Hear Music has announced that legendary singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell will be the next artist signed to the newly formed label. Hear Music will release ‘Shine,’ a 10-song collection which follows Paul McCartney’s ‘Memory Almost Full’ as the second album released on the label. Starting on September 25, 2007 ‘Shine’ will be available in the U.S. and Canada at both traditional retailers and Starbucks Company-operated locations. Other global markets will release the album the week of September 24.

“I am thrilled to be able to work with the Hear Music label on my new CD,” said Mitchell. “Starbucks and Concord Music Group are joining me in releasing a project which has enabled me to appreciate what I loved about making music in the first place. I am very grateful to them.”

Described by Mitchell as “as serious a work as I’ve ever done,” ‘Shine’ presents beautiful melodies, dark lyrics and a sparseness that recalls and even progresses beyond some the artist’s most seminal recordings. Much of the lyrical content reflects Mitchell’s social and theological consciousness and her longtime plea for the health of the planet.

“Joni’s voice, both in the physical and lyrical sense, is as powerful as ever,” said Ken Lombard, president of Starbucks Entertainment who also oversees Hear Music. “In addition to her extraordinary songwriting ability, she is a Renaissance artist in the every sense and we are honored to release this timely and exceptionally moving work.”

Born out of a burst of creative energy, ‘Shine’ is one of three new artistic endeavors launched by Mitchell this year. The first, ‘The Fiddle and the Drum,’ a ballet based on Joni Mitchell’s music, debuted with the Alberta Ballet in Calgary earlier this year with Mitchell serving as co-creator and artistic director. The second is a politically charged visual art exhibit by Mitchell that will debut in New York in the fall.

Two songs included on ‘Shine,’ “If” (based Mitchell’s favorite poem by Rudyard Kipling) and “If I Had a Heart,” were featured in the ‘The Fiddle and The Drum’ when it premiered on February 8, 2007. It was then that The New York Times described Mitchell’s “If I Had a Heart” as “one of most haunting melodies she has ever written.” The album also contains a joyous reinterpretation of her classic hit song, “Big Yellow Taxi” which was also featured in the ballet.

All of the music on ‘Shine’ was composed, arranged and produced by Joni Mitchell. All lyrics were written by Joni Mitchell except “If” which was adapted from Ruyard Kipling’s “If.”

Track Listing for Joni Mitchell’s ‘Shine’:

1. One Week Last Summer
2. This Place
3. If I Had a Heart
4. Hana
5. Bad Dreams are Good
6. Big Yellow Taxi
7. Night of the Iguana
8. Strong and Wrong
9. Shine
10. If

About Hear Music

Hear Music is an innovative record label and partnership between Starbucks Entertainment and Concord Music Group. Rooted in quality, authenticity and passion, Hear Music works directly with artists, both emerging and established, to bring quality music to the widest possible audience, in both Starbucks locations and traditional music retailers worldwide.
Hear Music - The Sound of Starbucks Official Website

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