It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here...

Today, This Recording has a really nice piece on Joni Mitchell, of whom I've been enamored for years.

Also check out For The Sake Of The Song, which features a few choice tunes from the "Second Frets Sets" bootleg.

For those of you in Detroit, here's an interesting article about Joni's time living in the Motor City.

Finally, here's one more tune from Joni's "Second Fret Sets" boot, in which Joni explains an interesting songwriting technique that she copied from Bob Dylan: Mr. Blue

Let's hear it for Joni!

The India Song (or just a dream some of us had)

I'd like to go to India, live in a big white house in the forest, drink gin and tonic and play a grand piano, read a few books, far from what saddens my heart...

Sounds like a nice exotic escape, eh? (A delicious G & T is always a good thing.)

Although there's not much to it, I've always liked The India Song (buy album) by Big Star.

Big Star's debut album #1 Record was not fully appreciated in its own time, but modern day hipsters have since made up for that. So I really can't call it "underrated"--just a great record. Digging around for something to say about The India Song I happened on two interesting (and conflicting) reviews addressing its merit.

Bud Scoppa said in Rolling Stone that "the only unsuccessful track is 'The India Song,' and that was written by Hummel; it just doesn't fit with the rest of the music. But 10 out of 11 is practically unheard of. No. 1 Record is one of the sleepers of 1972."

Robert Christgau saw it differently, describing as a "special attraction" Big Star's "fantasy about India with gin-and-tonic in it."

The India Song is the only track on the album composed by bassist Andy Hummel. In an interview Hummel explained "I was really into Joni Mitchell's "Blue" at the time and kind of trying to imitate her. Also I was upset about a girlfriend who had dumped me and feeling very depressed and escapist."

The song on Blue that most resembles The India Song is All I Want, but my favorite tune from that essential album is California (buy album).

Johnny Cash was also a fan of Joni (and her dulcimer): Click HERE.

STWOF trivia question: What does Joni Mitchell mean when she sings about kissing a "sunset pig"? Post answer in comments section.