I watched the whole Elton/Bernie/Gershwin schmoozefest on YT. It was intermittently fun, provided you fast-forwarded every time the compere appeared. My favourites, however, were the two chunky string players off to one side. They looked like a pair of exotic flowers.
Okay, I’ll say it. Joni’s performance here is astonishing, deeply moving. What a woman, what an artist! Also, it’s the only version of Reg n’ Bern’s song I’ve ever enjoyed. She brings out emotion that I didn’t think was there. Listen to that first verse – there’s a real bitterness, but it doesn’t last. That laugh should be the one you carry with you, and hear when you think of her. She is still standing, with a very elegant cane, and she’s enjoying life as much as, if not more, than ever. Wotta dame!
(And now, back to Reg n’ Bern, the National Treasures …)
Agreed. I’ve never actually listened to the words before. If it doesn’t sound too churlish, though, I do kind of wish she wasn’t permanently joined at the hip to Brandi Carlile.
It’s magnificent, life-affirming and joyous. If ever there was an argument for context being germane to the appreciation of a performance, this is the very it. Joni’s never lost that natural, comfortable ability to sing within a song, stretching it to her own delivery and making it seem effortless. What a lovely, gently swinging version this is. I shall treasure it.
Completely agree. I’ve never particularly liked this rather annoying yet another comeback song from Elton from the early 80s. But this performance actually found the song. I wasn’t really worried by the women once I got past, my initial discomfort of a sense of slight patronising, come on grandma you can do it. But once Mitchell actually did show how much she is a great singer then I really enjoyed Annie Lennox standing next to her two down.
Churls! Absolutely, good on her, and all that, given her past few years etc. But, not only is it a marvel, it is way more than airport lounge, unless you frequent much more expensive private lounges than me. The original, I’m dill danding, may have some spunky chutzpah, but is a somewhat slight construction, with also the realisation that Elts bouncy rendition doesn’t fit the lyric, the chorus/title, the Busby Berkeleyesque video compounding that further. It’s as if Elton realised that Bernie’s lyrics were supernumary to his performance. Joni’s history and demeanour fit the somewhat more sober arrangement. (Disclaimer: I am not normally that keen on Joni, either, with barely more than 4 of her records, including greatest hits. I probably have more Elton, (counts), hmm, 6, including a greatest hits.)
It sounds like I might be more of a Joni fan than you are, based on your disclaimer. It also sounds like you might be more of an Elton H John fan than me! It’s all context, isn’t it? Of course I admire her for doing it – I’m astonished that she’s doing it – but still find that I agree with Leedsboy, in this specific instance.
If that makes me a churl – so be it.
That’s a lot more context than I was putting on it. The orginal original (not the dil danding lockdown version) is a pop music banger. Joni and friends have Nouvelle Vague’d it up and swapped out the jaunty singer for a greataunty songer. It’s not good enough by itself, it needs Joni’s backstory to make it anyway interesting. And then not enough.
Oh I think she did care what was thought about her.
She was very, very ambitious and determined in her younger days. She knew she was really good and willingly played the record company games with great skill.
Fortunately it was at a time when highly talented artists were given a lot of freedom.
I suppose what I meant was that she followed her own mind – like moving into jazzier waters, when the fans and the record company would probably have preferred her to stay folkie/Laurel Canyon…
On the theme of being churlish, I actually think in some ways artists have more freedom than ever, because with access to technology pretty much anybody who wants to be an artist can be. It doesn’t guarantee an audience money or fame, but then artistry never really did. It is true that, as one my friends is fond of saying, it is easier than ever to record a song and ‘put it out’ but harder than ever to have anybody hear it.
Not something I’d consider buying on a recording, but she still has a voice and has the craft to keep it within it’s limitations and still make a pleasant sound.
retropath2 says
https://fb.watch/rtU7DDQ5Zr/?
H.P. Saucecraft says
This!
nigelthebald says
That!
SteveT says
The other
retropath2 says
Is it not working?
Boneshaker says
This version is much better.
mikethep says
Hmmm…not sure I agree.
I watched the whole Elton/Bernie/Gershwin schmoozefest on YT. It was intermittently fun, provided you fast-forwarded every time the compere appeared. My favourites, however, were the two chunky string players off to one side. They looked like a pair of exotic flowers.
Boneshaker says
Elton surely wins on points, but only for comedy value.
mikethep says
I’ll give you that!
salwarpe says
Di-mund Geezah!
Jaygee says
Still standing?
He’s clearly sitting on a piano stool
salwarpe says
Nah – he’s a tiny dancer – nobody can see Elt’s stool from where the camera is placed
nigelthebald says
It was already, George!
H.P. Saucecraft says
Okay, I’ll say it. Joni’s performance here is astonishing, deeply moving. What a woman, what an artist! Also, it’s the only version of Reg n’ Bern’s song I’ve ever enjoyed. She brings out emotion that I didn’t think was there. Listen to that first verse – there’s a real bitterness, but it doesn’t last. That laugh should be the one you carry with you, and hear when you think of her. She is still standing, with a very elegant cane, and she’s enjoying life as much as, if not more, than ever. Wotta dame!
(And now, back to Reg n’ Bern, the National Treasures …)
mikethep says
Agreed. I’ve never actually listened to the words before. If it doesn’t sound too churlish, though, I do kind of wish she wasn’t permanently joined at the hip to Brandi Carlile.
slotbadger says
Although its probably (I am guessing based on what I’ve read) thanks to Brandi Carlile we’re seeing Joni up and on stage again
mikethep says
I know, that’s why I was afraid of sounding churlish.
Junior Wells says
I will join you in your churlishness.That aside, it was lovely to see Joni looking so happy about it all and embracing the adoration.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
I suppose it’s churlish of me to say I found the whole thing uncomfortable – luvvies luvving each other?
H.P. Saucecraft says
I love LoW’s comments where he proves he’s the moat aptlyclept of the A’Worders. GARN MY SON!
Lodestone of Wrongness says
I am here to serve
nigelthebald says
FAULT!
Love: Joni.
Lodestone of Wrongness says
Hawkeye says “Advantage LoW”
nigelthebald says
Match referee Trapper John overrules.
DrewToo says
Totally agree. “Enjoying life as much as, if not more than ever”. Something we should all aspire to.
Vulpes Vulpes says
It’s magnificent, life-affirming and joyous. If ever there was an argument for context being germane to the appreciation of a performance, this is the very it. Joni’s never lost that natural, comfortable ability to sing within a song, stretching it to her own delivery and making it seem effortless. What a lovely, gently swinging version this is. I shall treasure it.
nigelthebald says
Is the right answer!
Everygoodboydeservesfruita says
Completely agree. I’ve never particularly liked this rather annoying yet another comeback song from Elton from the early 80s. But this performance actually found the song. I wasn’t really worried by the women once I got past, my initial discomfort of a sense of slight patronising, come on grandma you can do it. But once Mitchell actually did show how much she is a great singer then I really enjoyed Annie Lennox standing next to her two down.
Leedsboy says
I prefer the original Elton version – hands down. It had (for Elton) sass and some life to it. And a CHOON!
Just slowing stuff down, doing some jazzy guitar licks and having some backing singers doesn’t actually mean it has soul and extra depth.
If that was a Hilton airport hotel lounge, no one would be batting an eyelid apart from 25 seconds in when they recognise the song.
Surely its not just me???
fitterstoke says
Not just you: good on ‘er and all that – but no, not just you.
retropath2 says
Churls! Absolutely, good on her, and all that, given her past few years etc. But, not only is it a marvel, it is way more than airport lounge, unless you frequent much more expensive private lounges than me. The original, I’m dill danding, may have some spunky chutzpah, but is a somewhat slight construction, with also the realisation that Elts bouncy rendition doesn’t fit the lyric, the chorus/title, the Busby Berkeleyesque video compounding that further. It’s as if Elton realised that Bernie’s lyrics were supernumary to his performance. Joni’s history and demeanour fit the somewhat more sober arrangement. (Disclaimer: I am not normally that keen on Joni, either, with barely more than 4 of her records, including greatest hits. I probably have more Elton, (counts), hmm, 6, including a greatest hits.)
fitterstoke says
Calm down, dear!
It sounds like I might be more of a Joni fan than you are, based on your disclaimer. It also sounds like you might be more of an Elton H John fan than me! It’s all context, isn’t it? Of course I admire her for doing it – I’m astonished that she’s doing it – but still find that I agree with Leedsboy, in this specific instance.
If that makes me a churl – so be it.
Leedsboy says
That’s a lot more context than I was putting on it. The orginal original (not the dil danding lockdown version) is a pop music banger. Joni and friends have Nouvelle Vague’d it up and swapped out the jaunty singer for a greataunty songer. It’s not good enough by itself, it needs Joni’s backstory to make it anyway interesting. And then not enough.
mikethep says
Isn’t Spunky Chutzpah representing Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest?
hubert rawlinson says
I believe Spunky Chutzpah is a new paint colour by Gonad Gloss as brought to our attention by @fentonsteve on the a tiny quiz thread.
fitterstoke says
All together now!
The Sharif don’t like it –
Spunky Chutzpah!
Spunky Chutzpah!
Leedsboy says
It’s actually my wrestling name.
Tiggerlion says
Brilliant!
Age is a terrible thing in so many ways but it brings a kind of freedom. I get the impression Joni doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks.
fitterstoke says
Yes indeed – and why should she? Come to think of it: did she ever?
Mike_H says
Oh I think she did care what was thought about her.
She was very, very ambitious and determined in her younger days. She knew she was really good and willingly played the record company games with great skill.
Fortunately it was at a time when highly talented artists were given a lot of freedom.
fitterstoke says
I suppose what I meant was that she followed her own mind – like moving into jazzier waters, when the fans and the record company would probably have preferred her to stay folkie/Laurel Canyon…
Everygoodboydeservesfruita says
On the theme of being churlish, I actually think in some ways artists have more freedom than ever, because with access to technology pretty much anybody who wants to be an artist can be. It doesn’t guarantee an audience money or fame, but then artistry never really did. It is true that, as one my friends is fond of saying, it is easier than ever to record a song and ‘put it out’ but harder than ever to have anybody hear it.
H.P. Saucecraft says
Same is true of writing – writing a book is easy (why – a child of five could do it!) compared to getting someone to read it.
Mike_H says
Not something I’d consider buying on a recording, but she still has a voice and has the craft to keep it within it’s limitations and still make a pleasant sound.
Uncle Wheaty says
That was a pleasant diversion.
grac says
Fabulous!