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Track Listings
| 1. Court And Spark |
| 2. Help Me |
| 3. Free Man In Paris |
| 4. People's Parties |
| 5. The Same Situation |
| 6. Car On A Hill |
| 7. Down To You |
| 8. Just Like This Train |
| 9. Raised On Robbery |
| 10. Trouble Child |
| 11. Twisted |
Product Description
Amazon.ca
Painter-turned-folksinger Joni Mitchell had slipped stark saxophone solos into her prior album, For the Roses, and her singing had often hinted at a capacity for bluesier fare than her guitar- and piano-framed confessional ballads offered. None of those hints prepared fans for this sudden, expansive shift towards a much larger canvas--a sleeker, orchestrated pop style pulsating with jazz elements. Court & Spark found Mitchell casting aside her earth mother affectations and revealing herself as the thoroughly modern, thoroughly complicated woman she is; the songs sustained familiar preoccupations with relationships but replaced courtly settings and naturalistic imagery with recognisably modern locales. Deeply romantic, constantly questioning, classic tracks like the title song, "Help Me", "Free Man in Paris", "Same Situation" and "Raised on Robbery" display a more liberated Mitchell, ready to rumble with unbridled electric guitars (guest Robbie Robertson on "...Robbery"), even willing to poke fun at her own oh-so-sensitive rep with a hip cover of Annie Ross's hilarious "Twisted". --Sam Sutherland
Product Description
Most everybody's favorite Joni Mitchell album, highlighted by Help Me; Same Situation; Raised on Robbery ; and Free Man in Paris .
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Though the Top 40 hits Help Me and Free Man in Paris are worth the price of this CD, Court and Spark, as a whole, is a great arrangement of tunes released during what is perhaps the Golden Age of Songwriting.
Not your typical folk Joni Mitchell material, this is essentially her jazz phase release; some might say that it is her signature piece. I would not dare go that far, but it is not surprising that it was her biggest chart success, because it blends so well with the music of the other great artists of the time, namely Carly Simon, Carole King, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, etc. Idealistic and sometimes poignant, Court and Spark is a reflection of the thoughts and perspectives of a woman who was quite mature for one in her early thirties. If only there were more Joni Mitchell's around, for many genres of music need that added "court and spark".
Not your typical folk Joni Mitchell material, this is essentially her jazz phase release; some might say that it is her signature piece. I would not dare go that far, but it is not surprising that it was her biggest chart success, because it blends so well with the music of the other great artists of the time, namely Carly Simon, Carole King, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Paul McCartney, etc. Idealistic and sometimes poignant, Court and Spark is a reflection of the thoughts and perspectives of a woman who was quite mature for one in her early thirties. If only there were more Joni Mitchell's around, for many genres of music need that added "court and spark".
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Despite the many accolades by current artists that I admire, until recently I didn't give Joni Mitchell much thought. Her biggest commercial success was during the 70s when I was a child and if she registered at all on my radar, it was as an earnest guitar strumming folk singer in the Judy Collins mode.
One day, I was in the supermarket of all places when Help Me came on over the loudspeaker. I remembered the song from my childhood but some reason on that day, the song's vocal and instrumental arrangements had me totally entranced. I actually avoided getting in line until it was over. Soon after, I had to buy Court and Spark even though it had been probably 30 years since its initial release.
Ever since, this CD has stayed on regular rotation. The songs have aged well. My favorites are Help Me and Free Man In Paris, a song to which I can relate even though I'm not a music mogul a la David Geffen. Other favorites include Court and Spark, People's Parties and Twisted.
Mitchell's storytelling is strong and her musical intuition is sharp. In retrospect, one can hear her jazz leanings and understand that she was already headed toward a more experimental phase in her later recordings.
If you can't understand why baby boomers complain that music is not what it used to be, pick up Court and Spark to see what they're talking about.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
this album is perfect. really. there are the obvious hit singles 'help me', 'free man in paris' and 'raised on robbery', but beyond these the album just keeps on offering. Melodically, Joni really found it here; a little bit jazzy, a little bit pop, a little folk. Lyrically, Joni is vulnerable, in love and completely raw about all the emotions that pervade throughout the different stages of a relationship. The marriage of heart-felt lyrics with adorable melody is exquisite. Being 16 and a member of the psycho-analysing 'dawsons creek' generation, this album feels perfect. 'Court and Spark' is totally relatable, a gift to humanity; Jesus died on the cross, Joni Mitchell gave us 'court and spark' (and blue).
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4.8 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Joni sells out
Pretty provocative title, eh? Well, Joni did sell out, but she was one of the last to do so, and when she did the whole hippie thing had been over for some time anyway. Read more
Published on July 6 2004 by Don Schmittdiel
5.0 out of 5 stars
wistical
This music was the soundtrack for an all-too-brief courtship in northern Arkansas in 1975-76. I have evolved beyond the person I was then but not beyond this timeless music or... Read more
Published on May 20 2004
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's Springtime Again!!
I just got reading a eulogy for drummer John Guerin, who was the drummer on this masterpiece by Joni Mitchell. Read more
Published on April 19 2004 by D. Hawkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Only Joni Mitchell Album You Will Ever Need!!!
Throughout all of her albums, Court & Spark is probably my favorite Joni Mitchell album. Court & Spark is Joni's experimentation with rock, jazz, and pop. Read more
Published on Mar 29 2004 by Brandon Ousley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect quality
Court and Spark still ranks as a "must have"album of some of her best work.It is my all-time favorite album,not only by her,but for that whole year. Read more
Published on Dec 17 2003 by Edward Methot
4.0 out of 5 stars
Some Atmospheric Tones
Joni Mitchell will always be known as a premiere singer/songwriter from the sixties/early seventies. On Court And Spark, her songs have many intriguing folk and jazz elements. Read more
Published on Nov 27 2003 by G. J Wiener
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard To Beat!
The first five songs on this album (side one of the vinyl) alone are worth the price of admission - the six remaining songs (side two) are icing on a very tasty cake. Read more
Published on Nov 21 2003 by Mark Bumgardner
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not For Everybody
Just like my title says, this album is not for everybody. Joni's voice does take some getting used to, but the payoff is great. Read more
Published on Oct 29 2003
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perhaps her best
Joni Mitchell has always been one of my three favorite music artists, and this album, "Court and Spark," is enough justification for that. Read more
Published on Oct 12 2003 by Tina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Without question her masterpiece...but...
shame on Warner Bros. I re-purchased this disc the other day, as there was a sticker on its cover stating, something like: "Re-mastered, with original art work. Read more
Published on Sep 25 2003 by Frederick Woodruff
Listmania!
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