in this moment i will try to share an image or
two..the feeling of electricity in the air...we speak
with the people around us...when and how did you find
Joni...what does she mean to you and why....oh we all
have our "why I am connected to Joni stories". I love
to hear them all.. .
The lights go dim...a hush moves across the crowd like
a magical, mystical fog rolling in .... and we know
that there is a large group of people headed for the
front of our side of the stage and suddenly, there she
is. Joni. Cheers, applause, shouts, gasps....everyone
focusing their energy and love upon her. What a moment
for her. She is so very loved. It is obvious as the
audience stands up and gives her a well deserved
ovation which lasted for quite some time.
I will touch ever so briefly upon the beginning of the
evening for now with just a quick mention of the
amazing and gifted Rebecca Jenkins who was absolutely
brilliant .. she performed heart wrenching, soul
gripping interpretations of Blue and Two Grey Rooms
which made us cry..and Joni stood up at the end of
Blue and gave Rebecca a very exuberant standing
ovation of her own.
if only I could take you there...let me try.......
imagine.......
....Joni sitting on stage sharing stories ...she is
absolutely beautiful, radian, magnificent.... Joni
speaks to us in rivers. Her brilliant stream of
consciousnesss talk talk and more talk when all of a
sudden there is mention of Joni doing something and
she gives us a choice....piano or the demo
tapes....and Polifka, beside me hollers
PIANO!!!!!!!!!! as did Stephen Epstein... and
omggggggggg she stood up and walked toward a grand
piano on the side of the stage right where Stephen,
Ashara, Sal, Jimmy, Rick and Jim Johansen were
sitting! I thought I would burst.
Joni seemed a little shy or hesitant at first...she
told us her piano chops were a bit rusty or something
like that....and as we all sat there collectively
holding our breath....already overwhelmed with her
very presence....she walked over to the piano like she
was going home to an old friend who had been patiently
waiting for her, knowing that one day she would
return. And return she did.
Through the touch of Joni's hands, we were
transformed. If I could only find the words...if you
were there, you would understand how difficult it is
to explain...unplanned... she created her shapes and
colours which I am certain came from deep within her.
Joni at the piano...something I thought I would never
see...and a wonderful gift for Brian because it was so
much a part of his heart's desire to see Joni play
piano just one more time. That was so special for me,
knowing that one of his dreams had come true.
Joni's voice is in fine form. Incredible. Images of
the bits and pieces that she sang are swirling around
in my mind. The passion she exudes with each note..her
whole body sings. Truly incredible.
A moment in time. Thank you Joni, again and again.
Because of you, Brian and I are.
love and hugs to all with a promise for more. I still
need to talk about the Thursday night
lecture/video...the lecturer Rob Bowman was my music
prof at York University in Toronto...a vibrant,
incredibly passionate person whose warmth eminates in
such a way that he takes time to listen as well as
share his indepth knowledge of Joni. He has such a
deep respect for Joni and her music and from what
Jimmy told me, he went into such depth and expressed
so much in such a short time. Wondering if we can get
a hold of the tape that was running that night. I will
try to reach Rob by email and let you all know.
and the videos were incredible...I especially loved
Two Grey Rooms.
Tired again, still, and yet so filled with all the
glorious images of Joni which we are holding close to
our hearts. In this moment I know that this was one of
the most precious, special evenings I have ever been a
part of.
always, Mags and Brian
npimh: the voices of all of our wonderful list family
gathered round the table at dinner tonight.
--
And this loving is a drawing close,
a tuning in, an opening.
Until one perfect moment;
but how can it be expressed?
A receiving, an enfolding
as I cradle you in my arms.
Within my heart, within my soul,
You are my true love.
--Lui Collins
---
_~O
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