Joni Mitchell - The Hissing of Summer Lawns

Joni Mitchell evolved from the smooth jazz-pop of Court and Spark to the radical Hissing of Summer Lawns, an adventurous work that remains among her most difficult records. After opening with the graceful "In France They Kiss on Main Street," the album veers sharply into "The Jungle Line," an odd, Moog-driven piece backed by the rhythms of the warrior drums of Burundi -- a move into multiculturalism that beat the likes of Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, and Sting to the punch by a decade. While not as prescient, songs like "Edith and the Kingpin" and "Harry's House -- Centerpiece" are no less complex or idiosyncratic, employing minor-key melodies and richly detailed lyrics to arrive at a strange and beautiful fusion of jazz and shimmering avant pop. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andy Paley Mastering Assistant Bud Shank Flute, Wind, Saxophone, Flute (Bass) Chuck Findley Horn, Flugelhorn, Trumpet Dale Oehler String Arrangements, Strings David Crosby Vocals, Vocals (Background) Ellis Sorkin Assistant Engineer Graham Nash Vocals (Background), Vocals, Harmonica James Taylor Vocals, Guitar, Vocals (Background) Jeff Baxter Guitar, Guitar (Electric) Joe Gastwirt Mastering Joe Sample Piano (Electric), Keyboards John Guerin Moog Synthesizer, Arranger, Drums Joni Mitchell Producer, Vocals, Guitar (Acoustic), Piano, Keyboards, Guitar Larry Carlton Guitar (Electric), Guitar Max Bennett Bass Robben Ford Guitar, Dobro, Guitar (Electric) Victor Feldman Vibraphone, Conga, Keyboards, Piano (Electric), Percussion Wilton Felder Bass