| | Herbie Hancock River: The Joni Letters CD Herbie Hancock Discography of CDs
 (6 Customer Reviews)
Any doubts about the incongruity of jazz icon Herbie Hancock covering singer-songwriter extraordinare Joni Mitchell will be obliterated on the first journey through RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS. For starters, the premise is not especially incongruous. Hancock has had a long, adventurous career in which he's traversed genres and masterfully blended styles, while Mitchell has always been deeply influenced by jazz as both a composer and a singer. RIVER features many of Mitchell's finest songs, stunning in their own right and reinterpreted beautifully by Hancock, plus a stellar assortment of musicians and guest vocalists.
Mitchell's pop and folk tendencies have been assimilated into the arrangements; the album plays like a vocal jazz outing. Hancock is joined by fellow Miles Davis alums Wayne Shorter and Dave Holland, among others, and the guest vocalists include Norah Jones, Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae, Leonard Cohen, and--on one track--Mitchell herself. Sophisticated, soulful, and gorgeous, RIVER is a must for fans of Mitchell, classic jazz, adult contemporary artists like Norah Jones--and, well, just about everyone.
Personnel: Wayne Shorter (soprano); Dave Holland (bass guitar); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums).
Additional personnel: Corinne Bailey Rae, Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Tina Turner, Leonard Cohen, Luciana Souza.
JazzTimes (p.88) - "This is Hancock's finest album since GERSHWIN'S WORLD....RIVER inspires complex reflections on the wonders of Joni, the renewable and re-workable nature of great art..."
No Depression (p.94) - "RIVER: THE JONI LETTERS puts real jazz into Mitchell's bohemian oeuvre..." River: The Joni Letters Music Herbie Hancock River: The Joni Letters Songs River: The Joni Letters Music Review Average Rating: (5 out of 5 stars)   List All Reviews A Classic
Too subtle for some, I'm sure, but if you listen INTO these songs and instrumentals, the love and respect that Herbie and company pour into Joni's music is disciplined, creative, triumphant. Herbie, Wayne and Joni are longtime friends, and surely that kinship infuses this classic album. Interesting about this recording is that you can choose to listen lightly and enjoy the pure sonic beauty of the pieces, or you can listen deeply and realize that there's genius at work here. One I'll listen to for years to come.
Submitted by cfrobetterdays (Vancouver, Canada) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Thank you
I was given a copy of this album by a friend at work after Herbie won the Grammy. I play some part of it every day and every time I play it I hear something I missed before. There is so much here for anyone who appreciates both Joni and the other artists on this album. I am heartened to know that some record companies still believe in their artists and are willing to support real music.
Submitted by gstuart54 (Chicago, IL)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Easy to Dismiss - Hard to Forget
At first glance, true jazz legend Herbie Hancock working with today's more popular vocalists sounds like a sellout, ala Supernatural. Thirty seconds into the recording all assumptions fade. This is truly the heroic opus, what one would expect from Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter performing the music of a legendary song-writer. Never once do you feel that any of the artists have compromised or sold out. Every song is filled with subtile nuance and begs for closer listening. Folkies who enjoyed Joni back when she wrote of the canyon ladies will appreciate the fresh treatment that Hancock and company provide. True jazz fans, tired of smooth-lite pablum will be equally impressed. In all, a must buy for anyone who enjoys music regardless of category.
Submitted by kwolin (Washington, DC)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 11 of 24 found this helpful. One of the finest CD's In A Long Time
The sweet notes of Wayne and Herbie playing the piano, accompanied by some of the best voices in Jazz music. Joni's lyrics give this CD 100% in my book. I've loved her music for over 40 years and to hear it played and sung in a Jazz way. What more could I ask for. Music to my happy ears.
Submitted by Ilene (Sunland,)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 8 of 20 found this helpful. One of the greatest albums in years
Another marvelous outing by Herbie, one of his best. Edith and the Kingpin is the standout track. Tina Turner is on fire. I've never heard a better song in my life. This one should win Best Jazz Vocal Album, Herbie and Wayne both should be nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo, and really deserves Song of the Year, and Album of the Year for this track alone. It is probably the greatest song I've heard in the past 20 years. It is inconceivable this kind of music exists. Wayne utterly astonishes, it is so natural, like listening to the infinite unfold before you. Lionel creates an incredible vibe and adds that one element which brings it up to the heavens. When Herbie comes in with the chords after the climax, you just can't even begin approaching that kind of perfection. It is as if you have just been born or attained enlightenment and are in a state of wonder for the remainder of the song as it winds down. I can't even imagine what they were feeling when they completed that take... Nothing can stand up to this... It will remain one of the greatest pieces of music ever...
Submitted by Peter (Calgary, AB, Canada)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 9 of 24 found this helpful. List All Reviews | Have you heard this album? |  |
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