River: The Joni Letters

Occupation

River: The Joni Letters is the forty-seventh studio album by Herbie Hancock. It is published by Verve Records on September 25, 2007. The tribute album is a tribute to Joni Mitchell, a long-time colleague and friend of Hancock and Producer Larry Klein. Both Hancock and saxophonist Wayne Shorter have previously participated in Mitchell on the 1979 album Mingus Jazz. Hancock also to "Both Sides Now ". Producer Larry Klein not only played the bass guitar, was not only responsible for the technical execution and co-produced a series of Joni Mitchell's music albums, he used to be married to her.

  • 4.1 reviews

Characterization

" River: The Joni Letters" is not easy to categorize; similar to Mitchell's efforts leading the complexity Hancock to be fleeting and elusive. With repeated listening, however, reveal the subtle details and Hancock's assets, the emotional core of Mitchells to take work. Similarly, his treatment of tunes by Duke Ellington ( "Solitude" ) and Wayne Shorter ( " Nefertiti " ) masterfully. The former title, for example, contains an appropriate coda to " Tea Leaf Prophecy". At times, seems Hancocks rendition of " Solitude" Tea Leaf Prophecy again and take full to begin a pilgrimage of self - recoveries; partly it spins away the Mitchell song by indicating the reason that she does not leave her husband or her home town. On the other hand, provides " Nefertiti " a frame of reference for the musical paths of the disk by parallels and connections between Mitchell, Hancock and Shorter's recordings are shown.

Guest vocalists

Hancock was able to enlist their cooperation in River with Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Tina Turner, Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae and Luciana Souza old and new friends that contributed with their different voices to complete his project.

One of the biggest surprises is Tina Turner, whose vocal performance probably one of the best performances means to " Edith And The Kingpin" since her days with Ike. Turner has never deviated from, pop, rock and soul to sing, but when listening to this song, the question arises why they did not include more jazz albums.

Also born in 1979, British soul singer Corinne Bailey Rae manages its "new" voice in the song " River". The empathetic put forward by the interpreter contribution takes the listener to gliding on Mitchell River.

In the way Norah Jones " Court and Spark " takes over and makes the song almost to their own moods are provoked.

" The Jungle Line " put forward by Leonard Cohen in the chant. Immediately you will feel like in a seedy night club in the company of 50 people or less and the flavor of each column is attenuated only by cigarette smoke and debilitating alcohol beverages.

In "Amelia " from Mitchell's Hejira album dance Hancock 's piano notes to the thrilling voice of Brazilian jazz vocalist Luciana Souza.

In the midst of all interpretations Mitchell occupied itself with the Hancock song " Tea Leaf Prophecy" to a new, jazzy post, complete with a much looser vocal arrangement, which comes as an extension of an already top-notch song. Mitchell sings it in free verse form, while Hancock and the band for their style of freedom provide by moving with her ​​and around her, complemented by a matching solo by Shorter, followed by a Hancock solo, which is the text more than fair.

Track list

Bonus title

The Amazon - exclusive version of the album brings two bonus tracks:

  • Sonya Kitchell with

The iTunes Store Digital edition brings two bonus tracks:

Reception

The album reached the 118th rank on the Billboard 200, number 61 in Switzerland, rank 70 in France and number 83 in the Netherlands. On 11 February 2008, the factory was named " Album of the Year " at the 50th annual Grammy Awards. Hancock was in this category in competition with Kanye West, Foo Fighters, Amy Winehouse and Vince Gill.

Reviews

  • Loudly CD reviews criticism ( German )
  • Music Box, judgment: "excellent" (4 of 5 ) Criticism ( English )
  • Okayplayer Link ( English )
  • Seattle Post- Intelligencer | Seattle PI ( verdict: " complacent " ) Link ( English )
  • IM Link ( Polish)
Record label Genre Homage Mingus (Joni-Mitchell-Album) (In My) Solitude Nefertiti (Miles Davis album) Seattle Post-Intelligencer
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