Joni Mitchell : A Case of You & Blue : Canada Week 2 - Day 3

[@Noodleboy56]

Rabbit hole indeed. Enjoy!

[@Blue-qr7qe]

Yes, please do go back, hear the studio version. You're not likely to find a deeper, wider rabit hole to wander into. Maybe hear the whole BLUE album for openers. Peace -

[@had64198]

She is an unbelievable talent and a Canadian treasure. She is an incredible painter. Her lyrics are like paintings.

[@marcleblanc6293]

Joni Mitchell is Canadian music royalty, her music is timeless and reaches beyond borders and Canada is extremely proud to call her one of our own.

[@pamelabailey4501]

Joni is the queen of all things!!!! The best!!!

[@sherryheim5504]

James Taylor is American, born in Boston, MA. Joni is one of my all time favorite poet, songwriters, singers and I do compare her to Leonard Cohen in the way that they both paint vivid, motion filled images with their words. Joni bends the musical rules to make the music match the lyrics as she wishes the accentuations to flow. I have never heard a Joni Mitchell song I didn't like and most I truly love.

[@johnbrowne2170]

I recommend the entire Court and Spark album. In my opinion her best.

[@G-B31]

You guys are on the right track with insightful comments. BUT>>> Joni Mitchell came first, paved the way for female singer/song writers. She is the real deal, writes, sings and plays...all exceptionally well. Blue was a ground breaking album. A Case of You is written about Leonard Cohen. River from the same album is written about Graham Nash.. Mitchell is an artist and on a creative journey. Her music progressed for decades. Check out Court and Spark. Her first album with a band and her biggest commercial success. And also check out Hejira and her work with the great bassist Jaco Pastorius.

[@TheThamesmen]

Excellent. Thank you

[@kjmorley]

“Honk, honk!” Was that a duck driving a car?🤣

[@jimmcintyre7754]

You guys are so entertaining and funny. As I listen to Joni through the years I hear her voice deteriorating from cigarettes. So sad.

[@pamelabailey4501]

She’s a painter too. Did you hear her jazz influence? Yes! Joni had a tough time in the male dominated music business.

[@rickfairman5640]

One of the greatest all around artist that has come out of Canada. She paints her album covers and writes the liner notes. She tops it off as a brilliant song writer which have provided many musical awards and a voice of silk a artist for the world

[@GoldTop57]

If you love this, the whole Blue album will blow your mind. She plays dulcimer, piano, guitar, and she’s insanely good at everything.

[@andersgranstrom7128]

One world - one Joni! 😍

[@annmills3163]

An extremely enormous rabbit hole for sure. ☮️💜🎶

[@TheThamesmen]

It sure is

[@tommuscatello9426]

Her catalog is a goldmine of depth and breadth of innovation.

[@TheThamesmen]

Oh lord this could be a huge rabbit hole.

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@TheThamesmen yes it is

[@rk41gator]

I think it was/is more difficult for women. But Joni was so good to be able to soar above all that. So strong. So authentic. So clear.

[@ryangjewell]

@@TheThamesmen Her song Little Green about her child she had to give up gets me every time.

[@KenBreadbox]

@@TheThamesmen But oh so worth it.

[@Sam-je7ti]

Joni had been in a relationship with Leonard Cohen and it's believed that A Case of You is about him.

[@TheThamesmen]

Ahhh

[@viceroyzh]

Or about Graham Nash (or any other of her many friends...).

[@lyleman2112]

Love your vids. Your Canadian puns are a real Triumph.

[@TheThamesmen]

Touché!

[@MMacAttack]

React to original recording of “Both Sides Now” ( Joni just performed it at age 80 at the Grammy Awards , it was moving) A brilliant song that hits even more as you age

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Love Joni love you guys

[@TheThamesmen]

We love you Dave.

[@JT.Pilgrim]

Wow! 😅

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

She is also ranked by Rolling Stone (for what it’s worth…not much) as #75 in top 100 guitarists. The following is a quote by David Crosby. “The strongest thing I did for Joni as a producer on Song to a Seagull, from 1968, was keep everybody else off of that record. She was a folkie who had learned to play what they call an indicated arrangement, where you are like a band in the way you approach a chord and string the melody along. She was so new and fresh with how she approached it. It's the reason I fell in love with her music. She was a fantastic rhythm player and growing so fast. She had mastered the idea that she could tune the guitar any way she wanted, to get other inversions of the chords. I was doing that too, but she went further. I understood her joy in using bigger tools later - jazz bands, orchestra. But the stuff she did that was basically her, like 1971's Blue, was her strongest stuff. Match her and Bob Dylan up as poets, and they are in the same ballpark. But she was a much more sophisticated musician.” By David Crosby

[@TheThamesmen]

Great quote. Thanks

[@johnbrowne2170]

Rolling Stone hasn't been relevant since the 1980s.

[@geraldarsenault275]

yes as sue boardman said big yellow taxi you've heard, the famous line appropriate for L.A, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot;put all the trees in a museum

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Interestingly, from what I’ve read, she wrote that song while staring out the window in her hotel in Honolulu……across a giant parking lot.

[@Blue-qr7qe]

I think the level of sophistication Joni Mitchell has displayed in her poetry and musicianship deserves much better than crass and juvenile commentary as to whether she was "doing it" with this or that musician. There simply are better approaches to real artists. That said, you had named a few other singer/songwriters who turned up in these two tunes; In A CASE of YOU, "I met a woman, she had a mouth like yours - she knew your lies, she knew you devils and your deeds, and she said: "go to him, stay with him if you can, but be prepared to bleed." Quite a poetic way to say that she met Leonard Cohen's mom. BLUE, according to many, was James Taylor's name amongst friends. And, yes, they were romantically inclined and shared music. JT fought his way through heroin addiction, and the song, BLUE, was addressed to him. She had a long relationship with Graham Nash, also. I think she's had to contend throughout her entire musical journey with the industry trying to pigeonhole her. She deserves respect. There are few musicians who enjoy as much reverence from fellow musicians as she.

[@karenmandeville7116]

stumbled on you guys perusing KZbin. I'm up in Ukiah. enjoyed your reactions.

[@TheThamesmen]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@amygone2pot]

Loved this. I can see why she is measured with Dylan.

[@TheThamesmen]

More you listen the better she gets too. So talented

[@helenespaulding7562]

On her first album, Song to a Seagull, her voice was pure snd crystalline. She was a heavy smoker, however, and her voice changed…became deeper and “Smoky” Her discography is marvelous, with Blue considered a masterpiece. She became more jazz oriented with time and released several jazz infused albums, the most famous being Hajira. She received a Kennedy Center Honors tribute in 2021. Brandi Carlisle has made it her honor and privilege to learn Joni’s songs ….she covers them beautifully, and to keep Joni’s music alive. Joni sang for the first time since her stroke last summer at the Monterey Festival, along with Brandi and other artists. Joni is revered and loved by the music community and her many fans

[@viceroyzh]

About judging on looks: I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel You were famous, your heart was a legend You told me again, you preferred handsome men But for me you would make an exception And clenching your fist for the ones like us Who are oppressed by the figures of beauty You fixed yourself, you said "Well nevermind We are ugly but we have the music" Leonard Cohen on Janis Joplin (song: Chelsea Hotel #2)

[@helenespaulding7562]

She was known as the Queen of Laurel Canyon. She was friends with all those guys. Crosby, Stills, Jackson Browne etc. famous for her many and varied tunings. Going to California by Zeppelin…..Robert wrote those lyrics about Joni. “Looking for a Queen without a King, they say she plays guitar, cries and sings”

[@geraldarsenault275]

truely a fun fact

[@TheThamesmen]

Very very cool!

[@rickfairman5640]

In one of the Laura canyon documentaries it had a picture of Joni sitting on the ground with Eric. Clapton looking down at Joni in awe as the first witnessed Joni in one 51 different tunings

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

@@rickfairman5640 exactly! I heard somewhere…maybe it was on the Rick Beato breakdown if Amelia…about all her off-the-wall tunings……let’s say “innovative” tunings…and how David Crosby or one of those guys would pick up a guitar and start to play and be startled…and it was like…yeah, Joni must have been here. 😏. Also, her extensive use of suss chords, and how that went against the grain for the guys. She jokingly speculated about the tolerance for “ uncertainty” being different between the genders. 😁

[@rickfairman5640]

@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 appearantly she had a techie who figured out a way to access the various tuning. No idea how but it definitely worked. Just watched a live show and she never shyed away from the lead guitar player watching him play very supportive of all members in her band

[@timgrodesky4694]

Joni is a musical force who stays true to her artistry. Her "Blue" album is a masterpiece! Her complete discography is an amazing blend of all genres of music and has always held a high place in my musical journey. This was terrific to hear and see and hope you devote more time to her catalogue!

[@TheThamesmen]

We need to dive in more!!

[@linnightl9277]

My older sister gave me Blue for a birthday present when I was 15 - while I was heavily into Bowie, Lou Reed and of course Pink Floyd - how the hell could I tell my friends about this album? I have thanked my sister since.

[@TheThamesmen]

:)

[@gzucc]

.....oh, I get it now.....James Taylor is not only Canadian, he was also married to Muriel Sparks.

[@helenespaulding7562]

Joni was the soundtrack of my college years Adored her music, especially her early work when her voice was pure crystal… and unbelievably nimble. And I believe that she is one of the top singer/songwriters of the last 60 years. Large discography. Wish you would do more of her. She is also a well respected painter

[@williamdemerchant7295]

James Taylor is an American. Born in Boston, MA.

[@TheThamesmen]

Near Canada ?

[@steveneardley7541]

Musically it reminds me of Debussy, who's also very painterly.

[@TheThamesmen]

Ooh interesting

[@Dave13185]

Blue is a beautiful album, still fresh amazingly

[@TheThamesmen]

Need to listen!!

[@alanaltimont9007]

"Blue" is through-composed, something pretty rare in pop music. She has several other of this sort in the next two albums after "Blue."

[@TheThamesmen]

Need to delve into. Thanks.

[@alroy43]

I still get shivers when I see Joni live.

[@squamishfish]

Canadian folk singers from back then Joni Mitchell , Neil young , The band Robby Robertson , Buffy Saint Marie , Leonard Cohen ,Buffy saint Marie was a very important singer back then she is 1st Nations native Indian and was involved in native rights , she wrote for a lot of people besides herself , songs include Universal Soldier , Until it’s time for you to go

[@randomtruths3400]

Unfortunately, Buffy's place and legacy have taken a massive hit with the revelations that her "native" ancestry was all a carefully cultivated fraud. She's really of Italian heritage and was born in the U.S. - not indigenous and not Canadian.

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

My god ...she is really that good , isn't she...............................Oh Joni, Oh Canada !

[@TheThamesmen]

Amazing!

[@andreadee1567]

I love Joni Mitchell.

[@TheThamesmen]

So much to learn here

[@mrnobody9104]

she is amazing just her and the dulcimer and captivating the audience with her pure talent! singer songwriter and an incredible artist it's not even fare.

[@BrianR.]

Glad you liked it, thanks!

[@heidih2887]

Yes, that's a dulcimer that she taught herself to play. She's also an amazing painter/artist, as well as guitar player, piano player... produced most of her own albums, others co-produced... full spectrum artist!

[@sean---the-other-one]

I’m running late on this week. Just caught Day 3 and what a strong selection it is. Nice ones Brian. Like Alex, I know very little of Joni. Big Yellow Taxi is great, and Both Sides Now is also super stuff. Aside from that I only ever heard people gushing about her. This was fantastic. The talent that was around in the 60s and 70s was incredible. Joni reminds me a bit of Rickie Lee Jones, whose self-titled album is similarly unique, but perhaps a little more conventionally structured in terms of traditional verses and choruses, etc. I can hear a thread connecting Joni and Kate Bush, for sure. As for the keys in the outro, I definitely don’t know. I won’t list any guesses as per the request, but I will say that the bass player is doing some tasty stuff in there too. Looking forward to getting to the remaining CW2 videos. Great work, Brian!!

[@BrianR.]

Thanks for the kind words Sean

[@jameswarner5809]

Nobody sounds like Joni. She has one of the most distinctive voices ever. She started off with quite a strong folk feel, then picked up some jazz influences, then incorporated 80s production, while always maintaining her unique sound. There are many more great songs from Blue (the first three tracks are wonderful in different ways), but in the interest of balance, here are a few more from across the 70s and 80s: Electricity (from For The Roses in 1972), Free Man In Paris (from Court And Spark, 1974, where Joni sings about getting away from the grind of the music industry), Edith And The Kingpin (from The Hissing Of Summer Lawns, 1975), Hejira (from Hejira, 1976), Jericho (Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, 1977), Moon At The Window (Wild Things Run Fast, 1982), Shiny Toys (Dog Eat Dog, 85), The Beat Of Black Wings (Chalkmark In A Rainstorm, 1988, about the PTSD of soldiers returned from overseas conflicts). On the subject of other Canadian acts, I would definitely recommend listening to Broken Social Scene, starting with the wonderfully uplifting 7/4 (A Shoreline).

[@TheThamesmen]

I love Broken Social Scene. Didn't know they were Canadian

[@TheThamesmen]

James - Listening now.... WOW. Curated week?

[@jameswarner5809]

@@TheThamesmen Yes, they are more than just a band, but a musical collective with up to 19 members (according to Wiki). The two front men are Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, but the most famous member is Leslie Feist, who performs solo under her surname and features on 7/4. Drew and Canning also have released solo albums. Check out the track Churches Under The Stairs by Brendan Canning. Another feel-good number.

[@jameswarner5809]

@@TheThamesmen What do you need for a curated week? Just a list of suggested tracks, or info on each one?

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Helene here. HOLY COW, James…..I had a list of about 14 songs I was going to suggest…and we only overlap at Free Man in Paris! Sounds like you skew more to her later jazz, and i to her earlier folk…maybe we should collab on a TWO WEEKS of Joni for Alex! 😏😉

[@helenespaulding7562]

Love your outro footage. Was a massive fan of that series. Still watch the reruns. And who doesn’t love Patrick Stewart?

[@TheThamesmen]

:) That's a hell of a Hammond solo

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Just heard the news about Jeff Beck. Disbelief. Sorrow. Damn.

[@TheThamesmen]

Oh no. Just read it here. Dam

[@moonstone1159]

Of course, by 1983 her voice had already begun to change. Still, a fantastic performance. I recommend listening to the original 1971 studio tracks from the BLUE album. If you like her songwriting here, you're going to love the album.

[@rickfairman5640]

Joini was with graham nash calie simon was with taylor

[@rickfairman5640]

I was looking for a guitar solo by Joni Mitchelle and this popped up may be one of the best specials I have ever scene Check out Pat Metheny Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorivs Michael Breker Shadows of the Night By Joni Mitchel. It is an hour and 13 minutes..Highly recommend it she Is definitely different than most performer in a very good way. Hope you can find the time to check it out

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

YES! Excellent excellent film!

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Alex should just watch that. Then he’d know her…..

[@TheThamesmen]

Thanks for idea. Excellent

[@rickfairman5640]

Joni Mitchell is almost the female neil Yonge when it comes to being true to themselves unafraid to go off in anydirection that meets their needs not the wishes of the establishment. They stayed true to their beliefs unafraid of how they were seen publically. they remained focust on the art as they saw/felt and dam the torpedoes. ie Neil Yonge walking out on Buffalo Springfield the day before they were to perform on Johnny Carson. You look at Mitchells career and catalouge for the diversity and being true to Herself. A couple of side notes Joni wrote Woodstock on a plane after talking to fellow musicians who were at the concert. Also she was ranked 75th guitar player on Rolling Stones top 100 guitar players. She also had 51 different tunings for her guitar. There are stories of her sitting ouside and tuning to nature to meet her needs. I beieve her biggest crush was Graham Nash. great choice

[@TheThamesmen]

I have a lot to learn here Rick. I am not afraid to admit I know nothing, your input is super welcomed!

[@Timoeltejano]

I watched the David Crosby documentary. When she broke up with him, it was at a dinner party. She comes in with guitar in hand and sings "That Song About The Midway" twice and then walks out. Joni has no rivals and no equals. Without a doubt female artists had a tough time being taken seriously. "A Case Of You" cuts me to the quick every single time. It's as though she's peering into your soul, analyzing you and then putting it to lyrics and music.

[@jaycmacg]

Considered by many many to be the top of lyrical songwriters of that generation, either her or Dylan...so kind of big praise. The greatest jazz musicians thought she was the most innovative musician, Herbie Hancock collaborated with her and inducted her into Hall of Fame, Mingus picked her to create his last album with as he was dying (posthumous Grammy), her 80's touring band was Jacob Pastorius and Pat Metheny. One of the great voices, all the Carley Simons and Kate Bush's would definitely (and often) say she was the one. Was the heartthrob of musicians at the time...Taylor, Stills, Cohen, the Zeppelin line about going to California cause there is a girl out there with flowers in her hair. Some of the greatest songs: Big Yellow Taxi, Both Sides Now, Woodstock (CSNY), California. Some of the greatest albums: Blue, Court and Spark, Hejira. And she considered herself a painter first, every album cover is an original, stuff in galleries around the world. You'd only scratch the barest of surfaces with a full Joni Mitchell week. Enjoy!

[@barrycuda3769]

James Taylor knew how to launch a '55 off the line and play tunes with a 454 and a rock crusher.

[@JeromeDukes]

Brian's 3 for 3 thus far, i'm curious to what direction he'll take us with the remaining two songs. I'm one of those dumb dumbs that never really got into Joni Mitchell, which is strange considering she 's a very good musician and singer, especially when it comes to the multitude of tuning she plays on guitar. I know Prince was a big fan of hers and I have seen her live a few times but just wasn't my cup of tea. BTW speaking about artist of the same ilk as Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, don't forget Gordon Lightfoot. who is also an icon in Canadian music and is also from that era.

[@BrianR.]

Glad you're enjoying the week so far, cheers!

[@TheThamesmen]

Hi Jerome. The dumb ones are the ones who do not recognize they know nothing. I like you know nothing but never afraid to ask people like Brian, who do. Its the only way to get educated.... Let's go on a journey together my friend.

[@TheThamesmen]

Thanks Brian

[@JeromeDukes]

@@TheThamesmen I think you may have misunderstood my comment. I've actually listened to a lot of Joni Mitchell growing up, my sister was a big fan. The dumb dumb comment was a reference to how out of sync I am with it comes to Joni Mitchell. Everything about her I should like but her music just doesn't resonate with me, much like Kate Bush. In regards to Brian's selections, I feel the artist and song selections are the cream of the crop and I'm excited to see what the remaining two songs are.

[@suzispangenberg9571]

Joni Mitchell is truly one of the best songwriters ever. Not one of the best female songwriters-one of the best, period. She has a way of communicating her feelings that shoot like a laser directly into the listeners heart. Alex is 💯 Re: women in music. I’d even hazard that it’s even tougher than you could possibly conceive. Ditto for women working in the industry. Things are *slightly* better now, but we have to still put up with an enormous amount of BS. You mention sexual harassment, but it historically has been far worse than that. I’ll just leave it there. I’m glad things are changing. BTW, Alex, George is absolutely correct about Sacramento. Not only is there a very cool old town, but there’s also a fantastic music and arts scene. All those cool bands and artists that got priced out of the Bay moved there. Well worth checking out. Here’s my suggestion: react to all the bands whose posters are behind you! 😊 Love to you both!

[@scifimonkey3]

I would say the closest current artist to Joni and Kate is probably Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine.

[@BrianR.]

Florence Welch is amazing!!

[@TheThamesmen]

Again, we have only done 1 track. Do you know enough to curate a week?

[@scifimonkey3]

@@TheThamesmen musically no problem, let me have a think about some kind of structure to hang it on. 5 or 6 tracks?

[@TheThamesmen]

@@scifimonkey3 Yes. I can then put you in touch with Chris who will help you shape it up. I'd love a week of this, as being out of the UK I missed it!

[@TheThamesmen]

6 tracks. Notes (2-3 mins each track). Due to the nature of reaction vids, people only watch tracks they know, so nothing too deep cut, more the biggies and of course a real personal track of yours.

[@helenespaulding7562]

Please please do more of Joni! Alex, you have many albums worth of incredible music to enjoy! Yes, she is thought of by most as the equal in songwriting of Carly Simon, Leonard Cohen, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, CSN…… perhaps exceeded only by Dylan…… and maybe, by a whisker, Carole King. Please react to her song Amelia. Or at the very least, watch Rick Beato breakdown the song. It’s hard to make Rick Beato emotional, but he cried listening to that song.

[@TheThamesmen]

Hello Helene. I know nothing, zip. I need help pulling a week together on her (cough

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@TheThamesmen yeah…I’m thinking about it. It’s been a loooong time since I’ve listened in a serious way to her music. And she gas so many albums. It would be time intensive because I would take my assignment seriously. When you do a week of an artist, do you do 7 songs? Or 14? She has songs that are SO well known that I hesitate to suggest them. Like “Both Sides Now”. Have you heard that? Would you like a chronological selection? I had, I think, her first 7 albums. I could just pick a fave from each and not a be so damn serious about about it. Some would be deep cuts. Would that work? But tell me about Both Sides. You MUST know that. Big Yellow Taxi? Free Man in Paris?

[@helenespaulding7562]

@@TheThamesmen ok…I just sat down and wrote down 10 songs off the top if my head. You see, there’s so many. She wrote Woodstock, you know So I could give you a list of however many songs you need. But, if you want a structured approach …different periods….different styles…..let me know. You honestly need two weeks since this is a new artist to you and she’s so HUGE Ditto with the other singer/songwriters of the Laurel Canyon Renaissance btw. Something tells me that’s a hole in your music experience.

[@BrianR.]

I think it would be great if you put aa Joni Mitchell week together!

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

@@BrianR. oh you do, do you……Volunteering me, are you? 😏

[@flor9389]

Janice was the female Muppet and Rolf was the piano player but there was also Dr. Teeth who looked suspiciously like Dr John. Dave Grohl was the drummer 😂

[@TheThamesmen]

:) greatest band in the world

[@williamdemerchant7295]

I had read that Keith Moon was the inspiration for Animal of the Muppets. The Muppets pre-date Dave Grohl.

[@flor9389]

@@williamdemerchant7295 I know. That’s why the laughing face. His friends called him Animal and they had a drum battle that was priceless.

[@backbeat44]

Joni Mitchell deserves at least a few weeks of her own, she's that diverse and good. brilliant writer. I loved what Lennon said to her while she was recording her album Court and Spark kzbin.infoHz56RIB1-9c

[@brianparsa7794]

Laurel Canyon area of LA had plenty of musicians that were, umm, intermingling, shall we say? Really long list of rock and pop stars of the 1960's and 1970's. Regarding Joni Mitchell, she is absolutely one of the most acclaimed songwriters from Canada or anywhere else. While the tracks you guys played aren't necessarily my personal favorites of hers, they are still terrific.

[@TheThamesmen]

Had to start somewhere!

[@mikeschenk4730]

If you didn't try so hard to get into trouble I don't think you would be near as entertaining. She is an astounding lyricist and musician. Not an all-the-time thing for me, but there are certainly times when her style of music fits what I want to listen to.

[@2727rogers]

James Taylor the singer is not a Canadian. Also the song This Flight Tonight by Nazareth is a cover of a Joni Mitchell song and I bet you have listened to that version in your day.

[@TheThamesmen]

Whoops soss.

[@lencooke944]

Wow, lots in this one. I knew Joni would be here somewhere, but you buggers have hijacked my thoughts. Alex, I agree fully that the music industry is a misogynistic cesspit (ok, you didn't use those words, but I am using poetic license, paraphrasing, if you will). However, I am not sure if it is driven more by the supply-side or the demand-side. I am sure we have seen enough evidence of entertainment industry executives taking advantage of female performers, or in other cases, rejecting them, and killing their careers because they are female (or because the performers rejected the entertainment executives' advances). However, I think the biggest block is on the consumption side of the music offering. Female performers are often pigeonholed into certain categories based on their dress, age, look, voices or reputation. Consumers (the listeners of music, mostly male in this example), often hover between clever, yet demeaning witticisms, and the vitriolic in response to female artists stepping outside their norms; or heaven forbid that they encroach on their favorite genres. It probably started out even before June Carter was, in some circles, whispered to be the cause of Johnny Cash's problems. To see what I am talking about you just have to watch on KZbin and see how some reactors accept innovation in a genre by male performers, but dismiss female artists as interlopers, bait or somehow degrading the genre ... yup, I've heard all of those. I won't go on; I think people will get my point that often men, on both the supply-side and the consumption-side, make judgements on female performers without even knowing who they are or what they do. This unnecessarily complicates things for female performers and causes an imbalanced environment for performing artists. Alex and George, I definitely agree with your comments that female artists have to work twice as hard to become half as successful. End of rant. Brian, these are two beautiful tracks by one of Canada's finest artists. I am by no means a Joni Mitchell expert, but I have been aware of her since I was about 10 years old. I had planned to tell a story about my first recollections of Joni Mitchell if a chance came this week. The opportunity came, but it got sidetracked by two of my other favorite subject's misogyny and patriarchal societies. I know there will be other Joni Mitchell songs featured on the Thamesmen, where I might be able to tell you where my Joni Mitchell experience began. In the meantime, thank you, Brian, for promoting this wonderful, world-class artist, who just happens to be Canadian.

[@TheThamesmen]

Hi Len!! I think woman have to work twice as hard anywhere but worst in the entertainment industry not to be sexualized. Be well cheers A

[@rk41gator]

Excellent choice from one of America's geniuses. (Canada IS American, thank you) Her voice, her looks, her song writing, her lyrics are creative brilliance. I put her and Kate Bush on the same pedestal. 70s and free love! What a time.

[@heidimueller1039]

Excuse me, I’m Canadian, never American. YOU coopted that name for yourselves.

[@rk41gator]

@@heidimueller1039 You are North American, like it or not. So are Mexicans. Get used to it.

[@digimontexcelguy1114]

Joni is the artist's artist. So many Australian acts cite her as an inspiration. I'd like to being your attention to what is increasingly being called the greatest cover (reimagining is a better description) of a song since Johnny Cash recorded Hurt. I'd strongly suggest reacting as a double, the original first, then the Kasey Chambers live recording of Eminem's Lose Yourself. Here's the link to the new owner of this song, because it's not Eminem's anymore. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWiTqZihaN1nqNE&feature=shares

[@Paul_C]

Joni Mitchell, I only became interested in her music after my dad died in '99. Never heard before yet my mother apparently was a fan of hers. After '99, mum played her records constantly, to the point it got, eh, 'please mum, it's now enough'. Yes, she was a great songwriter, just I can't hear her anymore. You now males have this dominance over anything that is 'to hard for females'. Dad was the prototype of that 'remote control horder'.

[@DKaschak1]

DISAPPOINTED!!!!!! You guys made a big mistake by picking the live performances over the lp recordings. Do this over, but take "Both Sides Now" from 1970 and then the 2007 recording to compare the difference and witness the artistic growth.

[@TheThamesmen]

We chose live for various reasons, including that we prefer live versions but when you start your own channel I will be happy to listen to the LP version.

[@DKaschak1]

A defensive response like that and plenty of other reasons are why a potential subscriber will opt not to. Cheers!

[@jimmcintyre7754]

This is amazing guys. And before she ruined her voice with cigarettes. You are very funny. Just stop commenting on American politicians (guy that looks like Woody Allen) because you’re on the wrong side of 65% of how Americans view our candidates

[@TheThamesmen]

Woody Allen. That is a new comparison! Thank you

[@BrianR.]

James Taylor was born in Boston Mass guys.

[@TheThamesmen]

Dam

[@BrianR.]

Alex, I thought you knew Joni Mitchell's music! Glad you enjoyed it, she's an icon. She is playing a dulcimer on the first track. I like these Live versions, they really lay it on the line so to speak, as they show the artist in action but for sure, the album versions are worth checking out as Blue is one of the best albums ever made.

[@rickfairman5640]

Good morning just wanted to say your selection of music this week it seemed like you were reading from my playlist.one thing I would have done differently was have Diana Krall sing a case of you from the Joni Mitchel tribute concert. It would have allowed us to have 4 great canadian artists for the price of three. Enjoying your work Cheers

[@BrianR.]

@@rickfairman5640 thanks I appreciate your support. Mu hope is that more Canada weeks will be added which will cover more modern music. I really wanted to get the 70's out of the way before moving forward. I am familiar with Diana Krall and the Joni tribute concert but limited space means making tough decisions.

[@rickfairman5640]

@@BrianR. No problem 5 days is hard to show the musical culture in five songs. The one joy I have is my age as I grew up in the 60's 70's and early 80's where except for hair metal it was still about the music and less about the gimmicks. suggestion check out Ronnie Hawkins 60th Birthday Celebration at Massey Hall Great Rock'n roll. Many of the great and canadian musicians who had played with Ronnie early in their career. Check out Down In The Alley and Hey Bodidley That are great tune and feature Jeff Healey playing kick ass guitar licks keep up the good work

[@TheThamesmen]

Brian.... we will need to delve in more here

[@BrianR.]

@@TheThamesmen I agree!

[@BrianR.]

My guess for the organ bit in the outro is Vincent Crane.

[@TheThamesmen]

Wrong Brian - Good guess but no

[@BrianR.]

@@TheThamesmen of course, it was your Dad doing Chiswick Flyover. Still waiting for that t-shirt 😜

[@TheThamesmen]

@@BrianR. think they are still in storage with Alex move going on. Remind us next week!