Description
Mingusis the tenth studio album by Canadian musicianJoni Mitchell. It was released on June 13, 1979, and was her last studio album forAsylum Records.The album is a collaboration between Mitchell andCharles Mingus. It was recorded in the months before and after Mingus’ death in January 1979 and is wholly dedicated to him. The album is one of Mitchell’s most experimental andjazz-centric works. Mingus originally wrote six compositions (“Joni I-VI”) for Mitchell to write lyrics for, and three of these were included on the album. Two other tracks written exclusively by Mitchell are included, alongside a new version of Mingus’ standard “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”, featuring lyrics written by Mitchell. In addition to these, fivespoken wordtracks (denoted as “raps”) are dispersed throughout the album.
Mitchell is backed on the album byJaco Pastorius(who had also contributed to Mitchell’s two previous albums) onfretless bass,Wayne Shorteron saxophone,Herbie Hancockon electric piano,Peter Erskineon drums andDon Aliason percussion.Mingusreceived mixed-to-positive reviews from critics and peaked at number 17 in the US. “The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines” was released as a single to promote the album, but did not chart. Mitchell would tour to promote the album through 197980; performances from these concerts would be documented on the live albumShadows and Light(1980).
This release coincides with Joni Mitchells 1976-80 era which has been remastered extensively for a new box set, in vinyl, CD, and digital editions.The Asylum Albums (1976-1980)compilesHejira,Don Juans Reckless Daughter,Mingus, and the live albumShadows and Light, and comes with liner notes from none other than Meryl Streep, who paid tribute to the singer-songwriter as part ofa MusiCares Person of the Year tribute in 2022. Below, listen to Coyote (2024 Remaster), from theHejiraredux, and check out the box sets cover art, excerpted from one of Mitchells paintings.
In the liner notes, Streep writes, Its not just the artifactmusic and lyricsthat Joni gives us. Her artistry leaves us, ourselves, changed. She has shifted things around inside us. And thats how artists change the world. Audio engineer Bernie Grundman remastered the albums from the flat analog masters, with press release notes.
Label: Asylum Records
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Remastered, 180g, Gatefold
Country: UK, Europe & US
Released: 2024 / Original Release: 1979
Genre: Jazz
Style: Contemporary Jazz
File under: Jazz Vocals
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