The Hissing of Summer Lawns

by Joni Mitchell

The Hissing of Summer Lawns cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: November 17, 1975
  • Label: Asylum
  • Country: Canada
  • Length: 42:26
  • Community rating: 4.81/5 from 8 ratings

Artists on this release: Larry Carlton, Victor Feldman, Wilton Felder, Joe Sample, Bud Shank, Robben Ford, Jeff Baxter, Max Bennett, John Guerin, Chuck Findley

Album Notes & Community Reviews

On 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns', Joni Mitchell expanded the jazz-rock palette of her previous work into more experimental and avant-pop territory, utilizing synthesizers and, on "The Jungle Line", the first known commercial use of a sampled recording. The album's lyrical focus shifted from the confessional to third-person narratives, creating character studies that critique the sterile affluence and patriarchal constraints of suburban life. Though its challenging sonic direction initially alienated some critics and listeners, the album was later recognized for its ambitious, influential production and sophisticated thematic content.

Genres

Descriptors: folk, piano, storytelling, melodic, saxophone

Tracklist

  1. In France They Kiss on Main Street (03:19)
  2. The Jungle Line (04:24)
  3. Edith and the Kingpin (03:35)
  4. Don't Interrupt the Sorrow (04:04)
  5. Shades of Scarlett Conquering (04:57)
  6. The Hissing of Summer Lawns (03:01)
  7. The Boho Dance (03:50)
  8. Harry's House / Centerpiece (06:48)
  9. Sweet Bird (04:11)
  10. Shadows and Light (04:17)

Credits

  • Joni Mitchell - vocals, acoustic guitar, moog, piano, keyboards, arp and farfisa, producer, mixing engineer, written-by, synthesizer
  • Victor Feldman - electric piano, congas, vibes, keyboards, percussion
  • Joe Sample - electric piano, keyboards
  • Larry Carlton - electric guitar, guitar
  • Robben Ford - electric guitar, dobro, guitar
  • Jeff Baxter - electric guitar
  • James Taylor - background vocals, guitar
  • David Crosby - background vocals, vocals
  • Graham Nash - background vocals, vocals
  • Max Bennett - bass guitar, bass
  • Wilton Felder - bass guitar, bass
  • John Guerin - drums, moog, arrangement, synthesizer, written-by
  • Bud Shank - saxophone, flute
  • Chuck Findley - horns, trumpet, flugelhorn
  • The Warrior Drums of Burundi - drums
  • Bernie Grundman - mastered by, mastering engineer
  • Henry Lewy - engineer, mixing engineer
  • Ellis Sorkin - assistant engineer
  • Dave Oehler - string arrangements

More from Joni Mitchell: full discography