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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
On paper, River sounds like a match made in several versions of heaven. Legendary pianist Herbie Hancock re-imagines Joni Mitchell with his hand-picked, star-studded band--including saxophonist Wayne Shorter--in tow. Luminary guests lend vocals to a song apiece: Norah Jones ("Court and Spark"), Tina Turner ("Edith and the Kingpin"), Corinne Bailey Rae ("River"), Luciana Souza ("Amelia"), Leonard Cohen (with an unsettlingly sanguine version of "The Jungle Line"), even Mitchell herself ("Tea Leaf Prophecy"). In the event, though, a few fundamental elements go awry. Hancock plays with almost saccharine understatement throughout, and even Shorter's seminal "Nefertiti" and Duke Ellington's "Solitude" fall into the album's presiding, somnolent surface, though to a lesser degree does the instrumental version of Mitchell's "Sweet Bird." But girding, and in some measure, saving, the proceedings, the lyrics here testify to a subtler wisdom guiding Hancock's set list. The mix includes a continuum from intrepid classics to dusty, fans-only fare, but a distinct reverence for Joni Mitchell the Poet threads them together, and, in the end, this album works best as a sleepy window into one fan's giddy and particular love affair with his source material. Fans of Hancock win out. --Jason Kirk
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Its probably helpful to know that I like both these artists without being fanatical about either, having come to both in my thirties. This is appropriately more of a herbie album than a Joni album and some of the "big singing" seems, to my ear, a bit self conscious compared to the Mitchell delivery, the notable exception to this being "Court and Spark" which I think is magnificent and the highlight of the album.
The instrumental music is rich but sparse,imagine smoked salmon or a good single malt, the whole blends into a very pleasant "night-music"
The instrumental music is rich but sparse,imagine smoked salmon or a good single malt, the whole blends into a very pleasant "night-music"
37 of 44 people found the following review helpful
By P. Cottom
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a Joni fan since I first heard Blue as a 15 year old (35 years ago), I've been enjoing a bit of a Joni-fest recently, what with Shine, the Tribute album, (the very very long-awaited and overdue remastered Court and Spark/ Hissing of Summer Lawns and Hejira trio still to come) and now this.
The playing is superb. Some of Herbie's best piano work, the incomparable Wayne Shorter, Vinnie Colaiuta doing his best supportive playing (and making a return to performing Joni's material) plus the musical bass of Dave Holland combine to create a truly atmospheric, sublime and interesting collection.
There is a bit of a problem though. Some of the vocalists chosen to contribute are, to say the least, a little suprising. Norah Jones does her best "Norah Jones", but adds little to what is one of Joni's best songs. Tina Turner's voice just rattles, and whenever I hear it just I can't get "Steamy Windows" out of my mind. Corrine Bailey Rae's take on River is simply odd - not because of her accent (I'm sure not many American listeners will notice the London style instead of her Leeds accent - and so what, because either accent would not have improved on her performance) but because her voice simply doesn't suit the arrangement. Despite all the fuss (and I did quite like her debut) she gives a weak vocal and seems oddly unable to evoke any real emotion from it.
Luciana Souza's vocal is a bit too pitchy (I know it's "jazz", but it's just not close enough......) and makes me feel uneasy when I listen to it.... Read more ›
The playing is superb. Some of Herbie's best piano work, the incomparable Wayne Shorter, Vinnie Colaiuta doing his best supportive playing (and making a return to performing Joni's material) plus the musical bass of Dave Holland combine to create a truly atmospheric, sublime and interesting collection.
There is a bit of a problem though. Some of the vocalists chosen to contribute are, to say the least, a little suprising. Norah Jones does her best "Norah Jones", but adds little to what is one of Joni's best songs. Tina Turner's voice just rattles, and whenever I hear it just I can't get "Steamy Windows" out of my mind. Corrine Bailey Rae's take on River is simply odd - not because of her accent (I'm sure not many American listeners will notice the London style instead of her Leeds accent - and so what, because either accent would not have improved on her performance) but because her voice simply doesn't suit the arrangement. Despite all the fuss (and I did quite like her debut) she gives a weak vocal and seems oddly unable to evoke any real emotion from it.
Luciana Souza's vocal is a bit too pitchy (I know it's "jazz", but it's just not close enough......) and makes me feel uneasy when I listen to it.... Read more ›
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Kevin Sloane
Format:Audio CD
When the magnificent Ian Shaw collection of Joni Mitchell songs "Drawn to all things" appeared a couple of years ago, I thought the definitive set of Joni covers was now in place and that there was nothing more to say on the subject. However, it is a tribute to the quality of the writing that this cd works so well - that, and the fact that you have a top drawer set of musicians playing, with great taste and discretion, music they clearly adore.
Whoever came up with the idea of Tina Turner singing "Edith and the Kingpin" deserves a big medal; it works perfectly. Tina Turner brings a world-weariness to this terrific song and its as if we're looking at the scene through a different woman's eyes.
An excellent collection, go on, treat yourself!
Whoever came up with the idea of Tina Turner singing "Edith and the Kingpin" deserves a big medal; it works perfectly. Tina Turner brings a world-weariness to this terrific song and its as if we're looking at the scene through a different woman's eyes.
An excellent collection, go on, treat yourself!
24 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Of course, music is all about personal taste but in the interest of balance I thought I'd contribute my thoughts on this album... Let me start by saying that I'm a Herbie hancock fan, particularly the early work on Blue Note (Maiden Voyage, Takin' Off etc.) but I've felt that in recent years he may have run out of ideas. I'm a huge Joni fan too, so decided this might be worth investigating.
How wrong I was...The only vocal of interest on this album is saved 'til last with Leonard Cohen's take on 'The Jungle Line' - I didn't particularly like it, but at least it was interesting. Norah Jones contributed little to a once great song (Court & Spark) but that was nothing compared to Tina Turner's take on 'Edith & The Kingpin' and the worst was yet to come. Quite why Corrine Bailey Rae adopted a 'mockney' accent for her performance of 'River' is beyond me, being as she's from Leeds!
The instrumental tracks fare slightly better but are at best, pleasant!
For a much more interesting album of Joni Mitchell interpretations, I'd recommend 'A Tribute To Joni Mitchell' by Various Artists (ASIN: B000NJXCG2) or try Joni's excellent new album 'Shine'.
How wrong I was...The only vocal of interest on this album is saved 'til last with Leonard Cohen's take on 'The Jungle Line' - I didn't particularly like it, but at least it was interesting. Norah Jones contributed little to a once great song (Court & Spark) but that was nothing compared to Tina Turner's take on 'Edith & The Kingpin' and the worst was yet to come. Quite why Corrine Bailey Rae adopted a 'mockney' accent for her performance of 'River' is beyond me, being as she's from Leeds!
The instrumental tracks fare slightly better but are at best, pleasant!
For a much more interesting album of Joni Mitchell interpretations, I'd recommend 'A Tribute To Joni Mitchell' by Various Artists (ASIN: B000NJXCG2) or try Joni's excellent new album 'Shine'.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When the hair stands up on the back on your neck, you know you are listening to something good. Not everything is 100% successful, but I for one loved Norah Jone's version of "Court and Spark" (one of my favourite Joni songs anyway), amd I'm not an NJ fan. Tina Turne was a revelation'; Leonard Cohen backed by Hanock's piano underlines how strong Joni Mitchell's lyrics can be and as for Wayne Shorter, the man is sublime. Am listening to "Shine" as well at the moment and am thrilled that an artist I have followed since her second album is getting such a well deserved new lease of life.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The line is drawn and this album has divided fans on both sides.
Hancock fans appalled; Mitchell fans outraged; the occasional satisfied inbetweenie.
Inevitable I guess. Not always a good idea to mess with mythology.
Someone always gets upset.
Ian Shaw took Ms Mitchell on in his 2006 release 'Drawn To All Things:
The Songs Of Joni Mitchell' and a very fine job he did too.
2007's 'A Tribute To Joni Mitchell' threw a motley ragbag of performers
into the fray with uneven results. Bjork, Prince and Annie Lennox to name
but three. Big risk. Good intentions. More travesty than tribute.
So to Mr Hancock's 2007 dance with The Diva - 'River : The Joni Letters'.
Herbie fans think it too soft, too pappy.
Joni's hardcore warrior army won't entertain anyone messing with the maid.
I'm a big admirer of both performers and I like it. In fact I really love it.
Hancock (piano), Shorter (saxes), Holland (bass), Colaiuta (drums), Loueke (guitar).
Now that's a pretty stellar line-up for starters. Mr Shorter, of course, having blessed
many of Ms Mitchell's finest compositions with his celestial breath.
The band plays like a dream. Co-production with Larry Klein is impeccable.
The individual vocal contributions are, truth be told, somewhat variable in quality.
I've always thought Norah Jones a little bland but she does her level best with opening
track 'Court and Spark' and does it no real harm.
Mr Hancock's reverential piano is here and throughout ethereally beautiful.
Tina Turner is a somewhat surreal choice but her take on 'Edith and The Kingpin'
is remarkably insightful and does not deserve the pasting given here by some listeners.... Read more ›
Hancock fans appalled; Mitchell fans outraged; the occasional satisfied inbetweenie.
Inevitable I guess. Not always a good idea to mess with mythology.
Someone always gets upset.
Ian Shaw took Ms Mitchell on in his 2006 release 'Drawn To All Things:
The Songs Of Joni Mitchell' and a very fine job he did too.
2007's 'A Tribute To Joni Mitchell' threw a motley ragbag of performers
into the fray with uneven results. Bjork, Prince and Annie Lennox to name
but three. Big risk. Good intentions. More travesty than tribute.
So to Mr Hancock's 2007 dance with The Diva - 'River : The Joni Letters'.
Herbie fans think it too soft, too pappy.
Joni's hardcore warrior army won't entertain anyone messing with the maid.
I'm a big admirer of both performers and I like it. In fact I really love it.
Hancock (piano), Shorter (saxes), Holland (bass), Colaiuta (drums), Loueke (guitar).
Now that's a pretty stellar line-up for starters. Mr Shorter, of course, having blessed
many of Ms Mitchell's finest compositions with his celestial breath.
The band plays like a dream. Co-production with Larry Klein is impeccable.
The individual vocal contributions are, truth be told, somewhat variable in quality.
I've always thought Norah Jones a little bland but she does her level best with opening
track 'Court and Spark' and does it no real harm.
Mr Hancock's reverential piano is here and throughout ethereally beautiful.
Tina Turner is a somewhat surreal choice but her take on 'Edith and The Kingpin'
is remarkably insightful and does not deserve the pasting given here by some listeners.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Idea
A soulful vibrant tribute to an iconic songstress..a beautiful compilation and selection of songs and arrangements with additional contributors. Read more
Published 2 months ago by zazeinforties
5.0 out of 5 stars
Let us have more.
Great interpretations of some of the best Joni Mitchell compositions. The best I believe is Tina Turner's rendition of Edith and the Kingpin but all the songs are have something... Read more
Published 2 months ago by julian thomas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD
This CD is really nice, if you like piano in the style of Keith Jarret and love the voice of Tina Turner (she is on it and Kate Melua a.o. Read more
Published on 22 April 2011 by H. L. Dijkema
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy listning at its best.
Herbie Hancock is joined by other jazz giants to accompany well known singers giving their interpretation of songs by Jony Mitchell. On one track it's Joni herself singing. Read more
Published on 17 Nov 2009 by Mr. P. R. Patrick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cool, flowing river
Joni Mitchell is one of the most talented songwriters of her age. The idea of taking her essentially modern Folk songs and recreating them in a Jazz genre is an interesting one. Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2009 by Peter Reeve
3.0 out of 5 stars
Why oh why did you put Cohen in it?
I agree with all the other reviews on the album , well nearly all . As my title says , why for Gods sake did H. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2008 by Mr. Adam D. Willford
5.0 out of 5 stars
quite brilliant
Wonderful playing from a great Herbie line-up (even Shorter gets lyrical) doing great justice to Joni's genius.
Published on 30 July 2008 by P. Derbyshire
1.0 out of 5 stars
Utter rubbish..
I bought this album because I love all things Joni and loved her 'mingus' period and have always been a longstanding Herbie fan. I thought it may be something in that style. Read more
Published on 23 May 2008 by R. Srinivas
3.0 out of 5 stars
Probably not for the casual fan
I would describe myself as a casual fan of Joni. I like the Tom Scott albums and "Shadows and Light" with Pat Metheny and Jaco Pastorius. Read more
Published on 21 April 2008 by Bill Peter
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hancocks fans Rave & Joni Mitchell's fans Let down?
Not being a Joni listener I can only give my opinion based on the Hancock versions. I have listened to this album so many times and I just love every moment. Read more
Published on 15 April 2008 by Andrew Prince
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