From: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2012 #202 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Website:http://www.jonimitchell.com Unsubscribe:mailto:onlyjoni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe onlyJMDL Digest Monday, July 2 2012 Volume 2012 : Number 202 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Fiona vs Joni ["Randy Remote" ] Fwd: Songs of Healing [Sharon Watkins ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2012 13:18:11 -0700 From: "Randy Remote" Subject: Fiona vs Joni [note: I sent this to jmdl a week and a half ago, for some reason it never appeared, so sending again-RR] While mulling over the similarities between Fiona Apple, who has just released a new CD, and Joni, I came across a review of Apple's new album http://tinyurl.com/7apxvvm that discusses her "unflinching honesty and her music's role as a conduit for her truth. She's out Joni-ing Joni." It's a tribute to Joni's icon status that no last name was needed in this lone mention. And it's not a stretch to compare the two as prime examples of "confessional" songwriters (regardless of Joni's protestations at the term). Both have had a hit song, but chose to eschew the charts and instead blaze new trails. Both are great singers, both are known for writing songs based on their own experiences, both exibited great talent at a young age, and both are frequently mentioned by other artists as inspirations. Both are known for songs that tap deeper and darker emotions than the usual pop music fare. Not happy dance songs! Both can leave you feeling almost uncomfortable, like you just read an open diary that was left laying on the table. Both dig down deep and lose good sleep. I would say Joni's lyrics are less ambiguous, more precise, while Fiona's are often more impressionistic and more veiled. It's as if Joni doesn't sit and write a lyric without knowing exactly what she wants to convey, and is masterful at doing it, while Fiona is writing and working out her shit at the same time, so she may not even know herself what she means, but trusts the value of the process, and, again, is able to do so in a highly original and creative way. (I think both of these approaches overlap in both artists). Both are critics' darlings, both have been boosted enormously by Rolling Stone (again, Ms Mitchell's protests aside) with color cover stories, articles, accolades, etc. Both have a dedicated core of fans who will support them forever, and no doubt feel like priveledged insiders, against the hordes who don't get it. One way they are not alike is in output; this is Apple's 4th album in 16 years, Joni released 4 albums in one-fourth that time. In 15 years she put out 11 stunningly original albums (STAS to WTRF). Personally, I have seen both in concert 5 times. They can both enthrall an audience, while never appearing entirely at ease with themselves. And I would buy any CD they put out, even if it was just them farting for 45 minutes. So, now I am on my 3rd listen to "The Idler Wheel" (the real title is a long rhyming cuplet thing that probably only makes sense to Fiona). This is her first self-produced album, co-produced actually, with drummer Charley Drayton providing sparse, bumpy percussion beds (but no songwriting credit) for Fiona to pound her piano, sing, yell, pout, bitch, ponder and vent about (mostly) the shipwrecks of her relationships, both with her beaus and her own facets of self. Besides the sinewy indie production, the first thing that is apparent is that there is nothing as pretty and melodic as "Paper Bag", as sensual as "Slow Like Honey", or as "normal" in song structure as, say "Shadowboxer". The intensity is certainly there, but the dissonance, musically, that has always been a growing part of Apple's songs is pushed to the fore, with clustered chords and claustrophobic chromatic runs, often accompanied by raw-nerve lyrics and banging percussion. Swordfishtrombones territory. There's no denying the artistry. On the other hand, it's kind of an unsettling listen. You know when you wandered into that coffee house and they were doing some really intense poetry with conga drums and flute, and you recognised that it was probably genius, but it was offputting at the same time? Or that painting that you feel compelled to "get", even if you aren't getting it? Anyway, fuck me and all critics, the important thing is, be true to your art, and she has done that in spades. I doubt this album will supplant "When the Pawn" for me, but the songs are starting to grow on me. The opener, "Every Single Night" swoops and sways musically, and it is pretty melodic compared to the rest. The closing song, "Hot Knife" is overdubbed lavishly with frantic legions of chorus girls, assisted by Fiona's sister Maude Maggart, a professional singer in her own right. Elsewhere Fiona sounds for a minute like Annie Ross doing a rap. And, as it turns out, there is another Joni parallel; the CD booklet (which resembles a school notebook-turned-diary) is full of Fiona's artwork; line drawings of animals and people, watercolors, a couple of self-portraits, and the bizarre/groovy cover drawing. One of the line drawing/watercolors even looks very Joni-esque circa FTR: http://picturepush.com/photo/a/8500921/img/8500921.jpg There is a deluxe version that includes a DVD of her recent 5 song performance at SXSW (3 old songs, 2 new ones), plus a bigger booklet. You can see/hear the video for "Every Single Night" with Fiona covered in octopusses and snails at http://tinyurl.com/85ufboh (2nd one down). And here is a web-only video from her appearance on Jimmy Fallon, covering the Wings song "Let Me Roll It" for Paul McCartney's 70th birthday. (last one). In conclusion: no one is going to out-Joni Joni, but this girl is formidable. RR ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2012 00:45:17 -0500 From: Sharon Watkins Subject: Fwd: Songs of Healing Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: > From: Sharon Watkins > Date: June 29, 2012 4:16:21 PM CDT > To: joni@smoe.org > Subject: Songs of Healing > > Stevie Wonder: > 1.You are the sunshine of my life > 2.Isn't she lovely > Joni: > 1.Chelsea Morning > 2. Morning Morgantown > 3. Night in the City > 4. Night ride home > 5. One week last summer > 6. In France they kiss on main street > Van Morrison: > Days like this > Paul McCartney: > 1.Good day sunshine > 2. Here there and everywhere > To me these are such positive, life affirming songs, which is a component of healing. But I realize, like beauty in the eye of the beholder, healing songs are in the ear of the listener. Not sure if you wanted recommendations of music from other genres. Also: John Rutter: The Lord is My Shephard as well as a great number of traditional hymns Eric Whitacre: most any of his choral or orchestral pieces Also most Gregorian chants > Sent from my iPhone ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2012 #202 ********************************* ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here:mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:onlyjoni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe