Love That Album Podcast Episode 154 - Joni Mitchell's "Hejira"

The late 60s to early 70s saw a popular run of troubadours, aka singer / songwriters who were usually known for performing acoustic songs, often of a confessional nature or trying to make sense of the world through their work. The best ones sought out new musical territory as they progressed through their work.

Welcome to episode 154 of Love That Album podcast.

Joni Mitchell’s run of albums from the late 60s onwards were beloved of fans of songwriters. She had a way with unusual chord progressions and very personal storytelling. Very much a part of the Laurel Canyon scene, albums like Ladies of the Canyon and Clouds were well received acoustic guitar and piano based records. She evolved stylistically from folk based pop to pop with jazz leanings over a run of albums in the 70s.

In 1976, Joni released Hejira, a collection of songs related to travel – flight, hotel rooms, the musician’s life versus domesticity, affairs had on tour. Many people consider her earlier album Blue with its songs of love and its failings to be her masterpiece. As great as that is, I’m on team Hejira. It was written while Joni was on the road, and it sounds like the wide open plains and deserts it was probably written in. The compositions are incredibly dense, but the real secret weapon to the success of the album is Weather Report bassist, Jaco Pastorius.

Once again, I am thrilled to be joined by film writer, Kerry Gately Fristoe and guitarist, Shane Pacey. We look into Joni’s history, the themes behind Hejira, compare the differences between that album and Blue, and we also find time to diss each other’s musical tastes in other areas…..as you do. These two fellow music enthusiasts always bring something great to the conversation....looking forward already to their next appearance.

Have a read of Kerry’s excellent essays at https://prowlerneedsajump.wordpress.com/author/echidnabot/ and https://www.brattleblog.brattlefilm.org/author/kerry-fristoe/

Shane has just released a wonderful album with his new band Pacey, King, and Doley. You can order a copy of Better Together from their Bandcamp site, https://paceykingdoley.bandcamp.com/album/better-together

Download this episode of LTA from wherever you prefer getting your podcasts.

Love That Album is proudly part of the Pantheon Podcast network. Go to http://pantheonpodcasts.com to check out all their great shows.

You can send me feedback at [email protected] (written or mp3 voicemail) or join the Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/lovethatalbum

If you’d consider writing an iTunes review I’d be immensely grateful. However, it’d be even better if you told a friend about the podcast and Pantheon – at a barbecue, over coffee, on social media….whatever way you choose, consider me grateful.

Proudly Pantheon.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices