Recently, I\u2019ve been on the road quite a bit. That has its disadvantages.<\/p>\n
However, road travel also has its benefits. It allows you time to think \u2013 and to get reacquainted with music you love. And there\u2019s simply something quite enjoyable about heading down the highway, dawn in the rear-view mirror, with music you love and haven\u2019t heard in years playing in the background.<\/p>\n
And yeah – that means you’re about to get another musical “walkabout” from me. You’ve been warned. (smile)<\/p>\n
. . . <\/b><\/p>\n
Before this trip, I took another look through the music library \u2013 after all, you can only listen to the same set of tunes so long before you begin to get tired of them. And I found something there that I\u2019d put aside and forgotten over the years.<\/p>\n
In previous articles here at TAH, I indicated there were two ladies I\u2019d pay serious money to hear play in a small venue. I was wrong; add a third to that list. That third lady is Don Juan\u2019s Reckless Daughter \u2013 AKA Ms. Roberta Joan “Joni” Mitchell.<\/p>\n
Here are eight tunes by the lady, along with some brief comments. They showcase a truly wonderful voice and songwriting talent. All are her compositions; the first three were made famous by other performers.<\/p>\n
The last tune is a particular favorite of mine. FWIW: I think that anyone who\u2019s ever taken on significant responsibilities \u2013 be they of national import, at work, for one\u2019s family, or of any other type \u2013 can identify with the tune\u2019s sentiment.<\/p>\n
Both Sides Now<\/i><\/a> (Judy Collins recorded this in 1967.)<\/p>\n Big Yellow Taxi<\/i><\/a> (Mitchell recorded and released it in 1970, but it didn\u2019t do as well as the version recorded and released that same year by \u201cThe Neighborhood\u201d. Mitchell later had a bigger hit with a live version of the song released in 1974.)<\/p>\n Woodstock<\/i><\/a> (Crosby Stills Nash and Young recorded the definitive version of this tune, but Mitchell wrote it.)<\/p>\n Help Me<\/i><\/a> (Mitchell\u2019s biggest and only top 10 hit. Nice tune.)<\/p>\n Raised on Robbery<\/i><\/a> (Minor hit and fun tune.)<\/p>\n Court and Spark<\/i><\/a> (Gorgeous title tune from the album marking her commercial high-water mark.)<\/p>\n Twisted<\/i><\/a> (This tune is simply hilarious \u2013 and yes, that IS Cheech and Chong you hear doing spoken background vocals somewhat over midway through the tune. [smile])<\/p>\n