Travelogue [Enhanced]

Joni Mitchell | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 19, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B00006X06U
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,801 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

JONI MITCHELL Travelogue (2002 UK 21-track 2-CD album set featuring recordings from her fabulous live performance where she was backed by a 70-piece orchestra 20-voice choir and backing band featuring Herbie Hancock and Billie Preston... the first lady of singer/songwriterson top form)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stunning Journey Well Worth Taking, November 22, 2002

By 

Paul Katz (Hollywood, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Travelogue (Audio CD)

Joni Mitchell's TRAVELOGUE is a stunning, superlative work.

Capitalizing on the success of her last album, BOTH SIDES NOW, Joni has had 22 of her own pieces arranged for full orchestra by Vince Mendoza. Joni admirers probably need no further urging, so I encourage people who may not be familiar with Ms. Mitchell but love both traditional orchestral / jazz arranging and/or poetry to pick this up.

If you *are* familiar with the original versions of these songs, it may be a little jarring to hear them arranged in such a manner at first. Once getting past that, there is no question this is an album of startling reinterpretation. Never before has the poetic nature of Joni Mitchell's lyrics been so powerful or crystalline clear. There is never a musical arrangement that overwhelms her crucial words. It all mixes together flawlessly.

Every track from start to finish is a winner. However, my personal favorites are "Hejira" (with a gorgeous string arrangement taking the place of Jaco Pastorius' brilliant bass work on the 1976 original), "Amelia," with dreamy, soaring strings and horn in place of Joni's guitar, the haunting "Love" and the perfect jazz of "You Dream Flat Tires" and "Be Cool."

The packaging for the album is quite elegant & beautiful. We're treated to a full color booklet featuring various paintings of Joni's accompanied by lyrical quotes from appropriate songs. The 'Enhanced CD" portion accessible in a CD-ROM (via Disc One only), contains even more. Joni's latest paintings are featured in a "gallery" to browse through.

Also on the CD-ROM, you can read the lyrics to each song (from either disc) on it's own page and hear that song concurrently. You can't listen to all 22 songs in continuity using this feature (you have to keep clicking back or ahead), but it is amazing that so much material is housed on one CD. There is also a separate black and white booklet for the lyrics alone.

As someone else stated, this is music that demands attention. Be in a quiet spot when you first listen; I guarantee you will be moved. Treat yourself to this incredible journey through Joni Mitchell's life and world....and if you haven't already, pick up BOTH SIDES NOW as well!

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars very edgy, November 26, 2002

By 

Jim (Richmond, VA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Travelogue (Audio CD)

Someone once said that art that offends no-one isn't really art. This recording proves that. It is pleasing and disturbing at the same time.

I have all of Joni Mitchells's recordings. Since I prefer the Miles Davis-inspired albums, this one works for me, musically and artistically. What is unsettling is the over-the-top full orchestra arrangements and Joni's now-limited voice range. For reasons that elude me, as they age, many singers seem to want full orchestra back-up. I'm thinking of the late recordings of Billie Holliday, recent Shirley Horn recordings and Sinatra recordings where the orchestra overpowered his failing voice.

The unexpected sound of this recording makes it challenging and artistic. In that way she joins an elite group of interesting woman singers like Marianne Faithful and Pattie Smith, although Mitchell is far more the poet and musician. She is a real artist who challenges herself not to repeat herself. She isn't satisfied in making things pleasing. I am not sure,however, that the post-modern spin on her earlier songs does them or her justice. I get the feeling that the music arranger and coproducer controlled the sessions, which I am sure was not the case.

I miss the lonely guitar work and the voice that had maturity yet didn't seem to be straining. If you are wanting the Joni Mitchell sound of the past, you'll find this recording foreign.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Epic epitaph, November 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Travelogue (Audio CD)

This is an epic and astonishing work. This is not merely a rehash of old material, but a song cycle made up of startling and revelatory interpretations of familiar and less-familiar songs in Mitchell's songwriting canon. It's an overwhelming experience, that demands your attention. This is not casual listening. The album takes the naked emotionalism established with her recent interpretations of "Both Sides Now" and "A Case of You" on the last collection, to new heights. Special note should be given to Vince Mendoza's expressive and cinematic orchestral arrangements. It has been said this is the last recording for Joni Mitchell -- whether that is true or not -- it has the feeling of a summation, yet despite its inherent nostalgia, points towards the future and hope of great and lasting music. A landmark album for Joni Mitchell, and one to measure all others for the ages.