From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2013 #16 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 2 2013 Volume 2013 : Number 016 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: Joni Covers #157 - Oceans of Rivers [Anita Subject: Re: Joni Covers #157 - Oceans of Rivers I was just remembering the woman herself commenting on her ability to write Christmas songs on PWWM when (to the melody of 'Have yourself a Merry little Christmas) Joni drops her voice an octave and sings 'Have yourself a morbid little Christmas'. It always makes me laugh and she sings it with humour and irony. Anita x On 2 Jan 2013, at 17:41, Dave Blackburn wrote: > Well it is OUR most viewed Youtube from our Blue/C&S concert. 1206 views as of today, far ahead of any of the others. I have to attribute that to Christmas just happening. > > On Jan 2, 2013, at 7:44 AM, Susan Tierney McNamara wrote: > >> I love when conjectures are backed up with facts!!!! Thanks, Bob. I think >> traditionally holiday songs were thought to be inspirational or fun (whether >> in the religious or secular sense) ... but more often than not there is a >> sense during the holiday season that not everyone is happy and not everyone is >> surrounded by loved ones ... it's another aspect of traditional Christmas >> themes that we think of people who may be lonely, ill or impoverished. I'm >> reminded of one of my favorite Gordon Lightfoot songs, Circle of Steel, which >> could be considered a holiday song in this respect. >> >> Susan Tierney McNamara >> email: sem8@cornell.edu >> >> From: Bob.Muller@fluor.com [mailto:Bob.Muller@fluor.com] >> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2013 10:18 AM >> To: Susan Tierney McNamara >> Cc: JMDL >> Subject: RE: Joni Covers #157 - Oceans of Rivers >> >> What is the consensus here of River as a traditional Christmas song?> >> >> I think your answer possibly depends on what constitutes a "traditional" >> Christmas song...it's an interesting and timely question, as I was just >> thinking about River covers this very morning. I would answer the question >> with a resounding YES and I would define the phrase as a song that has become >> associated with the holiday season. This association has happened as an >> unintentional trend which is why, I suppose, along with its melancholy theme >> makes it a somewhat controversial holiday song. >> >> To the best of my knowledge, the first cover of the song was in 1973 by Dave >> von Ronk. As far as I can tell, the first inclusion of River as a SEASONAL >> song occurred in 1991 with Wintergreen's release titled "Winter". In 1999/2000 >> (about the time I started the project), at least TEN recordings came out on >> holiday/christmas albums, along with a couple unreleased from holiday >> specials. Fast forward to this year and last, there were 30 official releases >> of River as a Christmas/Seasonal song, and many more unreleased. >> >> Just go to Youtube, do a search for "Joni Mitchell" for the last month, and >> 90% of the videos are all people covering River (of varying quality I might >> add). >> >> Whether we like it or not, or agree or not, the fact is that River HAS become >> a traditional Christmas/Holiday song. Because of that, it has vaulted to the >> #3 spot as the most-covered Joni song, and this time next year (or sooner) it >> will overtake BYT and become #2. Don't think it'll ever take over the #1 spot >> though! >> >> Bob >> >> >> ---- >> ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2013 #16 **************************** ------- To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------