Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

13. Joni MitchellThe Hissing Of Summer Lawns

My favourite album cover of all time! Heijira and Hissing Of Summer Lawns were the first two LPs I (unofficially) inherited from parents when they were reorganising their record collection. Blue and Ladies Of The Canyon came way later for me. I loved Jaco-period Joni, plus my dad played a fretless bass so Heijira and Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter were 100 per cent his speed. I don’t think we even owned any earlier-period Joni. Anyway, when I think about these two albums, Heijira feels light and ethereal and Hissing… very corporeal and turbulent, more human. I can only really listen to these records on vinyl; they sound like they’re at half-mast otherwise. Sonically, Hissing… gets pretty daring at times, especially considering Court And Spark was the preceding studio album. She really took a leap with this one. ‘The Jungle Line’ is unbelievable; I wouldn’t be shocked to hear a song like this on any Björk record tomorrow! ‘Shadows And Light’ sounds like a beautiful, futuristic spiritual. Even the more conventional tracks seem off kilter, at least melodically, like she’s not as concerned in resolving everything for our sake. Hissing… is the first in a string of interesting, bold records for Joni.

Selected in other Baker’s Dozens: Destroyer
Previous

The Quietus Digest

Sign up for our free Friday email newsletter.

Support The Quietus

Our journalism is funded by our readers. Become a subscriber today to help champion our writing, plus enjoy bonus essays, podcasts, playlists and music downloads.

Support & Subscribe Today