1994–2001: Resurgence and vocal development Joni Mitchell

mitchell pets president clinton s dog buddy in oval office in 1998

to wider audiences, real return form mitchell came 1994 s grammy-winning turbulent indigo. while recording period saw divorce of mitchell , bassist larry klein, marriage having lasted 12 years, indigo seen mitchell s accessible set of songs in years. songs such sex kills , sunny sunday , borderline , magdalene laundries mixed social commentary , guitar-focused melodies startling comeback . album won 2 grammy awards, including best pop album, , coincided much-publicized resurgence in interest in mitchell s work younger generation of singer-songwriters.

in 1996, mitchell agreed release greatest hits collection when label reprise allowed second misses album include of lesser known songs career. hits charted @ no. 161 in us, made no. 6 in uk. mitchell included on hits, first time on album, first recording, version of urge going preceded song seagull released b-side.

joni mitchell , peter bogner listening premix of herbie hancock s gershwin s world (venice beach, california in 1999)

two years later, mitchell released final set of original new work before decade of other pursuits, 1998 s taming tiger. promoted tiger return regular concert appearances, including co-headlining tour bob dylan , van morrison.

on album, mitchell had played custom guitar equipped roland hexaphonic pickup connected roland vg-8 modeling processor. device allowed mitchell play of many alternate tunings without having re-tune guitar. guitar s output, through vg-8, transposed of tunings in real-time. improved live performance mitchell didn t need switch guitars between songs.

it around time critics began notice real change in mitchell s voice, particularly on older songs; singer later admitted feeling same way, explaining d go hit note , there nothing there . while more limited range , huskier vocals have been attributed smoking (she has been described 1 of world s last great smokers ), mitchell believes changes in voice became noticeable in 1990s due other problems, including vocal nodules, compressed larynx, , lingering effects of having had polio. in interview in 2004, denied terrible habits had more limited range , pointed out singers lose upper register when pass fifty. in addition, contended in opinion voice became more interesting , expressive alto range when no longer hit high notes, let alone hold them did in youth.

the singer s next 2 albums featured no new songs and, mitchell has said, recorded fulfill contractual obligations , on both attempted make use of new vocal range in interpreting familiar material. both sides (2000) album composed of covers of jazz standards, performed orchestra, featuring orchestral arrangements vince mendoza. album contained remakes of case of , title track both sides , 2 hits transposed down mitchell s dusky, soulful alto range. received strong reviews , spawned short national tour, mitchell accompanied core band featuring larry klein on bass plus local orchestra on each tour stop. success led 2002 s travelogue, collection of re-workings of previous songs lush orchestral accompaniments.