We're talking about an extremely prolific poet and songwriter and lyricist. That stuff comes off the top of her head. She [Joni Mitchell] will write exactly what she lives. If she puts some money in the soda machine, she'll write about putting money in the soda machine. "Dry Cleaner from Des Moines," on the Shadows & Light album, was about sitting next to a dry cleaner from Des Moines, playing a slot machine.
Then, on my way to California, I decided to stop in New York to do some research. I couldn't leave, because that's where the music was! - Don Alias
Then, on my way to California, I decided to stop in New York to do some research. I couldn't leave, because that's where the music was!
- Don Alias
We're talking about an extremely prolific poet and songwriter and lyricist. That stuff comes off the top of her head. She [Joni Mitchell] will write … - Don Alias
We're talking about an extremely prolific poet and songwriter and lyricist. That stuff comes off the top of her head. She [Joni Mitchell] will write …
I grew up in New York. We were all diversified, as far as music was concerned. I grew up liking just about everything. So I tried to incorporate that… - Don Alias
I grew up in New York. We were all diversified, as far as music was concerned. I grew up liking just about everything. So I tried to incorporate that…
Mom did not want me to have anything to do with playing music. Being from a middle-class Black family in that particular era, everybody wanted you to… - Don Alias
Mom did not want me to have anything to do with playing music. Being from a middle-class Black family in that particular era, everybody wanted you to…
I grew up learning this stuff on the streets of New York. My brother and I used to play in the subway for money. - Don Alias
I grew up learning this stuff on the streets of New York. My brother and I used to play in the subway for money.
She [Joni Mitchell] wanted to have that (jazz) element in her music. Of course, when she heard Jaco's [Jaco Pastorius'] music and met him, that floor… - Don Alias
She [Joni Mitchell] wanted to have that (jazz) element in her music. Of course, when she heard Jaco's [Jaco Pastorius'] music and met him, that floor…
If they [the crowd at The Apollo Theater] don't like you, they will let you know. When you didn't have any talent, they would let you know about it -… - Don Alias
If they [the crowd at The Apollo Theater] don't like you, they will let you know. When you didn't have any talent, they would let you know about it -…
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