|
|
List Price: $18.98 Amazon.com's Price: $12.99 You Save: $5.99 (32%)Prices subject to change. Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Binding: Audio CDEAN: 0602517477544 Format: Special Edition Label: Verve Manufacturer: Verve Number Of Discs: 1 Publisher: Verve Release Date: September 25, 2007 Studio: Verve Editorial Review: Amazon.com: 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 Album Description: This Amazon.com exclusive version of River: The Joni Letters includes two bonus tracks, "All I Want" featuring Sonya Kitchell and "A Case of You." The legendary pianist and innovator Herbie Hancock explores the words and music of another musical pioneer, Joni Mitchell, on his first new studio recording for Verve since 1998's GRAMMY® award-winning Gershwin's World. Inspired in equal parts by Mitchell's poetic lyrics and unique melodies, Hancock and saxophone giant Wayne Shorter play with a restraint and elegance that achieves a perfect balance between the adventurous aesthetics of jazz improvisation and the emotional directness of the finest Adult Pop music. Hancock builds upon his (and Shorter's) previous collaborations with Ms. Mitchell to create a sound that will appeal not only to fans of both artists, but to the listener familiar with the work of Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae and the other brilliant guest vocalists featured on this session. River: The Joni Letters is the perfect CD for the music fan looking for something new that's based in the familiar. Album Description: The legendary pianist and innovator explores the words and music of another musical pioneer Joni Mitchell on his first new studio recording for Verve since 1998's GRAMMY® Award winner Gershwin's World. Inspired in equal parts by Mitchell's poetic lyrics and unique melodies/harmonies, the musicians play with a restraint and elegance that achieves a perfect balance between the adventurous aesthetics of jazz improvisation and the emotional directness of one of the finest singer/songwriters of the last five decades. On the album: Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Lionel Loueke, Dave Holland & Vinnie Colaiuta with special guests Norah Jones, Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae, Luciana Souza, Leonard Cohen & Joni Mitchell Average Rating:
 Rating:  - One Fabulous CDThis is a very fine CD with Joni Mitchell songs rendered by various artists, including Joni and Herbie. I've had it about a month and listen to it about once a day, average. Buy it, it's worth every penny! Rating: - Second half really makes this CD a good oneA terrific CD, although the early songs didn't quite hook me the first time I listened to this CD. Once I got to "Sweet Bird", however, I was loving it. While the first few songs are good, the second half of the CD is definitely better than the first. Rating: - Nice Surprise!This CD was a wonderful surprise to me. I was expecting more of a pop feel and was pleasantly surprised by how improvisational it was. Norah Jones' gorgeous take on "Court and Spark" is beautifully realized and extremely haunting. I enjoyed Tina Turner's version of "Edith," as well. There's much here to absorb...especially for jazz fans. Others would find this material difficult to penetrate. It's so nice that it won the Grammy. It's a deep and rather dark musical journey, but well worth it. ... Read More Rating: - The jazz-piano icon turns choice Joni Mitchell songs into a beautiful, melancholic, jazz suite.On his latest album "River: The Joni Letters", the phenomenal jazz pianist and composer reinterprets the soulful poetry of Joni Mitchell's lyrics.The good news is that his homage to Joni Mitchell digs deeper, with the help of cameo appearances from Norah Jones, Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae, Leonard Cohen and Mitchell herself With some starry guest vocalists, Hancock pastes a selection of Mitchell tunes, plus standards, on to a high-octane ensemble (including Wayne Shorter, bassist Dave Holland, ... Read More Rating: - Herbie Hancock-River the joni lettersIt was pleasure listening to this CD. The music is wonderful.A must have for all lovers of jazz. |
