From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2014 #368 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 Monday, March 3 2014 Volume 2014 : Number 368 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: What? Criticize Joni? ["Mark" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2014 18:48:00 -0800 From: "Mark" Subject: Re: What? Criticize Joni? Hi Trish, I'm another one of those people who, when a computer first came into my house, the first thing I did was a search for 'Joni Mitchell'. The *only* thing that came up (this must have been 1995 or 1996) was a website created by Wally Breese. Wally was dedicated to filling the cyber gap of Joni-related information. The website included a 'Cafi', kind of a chat room where fellow Joni Mitchell fans could communicate with one another. Some of us that are still here actually got to know each other through that site. Then Les Irvin came along and created the Joni Mitchell Discussion list. I hopped on board and I have learned so much and enjoyed so many discussions, jokes, bits of information, Joni and non-Joni related conversation over the years. Joni first caught my ear with 'Court and Spark' and to tell you the truth, she sort of caught me off guard. I was about 20 years old, majoring in Theatre at a small university in Iowa and trying to cope with my sexual identity. I liked the sort of swing-era feel to the vocals at the beginning of 'Raised on Robbery' and, since Bette Midler had recorded 'Twisted', I was also interested in Joni's take on that song. What I wasn't prepared for was that Joni Mitchell seemed to be somehow seeing into my *soul* and reading my thoughts and feelings about my life. And doing it in such a beautiful way. I became hooked and started to explore her earlier stuff. 'Miles of Aisles' was heaven to me because it had such great performances of some of her best songs from 'Blue' and 'For the Roses'. 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns' was difficult to warm up to at first but eventually I began to realize that this was an artist who would continue to grow and not stay static. That made me respect her and I've tried to keep an open mind about everything she's done since. I live in a suburb of Seattle with the man I can now legally call my husband. His name is Travis and we have a cocker spaniel and four cats. It' not the type of suburb where there are swimming pools everywhere so I'm not looking at 'blue pools in the squinting sun'. I come from a middle class background, my parents were both born, raised and lived their entire lives in Keokuk, Iowa where I was born and where Joni's first ex, Chuck Mitchell lives now. A coincidence that tickles me no end. Sadly, Wally Breese had cancer and died some time before the turn of the millennium, I think. Les Irvin eventually took over Wally's beautiful creation and took it to the next level. It is now an amazingly comprehensive repository of all things Joni. I've met some of the wonderful people that have come and gone from this discussion list. Unfortunately, I have not been able to attend more than a few gatherings. To tell the truth, the larger ones intimidate me. I do much better with smaller groups. But the people I have become mostly cyber friends with are a great group. I still love 'Court and Spark' and have often said every word and note of it are etched in my brain. 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns' has become a favorite over the years as it's genius has unfolded for me. 'Hejira' is an amazing work that took me a long time to fully appreciate although I always loved it. 'Night Ride Home', 'Turbulent Indigo' and 'Taming the Tiger' are also favorites of mine. I also often get a serious case of diarrhea of the keyboard when I start to write. So maybe I should lift my hands and allow this already bloated post to fade out into cyber silence. Mark in Seattle - -----Original Message----- From: Trish Sent: Monday, March 03, 2014 8:23 AM To: Bob.Muller@Fluor.com Cc: joni@smoe.org Subject: Re: What? Criticize Joni? Dear Bob, Thanks for explaining. I think I understand salt and pepper discussion better though it wasn't what I expected. Joni Mitchell is about my favorite female singer song writer. I also like Carly Simon, Judy Collins, and Grace Slick. Joni inspires and calms me. Her words gets me thinking. These are a few of my favorite Joni things: Cotton Avenue, Lakota, Dreamland art, Ludwig's Tune and listening to any of her interviews. I love hearing Joni Mitchell talk. About me? Naturalist, Libra, lesbian, artist, player at guitar, live to hike. I lead winter walks so before you ask, no I don't get winters off. I was a science teacher early on then left for outdoors. Park naturalist is perfect still teach now field trip kids about the environment. Lots of preserves here. I need space so the outside is me. In all fairness tell me about you Mr. Bob. Patricia > On Mar 3, 2014, at 9:14 AM, Bob.Muller@Fluor.com wrote: > > club?! I just joined and am shocked at this first correspondence.> > > Hi Trish, and welcome to the JMDL. Don't be shocked by our candid honesty. While the praise for all things Joni far outweighs the scorn, we do from time to time pick on albums, songs, clothes choices, hair styles, smoking, and other stuff. Most of us that post here have been friends for a LONG time. > > There are some groups that forbid any negativity about the artist and put him/her on an untouchable pedestal. This ain't one of them. This is a discussion list, not a fan club. > > Tell us more about yourself if you wish and your favorite Joni things. > > Bob > > NP (Now Playing): Lightnin' Hopkins, "Bottle Up And Go" > ------------------------------------------------------------ > 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. > ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2014 #368 ***************************** ------- To post messages to the list,sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------