California was my no.1 and tbh I'm amazed it hasn't won this poll. I kept trying to put other things at no.1 instead, but every time it left me thinking 'no, it's Caifornia'.
― Ismael Klata, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:24 (eleven years ago) link
"Night ride home" on the stereo and Joni just sang:
I feel your leg under the tableLeaning into mineI feel renewedI feel disabledBy these bonfires in my spine
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:29 (eleven years ago) link
07. The Last Time I Saw Richard (Blue): 388 points, 15 votes, 1 1st place vote
He put a quarter in the Wurlitzer and he pushedThree buttons and the thing began to whirr And a bar maid came by in fishnet stockings and a bow tieAnd she said "Drink up now it's getting' on time to close"
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:31 (eleven years ago) link
^^^ a masterpiece of tone and emphasis
― the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 October 2012 16:35 (eleven years ago) link
Joni as piano bar chanteuse...drink up now, it's getting time to close
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:36 (eleven years ago) link
Anyone know how that guitar sound on California and All I Want sounds like it does? Cheap guitar? Recording technique? Happy accident? Whatever, it's strange but wonderful.
― Jeff W, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:40 (eleven years ago) link
Dulcimer, no?
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:44 (eleven years ago) link
Oh, also, "Richard" was my #1 and my favourite album closer ever
Here, she explains it for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQpZXUGRy1U
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:46 (eleven years ago) link
Jeff: it's a dulcimer
― the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 October 2012 16:47 (eleven years ago) link
So I hear. Thanks, both.
― Jeff W, Friday, 5 October 2012 16:52 (eleven years ago) link
I dint think Richard would place, so no idea what the last six are going to be
― Ismael Klata, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:03 (eleven years ago) link
06. Free Man in Paris (Court and Spark): 391 points, 16 votes
I do my best And I do good business There's a lot of people asking for my time They're trying to get ahead They're trying to be a good friend of mine
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:07 (eleven years ago) link
LTISR is Joni at her most Didionesque, except for maybe People's Parties
― Iago Galdston, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:14 (eleven years ago) link
"Free Man..." is the only song from C&S I really rate as high as the ones on the albums either side and Blue.
― Jeff W, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:16 (eleven years ago) link
If we're doing muso questions today, I have one: is Joni playing in irregular tempo at the start of 'Blue', or is she playing regular but doing something clever that makes it seem so?
― Ismael Klata, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:23 (eleven years ago) link
05. Coyote (Hejira): 412 points, 16 votes, 2 1st place votes
I looked a coyote right in the faceOn the road to Baljennie near my old home townHe went running thru the whisker wheatChasing some prize downAnd a hawk was playing with himCoyote was jumping straight up and making passesHe had those same eyes just like yoursUnder your dark glasses
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:43 (eleven years ago) link
What was the contemporary reaction to Hejira? A lot of people must have been thrown off when they heard this track.
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:47 (eleven years ago) link
There's only one song now that I'm certain will be top four. It's weird to feel so in the dark at this stage.
― Ismael Klata, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:53 (eleven years ago) link
Yay suspense!
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:55 (eleven years ago) link
Coyote and Blue Motel Room are about Sam Shepard, right?
― Iago Galdston, Friday, 5 October 2012 17:55 (eleven years ago) link
@ Ismael, you mean the intro arpeggiation? It's rrrrubato
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 5 October 2012 18:30 (eleven years ago) link
04. Both Sides Now (Clouds): 416 points, 16 votes, 3 1st place votes
Moons and Junes and Ferris wheelsThe dizzy dancing way you feelAs ev'ry fairy tale comes realI've looked at love that way
But now it's just another showYou leave 'em laughing when you goAnd if you care, don't let them knowDon't give yourself away
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 18:32 (eleven years ago) link
Sometimes I forget there's a beautiful, wide world out there filled with people who like this song
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 5 October 2012 18:37 (eleven years ago) link
It's really simple but so memorable. My #1.
― EveningStar (Sund4r), Friday, 5 October 2012 18:55 (eleven years ago) link
"The dizzy dancing way you feel" is one of my favourite lines ever...Missed the earlier songs today. "You Turn Me On" is one song I've never connected with for some reason.
― clemenza, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:05 (eleven years ago) link
If we can speed up a wee bit, Mordy, I'd appreciate it - it's gone 8pm Friday night here. No time to be @ werk.
― Jeff W, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:06 (eleven years ago) link
Got you, thanks. It always sounded strange to me, maybe because I can't imagine a band playing like that or it being scored that way. And I always thought Blue had strings - I've only now realised it's a solo piece, with a lot of reverb on the piano.
― Ismael Klata, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:15 (eleven years ago) link
Sure thing, Jeff!
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:15 (eleven years ago) link
03. Carey (Blue): 452 points, 16 votes, 2 1st place votes
The wind is in from AfricaLast night I couldn't sleepOh you know it sure is hard to leave hereBut it's really not my home
Maybe it's been too long a timeSince I was scramblin' down in the streetNow they got me used to that clean white linenAnd that fancy French cologne
Oh Carey get out your caneI'll put on my finest silverWe'll go to the Mermaid CaféHave fun tonightI said, Oh, you're a mean old Daddy but I like youBut you're out of sight
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:16 (eleven years ago) link
Maybe you are thinking of the Sarah McLachlan version xp
― flamboyant goon tie included, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:18 (eleven years ago) link
i'll do the next two in 15 and 30 minutes, okay?
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:19 (eleven years ago) link
another amazingly sensitive example of tone and emphasis in her vocals... it all sounds so effortless.
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:20 (eleven years ago) link
another great part from Carey:
Let's have a round for these freaks and these soldiersA round for these friends of mineLet's have another round for the bright red devil Who keeps me in this tourist town
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:20 (eleven years ago) link
Also my #3.
Is Harry's House-Centerpiece really going to be in the top two??
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:22 (eleven years ago) link
And mine. This is the one I was certain would place, so I'm in unknown waters now.
― Ismael Klata, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:22 (eleven years ago) link
Just did some cheating and probably not...
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:23 (eleven years ago) link
I have two strong guesses, there are still C&S and Blue tracks left.
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:24 (eleven years ago) link
02. Help Me (Court and Spark): 459 points, 18 votes, 1 1st place vote
Help meI think I'm fallingIn love too fastIt's got me hoping for the futureAnd worrying about the past'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazesCome down to smoke and ashWe love our lovin'But not like we love our freedom
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:28 (eleven years ago) link
This was #11 on my list but after having listened to the rest of the top 50 it feels like a weird combination of flat (in the vocals) and overproduced, as well as a bit dated. But still an amazing track and one of the few on C&S that really works by itself.
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:32 (eleven years ago) link
Can guess the #1 now (and have no problem with it being #1) so will bow out for tonight. Thanks, Mordy! Was fun.
― Jeff W, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:35 (eleven years ago) link
"Help Me" is so goddamn effortless
― the ones that I'm near most: fellow outcasts and ilxors (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 5 October 2012 19:35 (eleven years ago) link
reading the Christgau reviews now...he calls her a "very if briefly great singer-songwriter" - ouch
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:38 (eleven years ago) link
he's a jerk
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:40 (eleven years ago) link
01. A Case of You (Blue): 493 points, 19 votes, 3 1st place votes
Just before our love got lost you said"I am as constant as a northern star" And I said "Constantly in the darkness Where's that at?If you want me I'll be in the bar"
On the back of a cartoon coaster In the blue TV screen light I drew a map of Canada Oh Canada With your face sketched on it twice Oh you're in my blood like holy wine You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling Still I'd be on my feet oh I would still be on my feet
Oh I am a lonely painter I live in a box of paints I'm frightened by the devil And I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid
I remember that time you told me you said"Love is touching souls" Surely you touched mine 'Cause part of you pours out of me In these lines from time to time Oh, you're in my blood like holy wine You taste so bitter and so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you darling And I would still be on my feet I would still be on my feet
I met a woman She had a mouth like yours She knew your life She knew your devils and your deeds And she said "Go to him, stay with him if you can But be prepared to bleed"
Oh but you are in my blood You're my holy wine You're so bitter, bitter and so sweet
Oh, I could drink a case of you darling Still I'd be on my feet I would still be on my feet
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:41 (eleven years ago) link
I never thought it would be this
― Ismael Klata, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:43 (eleven years ago) link
Somehow I ended up not even voting for this (probably because of overlistening) - but it was responsible for one of my few true musical epiphanies and is a worthy #1.
Thanks Mordy!
― skip, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:44 (eleven years ago) link
this was my #1
'you are in my blood like holy wine' is, imo, the greatest line written in 20th century popular music, and the way she sings it i get chills.
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:44 (eleven years ago) link
Here are the two songs that got first place votes but didn't place:
DreamlandTin Angel
― Mordy, Friday, 5 October 2012 19:45 (eleven years ago) link