> For example, I doubt that Joni has "written off" Sting, Morissette and Crow > (whatever it means to "write them off"). Still, such an assertion can get a > rise out of the reader.
This is from a Details interview from July of 1996: Joni: Alanis Morissette writes words, someone else helps set it to music, and then she's kind of stylized into the part. To me, Sheryl Crow is a style invention, and I know some of her inventors. As far as Sting is concerned, this is what she had to say: It's been said that Sting wouldn't have come up with his world-music/fusion bit if you hadn't done it first on Hissing. Joni: (laughs) Sting is a tributary of James [Taylor] and me and we call him our son, so whenever I'd see Sting I'd say, "Hello, son." Because for a long time he liked to think of himself as a pioneer blazing new territory, when in fact he wasn't. He did some bold moves, but blaze a trail? No. Me again. I think she's made similar comments about Sting being 'mine & James' illegitimate child'. I don't think she means to completely trash him. She just doesn't think he's necessarily the great innovator that he is sometimes said to be. In fact most of Joni's beefs about other artists have to do with giving credit where credit is due. A lot of musicians who are hailed a trail-blazers are merely following paths that she and others have already trod in Joni's mind. I do agree that there is music worth listening to and if Joni isn't aware of that, then she needs to get a clue. If she is aware of it, it would be nice to see her talking about that for a change rather than trashing what we already know is mostly mediocre at best (top 40 radio). But then again, maybe nobody asks her about independent or non-top 40 music and if they do, maybe her reactions never make it into print. Mark E in Seattle
