If anyone dare to question the songs of an icon, the fans look out double precision. Homage or desecration - also here the question remains: Displays Herbie Hancock the originals in a new light, without destroying its substance? The result is amazing. While Mitchell's own jazz performer ions either too slow ("Travelogue") or advised to have erratic ("Mingus") finds Hancock to his more modern experiments just here to timeless jazz back. With the key elements of piano, guitar and voice, he exposes the structures of jazzy originals. Mitchells nervous tension gives way to a stylish river here. So get "Court And Spark" a bittersweet granted, and "River" breathes with a girlish Corinne Bailey Rae delicate lightness. Especially where the songs are the basis for subtle piano meditations ("Both Sides Now", "Sweet Bird") gives rise to fascinating new sound structures. Absolutely amazing is "Edith And The Kingpin" with an intense Tina Turner beyond usual of their Soul-barking, and in "The Tea Leaf Prophecy" was even the artist herself be won. The album closes with another songwriter titanium, Leonard Cohen, and an unusual version of "The Jungle Line".
That this tribute from Herbie Hancock to coincide with Joni Mitchell's new work "Shine" appears, announces a delicate duel. This album is a win for everyone involved, and very special for fans of Joni Mitchell.