Joni Mitchell

Jonnie Falafel · Post by **Jonnie Falafel** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:52 pm

Amelia was the first Mitchell song I ever paid attention to. It was late at night I was at a friends house and the lights were dim. He put on Hejira and from the first chords of Amelia I couldn't concentrate on anything else in the room. It's a bugger to play!

It was my introduction to Joni so I'm glad I never had the chance to be put off by all the controversy about her move in a 'jazz' direction.

Hejira remains perfection as far as I'm concerned, but I do love Blue, Court & Spark, Night Ride Home & the lacerating putdowns of middle class suburbia on The Hissing of Summer Lawns. I never appreciated that particular title until I'd been to Los Angeles.

philo · Post by **philo** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 8:36 pm

the first album i heard of hers was the vinyl l.p of ladies of the canyon. she is one of the most gifted of all the singer songwriters i am familiar with. i remember, during the early 70's playing this album endlessly and being completely bowled over with the lyrics - the fact is that this lady can paint pictures with words - and then, when i later listened to blue - identifying with many of the universal situations/scenarios/feelings that joni portrayed. however, i have struggled to enjoy her later compositions - most if the later music eludes me.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 4:13 pm

Joni is a wonderful songwriter, no doubt. I've never been much of a fan of her vocal style. One great song of hers, that I've always loved, was covered by Neil Diamond. A Free Man in Paris. It gives one perspective on what it is like being a 'star' in the musical 'arena'.

Linda.

Ghoti · Post by **Ghoti** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 9:53 pm

I'm a Huge Joni Mitchell fan!! Rainy Night House was always one of my favourites but hearing that it was about leonard was a BOMBSHELL!! I listened to it just now with new information on my computer. I have to say that Ladies of the Canyon is my favourite joni album and probably one of the greatest albums I've ever heard. I just think she is amazing and I'd put her right up there with Leonard and Bob Dylan as my three favourite musicians.
Have to admit I also fit into the "Neo-Hippie" category (I'm only sixteen so I missed the initial wave but, then again, I havn't seen the inside of a barber shop in a couple of years

)

micropup · Post by **micropup** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 10:04 am

lizzytysh wrote:You're going to be a Millenium Hippie yet, Sean . I don't have that particular album of Joni's, but I have a number of others ~ and love her singing and style. Have you ever listened to Laura Nyro? Dory Previn? Much of Carly Simon? Yes, Joni Mitchell is awesome .

hey lizzytysh, long time no speak. read about your 3 friends. awfully sad. i'm delighted to see your comments on joni and dory previn. I love them too. went to the chet helm tribal stomp last weekend. awesome concert. Its a Beautiful Day and Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks were hotter than ever. Got in an argument with some guy there. He asserted Dylan the greatest songwriter ever. I had to agree to a point, that is, that two other songwriters share the honor - Leonard and Joni. He couldn't stand me saying that; he was familiar with Joni but knew nothing about Leonard; swore he would go home and listen to Leonard.
Hope all is well.
micropup

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:08 am

Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks? Still around? Whoa. Long time, like 'Hot Tuna'. Ha! This sounds like the 'born before 64 page' (it's the only year that rhymed).

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 1:59 pm

"Long time, no see" ~ now there's an understatement

! I did a double, triple, quadruple take when I saw your name

! For a millisecond wondered, "What are the chances that another could've come up with that...." and then squashed that thought with ~ "No ~ It's GOT to be

! Then, I saw my name in your Quote box and knew

! Great to see you !!!

Yes, it was sad, very sad. Thank you for your kind comment on my three friends.

Now there's a way to conversion ~ an argument. Is he ever in for a surprize

. Is he someone you'll ever see again? Or, just a run-in?

Yes ~ Joni's songs are wonderful. Can't imagine Leonard would even argue that. He just wouldn't diss her.

Things are much better with me now ~ thanks, Micropup

. It's so great to see you here

.

Love,
Lizzy

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 4:53 pm

Joni fans should check for the DVD Joni Mitchell Archives. Begins in 1965 when she was Joni Anderson, all black and white footage of early folk TV show in Canada with Oscar Brand, Van Ronk, Pat Skye, and others, Let's Sing Out. As she evolved into Joni Mitchell (married) she bacame even more of a goddess. Live performance of "Urge for Going" plus early Joni songs never released or heard of before. I just saw it last night. Amazing.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 1:52 am

That sounds VERY interesting, Lightning. Did you rent it or buy it from off the Internet.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 2:33 am

I like Joni's songwriting, and I think I'd like to see the show for its nostalgic value, but I've never really been a fan of Joni's vocals. I recognize that she's very talented in the multi-octave range, but still, I can't connect with her 'style'.

Nonetheless, it would have been a good show for, like I say, the nostalgia. Also, a lot of little known tid-bits come out during these documentaries.

Yet another DVD to keep my eyes open for. Anything from that time period immediately grabs my intention, anyway.

Cheers,
Linda.

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:42 am

It's not available through regular commercial channels. The net says "for trade only." I bought it from a fellow on the street.

linda_lakeside · Post by **linda_lakeside** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:51 am

I bought it from a fellow on the street.

Did he throw in a watch?

Good deal, if you can find it that easily.

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 5:25 am

This one specializes in rare music videos. No watches.

Squidgy · Post by **Squidgy** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:35 pm

Joni Mitchell's Blue contains two of my all time favoritest songs in the whole world---A Case of You and The Last Time I Saw Richard.
Both lyrical masterpieces, IMO. I've always secretly suspected that the album was mostly about Leonard (with the exception of Little Green, which she's said is about the child she gave up for adoption.) In California, she refers to a "red red rogue" in Greece who made good stew...I've always thought maybe this was a veiled reference to Leonard. He did have his house on Hydra way back then, and elsewhere I've read that he likes to cook soups and stews. And the "Richard" alluded to in The Last Time I Saw Richard just sounds SO like Leonard. The barroom conversation sounds like things he might say:

"The last time I saw Richard
was in Detroit in '68
and he told me
'All romantics meet the same fate someday,
cynical and drunken
boring someone in some dark cafe....
You laugh, you think you're immune?
Oh, look at your eyes, they're full of moon.
You like roses
and kisses
and all those pretty men
who tell you pretty lies.
Pretty lies.
When are you gonna realize
they're only pretty lies?
Just pretty lies.' "

The last part, "Richard got married to a figure skater/ he bought her a dishwasher and a coffee percolator /and he drinks at home now most nights with the tv on/ and all the house lights turned up bright" jibes with Leonard's later comments about his somewhat frustrating relationship with Suzanne Elrod (the mother of his children) and the rather deadening effect of domesticity on his creative instincts. So that's my theory. Anybody else have an opinion on this?
-Squidgy

lightning · Post by **lightning** » Wed Nov 16, 2005 10:40 pm

Blue is about David Blue aka, David Cohen, RIP, another singer= songwriter from NYC. I Am a Hotel is dedicated to his memory. Close but no cigar. Leonard is known to be the subject of Rainy House Man and maybe other songs on the first 2 albums.

Joni Mitchell

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joni mitchell

Joni Mitchell

Blue