Author Archives

by

Song of the Day #4,611: ‘Conversation’ – Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell’s evolution was quick and remarkable, as she dropped an album a year from 1968 through 1972, each building on the strengths of the last. Her third album, 1970’s Ladies of the Canyon, was quite a leap.

Following the acoustic guitar showcases of her first two releases, Ladies of the Canyon saw Mitchell switch to piano on many of its tracks, with excellent results. She also introduced strings, woodwinds and horns to the mix, and included instrumental stretches that broke up the verse-chorus pattern of her earlier work.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,610: ‘Both Sides, Now’ – Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell’s sophomore album, Clouds, came out in 1969, a year after her well-received debut. Mitchell took over the production reins, as she would on every subsequent album she released.

Clouds features two of Mitchell’s best-loved songs — ‘Chelsea Morning’ and ‘Both Sides, Now’ — recorded by her for the first time after charting for other artists (Judy Collins’s version of the latter song reached the top ten of both the Pop and Easy Listening charts, though Mitchell was reportedly not a fan of the recording).

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,609: ‘Cactus Tree’ – Joni Mitchell

Today’s a day my most loyal readers never thought would come — the kickoff of a series on the legendary Joni Mitchell. A few weeks ago, I promised a Mitchell deep dive in 2021, so I figured there’s no time like the present.

I have long resisted Mitchell’s work, despite its groundbreaking nature, because I’m not a fan of her voice. Specifically, there’s a nasal sliding sound she makes on some of her songs that irritates me.

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,608: ‘On Earth As It Is In Heaven’ – Ennio Morricone

Happy Valentine’s Day, readers, but more important, Happy Birthday to my daughter Fiona, who turns 15 today.

This is a Random Weekend, so I get to spin the wheel and see if the Random iTunes Fairy can serve up something appropriate for the occasion.

Let’s give it a whirl…

Continue reading →

by

Song of the Day #4,607: ‘The Secret Life Of Morgan Davis (Alternate Mix)’ – Ben Folds

It’s been five years since Ben Folds’ last album release, and that one (2015’s So There) was a collaboration with a chamber orchestra, with half of its running time dedicated to an instrumental suite.

That makes it a full decade since his last full-length release, 2010’s Lonely Avenue, and on that album he handed the lyrical reins to novelist Nic Hornby. Which makes it 12 years since Folds released an album of his own material. That was 2008’s Way to Normal, a decent collection but one that too often found Folds relying on sophomoric humor.

Continue reading →