Ok, it's not a Joni song... but the way I've always taken the meaning of
the questioning in How do you stop, (ie. how to stop growing corn or a
baby being born) is that it's not meant to be a direct question. (Which
begets direct answers: Obviously abortion, poisons, etc.) What's being
asked is, how do you avoid or undue things without heartache, loss or
suffering? There's the rub. (And the point of the song, I think...) I
feel listening to the song in this context gives it more value. Just my
op.
On other fronts... --I've been horribly irresponsible of late!!! Taking
time away from painting and (gasp!) playing with my Parker Fly and VG-8.
(And quite badly I might add.) But I have a blast with it when I do.
This instrument is far too viilified in this community. It's an amazing
instrument with beautiful sound. Strings don't break and switching songs
is a touch of a dial away. How can you beat that?
In any way possible, I encourage everyone out there to get a guitar and
to PLAY Joni's music. Don't fret lack of ability! I certainly don't.
Just wait until everyone has left the house. It's like singing in the
showers. Off key? Who gives a damn? There are several perks for me in
playing Joni:
One, it will help one realize that all the 'phases' of Joni... rock,
jazz, pop, etc. are blurs of 'style-isms.' In truth there is Joni and
only Joni here, -her chords, her melodies and song. Everything else is
packaging. Her music is not part of anything. It is purely Joan. Playing
the songs in isolation, away from the 'production' of the recordings
makes this very clear to me.
There are surprises in the chords...!!!!
I'm always amazed by the transition chords in her music. Fourth and 5th
chords are obviously pretty in their transitions and Joni relies on them
as much as anyone. But in the bridges, when she switches keys,
modalities, etc. there are some brilliantly amazing chords that thrill
my heart everytime I hear them. I find tonal passages that thrill me
listing to her music being very different from the one's playing her
music. It's the chords on the first, second, third, eighth, tenth,
thirteenth frets that really put a spell on me. -Is this true for anyone
else out there? As Bob Dylan asked, "Joni, where did you get THOSE
CHORDS???!!!
You may discover you like Joni songs you hate!
Stripping those hated songs of synth effects, drum kits, etc. etc. may
open up up your heart to the poetry and chordal movements that make Joni
Joni. The best way to get Mueller dancing happily to Dancing Clown may
be to get him playing it himself! (Do I hear a fest request?) As much as
I loved all the bands Joni played with on tour, the moments that sent
tingles up my spine the most is where she would play a song solo. There
was a profound mix of serenity and intensity in those moments. You could
feel it in the quiet attentiveness of hteaudience. Everyone locked in on
her because you just new you were in for a beautiful experience.
Now, what can I bribe Paz with to do me another patch of Joni
tunings?????
It's the open tunings, man. I love her for the open tunings.
john.
