Eight from Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter
Recently, I’ve been on the road quite a bit. That has its disadvantages.
However, road travel also has its benefits. It allows you time to think – and to get reacquainted with music you love. And there’s simply something quite enjoyable about heading down the highway, dawn in the rear-view mirror, with music you love and haven’t heard in years playing in the background.
And yeah – that means you’re about to get another musical “walkabout” from me. You’ve been warned. (smile)
. . .
Before this trip, I took another look through the music library – after all, you can only listen to the same set of tunes so long before you begin to get tired of them. And I found something there that I’d put aside and forgotten over the years.
In previous articles here at TAH, I indicated there were two ladies I’d pay serious money to hear play in a small venue. I was wrong; add a third to that list. That third lady is Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter – AKA Ms. Roberta Joan “Joni” Mitchell.
Here are eight tunes by the lady, along with some brief comments. They showcase a truly wonderful voice and songwriting talent. All are her compositions; the first three were made famous by other performers.
The last tune is a particular favorite of mine. FWIW: I think that anyone who’s ever taken on significant responsibilities – be they of national import, at work, for one’s family, or of any other type – can identify with the tune’s sentiment.
Both Sides Now (Judy Collins recorded this in 1967.)
Big Yellow Taxi (Mitchell recorded and released it in 1970, but it didn’t do as well as the version recorded and released that same year by “The Neighborhood”. Mitchell later had a bigger hit with a live version of the song released in 1974.)
Woodstock (Crosby Stills Nash and Young recorded the definitive version of this tune, but Mitchell wrote it.)
Help Me (Mitchell’s biggest and only top 10 hit. Nice tune.)
Raised on Robbery (Minor hit and fun tune.)
Court and Spark (Gorgeous title tune from the album marking her commercial high-water mark.)
Twisted (This tune is simply hilarious – and yes, that IS Cheech and Chong you hear doing spoken background vocals somewhat over midway through the tune. [smile])
Free Man in Paris (Written by Mitchell about her observations of music industry figure David Geffin during a trip they took to Paris with Robbie Robertson and his wife, Dominique. As noted above, anyone who’s ever taken on significant responsibilities IMO can identify with this one.)
. . .
Joni Mitchell suffered a brain aneurysm in March 2015. She survived and has made a reasonable recovery, but apparently has significant residual health issues. Sadly, I’d guess her career as a performer has ended.
But her existing recorded work still showcases her immense skill as a composer and singer. And the above only covers a smallish part of her career.
Category: Pointless blather, Who knows
In Hondo’s own words … the clue is very clear … He is the Taxi Driver!
“woodstock”
The only wood stock I remember in 1969…….
see i always enjoyed the sunset in the rearview mirror, it meant i was heading back east and closer to home…
It’s sad to read she’s had health problems. Mitchell has/had one of the best voices in popular music.
I would strongly recommend her Blue album.
It’s interesting to listen to her original take on Both Sides Now, then compare that to the version she cut for the movie Love, Actually. She sang the latter version as a much older, more experienced woman.
I’m 38 and grateful my baby boomer parents raised me right (or at least tried their damnedest). Casey nailed it, that album is just…art. In fact, without that album I may not be here today. Both my parents inscribed their wedding rings with quotes from Blue. My fathers is “My Old Man” and my mother’s is a line from Last Time I Saw Richard, “roses and kisses”.
Every woman I’ve dated since has had to be subjected to that album.