Misses by Joni Mitchell (CD, Mar-2000, Reprise)

This disc is part of a 2 CD set "Hits and Misses" which I assume implies songs that made the charts. If this is the case, it should be retitled, as it is misleading. Two songs on this disc standout "For The Roses", a song of an affair with a fellow singer with stinging undertones of the corporate end of show business and the music industry. And "Harry's House/Centerpiece", one of her better efforts about the boredom of a "stay at home wife". As for the rest of this disc, it is up to the individual's personal taste. Joni was always expanding and exploring new musical venues and this disc may not appeal to some of the "mass" audinence. I gave this one five stars for the two great aforementioned songs. It's a sad commentary that the very thing Mitchell sings about has allowed people of her caliber and others like Linda Ronstadt and other greats have either quit or fallen into unimposed musical exile due to industry greed. Mitchell has retired (she is, as her fans already know, a wonderful painter) and Ronstadt records very sporadically and sings what "she" wants--whether it makes lots of money or not. The great singers of the 70's are now just nostalgia. All the more the pity. Shame on you, you huge record conglomerates!