Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Track Listings
| 1. Coyote |
| 2. Amelia |
| 3. Furry Sings The Blues |
| 4. A Strange Boy |
| 5. Hejira |
| 6. Song For Sharon |
| 7. Black Crow |
| 8. Blue Motel Room |
| 9. Refuge Of The Roads |
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
Product Description
CD
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 30 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!
24 of 24 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.
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
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.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 156 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Had forgotten how good this album is. Excellent songs, not a weak track on the album. A must have album for any lover of grown up songs.
Published 2 months ago by Paul T Buckoke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joni's Finest
I am basing my views on this review on all of Joni's albums from Blue to Hejira, the latter which I believe to be Mitchell's most ambitious work yet. Read more
Published 4 months ago by JJKelsall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joni's very best....
The greatest female singer-songwriter of the 70s, without a doubt, is Joni Mitchell. Her 5 albums from "Blue" through to "Hejira" are quite simply superb, and every one is worth... Read more
Published 10 months ago by musiclover29
2.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
Joni Mitchell is a legend but I couldn't warm to this one. The music is largeley jangly and disjointed and lacks strong melody and cohesion. Read more
Published 11 months ago by A. WINFIELD
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 13 months ago by K9Keith
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 17 months ago by Kaan Sensoy
3.0 out of 5 stars
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 17 months ago by john w
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 18 months ago by alowe49
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 21 months ago by R. COX
5.0 out of 5 stars
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 on 28 April 2011 by Justincampbell
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
