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Robert Holliston's Response Print-ready version

by Robert Holliston
Toronto Globe and Mail
May 21, 1998
Original article: PDF

Hey, everyone!

After reading the review in Canada's national rag, The Globe and Mail, I sent a letter commenting on two points: "...most of the songs seemed to be from an as-yet-unreleased album," and "The sellout crowd remained polite, rising to their feet to applaud after every song, but one had the feeling that they did so not out of appreciation of the song that preceded, but in hopes that, if they clapped loud enough, the one that followed would be something they recognized."

On Monday, May 25, they published this (slightly abbreviated) version:

THE DIVINE MS. M (*not* my title!)

Being one of the diehard Joni Mitchell fans who knew all the songs on her GM Place set, I wanted to point out a couple of inaccuracies in Mr. Dafoe's otherwise thoughtful and entertaining review.

She performed only two songs from the unreleased album Taming the Tiger. Three of the set songs - Black Crow, Amelia, and the title song, as well as her first encore, Refuge of the Road - are from her 1976 album Hejira. She did one song apiece from 1974's Court and Spark and 1975's The Hissing of Summer Lawns.

Also, I wish I could agree that the audience was polite. Certainly there were those of us who rose to our feet and applauded with deep appreciation for the preceding song. But there was the goon who had to shout, "Do some old songs!" and the cretin who felt moved to chant, "Dylan! Bob Dylan!" I was so inspired and moved by Joni's set that I left immediately after it was over and have no regrets. I consider my life richer for what she has so generously contributed to it.

Robert Holliston, Victoria


Let me hasten to assure you all that I also included 1982's Wild Things Run Fast, but these things do get edited.

Wow - that was quite a rush!

Cheers,
Roberto

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Added to Library on January 9, 2000. (6178)

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