From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2000 #277 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk Archives: http://www.smoe.org/lists/joni Websites: http://www.jmdl.com http://www.jonimitchell.com Unsubscribe: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe JMDL Digest Wednesday, May 24 2000 Volume 2000 : Number 277 The 'Official' Joni Mitchell Homepage, created by Wally Breese, can be found at http://www.jonimitchell.com. It contains the latest news, a detailed bio, Original Interviews, essays, lyrics and much much more. --- The JMDL website can be found at http://www.jmdl.com and contains interviews, articles, the member gallery, archives, and much more. --- Ashara has set up a "Wally Breese Memorial Fund" with all donations going directly towards the upkeep of the website. Wally kept the website going with his own funds. it is now up to US to help Jim continue. If you would like to donate to this fund, please make all checks payable to: Jim Johanson and send them to: Ashara Stansfield P.O. Box 215 Topsfield, MA. 01983 USA ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: Irony Alert--- NJC, was Our Lady Of Duality [susan+rick ] WTRF [dave fairall / beth miller ] RE: Our Lady Of Duality, njc ["Wally Kairuz" ] Re: Our Lady Of Duality, njc ["Mark or Travis" ] Non Joni(Sort of)-My rainy day pix [GuruDJSmithmix@aol.com] Re: NJC Matrimony [Heather ] Non Joni (sort of) My rainy day pix [GuruDJSmithmix@aol.com] interupting the sorrow... [Murphycopy@aol.com] Superiority debates & NY concert ["Frederick Freeman" ] Inner Circle Meeting Time Change ["Jim L'Hommedieu" ] MSG May 23rd [CaTGirl627@aol.com] May 25th Show Meet'n'Greet [Julian51469@aol.com] Back to the Garden [Seulbzzaj@aol.com] Blocking A Sender, NJC ["Jim L'Hommedieu" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 17:47:33 -0700 From: susan+rick Subject: Re: Irony Alert--- NJC, was Our Lady Of Duality I hesitate to post this because, yes, this whole thread is smelling like a fresh turd, but as one who initially responded to Jim's post I feel I have to clarify my position lest anyone believe that I harbour any hard feelings toward anyone. I posted to get a clarification from Jim because of the way his original came out *to my eyes*. He replied; I understood what he meant; I said Great; I let it go and wrote it off to *email ambiguity*. I am not hurt and I'm having difficulty understanding what everyone is so upset about. This is not your life, it's only email, let it go. All good things Rick, working up the nerve to hit Send and I will on the count of three: One...Two...Th ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 19:49:59 -0500 (CDT) From: michael w yarbrough Subject: Re: A Gay Man's Time in Chicago Grabbing Joni Tickets (NJC) Very Long What a great story Coyote! Most likely they were business partners. Very little of the baseball-game viewing going on on those rooftops is free. It's big bizness. Corporate accounts, the whole shebang. Even if their roof wasn't a place of business, it sounds like they are involved in lots of ticket/sports viewing biz anyway. BUT it is not necessarily unlikely that they were life partners. Wrigleyville, at Addison and Clark, is the next neighborhood immediately north of Boystown. If you stood on the south side of Addison, you'd technically be in Boystown. LOTS of faggots live there, overflow from Boystown proper. Indeed, when you took the El, you went a mere 1/2 mile south. If you had taken just a few steps toward the lake, you would have found Halsted, turned right, and been surrounded by queers. Boring queers (I hate Boystown), but queers nonetheless. Maybe TM and partner are leatherfags... - --Michael NP: Embarrassment, "Celebrity Art Party" - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Intellects do not believe in God But they fear us just the same." - --Erykah Badu, "On and On" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 17:57:47 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: ** FLASH ** I agree with Howard!! NJC > < first-time posts!! >> > > Good advice, Jim...I'll try and do a BETTER job of making newbies feel > welcome! ;~) > > Bob You're killin' me, Bob! Is there anyone who has been as consistent as this man at making sure all newbies get at least a 'welcome to the list?' I'm sure our numbers have increased since Bob joined up! Thanks, Bob! Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 02:15:29 +0100 From: catman Subject: Re: A Gay Man's Time in Chicago Grabbing Joni Tickets (NJC) Very Long Bloody hell! I'm afraid i wouldn't have got my tickets! Being the wimp I am I don't think I'd even have got has far as seein TM coming toward me. coyote you deserve a medal for devotion! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 21:47:39 -0500 From: dave fairall / beth miller Subject: MPP Hey Loren, Wish we could join you, but due to pending paternity / maternity we are going to have to play it by ear, possibly arriving at the last minute. Coming from Baltimore, 6 in our group....really looking forward. Dave F. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 21:51:52 -0500 From: dave fairall / beth miller Subject: WTRF Chinese Cafe, Solid Love, Moon at the Window, Be Cool, Man to Man, and Love, are terrific, especially Wayne Shorter's playing on the last tune, {Love}, amazing..... Some of the tunes I could do without, not a complete album perhaps, but the above stuff is all great. THX DF ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 22:41:52 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: RE: Our Lady Of Duality, njc but i don't have any education at all!!!! so i'm totally safe here! yipeeeeeeee! wallyk - ----- Mensaje original ----- De: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Para: "_JMDL - June 98" ; "Wally Kairuz" Enviado: Martes 23 de Mayo de 2000 19:01 Asunto: Re: Our Lady Of Duality, njc > Wally, > For God's sake don't you get it? It doesn't matter what your education > actually IS. It matters how your perceived education causes others to FEEL. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 21:47:51 EDT From: KENAC64@cs.com Subject: Re: Rainy Day Songs (njc) okay here they are: Rickie Lee Jones....Pop Pop David Wilcox......How Did you Find Me Here Patty Griffin......Living With Ghosts Janis Ian......Between The Lines and.....Joni......FTR ......Ken ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 22:50:45 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: RE: A Gay Man's Time in Chicago Grabbing Joni Tickets (NJC) Very Long man! that was ed bundy you met !!!!!!!! wallyk ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 20:05:03 -0600 From: evian Subject: NJC Matrimony > I feel compelled to tell you that in this JMDL tradition you > must go to the back of the line of those who have previously asked Kakki to > marry us. Sorry! ;-) > Ummm, I hate to tell all of you this, but I've been happily married to Kakki for the past 2 years. We've kept it a secret because, well, we didn't want to create trouble on the list if we divorced. We kept thinking "if it doesn't work out, who keeps the list friends?" Of course, she's a million times more popular than I will ever be, but still, it would be awkard for both of us. We kept imagining the scenerio where we'd both post at once, and then have to reply saying "Oh... hi.... you're writing in fine form." etc. You know how it is. And then, we wouldn't want to drag our dirty laundry onto the list if we divorced -- you know, the "he took MY copy of FTR and left me his scratched up one... the rat bastard!" And then we also thought it would make everyone uneasy to state "np: Last Chance Lost" because, well, that would undoubtedly be our break-up anthem. Thankfully, Kakki and I are happier than ever -- our house is a very very very fine house indeed! Kakki darling, please take out a couple Swanson's dinners for supper, I'll be a little late. And, for God sake, please clip the toenails on the cat -- he damn near ruined my sweater. Yours, Mr. Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 19:47:02 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: Our Lady Of Duality, njc At the risk of having that turd smell rub off on me, I'm going to make just a few comments on this latest unfortunate misunderstanding. Jim wrote one of the best posts about Joni I have read on this list. It expressed so many things that I have felt about Joni for a long time. I wish I had written it. He was proud of it and had every right to be. Kakki reacted to it, giving Jim's effort well deserved praise. I think Jim was on a bit of a high from the exhilaration of having created that great piece of writing and in his next post went further in his enthusiasm and appreciation of Joni. He made a statement or two that sounded a bit extreme to me, but I shrugged it off, thinking he was just being overly enthusiastic. I didn't think he really meant to say that any of us has to have doctorates in art, music, philosophy, sociology, etc. in order to appreciate Joni Mitchell. He later explained himself and, in my opinion, is guilty of nothing more than being an avid Joni fan. Kakki made some comments about negative reviews. I never got the idea that she really was saying that all negative comments or reviews of Joni's performances or her music should be excluded from the web page, from the list or anywhere else. What I got from her comments was that she was distressed by the type of review that seems to do nothing more than take cheap shots in order make the writer look smart or hip or whatever. I see these types of reviews all the time in major national publications. Even though I admit to sometimes getting a kick out of them if they're about somebody I don't like, I still don't think they have any place in a magazine or a newspaper or on a TV program or on a web site. They say nothing constructive or make any attempt to give a valid reason why the reviewer thought something was bad. They just make the smarts that wrote them look clever. Those were the kind of reviews that I thought Kakki was talking about. If you don't like something that's fine, you have a right to say so. But I don't think that means you have to be nasty or glib about it although I'm sure I have been guilty of that from time to time. Again, Kakki is guilty of nothing but loving the art of Joni Mitchell. Colin & Howard were both upset by Jim's remark about needing to be super-educated to appreciate Joni. If I had taken that remark seriously it would have pissed me off too. I don't think Joni has any desire to be elitist and I certainly abhor elitism. Anyone who can feel can get something out of Joni's music. Howard also took issue with Kaki's comments about negative reviews. If I thought Kakki really did mean to censor anybody who had an opinion that was not absolute worship of all things Joni, I would have been appalled as well. Colin & Howard are guilty of nothing more than taking issue with statements they perceived as wrong & trying to set the record straight. But I, for one, don't think that either Jim or Kakki intended to advocate Joni elitism or censorship of any kind of *constructive* criticism of Joni. I've been on this list as long as anybody, longer than most and I can tell you that neither Jim nor Kakki has a mean or snobbish bone in their bodies. They are two of the most generous, down to earth, articulate & intelligent people we have. If you're looking for elitists or intellectual snobs, you're barking up the wrong trees, people! I can also tell you that neither Colin nor Howard are prone to making rash accusations and trying to stir up trouble just for the sake of seeing people go ballistic. They will, however, both speak out when they see something that they think is wrong. They are both courageous and very honest and I admire that. The same adjectives I used to describe Jim & Kakki I would also use to describe Colin & Howard. They are both generous, down to earth, articulate and intelligent as well. I would also apply the words courageous & honest to Kakki & Jim. All four of these people are also human and have feelings about a wide variety of things. Some of those feelings run very deep. It's part of what I love about all of them. They've had a misunderstanding. I don't want to tell anybody what to do or how to behave but I do hope they can all sit back, take some time, calm down, clear their heads and stop hurting one another. Ok, I've stuck my neck out far enough. If some one wants to lower the blade on it, chop away! Love to all, Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 22:49:54 EDT From: GuruDJSmithmix@aol.com Subject: Non Joni(Sort of)-My rainy day pix When Im in for the day because of the rain I spin: Cocteau Twins-Victorialand Joni Mitchell-Blue/Hissing of summer lawns (Thanks to Bob! Now that I have the demo's them too)! Brian Eno-Another green world Lisa Germano-Geek the girl Dead can dance-Aion Lisa Gerrard- Mirror pool I know a little depressing, but rain is sometimes! Peace and sunshine! Guru DJ Smithmix ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 23:01:20 -0400 From: Heather Subject: Re: NJC Matrimony LOL!!!!! You are one that we can count on to keep things on the lighter side! Thank you! Heather At 08:05 PM 5/23/00 -0600, evian wrote: > > I feel compelled to tell you that in this JMDL tradition you > > must go to the back of the line of those who have previously asked Kakki to > > marry us. Sorry! ;-) > > >Ummm, I hate to tell all of you this, but I've been happily married to >Kakki for the past 2 years. We've kept it a secret because, well, we >didn't want to create trouble on the list if we divorced. We kept >thinking "if it doesn't work out, who keeps the list friends?" Of >course, she's a million times more popular than I will ever be, but >still, it would be awkard for both of us. We kept imagining the >scenerio where we'd both post at once, and then have to reply saying >"Oh... hi.... you're writing in fine form." etc. You know how it is. >And then, we wouldn't want to drag our dirty laundry onto the list if we >divorced -- you know, the "he took MY copy of FTR and left me his >scratched up one... the rat bastard!" And then we also thought it would >make everyone uneasy to state "np: Last Chance Lost" because, well, that >would undoubtedly be our break-up anthem. Thankfully, Kakki and I are >happier than ever -- our house is a very very very fine house indeed! >Kakki darling, please take out a couple Swanson's dinners for supper, >I'll be a little late. And, for God sake, please clip the toenails on >the cat -- he damn near ruined my sweater. >Yours, >Mr. Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 23:02:52 EDT From: GuruDJSmithmix@aol.com Subject: Non Joni (sort of) My rainy day pix When Im in for the day because of the rain I spin: Cocteau Twins-Victorialand Joni Mitchell-Blue/Hissing of summer lawns (Thanks to Bob! Now that I have the demo's them too)! Brian Eno-Another green world Lisa Germano-Geek the girl Dead can dance-Aion Lisa Gerrard- Mirror pool I know a little depressing, but rain is sometimes! Peace and sunshine! Guru DJ Smithmix NP-Dimitri from Paris-A night at the playboy mansion (for the name alone) Get down with Hugh baby! Too chunky! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 23:21:01 EDT From: Murphycopy@aol.com Subject: interupting the sorrow... After being with the JMDL for a couple of days, I must say that you've been like family to me -- people who seem nice enough, but then act like perfect idiots when they get together. Can we drop this whole elitism thread? It's boring. Joni Mitchell is touring. That's exciting. I've always thought that anyone who loves Joni must be as wonderful as I am. Am I wrong? Because if I am I'll just go to CDNow right now and click on Britney (sic) Spears, OK? Oh, baby, I can't seem to make it with you Cyberly, Bob ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 23:28:23 -0000 From: "Frederick Freeman" Subject: Superiority debates & NY concert I am sure that anyone who made comments that offended people had no intention of doing so, and its getting tiresome to scroll through this feud. The issues raised against the original essay posts have merit, but again, I don't think these people intended to make anyone feel inferior. I think like Rosie O's flub with Joni, maybe it was just a poor choice of words, which we all can do from time to time, college educated or not. Let's all just let it go and enjoy the art of Joni's music. I would like to see more openness to criticism. Joni is not infallable, I dont think many of us would disagree after listening to "Dancing Clown". (But, hey if that's your cup of tea, enjoy it without me). This brings me to last night's MSG performance which I attended. All in all, this was a wonderful show, but I noticed a few things that could be improved upon, and maybe if Joni does read these, they can be ironed out for the next album and tour. 1. The arrangments for the BSN stuff were just like on the album, which is great if you enjoyed them to begin with. I felt that almost every song on the record and in the show, had exactly the same feel. Somber, distant, lush to a fault. This would have been great for 1 or 2 tracks, but nearly the entire album, and show? Don't get me wrong, everything sounded gorgeous, just a little repetetive and monotonous. Why not use more of the big band sound hinted at in "Comes Love" or even a small combo, or bass & guitar ala Julie London. (That would really smoke!). In all fairness, we did get much more of this kind of "punch" in the show than on the record, but IMHO she could have had more variety in the arrangments. 2. The complexity of Joni's music really hit me when the orchestra did a fine job on the standards, then floundered helplessly with the rythyms of "A Case of You" I understand that there was not much time for rehearsal, it just points out the complexity of "her stuff", and the need for more rehearsal time 3. Why not throw in a surprise number at each show, maybe just with Larry, Herbie, Mark, and Peter. Oh and more stories!! In the context of the whole show, these things were relativly minor, and the show was classy and gorgeous, these are just some things that could be improved upon. Joni sounded wonderful. The presentation was high class and overall I would give the show a B+, but there is still room to rise to an A+. Oh, and my freind was sitting in front of a woman who was singing " A Case of You" at the top of her lungs along with Joni. And 2 women beside me could not stop gossiping and giggling. HOW RUDE!! Frederick ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 23:28:23 -0000 From: "Frederick Freeman" Subject: Superiority debates & NY concert I am sure that anyone who made comments that offended people had no intention of doing so, and its getting tiresome to scroll through this feud. The issues raised against the original essay posts have merit, but again, I don't think these people intended to make anyone feel inferior. I think like Rosie O's flub with Joni, maybe it was just a poor choice of words, which we all can do from time to time, college educated or not. Let's all just let it go and enjoy the art of Joni's music. I would like to see more openness to criticism. Joni is not infallable, I dont think many of us would disagree after listening to "Dancing Clown". (But, hey if that's your cup of tea, enjoy it without me). This brings me to last night's MSG performance which I attended. All in all, this was a wonderful show, but I noticed a few things that could be improved upon, and maybe if Joni does read these, they can be ironed out for the next album and tour. 1. The arrangments for the BSN stuff were just like on the album, which is great if you enjoyed them to begin with. I felt that almost every song on the record and in the show, had exactly the same feel. Somber, distant, lush to a fault. This would have been great for 1 or 2 tracks, but nearly the entire album, and show? Don't get me wrong, everything sounded gorgeous, just a little repetetive and monotonous. Why not use more of the big band sound hinted at in "Comes Love" or even a small combo, or bass & guitar ala Julie London. (That would really smoke!). In all fairness, we did get much more of this kind of "punch" in the show than on the record, but IMHO she could have had more variety in the arrangments. 2. The complexity of Joni's music really hit me when the orchestra did a fine job on the standards, then floundered helplessly with the rythyms of "A Case of You" I understand that there was not much time for rehearsal, it just points out the complexity of "her stuff", and the need for more rehearsal time 3. Why not throw in a surprise number at each show, maybe just with Larry, Herbie, Mark, and Peter. Oh and more stories!! In the context of the whole show, these things were relativly minor, and the show was classy and gorgeous, these are just some things that could be improved upon. Joni sounded wonderful. The presentation was high class and overall I would give the show a B+, but there is still room to rise to an A+. Oh, and my freind was sitting in front of a woman who was singing " A Case of You" at the top of her lungs along with Joni. And 2 women beside me could not stop gossiping and giggling. HOW RUDE!! Frederick ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 23:38:44 EDT From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Re: ** FLASH ** I agree with Howard!! NJC In a message dated 5/23/00 7:08:21 PM US Central Standard Time, mark.travis@gte.net writes: << I'm sure our numbers have increased since Bob joined up! Thanks, Bob! >> Well, it has grown, but I'll take no credit for that. But I do think the first impression is important, and it would suck for someone to pop in with a "here I am, a new list member" and nobody says anything to welcome them. When I joined the Elvis Costello list, not one person said a welcome - not one. That was pretty crummy. Since I was always the "new kid" in school I know what it feels like on the outside, and I want us ALL on the inside! :-) Bob PS: Your Mom's been in my thoughts, Mark - I hope she's doing well... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 22:02:06 -0600 From: Bounced Message Subject: Joni Mitchell Tour Report, 05/22/00, NYC - Madison Square Garden Theater From: "patrick leader" Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 20:53:48 -0400 hi folks, submitted my report to jim around 2 pm today. it's too late for me to make any changes. this is hard!! and that capitilization of names and sentences shit... why!? jim has already put ppeterson of new york's report up and it's a great one. anyway, here's the official (hah!) one. patrick, about to settle down for one hour of will & grace np - real good for free - spectrum philly 1976 - ----------------------------- Joni Mitchell Tour Report, 05/22/00, NYC - Madison Square Garden Theater In what must have been the first indoor date of the Joni Mitchell "Both Sides Now" tour, Joni had to work a room. An old room, the Theater at MSG, which has been the Felt Forum, the Paramount and has seen a lot of history. An ugly room, compared to so many fine theaters in NY, but a room that just happens to have a lot of great seats to see Joni from. This was by far the best space I've seen Joni in, but it was not magic under the stars, so the girl had to work it. And work it she did, not just with showmanship (though there was some of that) but with vocal artistry. She sang real good. Though the songwriter's art came into view several times during the night, it was an evening for appreciating the singer's art. Joni Mitchell's voice, year 2000. And as you'll see in my report, Joni's rhythm, year 2000. After the overture, Claude Debussy's "Nuages" (clouds, appropriately: thanks to drummer Peter Erskine for clearing that up for us) Joni appeared in vivid, shiny purple. Definitely not Miyake, this was a full-length purple gown with an attached cape. She held on to the ends of the cape as if they were attached to her sleeves, through most of the set. The piece was not quite as haute couture as the dresses I've seen photographed earlier in the tour (and actually not as pretty or flattering) but the shade of purple was so aggressive you had to love it. Almost brassy. She did have a pair of shiny white slacks underneath, peeping out under the hem. No surprises in the set list. "You're My Thrill" warmed us up, as Joni warmed up, a little tentative. She gave a lovely introductory spiel, inviting us on a journey along the arc... I was warming up to the sound of an amplified orchestra (I attend a fair amount of classical concerts, which are rarely amplified, so this was a bit of a shock, especially during the Debussy.) She introduced "At Last", saying "Now, we're smitten; now we celebrate." An excellent entree to that song; it really does have a gleeful tinge. Next: "Comes Love", the first high point of the evening for me, with Isham on trumpet. Her introduction admitted to the oddness of its placement, only three songs into a set about "the arc of modern love". She called it "The Soothsayer Song of the Set", and it might be, but it also swings, and she swung with it. She also continued her journey into the "Children's Theater" possibilities in the lyrics. She had so much fun with lines like: Comes a mousy You can chase it with a broom or (especially this show) Comes a nightmare (Joni shivering like a cheesy horror movie, both vocally and physically) You can always stay awake Chuck Berghofer's standing bass was particularly sweet on "Comes Love". "You've Changed" is a genuine classic; some of us who had met before the show at Judy's Chelsea (where David Lahm was holding forth at the piano) had heard a cabaret style version of it. Joni was really loose by this point in the show (in the best sense of the word); she experimented with vocal line possibilities. And I have to say that here, and in every song, she could reach for possibilities because her pitch was just dead on. All night. Before heading into "Answer Me, My Love", she said, "We could've gone a number of different directions here, we decided to go straight into begging." Quite a laugh there. Then into "A Case of You", which drew the first standing ovation. Next she sang "Don't Go to Strangers", a pretty decent job (beautiful dreamy Isham trumpet at the beginning), but for me the show was beginning to hang; seven songs so far and only one with a little bit of zip. Thank god for the next song. Herbie Hancock came out for "Sometimes I'm Happy", and you could feel Joni's joy at sharing the stage. She tore it out. Here was my second big highlight; Joni Mitchell singing jazz that is not just harmonically adventurous, but rhythmically on the edge too. This was a sublime performance. "Don't Worry 'Bout Me", with its terrific barrel-voiced intro, was a perfect finish to Act 1. Act 2 was far stronger for this reviewer. Joni came out in sheer high-culcha drag, a Miyake gown, all pleated, with wire shape at knee level. It may have been the same one photographed so beautifully by Phyllis and Jimmy in Florida, but it appeared to be pure black. When someone yelled out "Joni, your outfit rocks", she replied, "It swings, too" and demonstrated. Stormy Weather was a great opener for the second set, and Joni's singing was straight-to-the-heart truthful. She then took Herbie and others into another rollicking, rhythmic ride: 'I Wish I Were In Love Again". Another peak moment in the show. The album, my previous experiences of seeing Joni live, her appearances on other albums; none of these prepared me for how hard she can swing, and how hard she swung last night. I've been reading the reports on the site as the tour has progressed, and from last night's show I got the impression that a lot of people have been. Either that, or a New York audience is more sophisticated than others. It was clear that people knew this was not a greatest hits concert; it was Joni with an orchestra doing mostly standards. When someone from the back yelled out "play your old songs", the audience shushed her. It was particularly ironic that this happened at the beginning of Both Sides Now. As we quieted down, and the band played those first beautiful wavelets of violin lines, and Joni, with pure simplicity, gently placed the first verse into the arrangement, and into the room, and into our hearts; well, I was completely gone by then. If the first act was a hair disappointing for me, I was glowing by this point. And then with her "arc of a modern romance" and the album play-through complete, the show took another leap forward. She said that she and Klein had enjoyed the BSN project so much that they were working on another one: orchestrations of more of her originals. She claimed that Klein was choosing the songs, allegedly from "the darker side of my oeuvre". I'm not sure I'm buyin' that one! Then she said, "So I chose this one to lighten it up". Be Cool! Just incredible. It was an orchestral arrangement, yes, except that the strings sat this one out. Just the brass (and that section was brilliant all night) and rhythm sections, for a completely jazzy take on a song that's always been one of her more jazzy songs. Not like this though! Ludwig's tune was, for me, just odd. Not a favorite of mine, so I couldn't say whether I liked the arrangement. I will say that I think the orchestra was right on top of it. The solo oboe was beautiful. Hejira was amazing. The rhythm was, I think, similar to "Nothing Can Be Done" which she has described as a lambada. I don't know if that's accurate. In any case, she gave it the most impassioned reading I've heard from her. Given my love for this song and for all things rhythmic, I was in heaven. For The Roses was, for me, the perfect justification of this orchestral project. This was a brilliant arrangement of the song, perfect musically, perfect vocally, perfect lyrically. She sang the hell out of it, impassioned and direct. This, when the new album comes out, will be one of the reasons I'll rush to buy it. Joni, Herbie, Mark, Klein and the band (!) finished with another smokin' version of Trouble Man. So this was truly a wonderful evening, with great musicians supporting another great musician. But for me the real surprise was this: though the album is a torch album and the show could have been, the best parts of the show (with two exceptions) were the songs where Joni got to swing. I can't wait to see where she goes next with this. You know I'll be along for the ride. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 21:06:57 -0700 From: "Mark or Travis" Subject: Re: ** FLASH ** I agree with Howard!! NJC > > Bob > > PS: Your Mom's been in my thoughts, Mark - I hope she's doing well... I've been meaning to post this. Mom had 18 lymph nodes taken out of her armpit and they are all clear. The tumor she had removed seems to be the only one. She will have a course of radiation and that will be it. The doctors are all anticipating a complete cure. Thanks, Bob! Love to all, Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 23 May 2000 23:27:44 From: Lisa Kowalski Subject: Giving Thanks!(JC) Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed meeting the Joni list people in Atlanta.I especially want to thank Victor and his lovely girlfriend Holly for being such a gracious host and hostess(I instantly felt at home!)I enjoyed meeting Bob,Steve,Paul,Ken,Jess and Alice!(Everyone was very friendly )Thanks to Jess for such a sweet compliment!(I enjoyed meeting you and talking to you also!)Thanks to Alice for taking such wonderful photos of Joni!(I enjoyed sitting so close to the stage with you!)Thanks to Bob for being so entertaining and interesting,just like he is on the list! Thanks to Victor for driving me and Holly,Bob,Jess and Alice to Chastain and for giving such a wonderful house concert the next night! Victor is such a talented singer songwriter and musician.I was extrememly impressed with his guitar playing,beautiful voice and songwriting abilities.Very special thanks to Larry Klein for being so very friendly and talking to us and for patting me on my shoulder! And extra special thanks go to Joni for looking so stunning and beautiful and for singing so beautifully and for giving me and everyone else an evening we will never forget!! I was thrilled to see her again and was as high as a kite before,during and at least two days after the concert! I was staying with my mother in Atlanta(I live in N. Carolina) and I believe I drove her crazy with so much Joni talk! So thanks to my Mom for putting up with my obsessive behavior! Oh,I almost forgot,I also need to thank my orthopedic surgeon for allowing me to schedule surgery on my right shoulder(the same one Larry patted!!) until after Joni's concert! I'm having a manipulation and arthroscopy of my right shoulder tomorrow(May 24th) and last but not least thanks to the JMDL for being such a wonderful,loving,caring ,friendly bunch of people!! I hope everyone enjoys Joni's remaining concerts! Take Care...Lisa ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 02:12:15 -0400 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Subject: Inner Circle Meeting Time Change Howdy circlers!! The meeting time of the JMDL Inner Circle has been changed from 13:00 GMT to 15:00 GMT but the place has remained unchanged. See all you cool people there! All the best, Jim L'Hommedieu near Cincinnati ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 02:29:09 EDT From: CaTGirl627@aol.com Subject: MSG May 23rd Just a quick note to say I was totally blown away by the show. Joni sounded EXCELLENT!!! When she performed Hejira I was blown away!! I can't wait till Thursday!!! WHOO-HOOOO!!! Catgirl ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 02:29:24 EDT From: Julian51469@aol.com Subject: May 25th Show Meet'n'Greet Hello Dear Friends, This is my last attempt to get something together in the way of a rendezvous at the Merriweather Pavillion on the 25th of May (tomorrow). If anyone would like to get together either before or after the show please e-mail me. I would love to put a face to a name or meet someone from the list. I have been on the list for almost a year or more now...and wouldn't mind actually chatting in "real time" with someone. Hope to see you there. Take care, Julian ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 02:41:30 EDT From: Seulbzzaj@aol.com Subject: Back to the Garden Joni's NYC concert tonight was even better than the Monday performance. The sound quality was improved, and Joni seemed to jell more with the orchestra. Her phrasing in Both Sides Now was a revelation, and she looked gorgeous. I was shocked to see so many empty seats, as I exited the theatre. I guess the only reason the concert wasn't sold out must be due to the high ticket prices. I must confess that I had to leave after For The Roses, and missed the Trouble Man encore. I have a 2 hour commute, and I missed my train Monday night by about 5 minutes, and got stuck at Penn Station for 2 hours until my next train...didn't want to repeat that again. I had a great time at Judy's Chelsea on Monday night. David Lahm is an excellent pianist, and I thouroughly enjoyed the singers. I certainly will be going back. I'm sorry I didn't get to speak with more of the folks from the list. I did chat a bit with Paul, who travelled from Wales for the concert(!), and then got engaged in conversation with some of the singers - before I knew it, it was time for the concert. I had a minor 'incident' at Monday's concert - I had made up a tape of rare late Billie Holiday recordings to give to Joni. After For The Roses, I walked to the front of the stage, and as Joni was nearly center stage, I took the tape out of my pocket, which enraged the nasty security guard. The guy started yelling at me to get out of there - Joni was close, but was totally oblivious to this, looking at the fans directly in front of her. To make a long story short, I attempted to throw the tape in Joni's direction. The tape slid across part of the stage, and hit the foot of the first violinist, who looked over at me. I asked him to give the tape to Joni - he smiled and nodded - so I hope she did get it...Apologies for this disjointed post. - Scott ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 02:54:11 -0400 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Subject: Blocking A Sender, NJC I found a way to block posts from a given e-mail address today when using Microsoft Outlook Express on a PC. I'm afraid it's pretty complicated and shouldn't be attempted unless you have a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science. Preferably from one of the American Ivy League schools. So, for those who qualify only, here's the procedure. 1. Click on Inbox in the left hand pane. 2. Click once on the offending sender whom you wish to block semi-permenantly. 3. Choose "Message" from the dropdown list. 4. Choose "Block Sender". 5. Choose "No" so you'll always have a reminder of the posts that prompted you to take this extreme action. Don't do this lightly as it's much tougher to remove the block. Consequently, the procedure is recommended to Master's degree holders or those posessing the magic hall pass called "Wanda, version 2.33". The remove instructions are therefore posted on the Inner Circle web site where you'll be asked to login, as usual. Hope this helps! All the best, Jim L'Hommedieu near Cincinnati ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2000 #277 ***************************** ------- Post messages to the list at Unsubscribe by sending "unsubscribe joni-digest" to ------- Siquomb, isn't she?