Stones, Paint it Black

De-Lovely:

Sweet:

Beautiful:

One more fave.

Lazy:

Lazy Day, Spanky & Our Gang

Kinks Sunny Afternoon

Fats Domino, Blue Monday

Hey Elmer!

I gave the other versions a listen. They’re ok. I like Joni’s though. Slower and something about her voice

There’s something about it. It just pulls on my heartstrings.

I'm glad you did that, it's always interesting to hear alternative treatments of songs. Covers of any song can vary from better to worse. There's something about hearing an interpretation of the composer, arguably how the song was intended to sound and to be. Sometimes.

I've heard of too many instances of controversy and hubris about Mitchell's personality to like her. I respect many of the songs she wrote but she seems to have been quite a headcase during much of her life, not a likeable person. For a recent stretch of time, maybe still ongoing, she's isolated herself from friends and the rest of the world and when she's popped her head out, she's spoken about whatever in very bitter tones.

The Judy Collins conflict is just one of many similar things I've heard about her. In the 60s or early 70's Graham Nash (another performer very full of himself), a married man still with the Hollies, met her and moved in with her. He found her to be smothering to be with after a period of time and told her so. The relationship ended, but not before she publicly exposed her uncomplimentary feelings in the song "Willy".

If you want to hear a much classier and respectful song about feelings at such a time, read through the lyrics of Suite: Judy Blue Eyes, written by Steve Stills after Judy Collins told him their relationship couldn't continue. He wrote several other songs on the same topic including "Questions" (recorded by Buffalo Springfield and inserted as a part of CSNY's Carry On) and Now Begins the Task that he recorded in his band Manassas. The two, though living through a number of marriages and relationships over the years, have remained by their own descriptions life long best friends. They recorded an album together in 2017 and then toured. The song "Judy" was also written at the time but not previously released, it's on their joint album. I was lucky enough to see their concert in my area. On the album, of course, and performed in concert, were both So Begins The Task and Questions. It was very touching to hear these songs performed as duets by the two people whose relationship formed the basis of each song.

Poor Mohammed

If you're gonna talk Procol Harum, then this song needs to be included. A lovely orchestral performance by Gary Brooker of PH, one of the composers. For me, this and Conquistador (which doesn't fit into this week's category) are unique and memorable.

Tempting:

Steady:

Ready:

More from the NYC CBGB's scene

And...

Peculiar:

'Green Shirt'

Unhappy Girl Doors

Unknown Soldier, Doors