Joni Mitchell's The Fiddle and The Drum explores Mitchell's life-long concerns about environmental neglect and the warring nature of mankind within a ballet performed to a select soundtrack of her eternal songs. The unique... more » combinations of three art forms - music, dance and art - comprise an engaging spectacle that Joni calls "...the best project of her career." Legendary Canadian artist Joni Mitchell and internationally acclaimed choreographer Jean Grand-Maître of the Alberta Ballet Company are the co-creators of Joni Mitchell's The Fiddle and The Drum. Features the Song Selections: The Fiddle and The Drum, Sex Kills, Passion Play (When All the Slaves Are Free), Three Great Stimulants, For the Roses, Slouching Towards Bethlehem, The Beat of Black Wings, If I Had a Heart, If, Big Yellow Taxi Also Includes Exclusive Bonus Features!
-Behind the Scenes with: Joni Mitchell and Jean Grand-Maître, Kelly McKinlay and Nicole Caron (Alberta Ballet Dancers), and Mario Rouleau (Director of Filming)
-Joni Mitchell's video installation from the set« less
"...but it's a beautiful work of art. I don't know much about dance or ballet but by the last couple of songs, I was moved to tears--joyful tears, actually. The dancers' performances brought something new to the songs and the messages they contain as a collection. I think people who are visually-oriented will enjoy it in a different way than a longtime Joni fan. Either way, it's simple, stunning, and moving."
Stunning view to where we are going
Bill Kelly | Denver, CO USA | 02/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every moment of this awesome performance and the DVD extras is quite simply stunning. Joni's songs here get new life of interpretation, esp. some of her (less well known children :-) more recent gestalt meaning layers such as in The Beat of Black Wings and Passion Play(When All The Slaves Are Free). Her understanding how the earth and religion interact is a completely strong line in her work that is more clear in this performance. The newer songs at the end of the performance (If I had a Heart, If and the excellent new Big Yellow Taxi) provide great lift and renewal. Plus the cyclops video DVD extra (Joni's music and her recent art work only) is compelling. Seeing that Joni herself was so intimate with forming the dancers interpretations and synchronizing the art only adds to the wonder of this collection. Get this now and be aware .... you may soon find yourself on the road to see this timely performance live. Joni's themes are where we are going now."
Great Wedding of Song & Dance
The Movie Man | Maywood, New Jersey USA | 02/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Joni Mitchell came to prominence with the 1968 release of her first, self-named album for Reprise Records. This seminal year also saw such artists as the Who, the Byrds, the Beatles, the Doors, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Crosby, Stills and Nash as major influences in pop music. Canadian-born singer-songwriter Mitchell, whose style embraced both folk and lyrical pop, brought a new, fresh sound to contemporary music. Her best-known song, "Both Sides Now," became a hit for Judy Collins in the 1960's.
"Joni Mitchell's The Fiddle and the Drum" is a collaboration between Mitchell and Alberta Ballet Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maitre. In 2007, the two created an emotional production blending Mitchell's music and art with Grand-Maitre's choreography. The result was a narrative ballet that explores the human spirit's potential to create and destroy, its ability to love and hate, as well as its capacity for war and peace. The set for the ballet features Mitchell's art work projected onto a large canvas screen.
The work reflects Mitchell's lifelong concerns about environmental neglect and the tendency of mankind to go to war. The soundtrack includes re-mastered versions of ten songs from Mitchell's catalog, including three from her most recent album, "Shine" -- "If," "If I Had a Heart," and a remix of "Big Yellow Taxi." It also contains "For the Roses," "Passion Play (When All the Slaves Are Free)," "Slouching Towards Bethlehem," "The Beat of Black Wings," "Sex Kills," "Three Giant Stimulants," and "The Fiddle and the Drum."
The DVD release includes an interview in which Mitchell and Grand-Maitre share the personal story of their collaboration, a featurette of two ballet dancers describing their experiences with the project, and an eight-page photo-rich booklet with liner notes written by Mitchell."
Wonderful
M. Pina | Randolph, MA, USA | 03/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Joni's collaboration with the Alberta Ballet was incredible. I have waited almost two years to see this ballet and am extatic about it finally coming to DVD. It was intense, thrilling, and beautifully done. If I ever have the opportunity to see it live, I will definately be there."
Blown Away!
John E. Temple | Manassas, VA | 04/25/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been curious about this production ever since I purchased Joni's wonderful CD "Shine" in Fall of 2007. I've read a lot about it since then, but I was pretty much resigned to the fact that I would never be afforded the opportunity to see it. When I saw that it was available on DVD, I was thrilled!
Having just watched it for the first (and second) time, I am happy to report that it was $20 very well spent. It hits on all cylinders. The song selection includes some of Joni's very best, the choreography is inspired, the dancers exude passion and athleticism... but most of all passion, the lighting is spot on, and the director of photography captured the performance in a way that gave me goose-bumps.
I'm a huge fan of Joni's, but I think anyone with any modicum of appreciation for the arts will come away from this experience with an admiration for the talent that has gone into, and the amazing results that come out of, this.
Hard pressed to choose a favorite number, but "The Three Great Stimulants" has to be one of the best (finally... a track from "Dog Eat Dog" stands out!), along with "Passion Play" and "The Beat of Black Wings"... both amazing songs and interpreted wonderfully. "If" is just joyous... as though the after-party and reward for a night of hard work by the dancers as well as a message that it does not have to be gloom and doom and it is not to late for us to make a difference, change our ways and save our planet.
The encore of "Big Yellow Taxi" (while not my favorite song) is a great bonus and a great finish to the DVD. It was all over way too quickly, but this is a singularly superb performance by everyone involved. My hat is off (well, actually, I hate wearing hats, so it's always off, but you know what I mean) to Joni and Jean for their amazing collaboration, and to the wonderful dancers who brought their concept to life.
Buy this, enjoy it, and share it with your friends!"