From: les@jmdl.com (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #277 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 Wednesday, July 5 2000 Volume 2000 : Number 277 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: -------- Re: Not to Blame [B Merrill ] Re: Not to Blame [Deb Messling ] I too was at the Mendel opening/Sask. [Hejira924@aol.com] hello looking for cd #1 [ZUMABM@aol.com] RE: Not to Blame ["Nikki Johnson" ] Re: saskatoon tv [Heather ] Being in Alberta [Heather ] Congrats to Mendel attendees! [Heather ] Re: Congrats to Mendel attendees! [pat holden ] Re: Congrats to Mendel attendees! [AngelinoCoyote@aol.com] Re: hello looking for cd #1 [Mark Domyancich ] Re: Congrats to Mendel attendees! [Heather ] Re: hello looking for cd #1 [Heather ] Re: Not to Blame [IVPAUL42@aol.com] Joni in Newsweek [Martie Dunn ] Joni is not to blame [Louis Lynch ] Just got back from N.C.sjc [RoseMJoy@aol.com] your pix ["Wally Kairuz" ] For the roses review ["James Phillips" ] Re: L.A. vs open prarie ["Kakki" ] Re: Joni in Newsweek ["Paul Pennington" ] saskatoon high (pt.1-very long) [susan+rick ] Re: For the roses review [Brian Gross ] Re: saskatoon high [Brian Gross ] the nickel chief goes berserk ["Michael Bird" ] Hellos and Sk'toon tidbits. [Richard Rice ] Re: Catalogues from the Mendel. [Richard Rice ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 07:39:09 -0400 From: B Merrill Subject: Re: Not to Blame Kakki, Well, You are less on the other side of the coin than you suppose. ....... Plus, if it can be proved that what she is saying about >Jackson is true, then it is may not slander or libel. If Jackson wants to >sue her, he has to show that it is not true. I doubt either of them want to >step into that can of worms. I agree. To say that Jackson might sue for libel is not to suppose that what she said wasn't true. He may have more of an action for defamation, >emotional distress, etc. if anything. > >I think she wanted to make a point about women who are abused. I agree. I think that >motive superceded her concern about other factors. Why does Jackson get so >enraged about it if it isn't true? Here it appears that we agree that it is true. Yes? If the only factual similarities are >that his wife committed suicide and his son was a young boy at the time? But this strikes me as a extraordinary factual similarity. And when you combine that line with the one about beating a "beauty"... it adds up. I'm sure all the LA in crowd could put that those two together-- and she knew they would. She chose to "put the boot in." And Maybe it was deserved? And maybe she still is glad she nailed JB? That he was a violent selfish SOB who deserved her cruelty, her anima rising? Who knows? Not me. But I do say-- in any event-- that to publically proclaim that someone drove their wife/husdand to suicide is an extremely aggressive accusation. >It's almost like saying Joni shouldn't write about any controversial subject >because she might offend one of her past or present friends who personally >were involved in similar controversial subjects. I'm sure we all admire Joni for writing about those larger issues: political, ecological, feminist, global. Her embrace is wide. >Just looking at other sides of this coin. And that's what communication is about, dear Kakki. - --thanks for yours, Bruce NP: Martinu: Frescos PS Big Thanks to all for these great breathless reports from Saskatoon! Sometimes I'm sorry that Joni moved to crowded LA with all the other in crowd types, and that she didn't cultivate her genius on the uncrowded Northern Plains of Canada. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 08:13:54 -0400 From: Deb Messling Subject: Re: Not to Blame At 07:39 AM 7/4/00 -0400, you wrote: >PS Big Thanks to all for these great breathless reports from Saskatoon! >Sometimes I'm sorry that Joni moved to crowded LA with all the other in >crowd types, and that she didn't cultivate her genius on the uncrowded >Northern Plains of Canada. Yeah, and I'm sorry she didn't move to surburban New Jersey! (Really, Joni, you'd like it here!) I, too, have been awestruck by the Saskatoon reports and more than a little jealous. I've had two Saskatoon dreams! Deb Messling messling@enter.net http://www.enter.net/~messling/ ~I like cats. They give the home a heartbeat. / Joni Mitchell ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 09:36:30 EDT From: Hejira924@aol.com Subject: I too was at the Mendel opening/Sask. Hi to all JMDL members who were sitting in front of the Mendel Art Gallery before Joni and the dignitaries appeared before the opening. I was sitting to your left on the grass wearing my Turbulent Indigo t-shirt (little did I know how prominent that painting would be in the exhibit) and a black cap. Saw all of you taking photos of each other, but knew in this "Dog Eat Dog" world to stay focused on moving to the front once she appeared. Took some photos of her through the crowd. Right before going through the doors of the gallery, I saw Bill and Myrtle standing on the side, took a photo of them, and said, "thank you for giving the world such a wonderful gift - your daughter!" Bill, replied to me with a smile, "I like your shirt!" My few days in Saskatchewan were completely absorbing, all of the Prairie energy that has influenced Joni in her art. I found out that Cherokee Louise's Broadway Bridge has nothing to do with New York, where I am from! Drove through the countryside on Saturday to photograph the sign "Baljennie Road>," and while I didn't find a coyote there, a man with his family in a car on the way to some Canada Day activity asked me if I was OK, as I was stopped on along a somewhat deserted road. I answered, "I'm fine, I just wanted to see the place mentioned in Joni Mitchell's song 'Coyote." This geographical fact completely surprised him, and I told him they really must see the Mendel show. Thank you to all of Sask. for making me feel whole with Joni. Thank you also to Kate of Edmonton, who I met with her son, Amo, and encouraged me to join the JMDL - if you read this, Kate, please reply to me at Hejira924@aol.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 09:42:19 EDT From: ZUMABM@aol.com Subject: hello looking for cd #1 hello and good morning . can any one help me out i missed out on the joni tree . cd#1. can someone help me out thank-you and have a great 4 th. thanks brian ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 10:12:52 -0400 From: "Nikki Johnson" Subject: RE: Not to Blame Kakki wrote: > If true, wouldn't publically "admitting" it is about Jackson > Browne be 1,000 > times crueler to him? As the song now stands, he is not named and the > character in the song could be about scores of abusive men out > there. I just wanted to add in here that as a writer sometimes it's easier to get these thoughts out in a song or poem and it can actually have quite an effect. The person will have the song around forever, I mean look we're still discussing it. In a way kind of haunting the person. So I don't necessecarily think it is less cruel to sing about it in a publicly known song then to say it. Also as you mentioned she has an out if she needs it this way too. Take care Nikki ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 10:28:50 -0400 From: Heather Subject: Re: saskatoon tv Thanks for this , Pat! When I accessed this, it was quite blurry. Is there something I can do to get a better reception? Thanks - Heather At 07:04 AM 7/2/00 -0700, P. Henry wrote: > 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: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 10:43:43 -0400 From: Heather Subject: Being in Alberta I will be in Alberta in late July and early August. We plan on being in Waterton for a while, Banff and then Jasper. Then over to Edmonton. If there are any JMDLers in these areas and you want to get together please e-mail me privately. Heather (sorry for the no NJC - didn't want to miss anyone :-) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 10:46:14 -0400 From: Heather Subject: Congrats to Mendel attendees! Just want to say congratulations to all those who got to meet Joni. From all the reports it sounds like our lady of duality was much more comfortable being around her artwork. What I wouldn't give to speak with her about different painting techniques! Does anyone know if this exhibit will tour? Maybe just around Canada? Heather ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 11:00:19 -0500 From: pat holden Subject: Re: Congrats to Mendel attendees! <<>>> Heather...I dont think they have made a decision yet as to whether or not this exhibit will tour..I sure hope so!!! I hope it comes to Toronto...or Ottawa. keeping my fingers crossed. Mags, near Toronto. _~O / /\_, ___/\ /_ - ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 12:00:54 EDT From: AngelinoCoyote@aol.com Subject: Re: Congrats to Mendel attendees! In a message dated 7/4/00 7:53:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time, luvart@snet.net writes: << Does anyone know if this exhibit will tour? Maybe just around Canada? >> Good Morning Heather: I spoke yesterday with one the ever-helpful docent at the Mendel who told me that there has been a great deal of interest in a tour of the exhibit after it closes at the Mendel. Nothing is certain yet, and most galleries have exhibits scheduled well (years) into the future. However, the Canadian National Gallery has definitely expressed interest. The curator of the Mendel has become Joni's "art manager" and is working on plans for a Canadian national tour, again, according to the curator. She doubted any further exhibits would be in the near future, perhaps not until 2002. No regrets, Coyote (Rick) Casa Alegre Hollywood, California I'll be dancin' on a pony keg. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 11:36:17 -0500 From: Mark Domyancich Subject: Re: hello looking for cd #1 Watch out for these guys - use your discretion when trading with these people! (IMO some are only joining this great list of ours to get these CDs and then sell them on eBay.) NPIMH-That stupid Enchirito song.... AGH! At 9:42 AM -0400 7/4/00, ZUMABM@aol.com wrote: >hello and good morning . can any one help me out i missed out on the joni >tree . cd#1. can someone help me out thank-you and have a great 4 th. >thanks brian - -- Mark Domyancich Harpua@revealed.net tape trading: http://homepage.mac.com/mtd/ "Close it yourself, shitty!" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 12:55:28 -0400 From: Heather Subject: Re: Congrats to Mendel attendees! Even though it is not definite ... it still is good news! Should we write to the Mendel with expressed interest in a tour of Joni's exhibit? I have an indirect connection at the Canadian National Gallery. I will voice my interest to him. I know that our local museum is booked into the year 2002 due to all the planning that needs to be done to prepare and arrange for exhibits. Patiences is a virtue though! ;-) Thanks for the inquiry, Rick! Heather - patiently waiting ...... At 12:00 PM 7/4/00 -0400, AngelinoCoyote@aol.com wrote: >In a message dated 7/4/00 7:53:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time, luvart@snet.net >writes: > ><< Does anyone know if this exhibit will tour? Maybe just around Canada? >> > >Good Morning Heather: > >I spoke yesterday with one the ever-helpful docent at the Mendel who told me >that there has been a great deal of interest in a tour of the exhibit after >it closes at the Mendel. Nothing is certain yet, and most galleries have >exhibits scheduled well (years) into the future. However, the Canadian >National Gallery has definitely expressed interest. The curator of the >Mendel has become Joni's "art manager" and is working on plans for a Canadian >national tour, again, according to the curator. She doubted any further >exhibits would be in the near future, perhaps not until 2002. > >No regrets, > >Coyote (Rick) >Casa Alegre >Hollywood, California > >I'll be dancin' on a pony keg. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 13:00:03 -0400 From: Heather Subject: Re: hello looking for cd #1 Well stupid me never thought of this. This is a wise warning. Thanks, Mark. Heather - doing her Homer Simpson "DuH"! At 11:36 AM 7/4/00 -0500, Mark Domyancich wrote: >Watch out for these guys - use your discretion when trading with these >people! (IMO some are only joining this great list of ours to get these >CDs and then sell them on eBay.) > >NPIMH-That stupid Enchirito song.... AGH! > >At 9:42 AM -0400 7/4/00, ZUMABM@aol.com wrote: >>hello and good morning . can any one help me out i missed out on the joni >>tree . cd#1. can someone help me out thank-you and have a great 4 th. >>thanks brian > >-- >Mark Domyancich >Harpua@revealed.net >tape trading: http://homepage.mac.com/mtd/ >"Close it yourself, shitty!" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 13:33:51 EDT From: IVPAUL42@aol.com Subject: Re: Not to Blame In a message dated 07/04/2000 7:50:58 AM Eastern Daylight Time, merrillb@crisny.org writes: << Kakki, Well, You are less on the other side of the coin than you suppose. ....... Plus, if it can be proved that what she is saying about >Jackson is true, then it is may not slander or libel. If Jackson wants to >sue her, he has to show that it is not true. I doubt either of them want to >step into that can of worms. I agree. To say that Jackson might sue for libel is not to suppose that what she said wasn't true. >> Not so, truth is not an absolute defense in a libel case, if it can be shown that there was no pressing need to publish the information or it was published with malicious intent, Joni still could be liable for libel. Paul I ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 13:36:49 -0400 From: Martie Dunn Subject: Joni in Newsweek Although I've been reading this list for a while, this is the 1st time I have written. Pardon the redundancy if someone has already mentioned this, but there is a blurb on Joni and her art show in the most recent issue of Newsweek. It is always a pleasant surprise to come across printed info on Joni, let alone when it is in such a mainstream mag. I am so appreciative of this list and the homesite. I believe that Joni Mitchell is one of the most creative and innovative artists of the last 100 years. Since 1968, she has influenced my life, as I go "chicken-scratching for my immortality." Thanks to all of you that contribute interesting news and stories. - -MD ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 10:53:40 -0700 From: Louis Lynch Subject: Joni is not to blame Hi everyone, happy Fourth of July! I have been reading the "Not to Blame" / Jackson Browne posts with great interest. Thanks to everyone for bringing the archives to our attention. Joni Mitchell was totally justified in writing "Not to Blame." Her attack was neither cruel or vicious on her part. I think she was standing up for battered women everywhere, and she had every right to use anyone she pleased as a public example. She could have been talking directly about Jackson Browne. She could have used a composite. Her observations may have been based on personal knowledge of Browne or another man. It doesn't matter. It's an important song, with a message that no sane, thinking, feeling human can argue. After the song was released, Jackson Browne's interview was an attack on her. He called her sick. He called her violent. Yeah, right. Poor innocent man being tortured by a psycho songwriter who was out to get him. That's Joni's point -- the man in the song felt he was not to blame. Jackson Browne publicly verified the trait she was singing about -- he was trying to blame Joni. Truth is: she wrote a song condemning woman beating. Just like she wrote a song against the use of DDT. Just like she wrote a song against the treatment of people in Ethiopia. She's not sick. She's healthy. And thank God there are still people healthy enough to speak out against what is wrong! In the news reports about the incident with Browne, there is enough material about the break-up and blackened eyes and Browne's "blind rages" that whatever facts are questionable, no one can dispute that Hannah obviously suffered some kind of grief. Her silence is typical of both a scared person, and a broken hearted one. Because Hannah did not release statements accusing Browne, it's very unlikely that the whole report could have been made up by accident. Joni may have been using the song to help reassure Hannah that the "blame" is not hers. That was the real message of the song. Perhaps the Browne/Hannah incident was just a minor squabble. Perhaps it was as bad as the fiercest reports. Perhaps it was just a threat. No matter what, Browne should have kept his mouth shut about Joni Mitchell. Since she never mentioned him (or Ethan) by name, his nasty response to the song casts more guilt on him than she did. I would have never suspected the song was about Browne, until he spoke up. It makes Joni's song all that more verifiable, and the message behind the song all that more important. Throughout history, men have lost their tempers and have hurt or killed women. And many times, it was the woman who was brought "to blame." As we progress as a society, we need to address this issue. Pure and simple. Finally, a popular songwriter addressed it. Browne may have been a convenient prototype for Mitchell because of their past relationship. It's totally irrelevant. If he were innocent, I doubt his feelings would have been so hurt, even if Mitchell painted the picture a little unfairly. The song speaks for itself. No matter what Browne's degree of innocence or guilt, instead of getting the message, he fought it. He lashed out at Mitchell publicly (lashed out, struck at, whatever). But, she was not to blame. One of my favorite Jackson Browne songs is "Shape of a Heart." He wrote a verse: "There was a hole left in the wall, from an ancient fight. About the size of a fist. Or something thrown that had missed. There were other holes as well, in the house that our love dwelled." That part always gave me goosebumps -- his sad regrets over the mistakes of love. Fist holes punched through walls. Ironic that he would protest Joni singing about the same thing, eh? We've all made mistakes and said or did wrong things to our lovers. It never mattered to me who put the holes in Browne's walls. The words ring true. Likewise, it doesn't matter whether Joni perhaps painted too harsh a picture for Browne's comfort. The words ring true. Remembering that we all have rages sometimes, Harper Lou ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 15:20:29 EDT From: RoseMJoy@aol.com Subject: Just got back from N.C.sjc Hey JMDLers: We just got home late last night from North Carolina. I'd been driving in some vehicle for 12 hours. I visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville while spending some time with the in-laws. For anyone visiting that state, this is a must see. A BIG THANK YOU to Ashara and Rick for keeping us informed of the opening reception at the Mendel. I was able to access my e-mail while I was away. Gosh darn, I'm green with envy. I wish I could have been there, but thanks to you guys, it almost felt like I was. I'm thrilled with Joni's plans on painting a portrait of Wally. I'm hoping to joining you guys at the Joni Fest in September, that is if my significant other is in accord. Anyone close to New Jersey? I hate traveling alone. Oh and Ashara, my blank tape is soon to be on it's way. I can hardly wait. Happy 4th of July to all. I'm not a musician, but I'll be playing "Night Ride Home" as a tribute to Wally as we're watching the fireworks tonight. I love you guys! Hope to meet yawl real soon. I'm talkin' kinda funny joniguy.LOL Regards, Rose M. Joy ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 16:52:50 -0300 From: "Wally Kairuz" Subject: your pix could you, would you post these pictures to the list or the site? it would be great to be able to download them! thanks again, wallyk > Took some photos of her through the crowd. > Right > before going through the doors of the gallery, I saw Bill and Myrtle standing > on the > side, took a photo of them, >.....photograph the sign "Baljennie Road>," ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 20:09:31 GMT From: "James Phillips" Subject: For the roses review Well, I've listened to "For the Roses" yesterday, the whole album, for the first time. Because of all the musician credits on the cd, I was half expecting a radical departure from the previous album, Blue. But in a way, just like the Blue songs that have assisting musicians, you could tell they were there, but it was subtle save for Blonde in the Bleachers at the tail end of it, when we hear some electric guitar from either Graham Nash or Stephen Stills (I can not remember) I liked the flow of the album, the way the songs were sequenced does a lot to make or brake an album to me, and it made it, at least for me. Anyways, this album is a really good album, and when I get the funds to buy a copy of it, I am. Grade A+ James Phillips ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 13:03:36 -0700 From: "Kakki" Subject: Re: L.A. vs open prarie Bruce wrote: > Sometimes I'm sorry that Joni moved to crowded LA with all >the other in crowd types, and that she didn't cultivate her >genius on the uncrowded Northern Plains of Canada. !!!! But look at the wealth of material for her to cultivate her genius in crowded L.A., observing the in crowd! We may never have experienced Hissing of Summer Lawns, as one example among many ;-D Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 16:28:55 -0400 From: "Paul Pennington" Subject: Re: Joni in Newsweek Martie Dunn wrote: > ...Since 1968, she has influenced my life... Was this from recordings or did you see Joni live in 1968? Welcome to the list. You'll find some awfully nice folks here. Paul Pennington Augusta, Georgia ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 14:14:18 -0700 From: susan+rick Subject: saskatoon high (pt.1-very long) Oh oh my my. I think I'm finally ready to do this but I can't guarantee that I'll get through in one sitting. I've already typed and deleted three opening paragraphs. (The phrase "Words fail me" has never seemed so appropriate.) I should have made notes every night! Maybe a simple chronological narrative with spontaneous interjections is the way to go. But after a weekend of sharing so many thoughts and good times with JMDLers I hope I won't offend by adding too many details, personal or otherwise. Arrived in Saskatoon (S) Thursday late-morning and made my way cross-town from the airport to the university district . Central S is divided into two sides by the South Saskatchewan River running north-south through the heart of town. The west side starts at the airport and runs through light industrial zones, shopping malls, rundown neighbourhoods, then slightly more affluent homes, and ends with the downtown core with its old stone buildings, the major hotels, and several blocks of stores suffering from the commercial exodus to the outlying malls. The east side contains the university, many blocks of beautiful elm tree-lined streets with well-kept older homes, and the Broadway District where Joni's history unfolded. [Joni note: Joni was a "rock and roll dancer" who danced on both sides of town. On one side they called it bop and on the other, jive.] Thursday early afternoon: time to wander across the University Bridge and check out the Mendel. Brilliant sunshine, clear blue sky, temperature hot, about 27C (85F) but tempered by the ever-present prairie wind. One of the joys of the weekend is that anything in central S is within easy walking distance, joined by a beautiful trail that runs through the parkland on both sides of the river. No crowds at the Gallery, no sign of the throngs you might expect if 6000 people were descending on the town. My heart skips a beat as I grab the door handle and I break out in an idiot grin and start laughing as I swing the door open and come face to face with Wild Things Run Fast hanging in front of me. It's huge: officially 101" by 53" and divided into two joined panels. I stand open-mouthed and wide-eyed gazing at Joni's face (the painting is a prime example of Joni's admitted lack of depth perception and perspective but her face is enthralling.) Tearing myself away, I see the Turbulent Indigo cover on a poster hanging in the gift shop and a table stocked with cds. Bought 2 posters and LOTC but they don't have DJRD. (Rats!) Wandered back across the foyer into a kind of a coffee shop area where I see two guys, one standing wearing a TTT t-shirt. He sees me glancing at him, I sort of walk past but keep looking over, and finally on of us says "Uhh, Joni List?" The thrill was immediate: my first personal Lister contact! It was John from Chicago and his partner Richard. (Funny list protocol: In order for us to recognize who we were meeting, we often had to specify our email address names. John's posts arrive as Richard Rice, mine as Rick and Susan.) What an exciting few hours we spent that afternoon. I don't know how many of you have had the experience of sitting and talking "Joni" to a kindred spirit, but I bet it's pretty rare. We were laughing and sharing thoughts and feelings that I rarely express aloud and, after 32 years, I can tell you that the rush was both physical and emotional. We hung around the gallery for the afternoon hoping for a Joni sighting (Guards: "She's inside the gallery", "She's left now", "Oh no, she's still in there") while John told me of his letter. Maybe he's too modest to relate this and I hope I don't offend him but at one point I think it was Natalie who came out and said that Joni loved his letter and was showing it to everyone in the gallery. He was floating a few feet off the ground. Our meeting with Ashara in the gift shop was funny (and perfect) and we were just planning to leave when Joni walked out of the gallery hall with Gilles Hebert , headed for the front doors. The gift shop has a separate entrance door through which I immediately headed pulling John and Ashara behind me. When Joni saw John she told him how wonderful his letter was and that she would read it all when she had some time to herself. John's partner Rich had the presence of mind to ask Joni if he could photograph her with John. She was more than happy to oblige and was gracious enough to pose with me and Ashara separately. I found myself standing rubbing shoulders with Joni, looking directly into her eyes (she's about 5'7" I would guess) and telling of meeting her in Stratford in 1969. I thought I should look over at Rich taking the picture but I couldn't look away. Halfway through this I realize that Joni is **holding my hand**. I babble, I stammer, she talks, I melt, she leaves, I float, I laugh. And you know, the rest of the day is not too clear in my mind. I know we went back to the Bessborough Hotel and met up with more Listers: Mary Pitassi and I think Kerry (Keri?) from Milwaukee (email name--Myrtlemoo) and others but, I'm sorry, it's a blur now. Made plans for Friday and went back to the U-district for the night, walking in the balmy twilight, the breeze wafting the green riverside smells through the air, dreamland comin' on. More to come (if you want it) Rick in Belcarra ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 16:56:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Brian Gross Subject: Re: For the roses review - --- James Phillips wrote: > Well, I've listened to "For the Roses" yesterday, the whole album, for the > first time. > > Because of all the musician credits on the cd, I was half expecting a > radical departure from the previous album, Blue. But in a way, just like > the Blue songs that have assisting musicians, you could tell they were > there, but it was subtle save for Blonde in the Bleachers at the tail end of > it, when we hear some electric guitar from either Graham Nash or Stephen > Stills (I can not remember) > > I liked the flow of the album, the way the songs were sequenced does a lot > to make or brake an album to me, and it made it, at least for me. > > Anyways, this album is a really good album, and when I get the funds to buy > a copy of it, I am. > > Grade A+ Yea! That makes it FTR 1, Hejira 0 Happy 4th everyone, Brian np: Be Still, Zoebliss - hey, they're good! ===== "No paper thin walls, no folks above No one else can hear the crazy cries of love" yeah, right __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Kick off your party with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jul 2000 17:09:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Brian Gross Subject: Re: saskatoon high rick wrote(among many other wonderful things): (big snip) > Wandered back across the foyer into a kind of > a coffee shop area where I see two guys, one standing wearing a TTT t-shirt. > He sees me glancing at him, I sort of walk past but keep looking over, and > finally on of us says "Uhh, Joni List?" The thrill was immediate: my first > personal Lister contact! It was John from Chicago and his partner Richard. > (Funny list protocol: In order for us to recognize who we were meeting, we > often had to specify our email address names. John's posts arrive as Richard > Rice, mine as Rick and Susan.) > > What an exciting few hours we spent that afternoon. I don't know how many of > you have had the experience of sitting and talking "Joni" to a kindred > spirit, but I bet it's pretty rare. We were laughing and sharing thoughts > and feelings that I rarely express aloud and, after 32 years, I can tell you > that the rush was both physical and emotional. I have been very lucky in that i have met a number of jmdlers since 1997. The wonderful feeling of meeting a kindred soul face to face has no equal on this earth Those of you who have not yet met anyone from the list, it's time. Life is too short. Just do it. Next chance that comes up. Please. You will not regret it. Hugs to everyone, Brian np: Sarah McLachlan, Angel (last song on side 1 :-) ===== "No paper thin walls, no folks above No one else can hear the crazy cries of love" yeah, right __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Kick off your party with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2000 23:59:53 -0500 From: "Michael Bird" Subject: the nickel chief goes berserk Dear All who were recently in Saskatoon, especially Ashara, Coming back to voluminous digests after an e-mail-free weekend, I am astonished to read your delightful reports of art, love, hugs and Joni in Saskatoon. Many times I laughed out loud and/or gasped in surprise. Chats with Myrtle. Meetings with JMDLers. Adventures in Maidstone. Hugs from Joan. I'm thrilled for all of you and thrilled for myself that I get to read your tales! I was there with all of you in spirit. I wanna shampoo ya. Now, before Independence Day comes to a close, I have to remember to warble an acapella rendition of "Night Ride Home" for Wally B. Nickel Chief N.P. Bobby Dylan, "Up to Me" ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 01:15:53 -0500 From: Richard Rice Subject: Hellos and Sk'toon tidbits. Hi all. Back again to home and routine. Welcome Brian! I more than concur with your being Sk'toon's biggest Joni fan. There wasn't another flatlander in sight more wide eyed and awe struck than you. How flat is Saskatchewan? In conversation, a local named Randy had Rich and I howling with this line: Sk'toon is so flat. You can see your dog run away from home for three days. Joni's art was phenomenal to see. I am still buzzing from the experience! The show was excellently displayed. Groupings of related paintings really gave the entire body of her work a full sense of context. She is definitely better than the typical 'star art' crowd. The woman is a full fledged painter of high regard. Although, she did comment to members of the gallery staff she is craving educational direction and feels she is at a cross-roads in her art. Ahhh, hearing that, I somehow feel 'change' is in the air... Now, that's a surprise, eh? ( O my god! Did I just use, 'eh' in a sentence...? Yipers... It's contageous!!!) Eh?! As for art instruction, I doubt she needs a lot. Certainly her composition skills and color sensibilities are as top notch as one can get. There's lots of room for improvement in form painting, but I highly doubt she wants to become a magic realist or any such thing. If there's one technical flaw, she's painting lean over fat a lot in her darks. Some of those sweet beautiful works of the last 4 years are already showing signs of cracking. Considering the prices these babies are going for, that's not good. They will definitely be seeing the crafty skilled hands of a conservator in the none too distant future. And yes gang, let's all dig in our pockets. The paintings are ALL up for sale!!!! I think if we all collectively have a garage sale, we could pull enough cash together to buy at least an iris print or one of those beautiful photo etchings from the Hejira series.Woo baby. We could sort of share it around, like the gag christmas gift that gets passed each year from family member to family member. (And I do consider you all to be my Joni family. -- By the way, Special hi's to Park Ranger Rick! As Coyote says, "What a nice man." Felt like I met my best best friend...) There is evil word that some couple from the east coast already have their slimy monied paws on "Fourty Degrees below Zero" and "Dutch Postcard." Fourty degrees is such a beautiful painting. God, I wish I had the cash!!! It's is my favorite. Joni's masterpiece, followed closely by Turbulent Indigo, which should fetch some maaaaaaaaajor coinage for the lady. They say the bidding war is fierce. Uncle Coyote, will you buy this one for me??? Dutch Postcard is remarkable for it's date. It was painted in 1977, and yet it fits perfectly amid the 1990's stuff. The dark palette with shimmering lights, the swirly Van Gogh'esque technique, just right out of her new sensibilities. And I love the story attatched to it. ( Spoiler Warning: Forgive me for stealing the thunder of the soon (?) to be released documentary, which will have Joni telling the tale. If you want to hear it from her fresh and unadulterated, please... skip to the next paragraph.) The painting is taken from a dutch postcard from a visit to Amsterdam where she went gaga looking at Van Goghs. She was so stimulated by his liberated use of color, she raced off to buy some paint supplies at a local art supply store in Ansterdam, only to find it closed. From there she flew to London. Still buzzed, she raced off to her favorite art supply house in London, only to find it too was closed. When she touches down in LA, still itching to paint, she races to her favorite art store there as well. Only to find the store owner with his keys in the door, just closing up for the night. Frantically, she tries to talk her way in, but he is obstenate that THE STORE IS CLOSED. Fortunately, the girl in his car is a fan and is screaming out to her dad, "Don't you know who that is??? It's Joni Mitchell!! --You HAVE to let her in!!!!" Unimpressed, he gives a dour look and says... "Five ...minutes." Dutch Postcard is the end result. Alas, it is cracking. A lot of her painting is in for some serious cracking, I fear. Joni loves to over paint. Unfortunately, troweling on pigment should be reserved modestly, and some colors, those that take a lot of oil to become a 'paint' are no-no's for underlayers... In five years, they will look 500 years old. Thank god for Conservators. (--I should talk. I've never done anything of worth to worry about longevity.) Hmmmm, other side bites... Certainly, the two 'Get out of the Kitchen' paintings had an eerie sense of autobiography to them. They are paintings of Larry, begun as modest portraiture/ abstractions. Begun in her 'happy with Larry' period, they sat unresolved for a few years. Then, in the heat of love going sour, she pulled them out and attacked the canvases. Painting out parts of the portraiture with gestural marks, then writing all over them, as a school kid would at a chalk board for being bad, "Get out of the kitchen!!!!" ( ...if you can't stand the heat.) Let's just say, this narative speaks to her ability to get, shall we say, 'dramatic?' I don't think she was happy when she did those. Another surprise for me, the marker drawing in the center of the FTR album, woman sniffing roses, is NOT a self portrait as I long imagined. It is of Judy Collins. Was I the only one not to know this? Actually, I rather wish I didn't. I will never be able to look at that image the same way again. --The iris prints of her marker renderings are quite beautiful. Certainly, they could be had at an affordable price. The outrageous sums asked for the posters would be far more in keeping if they were the asking price for these large iris prints. The actual drawings were rather small, but she had tons of them. Waist high when staked. My only regret, there is one image that deserved inclusion in this retrospective and wasn't there: The ink drawing w watercolor from the Court and Spark album. That little beauty is one of the most beautiful pieces of art to grace my eyes. I also loved hearing how Joni was touching up a painting in the gallery as the show was being hung. She was not pleased with one of her abstractions were she had nailed (!) a piece of dried acrylic paint from her palette onto it's surface. Seeing in on the gallery wall she disapproved of it and pulled it off, filling in the holes, except for two, which she could not find. (We found them!) And thanks to Coyote, we found all the cat hairs in the other paintings. That's what happens when you start using the mediums. They suck particles to them like nothing doing. As soon as Ashara is home from her own hejira, ( Hi Sal! Hang in there bud.) you will all be privy to a grand virtual tour through the exhibit. There is going to be AWESOME material on that tape tree. I have volunteered to be a tree, so feel free to hit me with those loving requests... The media interview... the opening remarks... the virtual tour. Yipers n dipers!!! I can't wait to see it, and I was there!!!! The best way to complete your 'virtual' tour when you do see the images, weither on video or in the catalogue, is to remember them, or think of them as being made with wet paint. If you can imagine each passage of color as being put on from a tube, you will be far better served in enjoying the reproductions. Also, keep in mind, they are verrrry textural. In Turbulent Indigo, the darks are rather thin, but as you get into the lights in her face, it's like icing on a wedding cake. Piled high. And I do mean high. The surface undulates. Especially the TTT cover. ( Lots of kitty hair here too. ) Thanks all for indulging me. I wish, o how I wish it could have never ended. Besides the joy of meeting Joni and sharing her art, it was a god send to meet all of my fellow listers. Beautiful people. Coyote is as class an act as his eloquent posts. And a great smiler to boot. Mary is just a dear. Kerry was delightful fun. Dave is an angel of a lil' devil. I love your spirit, man. And your better half, --what a woof pup! Speaking of spirit, god, Jim you amaze me. (You gotta burn to shine.) Brian is proof that Joni draws the sensitive, in tuned, and good hearted. ( Guess he must take after Bob Muller and Ashara.) Ashara, you simply must stop putting Sal through the paces! Boy, is he ever earning his wings. Kate is so sweet. And Emil just stole my heart. What a fine young man!!!! Gay is just a sweet wonder of a woman. I could spend hours in her company. And special, special kudo's to Rick of Vancouver. If one could pick your friends in life, you couldn't go wrong starting here. Thank you all for such a great time. I can't wait to meet all the rest of you!!! John in Dekalb, still smiling from Rick's Canadian Orgami lesson. It's fun to play with Monopoly money! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 05 Jul 2000 01:30:17 -0500 From: Richard Rice Subject: Re: Catalogues from the Mendel. I don't know if its been posted, so forgive me duplicating any old news. The Mendel has been having trouble with their server and so one cannot as yet buy the catalogue on line. It should be fixed this week. (Maybe even now.) So keep popping in and enjoy the show when you do get to see it. Personally, I'd rather they hadn't tried illuminating the text with song lyrics. That's too easy. The woman is a font of information, witty stories and experiences. But then, that's just my 2 cents... who'd care? j. ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2000 #277 ********************************* ------- Post messages to the list at ------- Siquomb, isn't she?