Joni is/was astonishing. A one-off. She changed my life.
She broke my heart many thousands of times, not just through the artistry of her work, but also as an unattainable paragon of womanhood.
Now, after 40 odd years of being in love with her, and her artistry, I see her more as the flawed human she doubtless is, rather than the perfect Goddess that dominated my early obsession with her.
But solid – or rather fluid – and consistent throughout, are the humanity and artistry. Definitely the greatest female music-maker of modern times, bar none. And right up at the front of the line regardless of gender.
I’m a rationalist type of guy, who started ditching religion (it can take a while!) around the same time I started to fall in love with Joni. But it’s undeniable to me that the best art, such as she’s made in such staggering abundance, is kind of magical and alchemical.
I also generally hold that her ‘golden era’ was Song to a Seagull to Hejira. But then I hear something like this, and realise it’s the same gentle-spirited genius.
Love you forever, Joni. Thanks for all the joy and the tears down the years.