***This may have been posted already, but if you haven't heard, this Joni tribute project is in stores now and includes covers from such artists as Bjork, Annie Lennox, k.d. lang, Cassandra Wilson, Elvis Costello and some strange, little guy from Minneapolis. You can hear snippets of the covers and read brief artist statements about Joni here: http://atributetojonimitchell.com/

NEWS
“Prior to this moment, only in our wildest and sauciest dreams could we picture Sufjan Stevens, Björk, and Prince rolling around together.
Nonesuch Records, however, has made our dreams a reality”
-PitckforkMedia.com, 1/03/07

‘A Tribute to Joni Mitchell’, the first major US tribute album to the legendary artist, is set for release on April 24th. Musicians from many genres are represented on the 12 tracks of both rare and quintessential songs from the revered and influential singer/songwriter’s expansive career.

Each performer’s distinct takes on ‘A Tribute to Joni Mitchell’ are true to their own artistry, proving Mitchell’s universal appeal and versatility as a songwriter. Mitchell becomes the thread linking together these otherwise very different musical styles into a cohesive and brilliant creation.

Executive producer and Nonesuch Records President Bob Hurwitz, a longtime admirer of Joni Mitchell, came across the project upon Nonesuch’s move to Warner Brothers in 2004. It was started in the late ‘90s, but never completed. He says:

“I loved much of what I heard from the first group of recordings; the best of the tracks, at least to me, sounded like these artists were singing for an audience of one: Joni Mitchell. They knew she would hear their recording of her song, which has to be one of the most daunting tasks any musician can face.

“In moving forward, I thought that there should be a purpose to every track: each should be a reinvention or an homage, or be performed by an artist who was a part of Joni's life or whom I knew she admired, or whose life was changed by Joni. Listening to them all, one can only be struck by the incredible craft she brought to these songs, all written as intensely personal statements, yet having the expressive resilience that allows other great artists to find part of their own musical life in her creations.”
[Edited 5/22/07 21:11pm]

I've been listening to Joni and Bjork like crazy lately.

This is the rare case with tribute albums of getting it right.

My only complaint is that I wish it filled the disc. More please!

It's so cute the way Bjork says... "negro affectations."

GangstaFam said:

So have you heard this tribute album, or is this the first you've known of it?

Lammastide said:

I knew about it. I don't own it yet, although I do know most of the material on it. Love the Bjork cover.

This looks cool, but I'll probably only download individual tracks after reading reviews here. I like tribute collections, but I can't think of one that is a great CD from start to finish. Most of them seem to only have a few stand out songs.

There has to be great tribute album out there.

Stax said:

This is as close to one as I've seen.

GangstaFam said:

it is a lineup made in org heaven.

Stax said:

sosgemini said:

Huh. Well there you go.

Stax said:

oh its great from start to finish...even meshell's slinky funky tune.

sosgemini said:

it looks like a decent lineup and dolly can write some songs.

Björk's cover is my fav song on there, it's simply stunning
in it's simplicity and beauty. I've listened to it at least
once or twice every day since i got it about a month ago...

1 the 1st is junk - a cop-out
2 bjork is bjork, love 'er o' loathe 'er
3 those african things give this song a touch of the pc (political correctness)sound
4 They forgot 2 add the fucking vocal! What's the point here?
5 actually sounds promising
6 is cool, probably sparked off the whole idea. Prince sells
7 starts a bit thin, haven't heard the ending
8 annie lennox, ooh love 'er
9 like the sound of it, works 4 me, cool song lyrically!
10 elvis! There's the tension! Where's the relief?
11 almost too busy, liked it though!
12 minimal, her songs usually work if they're not crowded by the celebrities persona. I can tolerate this last one, it's got no edge though.


All in all I wouldn't bother!

thedribbler said:

Wow, you don't waste time, do you?

I'm gonna check it out. These can't all be perfect, but they seem interesting enough.

is prince version on joni mitchell tribute the same as version on one nite alone

I love kd lang doing Joni songs. She should cover her whole songbook, really.

It's difficult to decribe jonis' talent. It may well be impossible to to cover her well enough.

Banished1!

yes, it's the same version.

I've actually been listening to Lennox's "Ladies of the Canyon" from the "No More I Love You's" single quite a bit lately. "Love Song for a Vampire" is on there, too, so I listen to that single lots.

Stax said:

That is a great one. Even artists I don't really like - namely Shania Twain - do good work on there. It's a worthwhile listen.

Back on topic, I had no idea this album was out already! I'm so out of the loop. Thanks for the reminder!

Why does Bjork pronounce "Jesus" as "Deesus"? It's on this one and Prayer Of The Heart

Raze said:

Yeah, 'specially cause she has no problem saying "jetto blaster."

is prince version on joni mitchell tribute the same as version on one nite alone

thebanishedone said:

yes

Xagain said:

True!