This doesn't explain my
> passionate love for For the Roses. This was a pretty simple album
> musically compared to her stuff after this.
It's taken me a long time to fully appreciate For the Roses but now
I'm convinced it's a hugely important record in Joni's output.
Musically I think it's the bridge between Blue and Court & Spark and
all of the incredible 70s albums that followed. I also think it's a
clear indication that Joni had reached a new place in her personal
growth. I was talking about FTR with my friend Melanie last weekend
and we both agreed that Joni had just come into her full adult
womanhood when she made it. There is a new strength & confidence in
For the Roses. She would still have deep feelings, deep hurts, great
joy but nothing was going to make her fall apart. She has no more
illusions but she still 'will try to be there for you when your
spirits start to sink.' She's strong but she's not made of stone.
She still has compassion and a lot of love to give. I think it's very
significant that one of the songs on FTR is called 'Lesson in
Survival' (wish I'd thought of that before I wrote that damn essay!)
The title and the song 'Woman of Heart and Mind' are also very
significant. There you have Blue & Hejira summed up in 5 words.
Melanie also said that the title is an indication that Joni has made
up her mind that she's going to stay in the business and that she has
realized that she has the courage and stamina to be her true self,
follow her own vision, be competitive and 'run for the roses'. The
Mama Lion has emerged. From here on she would be fearless.
By all means, listen to Blue some more. It may not be rock & roll but
it's an amazingly honest expression of a complex soul's emotions.
Plus it has those incredibly beautiful melodies.
Mark in Seattle
