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A Tribute To Joni Mitchell
by Nonesuch
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$18.98 |
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$14.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$3.99 (21%) |
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Audio CD
Publisher: Nonesuch
A Tribute to Joni Mitchell features a strikingly eclectic roster of artists who share Mitchell's fierce intelligence, musical sophistication, and boundary-pushing experimentalism. The creative interpretations of some of her best-known songs illustrate Mitchell's breadth as a composer and lyricist while putting something of a unique flavor on the chosen songs.
Tribute records live or die by the performers' ability to interpret the subject's work in new and inventive frameworks, or by how well they evoke the spirit of the original recordings. Joni Mitchell's poetic folk and jazz offers infinite possibilities for the former, which makes the notion of this collection by indie rockers, pop divas, and country and folk practitioners most appealing. Not surprisingly, for most of the men it turns out to be more of an intellectual exercise than an emotional foray (Elvis Costello's harder take on "Edith and the Kingpin," Sufjan Stevens's jumbled sonic landscape on "Free Man in Paris"). But there are some breathtaking performances from the women, starting with Björk's wide-eyed cover of "The Bojo Dance" and moving on to Cassandra Wilson's mahogany-voiced "For the Roses," Emmylou Harris's devastating reading of "The Magdalene Laundries," and Sarah McLachlan's goosebump-raising "Blue," where her vocals approximate Mitchell's so thoroughly some folks might be fooled. Hands down, the most peculiar track is Prince's doo-woppy "A Case of You," which nearly defies description. The project got started in the late '90s and was finished only recently, which probably accounts for a stilted unevenness and seeming lack of continuity. Think of this as an interesting companion to Mitchell's vast and vital body of work. But the revered Lady of the Canyon doubtless deserves a far more comprehensive and well-executed homage. --Alanna Nash
| Customer Reviews: |
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| If you Love Joni the way I love Joni |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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When I was young in the 60's, of course, we all heard Joni and loved her...she was big, she was everywhere and a hero. I am now in my 40's and something about Joni Mitchell's work and life moves me more than ever. Her music for me has gone from popular to profound. Songs that seemed simple are not, lyrics that danced, do more than that now, so much more... and I vow, Joni is truly one of the great singers and songwriters of our day, transcending her craft into true art. What do I like about this CD? lots, but more than anything the way these pros love Joni, are grateful to her. you can feel it as they sing her work....Prince will knock you over and Lenox singing Annie, well, I felt like water listening to it, so smooth, so beautiful, so real. If you love Joni, you will enjoy, if not be moved through this tribute by truly unique singers.
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| Excellent: A Must for Every Fan of Joni's Pre-Hejira Period |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This album is excellent. I recommend it highly. Every fan of Joni Mitchell's early (i.e., pre-Hejira) work should hear this. I play it all the time, and I have to admit, some of these covers have grown on me so much that I nearly prefer them to the originals!
The most imaginative transformation is heard in Sufjan Stevens's "Free Man in Paris," a completely new, brass-driven composition related to Joni's only through the lyrics--a very interesting approach.
Another standout is Brad Mehldau's "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow," which he does as a solo piano piece. He introduces a rhythmic ostinato in the left hand (bass) to imitate the pulses and syncopation of the original accompaniment. Like the Stevens, this is a very intelligent reimagining. I also happen to prefer Mehldau's solo playing to his ensemble work--he's an enormously skilled pianist and arranger.
Bjork's "Boho Dance" is icy, silvery, magical, and yet surprisingly soulful. This is the main cover I've come to prefer to Joni's.
Elvis Costello's "Edith and the Kingpin" is a lot of fun. His singing is very expressive, and the arrangement really captures the feel of a sleazy lounge.
Annie Lennox's "Ladies of the Canyon" makes use of a pedal point, ostinati, and tinkling sitar-like instruments to approach the Eastern mystical sound-world of the Beatles's "Tomorrow Never Knows." It's really hypnotic.
The contributions from Prince, k. d. lang, James Taylor, and Emmylou Harris are surprisingly (refreshingly, satisfyingly) understated.
The only piece I don't like is Sarah McLachlan's "Blue." This cover just doesn't contribute anything in terms of helping us to understand the original; it's just a cover, complete with a nearly spot-on imitation of Joni's vocal performance, sort of like a fan doing "showing singing." And the gutteral cry of what is arguably Joni's singlemost important song is undercut by the airy, wispy, Lillith Fair-ishness of the arrangement. Ugh. But if you're a McLachlan fan this track won't bother you. In any case it doesn't ruin the album for me.
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| Excellent (7 out of 12 cuts) |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The 1st 5 cuts are boring uncreative fare.
Wow, do things take off on Prince's cut - contemp R & B / gospel / jazz but what a vocal performance and such an original arrangement.
The rest of the cuts are also top class. Creative and so "right" and musical they more than make up for the first 5.
Highly recommended.
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| Sufjan Stevens' "Paris" IS a tribute |
| Customer Rating: 3 out of 5 |
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Wow, tough room. Still, I think Sufjan Stevens' "Free Man In Paris" is a fitting tribute in this collection. For, whatever you think of the final result, clearly he was inspired by Joni and this is the result, rather than just another tired cover.
Carry on, Sufjan!
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| Long Time Waiting for this |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This album is the result of a tribute to Joni hosted by TNT Network almost 5 years ago. While some find this missing a few cuts or some of her most popular songs, it is nonetheless a wonderful album. What's unfortunate is that many who buy may not have seen the actual broadcast that was touching and very well produced. It's a shame that TNT didn't release the video of the broadcast. I've been listening to kd Langs version of help me for almost five years from my saved tape; it was the most memorable performance for me during the concert and she did it barefoot; we can always count on kd to buck tradition!
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FREE MAN IN PARIS - Sufjan Stevens
THE BOHO DANCE - Bjork
DREAMLAND - Caetano Veloso
DON'T INTERRUPT THE SORROW - Brad Mehldau
FOR THE ROSES - Cassandra Wilson
A CASE OF YOU - Prince
BLUE - Sarah McLachlan
LADIES OF THE CANYON - Annie Lennox
MAGDALENA LAUNDRIES - Emmylou Harris
EDITH AND THE KINGPIN - Elvis Costello
HELP ME - k.d. lang
RIVER - James Taylor
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