“Underlying it all is the sound design that David Crosby, who produced the album, created. It positions Mitchell as performing in a subway station or a cathedral. It accentuates that at its heart, Song to a Seagull is a masterwork of acid-folk, an antecedent to Laura Nyro’s New York Tendaberry (though I wouldn’t neccessarily call that album acid-folk), Linda Perhac’s Parallelograms and Judee Sill’s debut. It’s an opinion, admittedly, that is not widely shared.” Yeah, there some real problems with the audio mix, problems that Crosby freely admitted to. But he gave her almost total artistic control and she has never really expressed any gratitude about that as far as I know. I love her music. I bought every one of her LPS from the beginning, but I would much prefer to share a meal with Crosby if he were still alive than with her. She’s truly like Picasso … magnificent but often monstrous.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I have always loved Mitchell's debut and the sound. As for me, would be far too intimidated to share a meal with either Crosby or Mitchell.
In truth, I think that would apply to me also. I wouldn’t know what to say or ask. With respect to the time of her first recording, I wish that she had recorded those hits for the other artists and released them then, THE CIRCLE GAME, etc.
At the time, Joni Mitchell expressed gratitude to David Crosby for giving her, still largely unknown, the freedom to record her songs her way. She wanted to put down her songs with an acoustic guitar and not feel she needed violins. At least, that's what she told me.
I’ve come around in the last year or so to the idea of owning physical music. For so long, streaming seemed so easy (and it is) but nothing can replace the listening experience of a physically owned album, which you write in detail so well. Thanks for the reminder and a great piece on Joni!!
I love the ease of Spotify (though the increasing monthly payments are becoming harder to deal with) but listening to some old favourite albums on Spotify prompted us to buy a record player a couple of years ago - I love listening to vinyl
Really love Joni. As usual, your informative essay provides enriching depth and context to her music and her place in the culture. Thank you for the high quality of your work.
Great piece. I often think of streaming as virtual/online interviews or meetings: a slightly annoying yet undeniably convenient staple of modern life. If really want to dive deeper into the record, I add it to my wantlist and try to get it on vinyl when I can, just as I would try to schedule an in-person meeting/interview with those candidates or colleagues I want to get to know better.
A thought-providing piece, thanks Robert. I get your point about streaming, and at the same time recognise it offers a valid solution to listening to music for some. But the serious issue of appalling low royalty payments has to be fixed, although I’m not optimistic it will be.
I love the ‘Hissing of Summer Lawns’ album and will write about it soon. Her many other albums are great too, of course, but ‘Lawns’ is the one that clicked most deeply for me, first on LP and then CD.
Thank you, Ian (and very much enjoyed your piece on T. Rex recently). Streaming absolutely does provide an opportunity for many to listen to music especially with the cost of buying new vinyl these days. I'm with you too and not optimistic that Spotify will address the problem of royalty payments or its other issues, including the many fake artists on the platform.
Really looking forward to you taking a look at 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns' - one of my favourites too.
Robert another fine piece. I have never subscribed to a music streaming service and never will. I am just not interested. I have almost all of Joni Mitchell's albums and would be hard pressed to name my favorite. They all have something different to offer my ears.
Thanks, Marco. I never thought I would subscribe to something Spotify but was given a subscription as a Christmas gift a few years ago and do enjoy it. I listen to it all day while working. That being said, it is a supplement to the real listening on LP, CD and the occasional cassette.
“Underlying it all is the sound design that David Crosby, who produced the album, created. It positions Mitchell as performing in a subway station or a cathedral. It accentuates that at its heart, Song to a Seagull is a masterwork of acid-folk, an antecedent to Laura Nyro’s New York Tendaberry (though I wouldn’t neccessarily call that album acid-folk), Linda Perhac’s Parallelograms and Judee Sill’s debut. It’s an opinion, admittedly, that is not widely shared.” Yeah, there some real problems with the audio mix, problems that Crosby freely admitted to. But he gave her almost total artistic control and she has never really expressed any gratitude about that as far as I know. I love her music. I bought every one of her LPS from the beginning, but I would much prefer to share a meal with Crosby if he were still alive than with her. She’s truly like Picasso … magnificent but often monstrous.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I have always loved Mitchell's debut and the sound. As for me, would be far too intimidated to share a meal with either Crosby or Mitchell.
In truth, I think that would apply to me also. I wouldn’t know what to say or ask. With respect to the time of her first recording, I wish that she had recorded those hits for the other artists and released them then, THE CIRCLE GAME, etc.
At the time, Joni Mitchell expressed gratitude to David Crosby for giving her, still largely unknown, the freedom to record her songs her way. She wanted to put down her songs with an acoustic guitar and not feel she needed violins. At least, that's what she told me.
I’ve come around in the last year or so to the idea of owning physical music. For so long, streaming seemed so easy (and it is) but nothing can replace the listening experience of a physically owned album, which you write in detail so well. Thanks for the reminder and a great piece on Joni!!
Thanks so much - appreciate the kind words.
I love the ease of Spotify (though the increasing monthly payments are becoming harder to deal with) but listening to some old favourite albums on Spotify prompted us to buy a record player a couple of years ago - I love listening to vinyl
Nice - welcome to the vinyl revival!
Really love Joni. As usual, your informative essay provides enriching depth and context to her music and her place in the culture. Thank you for the high quality of your work.
Thank you, Andrew - appreciate this, and thank you for what you're doing too - always happy to see a new essay from you appear in my inbox.
Great piece. I often think of streaming as virtual/online interviews or meetings: a slightly annoying yet undeniably convenient staple of modern life. If really want to dive deeper into the record, I add it to my wantlist and try to get it on vinyl when I can, just as I would try to schedule an in-person meeting/interview with those candidates or colleagues I want to get to know better.
I agree. I do love the convenience and fun of streaming but have I ever decided to chuck my collection to the curb - not in your life!!!!!
Streaming also helps with my writing if I want to hear albums I don't have on vinyl or CD in order to give added dimension to my essays.
Exactly! It’s a great starting point/window to the world, in full knowledge that it’s not always enough.
A thought-providing piece, thanks Robert. I get your point about streaming, and at the same time recognise it offers a valid solution to listening to music for some. But the serious issue of appalling low royalty payments has to be fixed, although I’m not optimistic it will be.
I love the ‘Hissing of Summer Lawns’ album and will write about it soon. Her many other albums are great too, of course, but ‘Lawns’ is the one that clicked most deeply for me, first on LP and then CD.
Thank you, Ian (and very much enjoyed your piece on T. Rex recently). Streaming absolutely does provide an opportunity for many to listen to music especially with the cost of buying new vinyl these days. I'm with you too and not optimistic that Spotify will address the problem of royalty payments or its other issues, including the many fake artists on the platform.
Really looking forward to you taking a look at 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns' - one of my favourites too.
Robert another fine piece. I have never subscribed to a music streaming service and never will. I am just not interested. I have almost all of Joni Mitchell's albums and would be hard pressed to name my favorite. They all have something different to offer my ears.
Thanks, Marco. I never thought I would subscribe to something Spotify but was given a subscription as a Christmas gift a few years ago and do enjoy it. I listen to it all day while working. That being said, it is a supplement to the real listening on LP, CD and the occasional cassette.