176. Kendall Jane Meade Discusses Joni Mitchell, Court and Spark

Singer-songwriter Kendall Jane Meade (Mascott, Juicy, Anders and Kendall, solo) pays YMAAA a visit to introduce Al to Joni Mitchell’s 1974 album Court and Spark. Kendall talks about her first impressions of the album and explains why its tracks still resonate with her more than 25 years after first hearing them. She and Al also discuss some of the unique features of the album, such as the Cheech and Chong cameo on “Twisted” and how “Help Me” was especially sophisticated for a hit single. Kendall also talks about her new solo album Space, which is the first album she has released under her own name.

You can follow Kendall on Instagram at @kendalljanemeade. You can also get Kendall’s music, tour dates and links to all things KJM on her website, https://www.kendalljanemeade.com/.

Looking for merch and vinyl? You’ll find them at https://motherwest.storenvy.com/.

Al is on Bluesky at @almelchior.bsky.social. This show has an account on Instagram at @youmealbum. Subscribe for free to You, Me and An Album: The Newsletter! https://youmealbum.substack.com/. You can also support the show on Buzzsprout at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1542814/episodes or at the link at the bottom of these show notes.

Have a comment, question or suggestion about the show? Contact Al by clicking on the “Send us a text” link just above.

1:26 Kendall joins the show

2:25 Kendall gets inspiration from a Joni MItchell print in her home

5:05 Kendall recalls the experience of hearing Court and Spark for the first time

8:14 Kendall talks about the influence singer-songwriters have had on her own songwriting

11:55 Kendall pinpoints the features of Court and Spark that grabbed her attention right away

14:35 Al talks about what surprised him about Court and Spark

Discussion of specific tracks

19:11 Help Me

21:00 Free Man in Paris

24:00 Help Me (the bridge)

27:36 People’s Parties

29:44 The Same Situation

32:07 Car on a Hill

33:13 Down to You

38:49 Twisted

43:16 Trouble Child

44:03 Raised on Robbery

48:53 Kendall’s final thoughts on Court and Spark

50:49 Kendall details the circumstances that led her to make Space

57:27 Kendall talks about writing “How to Do Nothing”

1:01:42 Kendall explains why Space is a special album for her

Outro music is from “Stereo” by Kendall Jane Meade.