<<Geez, Bob, worse than 'Dancing Clown'?>>
That's a tough question! I remember when I bought the LP and transferred it to one
side of a 90 minute tape, it went slightly over, so I cut a song. Tea-Leaf was the
song I cut, at least Dancin' Clown had a backbeat you can't lose it. But I think
lyrically (and perhaps musically), Tea-Leaf has more depth and is not as much of an
embarrassment as Dancin' Clown.
For me, it's like asking which turd in your yard stinks the least! :~)
But seriously, I appreciate your assessment of the lyrics, and I think it's an
interesting juxtaposition of the theme of war and how it brought her parents together.
I just think the whole thing is unfocused, and the background chant is overused thus
making it less effective.
Catherine, you make a very interesting point about how Joni is probably
re-interpreting Myrtle's words years later.
And Paul says: "I have always loved this song - who can say why one song touches one
person
and not another? "
Very true...and I can appreciate that others see beauty in this piece that I don't,
it's one of the wonders of Joni's work, and really one of the reasons I brought up the
song in the first place. When a Joni song hits me as a real stinker, I feel the need
to reach out and see what others can bring to it...
doesn't mean I LIKE it any better, but I can APPRECIATE it more!
Thanks, guys!
Bob
NP: Elvis C., "The Great Unknown"
