I've been discovering Joni Mitchell properly over the past couple of days - better late than never, eh? - and wondered which songs y'all might suggest...
This one is justifiably famous, and completely beautiful: Both Sides Now.
I'd recommend anything off Ladies of the Canyon. It is my favourite of her albums, though, of her later work, I also really, really love Turbulent Indigo.
Amelia & Coyote from Hejira Boho Dance & Harry's House/Centerpiece from Hissing of Summer Lawns Paprika Plains from Don Juan's Reckless Daughter The Wolf that lives in Lindsey from Mingus
I very much love her jazz influenced pieces, miuch more that her early folk-rooted songs. She has a wonderful voice and is a great writer of lyrics. Listen out for some fantastic musicians that she has played with on her albums.
'Ladies of the Canyon'; 'Clouds'; and especially 'Blue'. In fact you can't go wrong with any of her albums. I am of the generation who grew up with Joni Mitchell and her contempories which is still my favourite period of music. So welcome to the club Simon.
I grew up with Joni Mitchell too. Here is a link to a clip of one of her very early ones Big Yellow Taxi. She has certainly changed a lot over the years but as always still very good.
With regard to DP's comment about Mitchell's jazz material, I'm sure I recall a reviewer on Radio 4's Front Row suggesting that singers from other genres often turn to jazz/swing when they can no longer reach the notes: a bit harsh! I like great songs with fine sentiments from whatever genre, and Both Sides Now is one such song. Thanks for sharing.
Blue is one of my all-time favourite albums. I used to play it incessantly when I was a teenager, and learned every song. I still think Joni Mitchell is a genius! Enjoy!
Joni is a treasure and I especially like River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpFudDAYqxY and A Taste of You (search on Youtube; there are many versions to enjoy)
Thanks for posting this. I am an old fan of hers, ever since I first heard "Both Sides Now" back in about 1968. I love many of her songs; owned her first album. I don't even remember the name of the song I want to mention, but it was on that album, and one of the lines is "She's so busy being free." I loved that song.
A case of you - perfect for singing along to, as long as you've had a few glasses of vino! Or, The Last Time I Saw Richard - just love the line . Richard got married to a figure skater And he bought her a dishwasher and a coffee percolator ... the woman is a genius and you are in for a real treat. brought2book.blogspot.com
Like many others, I loved Blue, but I think a good intro might be her live double album, Miles of Aisles, which contains many of her best songs from her first five albums.
There is poignant scene in the movie Love Actually in which Alan Rickman gives Emma Thompson this cd as a Christmas present. Emma's character is expecting a lovely necklace she found while snooping in Rickman's pocket. While Both Sides Now is playing, we see the necklace around the neck of his secretary and Emma crying in the bedroom trying to regain her composure. It is a real tearjerker!
"Don't it always seem to go -- you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone..."
The Hissing of Summer Lawns and Court and spark
and -- see the film, "The Last Waltz" -- a concert by The Band with guest singers: Joni Mitchell does a number in that, & all the other performances are terrific, too. I saw it 5 times when it came out: it changed my perspective....
Listened to her relentlessly in college back in the day. She stands the test of time because of her genius with music, lyrics, the whole works. Try anything from her Hejira album. Glad you're enjoying her.
I'd recommend anything off Ladies of the Canyon. It is my favourite of her albums, though, of her later work, I also really, really love Turbulent Indigo.
ReplyDeleteBetter late than never indeed. The whole album from whence this come -- Blue -- is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAmelia & Coyote from Hejira
ReplyDeleteBoho Dance & Harry's House/Centerpiece from Hissing of Summer Lawns
Paprika Plains from Don Juan's Reckless Daughter
The Wolf that lives in Lindsey from Mingus
I very much love her jazz influenced pieces, miuch more that her early folk-rooted songs. She has a wonderful voice and is a great writer of lyrics. Listen out for some fantastic musicians that she has played with on her albums.
'Ladies of the Canyon'; 'Clouds'; and especially 'Blue'. In fact you can't go wrong with any of her albums. I am of the generation who grew up with Joni Mitchell and her contempories which is still my favourite period of music. So welcome to the club Simon.
ReplyDeleteI grew up with Joni Mitchell too. Here is a link to a clip of one of her very early ones Big Yellow Taxi. She has certainly changed a lot over the years but as always still very good.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94bdMSCdw20
With regard to DP's comment about Mitchell's jazz material, I'm sure I recall a reviewer on Radio 4's Front Row suggesting that singers from other genres often turn to jazz/swing when they can no longer reach the notes: a bit harsh! I like great songs with fine sentiments from whatever genre, and Both Sides Now is one such song. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBlue is one of my all-time favourite albums. I used to play it incessantly when I was a teenager, and learned every song. I still think Joni Mitchell is a genius! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteJoni is a treasure and I especially like River https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpFudDAYqxY
ReplyDeleteand A Taste of You (search on Youtube; there are many versions to enjoy)
Thanks for posting this. I am an old fan of hers, ever since I first heard "Both Sides Now" back in about 1968. I love many of her songs; owned her first album. I don't even remember the name of the song I want to mention, but it was on that album, and one of the lines is "She's so busy being free." I loved that song.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes from Anne
Your lyrical fragment is from the song "Cactus Tree" which is the last track on her first album "Song to a Seagull".
DeleteWow. This one brought back a lot of memories. Haven't heard her in years - not sure why? Thanks for the reminder. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm no Joni expert, but Other Half is, and he says most definitely "Blue"!
ReplyDeleteA case of you - perfect for singing along to, as long as you've had a few glasses of vino!
ReplyDeleteOr, The Last Time I Saw Richard - just love the line
. Richard got married to a figure skater And he bought her a dishwasher and a coffee percolator ...
the woman is a genius and you are in for a real treat.
brought2book.blogspot.com
So glad Big Yellow Taxi was recommended. It is simply the best!
ReplyDeleteLike many others, I loved Blue, but I think a good intro might be her live double album, Miles of Aisles, which contains many of her best songs from her first five albums.
ReplyDeleteShe is a wonder.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite lyric (the imagery is wonderful):
"songs are like tattoos
You know I've been to sea before
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away"
There is poignant scene in the movie Love Actually in which Alan Rickman gives Emma Thompson this cd as a Christmas present. Emma's character is expecting a lovely necklace she found while snooping in Rickman's pocket. While Both Sides Now is playing, we see the necklace around the neck of his secretary and Emma crying in the bedroom trying to regain her composure. It is a real tearjerker!
ReplyDeleteEmmy favourite album is 'Hejira' but 'Blue' is held to be her best
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for your suggestions! I have now got Blue, and am much enjoying it.
ReplyDelete"Don't it always seem to go --
ReplyDeleteyou don't know what you've got 'til it's gone..."
The Hissing of Summer Lawns
and
Court and spark
and -- see the film, "The Last Waltz" -- a concert by The Band with guest singers: Joni Mitchell does a number in that, & all the other performances are terrific, too. I saw it 5 times when it came out: it changed my perspective....
Listened to her relentlessly in college back in the day. She stands the test of time because of her genius with music, lyrics, the whole works. Try anything from her Hejira album. Glad you're enjoying her.
ReplyDelete