Photo by Erik Christopher Lopez

From ANDRAS JONES: “I dreamed I saw the bombers of death riding shotgun in the sky…”, Carla Olson sang in yesterday’s installment of this Radio8Ball tribute to Joni Mitchell and, as if on cue, our nation delivered over a hundred pricey and offensively named Tomahawk missiles (brought to you by Raytheon) to the people of Syria, many of whom may now be known not as people but as “collateral damage”. Meanwhile, here we are with another musical divination featuring a question from JODY PORTER (of Fountains of Wayne) about the president who let the missiles fly, His answer, performed with the simple sweet sophistication that is his calling card, by R8B fave BART DAVENPORT, was pretty funny in the room when considered as the answer to the question but with just a little time to ripen those laughs now have a tragic ring to them. Imagine looking at clouds from someplace in Syria, or Flint, Michigan where a fraction of the money spent on this murderous exercise could bring clean water to the people of that city ravaged by war (the war on drugs, the war on the poor, the war against people of color).

Violence in Joni’s music is a theme we’ll discuss a lot on this episode. I don’t think her music is violent but it exists in a violent society with its eyes open. This is an act of art and an act of peace but, as the song say, peace, like love, has more than one side and one of those sides is what we are witnessing today. The violence of industry and policy and control. The violence of racism and militarism and capitalism. It takes tremendous will and courage to look this violence in the face and respond with unapologetic beauty, inspiring others to do likewise.

Jody Porter has a new solo album “Pacifier” and if you dig or dug the Waynes you should probably give it a listen.

Bart and his backing band The Bedazzled are currently touring the west coast and if you can catch them in between anti-war protests and government crackdowns it might be just the tonic for your soul the times demand.

BOTH SIDES NOW

Rows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It’s cloud’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know clouds at all
Moons and Junes and ferries wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I’ve looked at love that way
But now it’s just another show
You leave ’em laughing when you go
And if you care, don’t let them know
Don’t give yourself away
I’ve looked at love from both sides now
From give and take and still somehow
It’s love’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know love at all
Tears and fears and feeling proud,
To say “I love you” right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I’ve looked at life that way
But now old friends they’re acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I’ve changed
Well something’s lost, but something’s gained
In living every day.
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all
I’ve looked at life from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s life’s illusions I recall
I really don’t know life at all