New Joni Mitchell releases – the three original albums revisited

Gearing up for next week’s release of “Remastered and Expanded” double disc versions of three of Joni Mitchell’s great albums, from the mid-1970s – Court & Spark, The Hissing Of Summer Lawns, and Hejira (see yesterday’s post), I’ve ripped the original albums to iTunes and have been hammering the Playlist on random for hours.

It’s marvellous music – the start of Mitchell’s grown-up music, following the callow warbling of her early years. Perceptive writing… lovely singing… rich, varied instrumentation… .

Recommended.

As a reminder, here are the tracklists of the original albums:

Court And Spark (Asylum, 1974)
Court And Spark, Help Me, Free Man In Paris, People’s Parties, Same Situation, Car On A Hill, Down To You, Just Like This Train, Raised On Robbery, Trouble Child, Twisted

The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (Asylum, 1975)
In France They Kiss On Main Street, The Jungle Line, Edith And The Kingpin, Don't Interrupt The Sorrow, Shades Of Scarlet Conquering, The Hissing Of Summer Lawns, The Boho Dance, Harry's House/Centrepiece, Sweet Bird, Shadows And Light

Hejira (Asylum, 1976)
Coyote, Amelia, Furry Sings The Blues, A Strange Boy, Hejira, Song For Sharon, Black Crow, Blue Motel Room, Refuge Of The Roads.

A trio from the very top of the rockpile!



Gerry Smith