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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Court and Spark had earned Joni Mitchell mainstream pop acceptance but its underlying spirit of discovery pushed her to risk new-found success with this edgier, experimental sequel released in 1975. Although the session crew is largely the same, and sleek jazz elements again abound, these songs find her introducing Burundi drums (on "The Jungle Line"), layering magisterial but forbidding vocal harmonies ("Shadows and Light") and casting rueful shadows across the sun-dazed Southern California of the title song. Her daring promptly earned critical scorn and halted her commercial expansion, but the album's confident eclecticism and dark beauty have outlived that reception; from the safety of hindsight, Hissing was a promise to stay hungry and creatively adventurous, a promise kept then and now. --Sam Sutherland
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 33 people found the following review helpful
By Ms. Felicia Davis-burden
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
This is Joni's expert analysis of LA life, as both observer and ambilvalent participant. A masterpiece it definitely is.
I must disagree with those who have said that 'Jungle Line' is sub-standard, weak or horrid. It is a wonderful portrayal of innocense newly lost on arrival in the 'jungle' of LA. The metaphor of Rouseau's art and the sounds of burundi drums, Moog synth and Joni's voice and guitar, work hypnotically together to break up the smooth veneer of the album as a whole (representing the smooth veneer of LA itself!) exposing the lusting and dangerous 'belly of the beast'. I actually see 'Jungle Line' as one of Joni's finest tracks.
'Edith and the King Pin' is a fine study of how an LA millionaire builds up his charmed hareem, seducing with jewels, champagne and drugs, choosing his women like Rouseau would his shades of paint. Another beautifully detailed highlight.
This is one of Joni's masterpieces. Along with Hejira, Blue and Court & Spark, Summer Lawns represents her artistic maturing and daring as a writer. A fabulous collection
I must disagree with those who have said that 'Jungle Line' is sub-standard, weak or horrid. It is a wonderful portrayal of innocense newly lost on arrival in the 'jungle' of LA. The metaphor of Rouseau's art and the sounds of burundi drums, Moog synth and Joni's voice and guitar, work hypnotically together to break up the smooth veneer of the album as a whole (representing the smooth veneer of LA itself!) exposing the lusting and dangerous 'belly of the beast'. I actually see 'Jungle Line' as one of Joni's finest tracks.
'Edith and the King Pin' is a fine study of how an LA millionaire builds up his charmed hareem, seducing with jewels, champagne and drugs, choosing his women like Rouseau would his shades of paint. Another beautifully detailed highlight.
This is one of Joni's masterpieces. Along with Hejira, Blue and Court & Spark, Summer Lawns represents her artistic maturing and daring as a writer. A fabulous collection
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Nocode
Format:Audio CD
While Hejira is my favourite Joni album this record is fighting it out with 'For the Roses' for second place. The record generally has quite a laid back feel to it. The opener takes up from where 'Court and Spark' left off, after that however the album becomes more adventurous without compromising on melody. Some have cticised the 'the jungle line.' True it isn't in keeping with the rest of the album and for that reason it perhaps disrupts the record's rhythm. Yet it is undeniably innovative. Other tracks, especially 'Harry's House/Centrepiece' incorporate overt forays into jazz. All in all this is an essential and original album.
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By A. Miller
Format:Audio CD
This was Melody Maker's album of the year in 1975 or thereabouts, so I bought it, played it twice and put it aside as rather uninteresting. Oh foolish youth, I fortunately did not take it down the local student-fund-raising second-hand store, but listened again and became gradually entranced by the melodic and lyrical flair contained therein. Barely a poor moment (the Jungle Line - sorry! - the Centrepiece interlude and Shadows and Light don't sit well with the rest, just to be picky) - the good stuff just keeps on coming. In France they Kiss... followed by [er...OK, where's that skip button!] then Edith ... Don't Interrupt ... Shades of Scarlett ... Hissing ... Boho Dance ... Harry's House... Sweet Bird.... The rest are perfectly fine, but those 8 are sublime, 30+ years on.
I have failed in my attempts to get friends to love this, but I sometimes sit after everyone has gone to bed with a glass of wine, and wallow in the combination of current appreciation and nostalgic association which old favourites engender. Sigh!
I have failed in my attempts to get friends to love this, but I sometimes sit after everyone has gone to bed with a glass of wine, and wallow in the combination of current appreciation and nostalgic association which old favourites engender. Sigh!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
not recieved but still charged
i never actually recieved this item but was charged for it and have only just noticed - i was too trusting
Published 1 month ago by jane
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Outstsnding album
Jazzy, folksy, African fusion of rich tapestries of sound. Beautifully arranged, this album has been a favorite of mine for many years, with two of the most outstanding tracks,... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Me
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joni Mitchell
I lost my original cassette of this album some time ago and feared I would not be able to hear it again. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mike Howarth
5.0 out of 5 stars
SUPERB.
THIS CD WAS UTTERLY,TOTALLY,UNARGUABLY,COMPLETELY,MAGNIFICENTLY SUPERB!
INDEED SO SUPERB WAS IT,IT WAS EVEN BEYOND ABSURD. IT WAS SUPER-SUPERB!
IT WAS? ... Read more
INDEED SO SUPERB WAS IT,IT WAS EVEN BEYOND ABSURD. IT WAS SUPER-SUPERB!
IT WAS? ... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jeffrey R. Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime Jungle
One of the greatest albums of all time. The Jungle Line one of the greatest ever songs. Joni combined art and music with power, majesty, sex, drugs and honesty. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R. Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars
In France they kiss......
Although I have known the 'Big Yellow Taxi' song and the Mingus album for decades, it is only since reading `Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon---and the... Read more
Published 6 months ago by R M LAMBIE
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sublime
Amazing that this record garnered some poorish reviews at the time. This was the start of the greatest period in Joni Mitchell's recording output. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Geoffrey M. Teece
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best Joni album ever
I remember being entranced by this album when a student late nights listening to Harry's house, Hissing and Edith... happy days indeed. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Birmingham Nick
5.0 out of 5 stars
Anima rising
This album is a cubist study of the female soul and pure poetry.
The music is sublime with a depth and jazz resonance.
A plane in the rain is humming. Read more
The music is sublime with a depth and jazz resonance.
A plane in the rain is humming. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Mikeonfreeserve
5.0 out of 5 stars
the hissing of summer lawns joni mitchell
i would like to start this music review of the hissing of summer lawns with track 2.the jungle line this track actually had everything to do with the rest of the music tracks... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Peter Dodds
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