From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2011 #469 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://jmdl.com JMDL Digest Thursday, November 10 2011 Volume 2011 : Number 469 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Judy Collins on Joni: "She's a difficult woman" ["kbhla" Subject: Judy Collins on Joni: "She's a difficult woman" Loved reading all the great and very insightful posts on this subject and agree with all. Also loved Terra's coining of the new term "pseudo Myrtles" heehee! That is just perfect! I guess that we do kind of invoke our "Myrtle" side with Joni at times! But I also know it's just because we love her so much. Years ago around here, and before I ever met Joni, I would always defend her when something controversial would come up in some interview and people would get upset and (to me) jump to all kinds of conclusions. Words on a flat piece of paper, whether from first or second hand, are sometimes so inadequate and so often misunderstood, especially when they are originating from someone like Joni who loves to talk at length about everything and who is so real. It is said that words alone are the least factor in communication - body language is the most important factor, followed by tone of voice, inflection and facial expression. Unless you can observe all factors in full, much meaning and context is likely to be lost. Before I ever was so lucky to meet Joni, I really imagined that she would be very aloof and imperious in person. I was beyond surprised on meeting her to find that she was nothing at all like that and was also happily shocked that her personality was so much like someone you've known all your life - "one of the gang". No affectations, no public "star" persona, no polite and perfuntory niceties just because you are a fan. I've met and talked with her three times. Each time she was authentically herself, in the moment and very animated and funny, in addtion to also being genuinely warm and friendly. Oh, and she LOVES to talk and talk and talk (which is a great bonus!). That combination of high genius and high ordinariness makes her very extraordinary. I think some of her words (that sometimes come across as so critical and a bit scalding) might be interpreted differently if experienced in person. I experienced her as very witty and wry in an entertaining, but not at all snarky way. She just seems to like to ramble, and talk and free associate a lot. I agree with Rick's comment about a "wink and a smile." I also agree with Rick that, despite her ordinariness, she is riduculously famous and loved and it all must be overwhelming, and probably unhealthy, at times to have to live too much in "that world". Does she act up and lose her temper at times and sometimes get all crazy? Well, sure she does! Just like most regular people (or at least myself and people I know)! I have never thought she owes me anything. I'm always amazed at anything she has chosen to put out there for us in the past couple of decades. This was brought home to me again while experiencing the almost supernaturally beautiful and perfect Mutts of the Planet tribute on Sunday. We've all listened to Joni's music endlessly for most of our lives. We sings her songs 24/7 for days on end at Jonifests and gatherings. But there was something about the performances on Sunday that evoked in me some kind of lifelong flashback of Joni's life and accomplishments. Two thoughts predominated - one, it is startling in retrospect to know that Joni wrote these songs and music when she was only in her 20s and early 30s, and two, how amazing it was for her to go on all those big tours around the country in '98 with Bob and Van when she was freaking 55 years old and hadn't toured in 15 years!! Bonus points to Joni for also doing the concert tours in 2000 with a full orchestra. Throw in a number of art exhibits, collaborations with other artists and producing a ballet in Canada and the U.S. Maybe there will be more at some point (one can always hope) but wow, what she has already accomplished in her life well exceeds any reasonable expectations! Kakki ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2011 #469 ***************************** ------- To post messages to the list, send to joni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------