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CD
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This album was the culmination of a jazz journey than Joni Mitchell began in earnest on 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns'. It is curious that Mitchell is still most associated with innocent, folksy, acoustic singer-songwriter style of Both Sides Now, Woodstock and Big Yellow Taxi; the run of albums that began with 'Hissing' through 'Hejira' and 'Don Juan's Reckless Daughter' to 'Mingus' (with the summary coda of the equally excellent live recording, 'Shadows & Light') represent her most innovative and distinctive artistic period.
'Mingus' received a mixed reception on its release and some of the harsher criticism was obviously taken to heart by Mitchell who retreated to safer territory with the rockier and stodgier 'Wild Things Run Fast' and two more disappointing releases ('Dog Eat Dog' & 'Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm'). It was nearly ten years on from 'Mingus' before Mitchell again made a record that was true to her soul, 'Night Ride Home'.
'Mingus' deserved a better reception; regardless of the respective legacies of Charles Mingus and Joni Mitchell, it is a collection seriously beautiful music, as rich in composition, lyricism and musicianship as you should expect from the team of artists gathered together here.
If 'Mingus' had been received as the masterpiece that it is, Mitchell would have continued along a creative path that she had only just begun to explore and would still be running now. For this reason, 'Mingus' can be justly be described as the high point of Mitchell's outstanding career.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
This was an interesting departure for Joni Mitchell. She had long since moved away from her folky roots towards blues and jazz rock but it was incredibly brave to take the music of Charles Mingus and add her own lyrics and interpretation.
The result is, however, superb with the opportunity for her to take her voice to its limits in great swooping sounds, peaks and troughs of extreme vocals. As always she has chosen some of the best musicians to accompany her.
This is the Joni Mitchell album for Jazz lovers and the Jazz album for Joni Mitchell fans.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By Steve Keen
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
This is beyond doubt one of my favourite records of all time.
Initially badly received by Mitchell fans still expecting folk-chick songs - I came by my original copy through a donation from one such - it is now acknowledged as worthy of its maker and its eponymous subject by Mitchell fans and many jazz/fusion fans alike.
The music is superb, the lyrics sublime, and Mitchell's voice on its customary ethereal plane. Musicianship, as you would expect from a stellar cast including Pastorius, Shorter and Hancock, is incredible. In fact, the whole thing is so good the superlatives run out.
There are some who believe the interjected recordings of Mingus talking detract from the music, but for me they complete the story.
The stand out track for me is the atmospheric The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey, with its backing track of howling wolves. Play it on a hot summer night to cool you down. It never fails to evoke snow and cold. And instead of a plectrum it sounds like Mitchell could only find a hammer to hit the guitar strings in an all-out frontal attack.
The incredible thing is that somewhere in the vaults there are tapes of outtakes by the people who mentored Mitchell in the album's sound, including Tony Williams, John McLaughlin and Jan Hammer. Please, Asylum, release them now! How many copies do I have to promise to buy to persuade you? Take a leaf out of Sony Legacy's book and do what they've done with the Miles Davis back catalogue.
Initially badly received by Mitchell fans still expecting folk-chick songs - I came by my original copy through a donation from one such - it is now acknowledged as worthy of its maker and its eponymous subject by Mitchell fans and many jazz/fusion fans alike.
The music is superb, the lyrics sublime, and Mitchell's voice on its customary ethereal plane. Musicianship, as you would expect from a stellar cast including Pastorius, Shorter and Hancock, is incredible. In fact, the whole thing is so good the superlatives run out.
There are some who believe the interjected recordings of Mingus talking detract from the music, but for me they complete the story.
The stand out track for me is the atmospheric The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey, with its backing track of howling wolves. Play it on a hot summer night to cool you down. It never fails to evoke snow and cold. And instead of a plectrum it sounds like Mitchell could only find a hammer to hit the guitar strings in an all-out frontal attack.
The incredible thing is that somewhere in the vaults there are tapes of outtakes by the people who mentored Mitchell in the album's sound, including Tony Williams, John McLaughlin and Jan Hammer. Please, Asylum, release them now! How many copies do I have to promise to buy to persuade you? Take a leaf out of Sony Legacy's book and do what they've done with the Miles Davis back catalogue.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Way too disappointed with the service not the record
I ordered this record last year and liked it soo much that i gave it to my friend and ordered another one. BIG MISTAKE!! HUGE. And so it began. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Michael Jarvis.
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK!
I respect both Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus a great deal, but Mitchell has attempted a tribute to Mingus with his music and discussions. Read more
Published 21 days ago by Sam Shingleton
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gem of an album
A real gem of an album, Some tracks wonderfully interspersed with conversations with Mingus. Jaco Pastorius's creative bass playing is much in evidence and a joy to hear. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Pixz
4.0 out of 5 stars
Folk evolves > Jazz
This is a really interesting album and Joni Mitchell demonstrates how versatile she is again. Mr Mingus is a giant within his genre as is Joni and this album is a fusion of... Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2010 by Ms. MP DELPECHE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Two top musicians combine
In my opinion one of the best Joni Mitchell albums.
This is not surprising.
Joni Mitshell is a very competent singer with a personal and intriguing voice. Read more
This is not surprising.
Joni Mitshell is a very competent singer with a personal and intriguing voice. Read more
Published on 30 Dec 2009 by Knud Fjeldsted
3.0 out of 5 stars
A bold experiment that went wrong
You really couldn't imagine a better combination than this. Joni Mitchell's sublime vocal skills and a band that is essentially Weather Report, but with Herbie Hancock instead of... Read more
Published on 5 May 2007 by Mandello
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quality jazz
This is a must have album for any jazz fans. Hard not to like it.
It contains four songs, written by late legendary composer/bassist/bandleader Charles Mingus, to which Joni... Read more
It contains four songs, written by late legendary composer/bassist/bandleader Charles Mingus, to which Joni... Read more
Published on 27 May 2003 by Patrik Lemberg
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