Product Details

• Actors: Joni Mitchell
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Shout Factory
• DVD Release Date: August 24, 2004
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002S94OI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,862 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Nearly 15 years after its initial release on VHS, Joni Mitchell’s critically acclaimed Refuge Of The Roads concert film is available on DVD. This legendary 1983 show, filmed on a soundstage at the end of a successful tour, is highlighted by her version of "Woodstock" (a hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young), "For Free" and "Raised On Robbery," as well as clips from intimate home movies shot during the tour.

Mitchell’s love affair with jazz/rock was in full swing during the tour, and she brought with her a great band: keyboardist Russell Ferrante (Yellowjackets), guitarist Michael Landau, bassist (and husband) Larry Klein, and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. The ensemble seamlessly wove elements of jazz, pop, rock and folk together, while Mitchell’s incomparable lyrics gracefully floated above it all.

Track Listing:
1. Wild Things Run Fast
2. Raised On Robbery
3. Refuge Of The Roads
4. Sweet Bird Of Youth
5. Banquet
6. You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care)
7. Solid Love
8. God Must Be A Boogie Man
9. For Free (aka He Played)
10. You Dream Flat Tires
11. Chinese Café
12. Underneath The Streetlight
13. Woodstock

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mitchell's best documented live performance, September 22, 2004

By 

Michael Logan (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joni Mitchell - Refuge of the Roads (DVD)

"Refuge of the Roads" documents Mitchell's 1983 "Wild Things Run Fast" tour. In support of one of her weakest albums, it's her finest live show. All of the songs from "Wild Things" sound better here, and Mitchell has boldly reimagined some of her older songs--most notably "For Free." A precious-sounding track from "Ladies of the Canyon, " here "For Free" gets a newly-written bridge and a stunning performance. Other highlights are a muscular, rock take on "Banquet" from "For the Roses," and my favourite versions of "Woodstock" and "God Must Be a Boogieman." The video-verite clips filmed in airplanes, limos, hotel rooms, and empty venues are fun, too.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 2nd favourite Joni DVD., March 3, 2005

By 

O-Town (Sac-Town) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Joni Mitchell - Refuge of the Roads (DVD)

I can't for the life of me understand why most people brush off Joni's "Wild Things Run Fast" album as forgettable. I adore the record and I LOVE this film from the subsequent tour. Joni's voice is in better form here than on "Shadows & Light", I think, and I love how she rocks out with the boys. Speaking of, the band kicks some major ass on tracks like "Wild Things Run Fast", "Banquet", "You Dream Flat Tires" and just about any song that lets them expand the form a bit. The stage antics of the guys singing "God Must Be A Boogie Man" are a riot, as are those shorts! Every song here is wonderful so I'll just list off my favourite performances:

Refuge Of The Roads (it's just a brilliant song every time round)
Sweet Bird Of Youth (lovely performance, the opening footage and keyboard intro sets the tone perfectly)
For Free (my favourite performance of this tune)
Underneat The Streetlight (the footage behind this one is magical, exhilerating)
Woodstock (haunting as always)

Again, every tune on this DVD is phenomenal, the band is great, Joni is brilliant, and the extra footage is quite endearing to watch.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I found myself a place to hide . . ., October 11, 2004

By 

M. Harris "Mike Harris" (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Joni Mitchell - Refuge of the Roads (DVD)

An engrossing if a bit uneven snapshot of Joni Mitchell early in her post-popstar phase. The sound isn't the best, and many of the visuals have a home movie ambience -- probably because that's what they are -- but the artistry is wonderful. Joni's rendition of "Banquet" is intercut with some remarkably apt clips from an old and unidentified (at least to me) film. And her reworking of "For Free" is out of this world and alone is reason enough to buy this DVD. Joni has always seemed much more accessible in live performances than on her beautifully-executed but carefully crafted and controlled albums. Her accessibility and artistry come through loud and clear on this DVD.