Joni has never sounded better
Bruce Kendall | 03/28/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've read reviews that claim Joni's voice has become damaged by years of heavy smoking. Don't believe it. Joni is in top form on this CD. Every song is a winner.But do yourself a favor and don't fall for the "limited edition" packaging. It's very awkward, and is certainly not worth the extra money."
Exhilarating
jean-pierre leduc | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | 03/04/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The packaging is nuts, I agree, but the music is exquisite. I was especially moved by "Answer me, My Love," "A Case Of You," and "Both Sides Now." The arangements by Vince Mendoza are first rate, and the orchestra seems really committed - no hack job, this! I haven't enjoyed a record this much for ages, and I can't remember the last record that brought tears to my eyes. Really wonderful and subtle. Her voice has aged magnificently. Bravo Joni!"
Different
Bruce Kendall | Southern Pines, NC | 04/09/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've never thought of Joni as a torch song singer, but here she does just that. I'm not sure how I feel about her doing a Billy Holliday impression, but I think I like and dislsike it. I loved her Mingus influenced cuts previously and her other heavy jazz couture, but this one hits and misses for me.
"You're My Thrill," for instance, sounds too overly orchestrated and stylized, for my taste. I love the bare bones Joni on "Blue," or "Dreamland," for instance. This is too studied, too contrived for my taste.
I'm sure Joni fans will reign in positively for this CD, but it's her most "commercial" to date, if there can be such an anomaly.
As with any Mitchell album, there are are high points, however.
You can bet that her version of the Lady Day standard, "Stormy Weather" lives up to expectations. It's just that the cut isn't really exceptional, which I have come to expect from Joni. It's not like she she was lazy here, but she certainly wasn't progressing, as she usually does.
BEK
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