In a message dated 4/4/03 3:00:47 AM, Mary writes:
<< Geez, it's amazing that two (or three) diehard fans can disagree so
completely! I don't see this at all. I regard "Blue" as the expansion and
culmination of the Clouds/LOTC era, and FTR, by contrast, as essentially
"Court & Spark I." To me, FTR has much more in common with respect to vocals,
lyrics and overall vision to C & S than with anything that went before it.
FTR looks ahead to where Joni would eventually go with C & S and HOSL. >>
I agree that FTR seems to be a better lead in to C&S than Blue and that
Blue is more like the earlier albums. But from the extra attention I've been
giving Blue these days, I've come to understand just why this album is so
popular (even though C&S is still my own favorite for a multitude of
reasons): Blue is actually in a class of its own; I think it is the most
deeply sincere and introspective thing Joni ever did. For some artists, those
things don't seem to hold up well but in Joni's case, I think her fans are so
passionate about her and her music, that the deep things are given their
proper respect. When WFUV (member-supported radio in NYC) has its listener's
polls, Blue always comes out as the favorite Joni album.
Kenny B
