From: les@jmdl.com (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #275 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: les@jmdl.com Errors-To: les@jmdl.com Precedence: bulk Archives: http://www.smoe.org/lists/onlyjoni Websites: http://www.jmdl.com http://www.jonimitchell.com Unsubscribe: mailto:onlyjoni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe onlyJMDL Digest Monday, July 3 2000 Volume 2000 : Number 275 The 'Official' Joni Mitchell Homepage, created by Wally Breese, can be found at http://www.jonimitchell.com. It contains the latest news, a detailed bio, Original Interviews, essays, lyrics and much much more. --- The JMDL website can be found at http://www.jmdl.com and contains interviews, articles, the member gallery, archives, and much more. --- Ashara has set up a "Wally Breese Memorial Fund" with all donations going directly towards the upkeep of the website. Wally kept the website going with his own funds. it is now up to US to help Jim continue. If you would like to donate to this fund, please make all checks payable to: Jim Johanson and send them to: Ashara Stansfield P.O. Box 215 Topsfield, MA. 01983 USA ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- ashara crowned JMDL queen (SJC) ["Takats, Angela" ] Joni review from the Ottawa Citizen ["Kakki" ] Syntax Police Catch One ["Jim L'Hommedieu" ] Re: Syntax Police Catch One [MDESTE1@aol.com] Re: Joni on 12 string question [Howard ] Re: more joni coverage [Phyliss Ward ] Re: more joni coverage [AsharaJM@aol.com] Copy of Letter to Mendell [John Downes ] Re: Joni's 80s paintings link ["Kakki" ] Re: Unheard Joni Albums [B Merrill ] Re: more joni coverage ["Kakki" ] Re: Joni on 12 string question ["Kakki" ] Joni in stoon [evian ] Re: Just like this train [CaTGirl627@aol.com] Joni and "clouds" [Relayer211@aol.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 17:20:43 +1000 From: "Takats, Angela" Subject: ashara crowned JMDL queen (SJC) HOWDY LISTERS I've been enjoying reading all about the exciting news from Canada with the joni exhibit....how fantastic that so many listers had a chance to get 'up close and personal' with our gorgeous Joan!!! Congradulations Ashara - for becoming the JMDL star on local radio and TV...what a woman! and thanks to all the listers who have described their moments with joni and other JMDLers. Once again, I'm feeling the frustration of living so far away.....PLEASE listers, if ANYONE, is considering coming 'down under' for the Olympics and wants to catch up with some Aussie listers...let me know....we may not have JM art exhibitions, and we certainly don't have the woman herself....BUT, I can show you around our beautiful city...and will even put on a mini-joni concert for you!!!!!...(now if that's not an insentive - i don't know what is ;-) Ange Sydney PS...for those listers who responded to my 'job search over the world' email....just letting you know that Canada is now looking the best place for me to move to...I believe I can apply for a working permit there...whereas it's pretty much impossible for me to work in the US, cos it's so hard to get a greencard ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 01:18:33 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Joni review from the Ottawa Citizen I found the review - the author is a bit snipe-y but it's a descriptive and entertaining read. The article and a cool photo of Joni in the gallery with her ciggie and straw hat at http://www.ottawacitizen.com/national/000701/4375662.html Kakki ******** Canadian icon Joni Mitchell's first art show is a roaring success Paul Gessell The Ottawa Citizen SASKATOON - When singer Joni Mitchell is having a "mystical" moment, she grabs a rolling pin or perhaps some fruit juice jars and uses these unusual implements to smear paint on a canvas. At least, that's what Saskatoon's favourite daughter did a few years back, she confessed yesterday, when she was painting abstracts. Now, she's more into figurative, highly autobiographical work in the rough circular brush strokes reminiscent of the 19th century Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh. These are the kinds of images we have seen for years on her album covers not even realizing they were created by the musician herself. And now, we can see the originals of those album covers, other van Gogh-like images and the rolling pin abstracts in Ms. Mitchell's first-ever art exhibition in her native Canada. The much ballyhooed retrospective, entitled "Voices," opened yesterday at the Mendel Art Gallery, in hometown Saskatoon, amid fanfare normally reserved for a monarch or the Pope. The show contains more than 80 paintings and photographs and finally allows Canadians an opportunity to view both sides of the singer-artist, whose latest CD of torch songs is, appropriately, called Both Sides Now. The art, along with personal appearances (but no musical performances) by the 56-year-old artist, has spawned a long weekend of what the local daily, The Star-Phoenix, has branded "Mitchell-mania." There are tales of 80-year-olds driving from New Brunswick to see the paintings and reports of fans flying in from practically every state and province. Streets around the Mendel were closed hours in advance of the opening to accommodate the 5,000 people expected to line up yesterday evening for a peek at the paintings and the artist. A party outside the Mendel, on the bank of the South Saskatchewan River, was scheduled to last until midnight. Premier Roy Romanow and various other bigwigs planned to attend. Ms. Mitchell arrived diva-like and a fashionably 30 minutes late for the exhibition's pre-opening news conference. Journalists had been forbidden from viewing the works until Ms. Mitchell arrived because she wanted to "tweak" something in the exhibition space, a gallery official confided. Ms. Mitchell immediately demanded an ashtray so she could smoke in the gallery despite strict rules forbidding such a practice. An ashtray was quickly found. It was soon filled with butts. For an hour, Ms. Mitchell was alternately witty and snarky. She was, at times, self-deprecating about her art, recalling a badly done van Gogh-like portrait she once painted of singer Leonard Cohen. ("I gave it to a friend and his house burned down.") Sometimes, she compared herself to Picasso, as she is constantly seeking new "periods" to reinvent her art, both visually and musically. And to one young journalist who asked about prairie influences in her work, Ms. Mitchell snapped that anyone who looked at her art could see those influences. She perhaps forgot that the journalists had not yet had an opportunity to view her work. Ms. Mitchell dabbled in art since childhood but did not really become serious until 1977. "In the early '70s, I was given a camera by (singer) Graham Nash, a good camera -- a Leicaflex," Ms. Mitchell writes in the exhibition catalogue. "After that I put down the sketchbook and photographed everything in sight -- even the cross fades in movies. I didn't paint again until 1977 when a serious illness put me in the hospital for about a month and predatory doctors threatened to take out some things that I really needed. In protest, I ordered art supplies to be sent to my hospital room and I painted a series of works I call The Delirium Paintings ... some of which I don't understand." We are told by Ms. Mitchell that she considers herself a visual artist first and a singer second. ("I've got a hundred paintings in me as we speak -- more than songs.") Well, we know she can sing. But can she paint? Some of the rolling pin abstracts are stunning and can hold their own against most of the competition out there, although some are done in garish, luminescent tones that seem more nouveau riche than high art. The more recent figurative works are perhaps best left on album covers but, as objects of curiosity, can't be beat, considering who painted them and that many are self-portraits. Two self-portraits used on the CD Both Sides Now are among the best figurative works. One shows Ms. Mitchell's face, the other her back. Shown side by side, they are quite unforgettable. One figurative work, Idle, shows a lone figure perched on a rock pondering a sunset. It looks like Maxfield Parrish trying to paint like van Gogh and is quite silly, really. And then there's B.C. Forest, which looks like Emily Carr on a bad day. Nevertheless, this will likely be one of the best attended art shows in Canada this summer. And, despite it's flaws, is more interesting and far fresher than one more blockbuster exhibition of French impressionist retreads. Voices continues until Sept. 17. The gallery is free and open daily. There is a possibility of a national tour but it seems that could be a year or more away. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 04:45:52 -0400 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu" Subject: Syntax Police Catch One Hey nuriel, You forgot to 'close' your parenthetical phrases! You have to pay attention to the details, man! Details! nuriel (Ada's son) said, AJFJSGODGHASIZSIOVWEIFRHOOWEGFOSHXCOFJXSODOVGFSOCFNHFHFJZGGJXGJGEPGJKKVJ;[PT JGJW[GVJDFOPGHPDOPGSSJVGASOCGKASHBFABQDBBDAIFCBZAIZUIAIAGCBVAIAUICZAUHXGAJUI AJZAHCBJUIzaZJZCBZJZNCBJZajHXCJajZHCZJZHCBZJZJCJZZXZSZXZXKIZXKCVHZSKJHZXKKCV AKJCHXKKIhcxlzchalnslZ All the best, Jim L'Hommedieu near Cincinnati np: Beth Patterson, whom I saw in Paz'es band and in a solo performance at JoniFest- New Orleans, during the benefit for the Ruth Paz Foundation. I liked her stuff so well, I bought her CD. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 08:15:59 EDT From: MDESTE1@aol.com Subject: Re: Syntax Police Catch One Its getting to where we ENDURIEL NURIEL. marcel ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 11:06:34 +0100 From: Howard Subject: Re: Joni on 12 string question James Phillips: <> Joni definitely used 12-strings. Nearly all of the guitar tracks on Don Juan's Reckless Daughter are played on a 12-string, and there are other tracks from other albums that use 12-strings as well. Can't recall them all right now, but I think Sweet Bird uses 12-string (as well as 6 string), Raised on Robbery may use 12-string ... and I'm sure there are others! I vaguely remember a section from a book that describes Joni asking if she could play someone's (David Crosby's? Peter Fonda's?) 12 string guitar. This was from the early times, before Joni had recorded her first album. It says something like "so, she picked up my 12-string, detunes the f**k out of it, and starts to play the most amazing music ...". Howard ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 07:04:27 -0700 From: "P. Henry" Subject: saskatoon tv I realize this may have been posted already but there is a realplayer online newsblurb on the exibit if anyone is interested. it can be found at: http://sask.cbc.ca/tv/rams/arts_reel/artsreel.ram it seems like it's a little behind the times compared with the reports we've been getting. the one running now is the pre-exibit coverage with interview of the director, etc.; the next update will probably show the opening ceremonies, crowd and hopefully Joni herself. FWIW, pat Angelfire for your free web-based e-mail. http://www.angelfire.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 07:19:28 -0700 From: Phyliss Ward Subject: Re: more joni coverage Kakki wrote: > While searching around I also noticed that Raffalle and Jamie have put > together a beautiful website on her 80s paintings that can be accessed > through the JM Home Page! Several of the paintings most of us have never > seen before and some are fantastic, IMO! For those who want some > consolation for not being there in person, check it out. Where can I find this!!! - -- Phyliss mailto:pward@datacourse.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 10:38:19 EDT From: AsharaJM@aol.com Subject: Re: more joni coverage Kakki wrote: <> Most of the listers are going back today, and a few went back yesterday, so you should be receiving more thoughts about Saskatoon from them soon. I think every person from our group had some sort of close and personal contact, even if it was just a touch on the shoulder. Unfortunately, I did not have a chance to ask Joni about Topsfield. There wasn't really an opportunity for that. Yesterday, I had a long conversation with Joni's friend Val about all things metaphysical and spiritual. He is a nice guy, and we had a really interesting conversation. Sal and I are leaving Saskatoon today after one more visit to the Mendel for a last look at the paintings. I am so looking forward to getting this video tape into all your hands! Branches, please don't forget to send 2 blank tapes so they are ready for me when I get back! Hugs, Ashara www.photon.net/lightnet ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 10:08:47 -0600 From: John Downes Subject: Copy of Letter to Mendell Hello JMDLers, Although the gala opening at the gallery was indeed a very special evening, it was not without its flaws. One flaw was that Joni kept getting mobbed by people who wanted autographs, and then she would flee the scene in what looked like panic, escorted by her close friends. I felt that this was very unfortunate and could have been easily fixed, however I wondered if the lack of an organized signing session was Joni's request, or an oversight by the gallery. I wrote the following letter to the curator. Dear Mr. Hebert: I write this letter to thank you for your hard work in preparing the excellent exhibition of Joni's visual art. The layout of the galleries was wonderful, as was the lighting and the graphics. All in all, a very welcoming design. I particularly liked the "Wild Things Run Fast" hanging in the entryway. For many Joni Mitchell fans, we only knew her art work as that which has graced the covers of her albums and CDs. Who knew that the scope of her work included abstracts and collage-like visual imagery? For me, that revealed another side of this multi-talented artist. My only regret concerning the opening gala evening was that there was no provision for Joni to sign autographs of the catalogue book, or the posters, etc.. I don't know if this was the gallery's decision, or Joni's, but it was rather frustrating to see her enter a gallery only to be whisked away shortly afterward because she was signing upon request of her fans, but also getting mobbed. Surely if a table had been set up for her and rope barriers set up to create a line-up area, the whole evening would have been less stressful for both Joni and those wishing to have an autograph. You know us Canadians, like sheep, we respond to cue lines in an orderly fashion. I would have liked to have seen this rather than a slightly panic-stricken Joni racing away from the unorganized mob surrounding her. If Joni herself did not feel that it would be necessary to organize a way to meet the public in this manner, and that she could just wade into the crowd like anyone else, then she vastly underestimates her own fame and the high regard in which people hold her. We can't change the past, but it would be nice to know why the above situation took place, even if it is just so that I can pass the information on to the JMDL people. In closing, I hope that the exhibition continues to be successful throughout the summer for you. I am sure that it will be a big draw for summer tourists. Once again, many thanks for bringing this exhibition of the work of Joni Mitchell to Canada. Sincerely, John A. Downes Edmonton, AB ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 09:13:39 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: Joni's 80s paintings link Phyliss asked where to find the web site of Joni paintings created by Raffaele and Jamie. I found the link given by Jim J. under the "News" section of JoniMitchell.com It is titled "Diary of a Decade 1980-1990" The painting of one of your lithos is included, Phyliss, along with many "new" ones. Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 11:49:22 -0400 From: B Merrill Subject: Re: Unheard Joni Albums Well, in truth, someone wrote me directly wishing she had been under that window!, since she had now worn out her vinyl copy after years of devoted playing... You never know what wonderful things may descend from the skies. belatedly, Bruce At 04:49 PM 06/24/2000 +0100, you wrote: >> I was so bummed by >> Hejira that I tossed it out the window after two listens > >Lots of laughs. I hope nobody was passing when you threw that record >out the window. By the way on a great Radio 4 documentary a while ago >called The Jaco Pastoious Story, Joni talked about how she discovered >him before he became known with the Weather Report gig etc. > >Philip ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 09:47:50 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: more joni coverage Thanks so much, Ashara, for all your great reports. The events you captured on video sound absolutely priceless!! It is wonderful of you to share it with the group. Looking forward to more reports when everyone returns home to their keyboards! ;-) Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 10:06:42 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: Joni on 12 string question Thanks, Howard - this is very interesting to me. I always thought she used the 12 string for several of the songs on the early albums, but had no idea she used it in the "middle period" albums, too, especially on DJRD. > I vaguely remember a section from a book that describes >oni asking if she could play someone's (David Crosby's? >Peter Fonda's?) 12 string guitar. This was from the early >times, before Joni had recorded her first album. >It says something like "so, she picked up my 12-string, >detunes the f**k out of it, and starts to play the most >amazing music ...". It's a quote from an interview with Fonda in Croz's bio "Long Time Gone". It's too hard to look up exact details because the book doesn't have an index, but I think Fonda was talking about the first time he met her at Crosby's house. Speaking of de-tuning, I finally attempted my first foray into the world of alternate tunings the other night and promptly busted my first guitar string in years! Guess I'm properly initiated now ;-D When I was a teenager during the years of Joni's first albums, I dreamed all the time of owning a 12-string but the cost was prohibitive. A lot of teenagers back then went to buy their guitars in the border town of Tijuana, Mexico, where, if you searched diligently, you could actually find some pretty wonderful ones at a fraction of the cost in the U.S. I remember making 2-3 trips just to find an inexpensive 12 string but never found a one there. A friend at the time played Joni on her 12 string and they always sounded more "true" to me than when played on a 6 string. Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 02 Jul 2000 11:26:50 -0600 From: evian Subject: Joni in stoon Hey folks, I don't have time to post -- just running out the door again for the family reunion, but I just have to say that my picture with Joni turned out!!!! I keep saying when I show people "this is my friend, Joan".... lol, I am such a dork. Anyway, it was amazing but I don't have time to post right now about it, but I just had to say it was amazing. Evian ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 15:46:55 EDT From: CaTGirl627@aol.com Subject: Re: Just like this train In a message dated 6/30/2000 1:22:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time, catrin_of_aragon@yahoo.ca writes: << C'mon, pissed? She's just teasing him. I think she means it in a very loving way, like someone who intends to be around for the duration and she's going to love him with or without hair! If she had said, "Watching your waistline expand, my fat-assed darling", that might be another story! Hee-hee. >> possibly however, whe does say VAIN darling. And then she says watching your hair and clouds and stars, I'm rocking away in a sleeping car, JEALOUS lovin' will make you crazy. It is playful but yet pissy like "I love you but you are such a cad, and I become so jealous of your womanizing, that this is MY prophecy. Catgirl ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 2 Jul 2000 23:43:06 EDT From: Relayer211@aol.com Subject: Joni and "clouds" I don't understand why Joni dislikes "Clouds"!There are so many woonderful songs on that album such as "Chelsea morning","Both sides now","I think I understand","I don't know where I stand","That song about the midway" ect...The songs seem almost as personal as "Blue" to me.I read an interview where she said the songs were too much like CSNY.but what's wrong with that?she liked their music.why shouldn't she be influenced by them?and her voice at that time was so beautiful. ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #275 ********************************* ------- Post messages to the list at ------- Siquomb, isn't she?