CD Reviews

Joni Mitchell has often dabbled with jazz in some earlier recordings, but her new release, Both Sides Now, is possibly one of her most ambitious works to date, taking us through an incredible journey of what she refers to as, "A History of North American Romantic Love in the 20th Century". This selection of standards has Mitchell singing with surprising insight and emotion. Recorded during three days at George Martin's Air Studios in London, this recording reveals to us the strength, subtlety and range of Mitchell's incredible vocals. "You had to make it your own the only way you could," she recalls. " You had to [bring] your own experience to it and just bring out the drama in a way perhaps that hadn't been done." Accompanied by orchestra, skillful and intelligent arrangements by Vince Mendoza and with solos by Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock and Mark Isham, Mitchell takes the melodies of these songs and in her own way makes them sound almost contemporary. She forces the feeling out of every line, with out crossing the point that could easily turn these pieces into a parody. Among the songs chosen for this endeavor are, "At Last", "Comes Love", "Sometimes I Am Happy", "Stormy Weather and "I Wish I Were In Love Again". Two of Mitchell's own pieces "A Case Of You" and the title track "Both Sides Now" are also included.

In a recent interview with Billboard magazine Mitchell complains "It just seemed like a reminder had to made of what the bloody stuff is supposed to be, you know? And who was great. Today, you see all these little puff creatures with unbeliev-ably little talent. That's what the record company wants."

For me the surprising highlight of the CD is the recording of the title track. Mendoza creates an ambiguous orchestral background that balances Mitchell's vocals creating a powerful, disturbing performance. Shorter's wrenching saxophone solo builds the piece and the CD to an emotional and satisfying conclusion.

One of the latest stars on the English folk scene, Kate Rusby with her latest release Sleepless, continues in the same vein of her first release "Hourglass", capturing some wonderful songs in a simple and earnest manner with her pure, sweet, expressive voice. Accompanying herself on guitar and piano, the producer, John McCusker, deftly adds whistles, flutes and accordion that only emphasizes the quality of these traditional compositions. The fresh-ness and spontaneity shines through on every track. After the first listening you are hooked and with a wonderful selection of material, this should be a definite in anyone's collection.

Fans of Patricia Barber will be glad to hear of her new release, Companion. Taken from live shows at The Green Mill in Chicago during July 1999, this CD includes the composition "Touch of Trash", from her ModernCool release, reviewed here in the November 1999. This recording captures her performances of Sonny Bono's "The Beat Goes on", Bill Withers "Use Me" and Santana's arrangement of Peter Green's "Black Magic Woman", among other self-penned works. This CD displays another side of Barber's work, skillfully performing more popular songs in a jazz format. More nightclub in style than ModernCool, we hear Barber communi-cating directly with her audience in a very relaxed manner.

For those wishing to understand in more detail the development of jazz, Ted Gioia's History of Jazz, is highly recommended. Gioia, one of the founders of Stanford University's Jazz Studies program and a jazz pianist in his own right, has also produced recordings of work from younger west coast musicians. In this book, he skillfully and intelligently describes for us the social and historical milieu that prepared the stages for the subsequent development of the major styles, from the pre-history of jazz in the late 1800's, on to the Jazz Age, Swing Era, through to Modern Jazz, with thoughts and insights on the status of jazz today. Even though concentrating on musicians in the US, he also scans the development of jazz in other countries in the world. Gioia tells this complex story with ease and many tongue-in-cheek asides. For the beginner as well as the long-time jazz aficionado, this is a great reference book that can be referred to time and time again. A listing of seminal recordings is also included.