Wow, this is kinda how I felt about the studio versions on Album #21, "Both Sides Now". I was more than surprised when I saw her in an evening gown singing those same tunes in front of an orchestra, though and that's what I want to explore tonight.
I had only a recently (10/26/98- thanks Simon!) seen her opening for Dylan in a hockey arena. In 98 Joni stopped to lecture some "rude assholes" (and worse) for mocking her from the 7th row. As I recall, she wore a Parker Fly electric guitar the whole time except for near the end when she slid off the guitar, lit a cigarette (in a No Smoking arena), and sang "Trouble Man". On the other hand, the tour following "Both Sides Now" in '00 was just other worldly. The theater aspect of the BSN tour "cast" her in a different role entirely. Joni, in front of an orchestra, is the grand dame of Bel Air. The very setting makes the audience reflect on where they've been and what Joni's music (and stories) meant all those years ago. To me in '00, I kept shaking my head, thinking, "This is like a dream-show. This is like Joni-in-heaven somehow." It was like a coming-out-of-retirement show. It was like seeing Dave Brubeck at 70 doing "Blue Rondo ala Turk" with an orchestra. It was almost maudlin because it makes you sentimental and weepy. Lama Vince said, >>>And as a seasons ticket holder to the opera and great lover of classical music, I am not impressed by what sounds to me more typical overblown orchestrations. Kind of like the Hollywood Sgrings playing Beatles songs, except in this album we have Joni singing.>>>
