ready, but I'm scared. Scared that there won't be enough time to enjoy them all equally, or enough time to enjoy her as much. Also scared that I won't love them as much as I love her, or that I might love them more. My favorite Joni songs are like kids, I can't imagine what my life was like before I had them. They've grown in depth and meaning to me over the years. But, strangely, the more favorites you add to your repoirtoire, the more your life is enhanced... as a mother of three I'm sure you are happy you didn't stop at one or two! Keep experiencing new Joni, and soon your choice of music while your doing your housework won't be between artists, it will be which Joni CD you want to hear that day. One more thing, I still have alot to experience myself (we're not all Joni EXPERTS, though we like to think so!!) I was stuck where you are not too long ago and have finally started buying new Joni stuff (new to me) and I'm sorry I didn't sooner! Beleive me, you've been depriving yourself-ESPECIALLY IF YOU DON'T HAVE HEJIRA!!!!Go get it now, I promise you will not be disappointed. Sincerely, Jenny CT RMuRocks@aol.com wrote: > > Kim intros and says: > > << I guess I can trust this group. Can I get some suggestions as to what my > 1st > album > (post Court and Spark, I guess-not exactly sure of the chronology) should be > since I'm feeling ready to take the plunge. > Also what album is Coyote on? I heard her sing this in The Last Waltz and it > was awesome >> > > Well, Kim, no one is going to roll their eyes at you here...belated welcome! > > And as for your question - you answered it yourself..."Coyote" is on Hejira, > which is the greatest record of all time by anyone ever and should be your > next purchase! > > Bob, who'll turn 29 again in a month or so... > > NP: Sugarloaf, "I Don't Need You Baby" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 08:25:28 -0700 From: Steve Dulson Subject: Kiwi Cake (NJC) A few years ago, my local newspaper, The Daily Pilot, ran a food column with the headline "Kiwis Dress Up French Tart". It brought *all kinds* of interesting pictures to mind! ############################################################## Steve Dulson Costa Mesa CA steve@psitech.com "The Tinker's Own" *NEW* website at: http://www.tinkersown.com "Southern California Dulcimer Heritage" http://members.aol.com/scdulcimer/ "The Living Tradition Concert Series" (Website soon!) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 11:30:03 -0400 From: "Jennifer L. Nodine" Subject: Coyote Hi all, does anyone remember me mentioning "Steve Hax", my Coyote? I think it was a thread about Amelia and the false alarm. I remember wondering if I would be 80 years old and still crying over him. Anyway, I was visited by him in a dream again last night. In my dream, he breaks into my house and will not leave until I agree to leave my husband and run off with him because he has finally discovered that I was THE GIRL for him and that he can't live without me anymore. As guilty as I felt when I woke up, I found myself wishing I could go back to sleep and keep that dream going. Dreams...and false alarms. - -Jenny CT ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 08:39:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Don Rowe Subject: Richard Thompson's "Mock Tudor" -- a review (long NJC) The sessions Richard Thompson's played on with artists like Bonnie Raitt (Luck of the Draw, Longing In Their Hearts) seem to have had their effect. His latest, "Mock Tudor" finds the usually bardic Thompson sailing his ship as close to the shores of the blues as he's ever come. But those more familiar with his work will find all the trademark minor keys, virtuoso chord changes and darker sentiments that make Thompson one of most refreshing and original songwriters around. The album, broken into three sections, starts off with "Cocksferry Queen", a jaunty, almost Zydeco feeling song. But vintage Thompson lyrics paint a darker picture in counterpoint with lines like "I'm known quite famously/People speak my name in whispers/What higher praise can there be." It's a harbinger of what's to come on this deeply satisfying album. The two following tracks, "Sibella" and "Bathsheba Smiles", are two of the strongest cuts on the album -- each with it's own quirky rhythmic groove and haunting lyrical imagery. Those still waiting for another installment of Thompson's guitar mastery will be rewarded with "Hard on Me", which has what arguably could be his finest electric solo work. If you hadn't figured out by now that "Mock Tudor" probably isn't the best choice for bedtime ... now you can be sure. The next surprise is "Dry My Tears And Move On". Though executed in typical Thompson style, if Garth Brooks ever gets his hands on this one -- Thompson just might have his first multi-platinum hit. We will all, of course, prefer this wonderful original casting. Undoubtedly a highlight of the album for die-hard Thompson fans, and fans of Fairport Convention, will be his elegy for Sandy Denny "That's All, Amen, Close The Door." Beautifully confined in a modal minor key, the shift to major keys is almost liturgical in its effect. "Mock Tudor" closes with "Hope You Like The New Me" an alternately sinister and cynical look at the not-so-fine line between influence and theivery in the music business. It's a fitting end to a fine album, certainly amongst the best of the last several years, let alone 1999. Grade: A+ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 09:05:04 -0700 From: Steve Dulson Subject: David Lahm (JMDL content) I was delighted to see our very own David Lahm on TV last week, on the PBS special on women songwriters. David was talking about his mother, Dorothy Fields, and played piano on a couple (?) of songs. It's always nice to be able to put a face with an e-address! ############################################################## Steve Dulson Costa Mesa CA steve@psitech.com "The Tinker's Own" *NEW* website at: http://www.tinkersown.com "Southern California Dulcimer Heritage" http://members.aol.com/scdulcimer/ "The Living Tradition Concert Series" (Website soon!) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 08:50:21 -0700 From: "Ray & Cathy" Subject: re: album suggestions Hi Kim- I have to agree with Mark in Seattle. I think Night Ride Home is a good choice to venture forth in...or Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm. Cathy in Oregon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 12:22:25 -0400 From: waytoblu@mindspring.com Subject: Re: SNL (NJC) I have a vivid memory of watching Public Enemy perform on SNL in the fall of 1991 and announce to the world that Miles Davis had just died. On the same episode, Jesse Jackson read his rendition of "Green Eggs and Ham" in memory of Dr.Suess who had also died that fall. I thought it was a very fitting tribute. The passing away of these great minds had a profound impact on me. Victor NP: Richard Bicknell-Sometimes Blue ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 12:33:30 -0400 From: Janet Hess Subject: PWWAM Oh, my. For various reasons, I'd held off on buying "Painting With Words And Music." This summer hasn't been the cheeriest I've ever seen; as some JMDLers will recall, I had a mastectomy a couple weeks ago. So I decided I deserved a treat, and I ordered PWWAM. It arrived yesterday. Here's my report: PWWAM is worth any number of surgeries! I'm both amazed that I hadn't sent for PWWAM before and incredibly glad that it has come into my life at this particular moment. It's amazing, of course, but it's also extraordinary medicine. Maybe in a few days I can say something more coherent about this. As it is, though, I simply feel immeasurably rich to be alive in a world that includes the art of Joni Mitchell. What a treat! Hugs, Janet and Deanna Ivy the Wonderkitty And Mark Isham is no slouch, eh? - ----------------- So when you see a man who's broken / Pick him up and carry him. And when you see a woman who's broken / Put her all into your arms 'Cause we don't know where we come from / We don't know what we are. Laurie Anderson, "Ramon" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 18:32:41 +0100 From: Martin Giles Subject: Re: Scaredy Cat Violet said.. Yes I can. I've always thought that it's just the pessimist in me, but I've been thinking. It actually goes back to the mid 1970s for me. I was a huge fan of the band 'Yes', having got into their albums Fragile, Close To The Edge and Relayer. Then they released Going For The One which had only a couple of good tracks. The came Tormato. Which has to be one of the worst albums ever produced by any one at any time ever. Ever. It was such a disappointment that I have always felt a sense of trepidation rather than excitement when buying a new album by a favorite artist. Thankfully I've rarely had a similar disappointment, and never with Joni. As Bob said - you've answered your own question. Get Hejira as soon as your legs can get you to the record shop. Also, Shadows and Light is a live album with Coyote on - I agree with David (?) Lahm, this version is better than the original, as IMO are nearly all the versions on this album. Which isn't to say that I dislike any of the originals, I just feel the live performances of them, with the dream backing band of Metheny, Mays, Pastorius, Alias and Brecker are so full of atmosphere and vitality... Actually I have probably developed a very unhealthy obsession with SAL. For which I have no intention of seeking a cure!! All the best. Martin. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 16:49:31 EDT From: Siresorrow@aol.com Subject: Re: Scaredy Cat - NJC In a message dated 8/26/99 1:48:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time, mlg@ukonline.co.uk writes: << The came Tormato. Which has to be one of the worst albums ever produced by any one at any time ever. Ever. >> i really liked "don't kill the whale". of all the songs on that album that one had the most traditional yes flavor to it. the last time i saw yes i saw a really cool thing. they were playing in cleveland in maybe 1989 or 90 in the round and i scored some second row seats. they had the whole band on that tour including both steve howe and trevor rabin. i have always liked steve howe more. anyway they played the whole album of close to the edge in sequence. during close to the edge, there is a big time keyboard solo in the third part of the song and rick wakeman was appropaching that solo and was playing with his left hand. his right hand was dangling down at his side and it was shaking back and forth. it looked like he was sick or something like having a seizure. well, as the solo progressed he lifted his right hand still shaking vigorously and started playing in exactly the same shake pattern on the keyboards. so the shake was only his pre build up for the solo. and it was a long build up. maybe 30 or 40 seconds. it was as if his whole being went into the solo. a totally human experience. it was really cool to see. the other thing i remember was my chest shaking for like two days afterward because of squire's bass. it went down deep into my chest cavity and stayed there like a heart murmur. that was wild. yes had a very physical element to their sound. ss. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 14:55:00 PDT From: "Chad Burkhart" Subject: RE: Opening Tracks Folks, I just thought that I would add my opinion to the choice of Harlem as the opening track to TTT. It is probably redundant but I thought that I'd say it anyway. I can't really see that Joni could have chosen a better track to open the album with. The first time that I put the CD in the carosel, I knew that I was going to love it. I have to agree that the VG8 sounds so mystical in the intro to that song and well it is one of my favorite songs on the album, aside from maybe the Crazy Cries of Love (which I am glad she changed from Love's Cries) and Facelift. Regarding Lead Balloon as an opener, I am so glad that she didn't put that track at the beginning!! After about an hundred listens, and the past discussion of the word sic I have found a brand new appreciation for the song but I have to admit that I downright hated it for a long while. It is way heavier than I would ever have expected from Joni but now I really like the song and the balance it gives the album. Had she opened TTT with Lead Balloon, I don't know if I ever would have listened to the whole album (well OK, it's Joni so I know that I would) but I don't think I would have ever given the album the same attention that I have. I think it's a great album and though I digress, the point is that I think that Harlem is a great opener. On another note, I can't believe this concert with James Taylor at the beeb in 1970. Just when I thought that I had conquered the wheepies with the song For Free, along comes this version. It sends goosebumbps crawling all over my body. I have always loved the song, both on LOTC and MOA but this is even better for me. And the final song, JT's Close Your Eyes, is brilliant. I think that I have found a new interest in Taylor, sorry Cat Stevens, you'll have to share runner up to Joni with a new man. LOL Cheers,Yours always, Chadly From Mountains ICQ = 41775889 Go where you will go to Know that I will know you Someday I may know you very well ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 15:58:28 PDT From: "John Low" Subject: RE: Blue Heron (NJC) Many thanks to Gina for sharing that lovely account of the heron rescue. Strangely, I've only recently watched on tv here that film "The Sandpiper" (not a great film, though I like it - probably the great Big Sur location) in which Elizabeth Taylor rescues an injured sandpiper (and an 'injured' Richard Burton!!). In NSW we have an organisation called WIRES (Wildlife Rescue Service) run by volunteers who have expert knowledge of different birds, mammals and reptiles. A couple of years ago we had cause to call on their services when we found that the bird netting we had put up to protect some plants was presenting a problem for the snakes that visited during the night. Over the course of a week or so we found a tiger snake (large and angry) and two diamond pythons hopelessly tangled in the netting in the morning. The WIRES snake people came each ime we called and very professionally untangled the snakes and removed them for release somewhere in the bush out of harm's way. And, needless to say, we very quickly replaced the netting with something less hazardous for snakes. But, thanks Gina for sharing your story. I really enjoyed hearing about it and I hope the heron recovers fully. Please let us know its progress. John (in Sydney). ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 10:19:58 -0400 From: Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com Subject: Re: My favorite SNL music memories (NJC) Ole AARP himself reminisces: <> To be sure! One of the more charged performances ever, like Joni's DJRD at Madison Square Garden, very adrenalin-driven. And it reminds me of the spookiest performance on a Halloween show, when Donald Pleasance was hosting, and Fear was the band. There was stage diving, moshing, and the band played about 3 songs before the camera just cut them off in mid-song and went to commercial... The joys of live television! Bob NP: The Roots, "You Got Me" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 10:51:31 -0400 From: Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com Subject: Re: Where I was when... Frozen Valerie Screaming from the Gallery says: <> Valerie, firstly, thanks for sharing those pictorial memories - I could almost smell the Red Zinger! :~) Second, Hejira ALWAYS stops me in my tracks so that IT becomes the primary focus for me, so like you, I don't have the memories tied to it like I do with some of her other work. Last Sunday was my last as a Sunday School teacher for awhile, and I brought in Hejira for background music...STUPID ME! I'd start to talk about something, all of a sudden, Black Crow begins, and I'm turning it up and telling the kids, "OK, now what Joni's talking about here is..." (I'm LOL at myself now...) I tried to tie the songs into Christian themes, but the point is, I couldn't focus on what I was supposed to be doing...Joni had me under her Hejira-spell! Bob ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 11:12:04 -0400 From: Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com Subject: Re: Fwd: Opening Tracks David said: <> Hear Hear! And it also leads me to believe that I wish she had stuck "Little Green" (which she wrote way back when) on Clouds or LOTC. As much as I love it in its heartwrenching beauty, it too is a bit of a stylistic and thematic sore thumb. At least Carey and California are companion pieces, the others all seem to "fit" alongside each other. Urge For Going *really* would be an odd man out I think... Bob NP: Haircut 100, "Milk Farm" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 15:26:23 -0400 From: Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com Subject: Re: Jazz Joni vs Classic Joni/Twisted Alan threw out a couple of bones that I HAVE to pick: <> I may agree with the latter, but certainly not the former. Nothing wrong with being a hippie, but I never was one and more importantly am more interested in making memories than in trying to hold on to the past. <> Maybe if James' songwriting had grown like Joni's has, he wouldn't HAVE to be a jukebox to make ends meet. And I like JT as much as the next guy, mind you...the warmth of his voice, the agility of his guitar work... <> Don't know how much "later" you refer to, but I'd put in that category: Stay In Touch The Sire of Sorrow (Job's Sad Song) Borderline Two Grey Rooms Passion Play Well, you get the point (and I didn't even mention Hejira (oops, just did) ...these songs all qualify as masterpieces of composition and lyrical brilliance as far as I'm concerned. Nothing wrong with keeping the oldies close to your heart, so long as you keep your mind open to the new... Respectfully submitted, Bob NP: Crack The Sky, "Safety In Numbers" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 20:43:06 -0400 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Subject: NJC: Re: Trademark Violation Hi Alan, I agreed with most of what you said but I take issue with one statement. You were talking about the Raitt/Colvin/Browne/Hornsby tour, which is cool, but you called Hornsby "Bruce" without his last name..... That is a big no-no. There's only one "BRUCE" and Hornsby *ain't* him!:) Mary Grace, can I get an ahmen? > Loved the news of Bonnie and Shawn, Bruce and Jackson together. What > a great meeting of musical minds. - -- Firmly grasping the obvious, Jim L'Hommedieu ** Get well Wally! ** Tolerance, tolerance, tol... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 20:43:27 -0400 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Subject: "Coyote" availability "Coyote" is on the soundtrack "The Last Waltz", 'Hejira', the "Shadows And Light" concert video, and on the "Shadows And Light" album. These 3 versions are remarkably similar to each other. - -- All the best, Jim L'Hommedieu ** Get well Wally! ** Tolerance, tolerance, tol... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 17:47:40 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: Where I was when... > This is an interesting thread. The question is why has Jonis music created > the effect of remembering where it was first heard. I believe it is because > it is impressionistic. .....(snip) ...Hence we remember vividly what we were doing and where > we were when we FIRST heard the album. Other more simplistic albums leave us > free to just sort of feel the music and keep on doing what we are doing. > Great hits with great hooks also will cause deep etched memories of first > listens but they do it with the strong repreated hook line "We are family". > The funny thing is one usually remembers seasons with the hits ie "summer of > 69". With Joni it is moments. marcel. I find these comments interesting in light of the information that was provided at the exhibit I saw of Impressionist painting recently. Part of what the impressionists were trying to achieve was a more candid quality to their work. Apparently they sought to capture the moment as it happens instead of producing a more posed or composed picture. So maybe in the process of painting her aural pictures, Joni manages to work some strange magic and somehow she also captures the moments in our lives as we listen to her. As a result, those moments are forever interwoven with her music. Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 20:51:20 -0400 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Subject: NJC: Shop Now For Christmas Joni CDs and videos make great presents! They are in good taste... and they're so GOOD for you too! David wrote: > my dad has been borrowing my copy of NRH a lot lately. - -- All the best, Jim L'Hommedieu ** Get well Wally! ** Tolerance, tolerance, tol... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 18:04:23 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: SNL (NJC) Harper Lou wrote about Rickie Lee Jones Around then, she also made some > rather gratuitous public cracks about Joni being too white to sing jazz > (remember that?), and she fell far from grace with me. I have to confess that I've also held a grudge against Ms. Jones for a long time because of this. Even though I found some of the material on her first album to be devastating. But I also have to say I've always had a hard time with the mushy-mouth way she enunciates her lyrics. And while I'm in the confessional mode (Kakki, you will appreciate this) I also have to admit that I pretty much walled myself off to Sarah Vaughan because Billie Holiday told a story in her 'autobiography' about being snubbed by Sarah right after Billie got out of prison. I have since found out that Billie and William Dufty perpetrated a lot of myth, exaggeration and out & out fabrication in 'Lady Sings the Blues', a lot of which found its way into the movie version. Sarah always denied this story and said she would never have snubbed Lady. I recently made a tape for Kakki of Sarah performing in a concert at Carnegie Hall (that also featured Lady Day) from 1954. I've been listening to my own copy of this tape a lot lately and I'm becoming more & more enchanted with Sassy. What amazing things she did with that voice! But nobody will ever take Billie's place with me..... So maybe I should give RLJ another chance. Maybe. Maybe not. Mark in Seattle (born a Taurus if what my parents told me is true.....but according to Ashara I think I'm a Leo!) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 18:19:52 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: Blue Heron (NJC) > > Strangely, I've only recently watched on tv here that film "The Sandpiper" > (not a great film, though I like it - probably the great Big Sur location) > in which Elizabeth Taylor rescues an injured sandpiper (and an 'injured' > Richard Burton!!). And who else remembers..... The shadow of your smile When you are gone Will color all my dreams And light the dawn.... ??? Ah...Liz & Dick! (sigh) Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 20:28:22 -0500 From: Mark Domyancich Subject: Re: Where I was when... Bob, I would love to be in your class, or any class with a teacher who appreciates Joni as much as you do! ;-D At 10:51 AM -0400 8/26/99, Bob.Muller@fluordaniel.com wrote: >Last Sunday was my last as a Sunday School teacher for awhile, and I >brought in Hejira for background music...STUPID ME! I'd start to talk about >something, all of a sudden, Black Crow begins, and I'm turning it up and >telling the kids, "OK, now what Joni's talking about here is..." (I'm LOL >at myself now...) Mark NP-Grateful Dead-Mississippi Half Step ___________________________________ | Mark Domyancich | | Harpua@revealed.net | | http://home.revealed.net/Harpua | |_________________________________| ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 18:04:17 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: CD Now - Artist of the Millenium Poll and No Joni! Anyone checked out this new poll/contest from CDNow yet? They have the temerity to not have listed Joni as a choice! There is, however, an "Other" option and I suggest we flood their system with our write-in votes! Oh, and by voting, you are automatically entered in a contest to win GAP jeans and khakis for life. Here's the link: http://www.cdnow.com/cgi-bin/mserver/redirect/leaf=gap/from=rex:x:cdn:9825t Khaki ;-) NP: Country Joe & The Fish - Rock & Soul Music ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 21:40:27 -0400 From: "patrick leader" Subject: RE: Blue Heron (NJC) i don't think i've ever seen the movie but this: > >The shadow of your smile >When you are gone >Will color all my dreams >And light the dawn.... > is one of those songs that will haunt me all my life. just gorgeous patrick np - siberry - bird on the gravel ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 18:28:56 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: Sarah & Billie (was SNL) (NJC) Mark (and newborn Leo ;-) wrote: > Sarah always denied this story and said she would never have > snubbed Lady. I recently made a tape for Kakki of Sarah performing in > a concert at Carnegie Hall (that also featured Lady Day) from 1954. > I've been listening to my own copy of this tape a lot lately and I'm > becoming more & more enchanted with Sassy. What amazing things she > did with that voice! I'm so glad that you reconsidered Sassy Sarah. I know how it can be when you hear one artist dissing another of your favorites - it can really be a turn-off. Her voice *is* amazing and I've never heard another even remotely like her. There is an almost supernatural purity in her voice. And by the way, Billie is included in the CDNow poll, but alas, no Sarah. Think I'll stuff the ballot box tonight. Oh, and what a treasure the tape is - just stunning! I'm going to bring it with me to Jonifest so I can have that atmosphere while driving in my rental car around Mass. Is anyone else packing their favorite background traveling music for the trip? Last year I brought a Brazilian mix tape along and it was a wonderful accompaniment to the charming Cape Cod scenery. Kakki NP: Richie Havens - Freedom ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 18:38:32 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: Blue Heron (NJC) John wrote: > thanks Gina for sharing your story. I really enjoyed hearing about it > and I hope the heron recovers fully. Please let us know its progress. Gina, that certainly was very heroic of you to brave the briar patch to rescue such a huge bird. Please let me know if you still have not had luck in getting advice or assistance from your local wildlife agencies. My best friend is an avian expert who consults in bird rescues and would probably know just what to do. When I was a kid, I rescued an injured sparrow hawk (with a very formidable beak) who couldn't fly and kept it in a closed wicker basket in the yard until it healed and was ready to fly away. Think I fed it saltine crackers during its convalescence! Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 20:08:58 -0600 From: Bounced Message Subject: He.lp a JMDL'er spend some cash! From: RMuRocks@aol.com Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 21:39:39 EDT Hi All, Fellow JMDL'er Lori in France needs some he.lp in selecting some new stereo equipment (Amp). I'm not a stereophile but I know some of you are. Here's her request: << Need to tell them we've got 100watt JBL Studio Monitor 4312 speakers, then they will know what we're dealing with. I knew that the amp wattage should at least match if not exceed the speaker wattage. Also want to hook up a Fostex 4 track & my electric piano. I also know from being in recording studios what these guys use, but we can't afford that. They could e:mail me privately so they don't bore the list to death.>> Thanks on Lori's behalf for any help you can render. Bob ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 10:16:15 +0800 (CST) From: Joseph Palis Subject: Cruelty Towards Others Just as I used to dislike Nina Simone before because of her alleged "verbal cruelty" to Dusty Springfield where she reportedly was inflamed upon learning that Dusty is singing the blues. Joni was a bit nasty to Alanis herself. I am not a fan of Alanis but I respect her as a songwriter. When my friend told me about this, I remembered flashing a grin as if to justify Joni's sometimes truculent self. And I can't explain why I still listen to Ethel Waters even if she said negative things to both Billie and Lena Horne. > > And while I'm in the confessional mode (Kakki, you will appreciate > this) I also have to admit that I pretty much walled myself off to > Sarah Vaughan because Billie Holiday told a story in her > 'autobiography' about being snubbed by Sarah right after Billie got > out of prison. I have since found out that Billie and William Dufty > perpetrated a lot of myth, exaggeration and out & out fabrication in > 'Lady Sings the Blues', a lot of which found its way into the movie > version. Sarah always denied this story and said she would never have > snubbed Lady. I recently made a tape for Kakki of Sarah performing in > a concert at Carnegie Hall (that also featured Lady Day) from 1954. > I've been listening to my own copy of this tape a lot lately and I'm > becoming more & more enchanted with Sassy. What amazing things she > did with that voice! > > But nobody will ever take Billie's place with me..... > > So maybe I should give RLJ another chance. Maybe. Maybe not. > > Mark in Seattle (born a Taurus if what my parents told me is > true.....but according to Ashara I think I'm a Leo!) > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Aug 1999 19:54:50 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: Nina Simone > Just as I used to dislike Nina Simone before because of her alleged > "verbal cruelty" to Dusty Springfield where she reportedly was inflamed > upon learning that Dusty is singing the blues. > > Joni was a bit nasty to Alanis herself. I am not a fan of Alanis > but I respect her as a songwriter. When my friend told me about this, I > remembered flashing a grin as if to justify Joni's sometimes truculent > self. And I can't explain why I still listen to Ethel Waters even if she > said negative things to both Billie and Lena Horne. I believe Ms. Waters said that Billie sang as if her shoes were too tight. I'm still not sure what I think about Nina Simone. Leslie Mixon sent me a tape that had some selections from 'The Colpix Years' that I like quite a lot. The arrangements are pretty jazzy and Nina's voice is pretty smooth. So I bought a Verve disc called 'After Hours'. It's mostly Nina accompanying herself on piano. There are some songs I like. 'Images' is sung a cappella and is very powerful and striking. But the vibrato she uses sometimes is so warbly that it's very hard to get used to. She does connect emotionally, though, on a level that very few singers manage to do. On one track she is playing 'Good King Wenceslas' on the piano as accompaniment to her vocalization of Rogers & Hart's 'Little Girl Blue'. Bizarre! It seems to work but I have a hard time getting past the fact that she's playing this Xmas carol behind this standard. It's not like Joni playing 'Jingle Bell's' under 'River' or Laura Nyro playing 'Joy to the World' with 'Xmas In My Soul'. She also sounds like a much older woman than the one pictured on the cd (the tracks on 'After Hours' were all recorded in the 60's.) Can anyone give me a little perspective on Nina Simone? I'm intrigued but not sure I want to buy a lot more or her music. Mark in Seattle ps: Kakki, I will gladly take suggestions about which of Sarah's music to invest in. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1999 02:01:49 -0400 From: Thunderthumbs Subject: SNL Finest Moments I have been suggesting someone put out a collection of all the music, and musiciams that has played over the years. Glad someone else was thinking the same thing. SNL is one of two all time favorite shows of mine. The other is The Wonder Years. Anywho, I can't decide which of all the artists would have been my favorite on the show. One that I know I really liked was Paul Simon during his Graceland days, and also James Taylor (I think) did "Baby Boom Baby", and "Never Die Young". I have never seen it, but if I had, I'd put Level 42 (my favorite band) right up there at no. 1 doing "Something About You" off the World Machine album of 1985. Anyone see this? I think the Finest SNL moments is at the end credits, when the SNL Band does the theme song closing credits- particularly the later shows of the late 80's-the 90's when the Sax player goes nuts, and has a "saxophone orgy" overtop the band's music every week. I haven't had a real Saturday night unless I've heard this. You all know the moments I'm talking about. Coltrane eat your heart out. I'll take the SNL ending credits any day. I can't stress this enough. Right up there is all the interlude music where the band plays between skits, and lead-ins to commercials- especially the G.E. Smith era. Also, it was really nice to hear the neat arrangement of seasonal tunes that the band came up with every year. When I grow up (yeah right) I want to play in the SNL Band. "Well now, isn't that special?" Dana Carvey Fan, Brad ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V4 #371 ************************** The Song and Album Voting Booths are open! Cast your votes by clicking the links at http://www.jmdl.com/gallery username: jimdle password: siquomb ------- Don't forget about these ongoing projects: Glossary project: Send a blank message to for all the details. FAQ Project: Help compile the JMDL FAQ. Do you have mailing list-related questions? -send them to Trivia Project: Send your Joni trivia questions and/or answers to Today in History Project: Know of a date-specific Joni fact? - -send it to ------- Post messages to the list at Unsubscribe by sending "unsubscribe joni-digest" to ------- Siquomb, isn't she?