[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> the challenge, i think, is to avoid a knee-jerk selection our personal
> favorites,
> but to really think about it what each album is about, and chose the two cuts
> that best call to mind its particular themes, lyrically and musically.
What an interesting challenge! It's been especially enjoyable revisiting Joni's
early cds.
So far, this is what I've come up with, keeping in mind these things (and
assumptions): highly articulate linguistics prof (lyrics will be heard); jazz
lover (unusual unexpected sounds will be appreciated); choosing songs
representative not only of each cd, as you requested, but also ones containing
Joni's basic themes; how each song's ending flows into the beginning of the
next; and even though it's Joni, who is never boring, having enough variety so
it's all interesting.
STAS:
Night in the City - simple sounding folkie beginning, which quickly gets into a
surprising and very pleasing groove, with quirky piano in the background; Joni
expressing her joy of life; seems like a good idea to start off the tape with
such positive energy as a good balance for the more melancholy songs that are
sure to follow
Cactus Tree - very wordy character study and expresses Joni's career-long
concern with commitment/love versus freedom/emptiness; I like the guitar playing
and her singing on this song, it sounds so pure; I especially like the sadness
in her voice at the end
CLOUDS:
Roses Blue - because it sounds so intense (compared to Cactus Tree), and has
some odd jangly instrument in the background, plus an ending that's unusual and
not nearly as annoying as some of the ones from this period
Tin Angel - earnest Joni; very simple and sincerely sung; poetic lyrics and,
again, a dramatic ending, this time with guitar instead of voice
LOTC:
Conversation - nice relief after the heaviness of Tin Angel; Joni tells a good
story in this one too; love and freedom, basic Joni concerns; and a snappy
ending complete with di-di-das and sax
For Free - ahhh, piano... great snapshot story, and a jazzy ending
BLUE:
Carey - it's the least jarring song to follow For Free (the sound of this cd is
so different from LOTC), and again Joni is being her life-loving self
River - gotta get serious sometime; this one's classic Joni
FTR:
Judgement of the Moon and Stars - positive energy, which is typical Joni -- even
when melancholy she still has hope; contrasts with the sadness of River; complex
lyrics; surprising sounds
Let the Wind Carry Me - still the piano, now telling a personal story; and lots
of interesting sounds
OR
Electricity - different overall sound compared to Judgement (too different to
follow?), and the lyrics are especially clever and imaginative
Uh, oh, I can't decide on this last pair so it's time to give it a rest. I'm
Jonied out for the moment, and there is the have-to-be-someplace-at-8-am thing
so... to be continued...
Debra Shea
NP: Electricity, cool song
P.S. I'd put the songs from the live albums at the very end of the second tape,
and maybe have as the final song Joni's performance of BSN from the tribute
concert.
