River: The Joni Letters (2007)

River: The Joni Letters is the fortieth studio album by American jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, released on September 25, 2007, by Verve. It is a tribute album featuring cover songs of music written by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.

The album peaked at number five on the US Billboard 200, enjoying a huge post-Grammy winning sales boost. Upon its release, River: The Joni Letters received generally positive reviews from critics and earned several accolades, including Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz Album at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. Hancock's quintet for the album are saxophonist Wayne Shorter, guitarist Lionel Loueke, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.

Background

Hancock is a longtime friend of Mitchell's, and both he and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, who plays throughout the album, had previously collaborated with Mitchell on her 1979 album Mingus, and both continued to work with her on occasion ever since.

Guest vocalists on River include Leonard Cohen, Tina Turner, Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Luciana Souza and Mitchell herself.

Reception

Critical reception

The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2008.

Commercial performance

The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 after enjoying a huge post-Grammy sales boost. It also peaked at number 61 in Switzerland, number 70 in France and number 76 in the Netherlands.

Personnel

• Herbie Hancock – piano
• Wayne Shorter – soprano and tenor saxophone
• Lionel Loueke – guitar

Dave Holland – bass (except on bonus tracks)

• Vinnie Colaiuta – drums
• Larry Klein – bass on bonus tracks
• Dean Parks – guitar on bonus tracks
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion on bonus tracks

Prince – guitar (uncredited) on "Edith and the Kingpin"