From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2006 #112 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Archives: http://www.smoe.org/lists/joni Website: http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Sunday, March 26 2006 Volume 2006 : Number 112 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: njc, NCAA, Blue Huskies Win! ["Kate Bennett" ] Re: Nuri's JMDL Men Beauty Chart:) [Mark-Leon Thorne ] Sugarland(njc) [waytoblue@comcast.net] Re: njc, NCAA, Blue Huskies Win! [Bob Muller ] Re: the meaning of the name joan, njc [LCStanley7@aol.com] Re: Top 10, no top 20 [Bob Muller ] Ian Shaw updates [Bob Muller ] Re: Top 10, no top 20 [Nuriel Tobias ] My top 20 ["Gerald A. Notaro" ] Subject: Top 10, no top 20 [Victor Johnson ] Re: The meaning of the name Joan [Randy Remote ] Re: Sugarland(njc) [Randy Remote ] Down to You chart [Dave Blackburn ] Down to You for piano ["Les Irvin" ] Re: Top 10, no top 20 ["Mark Scott" ] dave lenihan & condi rice, njc [Jennifer Faulkner ] the generation of children of Joniphiles [LCStanley7@aol.com] Re: Top 10, no top 20 [Randy Remote ] Re: dave lenihan & condi rice, njc [JRMCo1@aol.com] RE: the generation of children of Joniphiles ["Bree Mcdonough" ] RE: the generation of children of Joniphiles ["Bree Mcdonough" ] RE: the generation of children of Joniphiles NJC [Em ] njc need Susan's email! njc hi Susan [Em ] Re: My top 20 ["Michael Flaherty" ] ncaa njc ["gene" ] Re: Top 10, no top 20 [Randy Remote ] PLEASE TAKE ME OFF THE LIST [MLCMarley@aol.com] Re: njc need Susan's email! GOT IT! [Em ] March Madness! njc [JRMCo1@aol.com] Re: Top 10, no top 20 [Doug ] Re: March Madness! njc [Bob Muller ] Re: Top 10, no top 20 NJC [Bob Muller ] Re: Top 10, no top 20 [hell@ihug.co.nz] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 01:26:01 -0800 From: "Kate Bennett" Subject: Re: njc, NCAA, Blue Huskies Win! >Part of the "No Child Left Behind" bill gives the feds access to college grades What the hell do COLLEGE grades have to do with NCLB?< A lot... This is how kids are recruited... the ones with bad grades are the prime target cuz they are told they don't have options & then the military offers them a whole lot of money (whose money is it anyway?)... or as bob has found out they are on the inside teaching 'military history'... ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 20:14:28 +1000 From: Mark-Leon Thorne Subject: Re: Nuri's JMDL Men Beauty Chart:) Hi Nuri. Now you've upset all the guys who thought they were cute. ...and what about the girls? You've reached new depths of superficiality. Mark in Sydney ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 05:32:20 -0800 (PST) From: Nuriel Tobias Subject: Re: Nuri's JMDL Men Beauty Chart:) Mark-Leon Thorne wrote: Hi Nuri. Now you've upset all the guys who thought they were cute. Oy-vey. You've reached new depths of superficiality. LOL! Well SOMEONE has to do it every once in a while otherwise our brains will explode!:) Love, Nuri Mark in Sydney - --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2"/min or less. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 13:40:29 +0000 From: waytoblue@comcast.net Subject: Sugarland(njc) Is anyone here a fan of Sugarland? The reason I ask is because I went on a date last night with Kristen Hall's niece. We had an awesome time...went to a Chinese Cafe(lol) and then to see "V for Vendetta" which was surprisingly good(of course anything that begins with a V is bound to have some merit...:) ) I just picked up the Sugarland cd and I actually really like it. Apparently Kristen left the band recently though so she could focus on her songwriting in Nashville instead of incessant touring. Victor, feeling that spark ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 05:54:56 -0800 (PST) From: Bob Muller Subject: Re: njc, NCAA, Blue Huskies Win! Which I was saying to David was exactly what happened with Nate's best friend Jeff, who was always more of a free spirit than Nate was, and not as serious a student. He started at Lander University in Greenwood, SC in fall of 2004, flunked out, and by Christmas of 04 was shipping out to Fort Hood for basic training. He's come by the house whenever he's come back into town, and he's very glad about his decision and the opportunities offered him by the military, but so far he's been in the US, playing training games. He ships out to Iraq this summer (not quite the desk job in the Caribbean he was told he'd have) and his zeal may take a hit. I hope that's the only hit he takes. Bob NP: Eminem, "Drips" Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:40:44 EST From: LCStanley7@aol.com Subject: Re: the meaning of the name joan, njc Randy wrote: Cool, I didn't know that. Now I will have to figure out how Joan Rivers fits in. She's "five feet high and rising"... plus two inches more of the gift that is. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 06:42:07 -0800 (PST) From: Bob Muller Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 An interesting question, Mack. The challenge is to pick out SINGERS and not SINGER-SONGWRITERS. There are lots of my favorite artists who didn't make the list when the considerations are purely vocals. My Top 20 singers, in a somewhat random order: 1. Sam Cooke - has to top the list. As influential in the world of soul singing as Joni is in the singer-songwriter genre. 2. Sarah Vaughan - irresistable swoops and sways from blue note to blue note. And an incredible range. 3. Joni - No one else can combine the 4-octave range with the infusion of pure emotion like she does. 4. Laura Nyro - a heartbreaking combination of tender fragility and r&b strength, emotionally so strong. 5. Bruce Springsteen - Incredibly versatile, Bruce can pull laughs, tears, and the strength of the human spirit with his vocal style. 6. Dinah Washington - A unique voice, blending jazz, soul & pop. 7. Al Green - Can make even a mediocre song sound like a classic. 8. Jeff Buckley - The voice of an angel, again simultaneously tender and powerful. Will always stop me in my tracks. 9. Nick Drake - because nobody can sing his songs like he could. 10. Prince - Another near-masterpiece came out this week (3121) and i've been enjoying it all week and thinking that he always invests everything he's got into his performances. 11. Ray Charles - Made singing ANY genre of music seem so effortless, and at the same time made everything he sang his own. 12. Stevie Wonder - Set the standard for a style of singing that has become commonplace. Oozes soul. 13. Todd Rundgren - Blue-eyed soul, rock, jazz, and always gives 100%. 14. Tom Waits - For being totally fearless and for being less concerned with what sounds conventionally "good" and more concerned with what sounds authentic. 15. Patti Cathcart (Tuck & Patti) 16. Cassandra Wilson - Both of these ladies can take the best-known songs of others and make them their own, and are fearless and totally adventurous in the process. 17. Tom Johnston (The Doobie Brothers) - A guilty pleasure, there's something about his voice that I just out-and-out dig. 18. Janis Joplin - Always put it all on the line vocally, let her emotions guide her through a song in an inimitable fashion. 19. Harry Nilsson - From playful pop to rock to tin pan alley to standard, his voice could do it all. 20. Bonnie Raitt - Again, what sets her apart is her versatility and her staying power. No genre is off limits and she nails them all. Bob NP: Ani D, "To The Teeth" Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 07:24:24 -0800 (PST) From: Bob Muller Subject: Ian Shaw updates Well, it's been a very exciting weekend for this Joni-covers nut...my copy of Ian Shaw's "Drawn To All Things" arrived yesterday, and I've spun it a number of times. Full review later this week. If you haven't placed your order yet, the CD's are in stock and shipping: http://www.linnrecords.com/cd_information/cd_information.asp?RecordingID=372 They now have (3) 1-minute samples that you can listen to online; Night In The City, Barangrill, Stay In Touch. These samples give you a good idea of Ian's original arranging and vocal talents as well as the variety and quality of the musicians. Ian's manager tells me that they are also planning on making the CD available domestically in the US, but I'm not sure when and in the meantime the price as an import is WAY reasonable, so why wait? I think it's important to support those artists who bring more Joni into the world. Also, Charlotte tells me that they are planning on some NYC performances for Ian in the September time frame. Looks like another trip to NYC for me! And of course, those in the UK and surrounding areas don't have to wait until September as Ian and guests will be performing a celebration of this release on 15 April at the Bloomsbury Theatre: http://www.thebloomsbury.com/events/show.php?run=000912 Charlotte asked me if there is anything else that could be done in the UK to promote this CD & concert, so I'll turn the question over to the Euro-JMDLers for ideas/suggestions. Bob NP: Prince, "Hot Thing" Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 07:39:22 -0800 (PST) From: Nuriel Tobias Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 Bob Muller wrote: 5. Bruce Springsteen - Incredibly versatile. You're kidding, right? I thought he's bottom! Love, Nuri - --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:06:46 -0500 (EST) From: "Gerald A. Notaro" Subject: My top 20 No order: Billie Holliday - Not only for her ingenious interpretations, but an emotive quality that has never been matched. Joni Mitchell - I first fell in love with her voice, and the writing and playing were secondary. And she gets to sing the best songs ever written! Jimmy Scott - Influenced everyone from Frankie Valli to Dinah Washington without getting the recognition he deserved. Edith Piaf - Exciting, solitary, soaring, and one of Joni's favorites, also. Barbra Streisand - More early, than later, but almost 50 years later she still packs a wallop. Rumored to be on tour again. Bette Midler. Alas, the Laura Nyro Tribute is NOT in the works. The greatest live performer I have ever seen. The last of the Red, Hot Mamas. Ella Fitzgerald - Sounded like a teen well into the end. Pyrotechnics with class, not crass. Janis Joplin - Never has been another and never will. Redefined everything she tackled. An American original. Aretha Franklin - From her early Columbia recordings with just her on piano to Nessum Dorma, a great, great voice. But she needs to retire now. Frank Sinatra - Will never be topped as the American male singer of standards. His recordings of 50 years still sound fresh. And like others in this list, must be credited with surviving the first blush of popularity with a long, respected career. Judy Garland - No peer. The best singer to have lived. Her Live at Carnegie Hall is the text for great singing Jane Olivor - Still incredible. Could make bad lyrics sound like honey and diamonds. Rosemary Clooney - The girl singer who became the American Songbook's greatest interpreter. I still miss her. Barbara Cook - At 79 sounds better than most singers in their 20's. When she stops singing, it will be the end of an era. Maureen MsGovern - Like Rosemary Clooney, overcame the pop status and tackled the world best songs with grace and flair. Today's best living singer of standards and a voice teacher's dream. Betty Buckley - Combines contemporary, Broadway, and standards like no one. Must be heard live to be appreciated. Karen Carpenter - No matter what Bette thought, one of the great singers of her time. Perfect breath control, unwaivering tone, and smooth and silk. Dusty Springfield - A true perfectionist, who wanted to sound right, not create the right sound. A voice for her, as well as all, generations. Judy Collins - 45 years recording and her voice is still a miracle. And very underrated as a songwriter. Jeff Buckley - Could sing anything, and I mean anything. Who knows where his career could have gone? I've listened to all of his recordings hundreds of times and he still gives me chills. Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:57:32 -0500 From: Victor Johnson Subject: Subject: Top 10, no top 20 On Mar 26, 2006, at 3:00 AM, JMDL Digest wrote: > Subject: Top 10, no top 20 > > Jimmy wrote that Melissa was his favorite before Joni came along. > Made me > think. We haven't had a play poll in a while. Who are your top 10 > singers > and why? Favorite Singers (in no particular order) 1. Joni Mitchell - needs no explanation 2. Geddy Lee - He was my first major inspiration. All through highschool I was a Rush devotee and consistently tried to emulate his voice. It wasn't till my freshman year of college when I really started writing songs on the guitar that I became comfortable with my own voice. I still think his voice is incredibly unique and has an eloquent warmness to it. 3. David Sylvian- Another singer who has one of the most unique voices I have ever heard. I can't even explain what he sounds like. 4. Stevie Wonder- Maybe my favorite voice of all time if I had to pick one. My latest favorite song is "Overjoyed". He emotes more in his voice than anyone else I can think of. 5. Neil Young - Another unique voice...though I've found there are alot of people who don't tend to like him or Geddy Lee because of their unusual sound but I think that is what makes them even more appealable to me. "Heart of Gold" the movie was so incredibly compelling...I loved the "Old Laughing Lady" at the end. Noone else can sing such simple phrases and make them sound so profound. 6. Jerry Garcia- Especially in his later years, he had a vulnerability to his voice that was poignant and perhaps unmatchable by anyone. Especially in ballads like "Stella Blue" and "Standing on the Moon", it seemed at times that you could touch him with your small finger and he would collapse there on the stage. So fragile and beautiful. 7. Tom Waits- I don't usually like singers with gravelly voices but Tom Waits is the exception. Sometimes he's all I want to hear. I love his version of Somewhere(which coincidentally, David Sylvian also did a version of)...albums like Blue Valentine, The Heart of Saturday Night speak for themselves. 8. James Taylor - need anymore be said? 9. Nick Drake - Some may be surprised that I would list him as at first glance he does not seem to have a particularly interesting voice. But when its a rainy day or you're feeling down and need something to lift you up, there is nothing more comforting than listening to Nick Drake. His voice is quiet and almost a whisper at times but so intimate as his he was a friend sitting in the room with you. 10. Victor Johnson - No this has nothing to do with an ego at all. If I didn't truly love my voice I wouldn't be doing this, spending my life following a dream. You should always pursue what you love. 11. Johnny Hartman - He might truly be the most underrated jazz singer ever. His album John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman is hands down the mellowest, sweetest album of jazz standards ever released and makes Rod Stewart and Barry Manilow seem like American Idol wannabees. So so smooth, like a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream. 12. Ella Fitzgerald - The first jazz singer I fell in love with before I discovered Johnny Hartman. She was definately a gateway for me into jazz and led me to discover a whole world of music. My good friend Holley saw her perform with Duke Ellington at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. 13. Bon Scott - Though there are scores of metal bands and though I only own a couple of his albums (Highway to Hell and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap) and I am not a particularly big fan of the band, this about singers and I think he might have the most interesting voice of any classic metal band. Brian Johnson is not bad(he's a Johnson!) but he's not particularly interesting either. Bon Scott was truly unique and his hellbent on destruction personality adds to his mystique, another rock and roll tragedy. 14. Bruce Dickinson - Another band that helped me make it through the eighties. His rich, soaring tenor voice with the strong harmonies drew me in to Iron Maiden three times. There are few bands today that match the strength that he possessed. Some were similiar like Geoff Tate of Queensryche but none can match his power and clarity. 15. Crosby, Stills, and Nash - I am putting all three of these guys together because few can match their exquisite harmonies. And when you add Young to the mix it is over the top. 16. Ian Anderson - Another unusual voice...I guess at this point you can earmark me as that guy who likes unusual voices (not to be confused with "that guy")...No one else sounds like him or tells stories in quite the same way. 17. Bono- I don't know what to say...he's just great! 18. Morrissey - I didn't discover the Smiths till 1992 when people kept telling me I sounded like this guy named Morrissey whom I had never heard of. I picked up "Louder Than Bombs" and "Viva Hate" and totally dug him. Who else write such lyrics as "Why do I spend my valuable time, with people I'd much rather, kick in the eye" 19. John Denver- The first record I ever owned was "Rocky Mountain High". My parents used to take me to a restaurant that had live music and they said I would stand and gaze at this guy that was playing "Sunshine On My Shoulders" and that it was my favorite song. I think I was 5 or 6. He had such a clear tone. 20. Ozzy Osbourne - I'll end my list with Ozzy...In his Sabbath days. his voice was tremendous and was the perfect complement to their thunderous sound which has inspired every metal band since...I still enjoyed his voice in his solo career but it never sounded quite as pure. Favorite sounding albums? The first Black Sabbath, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, Never Say Die... So that sums me up, from Joni Mitchell to Ozzy Osbourne and everything in between. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:07:01 -0800 From: Randy Remote Subject: Re: The meaning of the name Joan Original Message ----- From: "Smurf" Hey! I just thought of something . . . the Joanster's > real first name is/was Roberta. I Google-searched for > the meaning of Robert/Roberta and all I could find -- > over and over again -- was that the names mean 'bright > fame' or just 'famous' or, my favorite, 'famous > brilliance'. Good point, and interesting to note that the two most brilliant songwriters of our era have basically the same first name. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:20:45 -0800 From: Randy Remote Subject: Re: Sugarland(njc) - ----- Original Message ----- From: > Is anyone here a fan of Sugarland? The reason I ask is because I went on > a date last night with Kristen Hall's niece. We had an awesome > time...went to a Chinese Cafe(lol) and then to see "V for Vendetta" which > was surprisingly good(of course anything that begins with a V is bound to > have some merit...:) ) lol...ditto on that... I can't say I've heard enough to be a fan, but I ran across one of their videos, and it was pretty damn good, considering how corny some of the current country stuff is. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 09:46:56 -0800 From: Dave Blackburn Subject: Down to You chart Les Irvin has been kind enough to add my chart of Down to You for all to use at http://jonimitchell.com/guitar/tab.cfm?id=386 Play through it and let me know what y'all think... Dave Blackburn ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:41:50 -0700 From: "Les Irvin" Subject: Down to You for piano Pianists! Dave Blackburn has just submitted a great piano transcription of Down To You to the website: http://jonimitchell.com/guitar/tab.cfm?id=386 Thanks Dave, for the work you did on this. Les ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 10:46:32 -0800 From: "Mark Scott" Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 Who are your top 10 singers > and why? Harder than I thought, can't possibly pick just 10, have to be > top > 20. I haven't done one of these lists for awhile. When it comes to Joni (favorite album, favorite song) I always find it too difficult to narrow down. But I feel like taking a crack at this one. 1. Billie Holiday - The 'Lady Sings the Blues' soundtrack made me curious. The voice was a bit hard to get used to, so different from Ms. Ross although Diana gave a good impression of the style. Now Billie's voice is like an old friend that touches deep chords in my soul. Not one of the great voices but what she does with it is sublime and she deserves her place at the top of the list of great jazz singers. 2. Joni Mitchell - Not much to say here. I used to think her voice was inferior to her songwriting talents, 4 octave range notwithstanding. I've done a 180 about this though. She's a great singer and her latter day voice has its own beauty and depth. Brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear the 2000 version of 'Both Sides Now'. Total honesty and impeccable performance. No question about it. Joni's da bomb. 3. Rickie Lee Jones - Some may tell you I used to diss Rickie Lee here on the Joni list. A good friend and a lister named Patrick helped change my mind. And that's not an easy thing to do with this bull-headed Taurus. I've seen Rickie live three times and now own all of her official releases and I now know that there is no other like her. Her unique voice and style can wring emotions out of me I had forgotten I had. Her writing is often impressionistic and sometimes not easy to fathom but it always touches something somewhere in my soul. Like Joni, she is an artist of great integrity and amazing gifts that follows her own path. I'll be right behind her wherever she chooses to go. 4. Dusty Springfield - It took me a long time to find my way to Dusty but now she's another voice that speaks to me in that special way. It's hard to describe her singing. She can sound breathy and sexy and ethereal and the next minute she pulls out the stops and wails in a way you wouldn't think she was capable of. I can't say that I've heard Melissa Manchester's version of 'I Don't Want to Hear it Anymore' but Melissa would have to go a long way to top Dusty's version in my book. Sophisticated pop singer with a deep vein of true soul running through everything she sings. 5. Judy Garland - I agree with Mack. A one in a million voice and she put her all into every performance. She could croon, she could belt, she could make you laugh and she could break your heart. Maybe the greatest entertainer of her day. 6. Judy Collins - A crystalline pure voice that makes me marvel at how gorgeous it is everytime I hear it. Mostly a covers singer she also wrote some beautiful songs over the years. She's covered some of the great songs of her time by the likes of Leonard Cohen, Joni, Bob Dylan, Jacques Brel and Stephen Sondheim. I saw her last fall and she still sounds like liquid silver. With her long hair flowing, Judy Blue Eyes still evokes the colors of the day and gives the crowd the colors and the bells and the dream. 7. Grace Slick - Powerhouse voice focused to a piercing, often lacerating sound, Grace epitomized the wild abandon and liberated thought of the late 60s. She never hestitated to tell it the way she saw it and she saw it all from a highly original and unique point of view. From James Joyce's 'Ulysses' to 'Alice in Wonderland', Grace's mind ranged far and wide and she took us all along with her on her various 'trips'. ;-) Her onstage chemistry with Marty Balin led to both explosive vocal combustion ('3/5 of a Mile in Ten Seconds' on 'Bless Its Pointed Little Head') and beautiful close harmonies on ballads like 'Today'. Listen to Grace's rendition of David Crosby's 'Triad' and her satiric 'Lather' on 'Crown of Creation' and you'll hear a totally different, softer side of this singer known for her pulsating power on songs like 'Somebody to Love'. 8. Barbra Streisand - Possessed of an amazing instrument, she can maneuver it in ways that take the breath away. I think it was Barbara Walters who once asked her how she could hold a note as long as she does. Babs' response was 'Because I want to.' Unconventional looking, she pushed the parameters of what movie audiences would accept in the look of a leading lady, starring with and winning the heart of 70s heartthrob Robert Redford in 'The Way We Were'. It was a typical role for her, a strong woman who usually doesn't get the guy in the end but preserves her integrity and the audience's respect intact. Iron willed perfectionist, often accused of having an inflated ego, she has striven to maintain a high standard throughout her career and usually been dissed for it. With the right material, she's unbeatable. One of the great singers of our time. 9. Margo Timmins - Mostly an interpreter of her brother Michael's largely dark, melancholy lyrics, Margo and the Cowboy Junkies may be an acquired taste. But she's well worth the effort. Beautiful voice that is hard to describe. Kind of like walking in a fog. Being wrapped in something that is perceivable yet intangible at the same time. And penetrating. 10. Lambert, Hendricks and Ross - Thank you, Joni, for leading me to explore the music of this trio. Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross took vocalese to a new level, using their three overdubbed voices to take the instrumental parts and sing entire arrangements of Count Basie's music on 'Sing a Song of Basie'. They sang together with a precision that was mind boggling, putting lyrics to complex, rapid-fire instrumental solos and never missing a lyric, never failing to land on all the right notes in perfect synchronization. And the sound was infused with swing and verve and excitement. But they could also produce a blue, soulful sound that was comforting at the same time. Annie's range was phenomenal, using her falsetto to punctuate phrases with unbelievably high-pitched staccato notes, sounding like a muted trumpet played by a master like Louis Armstrong. 11. Emmylou Harris - A voice with a country twang and a purity that touches the heart like no other. There is also a tinge of melancholy to it that infuses much of what she sings. She has refused to limit herself over the years, choosing material from country, rock, blue-grass, folk - all kinds of different genres and blending it all into her own unique style. Her collaboration with Daniel Lanois on 'Wrecking Ball' seemed to place her in the context she was created for and her subsequent releases have been sublime. 'Red Dirt Girl' demonstrated her considerable song writing skills as well. A singer whose delivery has a poignancy to it that is matched by very few. 12. Patsy Cline - One of those voices that bowls you over. Clear, flexible, full, rich and always masterfully controlled. She was a country singer with enough vocal sophistication to make it easy for her to cross over into pop. Her delivery was dramatic, heartbreaking, playful, comic - she could do it all. Another one of the greats. 13. Johnny Hartman - Largely overlooked, Johnny Hartman had one of the most seductive voices ever heard. Deep, velvety smooth, sophisticated, warm and romantic. I first heard him on the soundtrack of 'The Bridges of Madison County' where Clint Eastwood used his songs to fabulous effect. His collaboration with John Coltrane, 'John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman' is a great jazz classic. 14. Nat King Cole - Sublimist of the crooners, in my opinion. A voice you can't help but like. Ballad singer and cool cat swinger, listening to him sing just makes you feel good. He was a great musician who understood rhythm and his phrasing was always impeccable. His warmth communicated itself in everything he sang. 15. Maddy Prior - To me, Maddy is the high priestess of the traditonal songs of the British Isles. A voice that is clear, focused and amazingly controlled, she still manages to evoke the village lass singing at a local fair or a milkmaid giving voice as she goes about her daily chores. Her stellar voice blended beautifully with Tim Hart's and the rest of Steeleye Span in their heyday, creating perfect close harmonies. Her harmonization with her own voice taking three parts on the final verse of 'The Weaver and the Factory Maid' is a thing of rare beauty. 16. Janis Joplin - Take another little piece of my heart, now, Janis. You know you've got it - always. No holds barred, take it to the limit, knock yer socks off. Break their hearts, get 'em all horned up, rock 'em out. Underneath it all was a vulnerability that sealed her legend. There was also a skilled performer who was honing her considerable talents and considering new directions to take it in when she was taken from us, all too soon. If you don't have the remastered and expanded 2 disk version of 'Pearl', you should get it. A symphony of violence, the great Southwest unbound, as Mimi Farina but it. I hope she's found a truly quiet morning and that the despair is gone for her now. 17. Bette Midler - Well how could I forget the Divine Miss M? I've only seen her perform live once but it was one of the very best concerts I've ever been to. Her unique interpretations on her very first album that included everything from 'Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy' to 'Leader of the Pack' signaled the advent of a truly unique talent that was going places. And go places she did. Funny, bawdy, campy, irreverent and then poignant, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching the next minute. She does it all. 18. Carly Simon - Carly's voice grabbed me from the first time I heard it. There is something unique about it. Her album covers over the years have betrayed her as a sexy seductress, and certainly that comes through in her singing. But there's much more to her than that. A fine songwriter, she has also done several albums of covers, my favorite being 'Torch' where she put her own stamp on some great standards. I don't know exactly what her vocal range was in her heyday but from trying to sing some of her songs, I think it must have been considerable. Another voice that has become familiar and comforting to me down through the years. It has it's own particular sound and beauty that I love. 19. Michael Stipe - I discovered REM at a peculiar time of my life. 'Automatic for the People' was out and although I think that is a brilliant, classic album, I never listen to it. The associations are too painful. But Michael's vocal on 'Everybody Hurts' cuts me to the bone and there is such an evocative beauty to 'Night Swimming'. Very expressive singer who always catches my ear whenever I hear him. 20. Simon and Garfunkel - I have never gotten into either of this duo's solo stuff but I love their harmonies on Paul Simon's beautiful songs from the 60s. So I'm putting them together as the last of my favorite singers. I told my friend Melanie recently that I don't know if my taste in music is particularly healthy. It tend to go for the melancholy and evocative. 'Scarborough Fair/Canticle' first caught my ear when I was a young and naive teenager and I have loved the delicate beauty of the blend of these two voices ever since. Well that's 20. Longwinded as usual. But if I can take all the basketball talk, the rest of you can surely stand this! ;-) Mark E. Tolstoy in Seattlehoff. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 11:08:47 -0800 (PST) From: Jennifer Faulkner Subject: dave lenihan & condi rice, njc hey guys, i just GOTTA know what everyone thinks about this controversy! jen (who is in joni elementary school hoping to catch up with you who have a doctorate in joni) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:31:14 -0500 (EST) From: "Gerald A. Notaro" Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 Mark Scott wrote: > > 4. Dusty Springfield I can't say that I've heard Melissa Manchester's > version of 'I Don't Want to Hear it Anymore' but Melissa would have to go a long way to top Dusty's version in my book. Dusty's version of I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love blows Melissa's, Peter Allen's, and anybody else's version out of the water. > 20. Simon and Garfunkel - I have never gotten into either of this duo's solo stuff Art was my #21. Great list, Mark. Can't wait to read everybody's! Jerry ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:42:21 EST From: LCStanley7@aol.com Subject: the generation of children of Joniphiles Hi Ya'll, I had Roseanne Cash's Anthology album on in another room. My 8 year old son, Peter, came over to me and asked, "is that Joni?" and I said no it's Roseanne. Then I listened closer, and Roseanne was singing Joni's song River. I was so surprised Peter recognized that song as being a Joni song! I wonder will come from this generation of children who have heard Joni so often played by their parents during their formative years? Love, Laura ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 12:00:08 -0800 From: Randy Remote Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 In no particular order ..I know later I will think of some I left off 1. Stevie Wonder 2. Paul McCartney - "Sgt. Pepper" for example 3. John Lennon 4. Billie Holiday - esp. early Commodore era 5. Joni Mitchell 6. Bob Dylan - strange, you say, but his voice is evocative and fits his music perfectly. A great singer who is not a great singer 7. Leah Kunkel - okay, you've never heard of her, but trust me 8. Stevie Winwood 9. Stevie Nicks - another great singer who is not a great singer 10. Janis Joplin - Texas blues goes electric, wow! 11. Fiona Apple - love her voice 12. Greg Lake - ie "20th Century Schizoid Man", "Knife Edge" 13. Susanna Hoffs - again not a great voice, but I sure like it 14. Cab Calloway - style, joy, range, power 15. David Crosby - lovely voice and THE harmony singer 16. Alicia Keys 17. Emmylou Harris - love it 18. Judy Garland - if only for the 17 year old "Over The Rainbow", the greatest female vocal ever recorded? 19. Frank Sinatra 20. kd lang ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 15:01:48 EST From: JRMCo1@aol.com Subject: Re: dave lenihan & condi rice, njc Not much to discuss. Lenihan was fired by his own bosses for using a racial epithet on live radio. He had only been at the station two weeks. The outcome should've been the same had he used the slur directed at anyone. Anyone at all. Breaking news! Racism is still rampant. What a scoop. (yawn). - -Julius In a message dated 3/26/06 11:40:01 AM, levatorvelipalatini@yahoo.com writes: > hey guys, > i just GOTTA know what everyone thinks about this > controversy! > jen (who is in joni elementary school hoping to catch > up with you who have a doctorate in joni) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 15:19:42 -0500 From: "Bree Mcdonough" Subject: RE: the generation of children of Joniphiles Yes..Laura..I was thinking about this JUST the other day. Now not having children I can't speak to that right now..but IF Marianne gets pregnant as we are hoping....I will play Joni and other good music to it all the time. Even while it's in Marianne's tummy. My nephews and niece know Joni very well..while none are fans they mention her to me if they hear something on the radio or in print. Now I'm starting to introduce Joni to great nieces and nephews. Although..more limited now since I live so far away. Marianne and I just spoke to Patti P..we couldn't talk long because her Huskies were playing in ten minutes. Go Huskies!! for Patti..and Texas for Mack!! Bree >Hi Ya'll, > >I had Roseanne Cash's Anthology album on in another room. My 8 year old >son, Peter, came over to me and asked, "is that Joni?" and I said no it's >Roseanne. Then I listened closer, and Roseanne was singing Joni's song >River. I >was so surprised Peter recognized that song as being a Joni song! > >I wonder will come from this generation of children who have heard Joni so >often played by their parents during their formative years? > >Love, >Laura ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 12:23:52 -0800 From: "Mark Scott" Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Randy Remote" > 7. Leah Kunkel - okay, you've never heard of her, but trust me I know the name but I don't remember the context. Has she sung backup for other artists? Carole King, maybe? > 18. Judy Garland - if only for the 17 year old "Over The Rainbow", > the greatest female vocal ever recorded? Amen to that. About as close to perfect as you can get. > 20. kd lang Damn! How could I forget kd? One of the great voices of our time, imo. Mark E. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 15:43:22 -0500 From: "Bree Mcdonough" Subject: RE: the generation of children of Joniphiles I meant to emphasize or separate pregnant from as with a comma. Changed it. thanks! >Yes..Laura..I was thinking about this JUST the other day. Now not having >children I can't speak to that right now..but IF Marianne gets pregnant... >as we are hoping....I will play Joni and other good music to it all the >time. Even while it's in Marianne's tummy. My nephews and niece know >Joni very well..while none are fans they mention her to me if they hear >something on the radio or in print. Now I'm starting to introduce Joni to >great nieces and nephews. Although..more limited now since I live so far >away. > >Marianne and I just spoke to Patti P..we couldn't talk long because her >Huskies were playing in ten minutes. Go Huskies!! for Patti..and Texas >for Mack!! > > >Bree > > > > >>Hi Ya'll, >> >>I had Roseanne Cash's Anthology album on in another room. My 8 year old >>son, Peter, came over to me and asked, "is that Joni?" and I said no it's >>Roseanne. Then I listened closer, and Roseanne was singing Joni's song >>River. I >>was so surprised Peter recognized that song as being a Joni song! >> >>I wonder will come from this generation of children who have heard Joni >>so >>often played by their parents during their formative years? >> >>Love, >>Laura ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 12:46:30 -0800 (PST) From: Em Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 I can't seem to get my sh_t together to do this whole list properly (how now thrice tried) but I really feel the need to throw out the names of 3 guys who I feel have unforgettable and wonderful voices. 1. Greg Allman < wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Randy Remote" > > > 7. Leah Kunkel - okay, you've never heard of her, but trust me > > I know the name but I don't remember the context. Has she sung > backup for > other artists? Carole King, maybe? > > > 18. Judy Garland - if only for the 17 year old "Over The Rainbow", > > the greatest female vocal ever recorded? > > Amen to that. About as close to perfect as you can get. > > > 20. kd lang > > Damn! How could I forget kd? One of the great voices of our time, > imo. > > Mark E. > http://www.eventsounds.com/wav/imsorry.wav ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 12:52:10 -0800 (PST) From: Em Subject: RE: the generation of children of Joniphiles NJC well the dot dot dot provided an equally "pregnant" pause... ;) Em - --- Bree Mcdonough wrote: > I meant to emphasize or separate pregnant from as with a comma. > Changed > it. > > thanks! > > > >Yes..Laura..I was thinking about this JUST the other day. Now not > having > >children I can't speak to that right now..but IF Marianne gets > pregnant... > >as we are hoping....I will play Joni and other good music to it all > the > >time. Even while it's in Marianne's tummy. My nephews and niece > know > >Joni very well..while none are fans they mention her to me if they > hear > >something on the radio or in print. Now I'm starting to introduce > Joni to > >great nieces and nephews. Although..more limited now since I live > so far > >away. > > > >Marianne and I just spoke to Patti P..we couldn't talk long because > her > >Huskies were playing in ten minutes. Go Huskies!! for Patti..and > Texas > >for Mack!! > > > > > >Bree > > > > > > > > > >>Hi Ya'll, > >> > >>I had Roseanne Cash's Anthology album on in another room. My 8 > year old > >>son, Peter, came over to me and asked, "is that Joni?" and I said > no it's > >>Roseanne. Then I listened closer, and Roseanne was singing Joni's > song > >>River. I > >>was so surprised Peter recognized that song as being a Joni song! > >> > >>I wonder will come from this generation of children who have heard > Joni > >>so > >>often played by their parents during their formative years? > >> > >>Love, > >>Laura > http://www.eventsounds.com/wav/imsorry.wav ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 13:12:32 -0800 (PST) From: Em Subject: njc need Susan's email! njc hi Susan sorry to use the list for this, but could someone send me offlist, Susan in Florida's email addy? or Susan.... Hi...lost your addy... :) thx, Em http://www.eventsounds.com/wav/imsorry.wav ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 15:29:38 -0600 From: "Michael Flaherty" Subject: Re: My top 20 OK, first of all, I primarily listen to instrumental music these days (about 80% of the time), so for me this isn't a current "best of". In some ways that made it more interesting. Secondly, I respect the great classical singers, as I do early jazz masters. As I don't listen to them much, I ignored them for this list. Vocalist who express longing, sadness, or even desperation beyond what words can convey appeal to me--like agreat guitar or sax solo. That said, the list is just what I feel like, regardless of how well they fit the above criterea (but they all fit it): 1. Joni Mitchell (duh) 2. Rosanne Cash Very different singer, but similar qualities. 3. Peter Gabriel At his best he doesn't even need words. 4. Stevie Winwood The voice of an angel, as does 5. Emmylou Harris whose albums I often don't even like. The voice cuts acrsos genres. 6. Marianne Faithful I can taste the whiskey. 7. Bryan Ferry, particularly early Roxy. The sound of crying without tears. 8. Damien Rice He moves effortlessly from a dying whisper to a scream. 9. Nick Drake What everyone else said. 10. Van Morrison Especially the love songs. 11. Bob Dylan (64-74) I'm serious. While I never bought him as the world's greatest songwriter, his performances of his songs are incredible. 12. Kurt Cobain I don't want to talk about him. 13. Ray Davies The perfect English voice. 14. David Sylvian Very good use of understated drama, especially on Blemish. 15. Jack Bruce Great sound. Yes, with Cream, but his voice actually improved after that. 16. Tom Waits Pure heart ... great songs help. 17. David Bowie Almost purely for technique, which is hard to deny. 18. Jane Siberry I don't really have much by her, but when I get a track it's for her voice. 19. John Lennon Particularly the dreamy stuff (Strawberry Fields). 20. John Lydon (Johnny Rotten) The voice of anger . If I did this again tommorrow, it'd be different. Michael Flaherty ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 13:45:15 -0800 From: "gene" Subject: ncaa njc holy shit!!!! george mason 74 uconn 70 17 seconds. holy shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! love a team that plays with a lot of heart!!! gene ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 13:45:57 -0800 From: Randy Remote Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark Scott" > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Randy Remote" > >> 7. Leah Kunkel - okay, you've never heard of her, but trust me > > I know the name but I don't remember the context. Has she sung backup for > other artists? Carole King, maybe? Good catch, Mark! She's Cass Elliot's little sister, and made two LPs for Columbia,now out of print. The first, self titled (1979) is my favorite, despite having an L.A. 'popish' kind of sound. The usual suspects play:Korchmar, Sklar, Andrew Gold, Russ Kunkel (her hubby?). (The second is I Run With Trouble). She then made a couple of discs as part of The Coyote Sisters, the last in 2001, also OOP. Now she is a lawyer! She sang backup w/ James Taylor's on the '70s hit Handy Man, also with Art Garfunkel among others, as well as on some of Cass' recordings. She raised Cass' daughter; Owen Vanessa (born in April of 1967). She has one of those crystal clear, pitch-perfect, throaty, heartfelt voices. (oh no, here goes: 21. Bill Champlin) RR >> 18. Judy Garland - if only for the 17 year old "Over The Rainbow", >> the greatest female vocal ever recorded? > > Amen to that. About as close to perfect as you can get. > >> 20. kd lang > > Damn! How could I forget kd? One of the great voices of our time, imo. > > Mark E. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 17:10:58 EST From: MLCMarley@aol.com Subject: PLEASE TAKE ME OFF THE LIST THANKS ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:30:20 -0800 (PST) From: Em Subject: Re: njc need Susan's email! GOT IT! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 17:30:51 EST From: JRMCo1@aol.com Subject: March Madness! njc So sorry, Patti P. But what a great game from both teams! This one was cardiac city, baby! Woohoo! Gotta love the excitement. Your Huskies did themselves proud and there's no quit whatsoever in that team...I loved watching them and coach Calhoun. And you've still got your Husky women! (Um, so to speak... :-) The Cardinal women so want to meet them in the Final Four, I heard through the grapevine. Right after we dispatch LSU. Don't undo your game face just yet, babe. UConn can still get it done tonight! In any event, Patti, you remain my MVP... - -Julius ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 17:12:57 -0500 From: Doug Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 I love a good singer... top 13 Eva Cassidy she had it all Joni Mitchell esp. mid '70s onwards, though I don't like the music as much Frank Sinatra full of character k.d. Lang perfect voice / no character Mary Black gives me the chills Judy Collins not quite as many chills Jenny Lewis the next Great American Singer-Songwriter! Bruce Springsteen not a great voice, but he gives all of it Linda Ronstadt powerful voice Agnetha Faltskog under-appreciated by some, I think, and so was her group Gillian Welch I was starting to get tired of alt-country/Americana until I heard Gillian Van Morrison as long as he doesn't wail too much Christine McVie a bit limited, but I'll take Christine over Stevie anyday Kate Bush inventive ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:52:30 -0800 (PST) From: Bob Muller Subject: Re: March Madness! njc What he said...sorri Patti. And Mrs. SCJoniguy said to remind you that GMU also did in her Tarheels, so you're in good company. OK Jimmy, you're the last man standing. And in cha-cha heels no less! Bob NP: Garbage, Nobody Loves You" Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2006 14:56:56 -0800 (PST) From: Bob Muller Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 NJC > Art was my #21. And Nat King Cole was my #21, so I appreciate your inclusion of him, Mark. And speaking of Simon & Garfunkel, if you liked them (and really, who didn't?) you OWE it to yourselves to check out The Kings of Convenience, a duo with a VERY similar vocal blend. I've really fallen under their spell of late. Here's a song from their latest release, check it out now and thank me later. http://s53.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=0XESQPBHND1T72RHNUSYHHTB65 Bob NP: Swimming Pool Q's, "I Like To Take Orders From You" Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 Mar 2006 11:15:02 +1200 From: hell@ihug.co.nz Subject: Re: Top 10, no top 20 Randy wrote: > Good catch, Mark! She's Cass Elliot's little > sister, and made two LPs for Columbia,now out of > print. The first, self titled (1979) is my > favorite, despite having an L.A. 'popish' kind of > sound. The usual suspects play:Korchmar, Sklar, > Andrew Gold, Russ Kunkel (her > hubby?). Russ Kunkel was married to Nicolette Larson (who sang with Neil Young a lot, and had a hit with "Lotta Love") until 1997 when she died from a cerebral edema. I did Google Leah Kunkel, but couldn't find any reference to Russ Kunkel, so the name might be coincidental? Mama Cass' "real" family name was Cohen, not Elliot, so Kunkel may well be a married name - note that Leah Kunkel is also a lawyer... http://www.jewsrock.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=words.view&wordid=AAE9F28E-F10D-4B34-9FD7E59F216B1BAB (Note: Joni mention in article!) Hell ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2006 #112 ***************************** ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here: mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------