My selection today is, “My Secret Place”, a favorite on the album, “Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm.” Joni is nothing but the supreme songwriter on the topic of relationships. She’s also very good at jazz and musical innovation. The whole album is ear candy.

From wikipedia: Chalk Mark in a Rain Storm is the 13th studio album by Canadian singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell, released in 1988. It was her third for Geffen Records. In early 1986, Mitchell and Larry Klein visited Peter Gabriel’s Ashcombe House recording studio in Bath, England. Since Gabriel had mostly finished his album So by that time, he offered Mitchell and Klein the use of his studio if they wanted to record. They did, and the result was the track “My Secret Place” which was a duet between Mitchell and Gabriel. The first official single from the album was “My Secret Place”. Released in March 1988, it “bubbled under” for a few weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The video, shot on grainy, atmospheric black & white film featuring Mitchell and Peter Gabriel, got some airplay on VH-1, where it premiered in May 1988. Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female at the 1989 Grammy Awards…

Other favorite songs on “Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm” are Dancin Clown, Cool Water, and Snakes & Ladders.  What is very impressive are how many well-known singers back her up in the songs. Here’s a list:

“My Secret Place” Peter Gabriel

“Number One” Benjamin Orr

“Lakota” Iron Eyes Cody, Don Henley

“The Tea Leaf Prophesy” Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman (Wendy & Lisa)

“Dancin’ Clown” Billy Idol, Tom Petty, Manu Ketche, Julie Last, Larry Klein, Michael Landau

“Cool Water” Willie Nelson

“The Beat of Black Wings” Benjamin Orr

“Snakes & Ladders” Don Henley