Help Me

Joni Mitchell, holding 1/10th of the Grammys she should have won.

During the early to mid-1970's, everyone's music collection could be counted on to have records by singer/songwriter types like Elton John, James Taylor, Cat Stevens and Crosby Stills & Nash. The other essential ingredient of the time, without any doubt, was Joni Mitchell.

I have always found Joni Mitchell's recordings to be completely absorbing. They're not something you put on just to have music playing. They almost demand focused listening, but reward your attention. Joni's records always had a very unique sound due to her extensive use of alternate tunings on her guitar as much as her excellent vocals, wordplay and arrangements. What made her an artist was her rapid evolution from earnest willowy folkie to fearless vanguard of modern jazz. This was partly accomplished by integrating into her band some of the finest musicians of the time. On the concert video "Shadows & Light", her band consisted of Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Lyle Mays, Peter Erskine and others. That ridiculously talented blend of Weather Report, the Metheny band and of course, Joni's uniquely original music, was astounding to watch and listen to, although this direction was tentatively received by audiences at the time. It confused a lot of folks who wanted "Both Sides Now" and "Big Yellow Taxi" done over and over. Reviewers of that time foolishly took her to task for daring to adventure out of her perceived category, especially when she undertook an entire album with jazz bassist Charles Mingus. If it weren't for Joni Mitchell and Jeff Beck, I would never have known about Mingus or how cool his music is. The mark of a musician who is a true artist is their ability to progress and evolve in their art; constantly reinventing themselves and their music. True then, true now.

Here's Joni Mitchell from her classic album, "Court And Spark" with one of her more popular songs, "Help Me".

Kathryn Dawn Lang

If there's a contemporary singer who embodies an artists' ability to reinvent themselves, it's surely another one of Canada's finest musical exports, k.d. lang. She is that rare performer who, for over 25 years as a major-label artist, has matured before our very ears. The Western Canada native launched her career with a blend of country-rock stylings and playfully punk-ish attitude, by turns both whimsical and subversive. Back in the mid-80's, she practically put the alternative in alt-country by herself. But from the very beginning, her bravura singing belied her kitschy cowgirl outfits and spiky hair. Lang has evolved with every album release, while collaborating with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Elton John and Tony Bennett. Along the way, lang garnered four Grammys, eight Juno Awards in Canada, and Canada's highest civilian award, The Order of Canada. The Times of London declared: "It's a quirk of the music industry that one of the sexiest, most sensual voices in all of pop music comes not from some raven-tressed siren in a glitter-dress but a middle-aged woman with a utility haircut and a penchant for male tailoring." Regardless of the genre, album concept or collaboration at hand, k.d. lang always shines as one of the best pop voices of this or any recent generation.

Tribute albums are usually hit and miss affairs; often under-rehearsed and quickly cobbled together by a record label looking for a cash-in. It's a rare one that features some genuinely stunning performances by artists who are emotionally invested in the songs and in the work of the artist being feted. This 2007 Joni Mitchell tribute on the Nonesuch label is such an album. Featuring cover versions of Joni songs interpreted by the likes of Cassandra Wilson, James Taylor, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris and Prince(!), it's a worthy addition to your collection. If you're not yet a Joni Mitchell fan, this album may help bring you around.

Kick back and enjoy k.d. lang's gorgeous take of "Help Me".

Do your ears and your soul a favor and get yourself some of this great music by two of the best female singers that ever stepped up to a mike. The entire catalogs of both Joni Mitchell and k.d. lang are available at Amazon. The tribute album is still available also, at a most reasonable price. The concert dvd, "Shadows And Light" is highly recommended as well.