So, I woke up this AM and flip over the calendar page (I'll miss you, Miss January!) and see that it's a new month, which can only mean one thing - a new Joni covers compilation gets unleashed to a waiting world! And since February is such a short month, let's get it out there ASAP! :~)
My thanks to the folks who chipped in to make it happen: -Jerry Notaro -Julian Parker-Burns (one of my cover bro's) -Lorraine Gervais Here's the rundown: 1. Count Zero - Free Man In Paris: Weird. Imagine a cross between a Dr. Evil/Colonel Klink/Count Chocula vocal, and you're not far from it. But I do think it's pretty cool that they work in a sample of Joni's "Help Me" guitar riff. 2. The Central Park Band - Big Yellow Taxi 3. Dee Felice Trio - Both Sides Now: These are both very solid instrumentals, with a Vince Guaraldi piano feel. 4. Ian Shaw - Goodbye Pork Pie Hat: We've heard from Ian before, as he's also done This Flight Tonight. This one is much more jazzed, some long instrumental soloing and Ian does both the Joni & the non-Joni lyrics. A bit tough to take at first, repeated listenings are rewarded for this 11-minute extravaganza. 5. Sato Nanaco - Woodstock: Extrememly haunting & beautiful version of the landmark song. Done by a Japanese singer in a very unique style. Hard to describe, really, except to say that I love it. 6. Gloria Loring - Song To A Seagull: Ex soap star Gloria Loring must be a huge fan, because she's also recorded Chelsea Morning which is tougher to find. She's got a nice emotive voice which serves her well with this one. 7. Lorraine Gervais - A Case of You: Here's my find!! Some of you may recall that I mentioned Lorraine a while ago. She's a west coast jazz singer who recorded a CD with "Blue Motel Room" on it. I was so blown away that I contacted her, and in the midst of our conversation she also sent me this demo of ACOY. A JMDL exclusive! And she told me that it was inspired not by Joni's "Blue" version, but by the BSN rendition. 8. Judy Collins - Chelsea Morning: This is her single version of the song, very different from the previously included track from Living. I thought we had all the Judy already, so thanks to the diva-lovers out there who have all the knowledge (and the records too!) 9. Kings Road - Both Sides Now: Ho Hum. 10. Claude Denjean - Big Yellow Taxi: This one makes me laugh out loud because he uses these synths for taxi horns that sound like farts! This taxi is definitely gas-powered! ;~) 11. Agnes Chan - The Circle Game: This is first of several Asian female covers of TCG. This is the earliest, so it must have been the inspiration for the others. Not outstanding, but not bad. 12. Lorraine Gervais - Blue Motel: I finally get to hear BMR in the jazz-torch song setting of my dreams. Words can't do it justice! Lorraine's CD "Diva's Diversion" is WELL worth finding. 13. Doug Ashdown - Marcie: A 1970 Aussie cover, thanks to John Low for putting me on the track for this one. Pretty obscure, and a subtle, quiet version. 14. The Rhythm Method - Big Yellow Taxi 15. The Rhythm Method - Free Man In Paris: The Rhythm Method is the accapella chorus from Binghamton College in NY. These are so-so, not enough energy for my taste. 16. Peter King - Little Green: A gorgeous instrumental take on one of Joni's prettiest melodies. 17. Kathryn Grayson - Both Sides Now: Oh Gawd! My sincere apologies for this one. Simply dreadful. And what the hell is she singing at the beginning? "oars & plors of angel hair"? I put this one last so you can push the off button after Peter King! :~) So, there you have it...another month's worth in the amazing JMDL collection of Joni covers. Stay tuned to see how to snag a copy for your very own... Bob NP: Kyle Eastwood, "Enter Evening"
