"Taming the Tiger" is the sixteenth studio album by Canadian musician Joni Mitchell, released on September 29, 1998, through Reprise Records. This album followed her acclaimed Turbulent Indigo from 1994 and was initially perceived as her final album of original material until Shine was released in 2007.
The album features notable contributors such as Larry Klein on bass and Wayne Shorter on saxophone. Musically, it merges Mitchell's signature jazz influences with a textured, ambient sound, largely due to her innovative use of the Roland VG-8 virtual guitar system. This technology allowed her to effortlessly switch between alternate tunings, addressing a significant frustration she had faced during her earlier years of touring.
Despite not achieving the commercial success of its predecessor—peaking at No. 86 in Canada and No. 75 in the U.S.—Taming the Tiger received positive critical acclaim and was seen as a continuation of her artistic resurgence that began with Night Ride Home in 1991.
The album's unique sonic landscape, characterized by its atmospheric quality and the distinctive sound of the VG-8, contributes to its introspective and immersive listening experience.
