Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark

Joni Mitchell reached her commercial high point with Court and Spark, a remarkably deft fusion of folk, pop, and jazz which stands as her best-selling work to date. While as unified and insightful as Blue, the album -- a concept record exploring the roles of honesty and trust in relationships, romantic and otherwise -- moves away from confessional songwriting into evocative character studies: the hit "Free Man in Paris," written about David Geffen, is a not-so-subtle dig at the machinations of the music industry, while "Raised on Robbery" offers an acutely funny look at the predatory environment of the singles bar scene. Much of Court and Spark is devoted to wary love songs: both the title cut and "Help Me," the record's most successful single, carefully measure the risks of romance, while "People's Parties" and "The Same Situation" are fraught with worry and self-doubt (standing in direct opposition to the music, which is smart, smooth, and assured from the first note to the last). ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andy Paley Mastering Supervisor Anthony Hudson Art Direction Bernie Grundman Mastering Cheech & Chong Vocals (Background), Vocals Chong Vocals (Background) Chuck Findley Trumpet David Crosby Vocals, Vocals (Background) Dennis Budimir Guitar (Electric), Guitar Dennis Dudimir Guitar (Electric) Graham Nash Vocals (Background), Vocals, Harmonica Henry Lewy Engineer Jim Hughart Bass Joe Gastwirt Mastering Joe Sample Keyboards, Piano (Electric) John Guerin Drums, Percussion Joni Mitchell Clavinet, Arranger, Artwork, Keyboards, Vocals (Background), Piano, Main Performer, Composer, Vocals, Guitar José Feliciano Guitar (Electric), Guitar Larry Carlton Guitar (Electric), Guitar Max Bennett Bass Milt Holland Chimes, Percussion Norman Seeff Photography Robbie Robertson Guitar (Electric), Guitar Susan Webb Vocals, Vocals (Background) Tom Scott Reeds (Multiple), Reeds, Wind, Woodwind, Arranger Victor Feldman Keyboards, Percussion Wayne Perkins Guitar (Electric), Guitar Wilton Felder Bass