| I've always had a great respect for Joni Mitchell and her music, even though it isn't typically the type of music I listen to on a regular basis. But when I saw that she had developed a sort of concept CD featuring some classic songs that sketch the story of an evolving romance, I knew it had to be very special. And indeed it is. Sometimes popular vocalists will attempt this kind of project but with little success. They simply haven't the vocal "chops" to carry it off. Happily...joyously, Joni Mitchell does and she makes these old standards sound as fresh as the day they were written. She makes each song her own with her unique and legendary sound. The fully orchestrated arrangements are heavenly and her smoky vocals work especially well with songs like You're My Thrill, (one of my favorite tracks on this CD), At Last, and Stormy Weather, surely one of the greatest songs ever written. I've always embraced adventurous projects like this, especially when an artist like Joni Mitchell performs the material. And on this occasion I couldn't be happier with the results. |
