JONI MITCHELL - HEJIRA

Joni Mitchell's Hejira is the last in an astonishingly long run of top-notch studio albums dating back to her debut. Some vestiges of her old style remain here; "Song for Sharon" utilizes the static, pithy vocal harmonies from Ladies of the Canyon's "Woodstock," "Refuge of the Roads" features woodwind touches reminiscent of those in "Barangrill" from For the Roses, and "Coyote" is a fast guitar-strummed number that has precedents as far back as Clouds' "Chelsea Morning." But by and large, this release is the most overtly jazz-oriented of her career up to this point -- hip and cool, but never smug or icy.

"Blue Motel Room" in particular is a prototypic slow jazz-club combo number, appropriately smooth, smoky, and languorous. "Coyote," "Black Crow," and the title track are by contrast energetically restless fast-tempo selections. The rest of the songs here cleverly explore variants on mid- to slow-tempo approaches.

Performances are excellent, with special kudos reserved for Jaco Pastorius' melodic bass playing on "Refuge of the Roads" and the title cut. This excellent album is a rewarding listen. (AMG)

Vinyl, LP, Reissue, Remastered, 180 g, Gatefold

Tracklist:
A1 Coyote 5:00
A2 Amelia 6:00
A3 Furry Sings The Blues 5:03
A4 A Strange Boy 4:15
A5 Hejira 6:35
B1 Song For Sharon 8:30
B2 Black Crow 4:20
B3 Blue Motel Room 5:03
B4 Refuge Of The Roads 6:37