Were there wireless keytar solos, bass slaps, auto-wah drenched guitar scrapes and electronic sounds that harkened back to Burgertime-era arcade games? Yes, and it was worth every minute of it. A week ago I read about a special live performance for, get this: Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music which was to be filmed at Fox Studios in Century City—three massive corporations banding together for an evening of creative expression. You know, business as usual. On this mundane Thursday night the gangrenous heart of Los Angeles gave up its dead and something beautiful bloomed in the afterbirth: the humble genius of Herbie Hancock and the radiance of Joni Mitchell.
The band warmed up on “Chameleon” and, when its third coda came around, were knee-deep in fusion. They played with great skill and personality, but without greater purpose. After a trio of Headhunters-era tunes, unannounced guest Joni Mitchell stood center stage and presided as de facto band leader. After a stirring ovation, she performed the signature Blue-era tune “River” with new wrinkles and vocal phrasings. Shaky and unshakable, Ms. Mitchell reveled in the ability of her all-star band, which included bassist Marcus Miller and Zappa alum Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.
Mr. Hancock’s hole-punched piano scores eliminated common chords and inserted new notes throughout. After three songs with Ms. Mitchell, he settled into a solo piano meditation on his classic “Maiden Voyage.” Soon turntablist C-Minus was invited on stage to replicate Grandmixer DXT’s famous cuts as the band tore into and out of their unlikely encore, “Rockit.” Only then, with subtlety and muscular riffing equally balanced, the scales tipped toward unrestrained jubilation.

— Chris Schlarb