If you're someone that on reading the subject of this opinion, say to yourself 'I've never heard of Joni Mitchell.' the truth is you have but you might not know it! I was prompted to write this review after reading a well-written review dealing with another Joni Mitchell album 'Court And Spark' by Ciao member 'Pelenya'. I discovered to my surprise, that there were very few reviews of Joni Mitchell records on this site and I thought someone of her importance in music should be better represented. So here goes….
>>>A BRIEF HISTORY<<<
Over the last 30 years Joni Mitchell has been one of the most prolific and consistently innovative singer songwriters in the music business. She is responsible for some truly classic albums, which have paved the way for a multitude of other female songwriter from Susanne Vega, Tracey Chapman and more recently Beth Orton. Her contribution cannot be underestimated.
Born in Canada in 1943 she moved to the US at the age of 23 after having spent years building up a good reputation in the Canadian Folk scene. There she was immediately successful attracting critical acclaim for her live performances and song-writing ability. She was part of a groups of musicians including, The Byrds, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills & Nash, that championed the cause of folk rock as a new musical medium. Over the years while some of her contemporaries have faded she has continues and developed her music to include fusions utilising Folk, Rock and Jazz and later was one of
the first to incorporate world music in to the mainstream rock genre.
Her first album 'Song For A Seagull' was released in 1968 and produced by David Crosby. At first she had more success with other people covering her songs and having hits with them. Songs like 'Woodstock' that went to number one for Matthews Southern Comfort. With the release of another album 'Ladies Of the Canyon' in 1970 she achieved more direct notoriety for the song 'Big Yellow Taxi' that became an anthem for the environmentalist lobbyists. Her major breakthrough in to the mainstream was achieved with the release of the classic 'Blue' in 1971. This was both a commercial as well as a critical success and made Joni Mitchell in to a truly global artist.
>>>BLUE<<<
The Blue was truly and astonishing achievement, The songs are beautifully written, and simply arranged with the help of Stephen Stills and James Taylor as two of only four musicians on the record. As always Mitchell's voice is unique for it's ability to be gentle and extremely emotional. She also uses her voice as an instrument changing her tone and depth of sound. There are some great songs on 'Blue' but as with most classic records they all coalesce to produce a whole product that can't really be dissected. 'Blue'deals with the themes of love, lost love, and journeys both emotional as well a physical. There are some song dealing with pain and some that are joyful expressions of emotion.
***THE TRACKS***
1.All I Want From the opening notes on the acoustic guitar and her voice you know you're in a treat. This is a plaintiff ballad about her feelings for her lover. She is trying to make him see how much she love him and wants him. This is a beautifully simple song but at the same time deceptively complex in it's arrangement.
2.My Old Man This is an affirmation of love.
'He's my sunshine in the morning, he's my fireworks at the end of the day'.
This is purely a piano composition with no other instrumentation unless you count her voice, which she uses as an instrument performing some subtle vocal acrobatics.
3.Little Green This is another simple composition with an acoustic guitar accompaniment. This deals with two lover separated by distance and circumstances and the passing of time and seasons.
4.Carey This is a more upbeat song, simply about the joy of being free and living for the moments. It is more complex than most of the songs on the album in that there are backing vocals and more complex instrumentation.
5.Blue The title track of the album is a sad lament about lost love. In many ways the most powerful of the tracks with a lonely complex piano arrangement than well suit the melancholy mood of the song and the tone of her voice.
6.California The sad 'Blue' is quickly followed by the more upbeat humorous composition.
'He gave me back my smile, but kept my camera to sell!'
It deals with the loneliness of being abroad in a strange land. A young traveller is home sick and wants to go back to California; of course the California of the title could be anywhere that one calls home. There are references to the troubles and war so it is probable that she wrote it partly the soldiers in Vietnam in mind as well.
7.This Flight Tonight This is about a retuning journey. She describes the plane coming in to land, she is going to meet her lover but there is also uncertainty at meeting up after a spell away.
'Turn this crazy bird around, should I have got on this flight tonight'
8.River This is more like 'My Old Man' in it's style, this time though it's about loss and about the wish to get away from your troubles. It's winter approaching Christmas a time to be happy but she's just lost her love, chasing him away.
'I wish I had a river I could skate away on'
9.A Case of You This is a simple love song, maybe unrequited.
'I could drink a case of you… but still I'd be on my feet'
It features simple instrumentation with just acoustic guitar.
10.The Last Time I Saw Richard The final track is about growing up and changing in your life, about how friends can change and drift apart. It is a reflection on what has gone by. This is again just her singing and playing piano. It is a rather downbeat song to end the album but strikes the right note.
This album is sad, funny, and happy. It's themes are subject we all share in life and that's why it is so appealing. The gift that Joni Mitchell as is that of making you feel that the songs are for you, that she is singing them for you. It is a very personal experience.
Joni Mitchell went on to make other great record; 'Court and Spark' (1974), the more jazz influenced 'The Hissing on Summer Lawns (1975), Hejira (1976) and Mingus (1979) as well as more recently the more pop orientated 'Dog Eat Dog' (1985) and 'Taming The Tiger' (1998). But 'Blue' remains probably her most perfect record.
'Blue' was rated No.28 in NME's all time best albums ever and No. 9 in best albums of the 70's. It has also been included in Q magazine's Best Chill-Out Albums of All Time and Vibe magazine's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century
If you don't know Joni Mitchell 'Blue' is a good place to start.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Fantastic op on one of my favourite albums. I like the way you give Joni Mitchell's background- v. interesting. Thanks! Christine
Spacecat 29.09.2001 08:42
Love Joni Mitchell! Had one of her later albums "Night Ride Home": haunting, to say the least. She also did a duet with Billy Idol on a song called "Dancing Clown" on her next one after this...well-written op, an 'A' for the research, and another for presentation.
pennii 28.09.2001 22:56
Excellent and highly informative. I don't know Joni Mitchell but I hope to soon after reading this. thanks very much!
Joni Mitchell would go on from this 1971 recording to make more popular, more ambitious ... more
and more challenging albums, but she's never made a better one. Working with minimal accompaniment (Stephen Stills and James Taylor are two of the four sidemen), th...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Joni Mitchell would go on from this 1971 recording to make more popular, more ambitious ... more
and more challenging albums, but she's never made a better one. Working with minimal accompaniment (Stephen Stills and James Taylor are two of the four sidemen), th...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Trademark MacLachlan vocals, arrangements, stunningly beautiful, sophisticated pop in tracks 1,2,4-9. Disadvantages: Some dreadful techno-remixes and cover?a travesty of MacLachlan's true musical gifts--apparently with her blessing.
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