From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2000 #84 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk JMDL Digest Thursday, February 10 2000 Volume 2000 : Number 084 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: -------- Jack and Joni [zapuppy2@webtv.net (Penny)] Re: Another broken BSN (don't try this at home) [Marian ] Re: both sides now 2000 [FredNow@aol.com] jaco/three views of a secret [FredNow@aol.com] Re: Jack and Joni [Deb Messling ] BSN web site [Deb Messling ] apologies ["Jamie Zubairi" ] Re: full text of billboard article [Jerry Notaro ] Re: JONI SHEET MUSIC ["Neil E. Orts" ] Re: both sides now 2000 [Phyliss Ward ] Re: Jack and Joni [Phyliss Ward ] Re: House of the Rising Sun (NJC) [ZZScotty@aol.com] Going to Ghana - njc ["Brett Code" ] Re: Joni quits songwriting!! ["Bill Dollinger" ] Re: full text of billboard article ["Catherine McKay" ] Re: Joni quits songwriting!! [Randy Remote ] Re: Another broken BSN (don't try this at home) ["Catherine McKay" ] Re: Jack and Joni ["Catherine McKay" ] Re: BSN favorable review in Baltimore Sun ["Catherine McKay" ] Hellllllp! My BSN on backorder at Reprise [Ginamu@aol.com] Re: full text of billboard article [David Wright ] NJC: Paz Chin-In ["Chuck EIsenhardt" ] Both Sides Now [ZZScotty@aol.com] Don Rowe's comments [Joseph Davis ] NO MELODY? [dave fairall / beth miller ] BSN ["gene mock" ] Cdnow ["Ken (Slarty)" ] ACADEMIC NEEDS MUSIC, REVISITED [Matt Jones ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 00:13:36 -0800 (PST) From: zapuppy2@webtv.net (Penny) Subject: Jack and Joni Paz wrote: <> Phyliss added: <> If I recall correctly, didn't Joni mention going to a party at the playboy mansion with her buds Jack and Warren Beatty years ago, and all the big breast, glamor girlies there just about made her hurl. Didn't she start crying and left by literally running away from the party? Can't find the article, but I'll look. Jack was also one of the people that showed up for her benefit art exhibit at the time of the DED release. And then there was when Jack was given some televised lifetime achievement award and sitting right beyond Shirley MacLaine, camera's eye, (MacLaine sat lower lever as she had been one of the principal speakers), our Joan could be seen sitting at a front and center table on the second tier at the gathering. Hey, I like Shirley, but I wish she would have moved her head a little to her right....or put it out on a limb ;-D, so I could have seen Joni better! I can definitly see how Jack and Joni would hit it off great. And he certainly must know a great release when he sees it! Cool move, Jack! Peace Penny :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Grace dies when it becomes us verses them......Philip Yancey ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 09:24:52 +0100 From: Marian Subject: Re: Another broken BSN (don't try this at home) Catherine T. in AZ wrote: >About to climb under the covers with the disc man and headphones, hoping >the music will justify my walk on the wild side with the steel wool . .. . ROTFL!!!! I really enjoyed your post, Catherine. I'm going to save it in case the CDs I ordered are scratched. Does anybody know if CDNow will replace scratched copies? Marian Vienna ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 04:10:30 EST From: FredNow@aol.com Subject: Re: both sides now 2000 "patrick leader" wrote: >some of my reservations are about wayne shorter's >contributions... What are those reservations? - -Fred ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 04:12:27 EST From: FredNow@aol.com Subject: jaco/three views of a secret dave fairall / beth miller wrote: >Weather Report: > Jaco- Three Views of a Secret One of the greatest tunes ever written, if you ask me. - -Fred ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 06:26:22 -0500 From: Deb Messling Subject: Re: Jack and Joni I have a couple of photos in my collection of Joni with Jack at a Carol King concert (in Central Park?), Jack with dorky white hat and Joni with big movie-star sunglasses. Deb Messling messling@enter.net http://www.enter.net/~messling/ I love cats. They give the home a heartbeat. - Joni Mitchell ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 06:55:26 -0500 From: Deb Messling Subject: BSN web site The BSN page is up on Wally's site, including a place for fans to post their reviews, lyrics, production credits, song samples from the album AND samples of other versions of these songs. THANKS, JIM!! Deb Messling messling@enter.net http://www.enter.net/~messling/ I love cats. They give the home a heartbeat. - Joni Mitchell ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:53:03 GMT From: "Jamie Zubairi" Subject: apologies I must apologise for sending (by accident!!) a post the day before. I didnt realise that it went through 3 times. Also I have just received my BSN and I was pleased with it. Until I gave it a prper listen. No scratches but it jumps like everyone has said.... Is this the case with everyone's CDs? I have cleaned and cleaned but to no avail. It made me laugh when along with my package came a booklet from CDnow with an advert for a CD restorer! THe cheek. Are people returning their CDs? Llet me know Jamie Zoob ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 08:35:29 -0500 From: Jerry Notaro Subject: Re: full text of billboard article > LOS ANGELES -- For an artist as innovative as Joni Mitchell, the decision to > make an album composed largely of covers wasn't an easy one. yada yada yada > The limited edition CD is also > available through Reprise's Web site. Yeah, right. Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 09:37:49 -0500 (EST) From: Emily Kirk Gray Subject: Both Sides Now 2000 patrick writes: "still, today i've been playing the cd over and over again, falling more deeply in love with joni's vocals, with the songs that are new to me, and very slowly with the arrangements. the songs that have a little more rhythmic oomph are more interesting for me right now. 'comes love' is sublime. 'sometimes i'm happy', a song i'm not familiar with, has just completely knocked me over. and though i think this take on 'i wish i were in love again' could have been punchier, it's still one of the high points of the album. i'm really in love with this project." patrick, i really like what you've written here, about expecting more swing from this record at first. i also thought there would be a number of "faster songs" to showcase joni's incredible quirky tripping-along-at-its-own-rhythm voice. so "sometimes i'm happy" is such an unforeseen pleasure for me too -- i think it is the songs i didn't know that are really the first joys here. it will probably take time to appreciate joni's "takes" on other songs that i associate with other artists (like "at last") -- right now i think i love them here mainly because of how much they clearly mean to her -- how her love and knowledge and respect for these songs comes through. also, i really like how you reminded me of the "project" aspect of this record...the sound of the music aside, one thing i HAVE fallen in love with completely is the "narrative arc" of the songs -- it's making me read this album like a novel, like a collection of short stories that are linked and resonant. and not just with the "history of romantic love in the twentieth century" aspect, but also because i hear in "both sides now" joni singing back to previous artists, from her vantage now -- measuring their influence, tipping her hat, admitting her love affair with this music. in the same way, she's looking back on her own music, offering wry and knowing and lush re-interpretations of her younger, singing self. because i'm SO USED to joni's "i'm a CHANGING artist, don't make me paint another 'starry night'" routine, this is especially welcome, and moving, and the mark of a really radical artist -- one who is willing to experiment with and change even her old convictions about how music should sound, should age. - -- emily NP: "don't go to strangers" from BSN ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 09:40:34 -0500 From: "Neil E. Orts" Subject: Re: JONI SHEET MUSIC Fred wrote: >Moreover, if I were taking on this sort of thesis (a very noble pursuit if >you ask me) I would feel it mandatory to transcribe everything myself using >my own two ears, and then checking and rechecking with colleagues whose ears >I respected. Not only would the results be more accurate, but it seems to me >that this would be a prerequisite to analysis, which would be profoundly >enhanced by doing my own transcriptions. Part of the problem with doing the transcriptions, as I see it, is that there isn't an absolute, definitive version of some of Joni's songs. I'd think a whole chapter of the thesis (if not a whole thesis!) could be devoted to the different ways Joni has recorded Woodstock. - -Neil ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Neil E. Orts * Director/Student Services * Office of Graduate Studies * It's easy to hang onto a sinking ship University of Texas Austin * The hard part's letting go. Main 101 -- 512/232-3626 * neo@mail.utexas.edu * -Jeff Talmadge fax: 512/475-8851 * ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 07:40:12 -0800 From: Phyliss Ward Subject: Re: both sides now 2000 Patrick, I have to say a "me too" on this one. I was lucky enough to have a taped version for a while as well and I had a hard time with the slower songs at first. After many listenings, I've become more and more in love with the whole thing I can't seem to listen to much else. This is so typical of Joni's albums. It takes a while, then you are hooked. I still don't have my special editions so I can't comment on the package, hopefully today... Bounced Message wrote: > a couple days ago, i was given a preview version, on tape, so i've been > listening to the album without dreaming of skips all weekend. i have to > admit, i was a little disappointed, mostly in the orchestra arrangements. > too many wind and string crescendo moments, esp in the ballads. i was also > expecting a few songs to swing more, like other versions of 'i wish i were > in love again'. but still, the more i listened to the album, the more i > loved it. (snip) > the songs that have a little more rhythmic oomph are more interesting for me > right now. 'comes love' is sublime. 'sometimes i'm happy', a song i'm not > familiar with, has just completely knocked me over. and though i think this > take on 'i wish i were > in love again' could have been punchier, it's still one of the high points of > the album. i'm really in love with this project. > - -- Phyliss pward@lightspeed.net http://www.bodywise.com/consultants/bpward ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 07:43:30 -0800 From: Phyliss Ward Subject: Re: Jack and Joni I actually had it in my head that they had dated. I know I've seen a photo of them together, settin on what looked like a porch step, quite a few years ago. Does anyone know this gossip? Penny wrote: > If I recall correctly, didn't Joni mention going to a party at the > playboy mansion with her buds Jack and Warren Beatty years ago, and all > the big breast, glamor girlies there just about made her hurl. Didn't > she start crying and left by literally running away from the party? > Can't find the article, but I'll look. > > Jack was also one of the people that showed up for her benefit art > exhibit at the time of the DED release. > > And then there was when Jack was given some televised lifetime > achievement award and sitting right beyond Shirley MacLaine, camera's > eye, (MacLaine sat lower lever as she had been one of the principal > speakers), our Joan could be seen sitting at a front and center table on > the second tier at the gathering. Hey, I like Shirley, but I wish she > would have moved her head a little to her right....or put it out on a > limb ;-D, so I could have seen Joni better! > > I can definitly see how Jack and Joni would hit it off great. And he > certainly must know a great release when he sees it! Cool move, Jack! > > Peace > Penny > > :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: > > Grace dies when it becomes us verses them......Philip Yancey - -- Phyliss pward@lightspeed.net http://www.bodywise.com/consultants/bpward ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 08:21:52 EST From: ZZScotty@aol.com Subject: Re: House of the Rising Sun (NJC) W Evans said: "It's a very old song, but the Animals almost certainly learned it from Bob Dylan's first album in 1961 (released in early 1962.) Where did Bob learn it from? I don't know, but my biggest hunches are that Leadbelly did it on his "Last Sessions," it's on the Weaver's Greatest Hits from 1957, and Joan Baez was already doing it in 1960. So, one of those. Although, I find it intriguing that Nina Simone did it at the Village Gate, one of Bob's hangouts, in 1961." The most authentic-looking information I found on web came from: http://www.geocities.com/Nashville/3448/house.html which is from "The unofficial Doc & Merle Watson and semi-official Woody Guthrie and Almanac Singers Site" There's a pretty cool picture of the Alamanac Singers from 1941, which consisted of Woody Guthrie, Lee Hays, Millard Lampell, and Pete Seeger. The website says that "black bluesman Texas Alexander first recorded it in 1928. Roy Acuff (who commercially recorded the song on Nov 3, 1938) may have learned this number from such neighboring Smoky Mountain artists as versatile entertainer Clarence Tom Ashley or the Callahan Brothers, an influential duet team of the '30s and '40s." Sean ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 09:28:05 -0700 From: "Brett Code" Subject: Going to Ghana - njc Hi all, I've been even quieter than usual these days, as I've been busy packing up my stuff, selling my house and car, and finding a place for my plants. I leave on Sunday, so I won't even be a lurker until I set up my email in Ghana, probably sometime in March. In case you are interested in a little bio and photo, the local Calgary paper ran an article on me and my new job today. You can find it on the internet at : www.calgaryherald.com/news/stories/000210/3574157.html I'll be unsubscribing Friday. Brett ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:01:48 -0500 From: "Bill Dollinger" Subject: Re: Joni quits songwriting!! Where did they get that photo? my initial impression when it came up was that it was kilauren!! bill - ----- Original Message ----- From: Randy Remote To: JoniList Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2000 1:28 PM Subject: Joni quits songwriting!! > A number of startling revelations were contained in an > article in the Feb 12 Billboard, including: > > ++Joni is quoted as saying she has no plans to write > any new material in the forseeable future, and will > concentrate on her painting > ++BSN is the first of a symphonic trilogy, the next one > will be ALL JONI SONGS, the 3rd a Xmas album > ++She is planning a 12 city tour and will perform with > local symphonies (cities not mentioned) > ++Reprise has inked a deal with TNT [TV] network to > produce a BSN special "that may recreate the record", > and they are negotiating another with A&E network, > possibly with VH-1 on board > ++Yes there is a single-the title track will be serviced > to radio stations Feb 15, Reprise plans more promotion too > ++Reprise says the 15,000 unit run of the limited edition > has sold out its order to retailers > ++A UFO landed in Joni's yard, Elvis got out and > impregnated Joni > ++OK, I made that one up, but the rest was in the article, > which you can read at > http://www.billboard.com/feature/ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 17:07:33 GMT From: "Catherine McKay" Subject: Re: full text of billboard article Whoo-hoo! It's Joni overload! 2 TV specials (one on A&E - I wonder if it will be "Biography"?) The Dreary Little Christmas album - and we thought she was kidding! Ludwig's Tune with full orchestra! A 12-city tour! (Oh puleeeez, Joni - come to Toronto! I missed you the last time!) This sounds too good to be true! I hope it's not just PR hype and that it ALL actually happens. (I don't think my po' heart can take it!) Catherine (in Toronto) cateri@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:32:47 EST From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Got Mine! Well, between CD Now and the US Postal Service, I got my BSN today and am listening to it now with fingers, toes, and eyes crossed. So far, so great! It's super to hear this FULL orchestrated version of "Comes Love" after training my ear to hear it on all the '98 concert tapes I have. But I had no doubt I would love the music anyway...wow, it really sweeps you away, I feel like I'm in some Casablanca or Copa Cabana club or something with Joni on the bandstand singing her heart out. This music is literally a dream come true for anyone who was raised on show tunes/standards (like I was) and has grown to love Joni so much over the last 25 years (like I have). I was surprised that CD Now shipped it in a REAL big box, with NO interior protection. (a piece of crumpled paper and LOTS of air). And to make matters worse, as we all know, the CD rattles around in the burgandy hatbox as well so it's doing more shaking than a 300 pound jogger. But God was watching over the shipment (thanks again God, I owe you yet ANOTHER one!) and the CD is totally scratch-free...hopefully I ain't speaking too soon... The Cards are pretty cool - I like Joni vs. Pikachu the best, and will gladly trade any of them for a 1970 Topps Thurman Munson rookie card which I used to own and my Mom gave to some flunkie kid...anyway, I digress. And I will also say how wonderful it is to be able to simultaneously share the joy of this music with kindred spirits... And CDNow must know I'm a mega-slut because they included a free "New Music Lounge" CD with my shipment with new stuff from Madonna, Sebadoh, Collective Soul, Pet Shop Boys, Public Enemy, and about 8 others - Cool! Just heard Case of You - Wow!! But I almost feel guilty that I got a good copy...what do they call that - "Survivor's Syndrome"? Well, back to work. Bob NP: Don't Go To Strangers" PS: One little complaint - it's damn near impossible to pry the disc out of its little holder, you have to shake the box and catch it as it falls out (?). I pried mine out with a ball-point pen! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:35:09 EST From: AsharaJM@aol.com Subject: A request and reminders The Request: For anyone that would like to contribute to the "Wally Breese Memorial Fund," please send your e-mail with your donations so I can acknowledge the receipt of your generous contributions. Reminders: If you would like to make a contribution towards the fund, (contributions going towards the upkeep of JoniMitchell.com) please make the checks payable to: Jim Johanson and send to: Ashara Stansfield P.O. Box 215 Topsfield, MA 01983 Also, I am very surprised that so very few of you have sent blanks for "A Day in the Garden" video. It makes me question whether there should be further efforts made for future video trees, or whether we should just stick to tape and/or CD trees. I would appreciate any feedback people have. FOR the PAL version of "A Day in the Garden" video: Please let me know immediately if you haven't already, if you are interested in this tape. Hugs, Ashara {who is waiting VERY IMPATIENTLY for her copy of BSN from CDNow} www.photon.net/lightnet (BTW....the new issue of The Light Network is up for those of you who are interested.) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:39:59 EST From: Chilihead2@aol.com Subject: NJC: Repairing scratched CDs Hi, I used to take great care of my vinyl. Each album went into a discwasher ( a sleeve made of paper and plastic and then each album went into a plastic cover). It was virgin vinyl and I wanted to keep it that way. When CDs came along I was told they would be indestructible. NOT TRUE as we all know you cannot smash them with a hammer. And if you really examine it, a jewel case is designed to explode and catapult the CD so it always lands music side down and scratches. Short of covering your whole house in cotton velvet. There is a solution. I found a "Skip Doctor". It gently resurfaces your CDs so they can be played with enjoyment once again. There's nothing more annoying than being interrupted whilst playing with your rubber tugboat in your baby pool and then slogging off to the CD Player whereby your CD is permanently "fixed" into a thousand little pieces and tossed into the recycle bin. ;-) A Skip Doctor runs about the price of 2 CDs $34.95 and repairs 50-60 CDs. You can order more stuff for your skip doctor so that it can repair more and more of your CDs and your friends' CDs (if you're the Martha Stewart type, charge your friends and this becomes a money making venture). I got my Skip Doctor from Herrington (a catalog for the Yuppie who has everything, so I have no idea how in the heck I got on their mailing list--must have been a joke from one of my bosses! ;-) Herrington's number is 800-622-5221. Skip Doctor's catalogue number is A231 and if you have more than 50 CDs to fix you can order extra "Resurfacing wheels" and extra "Resurfacing fluid," Everything comes with a money back guarantee. And this company gets high marks for customer service in my opinion. And while were at it. Maybe someone should send a few of these to Reprise Records.!!! - -Chili "There's no such thing called death. It's just a transformation"-Nina Hagen ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:48:33 -0500 From: "Patricia O'Connor" Subject: BSN favorable review in Baltimore Sun From the Baltimore Sun, Feb. 8, 2000: More than one side to Joni Mitchell Review: With her new strings-rich album, this folkie stakes her claim as a jazzy singer. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---- By J.D. Considine Sun Pop Music Critic Judging from the title, Joni Mitchell's new album looks like something of a nostalgia trip. "Both Sides Now," after all, was the song that first brought fame to the Canadian folkie, thanks to a 1968 remake by Judy Collins. But this new "Both Sides Now" (Reprise 47620, arriving in stores today) is a throwback of a different sort. Instead of returning to her folk roots, the album takes us to an even earlier era, to the jazzy, string-drenched sound of Billie Holiday's "Lady In Satin" or Frank Sinatra's mid-'50s concept albums. To say the album is out of the ordinary for Mitchell would be understating it considerably. Apart from the title tune and "A Case of You," most of the songs on "Both Sides Now" are pre-rock standards, with selections ranging from familiar favorites like "Stormy Weather" to such lesser-known gems as "Answer Me, My Love." Compared to the stark modernism of her last album, 1998's "Taming the Tiger," this new release seems almost the work of a different artist entirely. Perhaps that's why, in its initial release, "Both Sides Now" will be avail- able only as a limited, numbered edition boxed set, which will include three lithographs by Mitchell in the packaging. (A less elaborate version of the album will be released March 21.) Mitchell is hardly the first rock star to try her hand at the sound of the pre-rock era, but "Both Sides Now" is not the sort of nostalgic valentine Linda Ronstadt intended in her early-'80s collaborations with arranger Nelson Riddle. Where Ronstadt sought the snazzy sophistication of Sinatra singing standards, Mitchell seems to be taking a more jazz-oriented tack. Her renditions focus on the emotional underpinnings of these songs, manipulating the melody to better illuminate the relationship of words and music. Her version of "You're My Thrill," for instance, is beautiful yet ineffably sad, the work of someone hopelessly in thrall to the flame of desire. When she first begins to sing, there's a lightness to her tone and an economy to her phrasing that, for an instant, recalls the bluesy sweetness of Billie Holiday. It's not an imitation, exactly, but there's a definite sense of musical and emotional common ground in Mitchell's performance. Making the sound of this album all the more remarkable is that Mitchell's voice has little of the brightness or power it once possessed. On a technical level, she's getting by almost entirely on the strength of her phrasing and vibrato, making her point more through understatement than musical muscle. At times, you're almost afraid that she'll disappear beneath a sudden wave of strings and brass, but she holds her place in front of the orchestra as easily as Mark Isham's muted trumpet does in "Comes Love." In fact, Mitchell seems to be taking many of her cues from instrumental music. Not only does her singing often seem to emulate the color and phrasing of a jazz saxophonist, but the arrangements (by Vince Mendoza, with Gordon Jenkins helping out on "Stormy Weather") seem to owe more to the sound Gil Evans got for his collaborations with Miles Davis ("Porgy and Bess," "Sketches of Spain") than anything Nelson Riddle or Billy May did for Sinatra. Even when she indulges in an occasional bit of orchestral lushness -- her treatment of "You've Changed" is as string-drenched as any Mantovani album -- Mitchell avoids the obvious pop cliches by having Wayne Shorter's soprano saxophone add a touch of jazzy vinegar to the honeyed arrangement. Still, as interesting as it is to hear Mitchell establish her jazz singer credentials on "Sometimes I'm Happy" and "Stormy Weather," the album's most fascinating moments come when she rethinks her own material. When she first recorded "A Case of You" for her 1971 album "Blue," the love- besotted ballad was celebrated chiefly for the way it seemed to fold poetry into music. As remade here, the song still takes its cues from the words, but in a different way, leaning more toward the dramatic discursiveness of a Richard Rodgers stage piece (imagine the "Soliloquy" from "Carousel," but with a bebop twist). It's an astonishing performance, showing strengths Mitchell's previous albums have only hinted at. Maybe it is time to look at Mitchell from both sides, as both a pop songwriter and a jazz singer. Originally published on Feb 8 2000 Patricia O'Connor p.a.oconnor@worldnet.att.net ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:47:16 -0500 From: "Ken (Slarty)" Subject: Joni on After Hours 2 Nights ago They played Blue Motel Room on "After Hours" The CBC late night jazz radio show. Last night they played -Comes Love -You've Changed -Sometimes I'm Happy -A Case Of You All from BSN! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 09:57:43 -0800 From: Randy Remote Subject: Re: Joni quits songwriting!! Phyliss Ward wrote: > > ++BSN is the first of a symphonic trilogy, the next one > > will be ALL JONI SONGS, the 3rd a Xmas album > > Being as I am jewish, I have never bought an Xmas album in my life. I > guess one should never say never. Xmas records usually make me want to gag ( I was raised Episcopalian, but left all that). However, I'm sure I'll buy the sucker. I expect it will have "River" and "Facelift" on it. RR ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 18:25:29 GMT From: "Catherine McKay" Subject: Re: Another broken BSN (don't try this at home) Marian asked: >Does anybody know if CDNow will replace scratched copies? I've never had to return a CD to CDNow, but they have stated you can return them. In fact, any company that WON'T accept returns for any reason - whether it's because the merchandise is defective, or because you simply changed your mind - isn't worth dealing with, and won't be in business for long. Catherine (in Toronto) cateri@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 10:07:42 -0800 (PST) From: Don Rowe Subject: Joni Quits Sonwriting and Other Rock 'N Roll Myths Hearing yet again, in the recent Billboard that Joni is "quitting songwriting", got me to thinking about this, and other rock 'n roll myths ... in no particular order: The Who Farewell Tour -- have there, or have there not been more sequels on this theme than "Friday the 13th"? Mick Jagger Settles Down -- Mick's not blind yet, so don't put any money on this one anytime soon. Beatles Reunion Tour -- John Lennon's tragic murder has done remarkably little to silence this persistent rumor ... McCartney et al are still answering this banal question in interviews. Lindsey Buckingham To Release New Solo Album -- I prefer Peter Gabriel's approach on his website "Album? What album?". At least he's honest ... The Artist to perform 1999 for the last time -- Since this was big draw for his 2000 PAY-per-view ... you can't help but think that somebody, somewhere will find the necessary cash to get this ditty played at LEAST one more time. "______'s new release, _______, the most significant album since Joni Mitchell's Blue" -- Fill in the blanks with your choice of this year's trendiest galwriter and her new album -- then don't believe a word of it. There are other out there ... I look for at least one more set of original compositions from Joni -- she doesn't strike me as an artist who can quit. Let's hope I'm right. Don Rowe ===== "I would not bet against the development of a time machine. My opponent may have already built one ... and know the future." -- Stephen Hawking __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 13:31:08 EST From: Chilihead2@aol.com Subject: NJC: Remembering Wally Hi, I know we all come from different traditions and I don't know if this has been mentioned before, but what if we set aside a specific time whereby we could all remember Wally together. Light a candle, etc., or do whatever one would like to do, to remember this man who with Les brought us together. As Heather so eloquently called him, "Sir Wally." Here's to you Sir Wally! - -Chili ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 18:30:32 GMT From: "Catherine McKay" Subject: Re: JONI SHEET MUSIC Neil wrote: >Part of the problem with doing the transcriptions, as I see it, is that >there isn't an absolute, definitive version of some of Joni's songs. I'd >think a whole chapter of the thesis (if not a whole thesis!) could be >devoted to the different ways Joni has recorded Woodstock. > Does anyone know this? Does Joni write her music down, or does she just write the words? How does she deal with the piano bits, or the dulcimer bits? Catherine (in Toronto) cateri@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 18:31:47 GMT From: "Catherine McKay" Subject: Re: Jack and Joni >I actually had it in my head that they had dated. I know I've seen a >photo >of them together, settin on what looked like a porch step, quite a few >years >ago. Does anyone know this gossip? Iwwww! Why would Joni "date" him? He's always struck me as such a sleeze! Catherine (in Toronto) cateri@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 18:41:06 GMT From: "Catherine McKay" Subject: Re: BSN favorable review in Baltimore Sun >From the Baltimore Sun, Feb. 8, 2000: > >More than one side to Joni Mitchell >Review: With her new strings-rich album, this folkie stakes her claim as a >jazzy singer. Jeez, they're STILL calling her a "folkie". Is *anyone* actually a "folkie"? I didn't even read the rest of the review (maybe will later after I calm down). Makes me wonder whether these people even KNEW who Joni was after about 1968... Catherine (in Toronto) cateri@hotmail.com ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 12:18:58 -0800 (PST) From: Don Rowe Subject: Joni the "folkie" ... thoughts on Considine review of BSN J.D. Considine's a sharp guy -- over the years, I've come to trust him as much as, if not more, than just about any of the critics in the biz. I would be very surprised if he, himself is not aware of Joni's growth as an artist. But I'm sure he's aware that the "folkie" label is what folks in the general public would most quickly choose to describe Joni, so he uses it to set up the fact that BSN is VERY different, especially so for a potential buyer who's still expecting STAS, Blue or LOTC. Just my dos pesos. Don Rowe ===== "I would not bet against the development of a time machine. My opponent may have already built one ... and know the future." -- Stephen Hawking __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 22:45:14 +0000 From: catman Subject: Re: Joni quits songwriting!! In this photo she really does look like Sally Kellerman. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 15:04:29 EST From: Ginamu@aol.com Subject: Hellllllp! My BSN on backorder at Reprise After not hearing a word about my order for BSN through the Reprise site, I called customer service and was informed that it was on backorder. The clerk knew about the packing problems and told me she had a hunch that maybe shipping has been delayed due to the reports of damaged CDs. I'm soooooo bummed...going totally out of my tree...any suggestions? Info? Anything? Gina (tearing her hair out!) NP: Whatever Gets You Through The Night - John Lennon ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 17:24:42 -0500 (EST) From: David Wright Subject: Re: full text of billboard article On Thu, 10 Feb 2000, Catherine McKay wrote: > > Ludwig's Tune with full orchestra! This is often mentioned here, but I hope I hope I HOPE she doesn't do it. Please, Joni, resist the temptation! I think it would be better on FTR, too, if it were just Joni and the piano. To me, the orchestra is a direct contradiction of the whole idea of the song, the idea of the solitary artist at war with his/her society ("they think you're too raw"; "your solitary path") (ignoring for the moment whether this picture of Beethoven, or of "The Artist" in general, is accurate): the orchestra doesn't fit into the song thematically. It's also a bit out of place with the song's piano descriptions ("Cold white keys under your fingers," "Condemned to wires and hammers/strike every chord that you feel," etc.), which are inextricably part of the song's view of art. If the artist is driven to express himself/herself even in a vacuum, with whatever materials are at hand ("in silence/in a bell jar/still a song"; "condemned to wires and hammers/strike every chord that you feel"), what does he/she need an orchestra for? There's a certain contradiction inherent in the song itself, I think -- praising Beethoven for his iconoclasm by turning him into an icon, an archetype -- but in my opinion the orchestration threatens to turn that contradiction into a lie. - --David ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 17:22:31 EST From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Re: Joni Quits Songwriting and Other Rock 'N Roll Myths In a message dated 2/10/00 12:30:27 PM US Central Standard Time, dgrowe227@yahoo.com writes: << There are other out there ... I look for at least one more set of original compositions from Joni -- she doesn't strike me as an artist who can quit. Let's hope I'm right. >> I agree, Don...no way Joni can let the whole Kilauren/becoming a granny overnight, reconciling the whole scenario with Myrtle, etc. go without it inspiring some musical insight. And adding to the rock and roll myths, there's always the "Jim Morrison is still alive" one also Brian Wilson's unreleased opus which is supposed to be the greatest rock record ever recorded... Then there's the one about somebody being murdered in the studio when The Ohio Players were recording "Love Rollercoaster"...anyone remember THAT one? Not to mention the "Done Rowe is REALLY Larry Klein" myth! :~) Bob NP: Lionel Hampton & His Orchestra, "Flyin' Home" ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 22:47:43 +0000 From: catman Subject: Re: House of the Rising Sun (NJC) > > > The website says that "black bluesman Texas Alexander first recorded it in > 1928. this is just what it sounds like to me. > Roy Acuff (who commercially recorded the song on Nov 3, 1938) may have > learned this number from such neighboring Smoky Mountain artists as versatile > entertainer Clarence Tom Ashley or the Callahan Brothers, an influential duet > team of the '30s and '40s." > > Sean - -- To change the world-change your self "It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not." ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 18:04:55 -0500 From: "cassy" Subject: Re: Hellllllp! My BSN on backorder at Reprise From: Ginamu@aol.com >>shipping has been delayed due to the reports of damaged CDs<< I tried to purchase BSN and was told that all copies in the store had been put on hold due to the fact that the CD's were damaged... (apparently a problem from production) so you aren't the only one who is waiting for their copy :(( Cassy ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 15:39:11 PST From: "Russell Bowden" Subject: a review Found this on MSN entertainment today.. Both Sides Now [Limited] * [2/8] Reprise (2000) 1 members have chosen this album as a favorite... GUESS WHO???? She's known for her incredible songwriting. Mitchell mined personal details and unorthodox musical structures all the way to eventual critical neglect, mass audience indifference and the cut-out bins. To her credit, she's never backed down. The muse goes where the muse goes, and she soldiers on indifferent to personal fortune. This collection of standards (including two from Mitchell, "Both Sides Now" and "A Case Of You") was recorded with a 70-piece orchestra and brings out a side of Mitchell left unexplored until now: Mitchell as interpretive singer. She lost her freewheelin' high end years ago to incessant chainsmoking and age, but now with a voice deeper and wizened (and wise) with age (yet nowhere near as broken as Marianne Faithfull), she can sing the blues as authentically as any old catalog artist you'd care to name. Like Billie Holiday's Lady In Autumn collection where life experience creates a gritty backdrop for the bittersweet rewards of survival, Both Sides Now is a serious trip into adulthood that's hard to imagine staring at the girl on the cover of Clouds. SOUNDS LIKE: Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Marianne Faithfull, Dinah Washington, Sinead O'Connor, Red Hot + Blue This review was written by Rob_OConnor who gave it a rating of 6 out of 7. * ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 14:56:06 -0500 From: "Chuck EIsenhardt" Subject: NJC: Paz Chin-In Here's the whole text of the Paz Chin-in story from the Airplanes' Volunteers LP: PAZ CHIN-IN HUGE SUCCESS tow men wearing folded newspaper hats, one saying 'a flag for your window' the other saying 'Eisenhower Dies' and a young girl singing/dancing. Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Vine on Paz, South Dakota, and their son, Pancake. Paz, South Dakota --- The Sun, like a heat lamp gone ape, beat down upon the streets and fields of this rustic, rural community as it played host this past weekend to the first annual Paz Chin-In. It turned out to be a warm and wonderful weekend with many wild and wacky happenings. Some of the participants and audience alike removed their shirts. Some removed their pants. And some removed some ants from some hydrangea plants! All the top bands that were advertised arrived and did outstanding sets: The Beavers, Juff Gleento, Hunk, The Knobs, Rufus and the Juts, The Ho, The Ked, The Roland Stoves, and many more. A highlight of sorts was reached during the Saturday evening show when AOK, a 54-piece band from Houston, launched themselves in a space capsule from the stage and completed two orbits around the Moon before ending their set with a brilliant splashdown into a nearby rainbarrel! Other highlights included: - -Mo Eddison introduced a new musical instrument; a large guitar-like apparatus with six three-foot thick cables strung across a fifty-five foot long replica of the Golden Gate Bridge called a 'Mandoleen'; and promptly blacked out South Dakota and five adjoining states for seventeen minutes by attempting to plat 'Lady of Spain' with feedback! - -Juff Gleento completely dazzled everyone by appearing onstage wearing glittering, sequined, and pearl-inlayed orange rinds! - -Many world renowned jugglers and magicians performed, including Elmer of Elmhurst who not only juggled ten full-size bathtubs with his feet, but also held his breath, with his hands! - -At one point during the festivities the dancing got so exuberant and vociferous that Farmer Morgon's back forty was heard to shout, "HEY, EASY ON THE SODS, MODS"! - -And Bud Dolan stopped by on Sunday and did a quick guest set, singing his latest single, "She called me a Hick When I asked for her Cup!" All in all, a good time was had by those who attended. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 19:35:28 EST From: ZZScotty@aol.com Subject: Both Sides Now Although my web-ordered BSN should arrive tomorrow, I couldn't stand the wait (and thought that I may not get a good copy) and bought the only copy at the local Barnes & Noble today. Unfortunately, I got one of the many scratched cd's. I know that Reprise didn't intentionally design a package that would fail so miserably - but geez! Instead of keeping both limited editions, I'll be returning at least one - perhaps two. Given the stories we've all heard about Reprise not quite having their marketing shit together, I wonder what the heck is going on. I'll be e-mailing them a suggestion that they send any purchaser of a defective limited edition with a new CD, if the owner wants to keep the box and contents. I have been able to listen to most of the album - the scratches only affect one track (but for close to $50, we should get a perfect disc.) This is a beautiful album. It's deep, I know I'll be listening to it for a long time, and listening to Both Sides Now (the last cut) is as close as I get to a religious experience. One other positive note: Barnes & Noble (at least the one on Colorado Blvd. in Denver) just received a stack of Joni's "The Complete Poems And Lyrics" - which they are selling for $7.98. And that's the hardback version, which retailed for 30 bucks. That made my day a little better. Thank you, Joni, for being in my life. Sean ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 18:46:52 -0600 From: Joseph Davis Subject: Don Rowe's comments "______'s new release, _______, the most significant album since Joni Mitchell's Blue" -- Fill in the blanks with your choice of this year's trendiest galwriter and her new album -- then don't believe a word of it. Hear, Hear! I'm TIRED of that comparison.....it's shallow, more than a little sexist, and yet another attempt by the record industry to categorize an artist as singular. Shawn Colvin sounds like - Shawn Colvin. She's quite adept at phrasing, imagery in her writing, and for my money, one of the great rhythm guitarists - period. Jewel (a phenomenal poet who will become a great singer/songwriter - hell, even JONI herself hadta evolve, peoples!) sounds like jewel, and on and on and on. Joan Armatrading and Joni were making AMAZING records back in the day, and I'm damn glad to have found them in the discount bins on occasion. I dunno....that's enough of my how-being-flavor-of-the-month-really-hinders-rather-than helps-a-songwriter's-career rant. Singular talents always survive the music business hype male or female. Witness Joni, Van, Bruce, Lenny, and oh......Tracy Chapman has a new c.d. out too! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 20:03:20 -0600 From: dave fairall / beth miller Subject: NO MELODY? Fred, You said, (with ref. to Joni's work post DJRD): "However, after that, as folks here are no doubt tired of hearing me say, tuneful melodic inspiration drops way, way off." I can't say that I necessarily disagree w/ that statement, however I think the vocal performances and subtleies inherant in NRH, TI, and TTT more then make up for any lack of pop sensibility. There are really terrific moments on all three albums, NRH in particular still gives me chills. The fact that the structure of her tunes migrated to more of a chordal / modal wall of sound, speaks to her innovation, perhaps she just tired of the traditional tunesmithing df. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 17:48:03 -0800 From: "gene mock" Subject: BSN Just heard my first listen to BSN. Never really was into "Torch" songs but I listened to and read along each song. Her voice is richer with more texture. No longer is she the siren that I fell in love with years ago, but rather the companion I'm having conversation with over wine. It's a different Joni, isn't she amazing!? Could anyone but her pull this off? I don't think so. Growing "old?" with Joni is an absolute pleasure. TWO THUMBS UP! 10 OUT OF 10!!!! Can't wait till she does her songs with this kind of orchestration. WOW!! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 21:22:46 -0500 From: "Ken (Slarty)" Subject: Cdnow CdNow has BSN for 30% off (forgive me if this has already been posted). With a $10 off coupon that comes to $24.98. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 21:46:54 -0500 From: Matt Jones Subject: ACADEMIC NEEDS MUSIC, REVISITED Ok, due to an overwhelmingly negative response to my request for lots of Joni sheet music, mainly that the transcriptions are devoid of much value, I am shifting the focus of my research (at this poing, at least). Therefore, I make the following revision to my earlier email: My thesis will now cover the music of Joni's later period, Hissing....to the present. It will deal with the transformation from folk goddess to jazz singer, as such. My primary concern at this point is DJRD. I've begun with the song Paprika Plains, so far doing a textual analysis of the poem and how the words relate to this music, how they are accentuated by it, and how they accentuate it. I need the music from this album to complete my research. I realize and will take into account the defects of transcription. As an aspiring musicologist, I understand all too well the variants between written music for mass consumption and the music an artist will actually play. HOWEVER, as I do not have perfect pitch, my time can be spent one of two ways: either playing the album over and over, using the hit or miss (no pun intended) method of chord derivation, or use a printed score as a base, then supplement it from the recordings. In the event that a song has been transposed for easier play, I am capable of putting it back in Joni's key. But, to make my life/ research easier, I would prefer to start with the printed music, mostly b/c I am working on a limited schedule, and this project can have whatever magnitued I choose to give it, as many of you certainly understand. Therefore, anyone with music for DJRD please contact me and we will arrange financial compensation for the trouble of photocopying music......and remember: this is being used for academic research and all photocopies will be destroyed once the project is complete. (I will be requesting other music later, so if anyone feels like giving me a headstart, feel free to contact me!!) ( I do not mean to sound bitchy, but this is a serious academic project and I need to get the scores!!!) Matt Jones University of GA School of Music Athens, GA musicmat@earthlink.net ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2000 #84 **************************** 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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