Rating: 
Summary: Joni at her peak
Review: Want to find out why Joni Mitchell is so revered by musicians and great songwriters? This is a good place to start. Mitchell assembled a super charged group of some of the finest musicians on the planet. The tunes are those from one of her best periods, focussing on material from the masterful Hejira , the classic Court and Spark, the complex and brooding "Hissing of Summer Lawns" and the jazz infused "Mingus' album. I have owned this on VHS for some time and am thrilled that it finally came out on DVD. Sound is cleaner, as expected. The video image is as good as can be, considering the less than stellar look of the original . Unfortunately, the editing often takes the viewer away from the concert, which distracts rather than enhances the performance. I would have personally been happier if the video had just simply shown a well edited concert, rather than weave in the artsy stuff. (This was Mitchell's edting, her vision) But that's small quibble, considering the quality of the music. Performances are consistently solid and inspired. Highlights include a soulful "Amelia", a powerful and playful "Coyote", A high energy "Free Man in Paris,"and a very interactive "Pork pie hat" Jaco Pastorious, who was already strugging with drug problems is in great form here. Even his solo spot is relatively coherent and has moments of beauty (and silliness). The DVD sports a couple of minor extras: one is a music video style interpretation of the live performance of hejira. The images are OK; there is a very talented dancer who is quite expressive on ice skates, but this addition only underlines the essential problems of this disc, that of Mitchell's need to pull us away from the concert stage. The other extra is a digital photo album from the tour that has some cool photos of the band on the road. There are some nice candid photos of Herbie Hancock and Joni jamming in her dressing room. There is one awkward and fascinating moment towards the end of "Cleaner from Des moines".Michael Brecker is soloing on the out chorus and Jaco is just going nuts, overplaying and upstaging Brecker. The tunes ends with Brecker shaking his head, looking irritated. A look of sheepish embarrassment passes over Jaco's face for an instant. But its also the only moment where the band isn't in perfect harmony. Lyle Mays is understated here, but supportive and tasteful. Its a treat to see him do his Jerry Lee lewis thing when he rocks out on "Raised on Roberry". Metheny rocks hard when appropriate and is as delicate as a sea shell when he needs to be. It is obvious that the band is having fun here. Watching this video, there is much to smile about. It is a great moment of popular music history, captured well enough to bear many enjoyable viewings for many years to come.
Rating: 
Summary: Mitchell and Luminaries Shine on Shadows and Light
Review: What a relief that this magnificent concert performance is available on DVD - it could have disappeared, lost for good. It is of course the music that makes it tick: Joni's smokey jazz-rock and unmatchable guitar work accompanied by the amazing Jaco Pastorious, Pat Metheny and others. This is 70s fusion at its best. Yes, some of the filmed creative content is dated (or nostalgic, depending on your point of view), but the musical performances stand tall. Shadows and Light was, according to legend, the first feature-length music video. What could one expect of Joni Mitchell other than innovation? Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Joni Mitchell and Jazz
Review: With and allstar cast including, Jaco Pastorious, Michael Brecker, Pat Metheny, Lyle Mayes,and Don Alias, and Joni's vocals, this is her music taken to a new and different level.
The precision and tightness with which this ensemble of brilliant jazz musicians integrates with Joni's music and vocals is incredible. One only needs to listen to "The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines" on this DVD to apppreciate the musical skill assembled here as well as the musical evolution of Joni Mitchell.
Buy it, watch it, listen to it, and be totally amazed by the way these incredible musicians wrap themselves around the music and lyrics of the most talented and musically diverse Joni Mitchell. This music is played as tightly and skillfully as anything you will ever hear, and enjoy the Jaco Solo.
Rating:
Summary: Musical Magic.
Review: Wow-this brings back so many memories. Finally on DVD, Joni and the superb band shine so bright. DD 5.1 and uncompressed PCM(your choice) make this special. Jaco on bass..turn it loud.
Rating: 
Summary: Music sublime, video substandard
Review: Yes, it's Joni at the peak of her powers, backed by musicians who would become legends, if they weren't already. And if you close your eyes you can lose yourself in it. Open your eyes, and chances are even you won't see what you expect. Pastorius, Brecker, and Alias play an incredible blues jam, but the video is a bunch of poorly-shot b-roll of the Vegas Strip. "Hejira" is a music video with ice skaters. A stunning performance of "Amelia" is obscured with archival footage of the flyer, which itself obscures the meaning and metaphor of the lyric. Yes, it's a product of its era, when concert-video producers seemed to think that watching the musicians play would somehow bore the audience, but that doesn't help now. There were moments when I wanted to throw a brick through the TV screen, I was so frustrated by hearing incredible playing that I wasn't allowed to see because somebody thought some old movie clip would be more interesting. 5 stars for the music. 1 star for the video.
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