July 25, 2007
CBC Arts


Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell will release her next album through Starbucks' new record label, the second artist to sign with the coffee chain after Paul McCartney.

Mitchell will release Shine, an album for which she has written nine of the 10 tracks, with Hear Music on Sept. 25.

It is her first album of new compositions since 1998. She said it is "as serious a work as I've ever done."

Mitchell has signed a two-album deal with Hear Music.

McCartney's album Memory Almost Full came out in June with the label, set up in a partnership between Starbucks Corp. and Concord Music Group.

Memory Almost Full was played relentlessly at Starbucks franchises and has sold 447,000 copies, 45 per cent of them in Starbucks stores.

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For veteran artists, the new label offers a chance to reach consumers while they stand in line waiting for a coffee.

Mitchell expressed her discontent with the music industry in a 2002 interview with Rolling Stone, saying she couldn't recall what she liked about music.

Albums she released in the early part of the century, Both Sides Now, recorded in 2000, 2002's Travelogue and 2003's four-box set, The Complete Geffen Recordings, had no new compositions.

Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment, said Mitchell's interest in recording was rekindled when she worked with Hear Music two years ago to release a disc of her songs selected by various artists.

Earlier this year, Mitchell had creative input into The Fiddle and the Drum, a ballet with choreographer Jean Grand-Maître that debuted in Calgary.

Tribute album
Two songs from The Fiddle and the Drum — If, based on Mitchell's favourite poem by Rudyard Kipling, and If I Had a Heart — are recorded in Shine. A new version of Big Yellow Taxi also will be included.

Mitchell, 63, is also planning an exhibit of her paintings in New York this fall.

Herbie Hancock is working on a tribute album to Mitchell, titled In My Solitude, with various artists, including Norah Jones and Tina Turner, covering her songs.

Mitchell, who began her career as a folk music icon before branching out into jazz and pop, was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in January. She has been a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1997.

With files from the Associated Press
[Edited 7/25/07 22:20pm]

That's soon!

As if I needed an excuse to go to Starbucks, I think I'm dropping by for a venti chai today just to show some love!

GangstaFam said:

Faster than a Sun Ra recording session

Wow ~ what fabulous news. I'd love to see the art exhibit ~ wonder if it will be shown at other venues? Toronto in September would be perfect. Better yet, Joni in Toronto in September!!! One can dream ~~~~~

MoonSongs said:

Girl, don't get me started! I think I might lose my mind.

I'm happy older artists are using other options to get their music heard. Paul's album selling well right now, ain't it?

Timmy84 said:

From above: Memory Almost Full was played relentlessly at Starbucks franchises and has sold 447,000 copies, 45 per cent of them in Starbucks stores.

I think it's a great alternative distribution plan. I wonder why Prince passed it up?

I'm also THRILLED to hear about the Herbie Hancock project. I wish I were connected with some industry movers and shakers, though... I've always wanted to hear Aretha cover "Two Grey Rooms" and this seems a prime chance!

Lammastide said:

I KNOW ~ Gangstafam and I are going to be there in September for the Island festival ~ it's actually possible that she could be around. I won't even post how long it's been since I've seen her live.

Great news ! That is one day later than the new PJ Harvey CD.
Found a tracklist of "Shine". Here it is:

1. One Week Last Summer
2. This Place
3. If I Had a Heart
4. Hana
5. Bad Dreams are Good
6. Big Yellow Taxi
7. Night of the Iguana
8. Strong and Wrong
9. Shine
10. If

theplejades said:

I could do without the "Big Yellow Taxi" remake.

GangstaFam said:

PJ is not worthy to cover Joni...what does she think she is? Tori Amos?

MoonSongs said:

You've actually seen her live?!?! What a blessing!

Are you coming up for the Virgin festival... Bjork, INTERPOL, etc? How cool!

MikeMatronik said:

Huh?

GangstaFam said:

Me too. She played it when she was interviewed on some Radio Show a few months ago. I have heard it only once and didn´t like it very much. But i think she wants "Shine" to be a political album and thats why she included it.

prince and now joni mitchell?

they are destrying the whole snobby"sell out"thing!

good for her-i guess its no different to being in a record company

this is great and YES this is different that being at a major label. Starbucks can get you played all over the place. Look at McCartney he sold more in 3-4 weeks of this album than his last two EMI releases put together, and it had nothing to do with the songs either, all the albums were good. This is a great move for Joni or anyone else that fucking does music anymore for artistic gains and is over 30 years old. Joni at any label would be a joke at this point, labels are a joke at this point. Good move Joni, next up Alanis and Jewel will be signing, just a little hint of whats coming.

GangstaFam said:

ya don't know what you bought

til its gone

Cinnie said: