Shadows and Light (1980)

Joni Mitchells 1970s and 80s forays into jazzier territory may have distressed her folkie faithful but they also resulted in some uncompromising challenging and yes entertaining music Witness this 73minute document from her 79 tour which finds her backed by her greatest band ever Mitchells The Hissing of Summer LawnsHejiraMingus period is heavily favored there are two tunes from Court and Spark but nothing earlier Its not perfectthe film clips edited into the live tracks at Mitchells direction are an annoying distraction Rebel Without a Cause Huh But by the time Mitchell Mays and vocal group the Persuasions finish a spinetingling version of the title song youll have witnessed something specialand historic as this was the only time this stellar crew toured together Sam Graham