Shadows and Light

Shadows and Light

73 mins | Music | Sept. 1, 1980

Joni Mitchell's 1970s and '80s forays into jazzier territory may have distressed her folkie faithful, but they also resulted in some uncompromising, challenging, and, yes, entertaining music. Witness this 73-minute document from her '79 tour, which finds her backed by her greatest band ever. Mitchell's The Hissing of Summer Lawns-Hejira-Mingus period is heavily favored; there are two tunes from Court and Spark, but nothing earlier. It's not perfect--the film clips edited into the live tracks (at Mitchell's direction) are an annoying distraction (Rebel Without a Cause? Huh?). But by the time Mitchell, Mays, and vocal group the Persuasions finish a spine-tingling version of the title song, you'll have witnessed something special--and historic, as this was the only time this stellar crew toured together. --Sam Graham

Shadows and Light

73 mins | Music | Sept. 1, 1980

Shadows and Light
Joni Mitchell's 1970s and '80s forays into jazzier territory may have distressed her folkie faithful, but they also resulted in some uncompromising, challenging, and, yes, entertaining music. Witness this 73-minute document from her '79 tour, which finds her backed by her greatest band ever. Mitchell's The Hissing of Summer Lawns-Hejira-Mingus period is heavily favored; there are two tunes from Court and Spark, but nothing earlier. It's not perfect--the film clips edited into the live tracks (at Mitchell's direction) are an annoying distraction (Rebel Without a Cause? Huh?). But by the time Mitchell, Mays, and vocal group the Persuasions finish a spine-tingling version of the title song, you'll have witnessed something special--and historic, as this was the only time this stellar crew toured together. --Sam Graham
IMDb rating 8.4
Producers
Original title Shadows and Light
Directors Joni Mitchell
Writers

Cast

Joni Mitchell

as Joni Mitchell (electric guitar, vocals)

Pat Metheny

as Pat Metheny (Lead Guitar)

Jaco Pastorius

as Jaco Pastorius (bass)

Don Alias

as Don Alias (Drums)

Lyle Mays

as Lyle Mays (Keyboards)

Michael Brecker

as Michael Brecker (Sax)

The Persuasions

as The Persuasions (Vocals)

Toller Cranston

as skates