Herbie Hancock: Amelia

This song first appeared on Joni Mitchell's highly influential album Hejira and featured the distinctive altered guitar work of the singer-guitarist along with bass legend Jaco Pastorius. Here Herbie Hancock displays his wonderful arranging skills, which are second only to his compositional talents. Wayne Shorter steals the show, though, with beautifully phrased soprano saxophone lines that accentuate vocalist Luciana Souza's tenderness and vulnerability. Souza, the Brazilian-born Manhattan School of Music educator, shines on this track, providing shades of Joni Mitchell with little effort, sounding completely organic and natural. This track marvelously encapsulates the explorative mood of River: The Joni Letters.