Joni Mitchell joined Herbie Hancock for three songs Thursday at a taping of "Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music." The tunes performed were "River," "Tea Leaf Prophesy" and "Hana."
My colleague Steve Chagollan reports:
In a way, the limitations of Mitchell's husky voice in this mature phase of her career -- skillfully avoiding high notes -- underscored the gorgeous elasticity and soulfulness of Corinne Bailey Rae's version of "River" on Hancock's album, but also Mitchell's ability to craft timeless ballads of the utmost complexity and emotion.
On  "Tea Leaf Prophesy" and "Hana," the combination of Mitchell's narrative way with a song, and the counterpoint of Hancock's acoustic piano -- more lushly lyrical than on the Verve recording -- gave this guest appearance its of-the-moment uniqueness.
Bob Sheppard's soprano sax wove through the proceedings with haunting delicacy, and bassist Marcus Miller summoned the spirit of Jaco Pastorius -- specifically his playing on Mitchell's masterpiece "Hejira." As on Hancock's record, Vinnie Colaiuta was the drummer.
Miller provided the glue that fused together the various styles on display, whether it be the super-charged funk of "Chameleon," from Hancock's Headhunters phase (and a moniker that might best describe Hancock's career), or a dynamic medley that fused guitarist Lionel Louke's composition, "Seven Teens," with Hancock's funk  classic "Watermelon Man." For those who suspect Hancock might be coasting on covers and duets, or that his pop sensibility has dulled his prodigious technique, the pianist put those fears to rest with a solo acoustic version of his evergreen "Maiden Voyage," with Hancock taking a circuitous yet gorgeously lyrical route to the theme.
Show will bow online on April 1.

Granted he's the ultimate dark horse, but Herbie Hancock could well be the first living musician to win album of the year and not support his album with a full tour since Henry Mancini won in 1958.
The pianist says has been invited to do some shows in the spring and early summer that will include songs he recorded for the Grammy-nominated "River: The Joni Letters," but the shows would also include material from throughout his career.
Beyond that, Hancock is looking at the possibility of the ultimate Joni celebration - Hancock and Mitchell together.
He gets very cagey about the double bill, saying "there's a discussion of the possibility of entertaining the idea of a tour." How's that for vague?
"If that were to happen, all bets are off. There are no conclusions yet but it would be a cool thing to do."
If it were to happen, though, it would likely be outside the U.S. in late summer. Last year, Mitchell released "Shine," her first album of new songs in a decade. Plain and simple, though, Mitchell has avoided touring - with one exception - for more than 20 years.

With a band that boasted Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheny, Don Alias and Michael Brecker, Joni Mitchell offered this show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Aug. 5, 1979. (Mitchell's return to recording will be released Sept. 25 on Hear Music).

Big Yellow Taxi  / Just Like This Train / In France They Kiss On Main Street / Coyote / Edith and the Kingpin / Free Man In Paris / Goodbye Porkpie Hat / Jaco's Solo / Dry Cleaners From Des Moines / Amelia / Pat's Solo / Hejira / Don's Solo / Dreamland / Black Crow / Furry Sings the Blues / God Must Be A Boogie Man / Raised On Robbery / Shadows and Light / The Last Time I Saw Richard / Why Do Fools Fall In Love? / Woodstock