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#16
06-29-2009, 04:04 PM
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To get a different feel for Joni, Here's a taste of a couple of her songs performed by sister Canadian Diana Krall...
Black Crow -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIwriS4Xahs A Case of You -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGrsc5FeQDs And you can't forget one of my favorites from Joni, Free Man In Paris -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXBba77U1_Y
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#17
06-29-2009, 06:44 PM
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Listeners like what they like. Back in the late 60s and the 70s, I could listen for hours to Joni Mitchell's airy and fluidly mobile voice. Being young myself, at the time, I was even able to copy her fluid and rangey style to some degree. (Reviewers of my recordings would often invoke Joni Mitchell's name in describing the style of my open tuning songs.) But alas, "something's lost and something's gained in living every day". These days, I sing with the bullfrogs. Perhaps Joni does too.
Vocal abilities aside, its my opinion that Joni's song "Both Sides Now" has a flat-out great lyric and melody. Its one of my favorite melodic studies, among popular songs. "Both Sides Now" and another Joni Mitchell song, Circle Game", are both popular items in my oldies repertoire. Gary Last edited by guitaniac; 06-29-2009 at 06:50 PM.
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#18
06-29-2009, 07:18 PM
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Early on I wasn't a big fan, but because my wife really really likes her I began to hear more and more of her songs (both popular and more obscure) over the years. As a result, I really like her very much and really appreciate the complexities in her music as a result of her using so many altered tunings so effectively in her songs.
And that (the use of altered tunings) combined with her somewhat non traditional vocal melodies, may be why you don't dig her. Then again . . maybe not!
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#19
06-29-2009, 07:25 PM
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Quote:
Last edited by rlouie; 06-29-2009 at 07:39 PM.
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#20
06-30-2009, 04:39 AM
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I would recommend buying "Blue" as that was the first Joni album I bought. I believe second was "Ladies of the Canyon". Start with "Blue" because in my opinion when you listen to the song "River" then you'll either get or not get an awful lot of what her songwriting is about.
I particularly agree with Doug Young's comment about Joni being an original (and his taste in albums). It's kind of like when I watched "Citizen Kane" a few years ago, I had to remember that even though it had nothing I hadn't seen before that was only because half the movies I've seen in my life were cribbing their lighting and camera angles and editing techniques from that movie. It can be the same with Joni Mitchell if you've listened to a lot of girl singer/songwriters. But she still sings with incredible feeling and writes evocative and memorable songs. Did I mention I really like "River"?
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#21
06-30-2009, 06:34 AM
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Hardly profound
One thing that I've I found over the years that's been oddly most encouraging, is: no matter how good or bad, talented or a hack, people simply like who they like. The trick is finding those people or having them find you (exposure). That use to be one of plus's to being on a major label (making an artist ubiquitous). There's a lot of great writers we'll never hear about. As for Joni sure she's a super gifted writer etc. She's one of the lucky ones. Anyone every heard of Cal DeWillims? Me either.
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#22
06-30-2009, 08:59 AM
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Well Joni has been influenced by jazz, and specifically Mingus and Monk, so I think it is a fair generalization to say she is a kind of Thelonius Monk to folk music. So, if you can get into difficult music that is hard to keep in the background as ear-wallpaper, then Joni has a lot to offer. It is an added bonus that her lyrics reach the height and depth of poetry, so you get the music AND the words too.
In line with that thought, I would recommend instead of a CD purchase right now, try and get hold of her dvd performance: Joni Mitchell - Painting With Words and Music. It will be a better experience to see AND hear her play her songs - on a Parker Fly no less! Just my humble O.
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#23
06-30-2009, 10:08 AM
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Matt
I'm actually with you on this one. I had heard all this Joni Mitchell praise and my first time listening to her stuff was a challenge to my ears too. While I appreciate her talent and writing skills, she's probably never going to be one of my favorites. I will chase down some more of her music that is recommended in this thread though.
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#24
06-30-2009, 10:48 AM
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She is hands down in my top ten favorite artists. I'm surprised that only a few have mentioned the lyrics...the lyrics! My goodness! She's such an intelligent writer, poetic not in a way that would stand the test as spoken poetry, but in a naturally musical sense. She makes me think. She makes me see the world differently. I think the social commentary embedded in albums like The Hissing of Summer Lawns just perfectly captures something dark about the America of a certain time and place. How would we view Woodstock the event without Woodstock the song?
I also admire her artistic integrity. This is someone who really never sold out in terms of her content and themes, and consequently was dropped by her label in the end. There is still something of that 1960s idealistic integrity about her, but tempered by maturity and a lifetime of experiences good and bad. Again, she makes me think.... I am hard pressed to recommend a specific album - why not download some individual standout tunes and make your own compilation? Some great suggestions here.
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#25
06-30-2009, 10:52 AM
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Quote:
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#26
06-30-2009, 11:16 AM
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"Free Man in Paris" and "Raised on Robbery" from Court and Spark.
But I agree, not everyone has to like everything. But these lines from Raised on Robbery always crack me up: I'm a pretty good cook I'm sitting on my groceries Come up to my kitchen I'll show you my best recipe
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#27
06-30-2009, 11:30 AM
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I would agree with Doug Young; a lot of artists have come on the scene since Joni Mitchell on whom she has had great influence, and things have evolved. Joni was a true original. I can't even begin to tell you how many times my friends and I would gather in one of our dorm rooms and listen to "Clouds." Her writing has been unparalleled, and I am one that has loved her voice. I was working in Kodiak, AK in 1971 when "Blue" came out. I went to the local library that had a copy and listened to the album over and over and over...totally blown away. Joni herself has evolved over time, so the question remains "which Joni?" Personally, I like them all. She is one of my favs and will ever remain so.
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#28
06-30-2009, 01:28 PM
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Joni Mitchell is one of the greats. I wish I Could write songs as beautiful as the ones he has written. growing up my mother used to play the live album Miles Of Aisles a lot so I was exposed to her music early. I think she really came into her own on the album Hejira.
One of the most unforgettable concerts I attended was in 1979 at the Santa Barbara County Bowl. It was a Joni Mitchell concert but the added bonus was she was backed up by Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Lyle Mays, Don Alias and Michael Brecker. There is a DVD of this concert available and it's fun to see friends in the audience. Here's a couple from that show: Coyote http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_h9bcpvNm4 Free Man In Paris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXBba77U1_Y Amelia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6d2RG2Rl64
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#29
06-30-2009, 01:32 PM
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Hi Folks!
Thanks so much for all the suggestions. I really appreciate it and I promise, I will give her a good listen with "new" ears and an open mind. Quote:
Thanks a good suggestion and I certainly could do that. I was hoping there might be an album that would give me a good idea of Joni Mitchell. With many of my favorites, I usually come to enjoy most, if not all of their catalog but there is usually a signature album for me. For example, The Road To Ensenada will always be my defining Lyle Lovett record even though I like all of his stuff. If someone said, "I want to get a good sense of Lyle," I would suggest that record. It was the first one of his I bought and to me it just captures him and always will. So that was my point in asking for album suggestions. There are some of Joni's songs that I do know by others, Big Yellow Taxi, Both Sides Now, Woodstock, and my fear is that if I create my own compilation I'll just go with what I know and that might not be the best way to get a good sense of Joni Mitchell. Matt
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#30
06-30-2009, 01:36 PM
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Quote:
Jaco's bass work is astounding on this song!!!!!!!!!!! and look at the lineup of this group!!!!!!!!!! unbelievable................. Don Alias Michael Brecker Lyle Mays Pat Metheny Joni Mitchell Jaco Pastorius ______________ Last edited by rlouie; 06-30-2009 at 01:42 PM.
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