Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark

Painter-turned-folksinger Joni Mitchell had slipped stark saxophone solos into her prior album, For the Roses, and her singing had often hinted at a capacity for bluesier fare than her guitar- and piano-framed confessional ballads offered. None of those hints prepared fans for this sudden, expansive shift toward a much larger canvas--a sleeker, orchestrated pop style pulsing with jazz elements. Court & Spark found Mitchell casting aside her earth mother affectations and revealing herself as the thoroughly modern, thoroughly complicated woman she is; the songs sustained familiar preoccupations with relationships but replaced courtly settings and naturalistic imagery with recognizably modern locales. Deeply romantic, constantly questioning, classic tracks like the title song, "Help Me," "Free Man in Paris," "Same Situation," and "Raised on Robbery" display a more liberated Mitchell, ready to rumble with unbridled electric guitars (guest Robbie Robertson on "...Robbery"), even willing to poke fun at her own oh-so-sensitive rep with a hip cover of Annie Ross's hilarious "Twisted." --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com essential recording

Simply put... the best.

Simply put, this is the best album of the best singer/songwriter of the twentieth century. December 8, 2008

Again and again the same situation

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R39BHB4U6TD0R4 My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!! November 13, 2008

There is nothing like this

I bought this on vinyl back in the day. I have always been a little wary of it because the whole album is so good that "you can't eat just one," I end up listening to every song, maybe twice. Then the songs haunt me for days and I keep coming back to them. I get stuck in the dark mood, something bad is just about to happen (Car on the Hill) but Joni is beckoning - Come on, this is just like pop music, it's just a little bit outside your comfort zone. How about some comedy (Raised on robbery). Twisted seems accessible but it's nuts. Free man in Paris is very accessible and hard to get out of your head. It's about someone who can barely deal with the stress of his job. I love it, but listening to it makes me want to hear the rest of Court and Spark. Da capo. All in all, it is an astounding achievement and I am happy that I can put it on my iPod whenever I want to. (But sometimes I don't, because shuffling to one of these songs can knock me for a loop.)

The lyrics on paper are a great group of poems. They are incredibly quotable. Adding the great, inventive, unique music makes a very, very powerful statement. November 8, 2008

'Stoking the star maker machinery, behind the popular song.'

Court and Spark not only ranks among my three favorite Joni Mitchell albums (the other two being Blue and Hejira), it is arguably Joni Mitchell's best album. Certainly it has been her most commercially successful. Its 1974 release marked a radical departure for Mitchell, infusing her definitive folk-rock sound with elements of pop without any compromises. In many ways, Court and Spark is Mitchell's watershed album, with a perfect arrangement of meticulously-crafted pop songs and Mitchell classics ("Help Me," "Free Man In Paris," and "Raised On Robbery"). Her hit single "Help Me" became Mitchell's first and only Top 10 single. The album features an impressive list of backing musicians: Tom Scott on woodwinds and reeds; Joe Sample on electric piano; David Crosby and Graham Nash on background vocals; Robbie Robertson on electric guitar; Jose Feliciano on electric guitar; and even Cheech and Chong on "Twisted." The complete album tracklist includes:

1. Court And Spark 2:46
2. Help Me 3:24
3. Free Man In Paris 3:03
4. People's Parties 2:15
5. The Same Situation 2:57
6. Car On A Hill 3:02
7. Down To You 5:38
8. Just Like This Train 4:24
9. Raised On Robbery 3:07
10. Trouble Child 4:00
11. Twisted 2:21

G. Merritt
June 16, 2008

Always true to her music

Mitchell is an artist who has always followed her artistic instincts with big payoffs. It is a testiment to her talent and dedication that her music and lyrics are of high quality. Although Court and Spark is arguably her most commercial work she still experiments and push the boundaries of her comfort zone. I suspect that she could be a poet if she wasn't musically inclined. One of the few artists who has achieved fame and respect without resorting to skimpy costumes and gimmicky videos. I've been able to listen to her songs over many years and never tire of her beautiful voice. In these days where American Idol tries to find bland safe singers, it's good to take a look back and listen to a true artist. May 27, 2008

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