Reviews (page 2 of 7)
Prachtige stem performance Mooie mix van melancholie en hoop Soulachtige influences die mooi opzwellen met strijksecties Fantastische overgang naar jazz section bij Harry's House
The second JM album I've had this month, no complaints from me about that. This was probably the first JM album I ever heard, at a school friend's house, late 70s. it's beautiful album with a stellar line-up
This was my first time listening to this and I loved it, jazzy and insightful
are you fucking kidding me ????? how is blue the famous album ? five stars, absolute perfection. first song last song are insane and really made me feel something. long live joni mitchell
Joni adds a new dimension! Keyboards, guitar solos, big bass licks and a bit more of a rhythmic urge underpin the gorgeous lyrics and vocals present on her more stripped back work. Modern life is both fantastic and crap. Don't lose touch with yourself. My wife wishes it were more angry, but I think this album is beautifully cynical. Favourite tracks: The Jungle Line, Don't Interrupt The Sorrow, The Hissing Of Summer Lawns, Harry's House, Shadows And Light
"This is a popular music masterpiece... if you are looking for a nice, hummable ditty this is not the record for you... but, if you are looking for a singer/songwriter at the top of her game, doing music that, one can tell, is as exciting for her to do, as it is for us to listen to... and another thing is for certain... Joni is a great musician, who knows how to get up a hell of a band to reproduce her ideas... you may think i'm crazy, but she's like a female version of Frank Zappa in a lot of ways... totally original... Max Bennett and Wilton Felder play bass on this one... and you can hear how Jaco Pastorius could fit in with Joni... and, of course, he played on her very next album ane tour... Crosby and Nash with James Taylor sing backing on a tune or two... Joe Sample plays electric piano as well as Victor Feldman... Larry Carlton and Skunk Baxter are among the guitarists, and Bud Shank and Chuck Findley are a couple of the horn players... i would still pick "Blue" as her best album, but this one is great and i giv it Five Stars all day long."
I love her
Outstanding, as usual
genial
There’s always something calming and rejuvenating about listening to Joni Mitchell, like she’s somehow not part of this world. Timeless.
This is an interesting era for fans of Joni to grapple with. Musically, she was at her best, writing incredible songs and stretching the bounds of pop with her jazz pretensions. For me, the peak is Court and Spark, but this is a close second. Her persona, however, became increasingly problematic as she inhabited her Art Nouveau persona and did some straight up blackface on a regular basis, even appearing as Art on the cover of the record after this one. To be fair, none of that permeates the songs, not lyrically at least, and her appropriation of jazz musicians for a pop album is nothing that Steely Dan didn’t later steal from her and make a career of. Her use of the Burundi drums sample in Jungle Line predates the widespread use of sampling by a decade. The world music vibe of that track was also a decade ahead of Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel. And just pick any other song here for some of her most incisive writing. Edith and the Kingpin is my favorite but you could name any other track and I’d nod in agreement. So, I can tut tut at her very offensive public appearances and her interviews about having a black man’s soul while enjoying some of her very best work. Art not the artist and all that. But still, wtf Joni?
5/5 oh yeah
Avant-garde jazz-fusion Joni Mitchell?! Hell yeah!
awesome
Wow. I loved the other two Joni Mitchell records, and they were both folk classics but I was absolutely not prepared for this one. The palette is expanded so much here, there are so many new jazzy textures, whilst keeping the essence of what made her great in the first place. This is unbelievable, what a record.
9/10
Interestingly enough I have listened to one Pogues album five years ago, Rum, Sodamy and the Lash and thought it was alright. Perhaps too Celtic for my tastes (I'm not a fan of chamber music which lots of classic Irish music is based upon), but I didn't hear If I Should Fall Grace With God. I enjoyed this much more than Run Sodomy and Lash, much more refined and poignant with the material. Don't really care for the Christmas song, but the production and the whole ensemble around the band's sound was fantastic. Not fully my cup of tea or Guinness but I won't deny its importance or anything else.
Excellent record, rich and subtle.
was not my style but the instruments are really good and the singer too
Cool
Joni's first jazzier album and sounds great. Blue will always be my favourite as it has all the hits, but this is lovely too.
The instrumentation sounds very lush, and Joni Mitchell's songwriting sounds great and poetic as always
Wow, such a beautiful voice. I think this journey is giving me a better appreciation of folk music, and this was a gem.
Wow 😍 beautiful and gorgeous and pretty. I really liked Court and Spark, my last Mitchell album on here, and this sounded like a complete level up. The melodies! The chord progressions and jazzy touches! Very transporting. Must-listen #208.
Magnificent album. There are a lot of layers to this thing. A few listens in, no matter what instrument I focus on has something interesting going on. The piano solo in Harry's House. Good night nurse. It's obvious every musician on this record has mastered their craft. I've heard Joni called the greatest songwriter of the modern era, I can't really argue against that.
The lowest of Joni’s 5s for me but I’m a huge fan.
an incredibly beautiful album with incredible arrangements and beautiful story telling by Joni - was 5 stars in 1975 and 5 stars today!
in frances they kiss on main street isch jo preeeemium geil giti vom skunk baxter und de song isch de haaaammer mega kompliziert aber huuere geil. super joni. the jungle line huuuere weird aber i like haha. synthbass super cool und ihri melodie macht wiedermol iiiirgendöppis. ich ha das album glaub schomol glost, edith and the kingpin kenni au. super weirde song, bass mega geil, flöte und bgvs huuuere geil. boooh wies uflöst uf de schluss woooow. joooni. uf dont interrupt the sorrow tönt die akustisch gitarre sooo guet und wie d chords sich beweged und denn d licks vom robben ford ufde dobro bröööder. shades if scarlett conquering meh en gschichtliverzelle type song. sehr chillig super schöni drums. und mega cooli celli und so. hooo was macht d bridge? unglaublich schön joni. titletrack isch okaaay? nöd de best ufem album. boho dance meeega geil uiii. mega schöns klavier. ah isch sie selber wow. harrys house au fucking premium shit. centerpiece plötzlich meeega jazz standard time goooil. rieeese solo joe sample. sweet bird classic joni mitchell suuuper super schön. steel guitar maann wie geil. FUMF
This album represents the best of the 70s and why this decade continues to resonate with so many (me). I don’t have much time to write a full piece but I’ll start here: the genre blending of this record is nothing short of inspiring. You’ve got jazz that soothes the soul, folk that teaches lesson through excellent storytelling, and an avant-garde pop and soft rock style that combines ethereal chord progressions with high gain, indistinguishable instrumentals (see The Jungle Line). Some of these songs are just so entrancing if not beautiful. To be honest, something about this record stuck out more to me than Blue. Perhaps I am more accustomed to Joni’s work now and can thus appreciate it more, but I believe the variations of singing also may have done it. Of course, Joni’s always been one of the best pop singers out there since her debut, but I believe that she truly shines here in a way not widely seen today among pop contemporaries. I would go more into depth on the song-for-song ratings and overall sequencing, but alas this website once again decided to delete my thoughts from prior. And so I leave it with this: easy 5.
Magnificent, deep, layered, beautifully crafted, and such magnificent lyrics - "In France, they kiss on Main Street Amour, mama, not cheap display"
By 1975 Joni Mitchell was done being everybody's muse. She had been fitted through so many guises and scenes of other men's makings that they had begun to define perceptions of her. It was time she had her own muse, her own scene; her own guise was beginning to break through. The Hissing of Summer Lawns was the perfect start of that shedding of the skin. Signposts had been placed prior but here is the full on immersion of the experimentation that was sought. Whatever inroads there were when it came to Joni and her music, from this point onward, had to be hard-won and there was little to no easy path to take. Yet The Hissing of Summer Lawns remains a rewarding listen when one sits down and really dives into it and its renewed reputation over the years proves its worth.
For many years this has been my favourite JM album. Many people go for Blue, Court&Spark , Hejira (and others for all I know.) But this one has the perfect blend of beautifully crafted songs and bang-on performance with bits of jazz leaking in everywhere. I love it.
Joni > Dylan iykyk lol but seriously there are few artists who can come close to prime Joni Mitchell. Peak musicianship and incredible story-telling. Her voice is always so captivating. So many genres and so many special moments always bring me back to this one.
GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS (also the first album in almost thirty recs by a woman artist......)
Wowee preach it to me Joni! Preach sister!
I love Joni. This is when she starts getting far out jazzy but I’m here for it. Edith and the Kingpin goes so smooth
Joni can do no wrong, once again proving herself as one of, if not the best, songwriter of all time. Hissing isn't as cohesive as, let's say, Blue, but the tracks here are not afraid to play around with instrumentation and take harsh left turns that keep an already investing song interesting.
In France They Kiss on Main Street - 5/5 The Jungle Line - 5/5 Edith and the Kingpin - 5/5 Don't Interrupt the Sorrow - 5/5 Shades of Scarlett Conquering - 4/5 The Hissing of Summer Lawns - 5/5 The Boho Dance - 4/5 Harry's House / Centerpiece - 5/5 Sweet Bird - 4/5 Shadows and Light - 3/5 Average score: 4.5/5 stars (rounding up to 5) imagine hating Joni Mitchell lol i've only ever listened to Blue in the past but i'm super impressed by this album as a whole. obviously Joni's vocal performance is exquisite, but the jazzy instrumentals were complimentary and pleasant to the ear. Edith and the Kingpin stood out to me most out of all the songs but i don't really hate anything here as always, Joni don't miss!
My second favourite Joni Mitchell album. Lot of jazz inspiration creeping in. 5 stars
4.5/5
Not like other joni albums
Loved that.
Joni. Is there anything more I can say? Okay. Remember this is 1975. People still remembered folk Joni and adored pop Joni. She made fusion understandable, engageable, slithering into Central Park and hoisted by bandanned acolytes (okay the drummers on track 2). Did it escape from her house? Internet says the skyline is LA, but I saw the bungalows as Laurel Canyon plopped in front of the Empire State building, signifying her changing from pop songstress (LA) into jazz-inflected impresario (NY). Having Larry and cool bass along and that angel-shaming voice helped. I remember people hating this, but I submitted and came to love it. Joni.
We had few goddesses to worship growing up thus our monotheistic devotion to beautiful, beautiful Joni. Every listen she imparts more meaning and more beauty not only into these songs but also my life. In the mid 80s I spent a summer in Germany and could only take a handful of cassettes. I vividly remember unpacking Court & Spark and Hissing of Summer Lawns. I don't recall the other music I brought but I played these to the point I worried the tape would break. Yet, upon today's listen Don't Interrupt the Sorrow left me in a puddle of gratitude for all the ways Joni’s music has shaped my understanding of artistry, emotion, and storytelling. Hissing of Summer Lawns radiates feminine power—intuitive, unyielding, deeply perceptive. And this listen—after so so many listens—revealed layers I hadn’t noticed before. That summer in Germany, these songs became my companions, their poetry and jazz-infused melodies etched into my memory. And today, hearing Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow, I’m reminded why I’ve carried this album with me for so long. The richness of Joni’s voice, the hypnotic rhythm, the defiant lyrics—it’s as though she’s still teaching me something, still offering new truths wrapped in her singular genius. Few albums age like this, growing more profound with each listen. Few artists possess Joni’s alchemy of intellect and soul. This isn't just an album, it's an eternal conversation—one I’m grateful to return to, again and again. Animus rising. PS...Just notices that Charlie's Brat album is a a feminine wink, an acknowledgement of power to this album.
so jazzy and cute
There's a Joni album for every season and mood. Summer Lawns is my go-to all-rounder: the lyrics create impressionistic vignettes and characterisations that move in perfect tandem with the music. I love the Blanche Dubois figure in Shades of Scarlett and the lingering menace of Edith and the Kingpin. Probably one of my top twenty albums ever, and certainly in my top 3 of Joni's. One of the few artists I love so deeply that I feel irrationally offended when I see some of the reviews she gets on here!
Thank you, Joni, for the fine cloth that is The Hissing of the Summer Lawns! https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-the-hissing-of-the-summer?r=4ztyq&selection=0bfef931-94dd-46c8-af56-98f5750bd221&utm_campaign=post-share-selection&utm_medium=web
I thought that I'd completely understood Joni Mitchell's music before, but this one really surprised me. It's poetry, folk, jazz and avant garde all mixed together. This album is like a flower that keeps blooming and unfolding completely new and different layers with each listen. It should be jarring to shift between the different styles so abruptly. But it kind of works, particularly in a song like "Harry's House / Centerpiece" which really is two different songs stuck together but I still love it. I like "Blue" ok. "Court and Spark" was interesting, but not my favorite. "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" really hit a cord with me though. Enough that I probably need to revisit the others sometime.
This album is perfection. Beautifully sung and played. Joni rules.
Brilliant. Beautiful, biting social commentary, fantastically innovative production, Joni is so much more than folksy
Top. Songwriting.Qualität setzt sich einfach durch.
"The Hissing of Summer Lawns" is the seventh studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. The album continues her jazz-influenced sound from her previous album "Court and Spark" with more uncoventional and experimental material. It features sampling, synths (Moog, ARP) and contributions from jazz-rock groups LA Express and the Jazz Crusaders. Other contributors included David Crosby, Graham Nash and James Taylor. The album initially received negative reviews with critics saying the music didn't live up to the lyrics but the album has since been very much considered acclaimed. Commercially, it hit #4 in the US and #14 in the UK. "In France They Kiss on Main Street" opens the album with acoustic guitar, bass and an underlying piano. Very country-rock and jazzy. This sounds like Steely Dan and what do you know, it's Jeff "Skunk" Baxter on the electric guitar. It's about the coming of age in the 1950's during the rock and roll era. "The Jungle Line" samples the Drummers of Burundi and has a Moog synth. A plodding rhythm. She's paying homage to French painter Henri Rosseau and blends his work with the imagery of real life, music industry and drug culture. "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" is an acoustic-based guitar song. There's congas too. Stream-of-consciousness lyrics stressing women should stand up for themselves as individuals. "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" gives more of a soft jazz vibe. Trumpt, flute and sax accentuated. The Moog again. Subtle vocals as Joni sings about a woman stuck in a marriage where's she's just part of the man's portfolio. I think there's a reason for Joni's anger. "Harry House/Centerpiece" starts acoustically and adds trumpets and echoing vocals. The songs goes even deeper into jazz territory as it frames the jazz standard "Centerpiece" by Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jon Hendricks. Joni's lyrics are delivered in her typical storytelling style. There's a brilliant edge to the lyrics which was probably the result of touring in the male-dominated Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour. The accompanied music is somewhat adventurous covering jazz, orchestral, World music, electronic and experimental. I can see why it may distract some but I found it great matching her vocals. A definite must listen for all.
holy shit this is impeccable. i need to listen to more Joni Mitchell cause this is perfect
Fantastic album! Joni seamlessly blends jazz and folk with such harmonious finesse—it’s amazing how well it all works together. And Larry Carlton on guitar? That’s an automatic extra star from me!
YES. A masterclass in how to write interesting and surprising songs. There are elements of everything in here, but she obviously just did what she wanted and it naturally came out this way. It feels effortless and spontaneous. It's not even my fave Joni album, but still loving every second of it. "Coy and bitchy, wild and fine" indeed.
All time favourite Joni Mitchell album made in a period of an incredible string of albums.
oh joni, never ever change with your pleasant jazzy tunes and intriguing, poetic songwriting... this is another standard joni mitchell fair, however this one doesn't get afraid to dive into the earthy and experimental side, some songs having an african influence. i really do enjoy how joni writes, it's the kind of lyrical content that someone would write on a whim. on a walk, in a café. this album feels... human. does that make sense? human music. i like it!
Didn’t know this album. Wow! Beautiful music.
Enjoyed this one a lot. The jungle line is so innovative it surprised me. Time to do a Joni deep dive Rating: 4.6
Good album.
incredible album. can’t believe i’ve never listened to joni mitchell before today
The most amazing and appealing part of Joni Mitchell's music is her lyrics. I really believe its genius how she tells a story to a melody but kind of makes her own rules with how she does so. This album has a great mix of different musical styles to accompany her as well, which makes it even more interesting.
10/10. Loved a lot of the lyrics. Joni is one of my favorites lyrically in general and the style is so unique with amazing vibes. The frontend of this album specifically was super enjoyable thematically.
I think I went to heaven while listening to this album and so I listened to it a second time. I want to wander around in Joni's world forever. I don't know if it's her best album - I still haven't made it through her entire discography - but it's a 5 star album for me, and one I hadn't listened to yet. I have listened to Blue which is widely regarded as her best, but maybe this one will be a personal favorite. I'll let the recency bias wear off before deciding. I love this jazzy Joni.
Some albums are five stars because you get everything the artist has to offer and its wonderful. Joni Mitchell, and in particular this album, gets five stars because every time I listen to it I discover new things, new moments of melody, playing or rhythmic twists that it seems I've never noticed before. The finest Joni 'band' album.
I loved this album!
I got more out of this one than Blue; this is my favorite Joni Mitchell record.
Joni ….. youngsters won’t get it but this album is astounding. Just listen …….
Some of the best albums I have experienced are the ones which defy categorization and genre bend. Prime example, this one. I love how everything weaves around her vocals and narrative. This holds some very unique experimentation, too.
I've listened to several Joni Mitchell albums from the 70s, but this one is the most 70s of them, I think. That's not a bad thing. It just feels a little less timeless than the others. Favorite misheard lyric: "Edith Ann, the Kingpin."
Not familiar with these tunes from Joni, and some meander a bit more than I typically care to listen to, but Joni makes it all sound so wonderful!
Brought to mind a late summer supper of fresh tomatoes and basil and corn on the cob, chatting on the patio with friends in the fading light. Love.
A lovely album that was on the ramblier storytelling side of Joni Mitchell. Everything was new to me and I loved it!
This is when Joni was leaning toward Jazz influences and it was for the better.
Joni is someone who, like PJ Harvey - every time I listen to her, I'm like, "WHY am I not listening to her more?!".
The end of an Era
Nearly everything seems slightly off on this soulful record. The singing performance goes its own way - accordingly to the political, feminist and idiosyncratic lyrics. The instrumental backing is nicely off, too. Jazzy, arbitrary but also restrained im davor of Joni’s Voice without being castrated. 4.5
Loved the avant-garde jazz influence on this album. They are so subtle and so calm, not overbearing at all, just what I like. Fav song from the list has got to be Shades of Scarlet Conquering. Really digged this album.
Well, I’ve always thought I need to listen to a Joni Mitchell album. I’ve heard quite bit about her unorthodox guitar style, and interesting song structures, beyond her unique vocals. However, I’m not much of a fan of folk music, so I’ve been wary. Well, I listened, and WOW. I really had no idea. This is not what I expected! Among the things I read about this album is that the drums on “The Jungle Line” is essentially a sample, and possibly the first-ever. Not sure if the little horn part at the end of the drum loop is part of the sample or not, but that loop is fire. These songs really transport you when you listen to them. So many great little touches. Love that the album flirts with jazz for much of the album, and at one point one track just completely becomes a jazz tune. But yeah, I find myself so lost in the songs I become unaware of the song structure. Am I in a chorus? Is it a verse? A bridge? The songs just feel like you're getting a tour of some place you've never been. You take a right, you take a left, where are you? Who knows, who cares, it works. And that's some genius-level shit. I get why people love Joni Mitchell now. I like this album WAAAAYYYYY more than I ever thought I would.
One of the best ever
Creative and lushly arranged and a little weird in the right ways. Joni Mitchell's musical choices here are often surprising and adventurous, but still pleasing on the ears. The stories Joni weaves with her lyrics are vibrant and engaging, worth reading on their own as poetry. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): The Jungle Line, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Shades of Scarlett Conquering, Edith and the Kingpin, Don't Interrupt the Sorrow, In France They Kiss on Main Street, Sweet Bird, The Boho Dance, Harry's House, Shadows and Light
cetait super ( bring back joni on spotify)
A excellent understated album from a fantastic songwriter.
A second Joni in a row lfg
not on Spotify
4.75
It was like listening to a stone cat on mushrooms with a fur coat as a pillow
Joni Mitchell was always one of my blind spots so during quarantine a few years ago I downloaded a bunch of her albums. This one and Hejira really knocked my socks off.
All of Joni's albums belong in the top 1001. The Hissing of Summer Lawns isn't my favorite of hers but I definitely pull it out once in a while.
9/10. Glad to get a great album for number 1001, and one that I hadn't listened to yet, despite hearing it was really good after listening to some of the other Joni Mitchell album on the list. Definitely something I want to return to.
Vraiment un bon album de Joni Mitchell. super artiste ! Certains n'aiment pas le arrangemetns musicaux sur cette album. J'ai trouvé ca vraiment bien, mais c,est toujours la voix et les paroles de Joni mitchell qui se démarque. 5
great
Amazing!
There's little if anything new on the Hissing surface, and that dials the focus right to where it needs to be. There are plenty of places for familiar Mitchellian phrasing, including the bridge two-parter that works as the album-in-miniature. Happily not totally, though: Most tracks seem to be doing something a little bit outside while returning to the timeless voice in the end. Even the end end.
badass album. wish it was on spotify
This is my favorite Joni album, largely due to the curve ball that is "The Jungle Line." Nothing sounds quite like that song, it's both primitive and futuristic at once. The only thing I can think of that's even comes close would be by Bjork, who came about 20 years later. It goes to show you how Joni is far from simply being just some folky singer songwriter. On the rest of the record it's like she's fronting Steely Dan, seamlessly blending genres till you don't know how to classify it. Is it jazz? Is it rock? Is it folk? I don't know... but I know I like it. She even drew the cover for God's sake! A total artist.
Another excellent album from Joni Mitchell, although I find the experience bogged down by ads (I do respect her stance on Joe Rogan, but why would Spotify keep someone who says misinformation about COVID over two of the greatest artists of the 70’s, the other being Neil Young). Her lyrics are amazing, as always. One song that really grabbed me instrumentally is the proto-electronic ‘The Jungle Line’ - it just stands out from a lot of other things coming out in the mid-70’s. This challenge is helping me realize Joni Mitchell’s greatness, both from this album and C&S, so 5.
Not available in my country
I'm a Joni Mitchell fan but never ventured much farther than Blue. This is more experimental but truly excellent. Best song Edith and the Kingpin
so amazing. I live and die for Joni Mitchell
A classic
Yup. Thoroughly enjoyed this.
Feels like the first perfect day of summer. Jazz, folk, beautiful poetic lyrics. This might be my favourite from Joni Mitchell.
awesome album and super impressive for 1975 The Jungle Line sounds like if Tyler, The Creator produced the beat for a Björk song, and again to make a song like that in 1975 is extremely impressive overall, I love Joni Mitchell’s discography and this album is one of my favorites of hers, 10/10
mjög kosy plata mjög nice að hlusta á i like it a lot
A happy Joni Mitchel that I din't know! Loved it! Melhor música: The Jungle Line e Shades of Scarlet Conquering
Beautiful
Really liked it. Eclectic and interesting.
I was sort of dreading this after her more folksy albums, but it's kind of perfect. The sort of thing Air were trying to do, minus the tongue-in-cheekness.
Fantastic. The vocals and lyricism are breathtaking, and closing track was one of the biggest surprises in music for me.
One of my faves
Really nice album
Queen stays queen
Joni knocks it out of the park on this one. Summer feels with an excellent blend of nostalgia, melancholy, and ambience.
I mean, Joni Mitchell is classic, and surprisingly, I’d never actually listened to one of her albums. I enjoyed this one and would look for more of her in the future.
A couple classics
I’m so picky with my singers’ voices but Joni Mitchell has such a special one
My first time listening to this one from one of the all time great songwriters. A brilliant record, one I could probably give 5 stars to once I know the songs better. There’s an impressive range of sounds on this record, including some synths toward the end? Excellent.
Great album overall. Surprised by how much I enjoyed the album while also not really finding any tracks to be standouts
What a songwriter, what a voice. Who does it like Joni? You can hear her continuing the jazz influence from ‘Court and Spark’ that would fully emerge on ‘Hejira’, and I appreciate the production choices that play around with her voice. It’s not as weird as ‘Hejira’ and not as accessible as ‘Court and Spark’, but for what could be called a transitional record it sure is damn good. And it really all goes back to her writing: vivid, sharp, funny, honest, and always certifiably Mitchell. Thank you list, I am now a true believer. The bass on the title track had me ascending.
4/5
Poetry. I’m so glad for this, because I know she’s a legend, but I’ve never taken the time to sit in her library. This fits such a coffee on a weekend morning mood. I need to get her on vinyl. Listened to this twice, thumbs up on almost every song. The jazz tones are sublime, and she’s truly writing poetry and putting it over music. Deep, profound, lowkey, really beautiful stuff, but the one caveat I’ll add is that you really have to listen — the music is moody, but you have to pay attention, live with it for a while, to really let the vibe set in. Will now be scrubbing the rest of her discography.
i've never listened to joni mitchell before but this was a pleasant surprise. it was really chill, felt like sitting with yourself outside on a hot summer day with a cold glass of ice tea or something and watching nature. spoke to the english major in me lol
Cozy and pleasant.
... I've never heard this Joni album before. I'm delighted I have now. Love the synths, the jazz, the innovation. It sounds quite far ahead of it's peers compared to others of this era. Really interesting.
Yep I liked this one
Not my favorite Joni album but I’m rounding up because this deserves more love on here
Would have been cool if Jomi had chosen The Jungle Line as the opening track, it's mix of African drumming patterns and synths is quite ahead of it's time. I prefer her jazzier, more experimental side to straight up folk stuff, and the lyrics are always coming from an interesting perspective.
Jazz and patriarchy. What's not to love? Moog synth in The Jungle Line made a good listen. One reviewer stated "like listening to a painting". And Prince was a Joni fan, so there is that sway for me.
Possibly the last great Joni Mitchell album. Quite an introspective album, kicking off with in France they kiss on main street which is brisk and fun. The rest of the album never quite meets those heights but there are songs such as Edith and the kingpin which tell a wonderful story. Not quite amongst joni's best but not far off it.
muy dulce, bonito, con buenos sonidos, me gustó mucho
This album is like Steely Dan in drag. Very nice stuff. Here's a little homework for you. I searched "Joni Mitchell negro affectations" to figure out what those lyrics meant in "The Boho Dance" and came across a staggering wiki article on Joni Mitchell's use of blackface? It all seemingly started as a pun on her muse being her "Art" who, it turns out, is an imaginary black man who dresses like a pimp. She even "jokingly" referred to Muhammad Ali as a "jive-ass nigger". Joni, no. It's quite a wild read ✊🏿
She’s some lyricist
Another Joni Mitchell album makes the list. I already listened to her Court and Spark album, and seeing as I gave it five stars, I obviously loved it. Court and Spark was released in January 1974, and The Hissing of Summer Lawns was released in November 1975. Almost two years in between albums. Will there be a change? I’m not sure. It seems Mitchell wrote all the songs, though a couple had co-writers. Let’s just jump in, shall we? Track 1 is In France They Kiss on Main Street and it was the lone single off the album, though I’m not sure Mitchell was much of a singles act. Oooh, this is nice. It’s kind of Yacht Rock-ish. Oh yeah, Skunk Baxter is playing lead guitar on this song. James Taylor is singing background vocals. Baxter’s leads make this song sound musically like a Steely Dan song. Why was I ever afraid of Joni Mitchell? I think I heard her sing in the 1990s, and she was doing something weird at that time. It frightened me. This, though, this stuff is magic. Oh, David Crosby and Graham Nash are also singing background vocals. That song was fire! Track 2 is The Jungle Line, and it’s much different. The percussion is giving off jungle vibes, but it sounds like synths are playing the melody. It’s very mysterious. It sounds like an 8-bit video game. Wow! Apparently, this song is the first commercially released song officially credited with containing a sample. It’s a looping of drums from a song by the Drummers of Burundi. I was not expecting that. She not only used a sample in the song, but she also preceded the use of world music in her music before it became popular with Paul Simon and Peter Gabriel about 10 years later. The song is ahead of its time, but it’s too weird to really get into for me. Its groove gives me a Queens of the Stone Age vibe. Oh Lord. Check out this quote from Mitchell about the song. “I thought I was black for about three years. I felt like there was a black poet trapped inside me, and that song was about Harlem.” That’s brilliant. She went on to say people just thought the song was weird. It is. Track 3 is Edith and the Kingpin, and it sounds more like track 1. This song is about a gangster’s new girl coming to town. For Daredevil fans, and even for me, when I think Kingpin, I think the Marvel Comics Kingpin. But the word was just kind of generic until the character was created. Larry Carlton, who also logged some time with Steely Dan, is on lead guitar. This song is really good. It’s not like Track 1, Baxter’s guitar playing really elevated that song, but I love this song. Mitchell sounds beautiful. Track 4 is Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow and apparently, Mitchell sang the lyrics in a stream of consciousness style. The song is about a woman standing up to male dominance. This is a more chill song with acoustic guitars and some bongos. Very folky, especially the stream of consciousness lyrics. I know I made fun of Mitchell earlier, and she’s a bit weird, but most genius artists are a bit mad. She’s not afraid to take chances, that’s for sure. That’s admirable. The music gives me Crosby, Stills, and Nash vibes. It’s folk, but it has a groove. I really dig it. Track 5 is Shades of Scarlett Conquering and this song is based on Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind, or something like that. It starts with a piano and a vibraphone, I believe. It’s another mellow song, but not folk. This is more Yacht Rock. It gives me less Steely Dan and more Seals and Crofts. The musicians on this album are incredible. It’s hard not to have great songs when you have some of the best and most well-known jazz and rock session artists playing. Mitchell’s voice is so good on this song. Track 6 is The Hissing of Summer Lawns. I wonder what the hissing is? Mowers? Sprinklers? The song appears to be about a woman who is less a wife and more of a stock in her rich husband’s portfolio. Oooh, it starts a bit grimy for Yacht Rock. You can tell something’s up. The electric piano is really laying it down. It’s one of my favorite sounds in music. It really gets you in the mood for some messiness. Oh snap! We’ve got horns! This is easily my favorite song on this album. As usual, Michell shines on the track as well. I used to think she was overrated because I was an idiot. Now I think she’s underrated, as a singer, a songwriter, anything, really. Track 7 is The Boho Dance, and it's about people who believe that artists who become commercially successful have sold out their artistic integrity. All artists want to be able to live on their art. They also want the most people to hear or see their art. Why make it if not to share it and make a living? I wonder if we lost some artists who were gone too soon due to fans' assertions that they sold out? That pressure can mess with your head. Track 8 is Harry’s House/Centerpiece, and it’s more of the same. Just great music and Mitchell’s beautiful voice. I love that horns haven’t really been on this album until the last few songs. It really keeps the music fresh. The song is about a failing marriage and a traveling businessman dealing with the loneliness of the road. I wonder if Mitchell wasn’t feeling the same. A touring musician’s life has to be rough. I mean, we’d all trade our jobs for that life, but you see the road littered with the bodies of broken and battered music “superstars.” In the middle of Harry’s House, the song shifts into the jazz standard, Centerpiece, and it sounds incredible. Mitchell’s voice completely changes for this part of the song. She sounds totally different. Holy smokes, that piano solo is insane. I’ve got this turned up way too loud, but I can’t bring myself to lower the volume. Maybe I am a jazz guy after all. The song switches back to Harry’s House for about a minute before fading out. Great tune or tunes, I guess I should say. Track 9 is Sweet Bird and this appears to be the type of song I thought Mitchell always sang, a folk song. There’s an acoustic guitar and what I think is a steel guitar, but it’s most likely a slide guitar, as there is no steel guitar listed on Wikipedia, and they know all. In the middle of the song, a piano joins in, and the time signature does something weird and totally throws me off. The only percussion seems to be a guitar pick striking muted strings. At least that’s what it sounds like. This isn’t my favorite song on the album, but it’s not bad. She sounds incredible. Track 10 is Shadows and Light it’s just Mitchell singing with overdubs of her voice as backing vocals. The only instrument is, according to Wikipedia, an ARP machine. From Google, “These iconic machines are known for their distinctive, often ‘spacey’ analog sounds and were used by artists like Herbie Hancock, Kraftwerk, and to create the voice of R2-D2.” Yes, it definitely sounds spacey for sure. This song is weird. I mean, weirder than The Jungle Line. It reminds me of the keyboard solo that opens Bon Jovi’s Let It Rock from the Slippery When Wet album. It’s not bad, but it feels weird. Mitchell’s singing in this song reminds me of the sirens singing on O Brother Where Art Thou. The scene where Pete got loved up and turned into a horny toad. Well, that was a great album. It was both fun and weird, and I discovered it was the album she recorded after Court and Spark. I loved that album, and it was more jazzy and experimental than her previous albums, according to Wikipedia. I’ll be interested to listen to her folk albums that made her name. When the album came out, it wasn’t received well. I wonder if it was because critics were used to and loved Mitchell’s folk music and weren’t ready for her to experiment. One critic said the music wasn’t good, and the lyrics were the best thing about the album. That guy is an idiot. I loved the music on this album, and the lyrics are great, but Mitchell is a poet, of course, the lyrics were great. As time has gone on, more critics have come around to how great the album is, and apparently, Prince loved it. I loved this album too. I think it’s a great album, I’ll give it five stars, and I recommend you listen to it, especially if you like Yacht Rock or you don’t know Mitchell beyond her folk music style.
First song starts just on point Edith and the kingpin is beautiful :) is perfect for a sunday night odissea or morning with coffee and tea, vwey sweet bird is beautiful, reminded me of maggie rogers on her ballad era. shocked with the last song so beautiful made me feel moved.
Love Joni, this one is weird in an interesting way. Some of it’s great and some are just strange. A couple of songs seem to meander and I have trouble connecting to them. But most of the time the weirdness works.
I’m a big fan of Joni, especially her pre-1980s work. Hot take, I know. I think this album is great. It’s a 4 among a bunch of 5s. If I were making this list and was being selfish, I’d include this too. If I were being objective, I’d probably include 3 or 4 Joni albums, and this wouldn’t make the cut.
Started weak, but smooth. Assorted amounts of sounds here. More of this.
Im slightly in love with Joni Mitchell.
Pretty nice album I enjoyed this
God I love women. the album is so mellow but she keeps it interesting, I love the incorporation of jazz and her voice is amazing
This is good, I like a lot of the more experimental stuff and the more jazz inspired musical style. Overall I enjoyed it
I didn't like this quite as much as Hejira but that one took me a while to get into so it might get there. I liked the stuff that was closer to that style, the more synthesizer driven things weren't as strong for me...I didn't particularly like The Jungle Line, but it worked ok on Shadows and Light.
much more interesting than the first joni album we had
I quite enjoy the vocal style, and the lyrics are decent, but the instrumentals just feel very interesting to me, and I enjoy those even more.
This is not the Joni Mitchell I knew! Wow! Great album. I enjoyed it immensely and will have to add it to my library!
Another pleasant and nicely sung album by Joni Mitchell. Plenty of good songs, but a little lacking in energy compared to her previous album "Court and Spark". My favorite track was "The Hissing of Summer Lawns". My least favorite was "Harry's House / Centerpiece". The instrumentals on that track are a little too harsh. 3.5 stars.
The sound of Joni’s early work evokes such warm and comforting feelings. Her delivery, cadence, lyrics evokes such wonderful memories from my youth. This album is no exception. Great instrumentation and vocals.
Overall: 8/10 Another great, jazzy folk album from the canadian queen. Her voice is always so effortlessly beautiful, and I think the best parts of this album is when she lets the musicians let loose with the jazziness. I think I prefer Hejira a little bit but this is such a great mid period album from her. Fav Song: Shades of Scarlett Conquering
4.5/5
Perfect voice.
4/5. Though a folk artist, Joni Mitchell always took a lot of influence from jazz music and this record is where that influence shines most, creating a nice and breezy album that blends together folk, jazz and synths along with other elements. And this new sound immediately shows itself on the opening song “in France they kiss on Main Street” with its great bass-lines and slight time signature changes. And it’s a great tone setter for the rest of the album which also showcases Joni playing with new sounds while not sacrificing her musical personality. Great listen and like a lot of Joni Mitchell’s 70’s run, essential folk.
So far my favorite joni mitchell album ive heard. Great instrumentation and story telling from joni
natural, and also imaginative; simple and unadorned
She has a soothing voice. Soft smooth and summery. Joni is always good stuff.
Really cool
probably the worst Joni Mitchell album in this list so far, but still so far above others.
Interesting music arrangements behind a strong vocal talent.
Chill moody cool girl music. I like it
Quite a fun listen, I enjoyed it about as much as blue, I did find myself getting a bit bored by the end but I though it was well produced great musicality and great songwriting
Kinda like this one the most from her Will I listen to again: 60%
Loved it
This album is a journey. I really enjoyed her take on folk - felt very James Taylor meets America. Really interesting use of new instruments and were those synths i heard? I'm not even sure. Also! The opening song is probably my favorite opener of the series so far. Highlights: In France They Kiss On Main Street, Don't Interrupt The Sorrow, Edith and the Kingpin
I'm a fairly recent convert to Joni Mitchell, still in the process of exploring her wider discography including this release. It was my first spin and I liked it. A great inclusion of jazz into her mix. The standout piece in my opinion was Harry's House / Centerpiece, the piano solo really caught my attention. I also adored Sweet Bird with its more pure, traditional & open-tuned sound.
Beautiful arrangements and vocal work. Solid album!
very whimsical
This could be a 5 so good
After the stunningly great efforts of Blue (1971) and Court & Spark (1974), my standards for Joni Mitchell are high. The Hissing of Summer Lawns is a very respectable follow-up – but it's just a bit weaker. Like its predecessors, everything about the album is so soft, understated, beautiful. I do think Mitchell relaxes on the "hit factor" that made her previous work appeal to both music-geek crowds and wider audiences. And some of the tracks are too puzzling to really enjoy. Take The Jungle Line, an otherwise standard filler track from Mitchell... except we have a synth bass that's much louder than it should be. In a rare turn of events, I don't like the bass part here. It distracts from other elements (which are already few and far between). In France They Kiss on Main Street is an excellent jazzy opener that anticipates (or really, coincides with) Steely Dan's mid-to-late-70s signature harmonic sound (see: Night By Night, Sign In Stranger, Aja's piano part...). You could say this was a Dan cover and I'd believe you wholeheartedly. Those rapid-fire chords, sung with ridiculously complex voicings, are a great idea and I wish they'd caught on more in 70s mainstream rock. Harry's House / Centerpiece recapitulates the jazz fascination, this time not mixing it with any other genres. This is pure 1920s speakeasy music. And it's fantastic. Most of the remaining "good" tracks are just that: good (and nothing more). Apart from some wacky harmonies here and there, songs like Shades of Scarlett Conquering, Don't Interrupt the Sorrow, and The Boho Dance are straightforward mellow tunes, bordering on balladesque much of the time. I would like to see some more sonic variety on a Mitchell record at this point in her career. The title track does this excellently, sporting a meandering melody that takes from jazz and folk influences (though to be fair, this could describe most of her 70s output). Whoa! A song transition (The Boho Dance -> Harry's House / Centerpiece)! Mitchell's paying homage to prog rock, and I'm absolutely here for it. 4/5 Key tracks: In France They Kiss on Main Street, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Harry's House / Centerpiece
This didn't have the immediate impact that Blue had, but it's still very good. A strong four.
It's not Blue, which is ground breaking in its music and lyrics, but this shows what Mitchell could do if she stuck to a more traditional musical sound. And it's not half bad.
Different kind of Joni, but brilliant nonetheless.
Joni Mitchell is great, this is a solid album.
Shades of Scarlet, and shadow and light were the favorites
Lovely album, expansive and full of expressive emotions
An excellent follow up to Court n Spark. Musically adventurous but not as popular but still reached 4th in the Billboard album charts. Filled with reflective memories and feminist viewpoints.
top 3 - In France They Kiss On Main Street, The Jungle Line, Harry’s House / Centerpiece. Pretty good!! Haven't listened to this one yet and I'm glad I finally did. Joni is one of those artists I felt was just fine the first time I listened to her but overtime grew on me. Now I really like her :))
Fantastic collection of soft and subtle tunes. Some unexpected sounds—I really like the beat on “The Jungle Line”, which sounds like it’s backed with an ultra-crunchy guitar strumming. Super creative songwriting and arrangements, some of the songs are a little dry, but I think this is stellar!
Joni mitchell is so damn talented
Enjoyed more than I expected!
Amazing album, but c'mon you knew it already, it's Joni Mitchell. This one really stands out in her discography with its soft jazz arrangements. It's lush and feel good but very instrumentally ambitious and unpredictable. The first track feels like a warm summer afternoon spent outside in a small town by the sea. The second one has a much more eerie tone with dense instrumentation and some pretty unusual sounds but it captures a very cool vibe. It's a bit of a detour from the rest of the album with a more abstract structure to it. After that it bounces back to that comfy, elegant folk-singer-songwriter that we love Joni for. I don't understand how something can sound so soft and gentle and yet so emotionally intense and musically interesting. She also has this amazing ability to paint pictures and build an entire world with her words. It's like you listen to the song and you feel like you're right there with the singer. Needless to say I love this record, especially Shades of Scarlett Conquering, the title track and Sweet Bird.
This felt like the most interesting Joni Mitchell album I’ve heard so far. There are a ton of cool instrumentals here.
Alright, but a bit boring. Definitely great for her time.
This a real left turn on the "singer songwriter" genre. I like Joni, I think Blue is excellent (which we will discuss down the line) but I'd never strayed to her other music. The arrangement of this album is a bit nuts though, rhythmically this album is very unique even considering the contemporary jazz fusion elements. I think this album is impressively ambitious, musically very unique and it covers some very interesting topics such as suburban woes and standards of the patriarchy, but it does it in a strange manner. Musically it just doesn't quite match up with the expressions for me and while I imagine at the time the aforementioned topics needed to be spoken about and who better to do it than one of the most influential woman of the 70s and yet... instead of thinking about the topics I'm thinking "man this song sounds strange". Where the album is a touch more standard in its writing, like Shades of Scarlett Conquering and The Hissing of Summer Lawns, the album is absolutely lovely. Do not get me wrong, Joni can write and she can write damn well. I also think Harry's House/ Centrepiece is a far better attempt at writing a message into a song. Ultimately I think this album is good, well worth a listen and the bits of classic writing are magical and the other songs are worth a listen purely for being interesting in arrangement and implementation. Best songs: Shades of Scarlett Conquering, The Hissing of Summer Lawns Worst Songs: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 50/67 (above Madman Across the Water, below Zeppelin 2)
Beautiful stuff. Centrepiece was such a lovely song as well. Seeing so many 1 and 2 star reviews for this so high up was sad!
Canadian queen. Close friends with Elton John and together they are Brandi Carlisle’s biggest mentors. Grace loveeees Joni
Worth a revisit. Good at least as background music.
Intriguing piece of music. I enjoyed it and will probably come back later to it, but I also can definitely see why someone might utterly hate it.
Voice of angel
A fantastic dip into the jazz that was really the heart of Joni's musical vibe. Highly recommend it!
I liked Jazzy Joni, and anybody that collaborates with The Crusaders, and all the other names that contributed, gets an extra round of applause from me
Have been listening to this album for 10 years or so now. It's great, but not quite as good as Heijira, Blue or C&S in my opinion. Very ahead of it's time in a lof of ways. The only thing I don't love about it is that some of the lyrics are a bit too dense. The music and melodies are excellent though! 8/10
Primera impresión fue muy buena Creo que habla mucho del feminismo y eso me gusta, y más al entender la época en la que lo estaban haciendo. “Shades of Scarlett Conquering” es hermosa y una nueva favorita. Me encantan las canciones que cuentan la “historia” de alguien. Se siente como algo personal para mí. Muy bonitas letras y melodías de fondo.
Mitchell creates lovely soundscapes utilising flutes, sax and trumpets to compliment the light percussion played throughout. Ultimately it was those wind and brass contributions that won me over most of the tracks when I felt as if they weren’t strong otherwise. Often Mitchell is trying to fit too many syllables into a lyric, which in turn deteriorates from the lounge-like quality the instrumentals are providing Highlights: Edith and the Kingpin Shades of Scarlett Conquering Harry’s House / Centerpiece Low 4
Not quite on the level of blue or hejira but still amazing
A bold departure from her folk roots, this album saw Mitchell experimenting with jazz-rock fusion and early world music influences, notably the Burundi drummers on "The Jungle Line." Lyrically, it shifts from personal confession to sharp, cinematic social commentary, dissecting the emptiness and hidden tensions of North American suburban life. The production is sophisticated and lush, featuring members of the jazz-fusion group L.A. Express, which created a dense, multi-layered soundscape far removed from her earlier acoustic work. Initially polarized critics but is now considered a visionary masterpiece that influenced artists like Prince, Björk, and Lorde.
Good vibes icl
Gotta love Joni.
Love Joni
love this album, joni popped off with this one
I knew Joni Mitchell had a jazzier side, but I never heard it until now. The album sounds like a series of pantings, with vinettes contained in each but still with lots of mystery as if there must be more somewhere. It sounded like Pat Metheny could have been playing guitar on here. She was also able to turn her voice into a jazz instrument without scatting which I found really cool. I'm really curious about how these songs were written Honestly I'm just not the right audience for this, because the focus is not really on melodies or grooves but instead on the lyrics, but this does sound like an ambitious project and for that I do have respect. "Jungle line" is the best example of this for me. It was brutal to listen to for me BUT there was something captivating about it and it has the first commercial use of a sample and that is a legendary fact.
The queen of the 60s folk delivers a summer hit.
First time listen. Not surprised how it's slipped through, especially considering I've had the demos for 20 years. Beautiful.
Joni Mitchell is such a breath of fresh air, incredibly pleasant
omg i didn’t listen but JONIII I LOVE YOU
could listen to this woman read and write and sing forever and never want it to stop
Really enjoyed this. All the heart and soul of Blue but with a lot of experimental sonic elements and effects tastefully sprinkled in. Cool stuff.
A rich album fusing jazz and experimental sounds with Mitchell’s singer-songwriter approach. A little hard to get a handle on, but very good and deserving more listens. Best song: The Hissing of Summer Lawns
A bit too verbose, as usual
FIRST LISTEN. In France They Kiss on Main Street - I love the guitar and small sounds included in the background. The lyrics are great! The Jungle Line - Great and strong drums at the beginning along with the small sounding trumpets and other instruments. Seems to be about wanting to feel something more and experience more in the world and everything you'd fine outside (that can be very strange). At least that's what I've gotten from it. Edith and Kingpin - Great guitar and it's very soft and mellow sounding. About a man that seems great but isn't all that? Uses women for his benefit? The vocals are great and do last long enough to enjoy for me. The small sounds in it give me some goosebumps Don't Interrupt the Sorrow - Much more lively but relaxing. Drums are great and slow throughout the song. Not sure what the meaning could be. Probably one of my least favorites but I loved the beginning. I quite like the way she pronounces certain words in this song. Rebellion and sadness pop into my mind with lyrics. Also reminds me of a sunrise. Shades of Scarlett Conquering - The piano is pretty beautiful. The lyrics are pretty great and noticeable for a slower song like this, I can really feel what she's feeling. About a woman? Sadder side of things. Reminds me of the night and gave me some chills towards the end! (The end doesn't really have her voice and the instrumental sounds magical! The Hissing of Summer Lawns - Great beginning and it's really relaxing. Seems to be a song about a nice seeming man who tries to give a lot to her women but she seems to want more. Kind of sounds like it's out of a movie. The Bo ho Dance - Slightly slower than I was expecting it to be. Nostalgic sort of meaning? Some of the instrumental is interesting near the beginning and middle of song. Vocals are just pretty. One of my least favorites so far. Harry's House / Centerpiece - Very interesting beginning! Grabbed my attention and sounded like a siren or alarm like. It's like two different songs but I didn't find much interest in this material. Some of the instrumental sounds sweet but couldn't grab my attention for much longer. Definitely not an entirely bad produced song. Sweet Bird - Loved the beginning and instrumental mostly. Her voice is great as always in the track. Couldn't connect with it all the way.
Ya está atrás y...
Enjoyed it and even shared the last song with my sister who would have enjoyed singing it. Joni has a pretty unique sound with the head voice to chest voice flips, a little like yodeling sometimes. Classic.
Surprised! Nice bass sound!
easy listening made feminist
THE JUNGLE LINE >>>>>>>>>>
Relatively new to any other JM, but not what I expected. Way more avant garde
great album
This was a pleasant surprise! No idea what to expect with this. It was a bit TOO chill for my tastes but she has a great voice and I always like a good storyteller. I also liked The Jungle Line even though I thought it was just so, so weird.
Wow - turns out I was completely wrong about Joni Mitchell! This is great, jazzy but not proggy. No standout songs, it's all just good. Interesting melody, nice piano work and a fine voice. Top notch bass playing raises it for me.
This is an album that needs to be heard with full attention more than once, as evidenced in the bad reviews it got when released vs. the critical praise it receives now. This exists in a sort of transitional period in Mitchell's career, away from the folk singer songwriter prior to Court and Spark to the jazz pop fusions fully realized on Hejira. I think it takes a keen ear to pick up on what Mitchell is doing in some of these songs, since her voice seems to attune so naturally to chord changes and melodies that bob along. Her tapestry of lyrics are as if you combined Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen with singing abilities of Ella Fitzgerald. So you get poetic social commentary on culture, male-dominated society, individuality, fine art, and loneliness in modern life, all underpinned by jazz stylings and even some African drums and rhythms which predate Peter Gabriel or Paul Simon or the Talking Heads. Where this album falters is not in what's there, but what's missing. All of these songs are strong, but could have been elevated even more with the right backing musicians. I'm thinking of the energy in the live recordings of Shadows and Light, which feature jazz legends Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Don Alias, Michael Brecker, and Lyle Mays. That is to say, Hissing of Summer Lawns does not have the improvisational edge that many jazz recordings do, and it feels more like pop musicians playing jazz rather than the other way around. The songs are intricate and complex, but planned and contrived. There are a quite few adept session players in these sessions, including Larry Carlton and Victor Feldman, but overall something is a bit flat compared to the cohesiveness and spontaneity that you can hear in true jazz bands. Nevertheless, this is one of Mitchell's best and a must-listen.
Definitely won't object to more Joni Mitchell. In France They Kiss on Main Street - 8/10. The sound I expect from Joni Mitchell. Simple and clean. The Jungle Line - 4/10. This is a little out of the usual Joni Mitchell lane. I'm not a big fan. Edith and the Kingpin - 8/10. This is what I expect from Joni Mitchell. Don't Interrupt the Sorrow - 7/10. Solid. Shades of Scarlett Conquering - 8/10. Rich and velvety sound. The Hissing of Summer Lawns - 8/10. Not much to say beyond that this is very typical Joni Mitchell. The Boho Dance - 8/10. Jazzy and smooth. Very enjoyable. Harry's House / Centerpiece - 6/10. A bit more experimental than I'm used to from Joni Mitchell. Not bad, just less of my preference. I like Centerpiece better than Harry's House. Sweet Bird - 7/10. Classic Joni Mitchell. Shadows and Light - 7/10. Love the vocal harmonies. Less of a fan of the synths, but this is good. Overall Rating - 3.60/5 (7.20/10). Another solid album from one of the Queens of folk.
Nice Voice, einige Highlights dabei. Mag den Gesamt-Vibe des Albums, aber die Abwechslung, das Überraschende fehlte mir.
Nice songs and voice, but too many mellow songs makes it a bit tiresome... Best song The Jungle Line
Good material
I'm not certain if I've listened to this album before, because the second track really took me by surprise. I thought I was in for a wild ride (well, wild by Joni Mitchell standards) but apart from that track there isn't much in the way of experimentation - just usual Joni Mitchell loveliness. I've only taken a star off because there were no real standout tracks, and she has better albums.
Quintessentially Joni Mitchell. I don't find it as perfect as Blue, but a v. solid album nonetheless.
Nice easy listen. A good blend of rock and soft pop. Pretty good. Standout Songs: In France They Kiss on Main Street The Jungle Line Don't Interrupt the Sorrow The Hissing of Summer Lawns
Miss Mitchell delivers an experimental mishmash collection of songs here. Her thoughtful lyrics and sweet voice carries across the album. Listening to Joni makes me forlong for intellectualism in pop music. This album was fantastic and impressive as it would appear she is reaching outside her comfort zone and succeeds all the same.
8/10
I actually liked this, I haven’t been into her other albums but this one has enough experimental sounds, jazz, and synthesizers to get me hooked. I think this allows me to see what her greatness is, thank you for this one being on the list.
Nobody makes a singer-songwriter album like Joni Mitchell. She has a singular voice and style. This particular album was full of surprises. There were lots of production and arrangement choices I wasn't expecting, including a few moments that sound ahead of their time. It was an interesting ride with a lot of great music.
This is a Joni Mitchell I'm pretty unfamiliar with. I'm much more used to "Blue" and it's use of sparse acoustic instrumentation.. and when this one started and the fretless bass guitar jumps into the intro I actually had to re-look at who the artist was. There's also a sort of levity to this album; maybe "Blue" is just too strong of a reference for me that I feel obligated to compare to it but this album has such a different lightness to it. I really like it; and it's fitting for a nice Monday morning. Alright "The Jungle Line" is the heavy-ness. I really love this. Unfortunately I'm noticing the lyrics too late into the listen and I'll have to replay this one with the lyrics in front of me. I love the tom groove here and the saxophone... very cool sound! This is a great record, really glad to have found it here. Typical Joni Mitchell quality stuff.
Unpopular opinion, but I liked this album more than Blue.
Really solid album, not something I woudl put on all the time but a solid mix of pop, jazz and the like. It’s always a good time listening to albums in this vein. 4 stars is solid.
I prefer Blue but this is still pretty special
Bell’album, molto tranquillo, atmosfere simili all’altro album. Mie tracce preferite: In France they kiss on Main street e Harry’s House/Centerpiece
This reminds me of The Boho Dance. Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow and listen to this.
I listened to this one right after Court and Spark, and it's cool to compare them side by side. This one kind of lights off more of where Court sparked. It definitely seems more like a rock album, where as the former is still mosty folk with rockish and jazz vibes sprinkled throughout. The first track and "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" are great tracks. The rest was pretty solid all the way through. 4/5 Jungle Line is a pretty cool song for 1974. It almost sounds like Bjork 15 years before Bjork.
jamen endnu et gudesmukt album. Ved ikke helt om jeg ville have inkluderet fire Joni Mitchell albums på listen, men jeg har nydt dem alle i fulde drag
Til den underlige side i forhold til de andre JM plader vi har haft (positivt!). Virkelig lækker plade.
joni is incredible. this is an expansive and deep album. Blue is better, but this stands up well over time. Love that she does her own cover art
I have a troublesome relationship with Joni Mitchell's music. Take this album. There's truly beautiful music, the musicianship by the quite impressive list of studio musicians is astonishing, the production is great, it sounds fantastic. Opener '...In France they kiss on Main Street' and 'Shades of Scarlett conquering' are the highlights. But you would wish that they sometimes break loose, it's all too restrained, too, I don't know, beautiful, too shy I would almost say. Well, it's not all beautiful. 'The jungle line' is a total miss, it's a dreadful song. It's these Burundian warrior drums - quite suitable since I am writing this during the cycling WC in Rwanda - with merely a bit of Moog sounds on top, there isn't even a melody. It could have been 8/10 but because of that song it's a 7/10.
Join Mitchell is pretty cool
This was good but her blue album was even better. Love me some Joni Mitchell
Jazzy album from Joni Mitchell, a bit different than her other work. Favorite track: the hissing of summer lawns other picks: harry's house, jungle line, edith and the kingpin
Enchanting, experimental, and eloquent. Her voice is just that good that it sounds good over anything, but I love the jazzy and electronic instrumentals that really take some risks but give each track so much character. Not entirely a casual listening album, but never unpleasant either.
This was very interesting. The voice of Joni Mitchell is incredible. I would have never listened to this if it wasn't for this site, but I really liked it!
A very soothing listen. Has a nice balance of bopping melody with a lot of interesting jazz fusion. Some of the more experimental moments/songs don't always land for me, but an overall really enjoyable album. Top tracks: In France They Kiss on Main Street, The Hissing of Summer Lawns, The Boho Dance
Experimental jazz-rock.
Another really great outing from Joni! This one's more jazz-inflected than Court and Spark, especially Centerpiece. Goes wonderfully with her voice.
This is such a good album to me because she really had massive success on Court and Spark and then said "You know what? I'm changing the formula" and succeeds. The first time I heard this i didnt like it because it was too weird and far from what I thought she should do. Now I appreciate her daring.
Nice
J’ai étonnamment vraiment aimé! D’habitude, les auteurs-compositeurs-interprètes me gossent sans savoir pourquoi, mais la vibe est impec
Most of it is very folk and very refined. Towards the end it becomes particularly ethereal and a bit church like.
loved some didn’t enjoy others
Not my favorite classic Joni, but still classic Joni.
Big Yellow Taxi was the main hit of hers I knew. This album introduced me to a lot more of her sound, and it totally feels like a time capsule of the 70's - pleasant, easy drinking, soothing music.
Nadie hizo nunca nada parecido. 4.5
Super chill, and beautiful voice.
Not classic Joni but Jazz Pop Joni. Very enjoyable and engaging.
I have for some time now been of the opinion that this lady deserves a place in my record collection, and this album only confirms that. Great voice, great words, great melodies, performed superbly. What's not to like? So now it's time to score it. Well I said like not love, so 5 is out. She is more than capable of producing a 4 or 5 album, I just don't think this is it. Don't get me wrong this is a good album it's got to be a 3.8, but does that mean I've got to give it a 4? No, something is stopping me from doing it, don't know what, might regret this. No, it's better than average.
My 4th Joni Mitchell album of this project, the 4th good Joni Mitchell album of this project. 4/4
I liked the second track - interesting beat. (Jungle Line) The jazz influences on Harry's House / Centerpiece are nice too; overall this is an interesting track - lyrically as well I really like the vocals on Shadows and Light - the way those harmonies kick in! GREAT ending track
Nice listen for while I did some work. Her voice is just so beautiful. Also really love this album art.
Pretty awesome
Great
I like Joni Mitchell, and the songs here were good, but I don't know, it just didn't grab me as well as Court & Spark or Blue or Clouds. Four stars.
Going into this I would have put Stevie Nicks and Joni Mitchell on the very opposite ends of the singers I enjoy listening to continuum. But then I listened to this album and I didn't like it. And then I listened to it a couple more times and I still didn't like it. And I listened to it a few more times and I started to like it. Eventually I had my opinion of Joni Mitchell completely overturned. Did I get more sophisticated from listening to one album? I doubt it.
Joni rules. While I appreciate the experimental nature of The Jungle Line, it starts to get grating in an otherwise gorgeous album.
Damn!
MITCHELLL uii was isch denn das füren bass, very cool jungle line megaa funny? tönt moderner als 75 findi ahh okay nachfolger vo court and spark, macht sinn I guess es risst mi nanig so mit :( the hissing isch super! sehr zrugghaltend iwie aber schönn uhhh harry's house sehr jazzy, s klavier isch super poaaah shadows and light isch als letschts lied suuper aber ja scho fertig. s isch sicher recht villsiitig aber hautmi leider nöd so um. d stimm isch wie immer en einzige traum! knapps 4? guets 3? ach chum de mitchell chani das schlecht abspreche
I just found out that I am a fan of Joni Mitchell. The story telling on this album is amazing and it's a great blend of jazz and folk. 4.5 stars
Probably my third or fourth favorite Joni record. "The Jungle Line", in all its experimental beauty, is one of my absolute favorite songs of hers; the title track, "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow", "Shadows and Light", and "In France They Kiss on Main Street" are other big highlights for me as well. Skunk Baxter's guitar work on the latter is damn cool, and as always, Joni's lyrics are stunningly perfect. 4.5/5
doesn’t hit quite as hard for me as other joni albums! still solid though
Very diverse, wasn’t actually expecting that as i guess i just assumed Joni to be a country/folk artist but this had a lot of different genres, obviously the classic country/folk is still their but there is also a lot of jazz and even electronic music. Every song feels very different to each other minus the similarities in styles obviously, one of the most unique ones here for me was the jungle line which had jungle style drums (hence the title) and a very cool electronic bass line. A big part of this album is the lyrics as well which of course are great as Joni shines in this aspect. Production wise this album sounds amazing aswell. Favourites: the first 4, title track, the boho dance and harry’s house/centerpiece. Overall, 8/10.
it’s actually crazy how much better this full band joni mitchell stuff is from her solo acoustic stuff. pretty great throughout
Joni is really growing on me as I age. Her style of music does at time seem a little more like spoken word and sometimes falls out of rhythm with the music (which can be distracting to me). However, her perspective is one that is important and one that has taken me a long time to connect with. I enjoyed this album slightly more then the previous album, it flowed better overall.
i love joni and listened to her entire discog this year ... she is probably i guess one of my goats even tho she is insane and very racist. i love folk music
I think Joni is brilliant. I've been a fan for over forty years; mainly listening to three or four albums in particular, of which (as it happens) this isn't one, although I do know it. When this one came out, a little later than my favourites, the overall band sound is definitely very 70s, and the songs are more jazzy and less acoustic (and there was still jazzier to come). But there are still some classic and wondrous Joni songs here, my favourite being Edith and the Kingpin: songs with that melodic, meandering storytelling, weaving a beautiful spell. It's not my favourite allbum of hers, and The Jungle Line is, frankly, odd, but I love her. She has musicality in spades; a true artist.
I’ll say what I keep saying about Joni Mitchell - as someone who didn’t grow up listening to her I’m amazed at how familiar she sounds. I understand why she’s so important to so many people. Excellent album.
Joni Mitchell is a reliably intelligent and inventive songwriter and this album is frontloaded with interesting material. It descends into bland jazz at times towards the back half, but is still a good listen overall.
Love Joni's voice. Some of the instrumental backing is lackluster but that is made up for on songs like The Jungle Line and Shadows of the Light. Sidenote, I accidentally listened to this album on shuffle so I might have missed some continuity between songs.
love you queen
Not quite as good as Blue for me, but goddamn. What beautiful storytelling.
I have been a Joni Mitchell hater for many years, mostly based on an image of her rather than her actual music. I thought she was just a boring folkie with an acoustic guitar, warbling songs with that “annoying” voice. Boy was I wrong. I loved this album musically, as well as her singing. And her writing. I’m looking forward to more of her albums, rather than the dread I felt when I saw what today’s was. Such a pleasant surprise.
- Man who is writing these bass lines? I'm loving them - The instrumentation is so freaking good on this one and Joni's voice over the top is just amazing - Whoa The Jungle Line was a little jarring - I'm loving the variety and experimentation in this album - Joni Mitchell always seems to surprise me
This was rad. I like the experimental, avant garde and jazz influences here. It feels like Joni wanted to just do something else and make things more interesting. Which I thought she pulled it off. I don't want to say it was too long, but there were parts that it kind of lost my attention. Though, I think on repeated listens, you'd be able to pin down those nuances. This was great! Joni is a treasure.
4-
Incredible funk
Pretty good, but not her best.
Good, never heard before.
This was a nice listen. Joni has a great voice and I found myself really vibing to this. Will happily listen to this again!
Ahhh een bekend albumpie. Mijn ouders zijn fan en deze stond vroeger zeker vaak op. Vooral Edith and the kingpin klink nostalgisch. Lekkere luister op de achtergrond
very calming, very nice
The first time I've had two albums by the same artist back to back. I liked this album better than Blue - her vocal style is less extreme and swoopy, and I enjoyed the jazzy vibe.
Poetic and sublime. 'Sublime' is one of those vagaries that a truly good writer would do well to avoid, so I allow myself to use it. But here I use it to express the feel, mood, attitude... something below the surface, outside of your five senses. Joni Mitchell floats in, doesn't force her way, you can go with her or not, up to you. If you do go, you are rewarded with that (struggling again to expel the word I want from my tight chest) transcendent place that you want music to take you. Joni Mitchell is extremely generous with that reward, bringing in surprises and poetry and characters and stories like nothing I've heard elsewhere.
Edith and the Kingpin // Shades of Scarlett Conquering // Harry’s House / Centerpiece // 3.5/5
some melodies are heavenly
yay joni
Nice pleasant album
I liked it but there are bits of this album that definitely remind me about the whole blackface thing.