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October 6, 2007
Joni Mitchell - Shine - 2007
This summer Joni Mitchell released a new album, her first in 9 years.
I've listened to it quite a few times now and here are my impressions.
One Week Last Summer: This piece is gorgeous! I love the piano and the lush sound of the other instruments, synthesized though they may be. Bob Sheppard's alto sax compliments the surprisingly organic sounds of the synthesized instruments. She does a good job on the instrumentation though I would love to hear it with all real instruments. I love the recording of the piano, it sounds great!
This Place: That voice! Her voice is so expressive and unique. I never get tired of it. Her other instrumentation is every bit as unique and interesting as her guitar playing. This song has such a wide open arrangement, with the steel guitar reverberating in the back ground. It really gives you a feeling of open spaces.
If I Had A Heart: If I had a heart it would break at this song. Another beautiful, lush arrangement. The lyrics are haunting in these times of war and greed. Her phrasing is, as usual, wonderful. It's like her piano and vocals are performing a dance with the other instruments.
Hana: Wow! This track catches you off guard after the first three. I listen to all sorts of music, so combining elements from different genres is always interesting to me. The percussion sounds like it came from The Prodigy. With the slightly distorted kick drum, to the constant shaker it drives the song along nicely. Another gorgeous, lush arrangement, but this time interspersed with distorted sounds. Bob Sheppard's soprano sax sounds playful and jazzy at times. "Light the lamp."
Bad Dreams: "The cell phone zombies babble through the shopping malls" This song is a place of rest after Hana. While it is lush and peaceful, lyrically it may just fill your heart with despair. Haunting is the word I would choose to describe this one.
Big Yellow Taxi (2007): One wonders if she did this reworking of her classic tune to reclaim some ownership of it. Hearing this one there can be no doubt that it is hers. It's refreshing and organic, and it easily makes one forget the Amy Grant and Counting Crows versions of more recent years. She has such a wonderful knack for arrangements that you would never think would go with the lyrics, and this is such an arrangement. I'll never forget the version of Woodstock from Shadows And Light, it gave me the same feeling of a song being bourn anew. The message is as relevant today as when it was first released.
Night of The Iguana: Brian Blade's drums and Larry Klein's bass are the heartbeat of this one. The rest of the instrumentation is the blood. Joni's voice is the breath. You can visualize the scenes she paints with the brush of her words.
Strong and Wrong: Such a soft voice making such strong statements. Such emotion in the melodies, harmony, and instrumentation.
Shine: This song is basically a prayer and would be even without words. Sonically it reminds me of Sting's take on Little Wing from ...Nothing Like The Sun or Chick Corea and his Elektric Band II performing Space from the Paint The World album. Very open, peaceful and soothing. Like all the other songs on this album, it will make you think.
If: This song is probably the most radio friendly of the album, but that doesn't make it bad in any way. It's just more conventional in it's sound. It still has that lush, jazzy sound, but is more traditional in it's presentation. I've been listening to a lot of Steely Dan recently and this reminds me of some of their stuff. Pop with a jazz sensibility.
I highly recommend it.
Joni Mitchell - Shine at Amazon.com
Posted by Mike at October 6, 2007 2:45 PM
Comments
Very nice review of her album, Mike!! Makes me want to hear it
I'm in Windows right now as we've been having trouble with the motel's wireless internet connection again. This morning I was able to get on in the breakfast room with Windows when I was not able to connect by booting into Mac. I'll try the Mac again as they did reset their wireless router at the desk and that's why I'm on at all.
Posted by: Dad at October 6, 2007 7:19 PM
When do I get my copy?...can't wait...I've always liked Joni....
Posted by: Bill at October 7, 2007 12:17 AM
Sounds good Dad.
And Bill. A copy? Why that would be illegal.
Posted by: Monolith aka Mikey ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://merelyadequate.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at October 7, 2007 6:41 AM
Promise... I won't tell
Posted by: Bill at October 7, 2007 9:06 PM
I agree with your Dad, Mike. You wrote an excellent review. Have you ever thought of doing music reviews for newspapers, cause I think you would be really good at it.
Just a suggestion! 
Posted by: robyn at October 11, 2007 1:30 PM
Nahh, I don't think I would like writing reviews because I would have to write negative things and I don't really enjoy that side.
Posted by: Monolith aka Mikey at October 11, 2007 1:38 PM
Mike,
I really enjoyed your reviews on all of these songs. I know Dad has a tape of them, and now that I have read your reviews, I can't wait to hear them. You are good at what you do, in all areas . Thanks for sharing. Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Mom at October 20, 2007 10:28 AM
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