From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2000 #485 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, September 6 2000 Volume 2000 : Number 485 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: -------- [none] [dogbyte@aloha.net (french)] Re: first post [FMYFL@aol.com] Re: latest gathering ["Sue Cameron" ] Re: Your Introductory Post [SCJoniGuy@aol.com] Report from Topsfield [MGVal@aol.com] court & spark thoughts [Michael Bird ] Re: "At Last" [SMEBD@aol.com] Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357 [Mg41mk34@aol.com (by way of Les Irvin ] Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357NJC [jan gyn ] Fwd: Getting pictures.... [AsharaJM@aol.com] Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357NJC [SCJoniGuy@aol.com] Go Figure.....(NJC) [AsharaJM@aol.com] New England Jonifest [Heather ] car trouble NJC [catman ] Fwd: Playing Doctor (NJC) [jan gyn ] SIQUOMB, isn't she?? (a very little bit of Joni Content) ["Pitassi, Mary] Thankyou Jim The Man (NJC) [Slac ] bonnie on letterman [Murphycopy@aol.com] Jonifest thoughts.....(Very, very long!) [AsharaJM@aol.com] NJC - answers only [Michael Paz ] Hello, I Love You (NJC) [Michael Paz ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 00:06:59 -1000 (HST) From: dogbyte@aloha.net (french) Subject: [none] i'm honored to be part of the group, being my first post i guess i should describe my 'joni history' ...first i'd like to express how much joni has touched my heart, comforted, inspired and anchored my life with her poetry and music, i have a feeling that we're all here because joni can express the things she feels better than we can ourselves in our own lives, so maybe we envy and try to expand our way of percieving things about ourselves and the things we see and do and feel. a common mindscape for all of us and joni makes her sweet, bitter, sad, lonley, way to touch us deep down inside can put it into a stream of ................. i first saw joni i think in 1969(?) at a concert in honolulu at 'the shell' which is an outdoor affair for the audience (those who perform are in the 'shell') there were seats in front of the stage maybe about 40(?) rows deep then a seperation to a grassy open area where i guess all of us three dollar tickets wandered/smoked/enjoyed/tripped out on the 'sound'..... the weather as i remember was calm , stars in sky, not too many people where i was ....i remember waiting for quite some time for someone to do something on stage( but at age 16 most everything seemed to take forever) the featured band played some music that did'nt interest me, i think it was either 'america' or 'the eagles'....then it was joni's turn....she had a group of fans in the front row throwing flowers on the stage, i managed to move myself to the front just to see the tossing of flowers and leis up to the stage .....joni got into it and threw them back and it seemed they were having fun ....i remember she was wearing a long whiteish gown but the leis she wore seemed touristy, like someone had just went down to the abc store and bought them quick for the show, she was laughing and i thought she had nice teeth.. ..when she walked she seemed to have to grab her dress and kind of pull it up...... seemed uncomfortable.......then she sat down and played "california" on dulcimer ..i was so impressed that a voice could meld together so perfectly with an instrument........with all of the music back then mostly quick/electric or corny folk or bland tadatadatada, joni's sound was pure, beautiful voice with simple sound......then she went to the piano and said "this is a song i'm working on" then played/sang the most beautiful music.....her voice and the sounds she made on the piano were moving....then stopped in what seemed to be the middle of the piece then said something like "that's as far as i've gotten" and left everyone in awe,,,, that night i suppose was my first exposure to a sound that would stay with me forever....i'm 46 now and have lived through the changes she throws, some i like and some i love, so joni is and has been a part of my life i guess for 30 or so years....the 'both sides now' project to me seems to be ..i dont know ..the swan song she referred to some years ago....i hope she inspires herself again toward more guitar...i wish i could say it better how much her music means to me. dean french ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 06:52:22 EDT From: FMYFL@aol.com Subject: Re: first post In a message dated 9/5/00 6:13:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time, dogbyte@aloha.net writes: << i'm honored to be part of the group, being my first post i guess i should describe my 'joni history' ... .i wish i could say it better how much her music means to me. dean french >> Aloha Dean, and thanks for sharing such a great first post. Welcome to the list!!! That must have been a wonderful concert back in '69, as all of Joni's concerts are great. I would have let Bob Muller welcomed you to the list, but apparently the ole guy's not awake yet :~) Jimmy (who had the best time at Jonifest this weekend) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 07:23:59 -0400 From: "Sue Cameron" Subject: Re: latest gathering Hello all, Sounds like everyone had lots of fun. Even the poor weather didn't dampen spirits. Now here is the real question: Same time next year? Sue Cameron np: Rage Against the Machine - Testify ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 07:18:57 EDT From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Re: Your Introductory Post << i wish i could say it better how much her music means to me. dean french >> Wow Dean, I think you pounded the nail right on the head...great piece of writing! Welcome to the Jonilist, obviously you belong here and I hope to continue to express what you feel about Joni as it's well done & moving. And I really liked your statement "some I like & some I love", I think we need to keep that in mind whenever we discuss what is Joni's "best" record or whatever. There's certainly nothing in her canon I don't like, although I'm with you in the hopes that she picks up her guitar, or sits at the keyboard, or puts a dulcimer on her lap and composes. I think she's at a unique place with her experience, talent, and history to give us songs the like of which the world has never seen before. Bob NP: Kate Bennett, "Promise Me" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 08:56:19 EDT From: MGVal@aol.com Subject: Report from Topsfield Some of my views: I woke up on Saturday morning to sit at Ashara's computer and type out e-mail instructions to my brood back home. As I typed, I could hear water and thought how cool it was to be surrounded by Joni content in the form of "The Hissing of Summer Lawns." I was soon jolted out of my revelry by the realization that it was really "Shades of Saturation Conquering." But no mind. Ashara's backup idea of playing in the Belleville Church was sheer inspiration. Ashara is a woman whose planning, direction and execution could easily be expanded to running bigger things. (dare I say, a week long Jonifest??). Joe from Rhode Island is correct in his observations about the prodigious musical talents of the jmdl. Claudia, Paz, Victor are just a few who wowed the crowd. The Mixons are amazingly talented and Bob is not even close to overreacting when he comments on Steve's mandolin playing. I had already met many of the attendees before and it delightful beyond words to reconnect with them: WallyK, Jody, Maggie, Julius, Bob, John, Les, Ashara, Pippin....geeze, I can't being to remember them all right now. And then the new people: wow! I enjoyed chatting with Joe from Rhode Island and Bob Murphy and Rose and Linda and Nikki and Allison. Whew! What great additions! Hanging out with Jimmy from Florida can only be described as extraordinarily special and inadequately at that. Jimmy is one of the people that make it easy for me to forget that I'm staying up way past my bedtime. He is clever and witty and warm as the sun. (and gosh, so good looking to boot!). For me, the Sunday at Atty May's was a huge highlight. This was my first year attending that part of the weekend and Kakki and Paz really did stumble upon a great place. Paz led the great exodus to Plum Island and he thoughtfully took the scenic route for those of us who had never been that way before. (:-D Everyone settled down for a late lunch of seafood, (calamari! calamari!), and washed it all down with walks to the beach. Chuck E and The Party Band kicked about 6:30 with the opening bars of "Heard it Through the Grapevine" and it was all "WOW!" from there. Chuck's playing along with his very talented and seriously good looking lead guitarist Marco made this an experience to remember. And the dancing! Yee Haw! What fun! Let me tell you, jmdl'ers can boogie like there is no tomorrow, that's for sure. Then the list members had another run through the spotlight. "The List Guys" singing "Amy" was even better than Saturday night, (again, that Steve on his mando!), Paz and Victor where sensational and a real treat of the evening being Claudia. Whew! When I try and shift through all of the available superlatives, I keep coming back to feeling proud. Proud and blessed that I'm a member of this group. Proud and blessed to know such talented musicians and artists. Proud and blessed to be able to count so many of these people as my friends. And that's my incoherent contribution to the memories. Thanks again to all! MG np: "mom! mom! you can let us out now!" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 10:38:29 -0400 (EDT) From: Michael Bird Subject: court & spark thoughts Alan, for me, it is a song of early early springtime, Mudtime really, when (despite my better judgement) I can feel that something's around the corner but I don't know what it is, it might be love, and my heart is racing wondering "what did she mean when she said that?" "does she really know who I am?" Fretting over the mixed signals and strange interpretations with which new lovers punish one another. Erotic fascination dampened by worry, but only slightly. The wordless pounding piano expressing the raw exhilaration of attraction. A perfect opening for the album, full of intrigue, in my opinion, like springtime, it hints at so many possibilities ... Nickel Chief >>>>>>>>>Court and Spark has been playing in my mind over and over again lately. I'd love to hear how other people relate to this song and their own interpretations of it. Alan Lorimer ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 11:27:08 EDT From: SMEBD@aol.com Subject: Re: "At Last" In a message dated 9/5/00 7:48:19 AM Eastern Daylight Time, MDESTE1 writes: << Meeting her cousins is a new thing. I wonder how much they get to see her. Was she still there in saskatoon? >> Hi Marcel, Meeting Joni's cousin's was a real blast to say the least. From talking to them, I got the impression that they don't see her too often (the cousin's don't live in Saskatoon--they live in a town in Alberta--and had driven to Saskatoon to see the exhibit), but that when they do, it is like "old times". One of them spoke about visiting Joni at her Bel Air home. All three of them expressed a real fondness and pride in Joni and all that she has accomplished. They spoke about Joni as if they know her well--they nodded in agreement at various things that the guide said about Joni--, have a real fondness for her, and feel that Joni is very "down-to-earth." As far as I know, Joni wasn't in Saskatoon while I was there :-( Sunday evening we went to take one last look at the paintings, and I thought I overheard one of the tour guides tell someone that Bill and Myrtle had been there earlier in the afternoon (must have been between our two visits on Sunday). I neglected to mention one of the Joni-isms that made me laugh and love her all the more. People have probably heard that one of her cats "sprayed" the painting of O'Keefe's rain barrel--the stains of the cat's "contribution" to the painting are quite evident. For this particular painting, the media description stated: "Mixed Media (Acrylic on canvas). (The guide told us that Joni provided this description.) Stephen--NP: BSN from BSN ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 11:45:13 -0600 From: Mg41mk34@aol.com (by way of Les Irvin ) Subject: Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357 I just wanted to add something to this listserve, I don't usually post. I am from Boston and just joined about a month ago. I love Joni Mitchell. She is not my #1. Linda has taken that place for almost 27 years and I am only 35. But I admire Joni like every one of you do. She is definitely someone I would invite to a dream dinner party. Along with Linda Ronstadt of course Stevie Nicks Brian Wilson, just to put a freaky twist to it. He is a very sweet man. I used to wait on him at Tower Records in West Hollywood. Although one night he went to the bathroom (Pee, THANK GOD), right in one of the isles. I sensed a lot a very kind man. As long as you are kind, you can pee in the isle's, I can live with that. Don Henley Jimmy Webb Shawn Colvin This gathering that I missed up in Topsfield, I could kick myself for not looking into this more. Someone mentioned it to me. What they all did that weekend is truly GREAT for our health. Enjoying our passion with others, especially when they have the same passion, Music. And Joni. I would have loved to meet you all. You sound like my kind of people. Thanks all for the great Joni stories. These are the albums I have of Joni's Court And Spark Blue Hissing Of Summer Lawns Don Huans Reckless Daughter, I know I spelled that way wrong. Night Ride Home Dog Eat Dong Wild Things Run Fast Chalk Marks In A Rainstorm I had Turbulent Indigo, but have seen to have misplaced it. I could kill myself. It was one of the very first ones, with special packaging. Joni sighed it for me at the Will Rogers Concert in LA. What would be some choices of you all for my next one? LINDA ON MY MIND, previously MIKE IN BOSTON ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 14:15:32 EDT From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357 <> Well, stick around...I'll bet a buck there's a Jonifest 2001 in your future! ;~) <> Yes, you spelled out the Vietnamese import edition! :~) <> Oops! Not even *I* will make a comment on this one! LOL! <> Any that you don't have would be a welcome addition to your collection, if you like Don Juan, check out Hejira! Bob NP: Randy Newman, "The One You Love" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 14:24:02 EDT From: IVPAUL42@aol.com Subject: Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357 In a message dated 9/5/00 2:22:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time, SCJoniGuy@aol.com writes: << > Oops! Not even *I* will make a comment on this one! LOL! >> I bit my tongue so many times it almost digested, but not even *I* will comment on this one!!!!! Paul I ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 21:19:58 +0100 From: catman Subject: Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357NJC > > > << >-- My dogs consider it a delicacy.... bw colin colin@tantra.fsbusiness.co.uk http://www.geocities.com/tantra_apso/index.html ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 13:25:12 -0700 From: jan gyn Subject: Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357NJC >> << >-- > >My dogs consider it a delicacy.... > >bw >colin Dong? Would that be like Taco Bell? - -jan ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 17:49:56 EDT From: AsharaJM@aol.com Subject: Fwd: Getting pictures.... - --part1_70.2c3e23e.26e6c484_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I sent this this morning, but it must have gotten lost somewhere along the way. - --part1_70.2c3e23e.26e6c484_boundary Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Disposition: inline Return-path: From: AsharaJM@aol.com Full-name: AsharaJM Message-ID: <44.6e16f46.26e64d4c@aol.com> Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 09:21:16 EDT Subject: Getting pictures.... To: joni@smoe.org MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Mailer: AOL 5.0 for Windows sub 119 For those that aren't on the Joni Mitchell fans e-group list, it is a separate list that Catgirl started, and is primarily used for sending attatchments such as pictures. to join, send a blank message to: JoniMitchellfans-subscribe@egroups.com I think Catgirl is still traveling, so it may be a little bit before you get a confirmation. I will hold up on sending more pictures until people have a chance to subscribe. Let me know when you get a confirmation! Of course, for those of you that are patient, Les will have a separate webpage filled with pictures and thoughts from this year's fest, just as he has done in the past. Hugs, Ashara www.photon.net/lightnet - --part1_70.2c3e23e.26e6c484_boundary-- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 18:01:07 EDT From: SCJoniGuy@aol.com Subject: Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #357NJC << Would that be like Taco Bell? >> I sincerely hope that is NOT what they are putting in those burritos! :~) Bob NP: Subject: New England Jonifest Despite the uncooperative weather, Jonifest 2000 was terrific! It was wonderful to see familiar faces again (Wally, Patrick, Maggie, Chuck, Jody, Bob, Michael, Kakki, Anne, MG, Kenny, Les, my buddy Brian, Claudia, John and Jeff). It is always a thrill to meet people for the first time ... Mags (a sweet, gentle person), Victor (an amazing musician (!!) who sings from the soul), Jimmy (who says Scott’s can’t dance … and sexy too!), Julius (who has a voice like satin and a grin to match), Leslie & Steve Mixon (an amazing combination of talent. Leslie … many thanks for belting out those Laura tunes!!), Jenny & Eric (Jenny with the sweet voice and the ability to do stand up comedy... we’ll meet up in Bingo town someday!), Joe (a man with a lovely spirit and kindness to melt you away), Bob Murphy (who’s decorating skills saved my butt!), Rose (a woman with a heart of gold). To all who helped me with decorating grazie di tutto!! Everything was wonderful …. the people, the food and the MUSIC! The talent that exists on the JMDL never ceases to amaze me! I don’t know where to begin. With her eyes swelled with tears of thanks, Anne sang with all her heart and soul. I was sooooo glad to give her a hug. Victor is a talent beyond belief … what instrument can’t you play ;-) !! Wally ….. the way you hold those notes! I had goosebumps! What a cool version of Black Crow and Dry Cleaner from Des Moines. Claudia graced us with her beautiful talent …. it was great to hear her perform again. Jenny pleasantly surprised us with her skill of voice and guitar. John gave us a taste of the world with his music and humor. His song about Tofu is a classic! Bob and Michael did a cool version of Amelia. Chuck, Michael, Victor and Steve provided their constant musical talent throughout the evening. Oh … I can’t leave out Julius and Bob on congas. My apologies for leaving anyone out. I know someone will post more thoroughly about Jonifest than I. Maggie …. You did a great job (as usual :-) with feeding all of us! Thank you !!!!! Tons of thanks to Chuck and Michael for organizing all the equipment. Mr. Van Tiel …. Thank you for those sinfully, exquisitely rich chocolates !!!! The ‘ Shrimps by Paz’ were out of this world !!!! A huge hug to my dear sweet friend Patrick who is always good company and turns me on to so much good music! The latest is Brian Kennedy. Now Patrick is turning me on to imports …… ouch! …. my checkbook!!! And finally but not at all least …. ASHARA!!!! Thank you so much for hosting this Joni event again!!! You are an amazing woman of heart and mind. A spirit of the earth and sky. A friend always. To those who couldn’t be there …. GET YOUR BUTTS THERE NEXT YEAR!!!! :-) As Ever, Heather ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 23:47:32 +0100 From: catman Subject: car trouble NJC A penguin was driving through Arizona on a hot, summer Sunday when he noticed his oil light was on. He got out of the car and, sure enough, it was leaking oil all over the road. The penguin drove around the corner to a service station and asked the mechanic to take a look at it. The mechanic said he had a few others to look at first, but if he came back in an hour, he could tell the penguin what was wrong with his car. The penguin agreed and went for a walk. He found an ice-cream shop and thought a big bowl of vanilla ice cream would really hit the spot, since he was a penguin and it was Arizona in the summer, after all. He sat down at the counter and started in on his ice cream. Of course he had no hands, so it was rather messy. By the time he was done, he had ice cream all over his flippers, and his mouth was a total mess. He walked back to the service station and said to the mechanic, "Did you find out what is wrong with my car?" The mechanic replied, "It looks like you've blown a seal." "No no," said the penguin. "It's just ice cream." - -- bw colin colin@tantra.fsbusiness.co.uk http://www.geocities.com/tantra_apso/index.html ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 15:55:23 -0700 From: jan gyn Subject: Fwd: Playing Doctor (NJC) >After discovering her young daughter playing doctor with the neighbor's boy, >the angry mother grabbed the boy by the ear and dragged him to his house and >confronted his mother. > >"It's only natural for young boys and girls to explore their sexuality by >playing doctor at their age," the neighbor said. > >"Sexuality!" the mother yelled. "He took out her appendix!" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 18:00:09 -0500 From: "Pitassi, Mary" Subject: SIQUOMB, isn't she?? (a very little bit of Joni Content) A bittersweet Joni moment: today, in the middle of a conversation about something completely different, my soon-to-be ex thoughtfully told me that "Painting with Words and Music" will be broadcast tomorrow on our local PBS channel at 10 p.m. Central time, because he knew it would be of interest to me. I *didn't* let on that I've got this on tape squirreled away somewhere, but instead, was genuinely touched that he thought to mention it. Behold the power of Joni, prevailing even over the sometimes messy process of a break-up! (sad ) Mary P. P.S. The bona fide Joni content: is it possible that PWWAM is being broadcast on PBS nationwide? If so, then those newbies (or others) who haven't seen this yet may wish to take note. You're in for a treat! And if this has already been mentioned to death in a digest that I skimmed too quickly, well, in the immortal words of Emily Litella, "never mind!" ;-) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 05 Sep 2000 16:51:29 -0700 From: Slac Subject: Thankyou Jim The Man (NJC) Jim, Thankyou so much! You have no idea how you have made Chelsea's morning ;~) I lost your private email address hence this horn tooting listside: I hope you don't mind :~) Everybody: It must be my lucky life! I just received a box of dollyshit from Jim the man: 1) A sexual inuendo game judged too alarming for polite society but puuurfect for me ;~D 2) A used Garth Brooks tape 3) Paul McCartney's RUN DEVIL RUN complete with the bonus interview cd 4) NSYNC and Britney Spears cd 5) A boxed bottle of Tabasco Pepper Sauce and last but not least 6) The August 2000 Orlis LOWRIDING Magazine for the People...feature of the month: The Pimp Wagon :~D My boss at Ladies n' Lace will get a kick out of this collection ;~) Thanks again darlin'! I'm off to enjoy these treats: Send me your email address, - -- Susan L.A. I am your angel ;~) HARLEY PARKING ONLY ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 5 Sep 2000 23:37:04 EDT From: Murphycopy@aol.com Subject: bonnie on letterman Ju st found out -- Bonnie Raitt is on Letterman tonight. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 6 Sep 2000 00:34:56 EDT From: AsharaJM@aol.com Subject: Jonifest thoughts.....(Very, very long!) It is truly the end of the summer. The weather here has snapped into 50 degrees, and all of you are gone. As I said to several people this past weekend even though it may seem blasphemous, the JMDL for me, is only partly about Joni, and everything about the people. These are the people that understand my love for Joni's music, and my obsession for the past 32 years. They are the ones that don't say, "Turn it OFF!" but rather, "Turn it UP!" The ones that don't chuckle when I cry at A Case of You, or Amelia, but rather put their arms around me, and understand without saying a word. The ones that share their knowledge of everything Joni, as well as sharing about themselves. And, these are the people who travel hundreds and thousands of miles to be together for a "family reunion" every year in Topsfield. The weekend started early for me, as I rushed around all week trying to get the countertops and tables cleared away of piles and other assorted things. The kids go to their dad's for the last week of summer every year, so I got a lot done in the quiet of the week. One by one, people started to arrive, and the quiet space was quickly filled with lots of gabbing and hugs. For me, it's nice that people arrive individually or in small groups, because I can greet them personally, and I have a small window of time to talk to them. I am rushing around so much all weekend long, that I cherish the little bits of time with people that I can grab. We woke up Saturday to pouring rain. Luckily, I had an intuition many months ago that said we needed a rain alternative this year. So.....Maggie and I sat down early in the morning, and made a long list of what we needed to bring to the Belleville Church Hall in Newburyport. I know this venue well, as my band plays there every month and I knew that it was ideal for Jonifest, with great acoustics and plenty of space. I still cannot believe we brought my huge grill to the church hall for the shrimp! Everyone rallied and pitched in. I was overwhelmed with how much everyone did all weekend long. Not once did I feel stressed or overwhelmed with what needed to be done. So, now the kids are back and school starts tomorrow. The towels and sheets are washed, and everything is put away and back to "normal." (Whatever *that* is!) I am left with many memories and many thoughts. First, there are four people that are vital to the Labor Day Jonifest. They are the first people I call, and the ones that this Jonifest is totally dependent on. Without them, I would not keep doing this year after year. I have just one question every year for them, "Are you in?" If I receive a "yes" from all four, Jonifest is "on." If any one of them says no, plan on staying home. Maggie: You are a one-woman wonder. You tirelessly and seemingly effortlessly put on a Feast for the Fest! Your planning and executing food for a large amount of people is nothing short of amazing. You are my right hand, and I couldn't do it without you, the Cordial Culinary Queen. Chuck: You are an amazing musician and sound technician extraordinaire. Next year, (did I say "next year?") we will hire a sound person so you can relax and play more music. It was wonderful to play and sing with you again. You did a superb job, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Heather: You thought of everything! The names tags were incredible, and the hall was completely transformed by your creativity and forethought. It looked just fantastic! Thank you, Divine Diva of Decorations! Sal: My partner, my love. Without your support and calming way of helping to do all that needs to be done, I would never be able to get through this in one piece. Thank you for shlepping things, peeling shrimp, cleaning coolers, getting ice, emptying trash, and countless other things too numerous to mention here. Thank you for being my compass. And other thoughts in no particular order..... Jody: Thank you for an incredible amount of help everywhere, but especially in the kitchen. You said you were making up for being on crutches last year, but you went over and beyond the call of duty! Jenny: Your Ocean song touched me in a very deep place. Thank you for that gift. Eric: It was great to meet you! Thanks for stepping into a family reunion without having met or known anyone. Claud: I could listen to your sweet voice all day. Thank you for gracing us with your talent and sweetness both at Jonifest and at Atty May's. Julius: I've wanted to meet you for years! I'm so glad you finally took the plunge to fly out here. It was so great to finally meet you in person. Jimmy: Your quick wit and gorgeous smile will stay with me for a long time. Evie: I'm so glad your wonderful brother (Chuck) talked you into joining us. It was a pleasure to meet you and to dance with you at Atty May's. I hope I will see you again soon. Marilyn: I'm so glad you joined us this year! I wish you could have stayed longer, and we had been able to touch base more. Linda: One never knows where eavesdropping will lead us! I am SO glad I was not shy that day in Saskatoon! I still can't believe that when your flight was canceled you said, "Oh well," and just got into your car and started driving. Jeff: I'm really glad we were able to spend more time together this year. Next year, (did I say "next year?") we will collaborate on a song. And.....if and when you decide to ever move, just remember there is a plane to Boston from anywhere in the world. Catgirl and Walter: It was good to see you again, Catgirl, and good to meet you Walter. Next year, (did I say "next year?") you'll have to come for a longer time. Joe: So glad to see you again after the Boston show! The stained glass candle holder you made means so much to me. I will treasure it and think of you whenever I light it. Alison: Your huge smile is infectious! Thank you for all the shrimp peeling. I cannot, cannot believe that after many hours of peeling those shrimp and paying for them, you did not get a single one!!! That must be some kind of very unhappy record. Next year, (did I say "next year?") you will have first dibs on those crustaceans!! Kenny: My long time friend, we meet again. It's always great to get together with you. Mags: Friend of spirit. Sharing Loreena, Joni and all things. Your potato salad recipe was DIVINE!! Brian: You certainly took the looong way to Topsfield! Next year, (did I say "next year?") I'll send you a map! ;-) Victor: It was great fun to hear you play and sing. It seems there was always music everywhere we went, from waking up to going to sleep. I especially liked the Hobbit Song. I'm still wondering why I found a straw in the "Goody's headache medicine." LOL! Nikki: You are a walking testament to the fact that age is no barrier to Jonifest. The youngest one here, yet completely fit easily in to all that was happening. I loved that you came back to Atty May's after driving all the way to Mansfield! That was SO cool! Leslie S.: It was so great to see you again so soon after meeting in Saskatoon! Rose: It was good to put a face to the IM's we've been having. I can't wait to see all the photos you took! Anne: You have been through a lot this year, and in some way I feel as though I have been through it too. Your gratitude for your "family" and the generosity of all these "relations" touched me deeply. I will fondly hold the memory of hugging and dancing to Leslie's version of "When I Die." "Laughing and crying, you know it's the same release." Simon: When I first met you at the CT show, I thought to myself, "I finally meet 'Mr. Mystery!' As we talked, you told me clearly that you would never, ever go to a Jonifest, that it just wasn't your style. It has really been fun working with you these past few months, and I was really thrilled that you showed up. It was great having you here, even though I'm positive you will never let me forget that I forgot to ask Heather to make a nametag for you! ;-) I hope to see you at many more Jonifests in the future. (Did I say "many more?") Kakki: The martini drinking Maven! Jonifest just wouldn't be Jonifest without you. Thank you for making this trip across the country for a third year in a row. I was so glad you liked the gift I had picked up LAST OCTOBER!!! It was perfect for you! Bruce: You came to Topsfield, even at the ire of your 10 year old. Pretty powerful stuff! Next year, (did I say "next year?") Jonifest falls on September 1st. Does that help? Bob Murphy: (Or "Smurphy" as I like to call him.) you were such a great support and help through this whole weekend. I am still waiting for you to come paint the house as you promised to do. I guess I will have to just settle for having you write captions for the Jonifest pictures. I still can't believe the ceramic bowl you gave me with "Hugs" glazed right into the bottom. Talk about a perfect present! Thank you. Leslie M.: A beautiful voice, a beautiful woman. Thanks for keeping me company throughout the pre-fest errands, even though you had just spent an entire night in an airplane. Special thanks for the wonderful Martinelli cider and apple juice that seemed to continuously flow throughout the weekend. Steve: The only casualty of the party. Luckily it was too terrible! Better watch out for those gangster cars, you never know what going to "hit" you next! ;-) Your mandolin playing was incredible, and I was amazed at how you could pick up song after song, and just jam away. Paz darling: 3 years, and still going strong. Thank you for bringing the shrimp all the way from New Orleans again. You do realize that the shrimp has become such an integral part of Jonifest, that it has absolutely become a tradition. Next year, (did I say "next year?") you will have to bring 50 pounds! (And we will peel those suckers Friday night, and marinate them overnight!) One of my best memories is your "music to pick names out of a hat to." From the sugary sweet, to the Reggae beat! That was SOOOOO much fun!! (Thanks for pitching in to help Chuck, Victor, Bob and Julius!) Wally K: You are a whirlwind, and so, so much fun! I could listen to your accent all day long. You are the only one I can think of that can say totally outrageous things, and somehow, it sounds perfectly fine coming from your mouth! I love your vital energy, and your outrageousness! Patrick: I really missed our very early morning conversation. Next year, (did I say "next year?") I will NOT go to bed at 4 AM, so I will be well rested to join you for the early Saturday morning discourse on all things. (I just stayed up this year to see what it would be like to be up that late!) John van Tiel: You have the biggest heart I have ever encountered. Your generosity matches none I have ever come across. I have never had a song written for me, and your "Tofu Song" was by far the best surprise! I treasure you, and delight at the thought that you travel here every year for this Jonifest. I am indeed blessed with your friendship. Bob Muller: Throughout Jonifest, you had me alternately in stitches, and tears. Your "Amelia" had me in tears the whole way through. (Thanks Maggie, for letting me "fall into your arms.") Amie was SO great! I don't know where you have been hiding that voice, but the cat is now out of the bag, and you are officially on the roster from now on. MG: My support, my friend, my soul sister. You are the most calming person, and when I talk to you in major panic before Jonifest, I "know" that everything will be all right. Thank you for your countless hours of support, your rational viewpoint when I know I "just can't go there," and your unwavering calmness. Thanks for the "couch secret!" (Tee hee!) Les: The Man. The prince of all men. The Patriarch of the "family." Thank you for starting this community. (Btw...you have a LOT of children!) Next year, (Am I crazy, or what?) you will have a time slot specifically to sing the song "Cockles and Mussels" with fond memories of Atty May's. Thanks to all of you that couldn't make it, but sent well wishes and blues songs. (I read them during the fest.) Thanks to all who donated to Les to help the website costs. Thanks to everyone that sent wonderful giveaway goodies! Thanks to Jim Johanson who sent xeroxed pages of "Morning Glory on the Vine" for the giveaways! Thanks to Jack for the wonderful rendition of Joni that was given out as gifts. To all you weary travelers that made the trip to Topsfield and Newburyport this weekend: You are an amazing group of people. You pitched in and made my weekend so easy. You filled out forms, recycled, cooked, washed dishes, set up the hall and broke down the hall in record time, and in short everyone took a piece which made it WONDERFUL for everyone! Paz, thank you for starting the Atty May tradition. It gives me the chance to wind down, kick my feet up and relax, and really enjoy myself. I enjoy that part of the weekend so much. This year was especially wonderful as I got to hear my favorite band: The Party Band! Chuck, you guys ROCK!!!!!!! I really missed Ric, Julie and Marian, who have been here the past two years, and were planning to come again this year. Wishing you all good things, and healing light to John and Judy. My only regret is the one I am left with every year: There is never enough time to talk to you all for a great length of time, and really get to know you. Well....I guess there is always next year. ;-) Hugs, Ashara www.photon.net/lightnet ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2000 00:30:52 -0500 From: Michael Paz Subject: NJC - answers only I was 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 45. Michael Paz Still recovering and collecting my thoughts and recordings (pics and music) NP-My Lady of the Island-Graham Nash (from Walecki Benefit Show first night) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 06 Sep 2000 00:57:51 -0500 From: Michael Paz Subject: Hello, I Love You (NJC) Hello All- I am up WAY too late tonight trying to collect my thoughts and get it together to post about the fest. In the meantime, I am prepared to offer a Tree of the Walecki Benefit (Two Nights Six CD's) and would like some thoughts on how we can benefit Fred from us sharing this music online. I would also like to have some volunteers to be branch managers for this tree. I was thinking of check donations with a minimum value for the collection and no limit on how much you could make a check made out to Fred for. thoughts?? To ALL my list member compadres and commadres from this past weekend. Thank you sooo much for everything this weekend. I Love, Michael NP-Wooden Ships-CPR w/ Graham Nash (walecki benefit 1st nite cd2) I'll never get to bed at this rate! P.S. Check out the jonimitchellfans@egroups.com to see my pics from New England JoniFest. Now Playing Now (since I am such a slow typist) Spinal Tap-Same Show ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2000 #485 ***************************** ------- Post messages to the list at Unsubscribe by sending "unsubscribe joni-digest" to ------- Siquomb, isn't she?