features in: Album Chart of 1975 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s ● 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die  |
By this stage, the pop sensibilities of “Ladies of the Canyon” (1970) and “Blue” (1971) were a thing of the past as Joni gets softer, yet jazzier and more complex than ever – it is fair to say she is now fully de-folkified and I am bored more often than not. That said, a major stand out on side 1 is served via “The Jungle Line”, which is authentically delivered on a magnificent bed of traditional African Burundi beats set against off-kilter Eno-esque New Wave synth lines. If only her heart truly lay in this stunning type of approach. Sigh. Side 2 has “Harry’s House / Centerpiece” to recommend it, most especially the second half which finds an affection-starved suburban trophy-wife finally telling Harry what he can do with his house. He drifts off into a memory which is played out by Joni by interloping a cover of “Centerpiece” (Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, 1959), which recalls how idyllic it should have been, the dream being punctured by snapshots of unruly kids running riot and stressin’ out Mom. It’s quite the drama. Whether you dig Joni or not, she is like no other, and always has something to offer.
The Jukebox Rebel
25–Feb–2016
| Tracklist |
| A1 | [03:19]  Joni Mitchell - In France They Kiss On Main Street (Joni Mitchell) Soft Rock / A.O.R. |
| A2 | [04:25]  Joni Mitchell - The Jungle Line (Joni Mitchell) Cerebral Pop |
| A3 | [03:38]  Joni Mitchell - Edith And The Kingpin (Joni Mitchell) Jazz |
| A4 | [04:05]  Joni Mitchell - Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow (Joni Mitchell) Jazz |
| A5 | [04:59]  Joni Mitchell - Shades Of Scarlett Conquering (Joni Mitchell) Songwriter |
| B1 | [03:01]  Joni Mitchell - The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (Joni Mitchell, John Guerin) Jazz |
| B2 | [03:48]  Joni Mitchell - The Boho Dance (Joni Mitchell) Songwriter |
| B3 | [06:48]  Joni Mitchell - Harry’s House / Centerpiece (Joni Mitchell - Jon Hendricks, Harry Edison) Jazz |
| B4 | [04:12]  Joni Mitchell - Sweet Bird (Joni Mitchell) Alternative Country |
| B5 | [04:19]  Joni Mitchell - Shadows And Light (Joni Mitchell) Songwriter |
