Michael, I agree heartily that her voice never sounded better than on STAS. Many times it has sounded just as good, but never better. It's also interesting to revisit that album (you are just now discovering it, I first heard it in 1968) and consider that although the standard take on Joni's voice back of that time is the perpetual high vibrato-laden soprano, she actually often dips down pretty far in her range, and it's incredibly beautiful, thick with bittersweetness.
I'll go further to say that her music (the actual, specific notes) never sounded better than on STAS (often just as good but never better). Part of it is the "debut album" thing, but mostly it's just that she had already formed a complete musical universe of her own, densely populated with whole galaxies of personal melody and harmony, radiant beyond compare. -Fred "michael o'malley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >Just reacting to the thinness of Joni content on the list these days... >Believe it or not, I've only now just discovered Joni's first album, Song >to a Seagull, originally releaed in 1968 (Say what??) Wow! I was truly amazed >at the sheer beauty of the voice, and was deeply touched by her renditions >of The Dawntreader (a precursor to Song for Sharon?) and Cactus Tree, among others. >I would even venture to say, that perhaps her voice never sounded better >(although surely there are those who would disagree.) I think first albums >are always very special events, because they usually embody many years >of work, fermentation and thought on the part of the artist. Surprsingly, >I was astounded (and relieved) to discover that the music (very elegant and pared >down) doesn't sound dated to this jaded ear of 2002. That's very impressive >indeed. Go Joni! This album must surely join my list of absolute Joni >favorites.
