- Audio CD (21 Aug 1987)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: CD
- Label: Warner Asylum
- ASIN: B0000262TE
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Audio Cassette | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,153 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
After the expanded instrumental scale and sonic experimentation of Court and Spark and The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Joni Mitchell reverses that flow for the more intimate, interior music on Hejira, which retracts the arranging style to focus on Mitchell's distinctive acoustic guitar and piano, and the brilliant, lyrical bass fantasias of fretless bass innovator Jaco Pastorius. Known for his furious, sometimes rococo figures beneath the music of Weather Report, Pastorius is tamed by Mitchell's cooler, more deliberate ballads; these meditations coax a far gentler, subdued lyricism from Pastorius, whose intricate bass counterpoints Mitchell's coolly elegant singing, especially on the sublime "Amelia," which transforms the mystery of Amelia Earhart into a parable of both feminism and romantic self-discovery. This isn't Mitchell at her most obviously ambitious, yet the depth of feeling, poetic reach and musical confidence make this among the finest works in a very fine canon. --Sam Sutherland
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is without doubt my favourite album of all time. Superb lyrics (the title track is sheer poetry) combine with a wonderful sense of space and economy in the music, I go back to this album time and time again and always find something new. It is challenging at first, and Blue arguably offers a more accessible introduction to the music of Joni Mitchell, but this is superb music. Buy it!
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard this album in 1977 and I feel privaliged to have heard it at the time. What this album would sound like now if I heard it for the first time, I don't know, but one thing is certain for me, this is one of the best albums from that golden age of music(1965-1980) and probably in the top ten (if you like lists). I agree with the other reviewers that the musician ship and rare beauty of the lyrics are almost unsurpassed. Amelia and Song For Sharon are without peers. The lyrics are poetic and the music spacious yet lean with a slight jazzy hint from the fretless bass. Sadly Jaco Pastorious (Bass) was killed in Forida not so long ago and this album is a showcase for his work too. I am surprised that more people do not rate this as their favourite Joni Mitchell, but in fairness to them, a word of caution, it is a little unusual and takes some getting into and it is to an extent a "musicians" album. I'd also recommend Don Juans Reckless Daughter, though it is slightly less accessible, but of the same period and style.
37 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been trying to make a compilation of the best 20 Joni Mitchell songs, but this will now be very hard as 'Hejira' will take up nine spaces. I have heard 'Blue', 'Ladies Of The Canyon' and 'The Hissing Of Summer Lawns' so far and I have to say that out of all of them, the beautiful 'Hejira' has to be the best.
My favourite songs on the album are the uptempo 'Coyote', the emotional 'Amelia' (probably the best track), the dreamy title track, the lengthy but awesome 'Song For Sharon' and the closing 'Refuge Of The Roads'.
Lyrics here are fully amazing and the singing isn't bad either - in fact, some songs on 'Hejira' boast the cream of Mitchell's vocal talents. The musical accompaniment, though, has to be the best thing about 'Hejira'. The guitar parts on 'Coyote' and particularly the title track are breathtaking - and Mitchell's guitar here is at its pinnacle.
The other songs on the album are less important, but still very, very good. 'Black Crow' is a great uptempo song, 'Furry Sings The Blues' has great harmonica by Neil Young and 'Blue Motel Room' is a cool jazz number.
You may find that 'Hejira' is too long in parts and might not have strong melodies upon first listening, but you may find, as I do, that after a couple of listens 'Hejira' will be one of the most prized albums in your collection.
My favourite songs on the album are the uptempo 'Coyote', the emotional 'Amelia' (probably the best track), the dreamy title track, the lengthy but awesome 'Song For Sharon' and the closing 'Refuge Of The Roads'.
Lyrics here are fully amazing and the singing isn't bad either - in fact, some songs on 'Hejira' boast the cream of Mitchell's vocal talents. The musical accompaniment, though, has to be the best thing about 'Hejira'. The guitar parts on 'Coyote' and particularly the title track are breathtaking - and Mitchell's guitar here is at its pinnacle.
The other songs on the album are less important, but still very, very good. 'Black Crow' is a great uptempo song, 'Furry Sings The Blues' has great harmonica by Neil Young and 'Blue Motel Room' is a cool jazz number.
You may find that 'Hejira' is too long in parts and might not have strong melodies upon first listening, but you may find, as I do, that after a couple of listens 'Hejira' will be one of the most prized albums in your collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Superb harmonica
This album deserves a 5* review for the track "Furry Sings The Blues" alone. This one track sums up what is great about Joni's music, providing a history of the blues in 5 minutes. Read more
Published 1 month ago by K9Keith
When a trip becomes extreme, high art...
I've read in the US website a user described this album as an extreme, high art. It really is. Hejira is when the roads, the land and sky come together and become something... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kaan Sensoy
Joni's smoothest?
A beautiful album, from a more mature artist.
Some of the sweet charm of Joni's earlier recordings is replaced by a more complex lyrical approach, and a more up-to-date... Read more
Some of the sweet charm of Joni's earlier recordings is replaced by a more complex lyrical approach, and a more up-to-date... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Fossilandy
Good,but rather overated
I am a massive Joni fan and own most of her work from "Ladies of theCanyon to"Turbulent Indigo"and listen to them a lot but the brilliant reviews I have read for this album... Read more
Published 5 months ago by john w
Hejira Review
I bought this LP back in 1976 and it has been played on a regular basis since. This album will appeal to fans of Suzanne Vega, Carly Simon, Carole King and current artists like... Read more
Published 6 months ago by alowe49
An album for all seasons
This album is a classic and a must have if you are a Joni Mitchell fan. This was my first Joni album bought 20 years ago and it is still just as fresh and still my favorite. Read more
Published 9 months ago by R. COX
A classic that stands the test of time
This is the greatest Joni album to date, and is in my all time top 10. I was initially only a fan of early joni only, but after repeated listens "hejira" stands the test of time. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Justincampbell
Disappointing
First things first. I love Joni Mitchell. To be more accurate, I love EARLY Joni Mitchell. However, I have tried to like this album but it just seems to me to be well executed but... Read more
Published 20 months ago by R. H. Ozzie
Not her best known work - but still superb
Some of her early work labours her "signature" Joni Warble to the point when it drives you crazy but she means it - it is honest. Read more
Published 21 months ago by P. Lund
Hejira
Album with Jaco Pastorius - fantastic bass player. I bought this CD because I wore my old copy out!
Published 23 months ago by mldlv
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