Court and Spark (UK)

Description

COURT AND SPARK completed Joni Mitchells transition from folk-singer to sophisticated rock auteur. In addition to her meticulously crafted melodies and evocative, image-rich lyrics, the songs here are breezy and immediately appealing. This is in part due to Tom Scotts L.A. Express, a sinuous jazz-based combo, but also to Mitchells knack for pop hooks, which abound on COURT AND SPARK. The albums accessibility made it Mitchells most commercially successful, yet the personal intensity and insight of her songwriting never wavers. Help Me was a hit single, as was Free Man in Paris, an expansive pop frolic that is reputedly a dig at industry mogul David Geffen. Mitchell returns to the terrain of piano balladry on The Same Situation and Down to You; yet even on these, as on the excellent social satire Peoples Parties, one can hear the influence of jazz on her vocal phrasing and intonations. The rock & roll romp Raised on Robbery and the bluesy, comic swing of Twisted mix things up a bit, showing the artists increasing ability to master and manipulate any form. COURT AND SPARK is one of Mitchells finest albums, confirming her standingat long lastas one of the most important and subtle talents of the rock era.