Joni Mitchell - Hejira
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Free Music Notes for Hejira
Free Music Review: Wowee Zowie
Hit: 5 Stars
One of my all time favorites. I never EVER get sick of this disc. There's not a bad tune in the lot. Stand outs for me include "Song For Sharon", "Amelia", and "Coyote", with "Furry.." and Refuge..." close seconds. Although Joni always seems a tad obssessed with the opposite gender, especially on this disc, she isn't afraid to say it- which makes for a very self-reflective, personal, and beautifully crafted piece of work for sure. What a classic- positively masterful and a must-have for anyone who is searching for that all elusive "desert island disc". Pop it on in your car and drive; just wait-you'll understand.Free Music Review: Her Greatest
Hit: 5 Stars
I was gratified to see all the reviews here stating that this is Joni Mitchell's best album. Let me add my voice to the throng. As beautiful as her earlier works are, this is her first that really delves into the inner workings of the artist. And even though the instrumentation is stripped to the basics, she does this with a variety of moods: jocular on "Coyote," coy on "Blue Motel Room," ecstatic on "Black Crow Flying, and wistfully melancholic on the album's three greatest achievements: "Amelia," the title track, and "Refuge of the Road." The only song I don't like much is "Song for Sharon," which is about 7 minutes too long.
I was at a concert once where she said that Hejira is the album she likes to play songs from most. It's no surprise.
Free Music Review: A Reason To Be Attentive And Satisfied
Hit: 5 Stars
The long and short on 'Hejira' is that the music built around the fretless bass playing of Jaco Pastorious is pretty and minimal.On the longer end Joni's lyrics as always convey a series of images,all designed for either a physical or emotional effect.As is typical of Joni Mitchell's mid 70's material the music on this 1976 recording seems to have a life of it's own and belong to no one style-kind of soft folk-rock mixed with sudtle jazzy grooves,all taken at low key tempo's.
As the cover illustration indicates Joni Mitchell's main lyrical subject matter is the road as a metaphore for life,such as in the stirring title song.Along the way Joni pays tribute to to apparent influences-"Amelia" Earheart and musically on "Furry Sings The Blue",the imagry of Memphis,Beale Street and W.C. Handy flying about in every line.Typical for Joni the dencely layored lyrics contract with the sparse musical backup but catchy melodies like "Coyote" and the swining style of "Blue Room Motel" work there way in and out of these songs.
The individual who keeps their ears open and listens carefully to the imagry that Joni conveys will find themselfs almost entranced.Even if it seems like alot the music is always worth something,along with the Joni's always lovely singing.Generally speaking this is just as wonderful as any of Joni Mitchell's finest recordings but as with all the rest it has a special quality all it's own,in this case marking her transition into a more heavily jazz influenced sound.Not one of the nine songs will dissappoint for sure.
Free Music Review: AMAZING
Hit: 5 Stars
This is one of Joni's BEST Recordings because she really opened herself up in order to heal. Any recording she did with Jaco Pastorious is worth having in your music library. When the two collaberated it was pure magic, Joni brought out the best in Jaco and vice versa. One of the best songs on this selection is Song for Sharon. Some other notable songs are Cayote, Amelia and Black Cow. Joni's magical and soothing voice and Jaco's fluid and melodic playing embrace each other well. Do yourself a favor don't leave this page without ordering this selection and when your done here order Shadows and Light a Live recording from Santa Barbara, CA. Definately one of the best LIVE recordings of all time.Free Music Review: Pure and essential Joni
Hit: 5 Stars
This is easily my favorite collection of songs from Joni. The lyrics and musicianship are more intense and personal here than on any other of her works. The collaboration with Jaco Pastorius couldn't have come at a better time. Save for Black Crow and maybe Coyote, the entire CD is mellow, smooth. The lyrics are so purposeful and descriptive of her emotions and thoughts, she uses the English language beautifully. Even a bonus cameo by Benny Goodman on the title track hidden in there for good measure.
An easy-listening 50 minutes spread out over just 9 tracks, just 2 of them under 5 minutes in length. You can really get absorbed into a song without fear of it ending too soon. Rather introspective in nature, but she does well to throw in a light bit of humor now and then, e.g.
There's a gypsy down on Baker Street,
I went in to see her as a kind of joke,
And she lit a candle for my love luck,
And 18 bucks went up in smoke. (from Song For Sharon)
Like tragic opera, these songs are not bouncy and happy. The words can make one dwell on what she was thinking, the things she is trying to express, while the acoustic guitar and electric bass music weaves like a tapestry across the entire album.
28 years later, and I still haven't tired of this one, and likely never will.