Ah, Joni. Thanks for this. My entry was with Tom Rush and The Circle Game LP, which I still have. And there's the memory of waiting for Joni for something like three hours during a snowstorm while sitting on the gymnasium floor at Boston University (c. 1968). This, I think, was shortly before the release of the first album. She finally arrived and, of course, her path was set as was my faithful discipleship. I've enjoyed spending time with the recently released archive recordings. That run of early albums (Blue, Court and Spark, etc.) was almost unparalleled by anyone, but I've got to agree with Kim below, at least about Hejira, which because of road trips and constant listening, remains top-tier Joni for me. That "Coyote" with Dylan and McGuinn was a highlight, for me, of Scorsese's Rolling Thunder film. I could go on, and I've intended to for a long time. One of these days I'll write something.
Appreciated your Joni retrospective Greg but two comments: 1) can't agree with you on Hissing and Hejira. Both are 10 out of 10 masterpieces IMO, in the pantheon of the all-time greats. 2) No mention of the criminally under-rated Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, as much a showcase for Jaco Pastorius, commercial sucide though it was.
Please write about Linda Ronstadt. I am so grateful she is finally getting the accolades and acclaim she deserves. Linda sings an incredible River on her 2000 Christmas album A Merry Little Christmas.
I just got around to listening to Amelia with Pat Methany. That was really outstanding! I think the first time I saw her was at one of the Schaefer Music Festival concerts in Central Park. It might have been 1969. The tickets were $1.00!
Ah, Joni. Thanks for this. My entry was with Tom Rush and The Circle Game LP, which I still have. And there's the memory of waiting for Joni for something like three hours during a snowstorm while sitting on the gymnasium floor at Boston University (c. 1968). This, I think, was shortly before the release of the first album. She finally arrived and, of course, her path was set as was my faithful discipleship. I've enjoyed spending time with the recently released archive recordings. That run of early albums (Blue, Court and Spark, etc.) was almost unparalleled by anyone, but I've got to agree with Kim below, at least about Hejira, which because of road trips and constant listening, remains top-tier Joni for me. That "Coyote" with Dylan and McGuinn was a highlight, for me, of Scorsese's Rolling Thunder film. I could go on, and I've intended to for a long time. One of these days I'll write something.
Appreciated your Joni retrospective Greg but two comments: 1) can't agree with you on Hissing and Hejira. Both are 10 out of 10 masterpieces IMO, in the pantheon of the all-time greats. 2) No mention of the criminally under-rated Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, as much a showcase for Jaco Pastorius, commercial sucide though it was.
Please write about Linda Ronstadt. I am so grateful she is finally getting the accolades and acclaim she deserves. Linda sings an incredible River on her 2000 Christmas album A Merry Little Christmas.
Love this profile! Remember her 70s work on the radio in BC. My Springsteen addiction didn’t kick in till the Darkness era. Both great artists.
I just got around to listening to Amelia with Pat Methany. That was really outstanding! I think the first time I saw her was at one of the Schaefer Music Festival concerts in Central Park. It might have been 1969. The tickets were $1.00!