Preview: Music to Your Ears — Joni Mitchell’s ‘Court and Spark’
At the time of its release in early 1974, Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark was merely the latest in remarkable string of superb albums from Joni Mitchell. With the benefit of a half century’s hindsight, the album – a seamless blending of folk, jazz, rock and more – can be seen as one of the most important works of the decade. With Court and Spark, Mitchell demonstrated a seemingly effortless ability to draw from disparate musical styles and create an enduring work.
Hugely influential, Mitchell’s sixth studio release helped point the way not only for other singer-songwriters but for artists across the entire musical spectrum. Even beyond the album’s most well-known tracks – “Help Me” and “Free Man in Paris” – Court and Spark is filled with adventurous musicality, incisive songwriting, dazzling arrangement and highly accessible songwriting. Universally acclaimed, Court and Spark reliably shows up on nearly ever best-of list.
In celebration of the album’s 50th anniversary, Bill Kopp’s Music to Your Ears discussion series presents and evening with Court and Spark. Helping lead a conversation about this landmark and groundbreaking album is award-winning musician, singer and songwriter Eleanor Underhill. As both a solo artist and as half of the duo Underhill Rose, Eleanor is a high profile and beloved fixture of the Western North Carolina music scene and beyond. Counting Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark among the most important albums that influenced her, Underhill will share what Mitchell’s music means to her and how it helped guide her own acclaimed musical pursuits.
Eleanor Underhill
Join host and music journalist Bill Kopp (that’s me) for an evening in discussion with Eleanor Underhill about Joni Mitchell. We’ll listen to key tracks and encourage questions from the audience. The evening is the latest installment of the popular “Music to Your Ears’ discussion series, hosted by Asheville Guitar Bar and sponsored by AshevilleFM.
About Eleanor Underhill (eleanorunderhillmusic.com)
Eleanor Underhill is a singer/songwriter and producer based in Asheville, North Carolina. She is the current and founding member of two bands: Underhill Rose and Eleanor Underhill & Friends. Underhill’s prolific songwriting and passion for music has contributed to a total of eight albums, notable accolades from the Americana, folk, and indie-rock worlds, as well as a touring history that has taken her coast to coast in the USA and to the UK and Ireland three times. Her unique musical style and prolific writing ability has generated significant attention outside of her bands, as she has won top honors at Asheville’s Songwriting Idol Contest and played on the Grammy Award Winning Song “Mind Over Matter” by Kid-Hop artist, Agent 23 Skidoo.
WHAT: Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark
WHO: Discussion led by music journalist/author Bill Kopp with co-host Eleanor Underhill
WHERE: Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Asheville
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (doors open 6:30) $10 at the door / SEATING IS LIMITED
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.