rsc1 wrote: > Hi Randy - > > I haven't had any time to check in in the last 2 weeks, > and just read yr reply to my missive re: the Joni/B.B. > set. Personally, I thought the version of "Coyote" was > great... I've never heard King play guitar the way he did > on that tune. It was all stacatto picking, little fills and > accents. Not at all the way he normally plays. It was obviously > a challenge for him. True, the rhythm section may not have had > the song down, but I didn't think they botched it. And Joni was > playing guitar, handling all the chord changes. B.B. only played > lead, as always (I don't think he ever plays chords!).
When the bass player and rhythm guitarist are playing the wrong thing at the wrong time and don't have a clue how the song goes, it is botched. I have had this unfortunate experience a couple of times, and it is sheer hell. What you call Kings staccatto notes and different approach to playing, I call fumbling. > > The version of "The Thrill Is Gone" was fascinating, and exciting, > because Joni was visibly nervous about singing his standard. > B.B. sang the first verse, and then was pushing her forward to sing > the next, but she kept backing away, shaking her head. When she > finally did, the lyrics were completely different. > "the thrill is gone... you left me, and I hope you - die!" > sung with a bitter intensity. Seemed like she meant it, and indeed > I believe that she and Don Alias had just broken up, so it may have > been directed to him. A friend who was backstage said that she was > huddled with B.B. prior to his set, writing out the lyrics. > She told him that she was indeed nervous, and just hoped to get > through the tunes! I stand by my assessment; that King either sang over Joni or played a guitar lick every time she opened her mouth. > > B.B. then said that they had to leave as they had a gig in Reno that evening, > so they left and Joni stayed on. She played the wireless Stratocaster that > Neil Young had played the previous night (w/ the Hawks & Doves band - > their sole live performance), The International Harvesters, and they were marvelous. I am not at all sure this was their only public performance-maybe a hardcore Neilhead would know. > and did 2 new songs... "Man to Man" and > an amazing version of "Dream Flat Tires". They were both raw, and sensual > and unlike the renditions that finally appeared on "Wild Things Run Fast". > Then she was off, leaving me in a puddle under my seat. > After a set by Tom Paxton, and part of another unremembered performer, I > turned to my companion and said "Let's go. We're not going to see anything > else that's even going to come close to being as good as Joni's set." > And we left. > > The tune she did with Herbie was from the '79 Bread & Roses show, which > I wasn't fortunate to witness. Well, you left before Joni and Herbie did "Sweet Sucker Dance", at the '80 show, which was absolutely devistating, better than the studio version by miles. I don't remember when this was, it may have even been the next day. It was a 'tweener', a wonderful surprise. I was not at the '79 show, unfortunately. I still think that if tapes of Joni's '80 B&R show surface, they will bear out my claims. I mean, I was appalled at the time (with the King/Joni set), and I worshipped Joni at the time. I felt she was badly treated, musically. As I said, the rest of King's set was quite nice, nothing against him, but they should've learned the one dang tune, what is it, like 4 chords? Thanks for your reply, RR > > > I saw someone in the row behind me with mics, and they had recorded her set. > I asked if I could get a copy, and he reluctantly took my address, but nothing > ever came of it. But at least one person recorded it! And I believe that there > is a copy of it in Joni's archive (I saw a reel to reel going at the side of > the stage that was started at the begining of her set, and turned off as she > finished). > > Perhaps it'll turn up one of these days. > > Russ
