SCJoniGuy wrote " I was one of the folks she lost with Mingus. Didn't buy it, didn't care to hear it. I was in my early 20's, and it just wasn't where I was at at the time. Of course, I have since redressed that wrong! ;~)" Well, I didn't even make it to Mingus. Having previously confessed to my not having 'gotten' Hejira, I did not even buy DJRD until recently. I am a lucky bastard. Ann then wrote: "Bob Dylan - Am I the only songwriter who doesn't worship the ground his bobness walks on? He can't hold a candle to Joni. (IMnsHO) Anaconda - I agree with what's becoming consensus - that the "tequila anaconda" incident is just an example of how much she's willing to reveal. And, btw, DJRD is probably my least favorite Joni album. It's the only one I never just put on and play, although I really like the title song, Jericho, Otis and Marlena, and Off Night Back Street. I think it could have been edited into one album. running for cover too - move over Randy! lots of love Anne" Perhaps your are the only such songwriter. I am not a songwriter, so my vote should not count, I suppose. But writing songs involves more than just lyrics (and I prefer Joni's lyrical content, too) so I am voting with you anyway. Then SC Joni Guy replied: "not sure that you could edit it down to a single LP, Anne...where would you cut? All I would do would be to (possibly) shorten "Tenth World", but I've come to the conclusion that in its entirety it's a logical and well-timed bridge between the 'real world' of "Otis & Marlena" & "Dreamland". Maybe you can reduce "Paprika Plains" to a 3-minute single? ;~) Bob" Well, here's the Arrogance. After all of my confessions, while listening over and over to one of my new discoveries (how clever of me to finally 'get' them), I too started considering how I would edit DJRD so as to make it a single LP of palatable size and formidable density. As time passed, I read that some of what I would cut included others' favorite cuts from the album. Like, the Overture to Cotton Avenue. Well, after changing my mind a half dozen times or so, I reduced my edits to elimitaing Jericho, which I do not believe belongs on the album, except perhaps by way of contrast to Silky Veils, and I am totally underwhelmed by Tenth World, despite its playful Jungle sounds. So, to me, replace Jericho with Otis and Marlena in the batting order and delete Tenth World and we are now back to 50 minutes ( a Hejira's length). Here's the Humility. How dumb can I get ? Anyway, just ordered Mingus, DED and CMIAR via my Father's Day gift certificate to complete my collection of originals. Do not intend to quit after just a few listens - though I still have not connected with WTRF. Eventually, will order Hits and Misses, for completeness, but for now can still discover the missing links. Wonder what I will decide needs editing on them. PS - I admire LIS, but agree that that line is not her best work. Do not like the term 'baby' particularly (I am partial to honey, I guess), and do not relate via personal experience to having to 'make it socially' with my mate. But I can extrapolate to get the feeling, which certainly means that the line does not 'ruin' one of her best songs (I love the medley of LIS and LTWCM on FTR, which with CBSAWF make that side one of the powerhouse sides of her career). Bob Sartorius
