Retirement ? What Retirement ?

Travelogue by Joni Mitchell was supposed to signify her retirement from the music business in 2002 but this year she has decided to record again. Whatever, Travelogue would have made a fitting note to go out on. It is a double cd revisiting some of her back catalogue, some songs well known and others not. The distinguishing feature is the sumptuous orchestral arrangements given to the songs and the appearance of many jazz luminaries. People such as Herbie Hancock, Kenny Wheeler, Plas Johnson, Billy Preston and Paulinho de Costha make cameo contributions but the most significant, both in terms of impact and frequency, come from Wayne Shorter. Larry Klein's orchestral arrangements have a vaguely Gil Evans feel. Joni Mitchell's vocal performances give no hint of any disillusionment, maybe it was the songwriting muse that had left her. if she now feels that she has something to say again, so much the better. As it is, Travelogue would stand comparison with many an early 20th century orchestral song cycle.