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Joni Mitchell
Joni has sold over 15 million records in her lifetime, and her music continues to appeal to fans of folk, jazz, rock, and pop-despite relatively little airlplay. Her self-described last tour is scheduled to wind up in late 2004, and her recent album Travelogue has already gone gold (sales of 500,000 copies)
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 25, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 7, 2012
Biographies about living persons, particularly celebrities, are problematic, well, because of the obvious – that life isn’t yet complete. It’s unclear that Bego had Mitchell’s approval to write this book, and, as I suspect here, there’s always the possibility of a lawsuit if the author digs too deeply into a person’s life, or writes unvarnished facts, facts that contradict the celebrity’s self-constructed image. And let’s not kid ourselves; persons as savvy as Mitchell do have the ability to orchestrate their own image.
For the record: I’m a fan of Mitchell’s music, not only the early stuff, that established her in the music business, but albums such as “the Hissing of Summer Lawns,” “Hejira,” and “Turbulent Indigo.” In fact I find the scattering of music I’ve heard from her other, less accepted albums to be a collective, exhilarating experience – and I’m not often drawn to the melancholy that distinguishes much of Mitchell’s music.
Bego’s book isn’t a true biography as much as it’s a pastiche of interviews, and reviews of the artist’s music. The effect on this reader (and listener) is a deeper understanding of Mitchell’s creativity, her music. But strangely, Bego’s book leaves all too many questions about Mitchell unanswered – not the voyeuristic, deconstructive tripe of modern journalism, but the personal intimacies that would allow one to understand her life better. And as a result, the feel remaining is that of a distant, mythic Mitchell, one whose professed vulnerabilities somehow always make sense, a life always under Mitchell’s control.
The book seems to have been written hurriedly. Much of the text is repetitive; there’s poor grammar, and awkward sentences. Still, there’s always the sense that Bego truly cares about Mitchell.
Despite the shortcomings, this is a book worth reading if you’ve followed Mitchell’s career and have been continually transfixed, as I have, by her musical talent.
For the record: I’m a fan of Mitchell’s music, not only the early stuff, that established her in the music business, but albums such as “the Hissing of Summer Lawns,” “Hejira,” and “Turbulent Indigo.” In fact I find the scattering of music I’ve heard from her other, less accepted albums to be a collective, exhilarating experience – and I’m not often drawn to the melancholy that distinguishes much of Mitchell’s music.
Bego’s book isn’t a true biography as much as it’s a pastiche of interviews, and reviews of the artist’s music. The effect on this reader (and listener) is a deeper understanding of Mitchell’s creativity, her music. But strangely, Bego’s book leaves all too many questions about Mitchell unanswered – not the voyeuristic, deconstructive tripe of modern journalism, but the personal intimacies that would allow one to understand her life better. And as a result, the feel remaining is that of a distant, mythic Mitchell, one whose professed vulnerabilities somehow always make sense, a life always under Mitchell’s control.
The book seems to have been written hurriedly. Much of the text is repetitive; there’s poor grammar, and awkward sentences. Still, there’s always the sense that Bego truly cares about Mitchell.
Despite the shortcomings, this is a book worth reading if you’ve followed Mitchell’s career and have been continually transfixed, as I have, by her musical talent.
June 16, 2016
A month ago I knew almost nothing about Joni Mitchell. Now I know way too much...
I did appreciate how this author went through all of her albums and Joni's life at the time of their creations. I especially appreciated the quick discussion of some of the great musicians who played on her tunes, like Larry Carlton, Wayne Shorter and Jaco Pastorius, as well as Graham Nash and Jackson Browne. I'm still not sure I like her music (mostly NO) and she seems to complain about people not worshiping her abilities en masse - but then she mocks herself at times as well. That's somewhat healthy.
I'm glad she's not a total flower-child hippy Bimbo love-fester (not totally). She does endlessly flirt with rebellion and Eco-treehugger crap and Anti-war shenanigans. AS well as sex, drugs and rockstar self-righteousness and loathing. But she's a bit cooler than that. She even mocks her own people at times - maybe she's got some punk in her. I applauded her for even mocking the Sacred institution of Kurt Cobain, yes - simply another dead rockstar, NOT a hero she says.
The painting angle in this book was very nice. It's great that Joni has another passion in her life: keeps her from going all Sid Vicious and Courtney Love on the music industry. Although she does threaten to quit constantly. Which is the central annoyance of Joni's existence. She has 5 Grammy awards, numerous other awards, she's been allowed to record poorly selling records for decades and have a long healthy career that affords her 3 houses to enjoy... and she complains that she isn't getting enough respect and support??? She needs at least 5 houses so she can go help all those humanitarian and social relief causes - typical Liberal. She claims to hate Capitalism and Reagan's America: hmmm? Best not to label Joni a deep philosopher on the issues of life or politics. A poet YES, but mostly a devourer of commercial propaganda. Occasionally Joni tries to be honest about it. It's a contradictory challenge claiming it's all about the art and music... but where's all the radio time and marketing she was promised by her record company? She seems to have little understanding of the music business at large, even though she was aware her albums never recouped the costs of making them. You don't sell albums, you don't get to MAKE albums - that's just simply economics. Joni is blessed and clueless about it.
She does complain often about the current state of horrible Pop music. But then she appears to love anybody who likes HER music. She's fond of Janet Jackson and Foreigner - but hates that crap on the radio??? What the?
We do learn a bit about Joni's daughter who was given up for adoption. It's great they met again. But Joni's no hero. She rebelled as a youngster and everybody paid the price. AS did her endless relationships. Maybe she should have actually listened to her parents on occasion? Nope, stubborn till the end. Glad she knows her grandchildren though - that's an amazing twist in life.
It was funny to hear that her daughter is rebelling against her advice. Sweet Justice indeed.
I'm always amused by how every music biography I read seems to have a bit of religious thought thrust forth. Joni hop skips and jumps through some poorly understood religious shenanigans and eventually ends up with some Eastern mysticism matched with bits of borrowed Christianity. Typical and horrifyingly bad theological understandings from yet another celebrity who failed to read any basic religious comparisons offerings.
Some day I would like to come across EVEN ONE that has carefully read the Bible or Quran or Buddhistic scribblings. More annoying Western spirituality from California hippies.
I did like the mention of having to fight off a bear in her Vancouver House. (I live outside Vancouver - yes, it happens.)
Here's a fun quote from Joni: (pg. 104)
"Most of For The Roses was written there." It was an album on which she was able to vent her pain and her disillusionment: "The hippie dream seemed to be collapsing" She recalls.
She is smarter than the average hippie. I enjoyed hearing her tales about almost making Woodstock. And her and I both appreciate Miles Davis. It was interesting that she disagreed with Bob Dylan about the Hurricane Carter protest rallies. Joni often fails to be a good Liberal. (I'm so proud - there's hope for her)
I'll keep trying to like her music... someday. Mostly the stuff with Larry Carlton on guitar. I just watched a video of her singing At Last with an orchestra. She was bringing IT! Good stuff. I'll go find some more.
I did appreciate how this author went through all of her albums and Joni's life at the time of their creations. I especially appreciated the quick discussion of some of the great musicians who played on her tunes, like Larry Carlton, Wayne Shorter and Jaco Pastorius, as well as Graham Nash and Jackson Browne. I'm still not sure I like her music (mostly NO) and she seems to complain about people not worshiping her abilities en masse - but then she mocks herself at times as well. That's somewhat healthy.
I'm glad she's not a total flower-child hippy Bimbo love-fester (not totally). She does endlessly flirt with rebellion and Eco-treehugger crap and Anti-war shenanigans. AS well as sex, drugs and rockstar self-righteousness and loathing. But she's a bit cooler than that. She even mocks her own people at times - maybe she's got some punk in her. I applauded her for even mocking the Sacred institution of Kurt Cobain, yes - simply another dead rockstar, NOT a hero she says.
The painting angle in this book was very nice. It's great that Joni has another passion in her life: keeps her from going all Sid Vicious and Courtney Love on the music industry. Although she does threaten to quit constantly. Which is the central annoyance of Joni's existence. She has 5 Grammy awards, numerous other awards, she's been allowed to record poorly selling records for decades and have a long healthy career that affords her 3 houses to enjoy... and she complains that she isn't getting enough respect and support??? She needs at least 5 houses so she can go help all those humanitarian and social relief causes - typical Liberal. She claims to hate Capitalism and Reagan's America: hmmm? Best not to label Joni a deep philosopher on the issues of life or politics. A poet YES, but mostly a devourer of commercial propaganda. Occasionally Joni tries to be honest about it. It's a contradictory challenge claiming it's all about the art and music... but where's all the radio time and marketing she was promised by her record company? She seems to have little understanding of the music business at large, even though she was aware her albums never recouped the costs of making them. You don't sell albums, you don't get to MAKE albums - that's just simply economics. Joni is blessed and clueless about it.
She does complain often about the current state of horrible Pop music. But then she appears to love anybody who likes HER music. She's fond of Janet Jackson and Foreigner - but hates that crap on the radio??? What the?
We do learn a bit about Joni's daughter who was given up for adoption. It's great they met again. But Joni's no hero. She rebelled as a youngster and everybody paid the price. AS did her endless relationships. Maybe she should have actually listened to her parents on occasion? Nope, stubborn till the end. Glad she knows her grandchildren though - that's an amazing twist in life.
It was funny to hear that her daughter is rebelling against her advice. Sweet Justice indeed.
I'm always amused by how every music biography I read seems to have a bit of religious thought thrust forth. Joni hop skips and jumps through some poorly understood religious shenanigans and eventually ends up with some Eastern mysticism matched with bits of borrowed Christianity. Typical and horrifyingly bad theological understandings from yet another celebrity who failed to read any basic religious comparisons offerings.
Some day I would like to come across EVEN ONE that has carefully read the Bible or Quran or Buddhistic scribblings. More annoying Western spirituality from California hippies.
I did like the mention of having to fight off a bear in her Vancouver House. (I live outside Vancouver - yes, it happens.)
Here's a fun quote from Joni: (pg. 104)
"Most of For The Roses was written there." It was an album on which she was able to vent her pain and her disillusionment: "The hippie dream seemed to be collapsing" She recalls.
She is smarter than the average hippie. I enjoyed hearing her tales about almost making Woodstock. And her and I both appreciate Miles Davis. It was interesting that she disagreed with Bob Dylan about the Hurricane Carter protest rallies. Joni often fails to be a good Liberal. (I'm so proud - there's hope for her)
I'll keep trying to like her music... someday. Mostly the stuff with Larry Carlton on guitar. I just watched a video of her singing At Last with an orchestra. She was bringing IT! Good stuff. I'll go find some more.
July 9, 2024
like if her wikipedia was 300 pages and in book form
January 5, 2009
I read this book, because I love Joni Mitchell and at the time I was on a bio kick. This was the only one I could find on Joni. It read more like a gossip column than an authorized bio. I think it contained every sordid detail of most of her love affairs. Although it was interesting to learn more about the background of a lot of her music. I have another Joni Mitchell book on my "to read" list, because who doesn't want more Joni Mitchell?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews