Record of the Day – 009: Court and Spark

It’s been a week or so, and I’m back in the Joni Mitchell mode again. My one-step copy of Court and Spark has arrived, and while this was Mitchell’s most commercial record, it remains a favorite.

Court and Spark was Mitchell’s transition to a more jazzy period. On a parallel track, she was also part of Tom Scott’s LA Express, and this record sees a major part of that crew sitting in on this record. Here’s a little tidbit I didn’t know: Jose Feliciano plays electric guitar on “Free Man in Paris.” Maybe I should give Wikepedia $5.

I have no idea what the “definitive” pressing of this record is. Discogs says there are 204 versions of this record, and that’s way too much work. The one-step is incredibly good. Dynamic and full of detail, Joni has never sounded better on my system. The pressing is flawless, and the background noise low, low, low. You might even hear some tiny bits throughout that you missed in the past. And that’s a big part of the fun.

And yes, there is still the slightest bit of overload at the beginning of “Car on a Hill.” Is there a version that doesn’t have this? I haven’t heard it. I’m not letting three seconds ruin the experience and you shouldn’t either.

If this is a record you cherish as much as I do, consider making the one-step part of your collection before they are gone. You will not be disappointed. Fingers crossed that MoFi is going to do Hissing of Summer Lawns as part of the series…

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Record of the Day is brought to you by Bergmann Audio, and Supreme Acoustic Systems.

The table featured here is the Modi, with their Thor linear tracking arm.
Cartridge is a modified LYRA Helikon SL, modified by Ana Mighty Sound
Phono Pre is the award winning XP-17 from Pass Labs
Cables by Cardas Audio
All on top of the Pagode Master Reference MKII, courtesy of MoFi Distribution