Joni Mitchell

Subject: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,kirsten
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 02:12 AM

For any of you Joni fans out there...
I got ahold of a bootleg of an old Canadian radio show interviewing Joni in her very early years.
She talked about some interesting things, and sang a few songs she did not record, such as Brandy Eyes, Winter Lady and Urge for Going...
But I found it interesting that she said she had made up a language...she called her cat SIOFA - for She Is Our Favorite Animal

And her song Sisotowbell Lane from her first album, and her publishing company, Siquomb, are from that too...Sisotowbell is for Somehow in spite of trouble ours will be ever lasting love. And Siquomb, is for She Is Queen Undisbutedly Of Mind Beauty.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Tubby T. (Affectionate new name for Jane K!)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 02:57 AM

Hi, I grew up to the sounds of Joni;eventually commandeering my brothers Joni album collection!! Words will never be found how much she influenced me and my music. I would L>>O>>V>>E to get a copy of the programme from you if that's poss. "Sisotowbell Lane".. 'Somehow, in spite of troubles ours will be everlasting love' - In my humble opinion; there has never been a more 'brilliant' poet/lyricist/etc...What a strong and imaginative mind. Kind regards TT.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: alanabit
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 03:45 AM

I was absolutely knocked dead by Joni at Wembely in 1974 and even more so by a TV concert of her at The Roundhouse in London a few weeks later. From that time, one of her most remarkable songs was "Woman of Heart and Mind", which came about as close as a song could to making me see the way the world might look from a woman's point of view. That's pretty special.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Tubby T. (Affectionate new name for Jane K!)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 03:56 AM

Had to come back and check this Joni thread...in fact I'm gonna check it all day!!...Now there's commitment.. I have to agree 'Woman of Heart and Mind'...beautiful..infact I sang some of it,just in passing, to my hubby, just the other day...to get the female point of view across!...I have to say he did look a bit bewildered...

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,TT.
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 07:00 AM

I cannot believe only a couple of resonses so far!!

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: Lanfranc
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 07:09 AM

I can honestly say that Joni Mitchell's songs changed my life. Hearing one of her songs made me decide that I was missing too much good new material living on the East Coast, and made me decide to move up to live in London.

Down the London Troubadour one Saturday night in 1968, Canadian singer Shelley Posen sang "Marcie" and it just plain knocked me sideways. Brilliant lyrics, an interesting melody and a guitar accompaniment in open G that opened up new harmonic possibilities. Shelley was long-suffering enough to spend time in the Troub's back room teaching me the accompaniment, including the "over the top" Bflat chord. The next Monday, back home on the Essex coast, I ordered "Song to a Seagull" as an import and waited with bated breath for it to be delivered.

When it came, it was no disappointment, except, perhaps, that some of the songs were too personal and demonstrably from a female perspective, which made it awkward for a male singer. Then I discovered Tom Rush and "Circle Game", and that was another milestone, as was Judy Collins "Both Sides Now".

I only saw Joni live twice, much to my regret, but, almost forty years on, I still sing "Marcie", "Both Sides Now" "Circle Game", "Urge for Going", "Morning Morgantown", "Amelia", "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Nathan la Franeer".

She lost me somewhat during her more avant garde period (let's face it, I couldn't get my voice and limited guitar ability round most of her songs from "Mingus" on), but I have most of her albums.

A very clever and talented lady who has given me more pleasure from her music than anyone else I can think of. I understand that she is giving up touring, which is a shame, but if she comes to the UK, I would like to think I could get to see her one last time.

Alan

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: alanabit
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 07:26 AM

I think I would too. She never did tour much anyway though. She had returned to using simpler melodic forms the last time I heard her. The song Magdelene Launderies (posted here I think) would have suited a folk singer. Maybe she has come the full circle musically. I would love to see her in a small, intimate setting.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: van lingle
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 07:32 AM

I picked up a CD of Blue which I hadn't listened to in about 30 years and it is still a masterpiece.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 07:33 AM

Kirsten

I'm sure Joni Mitchell will be thrilled to learn that bootleg recordings of her are being traded on Mudcat.

You wouldn't happen to have any old Nic Jones stuff as well, by any chance?

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 07:44 AM

...by the way, van, how did you get hold of a CD 30 years ago?

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: s6k
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 08:20 AM

shutup

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: van lingle
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 08:44 AM

Good one, Scouser. I used to have the toughest time getting that old CD to play on my turntable.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Chris b (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 09:37 AM

Personally, I'd like to see Cara Dillon in a small, intimate setting...

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 09:40 AM

By the way, is Joni still smoking? Don't know why I just thought of that.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: open mike
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 11:53 AM

in an earlier post you put down joni's music as whining sad woman's song
or something like that--i am glad to see you have come around to praising her..she deserves it..she has been thru a lot...and is a
very creative person in painting as well as music..wish she would
give her lungs a break and stop smoking though.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 12:58 PM

Nice to read such an intelligent, interesting thread. Particularly impressed by the bit about Joni making up her own language. Makes up for most of the stuff we read on Mudcat being Belligerent Overblown Lightly Lovelorn Outrageous Colloquially Knowledgeable Satire.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: michaelr
Date: 13 Aug 05 - 01:28 PM

I had the privilege of seeing JM on tour in 1979, with the Persuasions. Wish I'd had the chance to see her in the 60s.

Joni has said that since her reunion with her daughter (given up for adoption after birth) she has come "full circle" in the sense that she no longer feels a need to write songs.

I recommend the DVD "Woman of Heart and Mind - A Life Story".

Cheers,
Michael

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 02:22 AM

kirsten wrote, "She talked about some interesting things, and sang a few songs she did not record, such as Brandy Eyes, Winter Lady and Urge for Going..."

She did record Urge for Going, as the B-side of the single, You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio.
It's the only 45 I own.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 03:31 AM

It also turned up on a compilation, which is where I first heard it, over thirty years later. It's good stuff.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 03:08 PM

Earlier this year I attended the Folk Alliance Conference in Montreal. At a luncheon, I found myself sitting next to a gentleman whose name tag read "Chuck Mitchell, Keokuk Iowa".   After we chatted a few minutes I asked him if he was THAT Chuck Mitchell, and sure enough it was.

What a nice man! I attended a showcase that he gave at the Folk Alliance, a late night performance that was sparsely attended.   It may sound cliched, but I was literally moved to tears. I did not expect the performance that he gave. Chuck is a theatrical performer who mixes in doses of Bertol Brecht with traditional folk songs, songs from Ewan MacColl, and what really knocked me out was his interpretation of "Circle Game". I thought it was a ballsy choice of songs considering his history, but he gave the most outstanding and heartfelt interpretion of the song that I ever heard.

I wish he would record and tour, but he seems very content with his life in Keokuk.   

Sorry, I know it is slightly off topic, but I just had to mention him.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 03:18 PM

Thought you'd like to know that Joni's recording of "Urge For Going" is now on two compilations - "Hits" and the more recent "Songs Of A Prairie Girl".

Bit puzzled to see mention of Magdalen Laundry tho', alanabit - not one of Joni's songs....

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 03:37 PM

It is one of her songs MoorleyMan, check out Turbulent Indigo.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 04:09 PM

There are two Magdalen Laundries, both brilliant. I can't remember offhand who wrote the non-Joni one, but the Irish singer Eleanor Shanley made a great recording of it.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 05:17 PM

Blue is an album that posses the power to draw me back through the years to the places and people that were so familiar to me when I first heard it. Joni's piano on My Old Man has a phrasing that is among the most strange, melancholy, and beautiful that I have ever heard.
"only a phase...these dark cafe days"

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: jaze
Date: 15 Aug 05 - 08:04 PM

Glad to see a thread on Joni Mitchell. She has consistently progressed in her musical output over the years. I didn't always like some of the directions she went in, but I can understand her artistic reasons for doing so. She once said she didn't want to become a "greatest hits" jukebox, so she continued to change and explore new musical directions to keep it interesting for herself.there is a website that offers several of her bootleg lp's such as Mosal and Posall(or something like that)Those words are also in her made up language. There are tons of songs that have never been released on official recordings. God, I'd love to hear it. Her website offers the lyrics to many of her unreleased songs. The DVD mentioned "Woman Of Heart And Mind" was done really well. Her official biography "Shadows And LIght" by Karen O'Brien is also excellent. I remember reading in someone's book on the Rolling Thunder Tour where they told a story of Joni getting busted for pot but she got off when they told the police that the publicity she'd get if it got out would probably inspire more kids to smoke pot,so they decided to drop it!

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,kirsten
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 02:36 AM

Unfortunately the bootleg I had of Joni doing Brandy Eyes, Winter Lady, Urge for Going, etc was a record that I had back in 1978. I lost it since. But remember parts of it like the language.

And yes, Little Green was written for her daughter she gave up for adoption and she has since reunited with her, but they have had rocky times, not talking, then talking, then not, etc...

And yes, I do say things negative about Joni too at times...I think she does say stereotypical things for women, the old I long for men who have no time for me Miss Piggy thing, like "There's a wide wide world of noble causes...but all I really want to do right now is find another lover..." Her politics for me were very weak...and I found Laura Nyro to be 100% more of a vocalist and musician, but Joni's poetry is really what gets me. Woman of Heart and Mind, My Old Man, etc are okay, but predictable. I liked her more edgy stuff like ELECTRICITY, and COLD BLUE STEEL... I also loved Don Juan's Reckless Daughter but after that, I lost interest...I still listen to Hejira all the time and it is one of my favs, I still listen to Hissings, but find Blue boring, honestly. MY fav Joni albums would have to be For the Roses, Hejira, Hissings, Don Juan's Daughter and Court and Spark. I get bored with the overplaying of Blue and Ladies of the Canyon and songs like Both Sides Now, which Judy Collins MANGLED. On CLouds, I much more prefer things like Tin Angel to an overdone song like Both Sides Now...

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: alanabit
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 04:43 AM

A very individual view Kirsten. I like Tin Angel a lot. That gut wrenching "I found someone to love today" at the end of each verse, which completely threw me the first time I heard it, was something only Joni could have pulled off. Of course, the "big hits" from those days, "Both Sides Now" and "Circle Game" walk a dangerous line between being universally resonant and trite. They are the sort of songs which sound obvious and simple to pull off - after someone else has done it. For me that is greatness, but I gues not everyone's antennae is tuned the same way. That is what taste is all about!

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: Pied Piper
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 06:06 AM

"We are star dust
Billion year old Carbon"

Wonderful

PP

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: alanabit
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 06:13 AM

Just reading my previous post, I think I have a verb and noun agreement problem, which is a regrettable shortcoming in someone, who is supposed to be an English teacher!

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 11:42 AM

Mea culpa Ron - I got it wrong cos Turbulent Indigo is one of the gaps in my Joni collection!
But this thread has certainly opened up some very interesting debate and views, so I'll be back later!

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: Peace
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:21 PM

Mitchell is a phenomenal writer. Regardless that some fems don't like her lyrics, or that she's such a dependent-on-man woman, she can still write. Melodies and words. You'll like what you like, as with all artists. And not like what ya don't.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: jaze
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 08:11 PM

I read somewhere that since she retired , she'll be working on her memoirs. Now that would be an interesting read. She a very talented artist who has lived an interesting life. Especially the Laurel Canyon days-queen of the hippies and all that.

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: sixtieschick
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 01:13 AM

Kirsten, passing judgement on other peoples' complex emotional lives just because they don't suit your view of political correctness is narrow-minded and very, very small. Mitchell is an artist. And what soul-searing, honest, brilliant song lyrics have YOU contributed, pray tell?

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Partridge
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 04:13 AM

I have more JM recodings than any other artist. I love her music and lyrics. I think she got me through my teens, although I could only play her music when my parents were out. They did not share my enthusiasm for her, in fact my Dad thought she should be taken to the Vets to be put out of her misery..........

I think one of my favourites is "You turn me on I'm a radio" I also love "Carey" and "Come in from the cold"

I have never seen her biography in any bookshop this side of the pond(UK), but I will ask next time.
I have never seen her live, but theres still time. I live in hope

Pat x

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: kirstenanderberg
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 12:47 PM

You can say I am a bad person for having strong views on Joni, but you will also notice I have intense files of info on her, she is definitely one of the most influential people of my life...and I do not even know her!

I am not sure if this Joni trivia has been shared here either...I cannot remember where I heard these things, but believe most came from her mouth in one interview or another...

Carey is written for James Taylor...I think they had a vacation together in some exotic place that was the topic of that song

And in Ladies of the Canyon, the woman who makes the brownies is Mama Cass...

Willy is written for Graham Nash...

Our House by Crosby Stills and Nash is about Joni and Graham's house in Laurel Canyon

The song Triad by David Crosby was supposedly about David's love for Joni while she was with Graham Nash. David Crosby produced Joni's first album...

There is an excellent documentary called "Under the Covers" about the making of legendary album covers in the 1960-70's and Blue is included as he decided to tint it blue. There is GREAT footage of Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash romping in the snow for a photo shoot in that video. He goes into a bush sledding, she puts a bandaid on his butt...it is rare footage.

Joni also drew the cover of one of Crosby Stills Nash (And Young, I believe)'s album covers...it was something like "So Far..."

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 01:10 PM

Gosh. Graham Nash's butt. How did I survive for so long without seeing that?

Subject: RE: Joni Mitchell
From: michaelr
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 06:42 PM

Carey is written for James Taylor...I think they had a vacation together in some exotic place that was the topic of that song

"Carey" is set on the Greek Island of Crete: "...and they're playing that scratchy rock'n'roll beneath the Matalla moon." Matalla is a place with ancient cave dwellings which were a favorite hippie hangout in the 60s and 70s.

The song Triad by David Crosby was supposedly about David's love for Joni while she was with Graham Nash. David Crosby produced Joni's first album...

If you listen to "Triad" it's obviously about David and two women.

Cheers,
Michael