Joni Mitchell Shin

"Court And Spark" is most definitely Joni Mitchell's transitional album, from wistful and haunting songstress/writer to edgy, bittersweet visionary. At first listen, it's so musically melodic and catchy you can pass it off as great dinner music. But once the reality sets in at the appropriate time, this album rubs your face in the sand. There is cynicism here. "Trouble Child" is one of the most haunting and bitter songs I have ever heard. The title track is almost a last flirtation with her "Blue" period. "Help Me" is beautiful pop about blissful confusion. "Free Man In Paris" is great tale about a mogul's exaustion and cravings of personal freedom (Geffen, perhaps?). "People's Parties", "The Same Situation", "Down To You" & "Car On A Hill" are all self-explanatory. "Raised On Robbery" and her cover of Wardell Gray's (via Annie Ross) "Twisted" pre-date punk rock with plenty of attitude and "don't **** with me" vibes. A Mitchell masterpiece !!

A superb compilation of Mitchell's latter-day work, The Beginning also testifies to the stunning, unified vision of this accomplished, socially astute artist. The songs on the album were taken from her albums between 1985 and 1998 and thematically sequenced.

With her latest project, Bay-area vocalist Antonioli plumbs new emotional depths exploring her earliest musical inspiration, the vividly confessional songs of Joni Mitchell. An internationally acclaimed jazz singer and influential educator, Antonioli doesn't just interpret Mitchell's music, she unveils unexpected emotional insights and uncovers submerged musical ideas while turning each song into her own revelatory tale.