The songs on FTR were, I think, for the most part shaped by
two dynamics. First, her traumatic breakup with James Taylor.
Secondly, her personal crisis concerning whether she wanted to
continue playing the rock star game. Both are evident in the
title track.
"Remember the days when you used to sit
and make up your tunes for love
and pour your simple sorrow to the soundhole and your knee
And now you're seen on giant screens
and at parties for the press
and for people who have slices of you from the company"
Taylor was enjoying a surge in success at that time,
besides his red-hot music carreer, he had just made the film
"Two Lane Blacktop". Although his acting carreer was short-
lived, Joni saw in his success many things about the business and
her own stardom that made her uncomfortable.
"I guess I seem ungrateful with my teeth sunk in the hand
that brings me things I really can't give up just yet"
She retreated to her property in British Columbia to lick
her wounds and evaluate.
The applauding crowds still rang in her ears, so far from
the concert stage. But no, it was the arbutus trees rustling.
A good dose of direct contact with nature, as well as daily swims in
the icy ocean were part of her personal healing process.
She came up with the starkly-raw,
nerve-ends-bearing songs on FTR, which she must have
realized were on a whole new level. Plus; reality:
she had a record contract to adhere to.
"Judgement of the Moon and the Stars" closes the album,
and contemplates the life of someone married to Art, in this
case Beethoven. In the end, despite being misunderstood,
despite much mental anguish and suffering, she tells him in
no uncertain terms that he should, that he must GO FOR IT.
"You've got to shake your fist at lightning now
you've got to roar like the forest fire
You've got to spread your light like blazes all across the sky.....
......condemned to wires and hammers, strike every chord you feel
that broken trees and elephant ivories conceal"
RR
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Hey everyone,
> thanks to all those who wished me happy listening. FTR was enjoyable. I was
> surprised at the age of it. I was reminded of CS more than anything. It
> seems to me the album is composed of lost loves and lost moments. In
> particular, the title track. Can anyone go deeper?
> thanks Kammy
> NP-still listening to FTR
