Hi 1. On BBC Radio 2 today the guest of Clive Andersen (sitting in for Michael Parkinson) was jazz singer, Claire Martin choosing 3 favourite tracks. Her third pick was Sex Kills from T'log. Andersen (jerk) expressed surprise that a jazz singer would pick Joni - he's probably heard nothing since Blue... One of her other picks was Mile Davis (Blues & Green), I didn't catch the other.
2. Any other jmdl'ers in the North West of England? On Saturday April 12th, Chris While & Julie Matthews are doing their 'Blue Tapestry' show - a celebration of the songs of Carole King & Joni - at Southport Arts Centre. Chris & Julie are fine singer-songwriters in their own right and their band comprises various Fairport/Tull/Albion/Thompson luminaries. THIS IS NOT A TRIBUTE SHOW - it's genuine musicians reinterpreting songs they love. Thought it might be a good opportunity for local list correspondents to say 'hi' to each other? Tickets are #10 (#8 concessions), box office 01704 540011. Drop me a line if you're coming.. [... ok, I confess a vested interest; I'm Marketing Manager at Southport Arts Centre! But I'm a Joni Mitchell fan first!....] 3. ... ok, my 'epiphany'... heard 'Boho Dance' on the Kid Jensen Show, Radio 1 circa 1977 - can you think of a less typical song to serve as an intro to Joni? Then went babysitting with a girlfriend and the people she was sitting for had HOSL - probably a subconscious association between Joni's music and sweet teenage proto-sex has lived with me ever since! I didn't love it immediately (the album!... I loved the proto- sex!) but I was intrigued enough to buy it. In fact, to this day I remain suspicious of any Joni album I like on first hearing (C&S is the only one I remember responding to that way - its not a favourite now..). Anyway, of course I grew to love HOSL and it is a favourite still. Mingus was the first release I remember actively waiting for - prior to that I was catching up on the back catalogue. I love Mingus and, personally, wish Joni had travelled a little further down that road. I only saw Joni once in concert - Wembley, 1983? - I was in love with a girl at university who shared my enthusiasm for Joni but, instead of inviting her to come to the concert with me, I invited the old girlfriend of proto-sex days; a sentimental, nostalgic gesture but a big mistake (sigh!). Hey, has Joni played a formative role in anyone else's love-life? OK, let me rephrase that; has Joni NOT played a formative role in anyone else's love-life?! John -- John Sprackland
