Ron, i finally got this album two weeks ago after much procrastination, and i too was utterly bowled over by Parprika Plains. I had only once heard this album, and that was in Chris Marshalls car late one night last summer, with the ever charming Steve Mitchell, in the passenger seat, duetting with Joni on every track:-) IT sort of passed over me, i knew that i enjoyed the album but i didn't really take it in. I loved Dreamland on S&L and knew that i had to hear the studio version. WOW!!! It's even better than i could have imagined! Paprika Plains reminded me why i love Joni so much. Lyrically, on this album, Joni is kicking even her own ass, it's superb. I have one main problem with DJRD and i don't know how to explain it properly. I'm tempted to say it sounds dated, but i know that's not what it is. There is some sound on some of the tracks that, well, irks me. Whatever it is, i'm not a fan of it. It is a small complaint in all honesty.
Through reading about this album on the list i was convinced that the tenth world would be a disastrous piece of crap. I kind of like it. I'm not pretending that i *understand* it, i don't, nor can i see where it fits into the overall narrative of the album. This doesn't necessarily marr my enjoyment of it. There are many of Joni's songs i don't quite "get". Lsat week i had a moment of great insight while listening to FTR, i think i finally "got" the title track!!! I mean, i've read detailed discussions of this song on the list, but it just clicked last week. I've always enjoyed that track without really knowing what she was on about. Back to the tenth world; many people on the list said what you said Ron, but i do think you've got to admire her artistry and artistic integrity (ok, you didnt say you don't, i just wanted to point out that the song could be interpreted as a "f**K you" from Joni to all those that thought/think she should stay within her category of confessional singing songwriter, and if so, could be considered as one of her most important tracks [[just a suggestion]]). The tenth world could be two or three minutes shorter and two or three times told better for it. Personally, i'm glad that it was included on what looks set to become a favourite album of mine! GARRET
