Synopses & Reviews
<span><font size="2"><font face="Arial">Court and Spark is<br/>Joni Mitchell's most overt attempt at making a hit record, full of<br/>glossy production, catchy choruses, and even guest stars from every<br/>stratum of rock culture, high (Robbie Robertson) and low (Cheech and<br/>Chong). The record was a smash, reaching number two on the charts in<br/>March of 1974, spawning three hit singles; Help Me, Free Man in Paris<br/>and Raised on Robbery and cementing Mitchell's position as a commercial<br/>as well as an artistic force. Sean Nelson, a well known musician himself (Harvey Danger, the Long Winters), is particularly well equipped to understand all the elements that went into the making of this classic album, and he does so with clarity and wit.</font></font></span>>
Review
"It was only a matter of time before a clever publisher realized that there is an audience for whom Exile on Main Street or Electric Ladyland are as significant and worthy of study as The Catcher in the Rye or Middlemarch. The series... is freewheeling and eclectic, ranging from minute rock-geek analysis to idiosyncratic personal celebration." The New York Times Book Review
Review
"One of the coolest publishing imprints on the planet." Bookslut
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"These are for the insane collectors out there who appreciate fantastic design, well-executed thinking, and things that make your house look cool. Each volume in this series takes a seminal album and breaks it down in startling minutiae. We love these. We are huge nerds." Vice
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"A brilliant series... each one a word of real love." NME
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"Passionate, obsessive, and smart." Nylon
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"Religious tracts for the rock 'n' roll faithful." Uncut
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"We... aren't naive enough to think that we're your only source for reading about music (but if we had our way... watch out). For those of you who really like to know everything there is to know about an album, you'd do well to check out Continuum's 33 1/3 series of books." Pitchfork
Synopsis
Court and Spark is Joni Mitchell's most overt attempt at making a hit record, full of glossy production, catchy choruses, and even guest stars from every stratum of rock culture, high (Robbie Robertson) and low (Cheech and Chong). The record was a smash, reaching number two on the charts in March of 1974, spawning three hit singles; "Help Me," "Free Man in Paris" and "Raised on Robbery" and cementing Mitchell's position as a commercial as well as an artistic force. Sean Nelson, a well known musician himself (Harvey Danger, the Long Winters), is particularly well equipped to understand all the elements that went into the making of this classic album, and he does so with clarity and wit.
About the Author
Sean Nelson is the Associate Editor and Senior Staff Writer of The Stranger, and is a partner in Seattle independent label Barsuk Records.
Table of Contents
PrologueThe Struggle for Higher AchievementTwo Heads Are Better Than OneA Broader SensibilityPaint a Starry Night Again, Man