This morning I read the section of Karen O'Brien's book titled 'Dreams and False Alarms'. This chapter covers Joni's stint with Rolling Thunder and the recording of 'Hejira', 'DJRD' and 'Mingus'. There were a couple of what appear to be minor discrepancies in this section. Maybe I'm wrong so I thought I'd throw this out to y'all.
When talking about 'The Last Waltz', Karen says Joni returned to the stage 'to join Neil Young on harmony vocals when The Band played 'Acadian Driftwood'. Now the only song I'm aware of that Joni sang harmony with Neil on in 'The Last Waltz' was 'Helpless'. I'm not familiar with 'Acadian Driftwood'. Was it performed in 'The Last Waltz' concert and if so, did Joni provide harmony vocal? The other thing that didn't sound right to me was in reference to the Rolling Stone interview that Joni did at the time 'Mingus' was released. Karen says the interview as done by Ben Sidran. The only Rolling Stone interview that Joni did in this time frame that I'm aware of was with Cameron Crowe. Was there another one with Sidran? Inquiring Joni minds want to know! Otherwise I am really enjoying reading this book. Most of Karen's take on Joni's career is right on the money, imo. And why isn't Joni writing these days, as Lama was asking? Or is she? Kakki seemed to think recent events may have stimulated her muse again but is it really disgust with the music business that has silenced her pen since 'Taming the Tiger'? I still maintain that record had some lovely & interesting new work on it & I still want more. Mark E. PS: In reply to Anne Sandstrom's post of a while back, I also read Joni's mock introduction of Mohammed Ali. My take is that she was fed up with all of what she probably perceived as pseudo-liberal championing of a man that she had begun to think might not be so innocent after all. So she shot her mouth off. Also, it sounds like she & Ms. Baez were not particularly simpatico on the Rolling Thunder stint and we've had hints that their relationship has been thorny over the years. Was it appropriate or pc? No. Does it mean she's a racist? No, I most certainly do not think so. Most all of us have made less than pretty remarks at one time or another that we maybe regret. Taken out of context some of them can be pretty damning. And sometimes put in context they can still be pretty damning. But I don't think one remark necessarily frames a person's whole character and attitudes.
