Furry Sings The Blues & Hejira - Joni Mitchell & Herbie Hancock

August 29, 1987 - Joni is a guest on the premiere of Showtime Coast to Coast for a jam super session with host Herbie Hancock (piano), as well as Bobby McFerrin (vocals), Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone), David Sanborn (alto saxophone), and Larry Klein (bass guitar). In this clip, Joni leads the discussion about Furry Sings The Blues then the jam begins followed by Hejira. Cable TV's Showtime Coast To Coast was a unique performance magazine series of in-concert performances, interviews and collaborations hosted by Herbie Hancock.
"There were no rehearsals," recalls program producer/director Ken Ehrlich. "Just one day together running some tunes with no cameras present - the idea was simply to bring these people into a room and let them do something. On Wednesday, it didn't exist. On Saturday, it was a show. Just two cameras to catch the entire creative process: 'Here's the studio, here's some food, have a good time.' They totally forgot the cameras were there. It was very exciting. It was magic."
VHS transfer by Siquomb1.
Old Beale Street is coming down
Sweeties' Snack Bar boarded up now
And Egles the Tailor and the Shine Boy's gone
Faded out with ragtime blues
Handy's cast in bronze
And he's standing in a little park
With a trumpet in his hand
Like he's listening back to the good old bands
And the click of high heeled shoes
Old Furry sings the blues
Propped up in his bed
With his dentures and his leg removed
And Ginny's there
For her kindness and Furry's beer
She's the old man's angel overseer
Pawn shops glitter like gold tooth caps
In the grey decay
They chew the last few dollars off
Old Beale Street's carcass
Carrion and mercy
Blue and silver sparkling drums
Cheap guitars eye shades and guns
Aimed at the hot blood of being no one
Down and out in Memphis Tennessee
Old Furry sings the blues
You bring him smoke and drink and he'll play for you
lt's mostly muttering now and sideshow spiel
But there was one song he played
I could really feel
There's a double bill murder at the New Daisy
The old girl's silent across the street
She's silent waiting for the wrecker's beat
Silent staring at her stolen name
Diamond boys and satin dolls
Bourbon laughter ghosts history falls
To parking lots and shopping malls
As they tear down old Beale Street
Old Furry sings the blues
He points a bony finger at you and says
"I don't like you"
Everybody laughs as if it's the old man's standard joke
But it's true
We're only welcome for our drink and smoke
W. C. Handy I'm rich and I'm fey
And I'm not familiar with what you played
But I get such strong impressions of your hey day
Looking up and down old Beale Street
Ghosts of the darktown society
Come right out of the bricks at me
Like it's a Saturday night
They're in their finery
Dancing it up and making deals
Furry sings the blues
Why should I expect that old guy to give it to me true
Fallen to hard luck
And time and other thieves
While our limo is shining on his shanty street
Old Furry sings the blues

[@lililovesshaunyboy]

She is the Shakespeare of our times.

[@jrw344]

They all respected her & knew she was the real deal...

[@frannyca]

She is such a badass!!!

[@Lisa0529]

This is out of this world, and I love Joni.

[@lindaz2865]

This is a meeting of the best of the best. would so love to hear the entire album of this session

[@roberttemple2521]

i love joni !!! she is my ultimate crush, has been ever since i first heard her back around 1969.

[@sime52]

my goodness, this is amazing; only just really discovering Joni; having lived, loved and lost some, I really get her!

[@rainmaker461]

I love watching artists do their thing. We got to witness a very special, unique collaboration here.

[@rivershalom]

An artist. OMG

[@hbib0]

and sanborn with them too , what a great gathering . can't get enough . you're the man , thanks

[@djangolove4643]

Pure Perfection..

[@p.alencikas3166]

Loving THIS!

[@Yehudittx]

what a find! Yes - where's the rest??

[@willmonroe123]

Wow!!! Amazing video. Thank you

[@lecanif8154]

Just perfect

[@joelear2320]

Amazing!

[@Johannes_SWE]

Just weeks before Jaco died..

[@cunegondedelatronche1210]

No that's a treat !!! Thank U very much Siquomb1 4 this ;-)... ...and hello from Paris ;-)

[@lalloghin]

More pleaaaazzz!!

[@wyattmims]

fantastic

[@AntonelloBrunetti]

OMG!! *_* Thank u 4 posting this...

[@brandonburrell8517]

Amazing

[@swoosie89]

amazing stuff! thanks man or a woman! :)

[@leapsplashafrog]

Brilliant

[@lindaraeder4342]

exquisite beauty. . .

[@lromacastro]

wow!!!!!!

[@lalloghin]

post all the show pleazzzzzz!!

[@thewordofgord]

Fabulous! Is there more?

[@ridovem]

To each his own... McFerrin is a genius. I saw him at the Paramount in Seattle, do a solo acoustic show that lasted over an hour... and NO One wanted him to stop... or got up & left. Joni could have gotten 3 backup singers for this gig... that couldn't have done what Bobby did for her. ^..^

[@mitchellbible2365]

Who's the Drummer? He's killin'.

[@kevykev4077]

@John Gayton, Bobby McFerrins voice is his instrument, if you can't hear the amazing effects he's adding to this session, then you don't really understand music or talent, I feel sorry for you that you don't get it or hear it!

[@WeevBeev]

I agree, the first song in this recording was obviously cut before it finished, which makes me think the rest of it must have been recorded (unless it was faded for a commercial break, although that seems unlikely as the musicians were really peaking in their playing together and in their responsiveness to each other). But I have searched the web head to toe and can NOT find anything else from that Showtime premiere. It MUST exist somewhere! WHERE can it be?? Anyone have any leads?

[@NISULA75]

A M E N

[@TheBritomart]

Damn, what a line up. Who is drumming, anyone know?

[@ju.st.780]

I believe it is Vinnie Colaiuta

[@7scientist]

It would be great to see the entirety of Hejira . . . and who's that percussionist?

[@oldgymrat71]

She moves her mouth here like she's chewing gum. Not possible is it?

[@MatthewLS]

OOOOOOOMMMMMMMGGGGGGGG

[@juancpgo]

Even if youtube charged me $500/month it would be very worth.

[@sambac2053]

Who's the percussionist?

[@wandamundy2990]

Who was the drummer/percussionist ?!?

[@johngayton2078]

I so love Joni. But I"m sorry I don't get the Mcfarrin guy. Does he bring the beer or chips and dip? He doesn't sing, he acts like hes holding an instrument and just makes noises. To each his own.

[@lililovesshaunyboy]

She is the Shakespeare of our times.