From: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2007 #174 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 Sunday, June 10 2007 Volume 2007 : Number 174 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- RE: It's Bo [Mark-Leon Thorne ] SJC Favorite guitarists? (very long sheesh) ["Kate Bennett" ] Re: Guitarists/bassists [PassScribe@aol.com] Stormy Weather? [Motitan@aol.com] Re: Stormy Weather? ["Randy Remote" ] RE: Stormy Weather? ["Jim Kauffman" ] RE : Stormy Weather? - my own take (kinda long and with spoilers) [Joseph] Joni on Playreading on bbc World Service ["Jamie's Box of Paints" Subject: RE: It's Bo Welcome back, Bo. You seem to think I am a new member but, we've chatted before. I've been on the list now for a couple of years but was on here soon after it started back in the 90s. The World Of Joni Mitchell was a vinyl release back in the early 70s that I've since found out was only released in Australia. Bob Muller tells me that it comes up quite frequently on eBay. Of course, these days, I have every track that was on that release but it was a lovely compilation. It had a dark green cover if I remember with the photograph from the back of STAS on the front. It struck me how lucky you were to have seen your grandmother's end in such coherence. How rare for your grandmother to be able to say those things to you before her passing. So many people's grandparents die through severe illness, dementia or just not even be there when they die. I'm grateful that my grandmother died peacefully in her sleep after working in her garden without sickness or pain. My only regret is that I wasn't there to say good bye. I have no regrets for her. She was an inspiration. Mark in Sydney ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 01:47:55 -0700 From: "Kate Bennett" Subject: SJC Favorite guitarists? (very long sheesh) What about Mark Knopfler & George Harrison! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 20:04:57 +1000 From: Mark-Leon Thorne Subject: Words To Music Hi gang. I have a copy of the 2007 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame broadcast to send out to somebody in the Australia/South Pacific region. To be copied and offered up to the list again. Just so those of us down in this end of the planet gets a good chance at distribution. If there are no takers from this region, I will offer it up again to the Northern Hemisphere. If somebody in this region wants it but doesn't have the facilities to copy it, get in touch with me off list and I will make you a copy. Hell in New Zealand got the last copy. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish long term Joni-lister, Gary Z a wonderful year ahead and a happy belated birthday. He has been a good friend to me and deserves a smoother ride in life than what he has been dealt (excuse the mixed metaphor). Always in my thoughts Mr Zee. You may have seen in your local news that we are experiencing extreme weather conditions here on the east coast with flash floods, tragic deaths and evacuations of entire towns. A family was drowned and crushed when a major highway north of Sydney collapsed. The towns of Singleton, Raymond Terrace and Maitland are being evacuated right now. So far, the death toll is at 6 but that's not as bad as in Oman where the death toll from flash flooding is around 35. Take care out there. Mark in Sydney NP Mmm...Skyscraper, I Love You - Underworld ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 07:49:04 EDT From: PassScribe@aol.com Subject: Re: Guitarists/bassists > From: Em > Subject: Re: SJC Favorite guitarists? (very long sheesh)/now bassists too > > ps: who's you all's fave bassists? > speaking of Hot Tuna, I adore Jack Cassidy > also, Graham Maby (used to play with Joe Jackson on his first few > albums in the rockin days and now tours with Joan Baez) > Hey, EM, Maby STILL plays with Joe Jackson (been over 30 years). I saw them together at a Jackson show about a year or so ago in NYC. Kenny B ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 12:24:30 EDT From: Motitan@aol.com Subject: Stormy Weather? My brother went to one of his friend's houses and saw she owned a cd called "Stormy Weather" with a tracklisting of different female recording artists. Of course, Joni's "Stormy Weather" was on it as well as something by Paula Cole, Gwen Stefani (I hate her...I nearly had a heart attack when my brother said she was on the same cd with Joni), etc. He said he was going to borrow it for me but thought he'd ask me if I had the track (which I don't but know the title). So what is this cd all about? When did it come out? I'm going to look it up on Amazon in a bit here but I always like an insider's view better! What's the scoop? - -Monika ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 10:56:23 -0700 From: "Randy Remote" Subject: Re: Stormy Weather? It was a promo CD for the phone company or something. It was a live recording of various singers with orchestra for a benefit show for Don Henley's 'save Walden Woods' project, and apparently whetted Joni's appetite for an orchestral backing band... RR - ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 9:24 AM Subject: Stormy Weather? > My brother went to one of his friend's houses and saw she owned a cd > called > "Stormy Weather" with a tracklisting of different female recording > artists. > Of course, Joni's "Stormy Weather" was on it as well as something by > Paula > Cole, Gwen Stefani (I hate her...I nearly had a heart attack when my > brother > said she was on the same cd with Joni), etc. He said he was going to > borrow it > for me but thought he'd ask me if I had the track (which I don't but know > the title). > So what is this cd all about? When did it come out? I'm going to > look > it up on Amazon in a bit here but I always like an insider's view better! > What's the scoop? > -Monika > > > > ************************************** See what's free at > http://www.aol.com. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 09 Jun 2007 19:18:01 -0400 From: "Jim Kauffman" Subject: RE: Stormy Weather? Monica, Just in case you're not familiar with the song, this is one of the major classics in both the jazz and pop worlds. The most popular version is by Lena Horne, who sang it in the 30's movie of the same name (well worth watching, by the way). As a jazz singer, you have to be able to sing a credible version of "Stormy Weather", "My Funny Valentine", and a couple of dozen others that are absolute classics. - -Jim > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-joni@smoe.org [mailto:owner-joni@smoe.org] On Behalf Of > Motitan@aol.com > Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 12:25 PM > To: joni@smoe.org > Subject: Stormy Weather? > > My brother went to one of his friend's houses and saw she owned a cd > called > "Stormy Weather" with a tracklisting of different female recording > artists. > Of course, Joni's "Stormy Weather" was on it as well as something by > Paula > Cole, Gwen Stefani (I hate her...I nearly had a heart attack when my > brother > said she was on the same cd with Joni), etc. He said he was going to > borrow it > for me but thought he'd ask me if I had the track (which I don't but know > the title). > So what is this cd all about? When did it come out? I'm going to > look > it up on Amazon in a bit here but I always like an insider's view better! > What's the scoop? > -Monika ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 03:33:46 +0200 (CEST) From: Joseph Palis Subject: RE : Stormy Weather? - my own take (kinda long and with spoilers) I have that album, too. It was produced by Don Henley for the Walden Woods Project in 1998. Vince Mendoza conducted the orchestra and arranged the songs. I am not sure if this was the encounter that later made Joni decide to come up with an orchestral album with Vince. Here's the track listing and some unsolicited comments: (1) Gwen Steafni - Almost Blue It was a nice jazz-noir LA-type of intro with Gwen singing Elvis Costello's song. Her voice may not sound particualrly idiomatic for this type of arrangement but she acquitted herself pretty well. Or at least says me. She located the longing of the song and the faux ache in her voice worked well in the whole proceedings. A nice intro if there is one. Not a fan of Gwen Stefani myself but I give props when a performance is a good performance no matter who sings it. (2) Paula Cole - You've Changed Arguably the best performance of the night. Paula's feral wail was in sync with the Bill Carey's composition. And the consistency of her voice despite the different key changes made me wish she should devote an album of standards that has this type of repertoire. She reminds you of the way Lee Wiley and Irene Kral marries the haunting melody with the heartbreaking lyrics very effectively. One of the three vocal highlights in the album. (3) Shawn Colvin - But Beautiful Just like Stefani, I thought Colvin's sweet and cozy voice is not a fit for James Van Heusen's song, but she did a faithful rendition of the song and showed a side of her she has not shown much to her fans -- a nice tremolo in her voice. I must admit that her first notes were a bit nervous and tentative, but her unhurried style seems to savor the lyrics as she discovers them. I have not heard her sing a standard before but after hearing this, my fan-ship for her grew even more. (4) Trisha Yearwood - Good Guy I am always of the opinion that country singers and theater singers have some of the best voices in the business. Trisha's voice has this lovely upper range that has been used effectively in the past in songs as different as "How Do I Live" to Bernstein's "I Have A Love". And the song she opted to sing for this album sits perfectly with her voice's fach with its floated high notes and sudden key changes. Trisha sold the song for me but I wished she sang something like "Two For The Road" or "My Funny Valentine" which would no doubt bring out the best qualities of her voice. (5) Sandra Bernhard - Is That All There Is? Sandra Bernhard was one of the surprise performers (for me at least) in this recording although I am aware that she can sing (I even own one of her albums called "Excuses For Bad Behavior, Pt. 1"). But in this song made famous by Peggy Lee, Sandra's persona and celebrity-status came wonderfully together to create a song/speech patter hat would rival some of the best cabaret performances out there. Maybe because she is an actress too, she brought out the irony of the song that had the audience under her spell. But the one thing that impressed me was her effortless ability to sing a high note in a sudden surge of sound that totally blew me away. I consider this the second highlight of the evening. (6) Sheryl Crow - Good Morning Heartache So many singers have sung this song putting their individual stamps on it that I was expecting Sheryl to wow me. Having heard her sing in tribute albums that had her perform "Solitaire", "One Less Bell to Answer", etc. I was ready for her. But the odd thing is, I was left cold by her performance. It was not a terrible performance nor was it a memorable one, but she somehow sang the song faithfully without even a whiff of attitude or a brief segue to her own style of singing. It was a song. She sang it. End of story. The disappointment I felt was akin to hearing Nellie McKay's spiritless version of "Chelsea Morning" at the Joni Tribute last year in NYC. Crow should have sung something like "Come To The Supermarket in Old Peking" to fully capitalize on her ability to sing gritty yet fun. None of that here. (7) Natalie Cole - They Can't Take That Away From Me With the great applause greeting Cole before she even sang the first bar of this Gershwin tune, made me smile (I like spontaneous applause in live albums). Cole could have killed this song having sung that song with Frank Sinatra in his own Duets album, plus the fact that Cole has been releasing standards albums at this point in her career. But it was not enough to move me. I don't know why. It was sung as though in a recording but there was no 'awk', did not elicit chills from me, nor did she change time signatures to show how familiar she is with this type of repertoire. Nada. I was thinking maybe she should have sung something like "The Very Thought of You" or "Lover, Come Back To Me", or maybe even "Downtown Train". (8) Stevie Nicks - At Last I must admit I am one of the few people who don't care for this song at all. It has an odd meter and I just thought the song's progression is unexciting, but boy did Stevie Nicks sang her heart out for this. Sounding like a more wounded Etta James with a touch of Helen Humes and later-period Sylvia Syms, Stevie poured all her emotions this song demands from singers. I actually liked the song because it sounded better on her voice and, may I say, tessitura. Beautiful rendition, hands down. (9) Bjork - Gloomy Sunday They say that no one should sing this song that was trademarked by Billie Holiday because comparisons are inevitable (but then check out Sinead O'Connor's version of this from her own "Am I Not Your Girl" album and see how this song can be approached differently with the same gravitas as Billie). But did Bjork eclipsed both versions in my estimation. I know this may sound sacrilegious and iconoclastic but Bjork gave me mega chills with her version of this song. Much like her Selma character in "Dancer in the Dark", Bjork has this elfin quality taht sounds so ethereal, so much like air really. Like some truly truly cathartic feeling I experienced in my lifetime -- those were things that were evoked by her singular and quietly spectacular performance. Although (or maybe because) she is an acquired taste, those shifting sands of experiences she conjured while singing this song made me almost believe that the song came about because of the innate breathy helplessness of her voice that located the heart and soul of the song as I imagined it. Definitely the third highlight of the night. While vocally Yearwood topped everyone, Bjork is the emotional center of the whole proceedings. The applause given her by the audience -- near the end of the song when she gasped her last note -- made my hair stand as I vicariously imagine what the audience witnessed when they saw this performance. (10) Joni Mitchell - Stormy Weather While to my ears, the applause for Cole is for her celebrityhood, and for Bjork as a bonechilling resposne to an unbelievable performance, the applause given to Joni is one reserved for an icon of eternal staying power -- or at least that is how it sounded to my ears. It was almost deafening and Vince Mendoza's dense orchestrations made sense because it created a semblance of atmospheric calamity. Plus I think it is a savvy programming to have someone of Joni's caliber to sing the last song as the night's grande dame. She started with a rather shaky "Don't know why...." then eased into the song's tale of a lost love. The deep contralto that Joni has become by this period truly fleshed out the song's sadcore quality. Not one to sing a song straight, Joni took liberties in some passages that at first made you fear she will not execute them successfully as she was going for the bluesy high notes using I think, her mid-range but the song became richer by those improvisations. A strong performance indeed and a nice way to end the evening's program. In other words, go get this CD when you can. It has its little rewards and some of the songs may well speak to you in ways they did not for me. Joseph in Chapel Hill np: Au Revoir Simone - Fallen Snow Motitan@aol.com a icrit : My brother went to one of his friend's houses and saw she owned a cd called "Stormy Weather" with a tracklisting of different female recording artists. Of course, Joni's "Stormy Weather" was on it as well as something by Paula Cole, Gwen Stefani (I hate her...I nearly had a heart attack when my brother said she was on the same cd with Joni), etc. He said he was going to borrow it for me but thought he'd ask me if I had the track (which I don't but know the title). So what is this cd all about? When did it come out? I'm going to look it up on Amazon in a bit here but I always like an insider's view better! What's the scoop? - -Monika ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. - --------------------------------- Nouveau Yahoo! Mail : Messenger intigri et stockage illimiti - Essayez le ! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2007 02:18:20 +0100 From: "Jamie's Box of Paints" Subject: Joni on Playreading on bbc World Service Chelsea Morning is part of the play '20 Cigarettes' that's playing at the moment. Joy. - -- I am a lonely Painter I live in a Box of Paints I'm frightened by the devil But I'm drawn to those ones that 'aint afraid... Jamie Zubairi can be found for voice-overs at http://uk.voicespro.com/jamie.zubairi1 acting CV and showreel at http://uk.castingcallpro.com/u/81749 http://www.jamiezubairi.co.uk Facebook me! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 9 Jun 2007 22:35:46 EDT From: Dflahm@aol.com Subject: Re: RE : Stormy Weather? - my own take (kinda long and with spoilers) Can you supply an intelligible, usable, communicable definition of "tessitura?" I'd be grateful (THIS IS NOT A JOKE) ****************************************************************************** ****** "Gloomy Sunday" was given magnificent nightly readings, for a week or two, by Ruth Brown (with Don Pullen on organ!) at the Village Gate in NYC about 1974. DAVID LAHM ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com. ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2007 #174 ********************************* ------- 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)