From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2009 #22 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 Website: http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Wednesday, January 21 2009 Volume 2009 : Number 022 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: Hissing [Mark-Leon Thorne ] Re: Hissing [Bob.Muller@Fluor.com] Re: Judy and James honored - NJC ["Mark Scott" ] Re: Hissing [Dflahm@aol.com] oh canada a list of music for Obama [Mags ] Re: PETITION FOR SECRETARY OF THE ARTS - NJC [Em ] Re: oh canada a list of music for Obama [Rian Afriadi ] Re: NJC- congratulations, America! [Catherine McKay ] RE: Mini gathering in CA? (NJC) ["Watts, Lesli" ] Re: NJC- congratulations, America! ["Mark Scott" ] Re: NJC- congratulations, America! [Joseph Palis ] Re: NJC- congratulations, America! ["Cassy" ] Betty Lavette [NJC] [Bruce Eggleston ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:12:02 +1100 From: Mark-Leon Thorne Subject: Re: Hissing The one thing that could answer the question of the source of the hissing is, where was Joni at the time she wrote this song? Without looking it up, I assume Joni was in L.A. in 1974/5. The idea of lawn sprinklers makes perfect sense to me but, all these years, I assumed it was cicadas. It may well have been the influence of my own childhood that assumed that. Where I grew up, there were lots of lawn sprinklers too. In fact we had ours going pretty much all Summer long and used to pay around it. We didn't have one of those fancy ones that have a pattern to them, just an old one that continued in a circle and, sure there certainly was a hissing sound from a distance but the overwhelmingly dominant sound of Summer in the suburbs of Sydney was the cicada. I too used to pull their discarded shells from the trees. Obviously Joni wasn't in Sydney when she wrote THOSL but I had in my mind that the whole album is set in New York or, at least in the northeast somewhere. Harry's House might be in Scarsdale but his 30th floor office is definitely in Manhattan in my mind and, isn't the Pan Am building in Manhattan? The Hissing of Summer Lawns are in that same neighbourhood or at least nearby. Edith hung out at a Greenwich Village dive and the concrete jungle line runs through Harlem. The Boho zone is around Chelsea in my head. The idea of the cicada making the Summer hissing was confirmed for me when I saw a David Attenborough documentary that examined the lifestyle of the cicadas of the New England region. How strange that the New England region shares something in common with the suburbs of Sydney. Well, I guess it's not too far fetched. I would have thought Sydney had more in common with Los Angeles. Both very ubanised cities, similar climate and beach culture. They are really Summer cities and urban sprawls. So, where was Joni when she wrote The Hissing of Summer Lawns? I know that Joni had just come back to LA from the "Canadian backwoods" and wrote For The Roses but did she take off from there to the east coast? Mark in Sydney NP Harry's House - Joni ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:25:14 -0500 From: Bob.Muller@Fluor.com Subject: Re: Hissing Here's what Joni has to say (from her interview with Cameron Crowe in Rolling Stone, 1979): "The Hissing of Summer Lawns is a suburban album. About the time that album came around I thought, "I'm not going to be your sin eater any longer." So I began to write social description as opposed to personal confession. I met with a tremendous amount of resentment. People thought suddenly that I was secure in my success, that I was being a snot and was attacking them. The basic theme of the album, which everybody thought was so abstract, was just any summer day in any neighborhood **when people turn their sprinklers on** all up and down the block. It's just that hiss of suburbia." And while she was based in LA, this was her first album of mostly portraits ("In France They Kiss On Main Street" being an exception) as opposed to being autobiographical so her specific location is kind of irrelevant...like you say, some of it takes place on the west coast, some on the east, and like she says, it's "any neighborhood". Bob NP: Suzanne Vega, "Bad Wisdom" - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. - ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:31:22 -0800 From: "Mark Scott" Subject: Re: Judy and James honored - NJC - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jerry Notaro" To: "jon i" Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 3:02 PM Subject: Judy and James honored - NJC > James Taylor virtually invented the singer-songwriter genre ??? Oh really? Gotta love that hyperbole! Mark in Seattle ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:20:56 EST From: Dflahm@aol.com Subject: Re: Hissing Isn't there a line in "Edith...:" "small town, big man." I don't think Greenwich Village was the scene. To me, the album evoked many locations (as a well-traveled American, I'm susceptible to that). DAVID LAHM **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:21:38 -0800 (PST) From: Mags Subject: oh canada a list of music for Obama two of Joni's songs made the list. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2009/01/19/obama-playlist.html __________________________________________________________________ Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers and share what you know at http://ca.answers.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:23:24 -0800 (PST) From: Em Subject: Re: PETITION FOR SECRETARY OF THE ARTS - NJC - --- On Mon, 1/19/09, Cassy wrote: > The financial support > would be welcome by many artists but at what cost? they'd have to agree to let themselves be dragged through Turbulent Indigo..... Em ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:15:13 -0800 (PST) From: Rian Afriadi Subject: Re: oh canada a list of music for Obama Thanks Mags, for the update. I voted for Both Sides Now but i really wished Chinese Cafe was on the list.. Can't believe Sarah McLachlan's not there. (I suggest "Angel") Another suggestion (this one is for Former President Bush Junior) : Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know. ("And I'm here/ to remind you/ of the mess you left when you went away") Rian Congratulating America, but also reminding that it's just a beginning. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 15:29:45 +0000 (GMT) From: Lieve Reckers Subject: NJC- congratulations, America! Dear friends, I am surprised to find myself post on US politics.B Not that I'm not interested, but there are others among you, much better placed than me.B But I am sitting here watching live the inauguration, because there are certain historical events that are really well worth watching.B So often they are sad (state funerals, tragedies) but this one ranks with the moon landing in my experience: pure joy! I must say, not a Bush fan, but I am moved by the grace he has shown during the transition.B And I loved the gesture from Michelle Obama to Laura Bush, the ribboned present. But what made me jump and reach for my pen (right, keyboard!) is the pre-recorded message from Maya Angelou to Obama.B It was so moving, so warm, I just wanted to hug this wonderful woman.B For anyone who has not yet seen it, here it is: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/7838941.stm I'm not sure it shows in the same way on this clip, but the wide smile that spread through her face at the very end, just brought tears to my eyes and is the best thing I have seen for a long time.B I hope it warms you all in the same way. My goodness, these are tough times.B Gaza in ruins, war still going strong in so many places and hatred growing, every day more companies going to the wall and people out of work, savingsB disappearing, the BritishB pound down the drain... and still, today is a beautiful day.B I am grateful Lieve in London. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:23:14 -0800 (PST) From: Catherine McKay Subject: Re: NJC- congratulations, America! I'm watching on the TV in my office (CTV, one of our networks.) They're showing the past presidents come in. Bush Senior is looking VERY old - come to think of it, he probably IS very old. (His face doesn't look so old, but he moves with difficulty, and do you think he dyes his hair?) He has just greeted and been greeted and hugged by the Clintons. Clinton is looking good. I haven't felt this good about US politics since JFK and I was very young then - it has been a long time. It is good to see all the beaming faces on the streets. Just saw Jimmy Carter and didn't recognize him at first. My boss is buying us pizza and we're watching the inauguration ceremony together. Wow - look at all those people! - --- On Tue, 1/20/09, Lieve Reckers wrote: > Dear friends, > I am surprised to find myself post on US politics.B Not > that > I'm not interested, but there are others among you, > much better placed than > me.B But I am sitting here watching live the inauguration, > because there are > certain historical events that are really well worth > watching.B ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:20:31 -0800 (PST) From: Jeannie Subject: I can hardly believe my heart and eyes! New Morning by Bob Dylan Can't you feel that sun-a-shining? Ground hog runnin' by the country stream This must be the day that all my dreams come true Sooo happy just to be alive Underneath the sky of blue On this new morning, new morning On this new morning with you..and you..and you... So happy just to be alive Underneath the sky of blue On this new morning, new morning On this new morning with you. New morning... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:44:21 -0600 From: Michael Paz Subject: Happiness, Love, Peace, and Prosperity To All Hi Everybody- I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of the day. I wish everyone much Happiness, Love, Peace, and Prosperity with this dawning of a new era in our lives. I am filled with joy and emotion and wish I could give you all a big hug. I look forward to the future and feel like this is going to be some fun times ahead. Looking forward to seeing you all along the path soon. I am at home in New Orleans and am writing from Preservation Hall overlooking the courtyard. The band is in the Hall working on our next album which will be released before Jazz Fest. Luv Paz Michael Paz michael@thepazgroup.com Tour Manager Preservation Hall Jazz Band http://www.preservationhall.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:06:03 -0500 From: Bob.Muller@Fluor.com Subject: Re: Happiness, Love, Peace, and Prosperity To All NJC I was doing Meals on Wheels during my lunch hour today. All of our clients are black, and all of them had the TV's going and didn't even want to answer the door when I knocked. I went in to many of the homes to deliver the meals, and in most cases, held hands, exchanged hugs and shared the excitement of the day. As the average age of these folks is 70+, they have a sense of this day that I am not privy to as I have been priveleged my whole life and never given a back seat on a bus, a separate drinking fountain, etc. Given what this feels like for ME, what must it feel like for them? As the saying goes, when you find yourself in a deep hole, the first thing to do is STOP DIGGING. I feel like we have at least stopped digging. Bob NP: Paul Westerberg, "A Few Minutes Of Silence" - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. - ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:27:36 -0600 From: Michael Paz Subject: Re: Happiness, Love, Peace, and Prosperity To All NJC What an awesome way to spend this day. Michael Paz michael@thepazgroup.com Tour Manager Preservation Hall Jazz Band http://www.preservationhall.com On Jan 20, 2009, at 1:06 PM, Bob.Muller@Fluor.com wrote: I was doing Meals on Wheels during my lunch hour today. All of our clients are black, and all of them had the TV's going and didn't even want to answer the door when I knocked. I went in to many of the homes to deliver the meals, and in most cases, held hands, exchanged hugs and shared the excitement of the day. As the average age of these folks is 70+, they have a sense of this day that I am not privy to as I have been priveleged my whole life and never given a back seat on a bus, a separate drinking fountain, etc. Given what this feels like for ME, what must it feel like for them? As the saying goes, when you find yourself in a deep hole, the first thing to do is STOP DIGGING. I feel like we have at least stopped digging. Bob NP: Paul Westerberg, "A Few Minutes Of Silence" - ------------------------------------------------------------ The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain proprietary, business-confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this message you are hereby notified that any use, review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution, reproduction or any action taken in reliance upon this message is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender and may not necessarily reflect the views of the company. - ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:47:25 -0500 From: Vince Subject: njc the benediction I was so happy with Rev Lowry's benediction - especially because his opening words I could sing along with! They were verse 3 of Lift Every Voice and Sing God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou Who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou Who hast by Thy might, led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray. Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee. Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee. Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/i/liftevry.htm Vince ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:09:56 -0800 From: "Watts, Lesli" Subject: RE: Mini gathering in CA? (NJC) me too, except, i only have time for a micro mini fest. lesli np inaguaration ________________________________ From: owner-joni@smoe.org on behalf of tinkersown@ca.rr.com Sent: Wed 1/14/2009 7:27 AM To: joni@smoe.org Subject: Mini gathering in CA? (NJC) Count me in for the LA part, Ashara! *************************************************** Steve Dulson Costa Mesa CA tinkersown@ca.rr.com "The Living Tradition Concert Series" www.thelivingtradition.org "Folk Alliance Region - West" www.far-west.org ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:39:49 -0800 From: "Mark Scott" Subject: Re: NJC- congratulations, America! Geez, we didn't get to watch it and I live in the US! That's great, though, Catherine. I think this is a great day. Mark in Seattle - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Catherine McKay" To: "jonipeople LIST" ; "Lieve Reckers" Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 8:23 AM Subject: Re: NJC- congratulations, America! >> My boss is buying us pizza and we're watching the inauguration >> ceremony together. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:47:17 +0000 (GMT) From: Joseph Palis Subject: Re: NJC- congratulations, America! Despite the lovely snow that carpeted Chapel Hill today, classes still went on, and my own classes were right smack in the middle of the inauguration. Good thing my housemate TiVoed the whole thing and I watched most of it tonight. Great speech by the 44th president of the US of A -- impassioned without being cloying, and authoritative without being pompous. I was mesmerized by the simplicity and quiet dignity of the message. A few things: Aretha was an appropriate choice to sing for the occasion given her iconic stature in music and pop culture. However I thought her performance did not quite live up to the demands of the song. She was a little out of breath and her impressive vocal range wasn't in evidence. I like Aretha alright but the moment would have been cathartic had it been sung by a more accomplished singer. Or just get Jessye Norman or Barbara Hendricks. The trio of Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and clarinetist Anthony McGill provided the most sublime passage of music. So beautiful, a little dirge-like and subdued but what goose bumps it induced. Hope the promises will not be forgotten and hope the citizens will close ranks to help this charismatic leader rebuild a beleagueredB nation. Joseph in Chapel Hill np:B Tinariwen ~ Cler Achel ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:22:48 -0800 From: "Cassy" Subject: Re: NJC- congratulations, America! From: "Joseph Palis" <<< Aretha was an appropriate choice to sing for the occasion given her iconic stature in music and pop culture. However I thought her performance did not quite live up to the demands of the song. She was a little out of breath and her impressive vocal range wasn't in evidence. I like Aretha alright but the moment would have been cathartic had it been sung by a more accomplished singer. >>> I agree with your assessment completely regarding Aretha's performance, she did not aquit herself as well as we are accustomed to. I also was not pleased with Herbie Hancock's performance at the We Are One concert. His fingers might have been cold but I felt he was just mediochre. <<< The trio of Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman and clarinetist Anthony McGill provided the most sublime passage of music. So beautiful, a little dirge-like and subdued but what goose bumps it induced. >>> pianist Gabriela Montero was no slouch in her accompanyment of them either. The media haven't had a whole lot to criticize yet but were happy to jump on the bandwagon denigrating President Obama's speechwriters... bad grammar and no "standout phrase" they could grab on to and run with. (read... they didn't get their sound bite and they were bitching) I thought this made the speechwriters brilliant; providing no sound bite meant they had to rerun more of the speech, if they'd had their soundbite that's all we would have been fed on the news... personally I think this is a good thing. So... when we wake up tomorrow it will be a whole new world. Warmly, Cassy NP: Steely Dan - FM ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:11:53 -0700 From: Bruce Eggleston Subject: Betty Lavette [NJC] I had the thrill to see Bettye Lavette on Austin City Limits last summer and I was blown away. She is a great Blues Lady of the highest order. Her most recent album, "The Scene of the Crime" is a must buy. It is simply one of the best albums I have ever heard. It is produced by Patterson Hood of the Drive By Truckers and the Truckers back up Bettye for most the album. Do yourselves the favor if you have any feelings for Blues and buy this album. Bonneville Bruce NP - "Choices" - Bettye LaVette > Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:56:11 +0000 > From: Sherelle Smith > Subject: RE: njc, Quincy Jones writes about Obama; "We Are One" > concert at 7 p.m. EST > > Yes it is Mark!!! I can't believe I forgot about Betty Lavette and > Jon Bon > Jovi doing that wonderful duet!!! It blew my mind!!!! Many > (including me) who > went to the Joni Tribute Concert at Carnegie Hall a few years ago > got to stand > right next Betty Lavette and say hello! What a songstress!!! I > agree with you > that it was an inspiring concert!!! ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2009 #22 **************************** ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here: mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------