on 5/29/02 4:39 PM, S M at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >2) Would someone care to reclassify these albums into different periods? If so how are those albums unified through the period? I would move the last album of your classifications into the preceding period: For the Roses moves to the beginning, and Mingus moves to the middle. The beginning moves from "folky" simplicity to the person who is ready to work more closely with other musicians to get where she wants to go. Court and Spark marks the tentative beginning of the "jazzy" or experimental period and Mingus is the deepest plunge into that genre. Not that the studio albums in the middle period can all be called "jazzy" of course. The later period contains some of her most "socially-conscious" work and is coloured, in my opinion. by the stability of her long-term relationships. That is, the deep and personal exploration of love's troubles seems to be largely absent.
>1) How many of you would make the case that Joni's best creative material was >produced at the 'beginning', 'middle' or 'end' of her career? For me it's the beginning because I can listen to any of those albums at any time and enjoy them. The middle is 50-50 (Hejira is unequalled), and most of the "later" period could be compiled into one, maybe two excellent albums. I may take a lot of flak for dismissing the later period but this is all IMHO. >2) Does anyone think that the output > has stayed at the same level of quality? The level of quality has stayed high without a doubt, but that doesn't mean that everything she's done will appeal to everyone equally. >3) Does anyone think that her > best material was produced at the beginning and end of her career? Beginning and middle. Hope this helps. All the best Ranger Rick
