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Joni Mitchell — Jericho
Album: Miles of Aisles
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 667









Released: 1974
Length: 3:35
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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I'll try to keep myself open up to you
That's a promise that I made to love
When it was new
"Just like Jericho" I said
"Let these wall come tumbling down"
I said it like I finally found the way
To keep the good feelings alive
I said it like it was something to strive for.

I'll try to keep myself open up to you
And approve your self expression
I need that, too
I need your confidence, baby
And the gift of your extra time
In turn I'll give you mine
Sweet darling, it's a rich exchange
It seems to me
It's a warm arrangement!

Anyone will tell you
Just how hard it is to make and keep a friend
Maybe they'll short sell you
Or maybe it's you
Judas, in the end
When you just can no longer pretend
That you're getting what you need
Or you're giving out anything for them to grow and feed on.

I'll try to keep myself open up to you
It gets easier and easier to do
Just like Jericho
Let these walls come tumbling down now
Let them fall right on the ground
Let all these dogs go running free
The wild and the gentle dogs
Kenneled in me.
Comments (68)add comment
 2Hawks wrote:
And, isn't "Hegira" the spelling?

No.
Posted 3 years ago by Edweirdo    [ Reply ]
 NelsonBlack wrote:

OK, here I go again: Nice song, but I prefer her remake of this from Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. AND - to the Joni doubters, I say "piffle."

I'll just say right now that I think "Hejira" and "Refuge of the Road" are two of the most resonant songs of the 70's for me and songs that I can come back to over and over again.



Me too. 
And, isn't "Hegira" the spelling?
Posted 3 years ago by 2Hawks    [ Reply ]
Not her again! Her lyrics a marvelous, her music is...that kind I can live without.
Posted 4 years ago by watercress    [ Reply ]
OK, here I go again: Nice song, but I prefer her remake of this from Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. AND - to the Joni doubters, I say "piffle."

I'll just say right now that I think "Hejira" and "Refuge of the Road" are two of the most resonant songs of the 70's for me and songs that I can come back to over and over again.
Posted 4 years ago by NelsonBlack    [ Reply ]
Way too much belly aching folks,just kick back,chill and appreciate the soothing sounds of Radio Paradise .
Posted 5 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:
 daveinnj wrote:
Over the years I've tried to take the 'Bill Pill', and like Joni Mitchell (I know you love her, Bill :).

But I can't. She's got an melodic aimless to her singing that I just can't stand. 


Many people may not like her music, but there is nothing "aimless" about her melodies or her singing.  She was usually very deliberate about her melodies and harmonies.  Because her melody lines were often unusual or unorthodox, or some listeners are unable to predict their sequences does not mean that they were "aimless".
 
Exactly. Joni has a jazz singer's voice and sensibilities. And it's perfect.
Posted 5 years ago by stevecossaboom    [ Reply ]
 nickshortie wrote:
And Joni suck on and on... :(
 
That’s why I am going to hit the next button so I won’t have to hear her crap
Posted 5 years ago by jp33442    [ Reply ]
And Joni suck on and on... :(
Posted 5 years ago by nickshortie    [ Reply ]
 benfitch523 wrote:
Jericho appears to be on repeat on the Radio Paradise mellow mix today, July 25th 2019
 

RP's Main Mix also on repeat  today...
Posted 5 years ago by nlweb9551    [ Reply ]
this is a fantastic live album - she's smooth as silk
Posted 5 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
pure poetry and one of the best live albums ever....long may she run

I'll try to keep myself open up to you
It gets easier and easier to do
Just like Jericho
Let these walls come tumbling down now
Let them fall right on the ground
Let all these dogs go running free
The wild and the gentle dogs
Kenneled in me.
Posted 5 years ago by marysclark    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Her singing style is definitely "challenging" to a lot of people.  She likes to sing in varying modal scales and it seems like she changes the lengths and stresses of the notes at random - sometimes warbling around within a single phrase or word.  It's often more like she's playing an instrumental solo than singing lyrics.  I like a lot of her tunes and I don't care for some others, but I appreciate her unconventional style.  Obviously, it's not for everyone.  Yes, to each his own.
 

Interesting, but I think she has a beautiful voice.  Not conventional, but I like it.  Youare right, To each his or her own.
Posted 5 years ago by junebaby65    [ Reply ]
 linden wrote:
Of David Hockney and Joni Mitchell Holding Hands
 
thanks for posting that! Worth a visit just to see the pic. 
Posted 5 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:


Many people may not like her music, but there is nothing "aimless" about her melodies or her singing.  She was usually very deliberate about her melodies and harmonies.  Because her melody lines are unusual or unorthodox, or you are unable to predict their sequences does not mean that they are "aimless".
 
AMEN
Posted 5 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
Of David Hockney and Joni Mitchell Holding Hands
Posted 5 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
I've never cared for Joni either.  It's her voice.  Too much high pitched warbling.   Her singing is unmelodic and sounds like she's making it up as he goes.
Posted 6 years ago by charliemusicfan    [ Reply ]
Somebody upped Joni in the algorithm...    
Posted 6 years ago by Queue    [ Reply ]
Have to give the song a 10 even though the later version is even better. 
Posted 6 years ago by RabbitEars    [ Reply ]
This is "pre-Jaco", eh? 
Posted 6 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
Most always a pleasant thing to hear Joni come on.
Posted 6 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
The first cd I bought. I had only ever bought vinyl before. I didn’t even have a CD player at the time, but I bought it as a US import - it was not available on vinyl. It was my main incentive in buying a CD player!

One of my favourite Joni albums. Magnificent. 
Posted 6 years ago by Lyndont    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:
Many people may not like her music, but there is nothing "aimless" about her melodies or her singing.  She was usually very deliberate about her melodies and harmonies.  Because her melody lines are unusual or unorthodox, or you are unable to predict their sequences does not mean that they are "aimless".
 
Yes.
Posted 7 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
Absolutely essential ... what a fantastic song. I just wish Bill followed it with "Love or Money" from the same album, the two go together so well.
Posted 7 years ago by hanssachs    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite albums from way back when. Tom Scott and the LA Express is a perfect compliment to Joni Mitchell. The blend of horns and great jazz backing gives the Joni library a refreshing vibrancy.Thanks Bill!
Posted 7 years ago by stangalbraith    [ Reply ]
 daveinnj wrote:
Over the years I've tried to take the 'Bill Pill', and like Joni Mitchell (I know you love her, Bill :).

But I can't. She's got an melodic aimless to her singing that I just can't stand. 


Many people may not like her music, but there is nothing "aimless" about her melodies or her singing.  She was usually very deliberate about her melodies and harmonies.  Because her melody lines were often unusual or unorthodox, or some listeners are unable to predict their sequences does not mean that they were "aimless".
Posted 7 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 sfyi2001 wrote:

 daveinnj wrote:

Over the years I've tried to take the 'Bill Pill', and like Joni Mitchell (I know you love her, Bill :).

But I can't. She's got an melodic aimless to her singing that I just can't stand.



 
                           

                              "She's got a melodic aimless(ness) to her singing that I just can't stand."

                                                          - A G R E E D.
 
                                                               sfyi2001
                                                               Seattle

 
Those words describe it best why she will always be sucko barfo to me...
Posted 7 years ago by nickshortie    [ Reply ]



 daveinnj wrote:

Over the years I've tried to take the 'Bill Pill', and like Joni Mitchell (I know you love her, Bill :).

But I can't. She's got an melodic aimless to her singing that I just can't stand.



 
                           



                              "She's got a melodic aimless(ness) to her singing that I just can't stand."

                                                          - A G R E E D.
 
                                                               sfyi2001
                                                               Seattle




Posted 7 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]

Over the years I've tried to take the 'Bill Pill', and like Joni Mitchell (I know you love her, Bill :).

But I can't. She's got an melodic aimless to her singing that I just can't stand.


Posted 9 years ago by daveinnj    [ Reply ]
 iscoot4peace wrote:
One of the most interesting things about art, music, and the human experience, is how differently and divers people's reactions to the same piece of art can be. 

The fact that Joni is a great lyricist and musician is indisputable...but to my ear...she is a horrible singer.  This entire song sounds like she is feeling around in the dark for the right notes.  We were wincing this morning in our office...while most others in the RP forum seem to be in bliss.

"To each his own!" as my mother used to say.

 
Her singing style is definitely "challenging" to a lot of people.  She likes to sing in varying modal scales and it seems like she changes the lengths and stresses of the notes at random - sometimes warbling around within a single phrase or word.  It's often more like she's playing an instrumental solo than singing lyrics.  I like a lot of her tunes and I don't care for some others, but I appreciate her unconventional style.  Obviously, it's not for everyone.  Yes, to each his own.
Posted 9 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
{#Meditate}Great Album
Posted 9 years ago by sparksfry    [ Reply ]
Get well Joni !

 
Posted 9 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
One of the most interesting things about art, music, and the human experience, is how differently and divers people's reactions to the same piece of art can be. 

The fact that Joni is a great lyricist and musician is indisputable...but to my ear...she is a horrible singer.  This entire song sounds like she is feeling around in the dark for the right notes.  We were wincing this morning in our office...while most others in the RP forum seem to be in bliss.

"To each his own!" as my mother used to say.
Posted 15 years ago by iscoot4peace    [ Reply ]
Definitely one of her better attempts at jazz, I've always liked this.
Posted 15 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Being the huge Joni fan that I have been since I was in junior high, I was drug kickin and screamin into liking her 'new sound' when she went jazz....used to DRIVE ME CRAZY (of course I hated it the minute Dylan picked up an electric guitar!).

When this 'new sound' started I would have given it a -2 rating....now I see it for what it was....she evolved....it's an 8 at least...

btw, I do own this album....one of about 20 JM albums (VINYL) that I have....genius
Posted 15 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
Sweet transition from Jeff Beck! *applause*
Posted 15 years ago by audiophelia    [ Reply ]

Bill, you're a MIND READER!!!!!!!!!!! I was just thinking to myself after having just plugged into RP, gee, I wish Bill would play some Joni Mitchell. I could really go for some Joni. THANKS!


Posted 15 years ago by Mandible    [ Reply ]
I had the pleasure of showing her to a 21 year old person the other day. He had never heard of her at all and was blown away. I had a feeling he might like her because he loves Amy Winehouse. And no Amy Winehouse jokes because I love her to death and I feel terrible that she's going through so much shit. {#Cry}  I know that Joni was angelic and Amy is not, but both so gifted. I was really shocked that there are so many young people out there who have not heard of Joni Mitchell.

Posted 15 years ago by ugly    [ Reply ]
I could not keep up with her when she went jazz; prior, she was perfection.
She has no parallel whatsoever.... my god, thirty yeras ago she was jamming with Metheny and Jaco and holding her own...
She is iconic and under appreciated in thsi lifetime.
Posted 15 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
 Jungle_Jim wrote:
Hey Jools - are you in Brighton, so am I. Wow I'm not the only one enjoying the breezy Californian Radio Paradise sounds as the rain drizzles down outside!

 jools wrote:
Most excellent segue. Just right for around about 18:00 hours - which is the time nowin a very wet  & miserable Brighton on the UK south coast.{#Wink}
 
 
That makes at least 3 from Brighton then! And for a change. . . its not raining! Yay!

Oh. . . nice track.  
Posted 15 years ago by SquiddlyDiddly    [ Reply ]
 cosmiclint wrote:


For me, that's the apeal. Her melodies don't go down the expected, predictable path. She experiments. And her lyrics are brilliant. Gord Downie has a similar love for combining poetic (and sometimes personal) lyrics with unexpected melodic choices.

Maybe it's a Canadian thing.

 
Well said, cosmiclint.  My feelings as well.

Posted 15 years ago by dixiedeb    [ Reply ]

+1

Papernapkin wrote:

When Joni comes on, the radio goes off. Kill me now.
 


Posted 15 years ago by franta    [ Reply ]
We'll always have Joni.
Posted 15 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
When Joni comes on, the radio goes off. Kill me now.
 

Right on.
Posted 15 years ago by mirland    [ Reply ]
Same song twice in one day!  Ten and a half hours ago, Bill played kd lang's rendition!


Posted 15 years ago by laozilover    [ Reply ]
Hey Jools - are you in Brighton, so am I. Wow I'm not the only one enjoying the breezy Californian Radio Paradise sounds as the rain drizzles down outside!

 jools wrote:
Most excellent segue. Just right for around about 18:00 hours - which is the time nowin a very wet  & miserable Brighton on the UK south coast.{#Wink}
 

Posted 15 years ago by Jungle_Jim    [ Reply ]
It was interesting to hear this version of the song - in some ways the DJRD version is too tight, and this is a more relaxed setting for it. Anyway - Don Juan's Reckless Daughter (minus perhaps Paprika Plains and Otis and Marlena) is one of my favorite albums. The dreamy first track, which is eventually punctuated with THAT thunderous note from Jaco - hairs stand up on my neck every time.

Posted 15 years ago by Jungle_Jim    [ Reply ]
Most excellent segue. Just right for around about 18:00 hours - which is the time nowin a very wet  & miserable Brighton on the UK south coast.{#Wink}
Posted 15 years ago by jools    [ Reply ]
{#Puke}
Posted 16 years ago by Neil66    [ Reply ]
{#Meditate}
Posted 16 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
This song feels kinda average in the overall scheme of Joni Mitchell songs. I mean, it's cool and all, but she has so many other tunes that reach into "superlative", it's hard to get excited about this one.
Posted 16 years ago by lee_sf    [ Reply ]
yeah, joni is pretty much my hero...heroine... whatever, this is great
Posted 16 years ago by topherg87    [ Reply ]
MLavender wrote:
I don't recall anyone else who's lyrics seem to have almost no coordination with the melody. She just sings whatever, and while it's a nice enough voice, and the melodies are fine too, they so often seem to be fairly unrelated.
Exactly!
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
When Joni comes on, the radio goes off. Kill me now.
Posted 16 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Memories
Posted 16 years ago by cathenley    [ Reply ]
MLavender wrote:
I don't recall anyone else who's lyrics seem to have almost no coordination with the melody. She just sings whatever, and while it's a nice enough voice, and the melodies are fine too, they so often seem to be fairly unrelated.
For me, that's the apeal. Her melodies don't go down the expected, predictable path. She experiments. And her lyrics are brilliant. Gord Downie has a similar love for combining poetic (and sometimes personal) lyrics with unexpected melodic choices. Maybe it's a Canadian thing.
Posted 16 years ago by cosmiclint    [ Reply ]
I don't recall anyone else who's lyrics seem to have almost no coordination with the melody. She just sings whatever, and while it's a nice enough voice, and the melodies are fine too, they so often seem to be fairly unrelated.
Posted 16 years ago by MLavender    [ Reply ]
Joni is wonderful!
Posted 16 years ago by funkaholic    [ Reply ]
Joni is always a perfect 10
Posted 16 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
buddy wrote:
Godess-like.
Posted 17 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
meower215 wrote:
The original is WAY better on Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, an album that everyone must own enjoy
I agree that DJRD is an album everyone should own but MoA actually came out three years before it. A rare case of the live version being the original. This album has always been a two-sided coin to me. The arangements and the band are awesome (easily the best version of 'Woodstock' on record, imo) but Joni's voice is pretty ragged out on it. This was the point just before she gave up trying to sing soprano and it shows. Age and cigs just took the falsetto away. But it was a good thing because he voice sounds so much better on the late-70's stuff.
Posted 17 years ago by Hairfarmer    [ Reply ]
I never used to pay much attention to Joni Mitchell. But since I've started to hear her on RP, I've developed quite an appreciation.
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
ruthless wrote:
Nice segue! NICE song and I have only found it on this recording.
The original is WAY better on Don Juan's Reckless Daughter, an album that everyone must own enjoy
Posted 17 years ago by meower    [ Reply ]
Bill, are you reading my mind this AM??
Posted 17 years ago by sukilau    [ Reply ]
i'm getting that not so fresh 70's feeling!
Posted 17 years ago by beakersbeats    [ Reply ]
Nice segue! NICE song and I have only found it on this recording.
Posted 17 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
Joni always reminds me of summer, wind chimes, and bare feet!
Posted 17 years ago by MTlady    [ Reply ]