In anticipation of Joni Mitchells induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame CBC Radio had a bunch of interviews with Canadian musicians and how they were influenced by her music. I caught the Sarah Slean interview while I was driving and I got most of it down (thank you traffic) but not completely so please excuse the gaps.
Announcer: "...Joni Mitchells influence on Canadian arts and culture...next generation of singer-songwriters...Sarah Slean...[introduce her by playing] a very personal song about a relationship that wasn't really going anywhere."
At this point "California" (Orphan Music Ver.) comes on. Ooh, it was nice hearing Sarah on the radio. The song ends and the interviewer asks Sarah how she was first introduced to Joni Mitchell.
Sarah: "I was 16 and I remember getting 'Blue' for my birthday. I was like '1971? Come on' but it was from the rock CD aisle [so it was alright]. It was nothing like anything I've listened to. I was in highschool and [the kind of music you like] was very important. And I was just floored top to bottom. It was the only album I listened to for that year....Easy to listen, [there was a] truth, poignancy to it...came out of left field. It completely changed my opinion of music. The tunes are beautiful...stick in your head..."
Then she was asked if Joni inspired bravery in her or something similar.
Sarah: "[I found out that she was a painter, poet] wanted to be her...Inspired...courage, bravery [in Joni's music]...she just does it. I have to go 'Is this valid?', but not for her...People say that you have to dedicate your life to art or dedicate your life to music, that you have to choose just one. I look at Joni and say 'No you don't'...[Joni did a lot of different things but there's still] Joni in everything she does. She's real ballsy, in a good kind of way."
