From: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2007 #66 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org 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 Thursday, March 1 2007 Volume 2007 : Number 066 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2007 #64 [Mark-Leon Thorne ] HOSL & Hejira and Blue critics. . the list ["Marianne Rizzo" ] Thoughts on Hejira ["Jim L'Hommedieu, Lama" ] Re: Thoughts on Hejira ["Martin Giles" ] Re: Thoughts on THOSL ["Sherelle Smith" ] Re: HOSL & Hejira and Blue critics ["Marion Leffler" ] Re: Joni Mask [Victor Johnson ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:16:36 +1100 From: Mark-Leon Thorne Subject: Re: onlyJMDL Digest V2007 #64 No face, no voice, no idea of who you are but it's good to know you too, Tim. We share something and there is a link across the world. Mark in Sydney ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:50:24 -0500 From: "Marianne Rizzo" Subject: HOSL & Hejira and Blue critics. . the list From: Robert Procyk >On a side note, I just realized something the other day - I have been on >this list now for 9 years. >NINE YEARS. True, I haven't >been an active poster for the past 5, when the children started coming (up >to 3 now, for those >keeping count), and I am always many >digests behind, but you know, I can never leave this place - what a special >place it is. >Rob I agree. . . thanks Rob. It is a mainstay. . It is a special place. Thank you to all. Marianne _________________________________________________________________ Mortgage rates as low as 4.625% - Refinance $150,000 loan for $579 a month. Intro*Terms https://www2.nextag.com/goto.jsp?product=100000035&url=%2fst.jsp&tm=y&search=mortgage_text_links_88_h27f6&disc=y&vers=743&s=4056&p=5117 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:42:15 +0100 From: "Marion Leffler" Subject: Re: HOSL & Hejira and Blue critics Hi Kakki, apology accepted :-) Maybe I was a bit too touchy - afterall both Monika and Marion are lovely names either one...:-) As for the "fate" of "the people", this is good old orthodox marxism the critic in question obviously was taken with. "The people" are all those who work for wages without any control over their workplace and the result of their labors, while somebody else - "the capitalists" gets the profits made for them by the wage earners that they do not really pay enough. The "fate" of "the people" then is to be exploited - unless they become aware of this situation and fight it. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not against marxism, just against this oversimplified form of it. Anyway, I mentioned this criticism because it has stuck in my mind all those years. At the time I was very young (20) and did not quite see through this, so it upset me since I was (still am) all for "the people" but I also loved Joni's songs on Blue. Growing older (and hopefully wiser) I learnt to be sceptical towards critics and stick to my own gut feelings. I never read reviews now of books, albums or films before having read, heard and seen them. When I know how I feel about them I can read reviews just to compare and to see how other people think about them but I never let myself get upset by reviews again... Marion - ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Cc: "Marion Leffler" Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 5:18 AM Subject: Re: HOSL & Hejira and Blue critics > Marion wrote: > >> It was Marion, not Monica, who wrote about this critic. (Can anybody tell >> me why the names Monica and Marion get mixed up so often? > > Oops! SorryI,and of course you should be recognized as individuals! ;-) > >>Anyhow, while Blue certainly meant a lot to people, it did not lament the >>fate of "the people", i.e. the masses. > > Who are the "masses" and what it their "fate"? > >>This critic was looking for straightforward political expressions that of >>course were not there. > > And I guess we both think that is kind of off, no? > >>Although in California (the song) there are enough hints at Joni's >>political preferences...But they were not enough for him so he marked the >>album as "bourgeois individualism". Those were the days...:-) > > Long live "bourgeois individualism" and whatever other labels some > self-styled elitist crticic wants to put on people ;-) > >> Unfortunately, those days were gone by the time Joni did Dog eat dog, so >> that wasn't politically correct, either. Ironic, isn't it? > > If you are talking about political correctness, which is its own form, DED > was most definitely correct. Are you saying that she was criticized in > the earlier years for not being overtly political and then redeemed > herself by becoming more political in her lyrics in the 80s? It is funny > because I am mostly "politically incorrect" on the Joni list but I have > always been able to understand and agree with her take on the ills of the > world. To me her work transcends the mere "political" and just draws upon > universal, timeworn truths. Now, her new album - hmmm - I hope she keeps > it universal and does not become partisan but from some of the comments > related here, she may go that way. I hope not. A good message should > reach all, not a select group. > > Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:46:24 -0600 From: "Snatch N. Grabster" Subject: Dylan spins Joni Bob Dylan played Little Green on today's Theme Time Radio Hour... and told the story behind it. He also said she is one of his favorite painters. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:49:46 -0500 From: "Jim L'Hommedieu, Lama" Subject: Thoughts on Hejira Hey, Yeah, I know the feeling, Monika. That one can last a looong time. Jim L. Monika said in part, >Hey...so I do like the album a lot but I still feel like I need to be taught something more....like I am not finished with it yet....there's more to this journey haha.....know what I mean?> ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 15:51:32 -0000 From: "Martin Giles" Subject: Re: Thoughts on Hejira Hi Monika, Martin in London here. I'm a very rare visitor to the jmdl these days unfortunately, but your post about Hejira caught my eye. I think you've hit the nail on the head with your comment about not being finished with the album yet. It didn't knock me out when I first heard it; I liked it and wanted to hear it again, but I wasn't blown away. But oohh..... it just kept growing on me, and has become my all-time favourite album by any artist. It has a very definite atmosphere to it; a consistancy to all the songs (with the exception of Blue Motel Room IMO). Her guitar, with the alternate tunings that she developed so much on this album is wonderfully atmospheric. Not to mention the bands' contributuins, particularly Jaco Pastorius. Listening to this album persuaded me to pick up the guitar for the first time in about 15 years. The lyrics are for me the best she ever wrote. There are some lines on this album that move me (to tears on occasion), and that's something no other artist can do. I hope that Hejira grows on you like it did on me! Best, Martin. > Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2007 17:08:46 EST > From: Motitan@aol.com > Subject: Thoughts on Hejira > > Ok so as promised, for better or for worse, here is my review of Hejira > as I > see it. Overall, I like the album. I think it really is a "thinking" > album > and it make take some more time for me to fully absorb every angle of it. > Or perhaps, I will always learn something new when listening to it. > Maybe > it's that kind of album? It's a very calm and somber album. I love the > title > of it because it fits it so well. I read Joni wrote most of these songs > on > her own journey and this really is an album that you would grab when > driving a > long distance or when taking a mental break from everything around you. > It's > such an isolated and lonely album in a way but it still has some comfort. > Maybe meditative is the word for it? It's got a very, very specific tone > to > it. Very strange but that's how I hear it. And of course, I love all of > Joni's singing on it. There's something very soothing in her voice that > brings > you relief in a sense. > My take track-by-track: > - -Coyote: I knew this song from watching "The Last Waltz." I liked it > right > there and then and like it even more. It's the lightest song on the > album > and I love Joni's guitar on it. It's just really a fun song and it > sounds like > Joni's having fun with it. A favorite, no questions asked! > - -Amelia: This song represents the entire album really well. It's > interesting how Joni uses her perspective from different sources like this > and relates > then back to herself maybe. > - -Furry Sings The Blues: A very interesting look on things....and a big > bonus > on this song is that Mr. Neil Young appears on the song! I think his > harmonica and the overall tone of the song work so great...This song has > an > ambience to it...the whole album is like this.... > - -A Strange Boy: Ooh, I like this song. Another favorite! I like the > rhythm > guitar on it again and it brings up many questions. > - -Hejira: Ooh, such a very reflective song with an opening that is just > haunting. I love Joni's singing on it in particular. > - -Song For Sharon: I was listening to this album at work today and I > stopped > working many times to listen closely to this particular track. There's so > much it in...especially with it being a longer song I still have to > process it > fully--lyrically I mean. I do like it though. > - -Black Crow: I love the words to this song. I also love the different > musical backing on it. It's something so different from anything I have > ever > heard. > - -Blue Motel Room: I noticed on some reviews this song got slammed. I > don't > see why. I think it's a beautiful song with such texture. > - -Refuge Of The Roads: Another favorite! What a perfect way to end this > album. A perfect end to a journey. I can't say anything more about it! > > Hey...so I do like the album a lot but I still feel like I need to be > taught something more....like I am not finished with it yet....there's > more to > this journey haha.....know what I mean? > - -Monika ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 19:37:51 +0000 From: "Sherelle Smith" Subject: Re: Thoughts on THOSL Monika, I'm so glad you love this album! I love it too! We are split here about the Jungle Line but I for one love it! The one song that I don't listen to very much is "The Boho Dance" but there is actually a problem with playing that song on my CD. That's most of the reason why I don't listen to it. Every song on this is wonderful and has a very special, unique flavor to it. if I had to pick two favorites up here that I like to listen to, they would be Shades of Scarlett Conquering and Don't Interrupt the Sorrow. If I had to pick two favorites that I like to perform, they would be Edith and the Kingpin and Hissing of Summer Lawns. I'm always drawn to her jazzier numbers for some reason but I love everything she does! Sherelle Monika wrote: Well I've been listening to this album and Hejira a great deal lately (much to the expense of all my other albums I own!). I feel I can give my thoughts on the album now (I'll give you my opinion on Hejira probably tomorrow). Overall, it may be a bit early to say this as it is so new, but I think I love this album! THOSL was one of the albums I grabbed to take to listen to at work and I was excited to listen to it again! I even stopped working for a few seconds at a time to listen closely to my favorite parts of certain songs (hey man music comes first always!). A big change I see in this album vs. the earlier ones is Joni's perspective. It's like she's looking outside rather than inside perhaps. And I love, love, love Joni's singing on the entire album. After reading some reviews just before, I find it strange how I kept reading the word "smug" in reviews of this album. I don't find the tone of the album smug at all. I think it's very inviting to the listener as long as the listener is willing. Forget smug man. A little bit on the songs now: - - -IFTKOMS: This is one of my favorites. From the very memorable guitar opening all the way through the very catchy and pleasant song this is, it stands strong. - - -The Jungle Line: Another favorite! For lack of a better word, I think this song is so cool. I love the drums, the synth, and what the song conveys. It's a very experimental song and it works. This song clicked right away. It also reminds me of some of the experimental rock that came about much later---bands like Radiohead or Tool...or to a more extreme....industrial music like Nine Inch Nails. Very interesting. - - -E&TK: I like this song but it's definitely one of my least favorites. I find the other songs more memorable. - - -DITS: Another favorite! Once again, I love Joni's guitar on here. There's just something about this song. I have no words to describe it though. - - -SOSC: Oh, such a melancholic song. Joni's singing is so honest here, this song almost breaks my heart with what it is about. - - -THOSL: I like the song. It puts you in a certain mood and makes you think. Love when songs do that. - - -The Boho Dance: Another wonderful song (forget Rolling Stone when they said this album was one of the worst albums of the year! Never have liked RS much.....). It makes me a bit sad. - - -Harry's House/Centerpiece: Another favorite! My favorite part of this song and maybe my favorite part of the whole album is when Joni sings, "the more I'm with you pretty baby...." I suppose you'd call it the bridge. This is the cover part of the song, yes? Anyway, I love this whole part because I ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY LOVE JONI'S SINGING OF IT. Her voice is incredible man. Just gets me so much and that part even more so! - - -Sweet Bird: A very beautiful song. Almost simple sounding.....it just has an elegant beauty to it. - - -Shadows & Light: Another favorite! I love the vocal melody and once again Joni's singing, all of it! What an ambitious piece. I'm not religious or anything but it reminds me of a prayer in a church especially with the multiple voices responding (I haven't been to a church since my 1st communion....I like the Eastern religions to be honest....). Just beautiful. So I suppose I like the entire album now that I look at it. Once again my least favourite is Edith which is funny because I read that that song is the one that is most known from this album. Is this true? I noticed Edith And The Kingpin is the song that is on the tribute album being done by Elvis Costello. So that's that as I see it. - - -Monika _________________________________________________________________ The average US Credit Score is 675. The cost to see yours: $0 by Experian. http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=660600&bcd=EMAILFOOTERAVERAGE ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 21:45:46 +0100 From: "Marion Leffler" Subject: Re: HOSL & Hejira and Blue critics Kakki, I hadn't read your whole mail properly. Let me just say I do agree with you and my comments on the criticism are meant to be critical of the criticism - does that make sense to you? Anyway, I guess what I mean is that you can have a social conscience and express individuals' feelings at the same time, and I think we do agree on this, while this critic did not. Marion - ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Cc: "Marion Leffler" Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 5:18 AM Subject: Re: HOSL & Hejira and Blue critics > Marion wrote: > >> It was Marion, not Monica, who wrote about this critic. (Can anybody tell >> me why the names Monica and Marion get mixed up so often? > > Oops! SorryI,and of course you should be recognized as individuals! ;-) > >>Anyhow, while Blue certainly meant a lot to people, it did not lament the >>fate of "the people", i.e. the masses. > > Who are the "masses" and what it their "fate"? > >>This critic was looking for straightforward political expressions that of >>course were not there. > > And I guess we both think that is kind of off, no? > >>Although in California (the song) there are enough hints at Joni's >>political preferences...But they were not enough for him so he marked the >>album as "bourgeois individualism". Those were the days...:-) > > Long live "bourgeois individualism" and whatever other labels some > self-styled elitist crticic wants to put on people ;-) > >> Unfortunately, those days were gone by the time Joni did Dog eat dog, so >> that wasn't politically correct, either. Ironic, isn't it? > > If you are talking about political correctness, which is its own form, DED > was most definitely correct. Are you saying that she was criticized in > the earlier years for not being overtly political and then redeemed > herself by becoming more political in her lyrics in the 80s? It is funny > because I am mostly "politically incorrect" on the Joni list but I have > always been able to understand and agree with her take on the ills of the > world. To me her work transcends the mere "political" and just draws upon > universal, timeworn truths. Now, her new album - hmmm - I hope she keeps > it universal and does not become partisan but from some of the comments > related here, she may go that way. I hope not. A good message should > reach all, not a select group. > > Kakki ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:31:15 -0500 From: "Cassy" Subject: Joni Mask I took the plunge and bought the "Joni" mask which was for sale on eBay. It appears to be an actual mold of a face with the gauze and holes in the nose which are the approximate size of straws. The painting is very sympathetic and it is definitely suitable for mounting and framing. I have no idea whether or not this is actually Joni but, on inspection, it's a very close likeness. Warmly, Cassy NP: Joni & Thomas Dolby - Shiny Toys (Francois Kevorkian Remix) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:23:28 -0500 From: Victor Johnson Subject: Re: Joni Mask That's awesome Cassy! However, I do feel sorry for the person who bought the "signed" Dog Eat Dog promotional stamped vinyl and spent 40 dollars plus postage. NPIMH: comic book guy saying: "worst fake signature ever" NP: Jacky Terrason - Que Reste-T-T'il De Nos Amours? On Feb 28, 2007, at 6:31 PM, Cassy wrote: > I took the plunge and bought the "Joni" mask which was for sale on > eBay. It > appears to be an actual mold of a face with the gauze and holes in > the nose > which are the approximate size of straws. The painting is very > sympathetic > and it is definitely suitable for mounting and framing. > > I have no idea whether or not this is actually Joni but, on > inspection, it's a > very close likeness. > > Warmly, > Cassy > > NP: Joni & Thomas Dolby - Shiny Toys (Francois Kevorkian Remix) ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2007 #66 ******************************** ------- 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? (http://www.siquomb.com/siquomb.cfm)