In My Mind’s Zen Garden

Recently, I’ve been getting into Joni Mitchell’s music. Hmm… don’t really know how I’ve got into listening to Joni Mitchell. Actually, I’ve always heard Joni’s music on the radio and in music stores, but was never really a “folksy” type of person. Always into Jazz or Classical.

Joni Mitchell is deeply into Jazz and several of her albums have jazz-influenced motifs and themes.

Anyway, A Case of You is one of the most profound (and sad) songs I’ve ever heard. And I ask myself why didn’t I here this before? And now I’m researching a lot of her music and really getting into the music and words of this iconic musical artist.

So, I think I was searching for something on YouTube and ended up watching an old Joni Mitchell video of her performing back in 1966, as mentioned here. And somehow that led me to this song:

Joni Mitchell - A Case of You

Words & Music by Joni Mitchell

. . . .

Just before our love got lost you said
“I am as constant as a northern star”
And I said “Constantly in the darkness
Where’s that at?
If you want me I’ll be in the bar”

On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue TV screen light
I drew a map of Canada
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
Oh you’re in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you darling
Still I’d be on my feet
oh I would still be on my feet

Oh I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I’m frightened by the devil
And I’m drawn to those ones that ain’t afraid

I remember that time you told me you said
“Love is touching souls”
Surely you touched mine
‘Cause part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
Oh, you’re in my blood like holy wine
You taste so bitter and so sweet

Oh I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
I would still be on my feet

I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your life
She knew your devils and your deeds
And she said
“Go to him, stay with him if you can
But be prepared to bleed”

Oh but you are in my blood
You’re my holy wine
You’re so bitter, bitter and so sweet

Oh, I could drink a case of you darling
Still I’d be on my feet
I would still be on my feet

. . . .

Anyway, last night I went to my gig at Robbie’s Roadhouse Grille. It took me a little over an hour to get there amongst the really bad traffic (supposedly the I-5 was closed for a while because of a questionable device found, whatever).

So, I get to the venue and there is a drumset already setup there! And I freak out a bit. And upon talking to the manager, found out that we are supposed to perform tonight instead of last night.

After the initial shock, and driving another 50 minutes to get home. I ended up going out to watch a movie with my wife instead. So, que sera sera…..