Customer Ratings & Reviews

Featuring one of Joni Mitchell's best songs, "Coyote," this album could be referred to as her "Kind of Blue," at least in the simple structure of its jazz-influenced instrumental arrangements if not in its commercial success. Also like that Miles Davis masterpiece, it received wide critical acclaim. The songs are all originals with the pure strains of their composer's genes flowing through them--they stubbornly refuse to be pigeonholed. There is some very talented musicianship on display here--bassist Jaco Pastorius' work on fretless bass for most of the cuts--listen to what he does on "Refuge of the Roads." Listen to the title track several times and that sound will be like an aural experience akin to Mitchell's cross-country experiences that were the genesis of this recording. This album is a must have for fans of great singer/songwriters of the last half of the last century.

The best Joni ever? That's arguable but many would agree it gets a serious shot. Mid-70s (Joni was about 30), it is uninterrupted poetry, her travel-themed turning-point look in both directions. One of the greatest artworks by a woman. I think it's fair to say her career never quite sustained the brilliance achieved in the 70s. She was "like Icarus ascending, on beautiful foolish arms" (from Amelia) "It was just a false alarm." Sad but heartening because it's so relentelessly good.

Hard to believe this album is almost 40 years ago ! It's just easy listening mellow music at its best - and Joni Mitchell's best too ! At this price, buy two - keep one and give one as a gift ! Enjoy !