Joni Mitchell is one of the most celebrated artists of the last half century; and her landmark 1971 album; Blue; is one of her most beloved and revered works. Generations of people have come of age listening to the album; inspired by the way it clarified their own difficult emotions. Critics and musicians admire the idiosyncratic virtuosity of its compositions. Will You Take Me As I Am -- the first book about Joni Mitchell to include original interviews with her -- looks at Blue to explore the development of an extraordinary artist; the history of songwriting; and much more. In extensive conversations with Mitchell; Michelle Mercer heard firsthand about Jonis internal and external journeys as she composed the largely autobiographical albums of what Mercer calls her Blue Period; which lasted through the mid-1970s. Incorporating biography; memoir; reportage; criticism; and interviews into an illuminating narrative; Mercer moves beyond the "making of an album" genre to arrive at a new form of music writing. In 1970; Mitchell was living with Graham Nash in Laurel Canyon and had made a name for herself as a so-called folk singer notable for her soaring voice and skillful compositions. Soon; though; feeling hemmed in; she fled to the hippie cave community of Matala; Greece. Here and on further travels; her compositions were freshly inspired by the lands and people she encountered as well as by her own radically changing interior landscape. After returning home to record Blue; Mitchell retreated to British Columbia; eventually reemerging as the leader of a successful jazz-rock group and turning outward in her songwriting toward social commentary. Finally; a stint with Bob Dylans Rolling Thunder Revue and a pivotal meeting with the Tibetan lama ChOuml;gyam Trungpa prompted Mitchells return to personal songwriting; which resulted in her 1976 masterpiece album; Hejira. Mercer interlaces this fascinating account of Mitchells Blue Period with meditations on topics related to her work; including the impact of landscape on music; the value of autobiographical songwriting for artist and listener; and the literary history of confessionalism. Mercer also provides rich analyses of Mitchells creative achievements: her innovative manner of marrying lyrics to melody; her inventive; highly expressive chords that achieve her signature blend of wonder and melancholy; how she pioneered personal songwriting and; along with Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen; brought a new literacy to the popular song. Fans will appreciate the previously unpublished photos and a coda of Mitchells unedited commentary on the places; books; music; pastimes; and philosophies she holds dear. This utterly original book offers a unique portrait of a great musician and her remarkable work; as well as new perspectives on the art of songwriting itself.
#808463 in eBooks 2009-03-10 2009-03-12File Name: B001V7U6W8
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Interesting; but limited by the formatBy D. Andrew KilleThis book is one of a series of "Postcard Histories" produced by the publisher. Centered on the town of Ojai; California and the surrounding area; it is a fascinating tour of the history of the city and key events in its history. The book is full of visual images of the early days; with explanatory text that tells the story of the development of Ojai in the late 19th and early- to mid- 20th century.As a former resident of the Valley whose family still resides there; I enjoyed seeing some of the places I remembered from my childhood; and learned more about the people and efforts that brought them about.Because the book focuses on images that are available as postcards; the history is somewhat spotty. The text helps fill in the gaps for some of the developments; but there are many historically significant events that do not appear in the book. I presume it was because the editors could not find representative images. Still; for those who know and love the Ojai; and for those who might not know anything about this little "Shangri-La" in Ventura County; this book offers a visually interesting exploration.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Californias ParadiseBy Gretchen BorgI was blessed to grow up in the beautiful Ojai Valley. My great grandparents owned and operated the newspaper and had shops in the Arcade.This series of books detailing the history of California cities and neighborhoods is a goldmine of information for people interested in geneaology as well as local history.I teach high school history and use these books to enrich the textbook curriculum subscribed by the State.
