Right now, i'm 20 and I first got into Joni when I was eighteen. I bought the Hits cd right off and I got from Joni what I only get from a few other artists (Kate Bush, Laura Nyro, Bjork...) PURITY!
Even Hissing is pure in it's commentary, Hejira in it's philosiphising, and Mingus in it's psychoanalization. She like Laura especially is a pure snow who through the years has seen her share of horrible truths all the while remaining a creative artist. She didn't pull a Joplin, Cobain, or Nyro, she continued to drive through like a snowplow. To stand above the mediocrity around her. How while the press continues to whine about her affects (genre, voice, ego, influence, opinion, relevance) they can't mark Joni the person. I think her survival is linked to that. To her personage rather than her artistry. If she were to hinge her being on perceived notions of her relevance as an artist, she would have long offed herself. Especially during the dark years of the 80's (shudder).
