Oh I Wish I Had a POLL, I Could Skate Away On: The Joni Mitchell Tracks/Albums Results Thread (ILM ARTIST POLL #26)

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

LTISR is Joni at her most Didionesque, except for maybe People's Parties

"Free Man..." is the only song from C&S I really rate as high as the ones on the albums either side and Blue.

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?

05. Coyote (Hejira): 412 points, 16 votes, 2 1st place votes

I looked a coyote right in the face
On the road to Baljennie near my old home town
He went running thru the whisker wheat
Chasing some prize down
And a hawk was playing with him
Coyote was jumping straight up and making passes
He had those same eyes just like yours
Under your dark glasses

What was the contemporary reaction to Hejira? A lot of people must have been thrown off when they heard this track.

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.

Yay suspense!

Coyote and Blue Motel Room are about Sam Shepard, right?

@ Ismael, you mean the intro arpeggiation? It's rrrrubato

04. Both Sides Now (Clouds): 416 points, 16 votes, 3 1st place votes

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As ev'ry fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

Sometimes I forget there's a beautiful, wide world out there filled with people who like this song

It's really simple but so memorable. My #1.

"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.

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.

@ Ismael, you mean the intro arpeggiation? It's rrrrubato

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.

Sure thing, Jeff!

03. Carey (Blue): 452 points, 16 votes, 2 1st place votes

The wind is in from Africa
Last night I couldn't sleep
Oh you know it sure is hard to leave here
But it's really not my home

Maybe it's been too long a time
Since I was scramblin' down in the street
Now they got me used to that clean white linen
And that fancy French cologne

Oh Carey get out your cane
I'll put on my finest silver
We'll go to the Mermaid Café
Have fun tonight
I said, Oh, you're a mean old Daddy but I like you
But you're out of sight

Maybe you are thinking of the Sarah McLachlan version xp

i'll do the next two in 15 and 30 minutes, okay?

another amazingly sensitive example of tone and emphasis in her vocals... it all sounds so effortless.

another great part from Carey:

Let's have a round for these freaks and these soldiers
A round for these friends of mine
Let's have another round for the bright red devil
Who keeps me in this tourist town

Also my #3.

Is Harry's House-Centerpiece really going to be in the top two??

And mine. This is the one I was certain would place, so I'm in unknown waters now.

Just did some cheating and probably not...

I have two strong guesses, there are still C&S and Blue tracks left.

02. Help Me (Court and Spark): 459 points, 18 votes, 1 1st place vote

Help me
I think I'm falling
In love too fast
It's got me hoping for the future
And worrying about the past
'Cause I've seen some hot hot blazes
Come down to smoke and ash
We love our lovin'
But not like we love our freedom

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.

Can guess the #1 now (and have no problem with it being #1) so will bow out for tonight. Thanks, Mordy! Was fun.

"Help Me" is so goddamn effortless

reading the Christgau reviews now...he calls her a "very if briefly great singer-songwriter" - ouch

he's a jerk

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

I never thought it would be this

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!

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.

Here are the two songs that got first place votes but didn't place:

Dreamland
Tin Angel

Yeah thanks Mordy - this was a brilliant idea for a poll and took me places where I'd never've got to on my own.

And here's the full top 50. Remember that all the tracks available on Spotify can be streamed here:
http://open.spotify.com/user/mordys/playlist/79HgvbsptKvCXt6uKHSBl2

50. Jericho (Don Juan's Reckless Daughter): 95 points, 4 votes
49. Conversation (Ladies of the Canyon): 101 points, 5 votes
48. I Don't Know Where I Stand (Clouds): 105 points, 4 votes, 1 1st place vote
45. This Flight Tonight (Blue): 108 points, 6 votes
45. Urge for Going (Hits): 108 points, 4 votes
45. For the Roses (For the Roses): 108 points, 5 votes
43. The Circle Game (Ladies of the Canyon): 110 points, 4 votes
43. Blonde in the Bleachers (For the Roses): 110 points, 5 votes, 1 1st place vote
42. Let the Wind Carry Me (For the Roses): 113 points, 5 votes
41. Trouble Child (Court and Spark): 114 points, 6 votes
40. Down to You (Court and Spark): 116 points, 5 votes
39. Shades of Scarlet Conquering (The Hissing of Summer Lawns): 119 points, 4 votes, 1 1st place vote
38. My Old Man (Blue): 127 points, 7 votes
37. The Wolf That Lives in Lindsey (Mingus): 128 points, 4 votes
36. Rainy Night House (Ladies of the Canyon): 128 points, 6 votes
35. Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire (For the Roses): 132 points, 6 votes, 1 1st place vote
34. People's Parties (Court and Spark): 141 points, 7 votes
33. The Same Situation (Court and Spark): 146 points, 8 votes
32. Little Green (Blue): 147 points, 7 votes
31. Big Yellow Taxi (Ladies of the Canyon): 155 points, 8 votes
30. Don't Interrupt the Sorrow (The Hissing of Summer Lawns): 159 points, 6 votes, 1 1st place vote
29. Court and Spark (Court and Spark): 161 points, 8 votes
28. Black Crow (Hejira): 167 points, 6 votes, 1 1st place vote
27. Barangrill (For the Roses): 168 points, 8 votes
26. Blue (Blue): 178 points, 9 votes
25. Raised on Robbery (Court and Spark): 182 points, 8 votes
24. Morning Morgantown (Ladies of the Canyon): 184 points, 10 votes
23. In France They Kiss on Main Street (The Hissing of Summer Lawns): 197 points, 11 votes
22. Woodstock (Ladies of the Canyon): 201 points, 10 votes
21. Hejira (Hejira): 204 points, 9 votes
20. Refuge of the Roads (Hejira): 217 points, 10 votes, 1 1st place vote
19. The Jungle Line (The Hissing of Summer Lawns): 230 points, 10 votes
18. The Hissing of Summer Lawns (The Hissing of Summer Lawns): 231 points, 9 votes, 1 1st place vote
17. River (Blue): 238 points, 12 votes
16. Come in from the Cold (Night Ride Home): 244 points, 11 votes, 1 1st place vote
14--TIE. Chelsea Morning (Clouds): 250 points, 11 votes
14--TIE. Song for Sharon (Hejira): 250 points, 11 votes
13. All I Want (Blue): 253 points, 12 votes, 1 1st place vote
12. Edith & the Kingpin (The Hissing of Summer Lawns): 258 points, 9 votes, 1 1st place vote
11. Amelia (Hejira): 298 points, 11 votes
10. Car on a Hill (Court and Spark): 300 points, 12 votes
09. You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio (For the Roses): 320 points, 12 votes, 1 1st place vote
08. California (Blue): 333 points, 12 votes, 3 1st place votes
07. The Last Time I Saw Richard (Blue): 388 points, 15 votes, 1 1st place vote
06. Free Man in Paris (Court and Spark): 391 points, 16 votes
05. Coyote (Hejira): 412 points, 16 votes, 2 1st place votes
04. Both Sides Now (Clouds): 416 points, 16 votes, 3 1st place votes
03. Carey (Blue): 452 points, 16 votes, 2 1st place votes
02. Help Me (Court and Spark): 459 points, 18 votes, 1 1st place vote
01. A Case of You (Blue): 493 points, 19 votes, 3 1st place votes

My ballot:

ALBUMS:
1. Blue
2. Court & Spark
3. For The Roses
4. Ladies of the Canyon
5. Hejira

TRACKS:
1. All I Want
2. Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire
3. Carey
4. Free Man in Paris
5. Amelia
6. You Turn Me On I'm a Radio
7. California
8. Chelsea Morning
9. In France They Kiss on Main Street
10. Barangrill
11. Help Me
12. Conversation
13. Both Sides Now
14. A Case of You
15. Coyote
16. The Last Time I Saw Richard
17. Harry's House-Centerpiece
18. Woodstock
19. The Jungle Line
20. Morning Morgantown

Only Harry's House-Centerpiece didn't place.

The Priest should've placed:

TRACKS

1. California
2. Edith And The Kingpin
3. Carey
4. Rainy Night House
5. The Priest
6. Down To You
7. Talk To Me
8. Car On A Hill
9. All I Want
10. One Week Last Summer

11. Morning Morgantown
12. The Arrangement
13. This Place
14. The Hissing Of Summer Lawns
15. Roses Blue
16. Court And Spark
17. For Free
18. Black Crow
19. Blue
20. Off Night Backstreet

ALBUMS

1. Ladies Of The Canyon
2. Hissing Of Summer Lawns
3. Don Juan's Reckless Daughter
4. Hejira
5. Court And Spark

All of Canada thanks you.

1. “Carey” (40)
2. “Chelsea Morning” (36)
3. “The Circle Game” (33)
4. “Both Sides Now” (30)
5. “Big Yellow Taxi” (28)
6. “Urge for Going” (26)
7. “Night in the City” (25)
8. “Cactus Tree” (24)
9. “Ladies from the Canyon” (23)
10. “Free Man in Paris” (22)

great poll mordy, very enlightening! thanks!

Wait, Mordy, did you count my ballot? I put in a lone point for "Travelogue" that I don't see on the results. No matter, here it is:

The Last Time I Saw Richard
Hejira
Passion Play
Black Crow
Otis and Marlena (Travelogue)
The Sire of Sorrow (Travelogue)
Amelia
Conversation
Nothing can be done
The Wolf that lives in Lindsey
Coyote
Help Me
A Case Of You
Raised on Robbery
For The Roses
All I Want
Shiny Toys
River
God must be a Boogie Man
The Arrangement

Blue
Hejira
Night Ride Home
Court and Spark
Travelogue

I didn't vote for any tracks from "Hissing", which I love 100%, but for some reason the individual songs don't resonate nearly as much as the ones on "Hejira" (which dominated my ballot). I think my inclusion of "Shiny Toys" (from "Dog eat dog") was more childhood nostalgia than anything else.

Oh, that's 1-50, Richard was my #1

Just checked and it doesn't look like I ever received your ballot. Sorry!

S'okay, great work on the poll!

I just double checked and found it in the Spam folder. Only ballot that went there. So sorry. I feel really bad. :(

*I actually found Sund4r's first ballot in there too -- but he resent his before track tabulation so I caught it. I didn't even think to check the Spam folder...