Customer Reviews

The Joni Mitchell Companion: Four Decades of Commentary (Classic Rock Albums)

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Reviewing this book is going to be as difficult as writing about Joni's music, because there are not enough superlatives in the language to say what needs to be said without redundency. This is an essential book, necessary reading for any fan or student of Joni Mitchell. Stacey Luftig has put together an extraordinary collection of reviews, articles, columns, interviews, pictures, and emotions that refect the vast ouevre of Joni Mitchell's work, from the first artist days in 1966 to the 3 July 1999 tribute in Joni at Central Park. The range of this book is incredibly vast. The casual music observer will be introduced to this most gifted artist. The dedicated fan will discover information and concepts that astound, even after thirty-plus years of loving and following Joni. Each album and the various phases of Joni's life and musical development are covered, with true insights continually offered in an accessable manner. Musicians seeking technical information on how to play like Joni will find their rewards, too. This companion book consists of well-selected pieces from the fullness of Joni's career to date, in an attractive, readable, and helpful format, with a thorougness and professionalism that makes this a serious study of things Joni. This is not a wild-eyed fan's tribute; it is a contribution to the literature on music and the study of this most complex and influential artist... and it is loving and fun... it has a great beat, and you dance to it! The contents of this book may have been available, scattered and uncollected, prior to this book's publication; to have this array of material in one place, accessable, is truly a companionable idea. This reader is in awe of what Luftig has accomplished in this major addition to our knowledge and appreciation of the gift and music of Joni Mitchell.

This was a really nice effort on Stacey Luftig's part. Joni has been the object of fascination and scorn for several decades, it's nice to have a compendium of sorts where the full picture emerges of a Canadian farm girl transformed into a folk singer, rock star, jazz dilletante, all the while maintaining her artistic integrity. She has left such an indeligible mark on the history of popular music. One major slam, though: it's incredible to think in a book with this much obvious research that Rickie Lee Jones would be confused (in the photograph with Bonnie Raitt) for Joni Mitchell. For shame...

I have elsewhere reviewed this book, and praised it. I see that this book is slammed because one picture of Rickie Lee Jones is identified as Joni Mitchell. That is not a reflection on the author but on the publisher. The printed material in the book is Luftig's great labor of love and compliation, great coverage of Joni's career. The publisher slapped in a few pictures and the publisher, not the author, is responsible for the mistake in identifying who is who in the picture. Then again, the publisher spelled Stacey's first name wrong on the book cover. I should add that I do not know Stacey Luftig but I admire her work, and it is unfair to blame her for mistakes that were not hers. The book itself is a rich resource.

What a great idea to compile reviews and articles about Joni Mitchell! I've saved a pile of clippings myself, but none cover the breadth and depth of what this book does. It is truly an achievement, and I thank the author for doing such a fine job. I know Joni Mitchell's songs "inside out", and now it's great to know their background, as well as other people's views. I got lost on the guitar tuning section, but I'm sure someone out there will appreciate the information.

The book itself is kind of cheesy, and that misidentified photo is a big embarrassment. However, no true Joni fan should be without this book, mainly because of the wide array of interviews it includes with Joni over the past thirty years. While the critical reviews and articles are mildly interesting, the real joy lies in reading Joni's own words from her interviews. In reading them, the Joni fan is bound to feel as though they have gotten to know her even more intimately than through her music.

After reading the compelling review by rdale, I purchased this book and enjoyed every word. As rdale says, Stacey Luftig gave "a really nice effort." I couldn't agree more. Only a sage or man of wisdom like rdale could penetrate the depths of this book in such fashion. And let me just add that it takes a true fanatic to notice the gaffe in the picture. I think even Joni may have missed that one. Kudos my brother, kudos!

For over thirty years Joni Mitchell has been famous for her contributions to pop and folk music: her songs today have begun to receive coverage from other contemporary rock and folk artists. This provides a companion to her music; revealing four decades of her work and including many personal comments on how the songs were composed. The interviews and insights will delight any Joni fan.

What a read! Luftig has culled together the absolute best of Joni-journalism. Even diehard fans will learn something new from the riveting biographical pieces. Music lovers will appreciate the astute discussions of her guitar technique, composition and lyrics.

Any Joni Mitchell fan will want this book (far, far superior to Brian Hinton's travesty of a few years back). Even those unfamiliar with Mitchell's work will appreciate this profile of a modern creative genius.

This book was a dream to read. The detail was graeat and set out a clear summary of the life times and, crucially, the artistry of the the incomparible Joni Mitchell.

Great work, a must for every Joni fan and music lover in general. Can't wait to see what Stacy's next work will be.