Thanks so much for writing about Joni, in a way that honors her. Your life mirrors so much of mine that reading your posts is like reminiscing. Only you do it so much more elegantly than I could. Appreciate you.
"Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" (oh, the groove and the congas!!) is one of my faves, but, yes, the whole LP is all gold.
Richard Tarnas and I once enjoyed an extended discussion about Joni's chart and her music. In 2008 he was out in Australia (which is where I live) to speak at an astrology conference, and on the sidelines we my talked a lot about her chart and in particular her Saturn-square-Neptune.
I also have Saturn-square Neptune, but mine is from late January 1963... which is relates to my Substack name: I was born on the day of the Greatest Western Elongation of Venus :)
I first heard Joni as a 14 year old, in 1976 (Hejira) and quickly acquired her back catalogue. Only saw her live once, in the Sydney Opera House in '82 or 83 ?? - can't quite remember the year...
Thanks for all you write. I was a paid subscriber for a while... might have to come back to the entourage :)
I listen to all of Joni’s albums that you mentioned. I too limited myself to those albums. Then a few years ago, I listened to Night Ride Home and Turbulent Indigo. I was hooked! Highly recommend you give them a listen. They are now on repeat for me. Same intoxicating Joni.
Oh yes, of course. The first time I heard the chirping crickets at the start of the song Night Ride Home, I was love-struck. Nothing Can Be Done is Joni's finest 'rock' moment, and the lyrics, naturally, are killer. "...You had some trash-can rock band pounding..." Slayed.
Turbulent took me a while to sink into, but I got there.
I recommend checking out an album of Joni covers—Joni Mitchell Project—by
African jazz singer Tutu Poane. Her cover of The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the best track on the record, followed by Black Crow. I hope you are as inspired as I am
I’ve been recently reobsessed with Joni lately — waking up with lines from “Lesson in Survival” and “Blonde in the Bleachers” echoing in my head (that evanescent “man” vaporizing like the mass fantasy of “the rock and roll man.”) Lately, “For the Roses” is pulling me in like it never did before. Anyway, I love how you conjure her “weird” harmonics and vocal emanations. Your description of the themes of “Hissing” deepened my understanding — and I’ve been living with the album for, what? 50 years. I’d love to hear you muse on the swooning, rapturous sound of “Scarlett” and “Edith” someday. This right here made me pay up, happily. 💐🫖
What a gorgeous essay. I’m with you. Reminds me of my desire to listen to the entire Hejira album while on ayahuasca while I sang every lyric. As I write my own book now I’m very aware of her enormous imprint on my consciousness, and I’ve set up the large book of her artwork on my altar as a tribute every morning.
Thank you for your writing. I forget I am reading and am just carried away by the unnameable. Magical.
Terri, you're welcome. It's nice to feel the appreciation. Makes writing worthwhile.
Great piece Woodruff. We agree on Hissing but I think much of her later catalog is overlooked and brilliant.
Yes, of course, though this grouping is like an apex that — never resolves.
True, true. And yes, true.
Love your mother’s black keys memory.
That was 15 years ago —and opened my eyes to a new facet to study Michell through. I’ll never forget it.
You just wrote about my favorite album. I love that the critics didn't get it.
I’d say mine too, though last month it was Court and Spark, and then last year For the Roses. Wily and untrappable. 😊
Thanks so much for writing about Joni, in a way that honors her. Your life mirrors so much of mine that reading your posts is like reminiscing. Only you do it so much more elegantly than I could. Appreciate you.
Hi Mark
Appreciate your appreciation. Glad you found your way to this post — it’s been awhile since I wrote it.
I know. I'm new to you but glad I am catching up. You are worth it.
Joni went all the way home with the Mingus album. She is a jazz singer and always was.
Check out Tutu Poane's Joni Mitchell Project and other updated jazz interpretations of her work.
Don't stay stuck in the past, she evolved!
Cheers, Frederick...
'Hissing' really is as amazing as you write it to be.
And thank you for letting me know Joni is back on Spotify.
I honestly could write an entire dissertation (or memoir) based on -- and circulating around -- that LP. It's pure demiurge.
"Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" (oh, the groove and the congas!!) is one of my faves, but, yes, the whole LP is all gold.
Richard Tarnas and I once enjoyed an extended discussion about Joni's chart and her music. In 2008 he was out in Australia (which is where I live) to speak at an astrology conference, and on the sidelines we my talked a lot about her chart and in particular her Saturn-square-Neptune.
I also have Saturn-square Neptune, but mine is from late January 1963... which is relates to my Substack name: I was born on the day of the Greatest Western Elongation of Venus :)
I first heard Joni as a 14 year old, in 1976 (Hejira) and quickly acquired her back catalogue. Only saw her live once, in the Sydney Opera House in '82 or 83 ?? - can't quite remember the year...
Thanks for all you write. I was a paid subscriber for a while... might have to come back to the entourage :)
Greg
I listen to all of Joni’s albums that you mentioned. I too limited myself to those albums. Then a few years ago, I listened to Night Ride Home and Turbulent Indigo. I was hooked! Highly recommend you give them a listen. They are now on repeat for me. Same intoxicating Joni.
Hello Ellen
Oh yes, of course. The first time I heard the chirping crickets at the start of the song Night Ride Home, I was love-struck. Nothing Can Be Done is Joni's finest 'rock' moment, and the lyrics, naturally, are killer. "...You had some trash-can rock band pounding..." Slayed.
Turbulent took me a while to sink into, but I got there.
Thank you for your comment.
I recommend checking out an album of Joni covers—Joni Mitchell Project—by
African jazz singer Tutu Poane. Her cover of The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the best track on the record, followed by Black Crow. I hope you are as inspired as I am
Thank you C A, I will ck this LP out.
We like the same music.
The Pining for Hardwood Floors 💐💛
I’ve been recently reobsessed with Joni lately — waking up with lines from “Lesson in Survival” and “Blonde in the Bleachers” echoing in my head (that evanescent “man” vaporizing like the mass fantasy of “the rock and roll man.”) Lately, “For the Roses” is pulling me in like it never did before. Anyway, I love how you conjure her “weird” harmonics and vocal emanations. Your description of the themes of “Hissing” deepened my understanding — and I’ve been living with the album for, what? 50 years. I’d love to hear you muse on the swooning, rapturous sound of “Scarlett” and “Edith” someday. This right here made me pay up, happily. 💐🫖
What a gorgeous essay. I’m with you. Reminds me of my desire to listen to the entire Hejira album while on ayahuasca while I sang every lyric. As I write my own book now I’m very aware of her enormous imprint on my consciousness, and I’ve set up the large book of her artwork on my altar as a tribute every morning.