Big Yellow Taxi // Joni Mitchell // POMPLAMOOSE

I felt inspired to do a little baritone uke cover of "Big Yellow Taxi" and it turned out sadder than I expected, but I'm ok with that. This is one of my favorite Joni Mitchell compositions...maybe the first song of hers that I ever heard. She really is an insanely good songwriter.

A cover of Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" by Pomplamoose.

MUSICIAN CREDITS
Lead Vocals / Baritone Ukulele: Nataly Dawn
Keys: Jack Conte
Bass: Nick Campbell
Drums / Percussion: Kyle Crane

AUDIO CREDITS
Engineer: Bill Mims
Mixing/Mastering: Caleb Parker

VIDEO CREDITS
Director: Dom Fera
DP / A Cam: Ricky Chavez
B Cam: Merlin Showalter
Gaffer / Key Grip: Arjay Ancheta
Production Designer: Genevieve Parkes
Wardrobe: Elle Olsen
Assistant / Wardrobe: Alex Allen
PA: Chris Modl
Video Editor / Colorist: Athena Wheaton

Recorded in Los Angeles.

#Pomplamoose #JoniMitchell #BigYellowTaxi

LYRICS

Pave paradise, put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
Pave paradise, put up a parking lot
They pave paradise, put up a parking lot

They took all the trees, put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged all the people a dollar and a half just to see 'em

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise, ​put up a parking lot
They paved paradise, ​put up a parking lot

Late last night, I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi took away my old man

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?

[Pomplamoose]

This was the last session we did before my surgery (update: it went well, and I'm glad to have some time off to heal). I didn't think that I was wearing my feelings on my sleeves that day, but when I watch this video it's clear that I had a lot on my mind. Sending lots of love to you all <3

[cloudbuster]

It is a sad song, and even more actual than 1970.
Sad is your occasion - and even more so do we appreciate your voice brightening our hearts, and are happy that our "big taxi" has not come yet. Thank you for staying with us. It is ok to be sad.

[Solidfact]

Well...this one snuck right up behind me and got me in the feels. I have to say that your voice shows a level of vulnerability that I hadn't heard yet and really works with the lyrics to yank on the ol' heartstrings. Beautiful, leaves me with a tear and a sigh.

[AdamBragg]

The singing is so beautifully raw, at times ALMOST off key, but never quite as the melody shines through. The subtle playing of everyone from the subdued drumming, to the almost invisible keyboards and the gentle bass line that just carries the song along like a heartbeat even when the singer seems too overwrought to sing. It's all just perfect.

[TheNotedHero]

Silence was one of the most well-employed instruments in this version. Excellent execution. So good!

[bigdaddyo]

That, dear Nataly, was the sum of all your emotions culminating to a voice that hits the center of your heart in an instance. I personally am truly overwhelmed hearing this honest, pure and vulnerable voice. It’s a one in a million voice and I am so glad I can hear it 🎧

[kro-art]

good surprise this music band, thanks for sharing

[juliablizin]

Joni is the Gold Standard by which I see through to all others. You did so very well, Nataly, on this spin of yours. (Yes, Jack, there IS a melody.) Love the minimalism; very nice, very profound by everyone. Less is more for Pomplamoose this time!! Glad you've had your surgery; let the waves rush over you until they are through - we are all just passing through this time while reaching for the higher planes to come. Thank you for another extraordinary song performance.

[iansampson]

As a melanoma stage 4 survivor I appreciate what you are feeling and going through. Hope all is well.Live life to the full.

[Willetta]

Oh jeez rip my heart out why don't you! This was a beautiful cover, thank you for it. Sending all the healing magic ✨

[thendrix]

You did Joni proud. So beautiful. Big hug from Louisiana!

[benthehost]

Love the chord structure, so different and sporadic

[richardvaughn]

Crazy good - every deviation from the original added to the depth of meaning. Outstanding.

[canidae]

Painfully beautiful! Wow. Thank you so much

[seelion]

Thank you Pomplamoose. I now know about breathing life at its finest. Bravo!

[jdwoods]

You could have killed me with this one, lol. I don't think I breathed from 'screen door slammed' until the tension resolved 30 seconds later. Great great stuff.

[michaeljordan]

I don’t understand how people are physically able to hit the down thumb after listening to this. You guys are brilliant! I love this but even if someone doesn’t like this, you still have to appreciate all the talent that goes into arranging something like this.

[Elise_Shiny]

Wouldn't surprise me at all if buried somewhere in a tape vault is Joni recording it just this way. Your cover reminds me of the dulcimer progression in "California." I only pull out my Joni Mitchell vinyl if I'm in the mood for a good cry, but this song was always "safe."...until today that is. Excellent.

[stubbsd]

Please… put this in a time capsule. When those on this Earth long in the future find it, they’ll learn in this one song what true, raw, glorious musical artistry was all about in this time. Heal gently, Nataly. Come back to us when you’re healthy and rested and inspired. You and Jack and all who make music with you are entirely worth the wait.

[timdavis]

You are so beautiful when you are vulnerable....one of the most 'real' recordings I've heard of yours.