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Sonically this album is a success. I have used this album to test audio equipment. Musically the performance tries appeal to both her pop followers and her folk followers. This where she was in her career. I have great respect for Joni Mitchell. While I was practicing classical and jazz, she was out there becoming a legend. This album highlights the transition from her early works to her pop era. For example, the first part of the album features the L.A. Express with Tom Scott. These are serious studio players who will make anyone sound better, even people who don't need it, like Joni. This is my favorite part of the album. The folk part is a bit more difficult to follow, perhaps because the recording or her enunciation, makes some of the words and phrases more difficult to follow. (Couldn't be my hearing, right.) (Just memorize the liner notes.) Anyway she was making the transition to her jazz era which is least accessible to most listeners, despite her talent. Some of that future direction can be heard here. Very few artists have careers spanning folk, pop and jazz. I consider this album to have captured a valuable moment in time, for any fan of this icon of the industry.Read full review
At one point Joni poses the question to the audience about the painter being asked to paint "Starry Night" over and over - And all I could think of was the Beach Boys :) What a great collection of songs - performed well with great production values on the CD. I've mentioned before that I love the "Laurel Canyon" crowd of singers - read some interesting books about that period - and felt amazed that so many of my favorite artists knew/interacted with one another. These songs never get skipped over when they appear on my "shuffle songs" playlist (in fact I wonder about the "Apple Big Brothers" because I often get a double shot of Joni). What a bargain.
This album features THE DEFINITIVE version of "Both Sides Now", when I have it on in my car, I sometimes play it 3 times in a row. Her versions of "Cold Blue Steel", "You Turn Me On". "The Last Time I Saw Richard" and "For Free" also eclipse the studio recordings. I only wish Court and Spark had been represented here as well.
This is the first live album of her career. It’s a good one. So young and fresh. I highly recommend this album!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is one of my favorite albums of all time. It is a live recording, and that is more exciting than studio.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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