I didn't know Joni Mitchell, but I like Jacos bass. So if you like jazz-fusion and a good female singer with well known composing talents and a good feeling for songs you can't go wrong with this CD.
You can divide the work in 4 parts.
Song 1,2,3,8 and 9, then Paprika Plains (16 min), then song 6 & 7 and then song 5 and 10.
The 1 Part gets his feeling from Jacos fretless bass and together with Jonis guitar and the warm drumming it's really an uncomparable music. Jonis voice going the same modulations like Jaco on his bass, what vibrations :-)).
Paprika Plains begins with Joni on piano, she starts singing (good melodie) and the orchestre starts (at 2:30min). At 4:36 it turns into fully classic with Joni piano, mostly slow played with breaks. At 12:00 or so Joni starts singing, break, break, and then (13:00) it appears the best musical move from classic to jazz. the drums-simple but awesome. Wayne Shorter on sax...juuhuhu. Move move move.
The 3 part is Joni mixed with african styles.
Heavy (yeah heavy) bongo drumming and some folky voices. Really surprising.
The 4 part is Joni on her guitar (little orchestrated). Two really touching pieces.
All songs are good placed on cd and it's good balanced.
I had no idea of Joni but this album is one of the kind where you think: maybe it's worthwhile to have a look at this phenomena.