Alright...now hailing from Ottawa we shall destroy the town show by show.
So far I've been to a couple open mic nights at an old jail (now hostel) and a Adam & The Amethysts show at a small cafe Rock Sugar. All were really fun and Ottawa has proven itself to be not such a bad place for music as I had envisioned (still tainted from MTL)
I spent my last friday night at a place called Babylon. I went to see Braids but also had to sit through Born Glod (ex-Gobble Gobble) and Pepper Rabbit. Not terrible but just tolerable. Everyone was SO into it though!..which was a lot weird I thought. Born Gold was so in-your-face jam packed with these stupid gimmicks and cheesy dance beats (I hated it.) Pepper Rabbit was fine I guess but they seriously took what felt like an hour long sound check and this was just annoying since I went alone and was standing near front row. I then moved back, ordered another Rolling Rock (it seemed to be the beer of choice at this particular place) and got chatty with a girl from Quebec City who happened to work for the CBC in Regina for 3 years. Then...at long long last...Braids took the stage and I was completely engulfed in their beautiful sound. An excellent live performance and my walk home in the rain didn't seem too bad but something to appreciate.
I've really been missing having a radio show lately. I may consider soon to perhaps find something similar here in Ottawa. Something about putting sets of songs together I find to be very therapeutic. I wish I had moved all my old mix-tapes from Saskatoon.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Summer Of Joni Part 4
Ok, well this is the final edition of my Joni Mitchell phase. I applaud you if you've managed to stick it out with me...perhaps you listened to a few albums? Perhaps you snubbed a few? Maybe you read 1 of those books? If I've completely lost you, then shame on you...but DO stick around for more summer jams to follow.
So I believe I last left you with some bad 80s albums. Now at a steady pace, the 90s Joni gave us 3 more albums, beginning with '91s Night Ride Home...which (following suit with her previous 3 albums) was a snore.
It wasn't until '94s Turbulent Indigo was released that people began to once again pay attention. And so they should...this album marks her return to greatness! Her inspiration from a fellow painter Van Gough is evident in her album artwork (which is a magnificent self portrait) as well as the title track. This album won her Pop Album of the Year.
Although not considered albums, she released a pair of compilations called Hits and Misses. Definitely not essential but respectably compiled by Joni herself to showcase her songs that made it big-time and those that tried and failed. Hits does in fact open with something we havn't yet heard...'Urge For Going.' Written in '67 and recorded by Tom Rush, her version didn't show up until '72 as the b-side for 'You Turn Me On I'm A Radio.' And planted on this compilation for the first time.
In '98 Joni was again riding a wave of success and out came another consistent album, Taming The Tiger. It kicks off with 'Harlem In Havana,' setting a theme of a fantastical carnival with imagery of circus tents, tigers and balloons. This is around the time when she was re-united with her daughter and introduced to her grandson. So there's a few references to this new change in life.
Both Sides Now was released in '00 and it is a concept album, including a full-on orchestra. She does renditions of classic jazz tunes in an effort of portraying a 'modern romantic relationship.' Apparently on Feb. 8th of that year this album was released with limited copies in special chocolate box packaging for Valentine's Day! (Im a sucker for cool packaging!) Also on the album are new versions of 'A Case Of You,' and of course 'Both Sides Now.' Throughout this story you will recognize old songs you already love and gain respect for how she can use old material to her advantage and to tell us something new...from both sides. I suggest listening to both versions back to back!
Two years later in '02 she gave us Travelogue, a double disc set of re-vamped tracks. Similar to her previous album, this too includes orchestras and a few mentionable names, like Billy Preston. This is somewhat tiring to listen to...being so long, but she knows how to make something like this successful. She twists entire arrangements around and creates something new...and in several cases, something better. Like some of those 80s tracks I had dismissed earlier... 'You Dream Flat Tires,' 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem' and 'Be Cool.'
Something I havn't been able to get my hands on is this compilation of songs put together by Joni titled Artists Choice: Joni Mitchell. It was put out on the Starbucks label and is mostly songs by other artists that have inspired her. Some Edith Piaf, Billy Holiday, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye etc. and then there's some real odd ball choices...like that 90s track by The New Radicals?? Weird.
Several other insignificant compilations were released next.
And then in '07 she surprised everyone with not only an album (Shine) but an art exhibit and a ballet to her music! Stunning. (I even had the chance to go to the ballet...but at the time thought "Pfft ballet...pff Joni Mitchell?" Stupid me.)
Also out in '07 was Herbie Hancock's homage to Joni with his album River: The Joni Letters. Him, among others including Tina Turner (!), Leonard Cohen, Norah Jones and even Joni appears for a duet with Herbie, gave us the '08 Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz Album! It was hugely successful. Tina Turner got rave reviews for her vocal performance of 'Edith And The Kingpin.' (Not that she has to prove herself or anything.) And Leonard Cohen's spoken word format of 'The Jungle Line' is amazingly captivating.
Alright folks that about covers it! I will end this all with 4 reasons why I love her:
I love Joni Mitchell because she represents a different side of my musical taste...for some reason she really makes me pay attention and listen, it's not background music. There is a Joni album out there for everyone...you just have to put in some effort to find it. And I think this is the case for lots of artists that get the cold shoulder.
I love her because as a whole, she is far from typical. She is different, and began her whole career by writing songs for other people. Most artists start by singing covers, other peoples music, but she always had her own songs. Sure she sang a few covers too but she first was successful as a writer and just so happened to get the attention of some big names to sing her songs.
I also love that she is a painter. And did every one of her album covers.
I love that she is a hard-core smoker! There's something about a jazz musician with a cigarette hanging from their mouth. I think it's added an enormous amount of depth and interest to her voice. And makes going back and listening to her early work even more fascinating. And from her I have already branched off into other areas of music.
Click here to stay updated on everything Joni!
So I believe I last left you with some bad 80s albums. Now at a steady pace, the 90s Joni gave us 3 more albums, beginning with '91s Night Ride Home...which (following suit with her previous 3 albums) was a snore.
It wasn't until '94s Turbulent Indigo was released that people began to once again pay attention. And so they should...this album marks her return to greatness! Her inspiration from a fellow painter Van Gough is evident in her album artwork (which is a magnificent self portrait) as well as the title track. This album won her Pop Album of the Year.
Although not considered albums, she released a pair of compilations called Hits and Misses. Definitely not essential but respectably compiled by Joni herself to showcase her songs that made it big-time and those that tried and failed. Hits does in fact open with something we havn't yet heard...'Urge For Going.' Written in '67 and recorded by Tom Rush, her version didn't show up until '72 as the b-side for 'You Turn Me On I'm A Radio.' And planted on this compilation for the first time.
In '98 Joni was again riding a wave of success and out came another consistent album, Taming The Tiger. It kicks off with 'Harlem In Havana,' setting a theme of a fantastical carnival with imagery of circus tents, tigers and balloons. This is around the time when she was re-united with her daughter and introduced to her grandson. So there's a few references to this new change in life.
Both Sides Now was released in '00 and it is a concept album, including a full-on orchestra. She does renditions of classic jazz tunes in an effort of portraying a 'modern romantic relationship.' Apparently on Feb. 8th of that year this album was released with limited copies in special chocolate box packaging for Valentine's Day! (Im a sucker for cool packaging!) Also on the album are new versions of 'A Case Of You,' and of course 'Both Sides Now.' Throughout this story you will recognize old songs you already love and gain respect for how she can use old material to her advantage and to tell us something new...from both sides. I suggest listening to both versions back to back!
Two years later in '02 she gave us Travelogue, a double disc set of re-vamped tracks. Similar to her previous album, this too includes orchestras and a few mentionable names, like Billy Preston. This is somewhat tiring to listen to...being so long, but she knows how to make something like this successful. She twists entire arrangements around and creates something new...and in several cases, something better. Like some of those 80s tracks I had dismissed earlier... 'You Dream Flat Tires,' 'Slouching Towards Bethlehem' and 'Be Cool.'
Something I havn't been able to get my hands on is this compilation of songs put together by Joni titled Artists Choice: Joni Mitchell. It was put out on the Starbucks label and is mostly songs by other artists that have inspired her. Some Edith Piaf, Billy Holiday, Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye etc. and then there's some real odd ball choices...like that 90s track by The New Radicals?? Weird.
Several other insignificant compilations were released next.
And then in '07 she surprised everyone with not only an album (Shine) but an art exhibit and a ballet to her music! Stunning. (I even had the chance to go to the ballet...but at the time thought "Pfft ballet...pff Joni Mitchell?" Stupid me.)
Also out in '07 was Herbie Hancock's homage to Joni with his album River: The Joni Letters. Him, among others including Tina Turner (!), Leonard Cohen, Norah Jones and even Joni appears for a duet with Herbie, gave us the '08 Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz Album! It was hugely successful. Tina Turner got rave reviews for her vocal performance of 'Edith And The Kingpin.' (Not that she has to prove herself or anything.) And Leonard Cohen's spoken word format of 'The Jungle Line' is amazingly captivating.
Alright folks that about covers it! I will end this all with 4 reasons why I love her:
I love Joni Mitchell because she represents a different side of my musical taste...for some reason she really makes me pay attention and listen, it's not background music. There is a Joni album out there for everyone...you just have to put in some effort to find it. And I think this is the case for lots of artists that get the cold shoulder.
I love her because as a whole, she is far from typical. She is different, and began her whole career by writing songs for other people. Most artists start by singing covers, other peoples music, but she always had her own songs. Sure she sang a few covers too but she first was successful as a writer and just so happened to get the attention of some big names to sing her songs.
I also love that she is a painter. And did every one of her album covers.
I love that she is a hard-core smoker! There's something about a jazz musician with a cigarette hanging from their mouth. I think it's added an enormous amount of depth and interest to her voice. And makes going back and listening to her early work even more fascinating. And from her I have already branched off into other areas of music.
Click here to stay updated on everything Joni!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Summer Of Joni Part 3
I recently watched The Last Waltz ('76.) Dubbed as the greatest concert film, it was directed by Martin Scorsese to capture The Band in all their glory as a final goodbye show to their touring career. They also brought their friends: Dr. John, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, and of course Joni Mitchell. She does a great performance of 'Coyote.' This movie is SO awesome! Check it out. (Apparently Neil Young was having such a 'good time' that they had to cut out footage of him with a blob of cocaine hanging from his nose!)
Neil Young also makes a guest appearance on Joni's album Hejira...playing harmonica on 'Furry Sings The Blues.'
Joni Mitchell had 2 more great albums from the 70s. Don Juan's Reckless Daughter in '77 and Mingus in '79. DJRD is definitely the most instrumental and 'worldly' sounding with a heavy dose of Latin drumming on 'The Tenth World.' Chaka Khan appears on this track as well as on 'Dreamland.' A few flops (in my opinion) on this record...most notably the 16 minute 'Paprika Plains.' BUT...I love love love the last 3 tracks, especially 'Off Night Backstreet.' Turn this one WAY up!
Mingus is a collaboration / tribute piece to the great jazz musician Charles Mingus. This is Joni on jazz, full-force. Herbie Hancock appears on this album, playing electric piano. It includes snippets (or 'raps') of Charles Mingus chattering throughout the record. He passed just after the completion of this album. Tester track is 'The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines.'
Feeling inspired by this I went and picked up Charles Mingus' The Clown from '57. And am really loving it!
'80 came along and Joni put together a crew of famous jazz musicians including Pat Metheny and others I've never heard of. Shadows And Light was released as her 2nd live album along with the visual companion piece. She shows us her jazzy experimental stuff as well as a cover of 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love' with The Persuasions!
The 80s I think were a terrible period for artists like Joni Mitchell. I listen to her 3 albums spread out over that time and I just HAVE to lump them all together. Wild Things Run Fast from '82, Dog Eat Dog from '85 and Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm from '88 are all just typical bad music of that era. I'm not one to generalize or to trash talk ANY decade but I just cannot get behind these and have actually been left a bit stunned at what happened here haha. Perhaps she tried to quit smoking in the 80s? I tried really hard to find some highlights from these albums but am left empty handed. There are a lot of guest performances throughout these albums including: James Taylor, Lionel Richie, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Billy Idol, and Tom Petty. And I believe there are even some music videos that surfaced.
Here's to hoping the 90s brought back some of her vibrance!
Neil Young also makes a guest appearance on Joni's album Hejira...playing harmonica on 'Furry Sings The Blues.'
Joni Mitchell had 2 more great albums from the 70s. Don Juan's Reckless Daughter in '77 and Mingus in '79. DJRD is definitely the most instrumental and 'worldly' sounding with a heavy dose of Latin drumming on 'The Tenth World.' Chaka Khan appears on this track as well as on 'Dreamland.' A few flops (in my opinion) on this record...most notably the 16 minute 'Paprika Plains.' BUT...I love love love the last 3 tracks, especially 'Off Night Backstreet.' Turn this one WAY up!
Mingus is a collaboration / tribute piece to the great jazz musician Charles Mingus. This is Joni on jazz, full-force. Herbie Hancock appears on this album, playing electric piano. It includes snippets (or 'raps') of Charles Mingus chattering throughout the record. He passed just after the completion of this album. Tester track is 'The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines.'
Feeling inspired by this I went and picked up Charles Mingus' The Clown from '57. And am really loving it!
'80 came along and Joni put together a crew of famous jazz musicians including Pat Metheny and others I've never heard of. Shadows And Light was released as her 2nd live album along with the visual companion piece. She shows us her jazzy experimental stuff as well as a cover of 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love' with The Persuasions!
The 80s I think were a terrible period for artists like Joni Mitchell. I listen to her 3 albums spread out over that time and I just HAVE to lump them all together. Wild Things Run Fast from '82, Dog Eat Dog from '85 and Chalk Mark In A Rain Storm from '88 are all just typical bad music of that era. I'm not one to generalize or to trash talk ANY decade but I just cannot get behind these and have actually been left a bit stunned at what happened here haha. Perhaps she tried to quit smoking in the 80s? I tried really hard to find some highlights from these albums but am left empty handed. There are a lot of guest performances throughout these albums including: James Taylor, Lionel Richie, Peter Gabriel, Willie Nelson, Billy Idol, and Tom Petty. And I believe there are even some music videos that surfaced.
Here's to hoping the 90s brought back some of her vibrance!
Friday, July 29, 2011
Summer Of Joni Part 2
The MTL summer has proven to be jam packed with events and festivals and sun. But lately there has been nothing better than walking around listening to Joni Mitchell albums and reading books about her in parks.
Thus far, I have covered her first 8 albums...a good chunk! I have also read, as mentioned before, Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Period by Michelle Mercer. The book was great...although it felt like I was reading an essay on autobiography. It was short as it only covered a specific period of her work (up to Hejira), it discussed her music, including her string of relationships. I also liked reading about Saskatoon since I'm not there. This book along with Joni Mitchell: The Complete Poems And Lyrics I would say are the only 2 books required when doing a full on Joni over-haul.
'68, her debut album Song For A Seagull, produced by David Crosby was a great hippy/ folk album. Without having quite as many cigarettes at this point her voice is SO high pitched. It's pleasant though...I like this album.
'69 and '70 gave us Clouds and then Ladies of the Canyon. Both still good albums, I would give the later a bit of an up though. Clouds gave us 'Both Sides, Now' and LOTC confirmed my love for 'Woodstock,' 'Big Yellow Taxi,' and 'Circle Game.'
Blue, out in '71 is considered her best. The start of her 'blue period,' this was her most autobiographical record. A personal triumph. I REALLY enjoy the whole album. Its definitely the first of her records that require a good listen on headphones to get the most out of it. I personally love 'All I Want' and 'A Case Of You.' But of course every track is great.
For The Roses in '72 was still along the same lines as Blue in that it's very autobiographical but just doesn't pack the same punch. Highlights include 'Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire' and 'You Turn Me On I'm A Radio' (which was her humorous answer to make something radio friendly.)
Court And Spark from '74 was my favorite album going into this. It gives us a WAY more polished version of what we've loved about her so far. More pop and jazz sounding, this was her high point. We've all heard 'Help Me' I'm sure, but you havn't loved it until you hear the rest of the album with it! The opening track 'Court And Spark' is amazing as is her version of 'Twister,' an old jazz standard.
Later on that year she released a live album called Miles of Aisles. Definitely awesome and should not be ignored. She is charming as you get to hear her laugh and banter a bit with the crowd...which is nice after reading about all the bad raps shes gotten up to that point. The LA Express was her back-up band and surprisingly there was no tracks from Court And Spark to be heard.
Next is THE MIND NEBULISING The Hissing Of Summer Lawns from '75. Oh my gawd this album...this was like my realization that Joni Mitchell is just too good for her own bad self. Man! this album is worldly, jazz, pop, gospel GOLD. It's hands-down the best thing I've heard from her before. You absolutely owe this to yourself to put this on your headphones and take a jont through a park. 'The Jungle Line,' is swampy sounding and lyrically great 'The Hissing Of Summer Lawns,' is a cool vocal performance 'Harry's House/Centerpiece,' simply blew me away with it's slick jazzness and to close Joni busts out the gospel on 'Shadows And Light' with a back-up choir. Great! I really like the album art too.
Hejira (meaning 'journey' in Arabic) from '76 ends 'the blue period.' I thought this album was consistent. Also a very good listen but I find myself going back to THOSL again and again! I have been stuck on it for awhile now. I do however enjoy the first half of Hejira quite a bit. It's a bit more stripped sounding with a theme of travel. And even still hinting to her autobiographical self. 'Amelia' is about the aviator Amelia Earhart. This will be a good autumn record!
"See the blue pools in the squinting sun
And hear the hissing of summer lawns."
- Joni Mitchell...obviously
Thus far, I have covered her first 8 albums...a good chunk! I have also read, as mentioned before, Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Period by Michelle Mercer. The book was great...although it felt like I was reading an essay on autobiography. It was short as it only covered a specific period of her work (up to Hejira), it discussed her music, including her string of relationships. I also liked reading about Saskatoon since I'm not there. This book along with Joni Mitchell: The Complete Poems And Lyrics I would say are the only 2 books required when doing a full on Joni over-haul.'68, her debut album Song For A Seagull, produced by David Crosby was a great hippy/ folk album. Without having quite as many cigarettes at this point her voice is SO high pitched. It's pleasant though...I like this album.
'69 and '70 gave us Clouds and then Ladies of the Canyon. Both still good albums, I would give the later a bit of an up though. Clouds gave us 'Both Sides, Now' and LOTC confirmed my love for 'Woodstock,' 'Big Yellow Taxi,' and 'Circle Game.'
Blue, out in '71 is considered her best. The start of her 'blue period,' this was her most autobiographical record. A personal triumph. I REALLY enjoy the whole album. Its definitely the first of her records that require a good listen on headphones to get the most out of it. I personally love 'All I Want' and 'A Case Of You.' But of course every track is great.
For The Roses in '72 was still along the same lines as Blue in that it's very autobiographical but just doesn't pack the same punch. Highlights include 'Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire' and 'You Turn Me On I'm A Radio' (which was her humorous answer to make something radio friendly.)
Court And Spark from '74 was my favorite album going into this. It gives us a WAY more polished version of what we've loved about her so far. More pop and jazz sounding, this was her high point. We've all heard 'Help Me' I'm sure, but you havn't loved it until you hear the rest of the album with it! The opening track 'Court And Spark' is amazing as is her version of 'Twister,' an old jazz standard.
Later on that year she released a live album called Miles of Aisles. Definitely awesome and should not be ignored. She is charming as you get to hear her laugh and banter a bit with the crowd...which is nice after reading about all the bad raps shes gotten up to that point. The LA Express was her back-up band and surprisingly there was no tracks from Court And Spark to be heard.
Next is THE MIND NEBULISING The Hissing Of Summer Lawns from '75. Oh my gawd this album...this was like my realization that Joni Mitchell is just too good for her own bad self. Man! this album is worldly, jazz, pop, gospel GOLD. It's hands-down the best thing I've heard from her before. You absolutely owe this to yourself to put this on your headphones and take a jont through a park. 'The Jungle Line,' is swampy sounding and lyrically great 'The Hissing Of Summer Lawns,' is a cool vocal performance 'Harry's House/Centerpiece,' simply blew me away with it's slick jazzness and to close Joni busts out the gospel on 'Shadows And Light' with a back-up choir. Great! I really like the album art too.
Hejira (meaning 'journey' in Arabic) from '76 ends 'the blue period.' I thought this album was consistent. Also a very good listen but I find myself going back to THOSL again and again! I have been stuck on it for awhile now. I do however enjoy the first half of Hejira quite a bit. It's a bit more stripped sounding with a theme of travel. And even still hinting to her autobiographical self. 'Amelia' is about the aviator Amelia Earhart. This will be a good autumn record!
"See the blue pools in the squinting sun
And hear the hissing of summer lawns."
- Joni Mitchell...obviously
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Grey Ship
I was craving a good show last night. Anne-Marie being in Ottawa looking at apartments for us, I ventured out...alone.
I looked in The MTL Mirror and not only was their 'Album Of The Week' EMA's (Erika M. Anderson) record Past Life Martyred Saints but she was playing at a venue called Quai des Brumes (which I think translates to Misty Dock?...or something of the like). What really sold it for me though was the comparison in the article to PJ Harvey circa Rid Of Me (my favourite PJ album!) I quickly drank a few Grolsch and headed out.
The Venue was great...small, and exactly was I was looking for.
The opener was Helado Negro who is hard to miss with his giant afro. People weren't really giving him much attention though. He was ok I guess, but it wasn't until EMA got up there that the crowd showed some reaction. Everyone loved her!
I looked in The MTL Mirror and not only was their 'Album Of The Week' EMA's (Erika M. Anderson) record Past Life Martyred Saints but she was playing at a venue called Quai des Brumes (which I think translates to Misty Dock?...or something of the like). What really sold it for me though was the comparison in the article to PJ Harvey circa Rid Of Me (my favourite PJ album!) I quickly drank a few Grolsch and headed out.
The Venue was great...small, and exactly was I was looking for.
The opener was Helado Negro who is hard to miss with his giant afro. People weren't really giving him much attention though. He was ok I guess, but it wasn't until EMA got up there that the crowd showed some reaction. Everyone loved her!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
MTL Vinyl Crawl or Summer Of Joni Part 1
Today I declare the beginning of the Summer Of Joni. Joni Mitchell has always been one of those artists that I knew of, but havn't made the full plunge into her work. But I've been beefing up on her albums at the library and even picked up a couple of books to really get a grasp. Now I wasn't completely in the dark, I did in the past really enjoy the albums Blue, The Hissing Of Summer Lawns and especially Court And Spark among some obvious popular hits like 'Woodstock' and 'Big Yellow Taxi.'
Finding a good book on her has been a challenge. There really isn't one. There's lots out there but I was looking for an in-depth autobiography (or something of that like) and not simply something that analyzes her music, poems and art. I eventually settled on a bio written by Mark Bego ('05) called Joni Mitchell. I didn't even get through the introduction before finding grammar mistakes! This was very frustrating so I ended up grabbing another one called Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Period by Michelle Mercer ('09). Although it solely focuses on her album Blue, I think it will be a much more intensive read. I plan to tackle this from the beginning and report back my favorites over the remainder of the summer.
Today was also a very personal day for me. I have been holding onto the Montreal's 'Best Of' edition of The Mirror, specifically the best record shops section. Finally I decided to take some alone time while doing something that really makes me smile...record shopping!
Wanting to do a full-on vinyl crawl...I stepped out into the blazing hot sun, put on my headphones and pressed play on Joni Mitchell's debut album Song To A Seagull from '68 and produced by David Crosby. Fantastic! I walked and walked and walked.
I first started out at the furthest one...Death By Vinyl on St. Laurent. This one was really great...definitely out of the way but filled wall to wall with used records, one could spend hours in there searching for hidden gems (which is what makes vinyl such a fun medium to seek out). I picked up this Monkees album from '69.
Next I backtracked slightly to the number 2 spot for best new AND used shops to Rue Bernard. Here lies Phonopolis. Smaller but equally awesome because I like a good mix of new and old to flip through. Here are my finds. This Dylan (1973) ended up being not such a great pick, as I researched it a bit I soon realized this album is regarded as his worst album. Haha. But I felt a pull towards it as I looked at the track list and saw that there was his cover of 'Big Yellow Taxi,' it was only $7 I think. I especially enjoy collecting funk albums so naturally The Meters '72 album Cabbage Alley was a brilliant find.
Finding a good book on her has been a challenge. There really isn't one. There's lots out there but I was looking for an in-depth autobiography (or something of that like) and not simply something that analyzes her music, poems and art. I eventually settled on a bio written by Mark Bego ('05) called Joni Mitchell. I didn't even get through the introduction before finding grammar mistakes! This was very frustrating so I ended up grabbing another one called Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Period by Michelle Mercer ('09). Although it solely focuses on her album Blue, I think it will be a much more intensive read. I plan to tackle this from the beginning and report back my favorites over the remainder of the summer.
Today was also a very personal day for me. I have been holding onto the Montreal's 'Best Of' edition of The Mirror, specifically the best record shops section. Finally I decided to take some alone time while doing something that really makes me smile...record shopping!
Wanting to do a full-on vinyl crawl...I stepped out into the blazing hot sun, put on my headphones and pressed play on Joni Mitchell's debut album Song To A Seagull from '68 and produced by David Crosby. Fantastic! I walked and walked and walked.
I first started out at the furthest one...Death By Vinyl on St. Laurent. This one was really great...definitely out of the way but filled wall to wall with used records, one could spend hours in there searching for hidden gems (which is what makes vinyl such a fun medium to seek out). I picked up this Monkees album from '69.
Next I backtracked slightly to the number 2 spot for best new AND used shops to Rue Bernard. Here lies Phonopolis. Smaller but equally awesome because I like a good mix of new and old to flip through. Here are my finds. This Dylan (1973) ended up being not such a great pick, as I researched it a bit I soon realized this album is regarded as his worst album. Haha. But I felt a pull towards it as I looked at the track list and saw that there was his cover of 'Big Yellow Taxi,' it was only $7 I think. I especially enjoy collecting funk albums so naturally The Meters '72 album Cabbage Alley was a brilliant find.
Lastly there was Cheap Thrills on Metcalfe. I remembered this place from my visit to MTL years ago! I bought the Caribou album Andorra there when it was brand new...so...summer of '07 I guess. And it was here that I finally found the last piece to my Joni Mitchell discography, and my only Joni on vinyl! Her second album Clouds from '69.
My feet were starting to hurt so I grabbed a cold drink and headed home. An excellent day and an exciting start to my Summer Of Joni! I now have all the necessary tools to take the plunge.
Stay tuned!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
DanceMusicSexRomance
PRINCE
Wow. What an amazing show. Last night Prince took over Montreal for the second night as part of the Jazz Festival. I paid what may seem to be a hefty price for a concert ticket but was well worth every penny. Prince surprised everyone last minute by wanting to perform two unexpected late nights shows. Tickets went on sale 2 days later and I snatched one up.
He and the NEW Power Generation played the Metropolis...the perfect venue for that intimacy you probably wouldn't get from such big acts...I was so stoked that it wasn't a stadium show. I always thought I would have to go to Vegas to see him (which I actually looked into at one point.)
I went early to secure a prime dancing spot. Ready and waiting at 10:30 the show didn't get started until midnite! Only about 20 ft from the stage I was happy with my spot and held onto it. Sometimes it's that wait at the beginning that's the real killer but once he hit that stage, all the annoying people, shouting in your ear, those sweaty foreign arms touching you just disappear and everything is swept away. A rush of happiness.
The New Power Generation consisted of 3 of the most amazing back-up vocalists (who each had their own chance to shine, and had some very entertaining dance moves), a guy on saxophone, a guy on drums, a real bitchin' girl bassist, a girl on keyboards and a guy on the organ. An amazing band...only the best for Prince I'm sure. He himself also had his chance on most of these instruments as well, showing off his versatility. My favourite was the tambourine drumstick combo haha...of course. They all began the first couple sets in all white and gold. And for the last few they changed into all black and gold. Very flashy!
I didn't take a single picture! Prince is very strict about his videos and performances. It's very difficult to find such things on YouTube etc. So at the show there were signs and posters informing the concert-goers to not take pictures or videos. Lots of people ignored this though and even some got called out by Prince himself! How embarrassing! I myself respected this but most of all I just couldn't risk letting Prince see me disobey him ha.
He played 5 sets! Lots of hits, some of his newer material and some amazing covers, something he does really well. 'D.M.S.R.,' 'Controversy,' 'Nothing Compares 2 U' (written by Prince), 'Musicology,' 'Anotherloverholenyohead,' 'Kiss,' 'The Bird,' 'Jungle Love,' the disco hit 'Le Freak,' Janet Jackson's 'What Have You Done For Me Lately,' a Sly And The Family Stone cover...to name a few. Definitely there was lots left out....with such a big list of songs to pick and choose from. There was no 'Purple Rain,' 'When Doves Cry,' 'Cream,' '1999,' 'Raspberry Beret'... I was also a tich disappointed to see he hadn't brought his notorious purple guitar along.
Nonetheless, this was in my top 2 shows of a lifetime! Most of the time I was just in awe of the entire thing, smiling ear-to-ear. A spectacular spectacular experience! I didn't get home until 3:30. And I then crashed on the couch...exhausted.
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