Look for the Hook

by Michael Snyder
Berkeley Barb
July 19, 1979

JONI MITCHELL - Mingus (Asylum): Mitchell's infatuation with jazz is no news. Her modified scat-singing, glottal stops and meandering lyrics added fuel to her evolution from folkie to funky. That does not make an attempt at the dubious practice of grafting words onto established jazz compositions any less feeble. Mingus' music has been celebrated, on its own merits, for years. "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," for one number, needs no clarification by a former rock groupie turned jazz groupie, as tribute to the late bass great. Available Mingus sessions from the '50s and '60s are a better bet than this frizzled fusion.


Printed from the official Joni Mitchell website. Permanent link: https://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=3344

Copyright protected material on this website is used in accordance with 'Fair Use', for the purpose of study, review or critical analysis, and will be removed at the request of the copyright owner(s). Please read 'Notice and Procedure for Making Claims of Copyright Infringement' at JoniMitchell.com/legal.cfm