From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V4 #541 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk JMDL Digest Thursday, December 2 1999 Volume 04 : Number 541 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: Favorite and Worst Christmas songs (NJC) ["Bill Dollinger" ] RE: Favorite Christmas Songs (NJC) ["Alison Einerson" ] The Joni Mitchell Companion [Stacey4882@aol.com] LACE tonight [zapuppy2@webtv.net (Penny)] Re: Aimee Mann (NJC) [Ginamu@aol.com] RE: blossom dearie njc ["Wally Kairuz" ] Re: Christmas music - yet another list (NJC) [Ginamu@aol.com] NJC Oh Catherine! [Vince Lavieri ] Re: Favorite Christmas Songs (NJC) [Ginamu@aol.com] Re: "Grinch/Scrooge-like" - NJC ["Mark or Travis" ] Re: Tuning Article and Toshi Reagon [Siresorrow@aol.com] Re: Favorite Christmas Songs (NJC) ["Mark or Travis" ] RE: Favorite and Worst Christmas songs (NJC) ["Wally Kairuz" ] The Cure (NJC) [evian ] Blossom Dearie NJC [Roman ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 17:25:02 -0500 From: "Bill Dollinger" Subject: Re: Favorite and Worst Christmas songs (NJC) I have to admit to a fondness for the carpenters have yourself a merry little christmas, as well as the pretenders version. and among my favorite holiday cds are the bruce cockburn collection and the roches. as far as despised songs, anything by celine dion, who i understand is making about five "final" television appearances before going into self-imposed exile to spawn. bill ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 16:37:24 -0600 From: Mark Domyancich Subject: Re: Millennium Countdown I'm terrible at these things but I'll give it a shot. >37 Jackson Browne performed with Joni at the Paris Theatre in 1972. >36 Janis Joplin Performed Summertime and Joni did as well at ADITG. > 32 Neil Young Wrote Sweet Joni (about Joni). ___________________________________ | Mark Domyancich | | Harpua@revealed.net | | http://home.revealed.net/Harpua | | ICQ: 21619464 | |_________________________________| ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1999 16:14:35 -0700 From: "Alison Einerson" Subject: RE: Favorite Christmas Songs (NJC) Hello All, Rare de-lurker Alison here, bursting at the seams to mention my favorite Christmas song, "Do They Know it's Christmas" by BandAid, the British musician relief effort put together by Bob Geldoff many years ago. Albeit totally untraditional, it still makes me cry, and I think it still says what we should all be thinking during the your-faith-here holidays: remember to say thank you for what you have and who you get to love. Alison E. in SLC p.s. John and Yoko take a close second... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 15:15:48 -0800 (PST) From: Brian Gross Subject: fwd - A Xmas Tradition - NJC > One particular Christmas season a long time ago, Santa was getting > ready for his annual trip, but there were problems everywhere. > Four of his elves got sick, and the trainee elves did not produce the toys > as fast as the regular ones, so Santa was beginning to feel the pressure of > being behind schedule. > > Then Mrs. Claus told Santa that her Mom was coming to visit. This > stressed Santa even more. Then he went to harness the reindeer, he > found that three of them were about to give birth and two had jumped > the fence and were out, heaven knows where. > > More stress!!! > > Then when he began to load the sleigh one of the boards cracked > and the toy bag fell to the ground and scattered the toys. So, > frustrated, Santa went into the house for a cup of coffee and a shot of > whiskey. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered that the > elves had hid the liquor and there was nothing to drink. > In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the coffee pot and it broke > into hundreds of little pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get > the broom and found that mice had eaten the straw it was made from. > > Just then, the doorbell rang and Santa cussed on his way to the door. > He opened the door and there was a little Angel with a great big > Christmas tree. > > The Angel said, very cheerfully, "Merry Christmas Santa, isn't it just > a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Isn't it just a lovely tree? > Where would you like me to stick it?" > > Thus began the tradition of the little Angel on top of the Christmas tree. np: Stan Rogers - From Coffee House to Concert Hall (thanx Steve D!) ===== "No paper thin walls, no folks above No one else can hear the crazy cries of love" yeah, right __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 18:22:13 EST From: Stacey4882@aol.com Subject: The Joni Mitchell Companion Hello everyone, The word from my publisher at Schirmer Books is that The Joni Mitchell Companion is due to hit the stores on December 15th! You'll recognize a lot of the articles from Les and Wally's web sites, but there are also a few surprises. I look forward to hearing your feedback once it comes out. (Don't be shy, now.) Happy holidays to all, Stacey ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 16:01:08 -0800 (PST) From: zapuppy2@webtv.net (Penny) Subject: LACE tonight Hope all you SoCal JMDLers attending Joni's exibit at LACE tonight have a most excellent time. Hope the Joan shows!.....and if she does, relax and enjoy. ;-) Peace Penny :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Grace dies when it becomes us verses them......Philip Yancey ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 19:26:04 EST From: Ginamu@aol.com Subject: Re: Aimee Mann (NJC) In a message dated 12/01/1999 12:48:51 AM Eastern Standard Time, jase@iaw.on.ca writes: << Songs like "Red Vines" and "Nothing Is Good Enough" rank up there with earlier material like "4th of July," "Coming Up Close," and "That's Just What You Are." >> I've been hearing Red Vines on my favorite radio station and it is indeed very fine. I'm a fan of Aimee and I'm real glad to hear something new from her. Looking forward to hearing the rest of it. Way to go, Aimee! Gina NP: my fifth grader's flute practice ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 21:30:56 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: RE: blossom dearie njc blossom dearie [believe it or not, that's her real name] is a jazz singer and pianist. i think she must have started in the 50's. she lived in paris for 4 years and was brought back to the states by the guy at verve, norman something. she's recorded standards, show tunes [especially the soubrette kind], and she has a xmas album, now that i come to think of it. my favorite song on that cd is liz and ralph and calvin, the three names she likes to hear around her xmas tree, meaning of course, the 3 designers! and as december has already come, i can start listening to xmas music at last!!!!!!!! let the season begin! december is the friday of the year. wallyk, running to the stereo to play white xmas. - ----- Mensaje original ----- De: jan gyn Para: Enviado: Miércoles 1 de Diciembre de 1999 14:39 Asunto: Re: blossom dearie njc > Whose Blossom Drearie? A jazz singer? From what age? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 19:40:59 EST From: Ginamu@aol.com Subject: Re: Christmas music - yet another list (NJC) Bob, in unobnixious Bob mode, wrote: << >BUT I never want to send the message that "Anyone who likes (fill in >the >blank) is a moron and needs to have their head examined" or >something like >that. >> Right. Because to do this on a regular basis is truly juvenile. I've only seen that happen here very occasionally. I really like that it doesn't happen regularly. Take care, Gina NP: flute practice - the girl is tenacious! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1999 19:49:35 -0500 From: Vince Lavieri Subject: NJC Oh Catherine! Catherine, your Vinnie's heart is broken by your list... I may crawl under my tree and never come out! > These are the songs I hate the most, no matter who records them: > 1. "Good King Wenceslas" (God, what a boring song! The melody is just the > same damn thing over and over again. Who cares about this pedantic old fart > and his wimpy little page? Let's just lose this one forever. Anyway, the > feast of Stephen is after Christmas - the only reason this gets into the > "Christmas" category at all is because otherwise, no one would ever sing it > (and this is a bad thing?) I suspect its writer had connections in the > music industry, otherwise the thing would have been put out of its misery > ages ago. The events in the song of the Bohemian king (I am part Bohemian) on the Feast Day of St. Stephen (December 26) is a song of loving sacrifice for the poor and what is wrong with that, and it can be fun to sing in it simple melody, simple folk melody. > > 2. "Jingle Bells" - only acceptable if sung by children aged 6 or under. Or by Barbra Streisand... > > 3. "Deck The Halls" - spare me, Martha! Boring, boring, boring. Fa la la > la la, and go away. We are together here. > > 4. "Do they know it's Christmas?" Maybe it was a good idea at the time, but > enough already. The song is a downer, no matter how well-intended it might > have been. And here. > > 5. "Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer". This is a song written to go along > with (or follow up on) a story that was written by a department store PR > man. Need I say more? Did we need another reindeer? Nope - but someone in > Marketing evidently thought so. Yes we needed another reindeer, and the department store was Montgomery Ward and as I have shared on the list, Rudolph and I were conceived in the same town (Chicago) in the same time period but by, admittedly, different methods. I was Rudolph. Everyone used to laugh at me and call me names and never let me play their games. But when my one odd skill was needed, well, then how they loved (actually, only needed) me! This is the story of my life! To trash this song is to deny my human experience expressed in a holiday song! Keeps me away from the blues... > > 6. "Frosty the Snowman". Another one that's only OK if sung by children > who don't have their 2 front teeth yet. Ok. > > > Took a break there to sharpen my claws and fangs (yes, I am behind again) > and while doing so, and trying to think of Christmas songs that I hate, read > a few and concur with David and Anne on these 2, as sung or performed by > anyone whatsover under any circumstances whatsover, whosoforth and ipso > facto: > 7. "The Little Drummer Boy". One of the all-time most annoying songs. > What's with that Pa-rum-pum-pum-pum crappola? Where in the bible does it > say there was a drummer boy anywhere near the manger? If there was, he'd > have been kicked out for making too much noise. Right on, O Canadian sister! > > 8. "The 12 days of Christmas". Feels more like the 12 years in solitary > Christmas to me. 'Nuff said. At one time, my mother had a copy of a > "letter" that was supposed to have been written by the recipient of all > these odd gifts. It was quite rude and quite funny. Too bad I don't have a > copy or I'd share it with you. But those great Canadians Doug and Bob McKenzie saved the song in their version: a beer, back bacon, etc. I have it on cd to laugh with every year. How are Doug and Bob McKenzie doing in the Canadian Millennium countdown, by the way? > > > I've been drooling all over my keyboard and we don't need that, > now, do we? Since you asked, ah, no. But love you anyway. Rev DJ Vince (have a new name after I mixed some Christmas carols for aerobics classes, and my best effort was on Rudolph...) np: my disco-aerobics version of Rudolph ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 20:03:51 EST From: Ginamu@aol.com Subject: Re: Favorite Christmas Songs (NJC) I haven't kept up with this thread a whole lot and I don't know if my favorites have been mentioned yet. As I contemplated my choices, I realized that they are interesting as I was raised by a Catholic mother and a atheist father - if you can imagine. But I am, by nature and by lifestyle, really a Pagan. Ave Maria is one of my favorites in remembrance of my partially Catholic upbringing and a much more contemporary choice is The Christians And The Pagans by Dar Williams, which is essentially about harmony between people around "the season", regardless of their religion or perspective. If you haven't heard it, you must. It's all at once touching, funny and sooo genuine - the song that made me really feel the genius of Dar Williams. I feel lucky that I've been able to achieve the type of harmony that Dar describes, among many friends and several relatives whose religion is different from mine but for whom I feel great respect and affection. To me, this is what it's all about. I'm signing off the individual list tonight and onto the digest, as my parents will be coming to visit us from Portugal soon, for several weeks. I so miss my parents, I'm welling up just thinking about how great it will be to have them here. I'd like to wish everyone a happy season, regardless of how they celebrate or if they celebrate at all. Peace and love to all of you! Gina ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 17:30:40 -0800 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: "Grinch/Scrooge-like" - NJC Catherine writes of 'A Christmas Carol' > This is one of my all-time favourite Christmas stories. It has been made > and remade into innumerable film, TV and animated versions, and I can watch > any of them - including the Mr Magoo and Muppet versions, and the extremely > funny "Scrooged" with Bill Murray over and over and over again. I love that > story! There's a new made for TV version that will air sometime in the next few weeks with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge. I think he'd make a wonderful Scrooge! I remember the first time I watched the Mr. Magoo version when I was a kid. It scared me half to death. I couldn't sleep thinking I was going to hear chains rattling down the hallway (we didn't have a basement or cellar). I still watch it every now & then at Xmas along with Charlie Brown & the Grinch. Still a child at heart, Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 20:46:59 EST From: Siresorrow@aol.com Subject: Re: Tuning Article and Toshi Reagon a very cool article on tunings appears in the current acoustic guitar magazene. it mentions joni, but focuses on bruce cockburn. it goes way past me, but you techies might be able to understand it. the same edition has a nice article on toshi reagon and her concerts at the fez in nyc. a very cool article as well. i might add that i was able to follow a little article called 'melodic solos up the neck' that focused on lead runs in the key of A. basicall, how to make scales into music. that i could follow. but the tuning thang was out of my league. too many numbers and letters. reminds me of algebra when i used to try and translate letters in to numerical values. failed the class twice. pat ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 18:09:02 -0800 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: Favorite Christmas Songs (NJC) Joy To The World (not the 'Jeremiah was a bullfrog' one) - Julie Andrews O Come, O Come Emanuel - Joan Baez O Holy Night - Kathleen Battle Ave Maria - Kathleen Battle Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming - Kathleen Battle (you're right Mr. Lahm, a lovely song) Gaudete - Steeleye Span The First Noel - Emmylou Harris The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire) - Nat King Cole Jingle Bells - Barbra Streisand (Sinatra's version is fun too - 'I love those jay-eye-en-gee-ell-ee-Bells, BOM) I'll Be Home With Bells On - Dolly Parton Once Upon a Christmas - Dolly Parton I also love Benjamin Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols'. I performed this with the Seattle Men's Chorus many years ago. It's a wonderful set of unique carols. I bet you'd like these a lot better than the Messiah, Mr. Bob (although I entertained the idea of putting Baez's version of 'Little Drummer Boy' on this list just to get a rise out of you). And just to be perverse I have to say I can't understand why anyone would want to listen to 'River' performed by Joni or anyone else at this time of the year. Depression is a big pitfall around the holidays. Why invite it in? But to each his own & if you like it, enjoy it! I'll just leave it alone, myself. Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 21:17:01 EST From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Re: The Joni Mitchell Companion In a message dated 12/1/99 5:27:13 PM US Central Standard Time, Stacey4882@aol.com writes: << The word from my publisher at Schirmer Books is that The Joni Mitchell Companion is due to hit the stores on December 15th! >> Synchronicity, Stacey! I was just thinking about your book today, I swear to Goddess! Glad to hear I have something to put under the tree for ME this year! Thanks for your efforts in putting this out! Bob NP: XTC, "Playground" (A Rocking selection from the AV2 Demos) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 21:38:23 EST From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Re: NJC Oh Catherine! In a message dated 12/1/99 6:47:04 PM US Central Standard Time, revrvl@pathwaynet.com writes: << 8. "The 12 days of Christmas". Feels more like the 12 years in solitary > Christmas to me. 'Nuff said. >> According to my Minister, here is the spiritual basis for this song. I don't know if I this is true or not, maybe my buddy the Rev can say. And even with this background, it IS a pretty tiresome song... "Back in 17th century England, Roman Catholic Christians were not permitted to practice their fatih openly. During this time, "The 12 Days of Christmas" was written as a secret catechism to help teach young Catholics. The song was filled with hidden meanings known only to Catholics at that time, thus helping their children not only to remember the Christmas story, but the tenets of of the Christian faith as well. Here are the hidden meanings of the song: The Partridge: Jesus Christ Two Turtle Doves: The Old & New Testaments Three French Hens: Faith Hope & Love Four Calling Birds: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Five Gold Rings: The Torah, the first 5 books of the Bible Six geese a laying: The six days of creation Seven swans a swimming: Seven gifts from the Holy Spirit Eight Maids a milking: The 8 Beatitudes Nine ladies dancing: Nine Fruits of the Spirit Ten lords a leaping: The Ten Commandments Eleven Pipers piping: The 11 faithful disciples Twelve drummers: The 12 points of belief in the Apostle's Creed PS, Rev, you'll be delighted to know that I took my son to the Dentist today and guess what they were playing in the office at ear-splitting volume? Right! And I just gritted my teeth! (Come to think of it, that's probably why they played it - good for business!) :~) Bob NP: XTC, "The Wheel & The Maypole" ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 22:13:11 EST From: FMYFL@aol.com Subject: Re: Christmas songs Martin writes: << There are two or three Joni songs that refer to Christmas and so they will do me as my choices.. River Chinese Cafe Facelift >> I also like on "Tax Free" where Joni sings " Oh come let us adore---ME!" Jimmy np Jewel " Joy - A Holiday Collection"...............nice CD ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 22:22:24 EST From: FMYFL@aol.com Subject: Re: How about a WORST Christmas Carol list? (NJC) Good Queen Wenceslas Catherine writes: << I, being somewhat of a cynic, must say that I envy and admire anyone who can get so much joy out of anything. I wish I could be like Jimmy. There's too much darkness in my soul, but I appreciate people who aren't like me! >> Catherine, I can tell just by your writing and wonderful humour that you *do* get a lot of joy in quite a lot of things. The only darkness you have is a dark sense of humour, which is my favorite kind !!! Jimmy (and you don't want to be like me!!!) :~) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 22:28:04 -0500 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Subject: Re: Season's Songs _NJC_ Favorite Hanukkah song: Uhh, I guess the Don McClean song about feeling like a spinnin' top or a Dreidel the spinnin' don't stop when ya leave the cradle. Ya just slow down. Christmas Songs: "Jingle Bell Rock" by Brenda Lee. Sure, I know it's campy but it is wonderfully campy. That guitar sound is perfectly played and recorded! "Have Your Self A Merry Little Christmas" sung by Bing Crosby (possibly from one of his movies.) "Santa Honey, Slide The Chimney With Me" sung by Madonna. I have this on the second "A Very Special Christmas" compilation CD. "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" by Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band. I wish I had the live recording where he asks Clarence, "Have you been good? This year? So Santa will buy you a brand new saxaphone?" I really want to supply blank tape for this unless it's still in print...... Anyone know? "A Charley Brown Christmas". This album has already been mentioned but it deserves another look. It includes "Linus and Lucy" which is theme music. One number with a children's choir. One number is a short, lively classical piece. A Cincinnati disk jockey was saying "This is the best jazz Christmas album ever made." ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 01:06:12 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: RE: Favorite and Worst Christmas songs (NJC) oh god almighty! i shudder at the thought!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ripley, where are you when we need you! come kill those aliens now! wallyk - ----- Mensaje original ----- De: Bill Dollinger Para: evian ; Enviado: Miércoles 1 de Diciembre de 1999 19:25 Asunto: Re: Favorite and Worst Christmas songs (NJC) >celine dion, who is > going into > self-imposed exile to spawn. > > bill > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 22:48:11 -0800 From: "Kakki" Subject: Paintings and music with Joni Hi all, I'm just going to do a quick note for now with a more detailed report later. We've (Phyliss, Lindsay, Pat & Andy) had an incredible night and have so many wonderful things to report. Right now we are famished an waiting for a let night pizza delivery but I promise to tell all at length in a bit. We are all very blessed. Wowowowowow!! ;-D Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 02 Dec 1999 01:34:28 -0600 From: evian Subject: The Cure (NJC) Slutty Bob wrote: > NP: The Cure, "One Hundred Years" (which is how long this dud album of theirs Pornography seems to drag on)... > > LOL! Well, it ain't no masterpiece like DISINTEGRATION, but if you are a hormonially-challenged, moody teenager who is in love with an older woman who claims that Pornography is the best album ever recorded, you would learn to tolerate it ;) I loved Pornography when I was a teenager, but I admit that I really never listen to it now. It's such a downer... and even though Faith, and Disintegration are huge downers too, I can't live without those albums. However, if you are in the right mood, Pornography can be a cathartic album. By the way, any other Cure fans out there who are also cranky that the B-sides from Standing on the Beach STILL aren't included on the Staring at the Sea cd? Evian ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 01 Dec 1999 09:20:32 +0100 From: Roman Subject: Blossom Dearie NJC Blossom Dearie - Now that name rang a bell and I couldn't think where. Then I remembered - She used to play for drinks at Pizza on the Park in London ten years ago. So she's made records? Tube (who has now remembered to write 'NJC' in the subject heading, and has also completely kicked every trace of Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 and Outlook Express off his hard drive and gone over to Netscape instead, thereby saving at least 20MB of precious hard-disc space) ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V4 #541 ************************** The Song and Album Voting Booths are open! 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