Sunday, March 29, 2009

April Fools: Why Do Fools Fall in Love


Joni Mitchell: Why Do Fools Fall in Love

Joni Mitchell: Introduction

[purchase]

From Wikipedia:

Why Do Fools Fall in Love is a song that was originally a hit for early New York City-based rock and roll group Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers in 1956. It reached #3 on Billboard magazine's Pop Singles Chart, and number one in the UK Singles Chart. The song is ranked #307 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.


Joni Mitchell performs a playful and out-of-her-genre cover of Why Do Fools Fall in Love on Shadows and Light, released in 1980 - the live album was culled from her 1979 tour, with a remarkable band of musicians comprised of bassist Jaco Pastorius, jazz guitarist extraordinaire Pat Metheny, keyboardist Lyle Mayes, saxophonist Michael Brecker, drummer/percussionist Don Alias and vocal backup by The Persuasions, a legendary Philadelphia a cappella group.

In doing research for this song, I discovered that Joni used a snippet of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers' "I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent" in the introduction sequence (heard above) - I also found out that The Persuasions toured with Joni as her opening act, as well as joining her onstage for a few numbers.

Speaking of Joni, when you have some time to spare, go check out the newly-revamped website - gorgeous... and so thorough!

UPDATE FROM http://www.jonimitchell.com/:

Apr 1: Joni Emerges From Studio With Blue Follow-Up

Citing a burst of creative energy, Joni has completed recording on an album she calls a "masterpiece of a response to a masterpiece." The tentative title for the album, due to release next week, is "Blue Too." Joni plays piano, guitar, and dulcimer, and the songs are, in her words, "the most beautiful and touching that I've ever written." Joni will also launch a world tour to support the album beginning in May with jazz legends Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and others. And as if all this wasn't enough, there's one more thing...APRIL FOOL!

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