A Tribute To Joni Mitchell

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 24, 2007)
• Original Release Date: April 24, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Nonesuch
• ASIN: B000NJXCG2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #56,186 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disapointed. Where are the other cuts?, April 25, 2007

By	It's Me, "Really" (Houston) - See all my reviews

This tribute was announced almost ten years ago, and it seems to have undergone a transformation since then. To be fair, there are some interesting additions such as the Sufjan Stevens and Brad Mehldau tracks. And Emmylou Harris is brilliant. But Sarah McLachlan's "Blue" has been heard before as has Prince's "A Case of You." Earlier reports indicated contributions from heaviweights like Steely Dan and Lindsey Buckingham. I sure would like to have heard what they would have done. Even more disappointing is that Joni's Hejira-Mingus era albums are mostly ignored - and that was her best music, in my opinion. As a final indignity, it sounds to me that too much compression was added in the mastering phase, and hence the overall sound quality of the CD is lacking in dynamics.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Peggy Lee Syndrome, May 1, 2007

By	Larry D (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

(Three and One-half Stars) While I must admit to a bit of what I call The Peggy Lee Syndrome ("Is that all there is?") concerning this collection, the fact is, when it's good it's very good; and when it's bad - well, it's never actually bad. At it's worst, it's merely baffling, and that comes right off the bat with Sufjan Stevens' complete re-write of "Free Man In Paris". Stevens doesn't just play around the melody, as a jazz singer might; he ignores the original melody entirely, substituting one of his own. It's not a bad song - it just isn't Joni's song. Notwithstanding some fussy studio tricks, Bjork's take on "The Boho Dance" is a note-perfect faithful cover; although her odd phrasing (she'll take a breath in the middle of a word) makes me wonder if she actually understood the lyrics. Brazilian singer/songwriter Caetano Veloso turns "Dreamland" into the 'Carnival in Rio' ride at Disney World, which is not a bad thing. Pianist Brad Mahldau's "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" reveals that without Joni's lyrics, "Sorrow" is not one of her most engaging melodies: Mahldau punches atonal clusters with his right hand, as if to make up for it. Jazz diva Cassandra Wilson sings "For the Roses" as written, in a key so low her voice sounds considerably more masculine than Sufjan Stevens'.

Prince does "A Case of You" as a late-70s slow jam (like some forgotten B-side by the Stylistics), using only verse 2 ("I am a lonely painter") and the chorus, and singing the entire piece in a flute-like falsetto -- take THAT, Robin Thicke! It's easily the high point of this compilation, and should be released as a single - Prince could use a hit. With the fluttery, fragile beauty of the annual choir concert at a high-end girls school, Sarah McLachlan's "Blue" has been around since at least 1995, but is no less pretty for that. Similarly, Annie Lennox's "Ladies of the Canyon" was the "B-side" of the CD single of "No More I Love Yous" back in '96; but it's lovely, and frankly, I can't seem to find fault with Annie, try as I might. But both those cuts pale compared to Emmylou Harris' gorgeous reading of "Magdalene Laundries". One of Joni's better late-career songs, "Laundries" is showing a surprising versatility: Joni has recorded it with the Chieftains, while in Emmylou's capable hands and incomparable voice, one would swear it was written as a country ballad.

Elvis Costello turns "Edith and the Kingpin" into late-night small-band jazz - one can imagine him in a sharkskin suit, microphone and cigarette in the same hand. He seems to be channeling Mark Murphy: his "Edith" is reminiscent of Murphy's version of "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" - which is a good thing. k.d. lang's "Help Me" is pretty (I don't think she's capable of less), but oddly detached: there's no longing here, only beautiful notes. Finally, James Taylor delivers what may be the best cover of "River" (one of Joni's most covered tunes) ever. Instead of "Jingle Bells", he interpolates the melody of "Good King Wenceslas" (like Nina Simone's "Little Girl Blue" - coincidence?); and whatever time may have robbed of JT's voice, has been more than matched by an enveloping warmth. He has sounded younger, but never better.

69 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Sloppy Tribute, May 2, 2007

By	Avalon Don "Avalon Don" (Huntington Beach, California United States) - See all my reviews

This is no "Return Of The Grievous Angel". Sadly they use admirers of Joni Mitchell's music instead of artists who would really know how to make some decent renditions. This CD is good for about three listens before it ends up collecting dust in the music rack. James Taylor and Sarah McLachlan fit for Joni's style (Folk, Jazz & World) and that is about it. Who should be here? Pat Metheny, Shawn Colvin, C.S.N.& Y., Jackson Browne, Judy Collins, David Wilcox, Richard Thompson, Arlo Guthrie, O'2L, Steely Dan, John Gorka, Carly Simon, Laura Coyle, Robben Ford and Loreena McKennitt. Maybe even Rickie Lee Jones and Joni could kiss and make peace. Let's try a second tribute and get this right. The booklet by the way is a joke. A 2 Star only for Sarah McLachlan's "Blue". Avoid unless you're one of those collectors from A to Z on Joni Mitchell. She deserved way better than this. Save your $$$$ and read the other honest reviews which I didn't.