Product Details
- Artist: Herbie Hancock
|
- Binding: Audio CD
|
- Format: Special Edition
|
- Label: Verve
|
- Manufacturer: Verve
|
- Number of Discs: 1
|
- Product Group: Music
|
- Publisher: Verve
|
- Release Date: 2007-09-25
|
- Studio: Verve
|
- Title: River: The Joni Letters (with Bonus Tracks) - Amazon.com Exclusive
|
- UPC: 602517477544
|
Avg Customer Rating: 
Product Description: On paper, River sounds like a match made in several versions of heaven. Legendary pianist Herbie Hancock re-imagines Joni Mitchell with his hand-picked, star-studded band--including saxophonist Wayne Shorter--in tow. Luminary guests lend vocals to a song apiece: Norah Jones ("Court and Spark"), Tina Turner ("Edith and the Kingpin"), Corinne Bailey Rae ("River"), Luciana Souza ("Amelia"), Leonard Cohen (with an unsettlingly sanguine version of "The Jungle Line"), even Mitchell herself ("Tea Leaf Prophecy"). In the event, though, a few fundamental elements go awry. Hancock plays with almost saccharine understatement throughout, and even Shorter's seminal "Nefertiti" and Duke Ellington's "Solitude" fall into the album's presiding, somnolent surface, though to a lesser degree does the instrumental version of Mitchell's "Sweet Bird." But girding, and in some measure, saving, the proceedings, the lyrics here testify to a subtler wisdom guiding Hancock's set list. The mix includes a continuum from intrepid classics to dusty, fans-only fare, but a distinct reverence for Joni Mitchell the Poet threads them together, and, in the end, this album works best as a sleepy window into one fan's giddy and particular love affair with his source material. Fans of Hancock win out. --Jason Kirk
|
Customer Reviews
Corinne Bailey Rae's River
I just heard this one track so that is all I'm commenting on. This was absolutely painful - she's sounding happy when she's singing it! Even though I love this song as Mitchell did it, I was open to hearing a different interpretation but this one is total junk.. "I made my baby cry" doesn't really rate a smile in the voice, does it?
|
best album in years
Since receiving this album several weeks ago, I have not been able to take it out of my cd player. Herbie lays down the piano tracks like no one else can. Wayne Shorters haunting soprano sax in the background adds texture to the melodies and all of the vocals are right on.
This is the only Grammy album of the year that is deserving of the honor.
|
Just like a heart of ZEN !
A sound abreast of a heart of ZEN is calm and is beautiful.
It seems to be able to totally take in streamflow in the heart.
|
A Once In A Life Time Convergence Of Two Geniuses!
Two geniuses converge, Joni's music and lyrics interpreted by Herbie's avant garde jazz arrangements. Although not a perfect CD the music is captivating! The vocals here are performed by artists of the highest caliber. The jazz instrumental arrangements are quiet and progressive performed by the very best jazz musicians in the world. Don't pass this music by! If this were an vinyl LP I would have worn it out by now. 'River: The Joni Letters' is the 2007 Grammy-winning album by Herbie Hancock. Who cares about awards? I only care about content! Highly recommended.
|
Real Jazz
After listening I'm truly amazed this record was voted album of the year, not because it's not deserving, but because it's a legit jazz record. Great performances by some of the worlds best jazz musicians of masterworks by one of the true treasures of her generation, Joni Mitchell.
|
|