The Hissing of Summer Lawns

by Joni Mitchell

Overview

Joni Mitchell evolved from the smooth jazz-pop of Court and Spark to the radical Hissing of Summer Lawns, an adventurous work that remains among her most difficult records. After opening with the graceful "In France They Kiss on Main Street," the album veers sharply into "The Jungle Line," an odd, Moog-driven piece backed by the rhythms of the warrior drums of Burundi -- a move into multiculturalism that beat the likes of Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and Sting to the punch by a decade. While not as prescient, songs like "Edith and the Kingpin" and "Harry's House -- Centerpiece" are no less complex or idiosyncratic, employing minor-key melodies and richly detailed lyrics to arrive at a strange and beautiful fusion of jazz and shimmering avant pop. ~ Jason Ankeny

Product Details

Release Date:	01/13/2008
Label:	Elektra / Warner Bros.
UPC:	0075596033220
Rank:	5922

Tracks

1. In France They Kiss On Main Street
2. The Jungle Line
3. Edith and the Kingpin
4. Don't Interrupt the Sorrow
5. Shades of Scarlett Conquering
6. The Hissing of Summer Lawns
7. The Boho Dance
8. Harry's House/Centerpiece
9. Sweet Bird
10. Shadows and Light

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Joni Mitchell   Primary Artist,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Voices,Keyboards,Lead Vocals,Farfisa Organ,ARP Synthesizer,Moog Synthesizer,Guitar (Acoustic),Vocals (Background)
Larry Carlton   Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Robben Ford   Guest Artist,Dobro,Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Wilton Felder   Guest Artist,Bass,Guitar (Bass)
James Taylor   Guest Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Joe Sample   Guest Artist,Keyboards,Piano (Electric),Guitar (Electric)
Bud Shank   Guest Artist,Wind,Flute,Saxophone,Flute (Bass)
David Crosby   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Graham Nash   Guest Artist,Vocals,Harmonica,Vocals (Background)
Victor Feldman   Keyboards,Percussion,Vibraphone,Piano (Electric),Guitar (Electric),Congas
Chuck Findley   Horn,Trumpet,Flugelhorn
Max Bennett   Bass,Guitar (Bass)
The Royal Burundi Drummers   Percussion
John Guerin   Drums,Moog Synthesizer
Jeff Baxter   Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Dale Oehler   Strings

Technical Credits

Ellis Sorkin   Assistant Engineer
Andy Paley   Mastering Assistant
Joe Gastwirt   Mastering
Johnny Mandel   Composer
Jon Hendricks   Composer
Joni Mitchell   Composer,Producer
Harry "Sweets" Edison   Composer
John Guerin   Arranger,Composer
Dale Oehler   String Arrangements