Customer Reviews

Shine

5 star:		(81)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Joni Mitchell's first album of new songs in nine years finds her mourning the sad state of the planet, but with a newfound acceptance that all things have their place in the universe ("bad dreams are good in the great plan," as she puts it here, quoting her young grandson) -- including her own anger and disappointment. Despite the numerous Robinson Jeffers-like call-outs of money/corruption/greed/rage/war and the incivility of humankind, the album does not end up being disheartening, but the opposite. Her voice -- husky with age and chain-smoked American Spirits -- shines with a warrior's strength and defiance even in ragged armor, like Billie Holiday's late recordings. And most wonderfully, Joni is still pushing her music into vital new territory, foregoing the synthesizer-guitar textures of "Taming the Tiger" for piano, horns, percussion, and other warmly organic voices.

She boldly opens the album with an instrumental, which struck me as an ungenerous move on first hearing, but in the context of the rest of the album makes perfect sense on Joni's terms, which are the only terms on which she makes records, bless her. (Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young -- her true peers -- also specialized in weirding out listeners who expected more-of-the-same with each new record.) Every song gets a distinctive orchestration of its own, from the percolating "Hana" -- a portrait of an old movie heroine, an Irish bodhisattva disguised as a traveling maid, who had "a special knack for getting people back on the right track" -- to a playful reprise of "Big Yellow Taxi" rescored like French circus music. "This Place" has particularly sleek and engaging sound, blending lap steel, warm horns, and bright keyboards, with its reference to a neighbor in rural British Columbia who says, "When I get to heaven, if it is not like this, I'll just hop a cloud and I'm coming back down here..."

My favorite track on the album is the final one, "If," which advances the sinuous groove of "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" and "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" and other milestones into new realms. The lyric is paraphrased from a Rudyard Kipling poem, but Joni wrote the most stunning verse:

If you can fill the journey
of a minute
with sixty seconds worth of wonder and delight
then the Earth is yours
and Everything that's in it
but more than that
I know
You'll be alright
You'll be alright.

Fittingly, the title track "Shine" is the purest expression of the essence of this album. After reciting a litany of offenses against the spirit, she insists that the proper response is to "shine your little light" into every corner of your life. It's not polyannic New Agey jive, but more like the alchemy of heavy global lead into spiritual gold: with this song, Joni even transcends her own identity as an angry Cassandra issuing dire warnings to a culture that doesn't want to listen. She's no stranger to Buddhist subtexts in her work -- "Refuge of the Roads" on Hejira was, among other things, a tribute to the vajrayana master Chogyam Trungpa, and "Taming the Tiger" was an allusion to Tibetan meditation practices for quelling the ego's rages. In "Shine," the Buddhist analogue would be Dzogchen, the Great Perfection -- the recognition that everything is just right as it is, even the things that insult the ego and bruise the heart.

We're lucky to be alive on the same dying planet that she is.

(4 & 1/2 stars) Joni Mitchell's latest CD is a most welcome return, and worth the wait. This was obviously a very personal work, as she not only wrote and sang the tunes, she also played the majority of the instruments and co-produced! (Two notable exceptions to the one-woman show are Bob Sheppard's adept sax lines and some sweet pedal steel by Greg Leisz.) The songs are classic Joni, sometimes swinging, other times brilliantly introspective, always thought-provoking. Some will almost certainly be added to my list of Joni Mitchell favorites, particularly the marvelous "Bad Dreams." Lyrically, her poetic insights are most timely, with comments on our destruction of the planet, the blindness of elected officials, the climate of hatred and tension which pervades, but also some much more intimate observations. To echo what others have said, as striking as this album has been the first couple of times through, I think it's something I will grow to appreciate even more in the coming years.

It's a harvest moon tonight as I write these words and my life, to be honest, is in shambles. But it's also the release day of Joni's first album (of new compositions) in eons, so tonight there will be no hemlock, razors, sleeping pills or hangman's nooses. There will be musings instead.

FIRST, Wayne Shorter is not on this album; Bob Sheppard got the gig, and taking in "One Week Last Summer," the opening instrumental teaser, with an open heart, all is well... okay. Then, boom, the next track, "This Place," confirms (1) Joni is playing with a REAL (acoustic) guitar again (not that contraption she used on Taming The Tiger) and (2) her voice is STILL JONI.

Thematically, Joni continues her bittersweet observations of good & evil brought forth quintessentially with Turbulent Indigo. Her chords and melodies continue to roam unencumbered by market pressures. Ex-husband Klein again rumbles amorphously, drums patter unobtrusively, electronics whoosh abstractedly while Joni does her Joni genius sage thing in a lowbeat key.

If you're on the lookout for crafty pop hooks and clever poem twists, this might not be the vastest assemblage on a single Joni disc. No strings. Is it a keeper? Nobody gets to be 27 again, not even god(dess). If "Not To Blame," "Sunny Sunday" and "Last Chance Lost" still makes your playlist, then "Strong And Wrong," "Shine" and "Bad Dreams" will command your respect. Nothing quite as moving as "The Sire of Sorrow," though.

Joni doesn't sing about her affairs of the heart anymore. There are no motherhood revelations on display here. She sings, often sadly, of a world she likes to keep at a safe distance. Commenting on news stories, seemingly. And who can blame her? Most significantly, Shine features no new Joni paintings. Joni always did, and does, just what she wants - no more, no less. And we're lucky she deigns to communicate at all.

The only misstep is a new, unambitious version of "Big Yellow Taxi." (A backhanded acknowledgement of the Starbux push?)

My mother, age 71 and defiantly divorced, just finished the Appalachian Trail. That's a 2,000 mile hike, Georgia to Maine. I mailed her some cool earrings but maybe I'll mail her a copy of Shine, too. I love tough old broads.

What a great tribute to the ideals we all held so fast to during the 60's! Joni is alive and well...rasphy and sultry she still gets her message across. I enjoyed her new CD "Shine" so much I gave it to all my friends whom I love for Christmas! Pour a glass of wine, push "play" and sit back and enjoy every single delightful poem on this venture. The old girl still has a lot to say!To say it is easy listening would be rude, but easy it is ! Jazzy and earthy, the message of conservation and solutions comes thru loud and clear. And I loved it! So will you !

In the opening selection of this c.d., "One Week Last Summer", Joni does an autobiographical introduction. It's been 10 years since her last album. But the creative juices poured out of her, one night at the piano, and what resulted was a song cycle for the week, and an epilogue (Rudyard Kipling's "If", put to Joni's music).

Judging from this song cycle, Joni has had a bad week. She is not happy with you, caretaker of this island Earth. You have done a really cr@ppy job, in fact.

I mean, 40 years ago, you paved paradise and put up a parking lot. Now, apparently, it's a 10-story parking garage. You babble on your cell phone in shopping malls, while condors and whales die as a result of your sludge. You overpopulate this planet, and choose to "solve" the problem with needless wars. You overdevelop, selling precious earth to California. California! Home of that girly-man, Governor Ahnold! No wonder Catholic Priests are doing their dirty, filthy work, doggone their souls! No wonder you support "shock and awe"! No wonder your holy temple is in Vegas!

There's just one problem with all this. This c.d. is licensed to Starbucks. Starbucks? The folks that "Dr. Evil" and "Number One" spoofed in "Austin Powers"? (Well, it all makes sense if your creative juices were fueled by a $4.00 double latte that evening at the piano!)

But with all that said, before you Joni fans get to that neggie button and plaster yours truly, let me say this:

"Night Ride Home" from 1991 was, IMO, one of the most influential pop albums of the last 20 years. "Brilliant" doesn't begin to capsulize it. Musically, this c.d. has the same musical buzz about it as "Night Ride Home." Bob Sheppard (soprano sax) sounds as good on this one as Wayne Shorter did on that one (a controversial statement, perhaps, but I'll stand behind it.) While nothing on this one hits me at the emotional level of "Come in from the Cold", "Cherokee Louise," or "Ray's Dad's Cadillac," it still makes me think and want to listen more.

And it reminds me of why Joni Mitchell is the most influential pop musician on this generation of jazz singers. Erin Bode, Judith Owen, Sara Gazarek and Jackie Allen (to name 4 off the top of my head) owe huge debts to Ms. Mitchell, and all of the rest have their roots to some degree in Joni's music. No wonder Herbie Hancock did a recent tribute to Joni Mitchell. She deserves it.

I'm giving this 4 stars only to emphasize the brilliance of "Night Ride Home." But I do recommend it to all. Even if you like George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, you ought to give it a listen. RC

Joni Mitchell has enjoyed a career that spans all genres; she has dipped her toe in the lakes of folk rock, pop, jazz and world music, to name but a few of her musical adventures. Many fans would like to preserve her in the mold of " Blue" or " Court and Spark", which ever of these discs spoke to them in the most profound way. "Shine" proves what Ms. Mitchell herself has contended all along. She must be allowed to follow her muse. Given that freedom, she can produce some wonderous results.

Above all, Ms. Mitchell is a story teller of the first order, capable of poetically synthesizing complex events/emotions into musical form. " One Week Last Summer", the opening track, displays a gift for expressing inspiration without words. Revisit " Court and Spark" and see if this ability was not present in "Down to You". Mitch takes this and stretches it to accomodate her renewed interest in the musical arts. She has once again found her voice.

The concept ( all Mitchell recordings are concept driven) involves the insanity of war, both humanity against one another and the war we have waged with our planet. The remake of " Big Yellow Taxi" shows how relevant that song should have been upon its release thirty seven years ago. Joni saw it, yet few others did. With an accordian and slightly revamped lyrics she tries again to ring the alarm....albeit in a playful manner.

Maintaining a good heart is one of the secrets of life. Without claiming too much space it can be said that "Shine" encourages us to keep the faith, do our part, and mind the heart, regulating the cynicism inherent in living through modern times. The musicality is first rate, with Mitch playing the piano as well, or better, than we've ever heard. Highly recommended for Joniphiles and new fans alike.

Joni Mitchell has been my favorite singer since I was 18 years old, but I have to admit that I'm rarely immediately blown away by her new releases. The last time was the amazing "Turbulent Indigo". After such a long wait for new material, I was in equal parts excited to finally hear it and nervous that I wouldn't like it. I needn't have worried.

"Shine" is a wonderful CD!

Having listened to it four times already, I can honestly say that I love it. Starting out with the wonderful instrumental "One Week Last Summer", "Shine" remains lovely and poignant throughout. Some might be quick on the draw to dismiss it as just more of Joni whining about the world's woes as she sees them, but if you take the time to listen to the lyrics (and read along), you'll find that she is dead on. Something very different from her previous social commentary is the fact that, while Joni does decry the world's injustices, the overall tone is empowering... we all have the ability to change the course of fate. The song "Shine" really sums up the whole idea (or at least as I interpret it)... that whether what comes at you is good or bad, it's up to you to deal with life in a positive way. This is probably the most optimistic set Joni has ever done.

To my mind, there is not a false word or false note on here. Lyrically, I would say that Joni is as strong as ever, and musically, the sound is completely fresh, very atmospheric, and extremely well played and produced. As for my fear that Joni's voice would be weak and whispery, I actually think she sounds better than she did on "Taming the Tiger".

Each of the tracks on "Shine" stands on its own, but played in sequence they make for a really great set. One admission, and I'm probably on my own here... "Big Yellow Taxi" is the one slightly low point for me. While lyrically it fits the package and musically restyled it falls into place, it has never been my favorite Joni song (save the really great version she did in her concert "Painting With Words and Music"). It's not a bad cut... it just doesn't thrill me like the rest of the CD.

The packaging is really a departure for Joni. I always look forward to her paintings, but the photography is really stunning (or maybe it's just the dancers... geez, I need to work on my abs). There is a great clip on YouTube that has excerpts of an interview with Joni as well as bits from the ballet... definitely worth seeing.

All in all, I am thrilled with this CD, and so happy to see Joni in top form... thanks for this!

I won't say much at all here except that people who find this album depressing or suggest it is Ms. Mitchell's age that is responsible for fading artistry simply don't get it. This is classic Mitchell, doing what this woman has done her entire life... making provocactive statements with grade A music.

I have been a fan of Joni Mitchell since the mid 70's. It was a time when I finally developed a taste for a different type of music--something that not only had great melody but also had thoughtful poetry that created something inspiring and moving. I have her complete collection. Joni's music is something I enjoy very much.

It was a disappointment to read about her decision some time ago to stop making music. I have looked forward to this CD ever since I first heard about its release.

I enjoy the CD very much, a recording rich with fantastic music. Her voice is like electric velvet. The jazz influence is fantastic, and the lyrics are incredible. I hope she will continue sharing her musical art with fans.

Although a huge Joni Mitchell fan years ago..while in college and years after, I hadn't listened to her music for a long time.. until a recent tribute album came my way. That set the stage for "Shine" which I purchased with pretty much blind faith. This album grabbed me from the first listen. There are some sweet melodies that pack a visceral punch and soften and humanize her message. It is an extremely intimate collection of words and music. It feels optimistic and she sounds grounded and heartfull. The focus of the songs resonates with our times and our age. I listen to this album daily and find it just keeps getting better. I strongly recommend it.