Saturday, June 27, 2015

Joni Mitchell / Healing / Resurrection


















(Self-portrait by Joni Mitchell on CD cover for Turbulent Indigo from 1994)



From Joni Mitchell's liner notes for Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced, released November 17, 2014:

"This box set is rising like a phoenix from the ashes of two dead projects -- a ballet and a horrendously ill-conceived box set. They started it without me. They hired two incompetents to "do" me. It was to be a 2-disc set -- peppered with discarded and damaged work -- for the sake of something "new." They hired a burglar to enter my storage space (ironically called "A Safe Place"). He rummaged around and came back with the dregs. "Why are you doing this?" I asked the bosses. "That's the way it's done," was the reply. "Not to me," I said and I squelched it. A little while later, the bosses were fired, and just before the company went belly up, I got the bills -- for their mistake.

The ballet is a dream I hope to somehow resurrect. We'll see. Meanwhile, with these notes coming to an end, my work is done. I'm celebrating. I'm pouring myself a glass of wine. I'd like to drink a toast. If God is dead and love is dead, is talent the next fatality? Let's drink a toast to talent. Here's to you, talent -- may you be resurrected, too."

From "Love Puts On A New Face" (1998):

"Everyday
Love puts on a new face
Love puts on a new face
Love has many faces
Many, many faces."

And "My Best To You" (1998), the closing song for Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced:

"So here's to you
May your dreams come true
May old father time
Never be unkind
And through the years
Save your smiles and your tears
They're just souvenirs
They'll make music in your heart

Remember this
Each new day is a kiss
Sent from up above
With an angel's love
So here's to you
May your skies be blue
And your love blessed
That's my best to you

Remember this
Each new day is a kiss
Sent from up above
With an angel's love
So here's to you
May your skies be blue
And your love blessed
That's my best to you"

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you saw the David Crosby interview. I was hoping you would. I hope Joni comes through this, but brain aneurysms are extremely difficult.

The Solitary Walker said...

'Each new day is a kiss.'

dritanje said...

As with so many of my generation Joni Mitchell's music is a deep part of my memories.

I wish you all the best with your new work!

am said...

robin andrea -- Thinking of Tomas Tranströmer who lived until this spring gives me hope for Joni. He had a stroke in 1990 and was not able to easily walk or speak but continued to be able to write.

Robert -- Joni's images are sustaining, aren't they?

dritanje -- It is good to share our memories and acknowledge Joni Mitchell's continuing influence. She is one of us. Thank you for your kind wishes.