From: owner-onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org (onlyJMDL Digest) To: onlyjoni-digest@smoe.org Subject: onlyJMDL Digest V2014 #439 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 Thursday, December 25 2014 Volume 2014 : Number 439 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Happy Holidays, Gratitude, Joni and You [Laurie Antonioli Subject: Happy Holidays, Gratitude, Joni and You Dear JMDL crowd - Wow. What a year. I don't know about you, but, mine has been filled with some high highs and some low lows. A dynamic year, let's just say! One of the highlights for me has been the support and friendship (via email, but I expect to meet some of you one day) in this group. I think it was the initial support from this group that allowed me to stop holding my breath. Taking on Joni's music was on the one hand the easiest project I've ever done - since her music is truly a part of me - yet - I think oddly one of the most risky. To do it right, to do her justice, to stand up and take the hits (mostly from silly online folks, but, I'm sensitive and mildly naive - a trait that is charming when young and plain silly when you get older) -- what happened is this: we had a beautiful run. I won't list it all here, but, we made 5 of the "Best of 2014" lists in the jazz world. I heard from people all over the planet. There are things that journalists said to me in private, which I'll keep private, that I kind of wish they'd said publicly that was even more supportive than what they wrote (they have other musicians they need to keep relationships with) all to say - this was a very well-received record. Beyond that, I LOVE this album. Most musicians, at least the ones I know, don't like to or can't listen to their own music - I find it too frustrating (yikes, out of tune note, ick, why did I phrase that like that, oh no, you can't hear the soprano sax there) but, this one settles in for me - and - we put in many, many hours getting it as good as the budget would allow! (Note: the Counting Crows were recording in the studio next to us when we were doing the Joni record. We did 13 songs in 2.5 days. They, from what we could hear - we were eavesdropping - worked on 2 songs, maybe, that whole time. To be honest, I think it was just one but, we also didn't put in the hours they did, they were still there when we'd go home!) Point: they can live in the studio for as long as it takes - most "Indie" artists don't have this luxury. Back to you. What a great collection of people. I enjoy the non-Joni posts as much as the Joni posts. Don't chime in as often as I should but always read just about everything. You'all are an intelligent, spirited group. I wish you peace, internally and externally, through the holidays and all next year. And finally. Joni. As I said before, I'm thrilled to see her out and about, doing interviews and promoting her latest. Long may she run. Joni's music is so elegant. We are going to record again at the end of the year. I think, dear Joni fans, that to find repertoire as compelling as Joni's is going to be impossible. Even our original stuff. Even Neil Young's music (we've got a little grouping of his songs in the works) -- everything pales when compared to Joni's - and you know I am going to compare because as artists, that's what we do. Measure, calculate, change, explore, change again, adjust, throw away, start over....it's the creative process. I'm not sure we'd ever do another Joni record - maybe in 5 years - - but not now - too soon. Though, there's a couple songs I'd like to include in the next batch as a medley if I can get the band to agree - perhaps we'll always give a nod to Joni on each recording. Why not? All to say, since we're not a Joni cover band, we will move into some different territory on the next outing. I'm writing to you from Los Angeles. I'm with my daughter and not only has she recently married but I'm going to be a grandmother. This is what I'll be "doing" for a lot of the next year. That, and, I continue to run the vocal program at the California Jazz Conservatory. My final note: I officially added Joni's music into the "Great American Songbook" our conservatory acknowledges as being "legit." Her music belongs there and it was time to update the "Songbook." She lives next to Ellington, Cole Porter, Richard Rogers, Irving Berlin, Dorothy Fields, Leonard Bernstein, Lorenz Hart, Johnny Mercer and so on. I've also added Stevie Wonder. I think Carole King and James Taylor are next. Joni is the first, though!! I hope the students dig in. You know, I had only one student in my freshman class that knew Joni's music - his parents listened to her. In order to do my job, I fully intend to make sure the students hear her. I played "Blue" one day in class and they were stunned. Silent. Didn't even know what to say. One girl said "I've never heard anyone sing like that before...." and I said, "I know, and she's the "source" for many of the pop/folk/singer-songwriters that you *have* heard, but, this is the "undiluted" version." Of course. You all understand. "Blue" is genius. As is Joni. We love her, so. With warmest regards, Laurie ------------------------------ End of onlyJMDL Digest V2014 #439 ********************************* ------- Post messages to the list by clicking here:mailto:joni@smoe.org Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:onlyjoni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe