Mingus is the tenth studio album by Canadian musician Joni Mitchell. It was released on June 13, 1979, and was her last studio album for Asylum Records.[1] The album is a collaboration between Mitchell and Charles Mingus. It was recorded in the months before and after Mingus death in January 1979 and is wholly dedicated to him. The album is one of Mitchells most experimental and jazz-centric works. Mingus originally wrote six compositions ("Joni I-VI") for Mitchell to write lyrics for; three of these were included on the album. Two other tracks written exclusively by Mitchell are included, alongside a new version of Mingus standard "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat", featuring lyrics written by Mitchell. In addition to these, five spoken word tracks (denoted as "raps") are dispersed throughout the album. Side One: 1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY 1975 (Rap) [0:57] 2. GOD MUST BE A BOOGIE MAN [4:33] 3. FUNERAL (Rap) [1:07] 4. A CHAIR IN THE SKY [6:40] 5. THE WOLF THAT LIVES IN LINDSEY [6:33] Side Two: 1. I’S A MUGGIN (Rap) [0:07] 2. SWEET SUCKER DANCE [8:06] 3. COIN IN THE POCKET (Rap) [0:11] 4. THE DRY CLEANER FROM DES MOINES [3:22] 5. LUCKY (Rap) [0:03] 6. GOODBYE PORK PIE HAT [5:41]
