TNT’s ‘Master’ Tribute Extols the Songwriting of Joni Mitchell

There’s something endearing about the “TNT Master Series,” a show that periodically brings together some of today’s most accomplished musicians in concert to salute pop masters.

For starters, the producers have shown good judgment in defining the term “master,” devoting previous installments to Burt Bacharach, Johnny Cash and the late Bob Marley. And the latest choice is equally distinguished: Joni Mitchell.

Mitchell is one of the most gifted and influential figures in contemporary pop music, a songwriter whose lyrics have as strong a literary bent and insightful tone as Bob Dylan’s, and whose melodies are far more sophisticated and varied.

In the two-hour presentation, which airs Sunday, each guest sings one or more of Mitchell’s songs--and the lineup underscores the wide range of her music--from the gentle folk charm of James Taylor to the more biting folk tone of Richard Thompson, from the jazz stylings of Cassandra Wilson to the pop-rock verve of Elton John.

These and other artists--including Wynonna and Cyndi Lauper--do varyingly effective jobs on such signature Mitchell songs as “Free Man in Paris” and “Amelia.” Among the highs: Diana Krall’s minimalist rendition of “A Case of You” and Sweet Honey in the Rock’s joyful “The Circle Game.” Among the lows: Bryan Adams’ colorless “Raised on Robbery” and k.d. lang’s overly faithful treatment of “Hold Me.”

Even during the best moments, however, it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’d rather see Mitchell at the microphone. That desire is rewarded when she finally takes the stage with an orchestra to sing “Both Sides Now.” The intimacy and elasticity of her vocal lifts the entire proceedings.

Even the producers probably knew at that point that they would have been better off with fewer disciples and more of the master.

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* “An All-Star Tribute to Joni Mitchell” airs at 9 p.m. Sunday on TNT.