Court and Spark not only ranks among my three favorite Joni Mitchell albums (the other two being Blue and Hejira), it is arguably Joni Mitchell's best album. Certainly it has been her most commercially successful. Its 1974 release marked a radical departure for Mitchell, infusing her definitive folk-rock sound with elements of pop without any compromises. In many ways, Court and Spark is Mitchell's watershed album, with a perfect arrangement of meticulously-crafted pop songs and Mitchell classics ("Help Me," "Free Man In Paris," and "Raised On Robbery"). Her hit single "Help Me" became Mitchell's first and only Top 10 single. The album features an impressive list of backing musicians: Tom Scott on woodwinds and reeds; Joe Sample on electric piano; David Crosby and Graham Nash on background vocals; Robbie Robertson on electric guitar; Jose Feliciano on electric guitar; and even Cheech and Chong on "Twisted." The complete album tracklist includes: 1. Court And Spark 2:46 2. Help Me 3:24 3. Free Man In Paris 3:03 4. People's Parties 2:15 5. The Same Situation 2:57 6. Car On A Hill 3:02 7. Down To You 5:38 8. Just Like This Train 4:249. Raised On Robbery 3:07 10. Trouble Child 4:00 11. Twisted 2:21G. Merritt
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