Unknown – Bass

There are four different bass players listed on the discographies linked to this album; Chris Laurence, Chuck Berghofer, Mary Scully and Mike Brittain. My money is on Berghofer but I have no way of checking. As musical and sensitively executed as it is, though, the real heroes of this record are arranger Vince Mendoza and Joni Mitchell herself. The tunes original appeared on Joni’s 1969 album, ‘Clouds’, but she sang it about two octaves higher back then and this version is a whole different kettle of fish. Every time I hear this tune, Emma Thompson lives rent-free in my head for her performance as ‘Karen’ in the Richard Curtis film, ‘Love, Actually’ and for the role that the Joni Mitchell track plays in her reaction to finding out that her husband, Harry, played by Alan Rickman, is a two-timing little s***.

Anyway, another thing I love about this track is that most people could play this delicate piece of music the day they start learning to read! As much as we all love the Dirty Loops, Snarky Puppy, Mohini Dey shred fests, you don’t have to be an ‘incredible’ player to play beautiful, beautiful music

This is a simple chart with not much happening other than perfection….From her 2000 ‘standards album, ‘Both Sides Now’, this is the Vince Mendoza arrangement of the title track. One of Joni’s finest moments in a career littered with fine moments. Despite the ethereal feel, the time is actually quite solid.