Without wanting to disagree with Paul, I think that voices like Joni's and Neil's would have made themselves heard no matter what. After all, Joni's influences include figures like Miles Davis (who probably didn't even know who Bob Dylan was) and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Plus Chuck Berry and lots of '40s swing bands. Joni has said many times that upon hearing the lyrics of Positively Fourth Street she felt that popular songs could confront anything and be poetry. Obviously that was a major incentive lyrically. Musically, Joni owes nothing to anybody. Bob Dylan is great, no question. But I don't think Laura Nyro owes anything to him, or Tom Waits (who is, IMHO, a better songwriter). Or Joni Mitchell, even if Dylan gave her a necessary shove in the right direction. That's my humble opinion. Sheesh! Got that off my chest ;-) Roberto _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.
