singer-songwriter genre with "Blue" in 1971. Maybe Carly wrote "Nobody DoesLama In my 46 & 11/12ths year-old brain, she blew the roof off the
It Better" but to me, Joni is the true object of that compliment.
The very next year, 1972, "For The Roses" came out. To me, both of these
albums are so incredibly rich in beauty, metaphor, and depth, that there's
just no way to get all of the "juice" out of them in less than 10 years of
living with them. You might be able to "gobble" them up and move on, but
when you come back? Oh, my. You're back for good.
Then came "Court and Spark"!! Has any solo Beatle had three back-to-back titles as good as these? I think not. McCartney's "Ram", much as I love it, was preceded by "McCartney" and
followed by "Wings-Wildlife". John Lennon? Please!
That's the bottom line for me. I'm not saying that the Beatles were hacks.
Understand, what I'm saying is to expect 3 in a row of this caliber from any
solo artist is a super-human feat, unattainable by even the Beatles.
Yet, here's this Canuck. This *WOMAN*. Hello? You bet she's
ground-breaking!
Lama
I heartily agree with your assessment of Joni's wonderous feat regarding those splendid back-to-back titles. Also agree that no solo Beatle even came close.
In fact the only artist, male or female that has a possibly comparable accomplishment would, in IMO be L.A. Cowboy. His debut CD "Farewell" was hailed in a 1997 edition of the Twin Cities Reader as "probably,the separation/divorce CD of the century; at once poignant, resigned, hopeful, forgiving and full of love - lost or otherwise." I noted that the next weeks edition had around seven "letters to the editor" from people of both genders writing in and agreeing, even thanking the writer for exposing the CD through his review.
Then came "So Much Has Changed", an opus devoted to the North American Indian's heritage, plight and possibilities. A totally new, distinctive, contemporary blend of stratocastrs, mandola, keyboards, native percussion and flute, with chanters and back-up singers representing five different tribes.
A reviewer in a Native American News Quarterly wrote in 1999; "that anyone particularly a white man, could so eloquently capture the saga, the spirit, the sorrow, and the honor of Indian's everywhere is simply stunning. The Great Father spoke through our brother, L.A. Cowboy. Every Indian, and particularly, every white man who occupies our land, every two-legs who occupies this earth, should listen and learn from this passionate, poetic masterpiece and its message of understanding,tolerance and acceptance. Further funds permitting, I hope to receive permission to publish the poetry of these songs in the next edition, so that our brothers and sisters who continue to live without electricity, running water or paved roads on many of our Reservations can also hear" these marvelous messages".
Then "Flyover Land", also, I believe, released 1999. An "anonymous" L.A. producer in the Cowboy's guest book simply stated: "the ultimate tongue-in-cheek, tribute to Tinseltown. What a gas! I'm ordering copies for several friends - and, unawares, enemies. The perfect, "fake white Christmas tree" stocking stuffer. You've done it again Cowboy, another instant classic! Every song is 'profoundly' cool."
Then we have CDs four through eight...hmmmmm. But then again, you were simply referring to three. BTW - IMO Cat Stevens did 2 and 1/4,1/2?
Franklin
NP: "Famous Love" by L.A.Cowboy at http://www.mp3.com/lacowboy
