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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Two albums into her Asylum contract came this double album recorded live in California in 1974. Treading water prior to her next studio album a full year later (The Hissing Of Summer Lawns), the album also usefully provided Asylum with shiny new versions of some of her Reprise back catalogue, at a time when her vocal style had matured. Some of these now sounded considerably different, having been rearranged to incorporate the LA Express, the band led by Tom Scott with whom Joni had been working since their involvement on the Court And Spark album released at the start of the year. Perversely though, the one song from that album, People's Parties, is performed live acoustically.
Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock, Carey, The Last Time I Saw Richard and Both Sides Now in particular appear in marked contrast to their studio counterparts, making them of some interest whether or not in the final analysis they are improvements. The album concludes with two previously unrecorded songs, Jericho (later to appear on Don Juan's Reckless Daughter) and Love Or Money.
Most of the concert was recorded over four August nights at the Los Angeles Universal Amphitheater and mixed to create the atmosphere of a single live performance (though two of the tracks come from earlier concerts at different venues in March).
However, much of this atmosphere has been sacrificed on this CD in an attempt to squeeze the albums onto to one disc. With the exception of Joni's amiable preamble to The Circle Game, all the between song chat and some of the applause has been crudely excised, with applause frequently being unceremoniously cut short by the clean start of a new track. As the running time is only 74 minutes, one hopes that any HDCD remastered edition will be able to restore this album to something approaching the whole, in line with the original production intentions
Big Yellow Taxi, Woodstock, Carey, The Last Time I Saw Richard and Both Sides Now in particular appear in marked contrast to their studio counterparts, making them of some interest whether or not in the final analysis they are improvements. The album concludes with two previously unrecorded songs, Jericho (later to appear on Don Juan's Reckless Daughter) and Love Or Money.
Most of the concert was recorded over four August nights at the Los Angeles Universal Amphitheater and mixed to create the atmosphere of a single live performance (though two of the tracks come from earlier concerts at different venues in March).
However, much of this atmosphere has been sacrificed on this CD in an attempt to squeeze the albums onto to one disc. With the exception of Joni's amiable preamble to The Circle Game, all the between song chat and some of the applause has been crudely excised, with applause frequently being unceremoniously cut short by the clean start of a new track. As the running time is only 74 minutes, one hopes that any HDCD remastered edition will be able to restore this album to something approaching the whole, in line with the original production intentions
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have always noticed that in guidebooks to music, reviewers very rarely give live albums as high a rating as studio albums. odd since for many artists it is the natural arena. This, for me, certainly is Joni at her best, surpassing the efforts of Ladies of the Canyon and even Blue. It mixes well the acoustic and electric, showcases new arrangements, has both the well known and the not so. You can certainly see her turning to more complexity and jazz influenced arrangements. The recording quality is good, the performance are expert my both Joni, Tom Scott, and the LA Express. It is a moving album - some of the songs are just so so beautful and poignant but it certainly rocks in places. And of course it is all shot with a very pleasant atmosphere which draws you to the sunny LA of 1974
a must have
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By A. Lansley
Format:Audio CD
I recently got this album out of my box of old vinyl and was impressed by the wing collars and floppy hats on the cover. Did people really wear that stuff? This album is shot through with transatlantic '70's style. Even now the recording is so evocative that you think you are right there with Joni and her band, calling out between the songs and wowing to the music. If you ever wanted to remember or imagine of how it felt to be at one of those gigs then look no further. This is a magical evocation and highly recommended to all who love authentic vintage sounds.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful! One of Joni's best.
This is a fantastic cd that I had as an Lp first time round. The LA Express were just right to support Joni's jazz style vocals.
Published 1 month ago by robert m burrow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Miles of smiles
Reworking classic songs is usually a recipe for disaster. Not on this occasion. Joni pulls it off with consummate ease. Read more
Published 4 months ago by joppajobby
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favourite Joni album
I have always loved this live Joni Mitchell album. There is just something about the performances that really appeals to me. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cressida
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific
Long time since I had this album and was knocked out by how fresh it still seems. It seems, to me, to age better than the original early albums from which the tracks are taken. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mr N.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A live greatest hits of real distinction
This is a live album that strives for, and achieves, a feeling of intimacy and sense of performance. Read more
Published 19 months ago by os
4.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated - and rather harshly edited on CD
It's a real shame the original 2 disc vinyl has been edited to fit onto a single CD. OK, the songs remain intact, but the between songs banter is lost so that the CD lacks a sense... Read more
Published on 6 May 2011 by S. D. Nunn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quick Reviews!
Joni's first live album is quite an epic, a large set featuring songs from her first 5-6 albums which she performs with a backing band. Read more
Published on 20 Oct 2009 by carlosnightman
4.0 out of 5 stars
Edited with a machete
This is a very good live album but the CD is due remastering and resequencing. Joni and the LA Express make a terrific sound together, her floating voice blending well with the MOR... Read more
Published on 8 Sep 2007 by Mr. Jamie P. Kitson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Miles of Joni
This live set from 1974 captures Joni Mitchell with the L.A. Express performing some of her best material up to that time.
Joni is in scintillating form. Read more
Joni is in scintillating form. Read more
Published on 25 May 2007 by S J Buck
4.0 out of 5 stars
jazzfan
This underrated live album really takes off when the LA Express, featuring Sax ace Tom Scott, provide the backing to several songs. Read more
Published on 20 Jan 2007 by Dr. Peter G. Upton
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