<<I also have to say that I prefer the versions of many songs on Miles of Aisles to their originals. For example, Rainy Night House, Carey, etc., to name just two. I'm hoping that I will feel that way about Travelogue....>>
MOA was the first Joni album i listened to...way back when....and as best as memory can serve, i played it all the time, but all the time. i just wouldn't suffer to listen to anything else. i think too that i was doing some serious over-writing of black sabbath and yes who, up til receiving a copy of MOA, were hard coded into the Les psyche at that time. Consequently, the records Joni produced up to this time were among the last i ended up buying and i think to this day, i don't know the Blue version of Blue that well!! What kinda heresy is that???? The MOA versions of all the songs on this compilation have become favourites of mine. Except Woodstock which is complete pants compared to the original which is just spectacular - of course I didn't realise just how pants-like it was until i bought LOTC. However, Joni's version of ACOY on Both Sides Now is wonderful to me and i expect to be similarly 'taken' with some of what Joni does on Travelogue. I don't expect to like them all though. I'm going to have the toughest job with Hejira which for me is an almost holy relic. I'll want to like it, but if it ain't right it ain't eva gonna get listened to again.. I think the most prevalant fear regarding Travelogue is the chance that the versions therein will be ponderous and maudlin. I certainly feel that the only way this project is going to work is if, as happened on BSN, the songs are taken apart and rearranged. As with all such surgery, it isn't going to suit everyone. After all just take the example of other people's version of the JM canon, some people just make a complete arse of their versions. I mean some people just wont be helped. And isn't always down to their ability to sing - god forbid that should be called into question. But some arrangers really need to be......ok enough. Les (london, very much in trepidation over Travelogue and sensitive to the impression created, to wit "who rattled his cage?!" :-))
