tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post1827893446311011824..comments2024-03-28T19:36:39.783-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Muse in the Music: On the Poetry of Joni MitchellJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28475015129417903452014-03-17T18:45:13.206-04:002014-03-17T18:45:13.206-04:00I'm glad to see this book has been put togethe...I'm glad to see this book has been put together and would like to look it over in person sometime... I was recently talking with someone about how much Joni Mitchell has meant to me in the two to three years as I moved to a small town and just generally entered my forties and found myself seeking solitude and reflecting on life. And he said that everyone goes through a Joni Mitchell period, which made a lot of sense to me. Only in my case, I hope to savor her music bit by bit for the rest of my life and hope not to limit it to a period, as she is a prodigious writer/songstress with so many different shades and periods... I just plan to take my time. It's fun to relearn songs I heard and liked as a girl, and it's fun to hear songs sung by others in her own voice. And I love her early folky tunes and feel their timelessness especially. So I hope it's a long journey... but I hope someone collects her art as well. I like what I've seen on the website and want to see more. Best!Tabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17422182342321407898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-46772731503104837122013-07-18T17:37:47.925-04:002013-07-18T17:37:47.925-04:00Hi Deb,
Thanks for joining the discussion.
And I ...Hi Deb,<br /><br />Thanks for joining the discussion.<br />And I do hope you like the book- and that it will be of value to you in your writing process. Or just a pleasure! Re: Joni and the other poets- Joni is in a league of her own, in my opinion. Yes- I love the others, but something about Joni's work makes it always pertinent, always new to me. I listen to her most days, and am still surprised that her words continue to reveal layers of meaning and nuance after hearing so many times. I never tire of her! Do you feel the same? Good luck with your novel, by the way! Lisa<br />Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-85835077895429603012013-07-18T16:58:54.918-04:002013-07-18T16:58:54.918-04:00Hi Lisa! Sorry I'm so late to this fabulous di...Hi Lisa! Sorry I'm so late to this fabulous discussion today! <br /><br />One of my new series characters is a young female singer/songwriter/bass guitarist, so I think I can justify your lovely book as a research expense:-)<br /><br />Every Joni song triggers a memory and an emotional response. What a remarkable talent, and disgrace if she is not considered in the same league as Simon/Dylan/Cohen.<br /><br />That said, I'm a huge Paul Simon fan. I love his lyrics, maybe partly because my husband has played and sung those songs for me since we were teenagers...<br /><br />Julia, I love it that your Boy loves Joni, too.Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11519514786198185277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58920060420117452112013-07-18T16:15:34.262-04:002013-07-18T16:15:34.262-04:00Julia- Curious about who the boy is- or did you me...Julia- Curious about who the boy is- or did you mean the youngest contributor to our book? I can tell you about him- what a talented guy!<br /><br />To Jody- Thank You very much!<br /><br />To Hallie- What a read it will be- I wonder if she will focus on "process" a lot- she is so smart and quick, and very very funny!<br /><br />To Steve- "Bunch of Grapes" is at Martha's Vineyard, in Vineyard Haven. Would love for you to come.<br />Such a beautiful place!Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78513120957264215702013-07-18T15:31:48.439-04:002013-07-18T15:31:48.439-04:00So, Lisa, where is Bunch of Grapes? Is it a bookst...So, Lisa, where is Bunch of Grapes? Is it a bookstore? Wondering if it's possible I could make that Sept. 11 event. In any event, I'll be at UConn Sept. 26.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-4757271608857837252013-07-18T13:01:01.871-04:002013-07-18T13:01:01.871-04:00I'd read her memoir in a heartbeat. Bet she ha...I'd read her memoir in a heartbeat. Bet she has publishers lined up...Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-80067687563446106862013-07-18T12:33:35.668-04:002013-07-18T12:33:35.668-04:00Sounds like a fascinating book.Sounds like a fascinating book.Jodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11816223057478185572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-28263835392812541872013-07-18T12:16:44.457-04:002013-07-18T12:16:44.457-04:00I so love Joni Mitchell. The thing that really sta...I so love Joni Mitchell. The thing that really stands out to me is how her music is standing the test of time. The Boy, a 19-year-old folk metal/EDM/jazz aficionado, likes her songs as much as I do.Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09553268569509053159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18741326996078225652013-07-18T12:05:15.774-04:002013-07-18T12:05:15.774-04:00You too, Michelle, and Richard-
Let's savor t...You too, Michelle, and Richard-<br /><br />Let's savor those moments.<br /><br />And interesting re: Dragon Speak. Curious about Malka Marom's project too! <br /><br />Loved talking with you (all)!<br />Bye 'til later!Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-30469346172195647012013-07-18T11:54:40.992-04:002013-07-18T11:54:40.992-04:00Michelle and Lisa,
I agree that I'd like to he...Michelle and Lisa,<br />I agree that I'd like to hear about that songwriting process, too. Though she spoke about it in general in those long interviews recently, I'd love to hear about specific songs as well. <br /><br />Frankly, I'd also like her to wrestle with her ego enough that she would talk about her communities of fellow artists during various phases of her career--not gossip so much as an appreciation of her contexts.<br /><br />She appears to be writing the memoir with Dragon dictation software. should be interesting in any event! <br />richflynn17https://www.blogger.com/profile/14980619947208607876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-45844223421195654972013-07-18T11:52:31.237-04:002013-07-18T11:52:31.237-04:00Yes, Lisa! I've treasured those moments of rap...Yes, Lisa! I've treasured those moments of rapport and understanding with Joni, too. We'll have to wait and see what she does with the memoir--and she'll surprise us. So fun to chat here. Thanks for the book! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-66874018195852123292013-07-18T11:51:58.760-04:002013-07-18T11:51:58.760-04:00http://generalbooks.bookstore.uconn.edu/event/gath...http://generalbooks.bookstore.uconn.edu/event/gathered-lightpoetry-joni-mitchells-songs<br /><br />All Are Invited!<br /><br />p.s.- I'm here for 15 minutes more, but will be happy to comment on posts received after 12 p.m. EST later in the day! <br /><br />Hallie- This has been really great- thank you for this opportunity! (p.s.- I've got a copy of your "Never Tell A Lie" waiting for me this week- excited!)Am I allowed to say that? Well, it's true!<br /><br />:)LLisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36349243093956071202013-07-18T11:41:04.535-04:002013-07-18T11:41:04.535-04:00http://www.bunchofgrapes.com/
We are doing an aut...http://www.bunchofgrapes.com/<br /><br />We are doing an authors' night here- Sept. 11- I like to think of it as that date- see site for details later please! LisaLisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-24923040252697986892013-07-18T11:38:44.089-04:002013-07-18T11:38:44.089-04:00Michelle, yes! I hope in my heart too that all of ...Michelle, yes! I hope in my heart too that all of the appreciation has gone to her core- as you beautifully stated. It's not like she needs our approval- goodness knows- but still, to know she knows.I will say I most enjoyed discussing the creative process with her...to hear her say "yes, it's like that" not in so many words...about how poems come.<br />I could do that with her all day long...as I'll bet you could with music too!<br /><br />Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-64130490025999644692013-07-18T11:27:51.328-04:002013-07-18T11:27:51.328-04:00Yes, Lisa! I'd like to know J feels validated ...Yes, Lisa! I'd like to know J feels validated in all the ways you describe, that our appreciation has reached the deepest core of her being. I also have a fantasy of J laying bare her songwriting process, taking us through, oh, "Hejira," line by line, sharing why she paired that chord or rhythm with those words, etc. But this seems unlikely! And of course there's the visionary force of her storytelling. We're all looking forward to that, right? MMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34669513129750704092013-07-18T11:26:30.162-04:002013-07-18T11:26:30.162-04:00Wsnt to let you all know about a couple of upcomin...Wsnt to let you all know about a couple of upcoming events you are invited to!<br /><br />http://generalbooks.bookstore.uconn.edu/event/gathered-lightpoetry-joni-mitchells-songs<br /><br />Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-86547136661746071592013-07-18T11:15:17.622-04:002013-07-18T11:15:17.622-04:00Hi Michelle!
My pleasure! And won't it be a t...Hi Michelle!<br /><br />My pleasure! And won't it be a treat to read Joni's memoir- cannot wait! I Hmmm...anything I'd like to hear from Joni in particular- good question! I guess I'd like to hear that she feels acknowledged as one of our finest poets, by the fact that so many of us have been deeply affected by her words. That she is both Muse, and lifeline for so many of us. That her words have helped on many levels in the world- politically, in terms of raising other peoples' self-awareness, other ways. Am I being greedy or what? lol! What about you? :)LLisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49435626846447742432013-07-18T10:55:50.164-04:002013-07-18T10:55:50.164-04:00Lisa: Thanks for mentioning my book! The essays in...Lisa: Thanks for mentioning my book! The essays in your book cover so many aspects of Joni's writing, with so many beautiful minds responding to her work. Is there anything in particular you're especially eager to hear about from Joni herself? (Since she's working on her memoir now, we've heard). <br /><br />Thanks! <br />Michelle MercerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39206095944877586412013-07-18T10:39:50.352-04:002013-07-18T10:39:50.352-04:00Rich, I am glad to hear that- I hope Joni will get...Rich, I am glad to hear that- I hope Joni will get to read this- I sensed she felt like some critics were all about Cohen and Dylan (who she truly respects), but treated her as less than. One in particular said she wasn't a poet, because she hadn't written a book. That just is...not so. Why would anyway say that?<br />Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-1070907065742590022013-07-18T10:34:48.692-04:002013-07-18T10:34:48.692-04:00See what great writers we have?
What a pleasure it...See what great writers we have?<br />What a pleasure it's been- true collaboration- I have learned so much in the process. And, for my part, love all of the different voices...would anyone want to read 56 essays by moi on Joni- hardly think so- would be boring! I want to add that the more academic pieces, if you will, are full of heart, and the more personal pieces- very intelligent. I can brag about our writers, right? Can you tell I'm passionate about our subject? Any ???"s Keep 'em coming please- it's fun!Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62525636274462206992013-07-18T10:34:33.849-04:002013-07-18T10:34:33.849-04:00I think that Joni is well loved in literary circle...I think that Joni is well loved in literary circles. Most of my fellow poets and critics were very excited to learn of the book.<br /><br />For me Joni was a formative influence for my love of poetry as well as song, I really believe she is one of the big reasons I grew up to be a poet & critic!richflynn17https://www.blogger.com/profile/14980619947208607876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-40956780196211074462013-07-18T10:28:25.588-04:002013-07-18T10:28:25.588-04:00Steve (you Outlaw- just kidding!).
Your presence i...Steve (you Outlaw- just kidding!).<br />Your presence in the book is a gem.<br />Each piece made me look at things in a new light- open to new interpretations.<br />If it did those things for you, while it acknowledged Joni so beautifully, I am most grateful.You brought more than you know...and have been a great support. Ditto for Richard Flynn!Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78613258078326486442013-07-18T10:22:58.976-04:002013-07-18T10:22:58.976-04:00Jill- Thanks for explaining that- it's helpful...Jill- Thanks for explaining that- it's helpful.<br /><br />Richard, I so enjoyed working with you too. And re: the editorial process- sure. To be honest, I had to ask a few contributors to leave early on. If I didn't feel that they fully appreciated Joni the poet- what was the point. If there was evolution in their process, fine. We tried not to edit too much- such astute writers- and didn't want to be the opinion police- Richard, I love that thanks to you and the others, we cover a huge range- the scope of the project was to give Joni credentials in literary circles, where I truthfully believe she already had them, but she, I think, felt dissed in some ways...rightly so... and to acknowledge her power to influence us all on a deeply personal level. I never wanted to come close to Joni's personal life- perhaps some of the pieces did, in retrospect, as the authors wrote from their own depths- but it was only because she inspires people to tell their truths! Not necessarily accurate- but impressions. I think and hope that overall, she got the heart and spirit of it. We were bleary-eyed at the end.Lisa Sornbergernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-84524235254659393122013-07-18T10:18:43.723-04:002013-07-18T10:18:43.723-04:00BTW, on my post, I don't know who "outlaw...BTW, on my post, I don't know who "outlaw" is. I'm Steve.outlawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15827888357187698570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-8132205863873616122013-07-18T10:17:19.789-04:002013-07-18T10:17:19.789-04:00Well, I've said this many times, but I'm h...Well, I've said this many times, but I'm honored to be part of this collection. I always liked Joni's music and felt that it truly was poety at its best, but I have to admit I was not a full-bore Joni freak until Blue, Court and Spark, Hegira, and on. Then when she collaborated with Mingus, I knew she was -- what -- a princess of the tribe, way up in the pantheon. "Trouble Child" was a revelation to me. I was living in LA, struggling to do music and writing and having enormous highs and lows on a daily basis. My friends and I made great music, but there was usually a price. When someone put "Court and Spark" on the turntable and up came "Trouble Child," it was as if Joni had drilled down into my deepest, darkest thoughts and exposed the lost souls who dwell there. But it was balm for me as well. I transferred her words and ideas, whatever and whoever she was talking about, to my own roster of the fallen and the crippled in spirit. She has that way about her, doesn't she????? My small part of "Gathered Light" was my purging, my epiphany, my remembrance of those who didn't reach the finish line. For that, Lisa, you will always have my friendship and gratitude. You too, Joni! outlawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15827888357187698570noreply@blogger.com