All right...time to let this cat out of the bag... Covers 14 is done & in the can. I'm working furiously to finish up making copies for all you wonderful contributors, so hang on, they're coming! In the meantime let me go ahead and tell ya'll what awaits you in this most excellent collection: 1. Richard Isen - Willie ~ 'Nuff said...I've been singing his praises for over a month now. This cover is great. The whole record is fantastic. CDBaby, Amazon, or Clearsong.com will set you up. And he's even a JMDL'er - how cool is that? 2. Wally Whyton - Urge For Going ~ UFG set to a skiffle beat, this one is unique for sure, and very nice. And older than some of you on this list! 3. Lydia van Dam Group - People's Parties ~ This one puts a new spin on PP, giving it a jazz feel with a piano riff that echos Steely Dan...unbelievable! Lydia, I am SO in love with you it hurts! 4. Will Taylor - Black Crow ~ This is a new release, like Richard Isen's, the whole CD is incredibly good. The whole record is acoustic and features a string section. On this cut there's a female vocalist who sounds great, and with the strings doing their crow-like swooping throughout, it's a real winner. I can't get enough of this entire CD! 5. Mark Murphy - Barangrill ~ Yay! Our first Barangrill, and this one is very tasty, some cool latin-pop-jazz for you. And it's always nice to hear a male voice on these tunes. 6. Beth Orton - River ~ Another one from the "unreleased & rare" file...I'm a Beth junkie, I think she's one of the best things going. This is a version she recorded in a radio studio, the audio is great quality, and she puts her own touch on the song. Very nice!! 7. Luke Bloom - Urge For Going ~ I'm also a big fan of Luka's, and this record of covers he does (Keeper of the Flame) is super! What an ear he has for a good melody! And he's a huge Joni fan too! 8. English Girls - Help Me ~ A fairly straightforward version, this is another one from the "Came Upon A Child of God" collection. 9. Denise Norton - Woodstock ~ This is a funny one, because when she starts, you think you're gonna hate it, but by the time she's done and her & the pianist have given this song a workout, you're standing up & cheering! Very original piano arrangement. 10. Marian Hoiting Kwartet - Carey ~ I'll try not to dwell on the fact that Marian looks like Claudia Schiffer, and focus on her musical talents, which are indeed many. This is yet another great jazz treatment of Joni from Holland. Marian, if you're lurking, I was just kidding about Lydia - it's YOU I'm mad about! 11. The Assembled Multitude - Woodstock ~ This is an early 70's instrumental, sounds dated but has a very pure sound, nice arrangement and very cool to hear all the percussion and sweeping harps! 12. Stan Getz - Both Sides Now ~ Can you believe you get all the way to track #12 before you get a BSN? This one's also about 30 years old, and Stan turns in a satisfactory performance, his solo doesn't step out too far. 13. Barbara Higbie - Rainy Night House ~ I love Barbara's piano playing, and I've been a fan of hers since I picked up on Montreaux and their Windham Hill stuff. She's got a great Fred Simon/Joni Mitchell touch on those keys, and because this one's an instrumental, you can pretend it's karaoke! 14. Ronnie Aldrich - Woodstock ~ Another 70's instrumental version, this one bases itself on Mathews Southern Comfort's arrangement. Again, it has a majestic sound that may sound dated but I'm a real sucker for. 15. Ballroom Band - Both Sides Now ~ Somebody get the hook! This one sounds like your Uncle Herman playing his new Lowrey Genie Organ with the "Samba" key turned on..."Play Red River Valley again, Uncle Herman!" But hey, it's a Joni song you can dance to! 16. Donal Leace - Midnight Cowboy ~ This one's really curious, because I don't have anything to compare it to. It's Joni's song, but I've never heard what she does with it. But this is a very significant addition to our collection, and a nice folk-rock performance by Donal Leace. And also hard to get!! 17. Andy Milne's Cosmic Dapp Theory - Free Man In Paris ~ NOW we're talkin'! Joni would love this 8 minute funk-jazz treatment of this tune...starts out with a nice female vocalist, then throws in some funky rap vocals, then a great instrumental piano jam...WOW, what a recipe for a great cover! 18. CPR - For Free ~ Another "rare & unreleased can't buy it in the store" selection, David Crosby gives Joni some high praise in the introduction, and CPR gives the song a superb workout with some really nice pedal steel. There you have it! 18 tracks, over 73 minutes of goodness! Hat's off to our contributors: Richard Isen William Burnworth Rob Etteridge Monica Gary Zack John van Tiel Me Getting a copy is easy. Send me a blank MUSIC CD + postage or just send me $5 check or cash to cover my costs. If you have any questions, let me know. Canadians & Australians, contact me privately and we'll work something out. Euro's John van Tiel will take care of you as always! Bob Muller 309 West Prentiss Ave. Greenville, SC 29605 NP: Denise Norton, "Woodstock"
