From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V4 #572 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk JMDL Digest Wednesday, December 22 1999 Volume 04 : Number 572 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: Millennium Countdown [zapuppy2@webtv.net (Penny)] My top 5, 10, 20...VLJC (LONG) [SCJoniGuy@aol.com] That Was The Year That Was...part 2 (SJC) [Jason Maloney ] Joni in S'toon [evian ] calling all music sluts (njc) [evian ] RE: Millennium Countdown ["Wally Kairuz" ] RE: Joni in S'toon ["Wally Kairuz" ] Joni and the piano [evian ] Joni and Don [evian ] Re: Millennium Countdown ["Helen M. Adcock" ] Re: helen's bottom (NJC) ["Helen M. Adcock" ] Re: Joni and Don and wishes ["Kakki" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 18:08:47 -0800 (PST) From: zapuppy2@webtv.net (Penny) Subject: Re: Millennium Countdown >>Any-Vaughan? Any-Vaughn? That was cute, Bob! Here's a couple of more ways. Joni played the same Ray-Ban stage at the Jazzfest, that Stevie's older brother Jimmy played the same day, a few short hours earlier. Or another way, I remember Bonnie Raitt opened for Stevie Ray on one of his tours, at least she did for that Portland stop. And of course, Bonnie covered Joni's That Song About The Midway. Penny :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Grace dies when it becomes us verses them......Philip Yancey ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 21:43:48 EST From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: My top 5, 10, 20...VLJC (LONG) Just to reiterate, this is just my opinion...and I do prattle on and on here, so how far can you go before you click that delete button... OK, for those of you who just want the list: 1. MeShell, "Bitter" 2. Santana, "Supernatural" 3. Richard Thompson, "Mock Tudor" 4. Tom Waits, "Mule Variations" 5. XTC, "Apple Venus, Vol. 1" 6. Ben Folds Five, "Reinhold Messner" 7. Beth Orton, "Central Reservation" 8. The Roots, "Things Fall Apart" 9. Counting Crows, "This Desert Life" 10. New Radicals, "Maybe You've Been Brainwashed Too" Here are honorable mentions, in no order...these records are all OUTSTANDING, but they couldn't replace anything in my top 10... In no order: Bryan Thomas, "Radio Plastic Jennifer" Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Californication" Jonatha Brooke, "Live" David Lahm, "Jazz Takes on Joni Mitchell" Randy Newman, "Bad Love" (funniest lyrics by a mile) Bruce Cockburn, "Breakfast in New Orleans..." Foo Fighters, "There is Nothing Left to Lose" (best rocker...Kurt who?) Macy Gray, "On How Life Is" (killed me not to put this one in the top 10) And this doesn't even count some of the *best* stuff I heard this year that wasn't commercially released; Joni's "Day In The Garden", Tom Waits "Live In Chicago", XTC's "97 Demo's"... Those who said that this was a down year for music - RU nutty? Did you actually buy new music this year? :~) Gee whiz, I've had so many records in steady rotation this year I felt like that plate-spinning guy on the Ed Sullivan show! :~) And in the "terribly-overrated-I'm-trying-hard-to like-it-but-I'm-sorry-it-sucks" category, usually reserved for Liz Phair, but she was off raising her kid this year: Sting - Brand New Day (what's to like here? The title track is good, but it's about 3 minutes too long, the rest is forgettable, and I have played this one a lot trying to find the patches of gold among the musical soot) Some brief (I'll try to be brief, but this IS music we're talking about here) capsule reviews: MeShell N'Degeocello "Bitter": As easy to pick as the #1 as Lucinda was last year. Bitter hits it on the head on EVERY count; lyrically it's so moving & powerful I can't sing along without getting emotional. Just one example: Trust only in change 'cause hearts change But betrayal always feels the same Musically it's loaded with charms, wa-wa guitars, fluid solos, subtle and funky percussion, this takes me back to Al Green, Roberta Flack, Gladys Knight, even Aretha in terms of soulfullness...THE record of '99, and one I'll be enjoying even when I'm as bald as ol' MeShell herself! Props to Michael Y. for the plug. Santana, "Supernatural": Deserves all the success it's having. If anything, the record's only fault is the parade of guest celebrity vocalists, even though they all work except for Lauryn Hill, trying to grandstand and paling beside the master fretman. Better when the guests blend with Carlos, this is clearly his show. You want to hear a perfect guitar solo..."(Da Le) Yaleo", about 3 minutes into the song, he steps up, starts a fire, brings the whole band into it and closes with a crescendo. This is my #1 "Road Record" of the year, and enjoyed several brief runs at the top until I played "Bitter" again. Richard Thompson, "Mock Tudor": Wow and wow! This is almost a male counterpart to "Bitter", with songs like "Crawl Back (Under My Stone)", maybe it's a male response to HOSL...anyway, it's great rock and roll singing and songwriting done the way you didn't think was done anymore. Amazing vote for me cuz I'm not even a Richard Thompson fan. Props to Don for the plug. Tom Waits, "Mule Variations": Hard to believe the sinister "What's He Building In There?" is mixed with the tender "Picture In A Frame", but that's Tom - he's the Briar and The Rose, he's Mr. Duality. He's so creative, so like Joni in that he couldn't care less about what the public wants or needs, he chases his own muse and leaves a trail that only the bravest will try to follow. Ben Folds Five, "The Unauthorized Biography of Reinhold Messner": They complete their hat trick with this one, 3 excellent records in a row...Ben knows the piano is by definition a percussion instrument and he pounds on it, like Joe Jackson, Little Richard, Elton John, Billy Joel, all knew how to make it ROCK. They have an original sound, which is definitely noteworthy in these days of stamped and pattied records and recording artists. And don't sell him short in the lyrics dept. either. My favorite, from "Regrets": I thought about sitting on the floor in second grade I couldn't keep the pace I thought I was the only one moving in slow motion while the other kids knew something I did not but if I acted like a clown I thought it'd get me through, it did but that don't work no more you're not a kid no more I thought I'd do some travelling never did The Roots, probably the best job of rap-hip/hop rhyming I've ever heard, they make rhymes like "Grip the Mike" and "Kryptonite", and even work WCW maestro Ted Dibiasi into a rhyme. Musically it's fun as well, some rough lyrics but it all fits, lots of nice jazz riffs, and a WELCOME appearance by Erykah Badu as well. This is a very infectious record, I can listen to it over & over...wish they wouldn't use the "N" word, but I realize that's MY problem, not theirs.... XTC, "Apple Venus Volume 1": Not really fair, because I was so starved for new XTC they could have released Colin & Andy running heavy machinery and Ida loved it. But this is a great record, if you like Sgt. Pepper's-era Beatles, you're gonna like this one. Hopefully this is the pastoral volume and Volume 2 will let 'em plug in and jam a bit! Truly sad that these lads have to scrape and beg to get a record made. And also very cool that their record company released the Demo as well with extensive liner/songwriter notes! Counting Crows, "This Desert Life": I'm just a sucker for Adam Duritz' "AUK", that is, his voice. They also completed their hat trick this year, and exhibited not one ounce of growth...but that's OK. As much as I love the artist who re-invents themself, there's a spot for consistency and getting what you expect, and these guys always deliver for me. Ok, the words are pretentious sometimes, but I'm in it for the sound...and theirs falls easy on my ears. Try to listen to "Mrs. Potter's Lullaby" without tapping your foot or singing harmonies or participating in some way. Well shoot, that's enough...there're probably none of you left at this point anyway! :~) Thanks for allowing me to indulge myself... Bob NP: Tom Waits "What's He Building In There" (the musical question of '99) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 03:28:38 +0000 From: Jason Maloney Subject: That Was The Year That Was...part 2 (SJC) After my lengthy confessional post, back to safer territory..... As many of you have already mentioned, 1999 was not a particulalrly classic year for new music. There was still a fair amount being released, but it seemed to become harder to find it amongst the steady avalanche of mediocrity. Or maybe I'm just getting old ;-) My favourite music of the year has been (in no order) : Groove Armada - At The River (single) Stereophonics - Performance & Cocktails (album) Everything But the Girl - Temperamental (album) David Sylvian - I Surrender (single) Genesis - Turn It On Again...the Hits (album) New Radicals - You Get What You Give (single) Macy Gray - On How Life Is (album) Scritti Politti - Anonmie & Bonhomie (album) Pet Shop Boys - I Don't Know What You Want But I Can't Give It Anymore (single) James - Millionaires (album) Sixpence None The Richer - Kiss Me (single) Garbage - You Look So Fine (single) Les Rythmes Digitales (featuring Nik Kershaw) - Sometimes (single) Geri Halliwell - Schizophonic (album) Britney Spears - Baby One More Time (single) Rob D - Clubbed To Death (from the Matrix soundtrack) Grace Of My Heart - Soundtrack....thanks Raffaele! :-) 1999 was also the year in which I finally completed my collection of Joni's studio albums. I only have Misles Of Aisles and Shadows & Light missing. It's been one heck of a journey, discovering such a rich body of work in a fairly short space of time. It was not so long ago that my entire Joni consisted of DED, CMIARS, NRH, TI and TTT. In fact, Hejira would rank as the best album I heard for the first time this year. Mingus, Clouds and FTR still remain unviolated, though it won't be long before I delve into their respective worlds. Favourite films? try these.... Ronin Pleasantville The Matrix Grace Of My Heart Meet Joe Black The Mask Of Zorro At first Sight She's All That Little Voice Oscar & Lucinda The Truman Show (I don't get to the cinema, so I have to wait until home video/DVD release) Special mention for Buffy The Vampire Slayer, which premiered on terrestrial UK TV in January. I'll spare you the drooling ;-) One day soon I'll actually get started on the Buffy section for my website! You have been warned..... Jason. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 19:30:00 -0800 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: Joni's interview today Did anyone out there in Joniland catch the interview today? I almost thought I was pulling it in at work on my little cheapo Y2K-Earthquake-General Disaster battery-operated, back-up boom box, but alas, it was just a false alarm. Like a mother hen I did phone the station late this afternoon just to make sure Joni made it in to the station at such an early hour ;-) and was assured that the interview went forward as planned. It's so great - I've phoned the station about three times and each person I've spoken with has had that "hyperventilative" sound in their voices at the mention of a Joni event, just like we all do! The people at LACE were the same way. Hey, we're not the *only* ones out there and it's great to know! Ken sent me a little more background today (thanks Ken!): > Here is a some more information about the interview. It will be done by > a guy named Rene Ingle for a new program he's hosting called "Let's do > lunch". He used to be a dj on KCRW several years ago then he moved on to > KPCC. Now I see he's moved on again. I'm very pleased its him doing the > interview. He had this show called "Citybilly" that was one of my favorites. He used to play K.D. > Lange and Dwight Yokam before they were generally known and played them > along side Patsy Cline and Jonny Cash. But he was as far away from > classical music as you could get. I'm getting more interested in this > interview all the time. What a mixture of unexpected people, stations > and elements. Also, there is a small announcement and picture in today's LA times Calendar section > about the interview. In addition to Les making it available on MP3, Eric Postel, Bob Muller and Julian have all offered to help distribute tapes of the interview. YAY! Any jmdlers outside the U.S. who would like to be a branch for this, please let me know. Kakki, going to find *something* to light under her to get the last 10 Christmas cards done - eeerrrrrr....;-) NP: Buena Vista Social Club - Dos Gardenias ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 21:47:32 -0600 From: evian Subject: Joni in S'toon Hey you crazy Listers, Just thought I'd let you know that I talked to the Mendel people today after about 23 million tries (something with their automated calling thingy was buggered up, and I kept getting disconnected, transferred to the gift shop, etc. etc.). Anyway, the actual living person who I finally talked to said there is STILL no date on the Saskatoon shows. All he said was it will probably be in early summer, whatever the hell that means. Anyway, they are supposed to let me know when the dates are set, so I'll let y'all know when I hear. Evian np: Waterboys -- This is the Sea ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 22:02:22 -0600 From: evian Subject: calling all music sluts (njc) Jason Maloney, thank you for making me realize that I am NOT crazy, and that there actually IS a song called "Motortown" by a band called The Kane Gang!!!! I was starting to wonder if I just made it up! Evian, who is, to steal a line from Maya Angelou, Singin' and a Swingin' and getting Merry Like Christmas! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 01:41:07 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: RE: Millennium Countdown i'm sure there's a led zep song about joni. the reference is in the fleischer[sp] book, i think. wallyk > and if you can find a closer > degree of separation between Joni and the Mighty Zep > than that ... > > Don Rowe ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 01:45:15 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: RE: Joni in S'toon well, being canada, that's probably mid-august, right? wallyk evian wrote > All he said was it will probably be in early summer, > whatever the hell that means. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 00:52:43 -0600 From: evian Subject: Joni and the piano Hey Listers, Just a general comment -- I was listening to FTR today, for the first time in a while, and DAMN, am I the only one who longs for the day when Joni sits down at the piano again?? I want her to paint me another Judgment of the Moon and Stars and Let the Wind Carry Me, MAN!! Evian np in my head: That Blue song, which my neighbor's son played in their garage about 14 times in a row this evening while I was outside shovelling. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 01:00:59 -0600 From: evian Subject: Joni and Don One more thing -- Someone said that Joni thanks Don Freed on the new album. Are they still together or what? My wife works in the jail system, teaching Young Offenders, and she said that Don went to the Y.O. Unit in North Battleford and did whatever it is he does -- recorded a cd with the boys one afternoon. I told her to bring him into her Unit, and she said she might try after the holidays if her enrollment is up (a bunch of her students are getting released this week). She actually tried to arrange for him to come into the school she was working at a few years ago at the last minute after a guest cancelled, but he couldn't make it in such short notice. However, he has come into the classroom where my sister works, and also went up north to the school my friend works in, and I guess the kids enjoy doing whatever it is they do... lol, I don't really get it, they all just sorta write some quick songs and sing 'em or something. Evian, who is doesn't have a blue house or a blue window... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 20:18:36 +1300 From: "Helen M. Adcock" Subject: Re: Millennium Countdown Wally wrote: >i'm sure there's a led zep song about joni. the reference is in the >fleischer[sp] book, i think. >wallyk After Don wrote: >> and if you can find a closer >> degree of separation between Joni and the Mighty Zep >> than that ... Here's another way: Jimmy Page plays guitar on Stephen Stills' album "Right by You" (the songs: 50/50, Flaming Heart and Right By You) and Stephen plays bass on Night In The City (STAS) and is the rock'n'roll band in Blonde In The Bleachers (FTR) etc., etc., etc. Have I done good?! Hell _______________________________ "I don't believe in livin' in the middle with available extremes" - Carole King hell@ihug.co.nz ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 20:20:46 +1300 From: "Helen M. Adcock" Subject: Re: helen's bottom (NJC) Don wrote: >In this day and age, when people are writing any >number of offensive things on their bottoms, I for >one, find it refreshing that Helen has chosen these >lovely lyrics. and I thank him very much for the compliment, but I think that's quite enough talk about my bottom, as the last thing I need is it to swell with pride! It's more than large enough as it is! Hell _______________________________ "I don't believe in livin' in the middle with available extremes" - Carole King hell@ihug.co.nz ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 23:48:12 -0800 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: Joni and Don and wishes Evian wrote: > One more thing -- Someone said that Joni thanks Don Freed on the new > album. Are they still together or what? Judging by that new kissy-face painting of them at LACE, I'd say OH YEAH ;-) Evian - all your posts tonight are striking chords with me and keeping me from finishing my stuff around here! I'm not ready to do my top 5 music list yet, but was thinking of the top 5 on my wish list to Santa Claus this year: 5. A trip to Saskatoon to see Joni's paintings next summer; 4. Another Joni piano album, or in the alternative, a redo of all the songs on FTR with the London Symphony, Messrs. Shorter, Isham, et al, with new accompanying paintings to go with it; 3. A nice, large antique wood hutch with custom CD drawers and unlimited CD, tape and record storage capacity (oh *pleeeeease* Santa, I'm drowning!); 2. A way for all of us to see Joni all together in one place like, say, oh, maybe a music jam with Joni at Pazfest in New Orleans ;-) 1. Much happiness, health, peace and love to all jmdlers and their loved ones in the new millenium Kakki NP: Venice - More of a Miracle ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V4 #572 ************************** 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. 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