From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2012 #1846 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 Thursday, December 20 2012 Volume 2012 : Number 1846 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: I think i understand [Catherine McKay ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2012 07:41:25 -0800 (PST) From: Catherine McKay Subject: Re: I think i understand The thing is, "Clouds" is the first Joni album I ever heard, and the first I ever bought. (Directly after hearing it, though, I went out and got "Song to a seagull".) At the time, it was the best thing I had ever heard, by anyone, ever. It was like Joni understood my soul, when I wasn't even sure if I did. Looking at when it came out, assuming I got it shortly after its release, I was probably about 16 at the time, and I think we all know how difficult being that age, or thereabouts, can be. And, yes, even today, "I think I understand" is an excellent song. The line, "I *think* I understant" is very tentative; likewise, following the lyrics (though the wilderland) are similarly tentative, and so, to my ears, is the way Joni sings it. Or maybe it's the way I hear it, but I do hear a very slight hesitation on the words "Fear is... like a .... wilderland," sort of like she is thinking about what she's going to say next, and sort of like she really is picking her way across stepping stones through some very dangerous territory. I really don't know why I don't listen to this album very much at all these days. I keep thinking that it has to do with maybe hearing "Both sides now" yet again, and thinking, "Jeez, I don't want to hear that one again!" and yet, when I do listen to it, I'm still sucked in by its beauty. I really think that I could do without "Roses blue" and "The Pirate of Penance", ""Songs to aging children come" and "The Fiddle and the Drum." I would have to be in the mood (not necessarily the same mood) for "Chelsea Morning" and "The Gallery" and "BSN" (yikes! an acronym!) but, if I were to create my own have-to-listen playlist for songs from this album, it would include "tin Angel," "I don't know...", "That song..." and "I think I understand." To which I would like to add "Urge for going" because it feels right to me on that album. I've never played the alternate tunings version because, when I first learned this song, I didn't know about alt tunings (some of us are just a bit slow that way) and now I'm just too damn lazy to detune the guitar, much less play it, but I suppose it's worth a try. I will never forget Anita's lovely version of this either, so I kind of think of it as her song now, so, maybe not. I think at this time of year, and given recent tragic events and constant tragic events all across the world, I think we could all use a bit of the light that keeps a traveller sane. >________________________________ > From: Oddmund Kaarevik >To: joni@smoe.org; Bob.Muller@fluor.com >Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2012 8:41:10 AM >Subject: I think i understand > >I totally agree Bob. >I recently heard it myself. >It is so beautiful. >Clouds is one of the albums I don't have >sort of under my skin, but I was amazed by some >of the songs. I think i understand I have >to give it another go. > >Wish you all the best for the holiday season. > >Oddmund ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2012 #1846 ****************************** ------- To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------