Personnel: Joni Mitchell (vocals, spoken vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, bass guitar, percussion, drum programming); Iron Eyes Cody, Willie Nelson (vocals); Larry Klein (spoken vocals, keyboards, double bass, bass guitar, congas, percussion, programming); Thomas Dolby (spoken vocals, programming); Rod Steiger (spoken vocals); Michael Landau, Bill Dillon (guitar); Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar); Kazu Matsui (shakuhachi); Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone); Manu Katch? (drums, talking drum, percussion); Brian Blade, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Alex Acu?a (bata, percussion); Don Henley, James Taylor , Michael McDonald , Amy Holland, Benjamin Orr (background vocals).
Since the early 1970s, Joni Mitchell has been staunchly committed to pushing the musical envelope in ways that heighten and reinvent her formidable skill with melody and lyrics. THE BEGINNING OF SURVIVAL, a selection of cuts from Mitchell's albums between 1985 and 1998, proves she is also a keen critic. Thematically sequenced, it plays like a collection of perfectly aimed social critiques. Whether addressing the perils of consumer culture ("The Reoccurring Dream"), evangelism ("Tax Free"), international affairs ("Ethiopia"), or media ("The Three Great Stimulants"), among other issues, Mitchell's concern for America's eroding spiritual values is incisive and affecting.
Though Mitchell's usual reflections on matters of the heart are not to be found here, THE BEGINNING OF SURVIVAL is nevertheless personal. There is a sense of urgency, and her lyrics are informed by a palpable sense of poignancy and desperation. Musically, too, Mitchell's blend of jazz, folk, pop, and avant-garde flourishes is sweeping and impressive. (There is a noticeable influence of electronic music and montage here, especially on the cuts from the Thomas Dolby-assisted DOG EAT DOG.) A superb compilation of Mitchell's latter-day work, THE BEGINNING also testifies to the stunning, unified vision of this accomplished, socially astute artist.