From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

> In a message dated 2/21/2003 7:54:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
> (and yes, Bob, "Astral Weeks" is a masterpiece ...
>
> I should have copied you directly on that question - my bad. I still have
mixed feelings about it, but at least I can better appreciate it. >

If you keep listenin' to it, I'm sure it'll open itself up to you. Also, if
you're interested I'd be happy to send you some of my favorites critiques of
the album - plus information on the *making* of the album, which is an
astonishing story.

Anyway, on to the matter at hand ...

I asked:

> Can a box set be put together without including any of the early
unreleased songs as they appear in the Second Fret Sets, etc. Also, should
the set be chronologically compiled? ... thematic by disc?

You answered:

> Well, I'd be a LOT more interested in hearing "Officially" released
versions of the unreleased stuff, made from master recordings, etc. Surely
there are more demos, alternative recordings (Mingus demos anyone?) and such
that she could easily fill up a 4-cd box set with that sort of thing. >

Yes, but my interest is in how the JMDL would like to see Joni presented to
"the public" should she release a typical career-scoping box set, a la
Clapton's "Crossroads." *Of course* you and I (and everyone else on the
JMDL) would prefer a "rarities" box. :-)

> But I certainly don't want to throw a wet blanket on the idea about a
comprehensive collection of her already released recordings...I would think
you'd almost have to make it chronological to not have it sound uneven and
scattered. >

Dylan's "Biograph" took a non-chonological approach, and it worked. I'm with
you, though. My vote would be for a box which begins in 1967 and moves
chonologically to conclude in 2003.

> So how many tracks would be on a 4-CD set? >

I'd think we'd probably get close to 20 songs on the first disc or two. More
than 12, anyway.

> What are the top 48 songs at the moment in the JMDL's song poll? That
might be a good place to start. >

Yes, it would. (Where is the song poll archived?)

However, in the interests of JC why don't we take it an album at a time and
debate it? What songs are absolutely essential inclusions from STAS? Again,
think in terms of how to best present Joni's career to "the layperson," with
a 320-minute time limit.

Jim

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