Her Best Tour, Best Collaboration, and Her Best Live Recording. Kudos to Tom Scott and the L.A. Express! Genius playing with Genius. Amazing! Unfortunately, the CD version is edited down and lost a lot of the interaction between Joni and the audience which of course deterred from the original vinyl and the "feel" and charm of the shows these songs were gleaned from. Until there's an anniversary edition of the CD that's COMPLETE, I'd find and buy the vinyl.
Sounds like Carey is trying to outrun the fuzz on some 70's cop show, frantically running down back alleys, knocking down cardboard boxes, jumping from rooftops..."Carey took off with her finest silver, get 'im!!" Definitely experimental but it's obvious Carlton had ujst bought a new Wah pedal and by damn, he's gonna use it! :)
Some of the comments here remind me of Bob Dylan getting booed at the time of Hwy. 61 because he'd 'sold out' by playing with electric guitars and drums. Why would any audience member want to limit an artist's expression to the familiar?
I think the contributions from Tom Scott and the LA Express complement Joni's songs very well indeed. The instrumental arrangement of this song captures the beach resort mood of the lyrics particularly well.
I'm glad she finally got over that sliding note affectation. It seems to be limited to the "Court and Spark" period--unfortunately, that was when I, as an eleven-year-old kid, was first exposed to her music and singing. That annoying mannerism kept me from discovering the wealth of treasures in her other output until many years later.
And about the mood, Miles of Aisles is anything but "devoid of charm!" It was a front row seat to Joni stretching her wings and applying her own brand of genius to new styles and collaborations. I'm not certain whether elevator music had been invented in 1974, but I know disco hadn't reared its ugly little head yet! Live music still ruled and mood was defined by the adoration of audiences everywhere she played.
Every song Joni Mitchell ever wrote is about someplace I've been--in my own way. The Miles of Aisles concert tour was fabulous--at least the show I caught in Seattle, Wa was. It was during the time of streakers running naked through crowded venues and I'm afraid Joni's fans didn't even notice them. I think I saw the Stones one week, then Joni the next, then Jethro Tull the week after, but Joni is who stays with me all these decades later.
Just between us, Joni is the greatest female singer songwriter of the 20th century and, as I said, the LA Express are great muscians as you can hear on their studio collaborations with her. My criticism of the mood is legitimate. The phony caribbean fills played (by the great Joe Sample??) and the almost disco rhythm (played by the Great Larry Carlton) sound like elevator music. Even the greatest talents have their bad moments and this isone. We shouldn't be afraid to point it out. Or should we?
Stunning photo., but this version does not hold a candle to the one that first appeared on "Blue." Give me a dulcimer, and leave out the heavy back-up instrumental. The song does not need it, and does not benefit from it.
Joni is a musician's musician. The best jazz performers have accompanied her.
Miles of Aisles won Miles of Aisles won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). I believe she has 7 other Grammys.
As great as the musicians are on this, it is completely devoid of the charm that breathes through her earlier live performances of this song. Too bad.
@williamfeuer Yes.....but its called "mood" She has performed this song countless times live. And depending on the mood of the audience and her surroundings, the performance came out like this. Dont criticize her because of that.
Beautiful version, this one.
mike58greenberg 3 weeks ago
Her Best Tour, Best Collaboration, and Her Best Live Recording. Kudos to Tom Scott and the L.A. Express! Genius playing with Genius. Amazing! Unfortunately, the CD version is edited down and lost a lot of the interaction between Joni and the audience which of course deterred from the original vinyl and the "feel" and charm of the shows these songs were gleaned from. Until there's an anniversary edition of the CD that's COMPLETE, I'd find and buy the vinyl.
rpscot55 3 weeks ago
I'm happy that Joni sounds happy!
1974Qball 2 months ago 18
Sounds like Carey is trying to outrun the fuzz on some 70's cop show, frantically running down back alleys, knocking down cardboard boxes, jumping from rooftops..."Carey took off with her finest silver, get 'im!!" Definitely experimental but it's obvious Carlton had ujst bought a new Wah pedal and by damn, he's gonna use it! :)
hotpocketpizzapop 6 months ago 2
Some of the comments here remind me of Bob Dylan getting booed at the time of Hwy. 61 because he'd 'sold out' by playing with electric guitars and drums. Why would any audience member want to limit an artist's expression to the familiar?
I think the contributions from Tom Scott and the LA Express complement Joni's songs very well indeed. The instrumental arrangement of this song captures the beach resort mood of the lyrics particularly well.
COLDB33R 6 months ago
The other instruments wreck her songs. I'd never listen to this again.
dob90210 9 months ago
I'm glad she finally got over that sliding note affectation. It seems to be limited to the "Court and Spark" period--unfortunately, that was when I, as an eleven-year-old kid, was first exposed to her music and singing. That annoying mannerism kept me from discovering the wealth of treasures in her other output until many years later.
Seasass 10 months ago
@Seasass more like "sea ass"
jessert 4 months ago
@jessert Yes, precisely (I think that one was already taken).
Seasass 4 months ago
And about the mood, Miles of Aisles is anything but "devoid of charm!" It was a front row seat to Joni stretching her wings and applying her own brand of genius to new styles and collaborations. I'm not certain whether elevator music had been invented in 1974, but I know disco hadn't reared its ugly little head yet! Live music still ruled and mood was defined by the adoration of audiences everywhere she played.
rileyearl1 1 year ago
Every song Joni Mitchell ever wrote is about someplace I've been--in my own way. The Miles of Aisles concert tour was fabulous--at least the show I caught in Seattle, Wa was. It was during the time of streakers running naked through crowded venues and I'm afraid Joni's fans didn't even notice them. I think I saw the Stones one week, then Joni the next, then Jethro Tull the week after, but Joni is who stays with me all these decades later.
rileyearl1 1 year ago
Just between us, Joni is the greatest female singer songwriter of the 20th century and, as I said, the LA Express are great muscians as you can hear on their studio collaborations with her. My criticism of the mood is legitimate. The phony caribbean fills played (by the great Joe Sample??) and the almost disco rhythm (played by the Great Larry Carlton) sound like elevator music. Even the greatest talents have their bad moments and this isone. We shouldn't be afraid to point it out. Or should we?
williamfeuer 1 year ago
Love this version - and the picture of Joni on this one - glowing.
cricket61161 1 year ago 3
Stunning photo., but this version does not hold a candle to the one that first appeared on "Blue." Give me a dulcimer, and leave out the heavy back-up instrumental. The song does not need it, and does not benefit from it.
mjrix 1 year ago 2
Joni is a musician's musician. The best jazz performers have accompanied her.
Miles of Aisles won Miles of Aisles won the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). I believe she has 7 other Grammys.
PinkPrism008 1 year ago
I prefer the acoustic arrangement too - but you can't deny Joni's voice still hits the mark.
mpolakow 1 year ago
It doesn't need all these legendary musicians to make it groovy.
It rocks harder with just her voice and dulcimer. Look it up and see for yourselves.
sleakitweasel 1 year ago
However,I like this version too.
TheLittledog2 2 years ago
This is something like "how to destroy a great song".
It reminds me of Starsky & Hutch or something like that!
edmundblackedder 2 years ago
why??
LdyChatterleysPlover 2 years ago
This is a happier version of a GREAT song.
Mikelevine360 2 years ago
As great as the musicians are on this, it is completely devoid of the charm that breathes through her earlier live performances of this song. Too bad.
williamfeuer 2 years ago 2
@williamfeuer Yes.....but its called "mood" She has performed this song countless times live. And depending on the mood of the audience and her surroundings, the performance came out like this. Dont criticize her because of that.
nsra1933 1 year ago