October 19, 1999

Posted October 19, 1999

Joni phoned to tell me how excited she is about her just-completed album of standards, recorded this past July in London. The tracks were arranged for a full orchestra, with Joni acting as the vocalist, a la Frank Sinatra. In fact, she recorded one song done originally by Sinatra, as well as tunes sung by Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and other romantic pop singers. She also took another pass at two of her own classic tunes, "Both Sides Now" and "A Case Of You." Joni refers to her new album as "A History Of North American Romantic Love In The Twentieth Century."

On the first day in the studio, Joni told me that she recorded four tunes with the full 71 piece orchestra; on the second day, four more songs went down with a 40 piece; and then on the third day, it was wittled down to a big band ensemble for the final four songs. She told me how a bunch of the older, jaded players had huddled into the playback booth and teared up when they listened to the playbacks.

The album could be released as early as Valentines Day (and I do mean in the year 2000, not 2001). Joni says that the record company is very pleased with the tracks and has committed to putting a good deal of promotion behind the album's release. (Wonderful!) Her latest project has given Joni the idea of doing an entire album of her own songs in this format. She mentioned to me re-doing songs such as "Ludwig's Tune" with an orchestra.

The 12 songs on her upcoming album (tentatively titled Both Sides Now):

You're My Thrill
At Last
Comes Love
You've Changed
Answer Me, My Love
A Case Of You
Don't Go To Strangers
Sometimes I'm Happy
I'll Get By
Stormy Weather
I Wish I Were In Love Again
Both Sides Now

I'll have an official conversation with Joni, talking about her new album, as well as other subjects, up on the pages of JM.COM soon.

Oh, yes! Joni has also just recorded "a little singing" on a track for Brian Blade's second album with his group, The Fellowship. That album should be out early next year.