Description
Shadows and Lightis the second live album by Canadian musicianJoni Mitchell. It was released in September 1980 throughAsylum Records, her last release for the label. It was recorded in September 1979 at theSanta Barbara BowlinSanta Barbara, California.For this album, Mitchell was backed by a band of acclaimedjazzandfusionmusicians consisting of guitaristPat Metheny, bassistJaco Pastorius, drummerDon Alias, keyboardistLyle Mays, and saxophonistMichael Brecker. The vocal groupthe Persuasionsappear on the title track and a cover ofFrankie Lymon&the Teenagers’ “Why Do Fools Fall in Love”.
The musicians are given room to jam, and they sound terrific on uptempo songs such as “Coyote” and “In France They Kiss on Main Street.” If there is a general theme of these songs, it’s about growing older and maturing after the failed idealism of the late ’60s (the album opens with audio clips from the movie Rebel Without a Cause). Although this album is pleasing, the live arrangements are not different enough from the studio versions to warrant higher marks. In fact, Mitchell has always been an album artist who recorded studio albums that had a sound and feel all their own. While Shadows and Light provides a nice summary of her experimental period for casual fans, interested listeners should start withHejiraorThe Hissing of Summer Lawns. (via AllMusic)
Label: Asylum Records
Format: 2 x Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Remastered, 180g
Country: UK, Europe & US
Reissued: 2024 / Original Release: 1980
Genre: Jazz, Rock, Pop
Style: Acoustic
File under: School of Rock
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