March 6, 2002

Posted March 06, 2002

Entertainment Weekly published a short article this week with a few new bits of information on Allison Anders' videotaping of the recent recording sessions for Joni's next CD, tentatively titled The Circle Game.

In addition to musicians such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, who contributed to her last orchestral outing Both Sides Now, we can also expect to hear Ry Cooder, Billy Preston and possibly Neil Young, according to the EW article.

"Some of it is material she did as a young girl, with a soprano voice and an acoustic guitar, now with an orchestra and an alto," says filmmaker Anders. "It's so interesting to hear these same songs with wisdom," she enthuses. "Not that she wasn't wise before, but it's like 'I thought I was on to something before, and now I know I am.'"

Alas, one piece of important information nobody has mentioned yet is a release date. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything.

First reported in the LA Times late last year (check out the newsblurb from 12/4/01 for information on that report), the CD will feature Joni performing with a 77 piece orchestra comprised of session musicians contracted by Isobel Griffiths -- although the EW article sports a nostalgic (and less than flattering) picture of Joni holding an acoustic guitar.