Both Sides Now
I watched The Last Waltz the other night — the Martin Scorsese documentary of The Band's "farewell concert.” I know what you’re thinking. Shelly never saw The Last Waltz? Yes, I have. I saw it years ago. But it’s been a while.
I wasn’t as curious or ‘muse-ful’ about music as I am now. This time I took a deeper dive into Robbie Robertson and Levon (so cute) Helm, Rick, Garth and Richard. It finally registered that “The Night The Drove Old Dixie Down,””The Weight” (which shoulda been called “Take A Load Off Annie-not Fanny”), “I Shall Be Released,” and “Up On Cripple Creek!” were all songs delivered by the same band. What’s more, I never knew 😳 that The Band had also been a roving one that toured and backed-up the likes of Dylan, Neil D, Neil Y, Van, Dr. John, Muddy, Clapton. They all showed up that night to play .
So…mainly guys on stage. Not a lot of women. But to be fair there were a few. The Staples were featured soulfully on “The Weight.” (I loved when Mavis finishes and whispers, “beautiful.” )And Emmylou Harris. And And And…
Joni. Her build slight. Her hair fair. Her attitude unassuming. Long sleeve top and floral skirt as opposed to a garter belt and push-up bra. Don’t get me started. I believe in free-dress. Anyone can wear anything they want to. Go for it.
I was fixated on Joni’s youth mainly because just a few weeks ago I watched — mesmerized — her seasoned performance of “Both Sides Now” at the Newport Folk Festival at the age of 78. (Clip Below). Queen Joni on her velvet gold rimmed throne surrounded by a stage full of heavies. Wynonna Judd, Lucius, Brandi Carlile.
Joni is fluid. Present. There are moments they’re trying to help her remember the lyrics. But Joni doesn’t need help. I mean, if you sing a song 10,000 times, even if you lose your mind, (which Joni hasn’t) you remember the song. The words just come. Muscle memory. It’s been studied.
Admittedly at times it might have seemed like she was going to forget. But the woman was simply taking her time.
One has to wonder if the meaning of some of the iconic lyrics in “Both Sides Now” has changed for her over the years:
“So many things I would have done…”
“Friends are acting strange…“
“Something’s lost and something’s gained in living every day…“
“But now it's just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go…”
“I looked at life from both sides now...” (Really? At 24?)
At 24 Joni was wise, crafty and prophetic. But at 78 she knows.
Then again, there’s this doozy:
“I really don’t know life at all.”
So do we ever really figure it out?
Atlantic’s Tom Nichols recently mused about how the passage of time can change a song. “Nick Lowe, for example, wrote “(What’s So Funny ’Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” back in 1974 when he was 25…but when Lowe sang the song again in his 70s, with very little accompaniment, it became a different experience—a placid, almost mournful reflection on the question, rather than a dare to disagree with it.”
Joni’s voice is an octave lower. Vintage. A warm blanket.
Sometimes I can’t bare to watch these poignant moments because it hurts too much. Artists don’t get me off like they used to. I miss that. I miss music having that power over me.
Joni is a high high bar.
What I would give to be sitting on that stage. In proximity. A handmaid at her feet.
There’s uproarious approval from the audience when she finishes. You can tell how very pleased she is with herself. No one compares and she knows it.
As the applause dies down Brandi asks the crowd, “Did the world just stop? Did everything that was wrong with it just go away?”
The answer is clearly….Yes.
Thanks for reading my weekly musings. If you'd like to subscribe to my blog please click here. Listen to my album 2.0 etc…Follow me Insta. Visit my Serial Songwriter Facebook Page. Get a signed CD or a copy of “Confessions of a Serial Songwriter.” ☮️
