Joni Mitchell/CA,USA 1979 Mike Millard 1st Generation Tapes

The 1979 tour in which Joni Mitchell broke new ground on stage accompanied by jazz musicians is summarized in the official sound source and video “SHADOWS AND LIGHT”, and is one of the pinnacles of being more than just a live album. It was also a record. However, in the live video, image footage is inserted during the performance, and I can’t help but feel that it is now outdated. Also, two songs, “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Just Like This Train”, which are played at the beginning of the actual stage, have been cut from both songs, so they are not complete recordings of the concert (in addition, the album and video have been edited separately). It was very different). In that respect, “FOREST HILLS 1979” was released as a leaked soundboard album that revealed the whole story of the concert. It was a release of mania in that I was able to listen to the complete version of the 1979 tour, which was not possible in the official version, but it is true that it was in a rough state because it was a leaked sound source. And now there is even a gray zone CD called “LIVE IN NEW YORK” based on the same sound source. In the end, the sound board was not at a level approaching “SHADOWS AND LIGHT”, but was only for enthusiasts who wanted to pursue this tour. However, a powerful helper appeared last month, a new sound source for this tour. This time it was an audience recording, and the person who recorded it was Mike Millard! I had no idea he even recorded Johnny’s stage performance in 1979. If you think about it, the final stop of the 1979 tour was the Greek Theater in LA. A venue that Millard would happily head to. It’s also where the jazz keyboard duo Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock went to record the previous year. In that case, it may be said that it was “inevitable” that Millard recorded it. What impresses me most is the stable mirrored quality this time as well. The closeness of the total sound image, including Joni’s singing voice, is still a wonderful job. “SHADOWS AND LIGHT” is a live performance in order to highlight the outstanding performance of a super group that brings together the greats of the jazz world, which can be roughly divided into the Pat Metheny Group and Weather Report. It was undeniable that the unique sense of presence was weak, but in that respect Millard’s recording demonstrated its true potential as an audience recording. Since it is not a rock concert in the first place, there is no noisy audience around for this recording, but it still captures the enthusiasm of the audience who came to see Joni and the super group. On the contrary, Millard excels in both the mesmerizing phrases and tonal beauty of Metheny’s playing on “In France They Kiss On Main Street,” as well as the audience’s reaction to his guitar work. It’s a place where you capture it properly. On the contrary, the audience on this day enthusiastically cheered not only Jaco Pastorius’ bass solo but also Don Alias’ percussion solo. It’s only natural when you’re facing a group with such superstars. In addition, in Jaco’s solo, the sound pressure of his bass is tremendous. Even his eccentric solos, which were at the height of his popularity, have a mirrored quality that entertains with a very realistic tone and sound pressure. In the first place, this day was the stage a week after the recording of the official “SHADOWS AND LIGHT” in Santa Barbara, so both the outstanding performances of the masters and Joni’s singing voice full of ease. The end of the tour had already reached the point of impregnability. Goody, a pitch adjustment expert familiar to enthusiasts, who assisted the JEMS team in releasing this sound source, said, “This should have been the day it was officially released.” Anyway, both the musicians and the audience are enjoying the concert, and in “God Must Be A Boogie Man” you can see the usual chorus with the audience, but the atmosphere that seems to be more fun than the official one is clearly transmitted. At the end of this tour, the oldies cover “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” with the chorus group Persuasion was omitted, but the performance and excitement were both captured in such a perfect balance that it didn’t matter at all. A superb audience album. The songs that Joni sings and plays, such as the finale “Woodstock,” take your breath away. This is the best another side of “SHADOWS AND LIGHT” by Millard! Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, USA 14th September 1979 ULTIMATE SOUND Disc 1 (60:07) 1. Big Yellow Taxi 2. Just Like This Train 3. In France They Kiss On Main Street 4. Coyote 5. Edith And The Kingpin 6. Free Man In Paris 7. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 8. Jaco’s Solo 9. The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines 10. Amelia 11. Pat’s Solo 12. Hejira Disc 2 (43:17) 1. Don’s Solo 2. Dreamland 3. Black Crow 4. Furry Sings The Blues 5. God Must Be A Boogie Man 6. Raised On Robbery 7. Shadows And Light 8. The Last Time I Saw Richard 9. Woodstock Joni Mitchell: Guitar, Vocals, Piano Jaco Pastorius: Bass Pat Metheny: Guitar Lyle Mays: Keyboards Michael Brecker: Saxophone Don Alias: Congas, Drums The Persuasions: Backing Vocals