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Oddly, I don't know much about Joni Mitchell in a "fan" sort of way. I had always liked her music, but she was always "there." No sudden appearance, more like there were always Joni songs, and presumably always will be. I became aware of her as an artist (rather than just a presence) with Court and Spark (1974) when I finally got to listen to a coherent work rather than just songs on the radio. Great songs! But... Just a collection of great songs. The next year she released this album, Hissing of Summer Lawns. Commercially it was apparently a flop, but for whatever reason it resonated with me. I simply couldn't stop listening. Was it just the music? Was it something that resonated with my inner being? (I think I have an inner being - I've been hearing about it for years.) Was it the "concept?" To this day I'm not sure. And, of course, I no longer listen to it every day or even every week, although most months it pops up. But I've figured out part of the answer: It resonates with my ANTI-inner being. I'm a lyrics guy, and listening to the lyrics of, say Boho Dance or Edith and the Kingpin, I recognize the situation and feel the danger vicariously. It's almost like an alternative future, one that I might have occupied if I hadn't achieved nerd-dom at an early age. It's a window on Joni's world, a distorting mirror for me yet one that I recognize holds truth for many others. But - no surprise - there are a lot of alternative future records out there that I don't relate to at all, or just plain dislike. So there must be something special in the music, and Mitchell's narrative, which many of the songs seem to be. Narrative? How about Harry's House/Centerpiece, my favorite: Heatwaves on the runway As the wheels set down He takes his baggage off the carousel He takes a taxi into town... (You can find the middle bits at jonimitchell.com. It's worth it!) Shining hair and shining skin Shining as she reeled him in To tell him like she did today Just what he could do with Harry's House And Harry's take home pay. If you want to know how the narrative gets from the first verse to the last, with some help from a jazzy interlude, I guess you'll just have to read the lyrics or, much better, get the CD. Meanwhile, since this review sounds far too serious, think of this guy (that would be me) galumphing down the street, earphones on, bellowing the song completely off-key, and singing the line "Baby you're my centipede." (It's not exactly what she put there.)Read full review
It's one of the best cd's that I've heard, though it took me awhile to realize it. That may sound strange but remember I'm the same guy that bought her cd Blue, listened to it once and threw it into a drawer. I didn't care for it. Several months later I listened to it again and it hit me- whoa what a great cd. The same thing with the Hissing cd. Whether it's her music or just me I don't know. I do know that no other artist has that effect. I don't think it's quite the cd that Blue was but hey not too many others are. All I know is that it's an excellent cd, just be patient and let it sink in. Trust me, it'll be worth it.
This is a very good album! Granted it’s a little different but, it’s just evolution . I recommend it!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Verified purchase: Yes
So good.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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