Relayer2 said,
> I noticed in the JM companion, that she altered the details of
> the same
> stories in various interviews. Did anyone else notice this.
Ummmm. Yeah. Very much so. Some of the stories are shaded differently
with different tellings but some are just plain hard to uhmmmm accept.
Uhmmmm. There are some statements that I don't believe at all and some
that I merely suspect aren't completely factual.
Ms. Mitchell once said that "Chinese Cafe" isn't 'about' Carole King. I
recognize that all of Life is assimilated by a Songwriter and act as
fodder for Reflection. Eventually, some Pieces of Experience come out
in a stylized form in a song.
But folks.....
If "Chinese Cafe" isn't **about** a conversation with Carole King, then
"Being For The Benefit Of Mister Kite" isn't **about** a circus poster!
To say, "I had an amazing, deeply philosophical visit with Carole and
got this song from the experience," would not lessen the Art to me at
all. So, that's one story that I just flat-out don't believe. She's
busted. Next.....
Moving on to the title "Hejira". Joni has claimed that she was browsing
a dictionary with half-a-mind to find a word to describe
'Leaving the dream,
no blame.'
(Yeah, she speaks like that.)
So, she claims that her eye seized upon the word Hejira because of the
dangling 'j', like in "Aja". When she read the definition, she realized
that she had found her word. (As if her *eye* had mystically lead her
intellect to the appropriate word.)
I dunno. Maybe she _does_ browse the dictionary. (I don't, but then I
haven't written poetry or songs.) I suppose it's possible that she was
browsing a dictionary. I think it's more likely that she was
_discussing_ this lack of a key word with some world class
intellectuals, songwriters, jazz musicians, and other movers and shakers
in her fascinating Circle. I mean, if her tax accountant was from
Jordan and offered "Hejira", is that a quotable story? It is not. (no
offense to Jordanian immigrants, nor to tax accountants.)
And so I come to Deb Messling's post. Deb offered:
>>>>Reading that Hadju book
about Farina et al. reminded me that strong-minded, ambitious, creative
people are often very conscious of the stories they weave and the image
they
project. I'm not sure that Joni will let the literal truth stand in
the
way of a good story! Maybe her story conveys some deeper truth, and may
maybe it just supports the image that Joni as a businesswoman is
selling to
the public at a particular point in time. >>>>>
I think Deb hits the proverbial nail on the head as usual here. (Hi
Deb! Don't lurk so!)
After being in the "Fish Bowl" for 30 years, Ms. Mitchell knows that the
stories she weaves during an interview will act as "coming attractions",
as commercials, for her albums. While she's not overtly involved in
promotion, I think she's an incredibly gifted interviewee and she Knows
it. (But as Paul IV once noted, what do you expect to hear on a list
named for the subject!)
In my opinion, Ms. Mitchell is a Bright Person. I presume that she
knows that during an interview she's being granted a Forum for her
ideas. If she makes a point colorfully and memorably, she racks up more
points on the "Interview" pinball game. So, I approve of using Artistic
License to paint colorful interviews. Still, I don't believe for one
second believe that Chinese Cafe is Any Kind of composite. Well, enough
of that.
As a fan, I love the stories about the gestation of "Magdalene
Laundries". And the making of "Sunny Sunday". Rock on Joni. We love
your stories, sweetheart.
I love to write for you guys......
Lama
Notes to those new to the Discussion List: Joni plays pinball, hence
the pinball metaphor.
"Fish Bowl" is a blank verse poem about fame that Joni wrote for an
English assignment in high school. She tells the story on one of the
Tape Trees. I'll begin offering tons of interviews and live
performances again soon on cassette to fans who crave them.
BTW, does anyone have any experience with Phillips and Creative brand
CD-R burners? I have an opportunity to purchase an overstock 8x burner
from either brand for $75, new. Across town, another store is only
selling the newer 12x burners.... for twice as much money. I don't feel
the need.... the need.... for speed.
