Beginning Of Survival (2004)

Product Summary Label: Universal Music Group UPC: 00602498627778 Release Date: 7/27/2004 Buy.com Sku: 61013920 Item#: M7DTGY Buy.com Sales Rank: 25332 Format:  CD Song Listing Disc 1 Song Title Sample 1. Reoccurring Dream, The ~ Joni Mitchell 2. Windfall, The (Everything For Nothing) ~ Joni Mitchell 3. Slouching Towards Bethlehem ~ Joni Mitchell 4. Dog Eat Dog ~ Joni Mitchell 5. Fiction ~ Joni Mitchell 6. Beat Of Black Wings, The ~ Joni Mitchell 7. No Apologies ~ Joni Mitchell 8. Sex Kills ~ Joni Mitchell 9. Three Great Stimulants, The ~ Joni Mitchell 10. Lakota ~ Joni Mitchell 11. Ethiopia ~ Joni Mitchell 12. Cool Water ~ Joni Mitchell 13. Tax Free ~ Joni Mitchell 14. Magdalene Laundries, The ~ Joni Mitchell 15. Passion Play (The Story Of Jesus And Zachius...The LIttle Tax Collector) ~ Joni Mitchell 16. Impossible Dreamer ~ Joni Mitchell (P) 2004 Geffen Records Inc. (C) 2004 Geffen Records Inc.   Album Notes and Credits Notes & Personnel Info Personnel: Joni Mitchell (vocals, spoken vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, bass guitar, percussion, drum programming); Willie Nelson, Iron Eyes Cody (vocals); Larry Klein (spoken vocals, keyboards, double bass, bass guitar, congas, percussion, programming); Thomas Dolby (spoken vocals, programming); Rod Steiger (spoken vocals); Michael Landau, Bill Dillon (guitar); Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar); Kazu Matsui (shakuhachi); Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone); Manu Katche (drums, talking drum, percussion); Brian Blade, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Alex Acu¤a (bata, percussion); Don Henley, James Taylor , Michael McDonald , Amy Holland, Benjamin Orr (background vocals). Since the early 1970s, Joni Mitchell has been staunchly committed to pushing the musical envelope in ways that heighten and reinvent her formidable skill with melody and lyrics. THE BEGINNING OF SURVIVAL, a selection of cuts from Mitchell's albums between 1985 and 1998, proves she is also a keen critic. Thematically sequenced, it plays like a collection of perfectly aimed social critiques. Whether addressing the perils of consumer culture ("The Reoccurring Dream"), evangelism ("Tax Free"), international affairs ("Ethiopia"), or media ("The Three Great Stimulants"), among other issues, Mitchell's concern for America's eroding spiritual values is incisive and affecting. Though Mitchell's usual reflections on matters of the heart are not to be found here, THE BEGINNING OF SURVIVAL is nevertheless personal. There is a sense of urgency, and her lyrics are informed by a palpable sense of poignancy and desperation. Musically, too, Mitchell's blend of jazz, folk, pop, and avant-garde flourishes is sweeping and impressive. (There is a noticeable influence of electronic music and montage here, especially on the cuts from the Thomas Dolby-assisted DOG EAT DOG.) A superb compilation of Mitchell's latter-day work, THE BEGINNING also testifies to the stunning, unified vision of this accomplished, socially astute artist.   Compilation Appearances Last Waltz (Live) Seal II Velvet Rope Practical Magic Tears Of Stone Chieftains 40th Anniversary Celebrati The Last Waltz (Bonus Tracks) Love Actually Great Supa Jazz Vocalists: Hear & Now 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection (Eco-Friendly Packaging) Essential Jaco Pastorius New York Sessions River: The Joni Letters Best Of The Johnny Cash TV Show Modern Hymns Definitive Herbie Hancock No 1'S   Associated Artists and Works Artists, Various Artists, Various Jazz Takes On Joni Mitchell ~ Lahm, David Moon at the Window ~ Rachel Z Various Artists Various Artists   Technical Info Release Date : 07/27/2004 Original Release Date : 2004 Catalog ID : 0002836 Label : Geffen Records (USA) Number of Discs : 1 Studio/Live : Studio Mono/Stereo : Stereo SPAR Code : n/a UPC : 00602498627778   Professional Reviews Rolling Stone (p.147) - 3 stars out of 5 - "[With] rhythms that expand and dart, melodies that drape tuneful bits from lofty heights....They yield their own sort of stark magic."    Product Image