Series: Why "Anything but country music" is not an acceptable answer to "what kind of music do you like?": Vol.1

Growing up in Texas, I heard this phrase more than any other. You wouldn't think. But to be entirely honest, I did use it myself on occasion. I'm sure every single one of you has, as well.

"So... what kind of music do you listen to?"

It's probably the most important social question of our generation, the question that determines whether the conversation is going to go any further. So you certainly want to answer it with the best possible answer. You don't want to make any bad impressions. But you don't want to seem really close-minded. So what do you say?

"Oh, anything really. Except country. I don't listen to that. ~nervous snicker~ What about you?"

So after hearing it a couple million times, I started asking folks if they had actually heard any country music. Almost across the board, the answer was a resounding "no WAY!" Well, if that's the case, how do you know you don't like country? I think it's mostly that it's just not cool to like country, or even to listen to it long enough to actually make that decision in a valid manner.

I remember in eighth grade, I had to do a project for English class. We had to 'interview' a character from any of the short stories we had read and tape it. The catch was that the replies to the questions were supposed to be in the form of music, a clip from some song with relevant lyrics. Well, I didn't have any music to use. I didn't really listen to music. So I asked my dad what to do (I was in eighth grade, I really should have known better), and he found me some old country stuff that he used to listen to way back in the day. Well, I did my interview and I thought I did a great job, and I played it in class for everyone. Bad news. My teacher - not my classmates, my teacher - responded with "What the hell kind of music do you listen to?" Needless to say, I was mortified and started saying "Oh, I can't stand country music" if anyone ever asked.

The fact is, though, I actually liked that stuff. I know I'm not the only non-hillbilly who does. And I'm going to set people straight. It is cool to like country, as long as it's the cool kind of country. And I plan to show you people exactly what that is.

A short series of posts on great country, bluegrass and americana artists is coming up for your reading pleasure and of course for the edification of the general public. Hit me up with some recommendations and I promise I'll get on it. Keep your eyes peeled for the first of the series, on The Be Good Tanyas, coming up soon.

(Re)discovering Joni Mitchell

Writing a review about Joni Mitchell is like trying to rewrite Beauty and the Beast, but I just recently 'discovered' her. I figured there's no harm in sharing my opinion. Actually my first encounter with Mitchell's music was in the movie Love Actually, where Mitchell's music provides the 'emotional education' of one of the main characters. The song Both Sides Now provides the backdrop for a highly emotional sequence in the movie, lending an earthy touch to the otherwise sparse scene with Mitchell's round, space-filling voice.
Around the same time of my life, a friend told me that Blue was a must-hear album. I immediately got my hands on the album, excited for it, but - don't hate me for this - I couldn't really appreciate the album. Mitchell's voice was almost too heavy for me; I felt like I was being borne down under the weight of the music. But I gave her a chance again recently, after hearing a cover of Blue by Cat Power. I have to say, this time around she's managed to capture my fancy the way I expected her to the first time. Listening to her album, I'm realizing how many of her songs I've actually heard before, covered by other people. I had no idea. Of course there's Blue, But there are more. I've been listening to A Case of You sung by Cristina Branco for so long now, but never once realized that it was a cover of Mitchell's song. I heard Ritchie Havens' version of Woodstock, too, with no idea of where it came from. Now that I've 'discovered' Joni Mitchell, though, I haven't been able to change the album and listen to something else. Mitchell's voice, her lyrics, the instrumentation, the arrangement, everything has kind of captured my attention and entranced me.
I do have to say I'm not a huge fan of some of the more upbeat songs, like All I Want on Blue. I think Mitchell's style of singing as well as the timbre of her voice are better suited to the slow, melodic, pensive type of song. I do appreciate her versatility in singing, but I can't personally enjoy the more bouncy songs.
Both Sides Now and Blue are probably my favorite songs of Mitchell's right now. It might change, but the fullness of her voice and the depth of the emotion it convey are really worth listening to at least in recognition of the influence Mitchell's music has had on folk and pop music of today.
Mitchell also managed to deal with issues that women of her time could not really tackle on a general basis, like sexual freedoms. 'My Old Man' tells of the joys of cohabitation without marriage. 'We don't need no piece of paper from the City Hall,' she sings. She also deals openly with themes of solitude and loneliness. I think Mitchell's songs will definitely play a part in my own 'emotional education'.