From: les@jmdl.com (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2002 #250 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Archives: http://www.smoe.org/lists/joni Websites: http://www.jmdl.com http://www.jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Tuesday, June 11 2002 Volume 2002 : Number 250 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. ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Norah Jones @ the John Anson Ford (njc) ["Brenda" ] Re: "Joni's Four Periods"/west coast labels (njc) ["kakki" ] Bowie NJC [was Through the wall, sort of] [dsk ] Re: rufus & chris in concert (njc) [Richard Goldman Subject: Norah Jones @ the John Anson Ford (njc) For those interested on the West Coast who haven't heard, Norah is playing the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre on July 31st. For my money, the Ford is among the best venues in L.A. Tickets are only $25. http://www.lacountyarts.org/ford.html Brenda n.p.: Dianne Reeves - "Speak Low" - ------------------------------ Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 21:43:43 -0700 From: "kakki" Subject: Re: "Joni's Four Periods"/west coast labels (njc) Thanks for the information, Brenda. I was really flabbergasted when I read that quote from Elliot Roberts in the O'Brien Joni bio. Made me feel a little like part of my life had been erased! Geez, the Capitol Records building was one of the tallest and most prominent buildings in town when I was growing up (L.A. being relatively lowrise then). When I went back and read the bio again, he was quoted as saying "the only *major* record company on the west coast," but that simply is/was not true but any stretch of the imagination. Thanks for the reminder of Fantasy, too - I knew there was one in S.F., but couldn't recall the name. Kakki > Jac Holzman opened a west coast office for Elektra in the 60's, Berry Gordy > transitioned Motown out of Detroit to L.A. in the late 60's/early 70's and if I recall > correctly, ABC/Paramount, which later bought Dunhill, had a sizeable west coast > presence as well, fueled by associations with Quincy Jones and Ray Charles. And of > course there was Fantasy in San Francisco, home to CCR and Dave Brubeck. > > Considering the success Capitol was having with the Beach Boys and as the U.S. label > for the Beatles, to say that Warner was the only record company on the west coast is > more than a little absurd. The Capitol tower at Hollywood & Vine is probably the most > prominent architectural symbol of the recording industry in the U.S. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 21:46:35 -0700 From: "kakki" Subject: Re: dancing about architecture njc Paz wrote: > Oh wow that is so funny. I wanted to be an architect too early on in life. > I use to love to draw what looked like blueprint sketches of houses and > stuff. While the other girls were playing with the doll house, I was always sitting in the corner with a piece of paper drawing up floor plans and facades for the new or improved and remodeled doll house. Maybe it's not *too* late for a third career? Ha! Nice to chat with you today, too, and hear of good karma coming around. Veddy nce, indeed. ;-) Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jun 2002 02:30:11 -0400 From: dsk Subject: Bowie NJC [was Through the wall, sort of] AzeemAK@aol.com wrote: > > OK, I'm talking about David Bowie, and there are plenty of anomalies in that > comparison (for one thing, Joni never committed a Tin Machine!). Where I see > a big difference is that Bowie has always been a great enthusiast, working > with different, often much younger collaborators, championing up-and-coming > bands, and generally embracing cultural life. There was an article about him in Sunday's New York Times. I don't know much about him so perhaps he's already spent years complaining about the music business, and has now gotten past that and figured out what to do about it, for himself anyway. He comes across in the article as a creative businessman and farsighted realist: One of rock's most astute conceptualists since the 1960's, he has toyed with the possibilities of his star persona, turned concerts into theater and fashion spectacles, and periodically recharged his songs with punk, electronics and dance rhythms. Now he has emerged as one of rock's smartest entrepreneurs. "Heathen" is the first album from Mr. Bowie's own recording company, Iso, which has major-label distribution through Sony. In 1997, he sold $55 million of Bowie Bonds backed by his song royalties; the next year, he founded the technology company Ultrastar and his own Internet service provider-cum-fan club, Bowienet (davidbowie.com). In a nod to his art-school background, his bowieart.com sells promising students' work without the high commissions of terrestrial galleries. His deal with Sony is a short-term one while he gets his label started and watches the Internet's effect on careers. "I don't even know why I would want to be on a label in a few years, because I don't think it's going to work by labels and by distribution systems in the same way," he said. "The absolute transformation of everything that we ever thought about music will take place within 10 years, and nothing is going to be able to stop it. I see absolutely no point in pretending that it's not going to happen. I'm fully confident that copyright, for instance, will no longer exist in 10 years, and authorship and intellectual property is in for such a bashing." "Music itself is going to become like running water or electricity," he added. "So it's like, just take advantage of these last few years because none of this is ever going to happen again. You'd better be prepared for doing a lot of touring because that's really the only unique situation that's going to be left. It's terribly exciting. But on the other hand it doesn't matter if you think it's exciting or not; it's what's going to happen." Full article is at http://www.nytimes.com/2002/06/09/arts/music/09PARE.html He was the musical guest on the Letterman show tonight. What good marketing... a NYTimes article and a late night show appearance just before his new cd goes on sale. I couldn't tell what he was singing (was the song really about a snowbird?), but it sounded good and he did seem to enjoy himself chatting with Dave. Debra Shea ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 23:30:47 -0700 From: Richard Goldman Subject: Re: rufus & chris in concert (njc) Well...finally a thread I can contribute to! I was there too! And ... I had been to 8 of the "Poses 2002" tour sbows that just ended in May. He is a force of nature, that Rufus is. During the tour ... his band included both Teddy Thompson *and* Martha Wainwright, and they alternated doing the opening acts for the tour. Both are amazing in their own rights, both have 2 fantastic indie CD's out (Martha's both, and Teddy's 2nd, available only at the shows..). At the show in LA in March, at the Wilshire-Ebell, both Loudon and Kate, Rufus' parents, showed up for encores and along with Martha did a "you-could-hear-a-pin-drop' version of "What'll I Do". Kate flew in for a few of the tour shows and accompanied Rufus on piano for several songs, including "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", by Harold Arlen. Amazing. Martha and Rufus concluded the Florida shows with Josephine Baker's "Nuits de Miami". Astounding. And, I might add, totally lost on the South Beachers, even in the Art Deco District. I have been graced to be backstage and in other intimate off-stage settings with these folks and they are awesome, beautiful, funny and delightful personally. The Santa Barbara concert was a true rarity. Rufus performed only a few songs recorded on his 2 CD's, doing mostly other unreleased material. Opening with the all-Latin "Agnus Dei", and closing with Harold Arlen's "I Wonder What Became of Me", which he is being filmed tomorrow/Tuesday in LA. It's part of a film,directed by Larry Weinstein, who made the acclaimed "September Songs" in '96, of all Kurt Weil songs by contemporary artists. He's now making a similarly styled film of Arlen's music, Rufus completed shooting "Paper Moon" last Thursday, and the other new one being shot tomorrow. His song "Little Sister" is, of course, about Martha. "11/11" is his song about 9/11, and written at Sean Lennon's home (he loves to drop names like that.... and well, they are friends. Sean and Rufus and Bijou Phillips were all at Yoko's in NYC on 9/11 and she just took them all upstate immediately. Rufus says it was a very intense and insane time.) The song that threw the subscription Santa Barbaran audience members, who walked out after it, is called "Gay Messiah", as yet unreleased, with very provocative and irreverent lyrics, hilarious to some, apparently offensive to others. The Neil Young song he and Chris did during Chris's set (they'd performed it together once before at the Neil Young Tribute) was "Harvest". Beautiful. And the song they did together during Rufus's set is one he wrote for the film "Moulin Rouge" and it only appears for about 8 bars at the beginning of the 'flashback scene' when Ewen is sitting at the typewriter... "Complainte de la Butte", their two voices harmonizing this song in both English and French was surely one of, if not *the* highlight of the evening. He also performed one that was cut from "Moulin Rouge" altogether, "Leaving for Paris", introducing it with some harsh words about Nicole Kidman. He can be very nasty, as well as charming. He throws about his gayness like a stage prop, was dressed "appropriately Santa Barbaran" in jeans, denim jacket, and sandals. (very fun watching his feet while he plays guitar), and sometimes says things he "shouldn't be telling us". His album "Poses" won the 2001 GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Award for Best Music Album, last Saturday night in San Francisco, he was a delight to hang out with at that stellar party. He was up here, in the SF/Bay Area most of the week, and received a special commendation from the SF Board of Supervisors last Monday (for what? ... putting out that cigarette butt on the rug onstage at The Fillmore?? !...). Yes, he smokes. Incessantly. And drinks red wine. A lot. Sound familiar? Well...it's only fitting that he was picked up this Spring and is now artistically managed by the same Artist Management company, Feldman Associates, as that other great great Canadian singer/songwriter, Joni Mitchell. His artist/manager is a delightful young woman, having one fun time, I envy her. There was a small reception afterwards behind the theater and Chris and Rufus came out and schmoozed with the crowd for a long long time. They were both delightful, and Rufus especially generous and lovely that evening. I'm so glad to hear that (and would have *loved* to say 'hi' to you Kate and Kakki, had I only known...) again, seeing and hearing Rufus live is an other-worldly experience, and has to be done, way more than merely hearing his recorded music, to appreciate his unique and immense gifts. Richard in San Francisco n.p. - "Poses" - ------------- > > >Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2002 17:01:53 -0700 >From: "Kate Bennett" >Subject: rufus & chris in concert (njc) > >rufus wainwright & chris stills came to town friday night as part of >our wonderful singer/songwriter series called sings like hell... > >chris opened & had his band with him...excellent, i'd only seen him >a few times solo which he can do very well, but i loved him with his >band...he is looking & sounding soooo much like his dad it is quite >startling but still he is his own artist in his own right...he has >some great guitar chops but there are few who can are of steven's >caliber... > >i'd never heard rufus before (live or recorded)...he came out during >chris's set & they duoed a neil young song that they said they'd >just played for neil & were really nervous about (chris played >guitar, rufus held up the lyrics on a sheet of paper that they >shared looking at as they traded verses)...the song was, i want to >say the promise of a man? is that the title?...i'm hearing it my >head but not sure of the actual title...anyway, i got goosebumps >when rufus sang...he has an incredible voice!!! wow! > >so does chris, so they made an incredible duo (chris also came out >during rufus's set & sang a song with him too...one in >french...chris's mom is french) rufus mentioned that he first met >chris in la at largo & chris was wearing a ruffled shirt & rufus >said he thought, now there's my man! > >then rufus played, mostly on piano & some guitar...he is quite a >character & adorable!...i'm not familar with his songs but he said >many of them were new (from a new release?)...i really enjoyed him, >i truthfully, i think the audience was divided...some absolutely >loved him & others left before his set was over, this has happened >before (especially when it gets late on a friday night)...i could >not understand everything he was saying which was frustrating >because when i could, he was endearing & funny...he does talk fast, >making comments almost to himself which is appealing but also much >gets lost in a theatre setting which this was...anyway, his vocal >chops are >out of this world & there were many many jaw dropping moments when >he hit some notes that were just transcendent... > > >******************************************** >Kate Bennett >www.katebennett.com >sponsored by Polysonics >Discover the Indies at Taylor Guitars: >http://www.taylorguitars.com/artists/awp/indies/bennett.html >******************************************** > >Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2002 19:31:10 -0700 >From: "kakki" >Subject: Re: rufus & chris in concert and some julia news (njc) > >Wow, what a great double bill! They've played here together in L.A. a >couple times but I never got out to see them. Finally saw Chris >open for Julia Fordham a few months ago and he was just fantastic. >Truly original. Then so many here have raved about Rufus but I >hadn't gotten around to checking him out, either, until a few weeks >ago I heard coming from the TV in the other room the most incredible >song and singer I've heard in a long time. I raced (almost stubbing >my toe) into the living room and watched this guy not knowing who he >was. I was totally blown away and completely mesmerized by him. At >the end of his song they announced he was Rufus. Oh my - now I know >what others have been saying. Same thing happened just yesterday >finally hearing Norah Jones on the car radio. Exhilarating! It's >high time to click on CDNow and get out the credit card again! ;-) > >Date: Mon, 10 Jun 2002 19:24:18 EDT >From: AzeemAK@aol.com >Subject: Re: rufus & chris in concert (njc) > >Randy wrote: > > > I guess I'm not one of them! I've seen him on a few shows including > > the John Lennon tribute, and...to me he sings off pitch and not very > > well. I thought he was pretty awful. It's all subjective, no? > > His dad, on the other hand.... > >And Kakki replied > ><< This is so funny - part of why I didn't run too fast to get his >music is because his dad doesn't do much for me (but I'm >considering giving him another listen now ;-) So much of what I >hear in the background drones in through one ear and out the other >but Rufus took my breath away immediately - I was just transfixed. >I love his voice and music - it is different but very compelling to >me - maybe it's all those weird minor notes. I think he is >tremendously original.>> > >Well Kakki, > >Include me out! I think he has got talent - BUT I find his voice >virtually unlistenable - so much vibrato that he makes Aaron >Neville sound like Lou Reed. The Wainwright/McGarrigle sprog I'm >much more interested in is Martha Wainwright: I haven't heard much >of her, but her songwriting contribution to The McGarrigle Hour, >Year Of The Dragon, is the highlight of the set, which is saying a >lot. > >Oh, and I think their Dad is wonderful! > >Azeem in London ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2002 #250 ***************************** ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here: mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe ------- Siquomb, isn't she?