The Hissing of Summer Lawns

A Classic. From the period when Joni started to explore other forms and genres like jazz. This was an album from Joni's 2nd great period of work.

Her music is absolutely unique

She was playing "folkie" in coffee houses in Canada (Song for a seagull), then she was leading a superb band a few years later on this album and giving nothing away to them in terms of musicianship and creativity - they couldn't "take it from her" - the Boss. How on Earth did she do that? Where did she learn her art? Not enough that she can sing the way she does, she's a mill of words, ideas, tunes and textures, plays guitar like a nutcase and makes it better than most doing it properly. And the piano! Joni Mitchell is a genius, one of the very, very few of such and we have to treasure this and give her freedom. But we all know all that. This is still great today. It still stands. If it's not enough - to see her stand and play her songs, watch the way she moves and ripples, dressed better than a super model - that's sublime too. An extraordinary woman. Genius if there is such a thing. Posh bird!

I was bereft when I couldn't find the CD in my collection, feeling like I must have loaned to to someone who didn't return it, I had to buy a further copy. Everyone should enjoy the riches of her writing, she is a remarkable wordsmith!

i would like to start this music review of the hissing of summer lawns with track 2.the jungle line this track actually had everything to do with the rest of the music tracks otherwise joni mitchell would not have put it on the original lp. she actually in my opinion was making a statement with jungle line it was radically different from her other music works of art,and showed another side of her vast talent she has.jungle line actually in its day got rave reviews from the music critics of the time as did the whole of the album. this is a 5 star album not one below par track if you have just come across this cd purchase knowing you have just bought a music gem.the hissing of the summer lawns.enjoy joni mitchell is one of the true greats music artist.

This is one of Joni Mitchell's finest recordings there's not a bad track on the album. The arrangements are inspired and sound as good today as they did when I first heard it. Joni's voice never sounded better, from the contempt of "cheap display" in "In France they kiss on Main Street" to the beauty and purity of tone in "Sweet Bird" her range is astonishing. Edith and the Kingpin is an almost perfect track and like Harry's house and Centrepiece has imagery in the lyrics that's as powerful and memorable as any poetry in print. The cover artwork isn't bad either. A work of genius.

joni doesn't usually do things by halves, however this summer lawns record is just that - the second half is a lovely suite touching on some of Joni's 'jazzier' output that directly followed this periodThe 'lesser' half may grow on you a little more over time just don't expect some of the immediacy of those records preceding

I remember being entranced by this album when a student late nights listening to Harry's house, Hissing and Edith... happy days indeed.Now with it in my music library on my NAS drive and Sonos I relive those salad days in my living room late at night - what bliss. The vinyl version is in my attic.Despite some poor reviews at the time (they didn't understand) this is to my mind one of Joni Mitchell's finest albums. Listen to it and drift away with the music not a bad track on it.Also it dosent feature on Spotify or Napster so dont rely on them -buy it and enjoy.