From: les@jmdl.com (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2002 #85 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 Tuesday, March 26 2002 Volume 2002 : Number 085 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. ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- N.Tertaining [Gordon Mackie ] Diana Krall in Chicago - long but with joni mentions [Merk54@aol.com] Joni mention at the Oscars [Merk54@aol.com] Re: Jaco... the early years. [JRMCo1@aol.com] Re: Diana Krall in Chicago - long but with joni mentions ["Bree Mcdonough] Re: N.Tertaining ["Bree Mcdonough" ] Re: JONI: CBC-TV [Ken ] Liza's 3 Octaves vs. Joni & Sheryl Crow [Lindsay Moon ] nyt cassandra wilson article mentions joni [Murphycopy@aol.com] I'm Cindy and I'm New! ["Cindy Breslau" ] Re: I'm Cindy and I'm New! [Catherine McKay ] Re: I'm Cindy and I'm New! ["Bree Mcdonough" ] Re: (sjc)My So-called Life, and other shows by same producers, who apparently liked/loved Joni [] Re: JMDL Digest V2002 #115 [FredNow@aol.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 10:00:38 +0000 From: Gordon Mackie Subject: N.Tertaining Bree Maybe the N stands for No-crap. In fact No Crap Knox has a ring to it Gordon ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 11:27:32 EST From: Merk54@aol.com Subject: Diana Krall in Chicago - long but with joni mentions This past Saturday night, I was lucky enough to see Diana Krall at the Chicago Theater. What a great place this is to see a concert - a vintage theater, that's been beautifully restored, and with just about the best accoustic in town. Diane put on a wonderful show, playing for about an hour and a half. This is the first time I've ever seen her live, and I enjoyed her much more live than on recording. While her records are beautifully done, they don't seem to take too many chances, and in my opinion, nothing on them come close to capturing the emotion she displayed performing A Case Of You at the Joni Tribute. After reading how she was still performing ACOY in concert, I decided I absolutely had to go see her, if for no other reason, then to see her do this one song. All night long, I sat back and waited for that one particular song, but I must admit, I was pretty damn entertained the whole time. She stuck pretty much to her usual formula of old standards, but her and her band were more relaxed then they are on record, and they opened up the songs incredibly in the process. But song after song went by, and still no ACOY. When she left the stage before her first encore, I started to worry that she wasn't going to do it at all! Upon returning, the rather refined crowd started throwing out suggestions, at which time, I couldn't stand it any longer and called out for ACOY. She then said she was going to play something for the gentleman in the first row, who she felt she some how insulted earlier in the evening, and so to try and make things up to him, she played S'wonderful. She then left the stage again, and so did about a quarter of the audience! I couldn't believe it - it couldn't be over already, but people were giving up and leaving. Fortunately, there was a resurgence in the applause, and out she came again - this time alone. Again I called out for ACOY, amidst all of the other cat calls from the audience. Peel Me A Grape was probably the most called for - one guy in the audience even yelled out "Peel Me A Grape, Baby!", at which time Diana just starred into the audience in total disbelief and questioned "Baby? Peel me a grape, BABY?!?" It was pretty hysterical. She then started talking about a very dear friend of hers, who was supposed to have been that night, but had to cancel because he was sick. She then explained that she was doing a Breast Cancer benefit in NY with this person in a couple of weeks, and proceeded to play The Border Song by Sir Elton John. It was a great version of a great song. Elton is one of my all time favorites, so this was a very special treat for me. But about half way through, I began to accept that this was the last song she was going to do, so I would not be hearing ACOY. Still, The Border Song was incredible, and sure enough, after she finished it, she thanked everyone, walked off of the stage, and on came the house lights. I sat there a little shell shocked, disappointed that she didn't play ACOY. I decided that I would have to be satisfied with hearing The Border Song (and believe me, that was very satisfying!), and rose to my feet to leave. And then a very nice thing happened. They started piping music into the theater, and lo and behold, it was Joni's orchestrated version of Both Sides Now. I sat back down in my seat, with a big old smile on my face, and listened as BSN filled the theater. As the song ended, I got up and proceeded to leave, completely content with the evening, even though Diana never played the one song I came there to hear. On my way out of the theater, I decided to see what sort of goodies they were selling. On display were a couple of T shirts, Diana's complete catalog on CD, two different posters, and a new DVD of her live in Paris. As I was reaching to check out the DVD, a woman came rushing up, almost frantic, and asked which of Diana's CDs had that song they played while we were leaving the theater. I perked up, and told her that was a Joni Mitchell song, Both Sides Now. She then looked at me rather incredulously, and said she knew it was a Joni Mitchell song, but she wanted to get a copy of Diana's version that they justed played on the PA. I then politely explained to her that it wasn't Diana, but Joni. I then told her about the BSN CD, but she still didn't seem convinced. Finally, another gentleman in the crowd assured her that I was correct, at which point she got a big smile on her face, said "Well I guess I know what I'll be buying tomorrow" and disappeared into the crowd. What a perfect night cap to a very enjoyable evening. Then, as I turned to leave, I remembered about the Live in Paris DVD. I picked it up, and turned it over, and there it was - Song number 17 - A Case of You! The final song on the DVD. Needless to say, I plunked down my 30 bucks, grabbed my new DVD and headed for home. An hour and a half later, I was in my basement, lights dimmed, candles burning, a glass of wine by my side, listening to the final encore of the evening - Diana doing another stunning version of A Case Of You! When it was all over, I blew out the candles, crawled up to bed, kissed my wife good night, and fell fast asleep. A beautiful night indeed! Jack ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 11:36:48 EST From: Merk54@aol.com Subject: Joni mention at the Oscars I don't know if anyone else on the list saw this, but there was a great Joni mention on one of the Oscars Pre-shows. It was on WGN in Chicago, and involve the Best Supporting Actress winner, Jennifer Connelly. She had just arrived, and the interveiwer asked how she felt. She said she was very relaxed and happy, and then told how she had just arrived via a limo, and had listened to Joni Mitchell all the way down here, and basically just reflected on what an incredible song writer she is, and that in looking at this event through that particular window, she couldn't be happier. I thought this was very cool, indeed! Jack ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 13:57:00 EST From: JRMCo1@aol.com Subject: Re: Jaco... the early years. In case anyone is interested, I emailed Bob Bobbing, who is producing the subject Jaco project, re: Joni's impression of Jaco's piano playing. Here's his reply: >Hello Julius, >Thanks for your interest in "Portrait of Jaco! " Stay >tuned for the availability date. >In reference to Joni Mitchells comment about Jaco's >piano playing, I visited her at her home and talked >about Jaco with for over a period of two days and >she didn't make note of Jaco's ability on the piano. >This doesn't mean that she didn't make the comment >though! Jaco was a great piano player in my >opinion especially his voicings. I do have several >cassette recordings of Jaco's that are of him just >playing piano mostly writing. Maybe someday an >edited version of these recordings could see the light >of day. >Later, >Bob Bobbing In a message dated Sun, 24 Mar 2002 11:19:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, Julius Raymond writes: > Fascinating. I can't wait to have this. The notes on the website say that > the cds feature "rare" interviews...at least one with Joni. > > I recall Joni being as impressed with Jaco the pianist as with Jaco the > bassist. Who could be a better authority? Where are the piano recordings, > I wonder? > > -Julius > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Les Irvin" > To: > Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2002 6:48 PM > Subject: Jaco... the early years. njc > > > > Soon to be available on CD: > > > > > > More info: http://www.jacotheearlyyears.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 11:48:58 -0800 From: "Bree Mcdonough" Subject: Re: Diana Krall in Chicago - long but with joni mentions What a nice detailed report,thank you! I saw her in Cincinnati, last Sunday, a week ago and I'm heading to Louisville,Kentucky tomorrow morning for an overnight and will see her again at the the historic Louisville Palace built c.1924. > >This past Saturday night, I was lucky enough to see Diana Krall at the >Chicago Theater. >She stuck pretty much to her usual formula of old standards, but her and >her band >were more relaxed then they are on record, and they opened up the songs >incredibly in the process. Absolutely.....she's so much better live. She's quite the sense of humor too. (Dry wit) >to try and make things up to him, she played S'wonderful. She then left >the >stage again, and so did about a quarter of the audience! This wasn't the case in Cincinnati.....not a soul left before the house lights came on after the second encore. I have been to quite a few concerts in my life and never has a crowd been this riveted and so ripe for more,more,more. n >in a couple of weeks, and proceeded to play The Border Song by Sir Elton >John. It was a great version of a great song. Elton is one of my all time >favorites, I never knew the name of that song until just reading your post. I always called it "Holy Moses" I can't remember,did she say if this cancer benefit would be televised or not? >And then a very nice thing happened. They started piping music into the >theater, and lo and behold, it was Joni's orchestrated version of Both >Sides >Now. In Cincinnati it was Bonnie Raitt's hit she had a few years ago. Again,I don't know the title. A very melodic song with lyrics..turn down the bed,turn down the lights..... >Then, as I turned to leave, I remembered about the Live in Paris DVD. I >picked it up, and turned it over, and there it was - Song number 17 - A >Case >of You! The final song on the DVD. I'm so glad I have this. I've enjoyed watching it now two or three times with family and friends. ACOY...what a treat! I'll let you know if she does ACOY in Louisville. Bree > >A beautiful night indeed! > >Jack _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 12:02:04 -0800 From: "Bree Mcdonough" Subject: Re: N.Tertaining Could be? This is one name I never thought of. WIll NOCrap KNOX please step forward. Bree >Maybe the N stands for No-crap. In fact No Crap Knox has a ring to it > >Gordon _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 15:06:41 -0500 From: Ken Subject: Re: JONI: CBC-TV Sorry for those of you who get this twice I really shouldn't have had this labeled NJC From Sundays Montreal Gazette - TV and Radio section: By Peggy Curran THE SAD SIDE OF BEING JONI MITCHELL On the weekend when a generation gathered on a New York farm for three days of peace, love and rock music, a disappointed young singer named Joni mitchell was stranded in a Manhattan hotel. The willowy blonde from Saskatoon was scheduled to make her first television appearance on the Dick Cavett Show (remember him?) that Monday.Her musical mentors-chief among them, a couple of guys named David Crosby and Graham Nash-feared she'd never make it out of the traffic and back to the city for her break-through gig. "The daddies wouldn't let me go," she recalls, with a wry nod to the obedient girl she once was. So Mitchell stayed behind, watched the news reports on television, and wrote Woodstock, the song that became an anthem for the music festival and the era's hippie ethic. Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now and Then, which airs in two parts on CBC's Life & Times beginning this Tuesday, is a revealing portrait of the artist who became one of the most accomplished singer/songwriters and musical stylists of her time. Unlike so many TV biographies with the subject's seal-of-approval, the two-hour film does not gloss over the dark patches in Mitchell's life. Instead, it explores the impact of lonely Prairie winters and childhood illness, an unplanned pregnancy and a disastrous early marriage on Mitchell's evolution as a writer, vocalist and musician. Produced and directed by Stephanie Bennett for Delilah Films, the documentary unveils a woman shaped by her times: the polio scare of the 1950's, the social strictures of the 1960s and the feminist consciousness-raising of the 1970s. Candid conversation with Mitchell is backed up by interviews with many of the people who helped shape her still-soaring career - Crosby, Nash, Tom Rush and Judy Collins, music-industry executive David Geffen and Cameron Crowe, the rock-music critic turned film director. Archival footage traces Mitchell's musical roots from Edith Piaf and juke-box jive to the coffee houses of Toronto, Detroit and Greenwich Village, where she fist began to get noticed, to recognition - - as recent as this month's Grammy Awards - for her haunting lyrics and innovative musical techniques. Performances of several of her biggest hits, including Both Sides Now, The Circle Game, Chelsea Morning and Big Yellow Taxi complement Mitchell's reflections on her life and the difficult choices she made, including her reluctant and regretted decision to give up her only daughter for adoption. Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now and Then airs in two parts, Tuesday, March 26 and April 2 on Life & Times (CBMT-6 at 7). ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 17:39:54 -0800 From: Lindsay Moon Subject: Liza's 3 Octaves vs. Joni & Sheryl Crow Fred wrote: This brings back memories! I went to college with 5 albums, three of which I think were Joni, and my framed silk-screen of Joni's innner Court & Spark sleeve which I made in high school graphics class (still right by my side ... I might ask to be buried with it). The roommate I had loved Liza and I loved Joni. Ugh, what a battle to get at that stereo! I tried to be patient about the Liza, but she was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. That and Barbra Streisand. To this day I think I've purged those songs from memory (well, there might have been some alcohol responsible for some of the brain cell loss ...) On another musical note, I heard Sheryl Crow sing a great song on the radio. I felt like I'd heard it before, great tune, a ballad, with the chorus, "and this is ho-o-o-me..." Another line about something 'tearing me apart.' Maybe some of you know it. The thing that caught me though was one of her guitar strings sounded out of tune and that's all I could focus on. Ugh! I kept grunting! Tune the guitar! How could you record that out-of-tune string! Anyone else hear it? To me, Sheryl's voice often sounds flat. Is it me? Lindsay ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 21:19:12 EST From: Murphycopy@aol.com Subject: nyt cassandra wilson article mentions joni In an online New York Times article about Cassandra Wilson by Adam Schatz, there is this mention of Joni: << She was laying claim to Joni Mitchell territory, a gutsy move for a jazz singer who was already in her late 30's. Hailed as breakthroughs, the records sold hundreds of thousands of copies. >> I have read the article twice and still don't understand exactly what the writer means by "Joni Mitchell territory." You can read the article at: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nyt/20020324/en_nyt/cassandra_w ilson__a_jazz_diva_who_s_losing_interest_in_jazz --Bob ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 22:01:12 -0500 From: "Cindy Breslau" Subject: I'm Cindy and I'm New! Hi to all of you who have been posting over the last two weeks. I am writing now because I am new and feel somewhat lost in the variety of comments and subjects being addressed.If its possible could it be explained what about Joni is a popular topic(s) or are the regulars who post all friends and communicate on that level as well?I will tell you that I was 13 years old when Songs to a Seagull came out.I flipped for the mood of the music and lyrics. But even more inportant I feel that Joni joined me at the beginning of my adolecence and together we took some twists and turns in life. Like a big sister she has always interpreted aspects of life I may not quite have reached yet but needed all the same. My admiration of Joni and respect for the person she so steadfastly evolved into runs very deep in me. Along with Joel Bernstein who (as described in the latest biography) laid in his bed late on Sunday Night listening to Philadelphia radio DJ Gene Shay often interview Joni in the midsixties it was a very magical time. Joel at his tender age was fortunate enough become an important part of Joni's life.I could only dream of it and attend concerts over a 30 year period of time to keep infused with joni's extraordinary talents and views on life. I thank you for bearing with me here. I'm sure everyone knows what it feels like to get lost in Joni!Any info about how I may be able to contribute to the dialouge would be appreciated. Thanks and again Hello. cindybreslau@hotmail.comGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 22:31:57 -0500 (EST) From: Catherine McKay Subject: Re: I'm Cindy and I'm New! - --- Cindy Breslau wrote: > Hi to all of you who have been posting over the last > two weeks. I am writing > now because I am new and feel somewhat lost in the > variety of comments and > subjects being addressed.If its possible could it be > explained what about Joni > is a popular topic(s) or are the regulars who post > all friends and communicate > on that level as well? Welcome, Cindy. There are many popular topics, both Joni and non - they come and go, marked by lovers and styles of clothes. Many of the people at this party have met, some on a regular basis (you will soon learn about Joni-fests big and small). It's a friendly bunch of people, but they talk too much - they talk too open and free. It can drive you crazy sometimes, but, if you've got too many doubts,and there's no good reception for ya, you can just tune it out. (That was pretty pathetic, but it's JC (Joni content.) ______________________________________________________________________ File your taxes online! http://taxes.yahoo.ca ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 20:22:39 -0800 From: "Bree Mcdonough" Subject: Re: I'm Cindy and I'm New! Hi Cindy....and welcome!! >I will tell you that I was 13 years old when Songs to a >Seagull came out.I flipped for the mood of the music and lyrics. If you had to pick a favorite from STAS which song would you pick and why? It would be a difficult choice for me... either I Had a King or Michael From Mountains? BUT...IF I had to choose, it would be because of lyrics like these....Michael leads you up the stairs,He needs you to care,And you know you do,cats come crying to the key,And dry you will be,in a tow'l or two. It's funny, I have Joni's complete catalog on CD, except STAS. I still have the vinyl,but have not yet purchased the CD. >My admiration of Joni and respect for the person she so >steadfastly evolved into runs very deep in me. Yes!! I always say when God created her he really went all out!! >I thank you for bearing with me here. I'm sure everyone knows what it feels >like to get lost in Joni! Happens to me a lot. Especially while listening to Hejira. Have you seen her in concert? If so,what was that like? Looking forward to hearing from you, Bree >Thanks and again Hello. >cindybreslau@hotmail.comGet more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download >: >http://explorer.msn.com _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 02:12:21 EST From: BigWaltinSF@aol.com Subject: Re: (sjc)My So-called Life, and other shows by same producers, who apparently liked/loved Joni In a message dated 3/25/02 9:27:35 PM, Joseph P. writes: << When MTV had the My So Called Life marathons running I'd bolt the doors and take the phone off the hook. My fave is the Christmas Angel Episode with Julianna Hatfield which involved teen aged runaways. They played Joni music all the time during the episodes. >> The producer team that did MSCL and also did 30-something and Relativity and now Once and Again use(d) Joni a lot. I seem to recall at least two ocasions of Joni on 30-s.t. (one of them was "River"), and something on Relativity, and I *think* they continue the trend on O&A. Good people, good taste. Hugs, Walt ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2002 02:17:31 EST From: FredNow@aol.com Subject: Re: JMDL Digest V2002 #115 Mark, I meant to respond to this earlier, but ... Anyway, yes, I was the one who wrote about loving Joni's early music. And you're in the ballpark on this. Two of Joni's main devices in her early songs are her major/minor shifts and her oblique chromaticism; the latter is what you hear in the lines you quoted: "There's oil in puddle in taffeta patterns" is in a major tonality, then "that run down the drain" is, too, except that it's a half-step down, which produces an effect somewhat similar to, but still quite different from, a major/minor shift. She does it again on the very next phrase "In colored arrangements ... " It produces a disconnected, "falling" feeling; very common in Joni's early songs. (For example, "Songs To Aging Children Come" consists almost entirely of this device, as well as other permutations of oblique and otherwise unrelated chromaticism.) Where you will hear the major/minor shift in "Michael From Mountains" is on these lines: (starts major) "Michael wakes you up with sweets, he takes you up (shift to minor) streets and the rain comes (return to major) down." I hope this is clear. I'll bet if you go back to Joni's version, you'll now hear the same thing you heard in Judy's version just as well. What's really fascinating to me is how understanding the music in a technical way actually enhances its emotional effect; for instance, one easily sees how her "falling" chromaticism device causes a direct and visceral tug on the heart. I love music. Later, Fred In a message dated 3/15/02 1:43:24 AM, les@jmdl.com writes: >"Mark or Travis" >Subject: Michael From Mountains > >Since buying Judy Collins' 'Wildflowers' I've been sort of hearing 'Michael >From Mountains' with new ears. All these years that I've been listening >to Joni's version on 'Song To A Seagull' I've always thought this song (and >all the songs on STAS) had a very pretty melody. But hearing it in a more >orchestral setting on 'Wildflowers' has made me hear just how unique & >unusual this melody is. > >I think it was Fred who wrote a post about loving Joni's early songs because >the melodies were more interesting and unusual. If I remember right, Fred, >you mentioned that Joni's early songs often seemed to shift between minor >& major chords or keys and that this created an effect that you admired. >I'm not a musician so please excuse my fumbling for terminology & my ignorance. >But listening to Judy's version of 'MFM' (hey that could be 'Michael From >Mountains' or 'Man From Mars' - sometimes those anagrams can get confusing) >I'm pretty sure I can distinctly hear what you were referring to. The >phrase 'There's oil in puddle in taffeta patterns' sounds like a major >key to me but then the following phrase 'that run down the drain' sounds minor. >Am I right or did I land in a puddle and now I'm all wet? The funny thing >is that this never struck me as particularly different or remarkable in >Joni's version of the song. It was just part of the melody & I never >thought much about it. But in the Judy Collins version it is so obvious >to me. It really gives me a new appreciation of this particular song and >of course of the genius behind it. > >Mark E in Seattle ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2002 #85 ******************************** ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here: mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:onlyjoni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe ------- Siquomb, isn't she?