Search - Joni Mitchell - Painting with Words and Music on DVD

Robert B. (rbrown) from STARKVILLE, MS
Reviewed on 1/31/2009...

Ah, Joni, my everlasting musical crush. This is a concert taped live for Canadian TV, featuring Joni doing songs from every phase of her career. She avoids most of her early stuff, with the only songs pre-HEJIRA being "Woodstock," "Big Yellow Taxi," "Just Like This Train," and "Harry's House." I'll admit that I was a little unhappy that she did nothing from BLUE, and only sang one song from COURT AND SPARK. Still, any Joni is great Joni, and she does four songs from my favorite of her albums, HEJIRA. She's ably backed by ex-hubby Larry Klein on bass and some other guys that I didn't know. She also invited special guest Mark Isham to add mostly inconsequential muted trumpet noodling. A few surprise audience members turn up, Joni tells the stories behind a few songs, everybody grooves. It's an excellent DVD to put on when you need to do other things and can't really pay much attention to the TV. The sound mix (mixed by Joni herself) is nice in 5.1. Enjoyable.

Please remaster this!

Foo Bar | United States | 02/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To the studio that issued this DVD:

The concert is amazing, every bit as good as Shadows and Light, maybe better. Joni's vocals, her guitar playing, and the band are absolutely breathtaking in the quality of their musicianship.

But the sound quality is pathetic, especially in comparison to the music. I know what Greg Leisz and Brian Blade sound like live, and this isn't it.

Is there any way you could remaster this DVD to do it justice?

This isn't just a "random" concert DVD. It's a Joni Mitchell album. It may not have unique songs, but it has unique performances, especially since the band is so good. That makes it every bit as important artistically as Blue, Mingus, or Wild Things Run Fast. Yes, you heard right -- as important as Blue.

Let's consider an analogy. Joni only has about 25 albums. Let's suppose that Picasso only did about 25 paintings. And let's suppose that a painting had been damaged. And let's suppose that you were the *only* person in the world capable of restoring it. You'd fix it, wouldn't you? It would be an important contribution to art and humanity.

If you could remaster this, it would be tremendous. Besides, look at the reviews here. Everybody loves the album, but hates the sound quality. You can do something about it!"

Magnificent beyond words

Irfan A. Alvi | Towson, MD USA | 06/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I use the word "genius" very sparingly, but it certainly applies to Joni Mitchell. In my book, Joni is one of the greatest musical artists of the past century, male or female, in any genre. In fact, she defies genre because her music is a remarkably creative and unique fusion of many elements. Past eras had their Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, and Stravinsky. We have our Joni Mitchell, and we shouldn't take that fortunate fact for granted.

This particular concert takes place in the cozy environment of a small round theater appointed with comfortable couches and soothing lighting. As always, Joni's performance is sublime, with vocals that go straight to your soul, and she's a fabulous guitarist to boot. Her set selection covers the spectrum of her career, and she prefaces many of the songs with comments which add nicely to their context. As one would expect, her supporting band is top notch, and I hope they appreciate how fortunate they are to be able to work with her.

Personally, Joni's art moves me deeply, to the extent that I've been importantly changed as a person. I therefore value any opportunity to experience her performances, including this wonderful concert DVD. I've watched it several times over the past decade, and each time I've gotten something more out of it - a mark of great art.

50 stars."