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Creative and so "right" and musical they more than make up for the first 5. The rest of the cuts are also top class. Highly recommended. The 1st 5 cuts are boring uncreative fare. Wow, do things take off on Prince's cut - contemp R & B / gospel / jazz but what a vocal performance and such an original arrangement.
For, whatever you think of the final result, clearly he was inspired by Joni and this is the result, rather than just another tired cover.Carry on, Sufjan. Wow, tough room. Still, I think Sufjan Stevens' "Free Man In Paris" is a fitting tribute in this collection.
It's a shame that TNT didn't release the video of the broadcast. What's unfortunate is that many who buy may not have seen the actual broadcast that was touching and very well produced. I've been listening to kd Langs version of help me for almost five years from my saved tape; it was the most memorable performance for me during the concert and she did it barefoot; we can always count on kd to buck tradition. This album is the result of a tribute to Joni hosted by TNT Network almost 5 years ago. While some find this missing a few cuts or some of her most popular songs, it is nonetheless a wonderful album.
Lots of different interpretations, but it doesn't work for me. This tribute album is just so so. Kind of boring, like the Leonard Cohen tribute album "Tower of Song." The originals are better, why bother with this one. I just got "Shine" and absolutely love it. Joni is coming into her own again.
But each time I play this recording I am fascinated by the depth of the music and arrangements and emotions displayed. James Taylor's "River" was spot on. I was comparing this album and Herbie Hancocks new release "River The Joni Letters". This album is very uneven in the listening. Prince laid it all out vocally in "A Case of You" Elvis Costello did a great ballady arrangement of "Edith and The Kingpin". What a huge mistake that is. Each performer had a personal relationship with the song they selected to cover and the listening is not easily accessible at first.
When Emmylou sings this song you feel every ounce of emptiness these woman felt in their forced servitude. (you really should Google the true story behind this song it is heartbreaking).
So I think the first impulse of many listeners would be to dismiss this album. The standouts for me were Emmylou Harris doing Magdeline Laundries.
Both are uniformly excellent but the difference is that in the Hancock album you have Herbie unifying the entire experience. It is really a great tribute.
Cassandra Wilson did a haunting jazzy version of "For The Roses" On and on the performances weave a tapestry of interpertive talents that if you take the time to absorb will be a rich and rewarding musical experience. There is a vast textural disparity from the smoothness of James Taylor's version of "River" to Bjork's "Boho Dance" cover.
The common thread in this album is the incredible dedication of the various performers to honor Joni in their own style.
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