> << With all due respect to Don/Larry's role I think her 80's trilogy
(Wild
> Things/Dog/Chalkmark) sounds exactly the way she wanted it to
sound. >>
>
> She's been quoted as saying that she feels the DED was not HER
project. Klein
> collaborated with her on some of the songs, which was pretty
unprecedented,
> and he & Dolby introduced lots of synthsized effects that she would
not have
> chosen on her own.
Ah yes, the great 80s debate. Was it Joni? Was it Klein? Was it
Dolby? Was it just the 80s themselves? Was it Memorex? I've never
been able to make up my mind but I will say that 80s Joni are my least
favorite. I still don't think that makes the records necessarily bad
or inferior and I still maintain that the production & sound of DED
are entirely appropriate to the overall themes & subject matter. I
just like the 90s better.
>
> ChalkMark is definitely the Weakest link as far as I'm concerned,
with Joni
> stylistically all over the place, and releasing some songs that
never should
> have seen the light of day.
Chalk Mark has an odd place in Joni's catalogue, imo. To me, it
sounds 'more like Joni' than DED. It's more melodic & less harsh
sounding. It also has a couple of real gems on it. 'The Beat of
Black Wings' is one of her most powerful songs, imo. I'm also very
fond of 'The Tea Leaf Prophecy' and 'Snakes & Ladders' has a rhythm
and cadence to it that I really enjoy. But overall the record seems a
bit top-heavy to me. I guess I feel like Joni had gotten rid of
Dolby's influence on CMIARS and she was trying to assimilate the
synthesizers into her own unique sound. With Night Ride Home she
finally learned how to use those sounds sparingly to add shading and
mood.
>
> Although it's funny...had she decided NOT to release the dreadful
"Dancing
> Clown", and the JMDL had the recording on a tree somewhere, it would
be a
> revered rarity! ;~)
>
> The only redeeming feature of Dancin Clown is watching her video of
> it...seeing her dancing with her apathetic cat is guaranteed to
induce an
> ear-to-ear grin!
Be careful what you say, Bob! Things can easily be misconstrued. At
some remote date in the future, some relative or friend may be
trolling through the JMDL archives, looking for ideas to use in your
eulogy. They may skim through & see your frequent mentions of Dancin'
Clown and decide it was your favorite song & the perfect thing to play
during your memorial service!
Morbidly yours,
Mark in Seattle
