Big Yellow Taxi - Joni Mitchell | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION!

[@AmalgaMem]

The song that put Joni on the map was the exquisite “Both Sides Now” in 1969. For most people, her artistic peak was her 1971 album Blue, which includes magnificent tracks like “A Case of You” and “River” (one of the saddest songs ever written). Her commercial high point was probably “Free Man in Paris” in 1974. My personal favorite is “Amelia,” from her jazz period in the late ’70s. You guys need to hear all of them, but don’t rush. It takes a lifetime to appreciate the scope of Joni Mitchell's talent.

[@ronnelson7828]

My favorite Joni song is "This Flight Tonight" by Nazareth. A&A should listen to it.

[@sherryheim5504]

I love Amelia also. I also love all the songs on that album. I didn't think I would because I was a fan of Joni from the start and from the days that Judy Collins was covering all her songs so I thought something new and different would not be appealing but I was wrong. I love Blue but I think her best work from a technical standpoint is on Hejira...love Coyote on that album also.

[@kbusby4824]

@@ronnelson7828 Nazareth did a top tier cover, and if I am not mistaken it was Joni approved.

[@Live2swim]

Joni started singing in coffee shops to make money. In that city, other performers would bitch and moan if another singer sang a song that was part of their own set. So she decided the only way to avoid the complaints was to start writing her own songs. I also like the Counting Crows cover of Yellow Taxi. And btw, that Counting Crows CD was great. That Yellow Taxi version is NOT like what Alex recalls hearing sometime before now. Definitely check out the Counting Crows song Mr. Jones!!! Their break out. You need to try that version of '80' rock. It's not like the big hair bands doing '80's rock, which it is my impression, is the sound styling that you dislike. Awkward sentence. Try it. The eighties had good stuff! Songwriting didn't die.

[@carollandrum9223]

Joni Mitchell wrote Both Sides Now but it was first sung by Judy Collins in 1968 who had a hit with it. Joni included it in her album Clouds the next year in 1969.

[@iwAnNaBeFaMiS]

Joni Mitchell definitely plays her own guitar! She had polio in 1952, in the last polio epidemic to sweep Canada, which left her permanently weakened on the left side. This is why she had to create her own unique tunings. Interestingly, Neil Young had polio in the same epidemic & was left with the same left-side weakness which can explain some of his guitar quirks.

[@margaretanscombe730]

And both are pure Canadian GOLD! 🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦

[@loosilu]

The cover image is Joni's self portrait. She's a first rate painter.

[@mtnvalley9298]

..and a view out of her Laurel Canyon home

[@bob_._.]

She does all of her album covers

[@roseypeach8363]

CBC radio did an extensive interview with Joni in her home. In the interview they show Joni's artwork. Joni is a true artist.

[@mikewoodrow5878]

She also did CSNY’s So Far album cover .

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

"I am a lonely painter, I live in a box of paints." ~Case of You~ from the Blue album.

[@geoffreybonham3802]

Andy’s comment on innocent free spirit combined with old soul wisdom is almost precisely her appeal to so many people. Spot on!

[@marthalowe1556]

AGREE!!!

[@dennisfarris4729]

Our fairy queen of dreams, living light.

[@michaelsorensen7458]

In the Led Zeppelin song, "Goin' to California," there is a line, "Someone told me there's a girl out there, with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair." That girl is Joni Mitchell. Robert Plant loved her songs. Oh, check out Rick Beato's video, "My Dinner with Joni Mitchell." He met her for the first time recently and she seems like a genuinely sweet person.

[@jgold78]

One of Rick's breakthrough interviews

[@jnagarya519]

"Sweet person"!? Have you listened to her LPs!?

[@paulmorris8762]

Rick also analysed her song Amelia and he was blown away by the chord changes

[@worldnotworld]

YOU GUYS: Mitchell is THE guitar player on ALL her albums (with guest appearances sometimes), and live as well. Her guitar style is a part of her GENIUS - strange tunings, exotic tonalites. You guys have SO much more to discover about her - you're gonna love it!

[@notvalidcharacters]

And the piano player on those tunes as well.

[@peterquinones3522]

You can't over estimate the power and influence this song has had on the culture. Virtually every person from a teen to your grandmother knows the song.

[@alexjbennett1017]

And every person who knows it has its words and meaning etched deep in their hearts.

[@allisonreed7682]

“Both Sides Now” would be a great pick for your next Joni Mitchell reaction. It’s a masterpiece. Another female singer/songwriter you should explore soon is Carole King. Her album “Tapestry” is about as perfect as any album could ever hope to be. Start with her song “It’s Too Late”.

[@Shadowrider1872]

Carol is amazing

[@allisonreed7682]

Hey @@Shadowrider1872...Happy Monday! I absolutely agree!

[@rtr7227]

I just listened to Tapestry yesterday, so good.

[@allisonreed7682]

@@rtr7227 not a bad song anywhere on that album...

[@HairFarmer]

I would love to see A&A react to the original version of Both Sides Now, from Clouds, and THEN the version from the Both Sides Now album.!

[@Lisse1]

“A Case of You” & “River” are absolutely incredible songs🔥Her entire “Blue” album is widely considered a top 5 album of all time. 👏🏼

[@missmelissa2303]

River makes me weep. Every time. 💕

[@Lisse1]

@@missmelissa2303 Agree! And so many good covers of River. Really loved Ben Platt’s cover in the show, The Politician.

[@AdamMcGahan]

"River" is so good and so sad. If the boys decide to react to it, they should go in knowing that how fraught with emotion is.

[@jasonremy1627]

River is crushing. So ACHINGLY beautiful and sad.

[@lawrencesmith6536]

Yes!!

[@stevelucero9047]

NO ONE should underestimate Joni's place next to Dylan, etc... this lady was a complete musician, singer, songwriter.... hell she _invented_ tunings... The rabbit hole you can (and SHOULD) go down in her music should be mandatory lessons for serious musicians and general fans.

[@seanbyrd9164]

David Crosby was on Howard Stern recently and said as much as he loves Dylan, Joni surpasses him as our greatest songwriter of all time.

[@carolinamoraga8351]

@@seanbyrd9164 Crosby’s spot on. She is in a class of her own.

[@bradhelms9408]

She hardly invented tunings. She did invent new ones though.

[@davidbailey6397]

She talked trash about Dylan a lot.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

true and well said. I think being a woman hurt her standing, but your right, she belonged at the top.

[@lisamorrison2149]

No one has a voice like Joni's! "California" is my fave, but any Joni song will do. An incredible songwriter, with heart and wisdom beyond her years. Great reaction!

[@bwheeler1970VB]

Have you seen the live version of California? It's her solo, incredible.

[@jameswilhoite8150]

Her best I think

[@kv99990]

Yes, California is full of her spirit and the spirit of the times.

[@lisamorrison2149]

@@kv99990 I totally agree with you!✌

[@mitchellbarker9368]

If they do "California," it definitely needs to be the live "BBC in concert 1970" version.

[@clemlowes2112]

"Big yellow taxi" is actually a police cruiser from the 60's, 70's in Toronto. The Metropolitan Toronto Police cruisers were yellow those days.

[@christophercox9150]

Thanks interesting to know. I had no idea

[@judyludlum2371]

Thank you for this info. I never knew that.

[@d-rock5235]

I actually got a couple of rides in those yellow taxis. Don't think i ever paid the driver though.

[@grahamhamilton1174]

Mark Dailey Crime Beat City Pulse Think it was Channel 79 UHF for the first little while. Nice little flash back.

[@jennifertierney9076]

I didn't know that! Ty!

[@Cheshirecat-nx9zn]

This song is as relevant today as it was when she wrote it.

[@vincentschmitt7597]

I live in Florida and have actually screamed in horror when driving up on areas clear cut.

[@tjj300]

At least the relationship part.

[@rogerstarkey5390]

@@tjj300 What? You mean "Get Farmer Farmer put away the SD now, Give me spots on the apples, but leave me the Birds and the Bees" Isn't the most relevant line? (Specifically "Bees")

[@SCVIndy]

Suggest exploring sustainability linking population to resources

[@chrisgibson7591]

Should have been taking action when this song came out we still haven't taken action the world is f*****

[@JC-es5un]

“Help Me” and “Free Man in Paris” are phenomenal Joni Mitchell songs. If you want to see something incredible, check out her live version of the song “Woodstock”, it’s just her and a piano…simply gorgeous

[@kenjohnston1257]

The fellas need to review the entire Court and Spark album and get blown away

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Her intro to that live Woodstock is something else, too.

[@lindamckenzie6544]

Until I watched the David Geffen documentary on Netflix last night, I had no idea that "Free Man in Paris" was about him.

[@mikeklesic7535]

Help Me is a great song

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Free Man has a lot of references.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

1) She absolutely is the guitarist. 2) She's an incredibly influential guitarist. She came up with a number of different tunings for her songs. 3) Led Zeppelin's "Going To California" basically refers to her because the guys in Led Zeppelin loved her stuff. 4) She was going for a "Chuck Berry" feel on her acoustic guitar with this song, if I recall. 5) That version of this song you might have heard might have been the Counting Crowes...or possibly Janet Jackson. 6) You need to just LISTEN to her first 5 albums. Everything off of "Blue" could be a review. That 5-album run of "Song To A Seagull" to "Clouds" to "Ladies of the Canyon" to "Blue" to "For The Roses" is absolutely amazing...One of my favorite songs is the title track of the "For The Roses" album. Also, try "River" or "The Last Time I Saw Richard" or "Little Green" off of "Blue."

[@frankpentangeli7945]

I would agree with everything except I think they should listen to the first 6 albums. To me, Court and Spark is her best album, with the possible exception of Blue.

[@chrisdelisle3954]

@@frankpentangeli7945 A fair assessment. "Court And Spark" is one of those albums I don't "get" yet, but millions of others do and love it. I'll get there.

[@AdamMcGahan]

I have to agree with first 6 albums. "Court and Spark" is my favorite, too. "Free Man in Paris", "Help Me", "People's Parties", Christ even the song "Court and Spark" and the way you can hear Joni's smile as she sings the line "Seems like he read miyee mind..." Man...

[@frankpentangeli7945]

@@AdamMcGahan Yes!!! LOVE the title track!

[@urbangrouse]

Have to include Court & Spark. The songs Free Man In Paris, Car On The Hill, and the hilarious "Twisted", among others.

[@jamesbassett1484]

Joni Mitchell is an absolutely kick-ass guitarist. As her career progressed, she had a jazz phase (Mingus, Hejira, Hissing of Summer Lawns). I think you would really like Amelia of of Hejira.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

The queen of open tuning.

[@michaellaporte4951]

"Amelia" is incredible, as is "A Strange Boy", and for my money "A Song for Sharon" is the storytelling pinnacle of the album.

[@paulburton5150]

Song For Sharon is incredible

[@jamesbassett1484]

@@paulburton5150 Indeed! I particularly like the background vocals. I guess I have to listen to it today.

[@markhardwicke5345]

They should react to Amelia, absolutely. And then they should watch Rick Beato's breakdown of the song. It taught me more about music than almost anything I can think of. Their respect for Joni will be magnified by 100 after watching Rick's video.

[@loosilu]

You need to see Joni perform. Yes, she plays the guitar. She's one of the best acoustic guitarists in the business and is famous for her crazy alternative tunings.

[@garymaidman625]

Let's be honest, any of the singer songwriters are phenomenal guitarists.

[@loosilu]

@@garymaidman625 Some more phenomenal than others.

[@garymaidman625]

@@loosilu when I think of singer songwriters who are great guitarists I think of Gordon Lightfoot, Cat Stevens, Jim Croce, as well as Joni, Melanie Safka. Although not so much a songwriter but the greatest guitarist of them all was Glen Campbell. The man was a phenom.

[@ednicholson7839]

She's a pretty good damn pianist too. They saw her perform when they watched The Last Waltz, but yeah they need to see more than that. Maybe her most famous filmed concerts are the Isle of Wight performance and the Santa Barbara one with Jaco Pastorious, Pat Metheny and full band

[@loosilu]

@@garymaidman625 Joni regularly turns up on lists of best acoustic guitarists of all time, and those guys don't. It's possible you are overlooking something.

[@thbenton4]

"Youthful innocence" meets "old soul vibes"--that is a _great_ description of Joni!

[@Stoney_Snark]

Joni wrote and has her own version of “Woodstock”, a hit for CSNY. The live in-studio version from 1970 is hauntingly beautiful. She was Nash’s girlfriend, and “Our House” is about a good time in their relationship.

[@creech54]

And for one-hit-wonder Matthew's Sothern Comfort.

[@mikek5958]

James Taylor does an incredible version of "Woodstock" as well.

[@baladilady]

I was about to suggest her version of Woodstock and was going to say it's haunting. Great minds. LOL

[@Hobodeluxe960]

Crosby had a crush on her too. Dave still says she is his favorite songwriter.

[@mikek5958]

@@Hobodeluxe960 Crosby's a degenerate.

[@mattshaw6180]

As others have already pointed out, “A Case of You” and “River” are absolutely brilliant songs and you guys need them.

[@barriekelley2241]

River gets played on the radio a lot during the Christmas season but it’s not a Christmas song. It’s a contrast about going through a breakup during a time when people are jubilant. She feels so sad, she wishes she could get away from it all and skate away along a river. I think the saddest line is “I made my baby say goodbye”.

[@mjwaldrep]

Counting Crows did a cover of this. The cover is not bad, but I like the original better.

[@Dana_Danarosana]

I was coaching a high school bowling team back when the Counting Crows version came out. I still remember trying to tell the kids about Joni's amazing original track. They just thought I was old... until I brought in a recording of Joni. Then they loved Joni's version way better... and still thought I was old. By the way, Joni's original version IS better... and I AM old, lol...

[@robynbaker7325]

I liked Crows better.

[@oakhillfound847]

I believe in my musical universe I heard this covered by the Christian singer Amy Grant. Much less grungy than the Crows and I love Amy but her version is a bit out of her lane.

[@cerisewilson4088]

I loved the Counting Crows version.

[@voodoochild2968]

Woodstock would be a great one to do next,Soo different from Crosby,stills and Nash version

[@DeepThawts]

DDT is a really effective pesticide that farmers used to use in many different contexts. About the time she wrote this, they started figuring out that it was really awful for the environment. Among other things, it makes the shells of birds' eggs really thin, which reduces the survivability of the nestling, because they either hatch prematurely or are not properly insulated from the elements before they can hatch.

[@marieparsons9908]

I believe DDT is why California condors nearly went extinct. It was so close.

[@Manageode]

DDT story. I think we were all exposed. In '87 I had a serious blow to my health by the pesticide chlordane being misapplied to 4 apartment complexes, because of the greed of the doctor who owned them.(should go in to holes drilled in the foundation, then get plugged with cement) I didn't know until '91. I had a fat biopsy taken then, and besides the chlordane it also showed DDT and its metabolite DDE. We probably all have some? The half life on these chemicals is long. 30 years for the chlordane. I have had MCAS ever since moving into those apartments in '87. And ruined thyroid health. Damaged parts of my memory. The State agriculture dept knew it had happened. The City of Houston Health Dept knew. Did they do anything? Ever? No. So *after* it had happened I moved into the apartments. Front page news in 1991. And after admitting this happened for "monetary reason", Judwin Properties/the doctor, declared bankruptcy protection. Then sued his insurer. And continues to build apartment complexes.

[@hectorsmommy1717]

​@@marieparsons9908 It is also why Bald Eagles almost went extinct throughout the US. There were an estimated 418 nesting pairs in the entire contiguous 48 states in the 1950's. Conserving those and reintroduction from the healthy population in Alaska and northern Canada has brought them back to where their status is now "least concern".

[@LadyIarConnacht]

@@Manageode Yeah, a lot of these chemicals are worse than we even know and worse than any chemical companies will admit. Now we're dealing with glyphosate and nobody knows what it's doing to us.

[@help4343]

@@Manageode DDT was banned for 15 years in '87

[@peterquinones3522]

Guys, you have to check Coyote. The greatest electric bassist who has ever lived, Jaco Pastorius, plays on it with her.

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

A simply Great song .

[@ednicholson7839]

The whole album Hejira should get a full reaction, along with Blue

[@danl.909]

@@ednicholson7839 Yep. _Hejira_ and _Blue_ are masterpieces. Right up there with any of the best albums of the ‘70s.

[@justinestes6400]

I can't believe Jaco doesn't receive more love from reactors. How does THE best not pique your interest?

[@roseypeach8363]

Peter, check out the video where Joni, Bob Dylan and Roger McGuinn perform Coyote live at Gordon Lightfoot's house. It's very good.

[@DiconDissectionalReactions]

Such a catchy song, with such a powerful message. Awesome job guys, as always!

[@guitarevolution9156]

joni the queen of alternate tunings and a poetess to boot--wish we had a small island of people like her...keep having fun guys

[@Meandmymirror]

Let’s all pitch in and buy an island!

[@frankpentangeli7945]

To be clear, DDT was an insecticide, not a fertilizer.

[@swimrski]

Which worked its into the food chain and was decimating eagle populations by making the egg shells too thin. The Bald Eagle was put on the endangered species list in the 1960's, with just a few hundred nests in the lower 48 states. In 1972 DDT was banned.

[@aentreri00]

@@swimrski and yet it still saves lives. It's a complicated issue as Malaria kills a lot of people.

[@saytr4]

@@swimrski DDT has probably saved a million lives over the years preventing mosquito borne diseases. It got a bad rep because people were overspraying with it. They still use it in many countries today, they just use a more sensible concentration of it. It got banned essentially because it became fashionable to be anti-DDT in the 60s. It was a pet cause of the environmentally elite at the time and was breathlessly reported to be much scarier than it actually was. It happens like that. Still does. `

[@meadish]

@@aentreri00 Its use has been reintroduced in many tropical countries for that reason, to fight malaria and dengue fever. It would be great if it could be avoided since it really isn't great for ecosystems overall, but so far there does not seem to be that many other practical methods for controlling malaria and dengue. I would assume there are potential gene manipulation solutions but I don't know how well they work, what exactly the detrimental effects are, or if they are widely allowed.

[@hectorsmommy1717]

@@saytr4 I grew up in a town with lakes, rivers, and marshes so our mosquito population was horrible. Sprayer trucks would go throughout the town regularly through the summer and we kids would run beside it in the spray. Yes, this was the early to mid 1960's. Too far north for malaria to be a concern. Like so many things, it is all shades of grey and we need to learn how to balance the needs of humans with the needs of nature.

[@jdscottphd]

Joni played CRAZY alternate tunings on her guitar! Listen to a live version of Both Sides Now. And make no mistake: she is now regarded as probably the best singer-songwriter of all time because of her writing ability, technical prowess, and incomparably perfect voice.

[@roberttaylor5997]

And sometimes the guitar she played was a dulcimer.

[@damienparis5377]

on the surface its whimsical but her message is spot on....her vocal range is beyond incredible....another iconic voice of a generation...truly gifted woman...good one gents....peace

[@danarchuleta1154]

Fellow Rockers, Joni is a Goddess!~ She has a wealth of amazing music but "Freeman in Paris," is one of my favorites. Joni has paved the way for so many song writers.

[@loosilu]

My favorite Joni Mitchell song right there.

[@5JRTs]

I’m with you on Free Man in Paris. Just recently learned that song was about David Geffen. If you have not seen the documentary, “Inventing David Geffen,” it’s a MUST!

[@scottboswell6406]

Janet Jackson's "Got 'Til It's Gone' is built on a sample of this song, and Q-Tip has the line 'Joni Mitchell never lies'.

[@bodhisattva3774]

Thank you! Love Joni! Not ashamed to admit she can bring me to tears. Please do Free Man in Paris next!

[@felixlechat9565]

To answer your question on the origins of the expression "You don't know what you've got ...", I googled it and it's accredited to Joni Mitchell! So yeah, she came up with that. Brilliant.

[@-R.Gray-]

She has painted about 12 of her album covers, and developed over 50 custom guitar tunings to make it possible and easier to be able to play certain songs as she sings.

[@snakeutm]

Magical voice

[@sallysharp3845]

Glad you're back to Joni the Master Singer Songwriter. Other excellent songs by her are "A Case Of You" "Raised On Robbery", and "Both Sides Now" just to name a few. BTW, I believe she does all the artwork on her covers. Her first love is painting.

[@loosilu]

And she's GOOD. She's not a rockstar who dabbles in painting. She's the real thing. I say this as a painter myself.

[@kirkvandegrift7375]

Finally a reference to "Raised on robbery ". Such an unexpected kick A$$ song.

[@stevenhooker2600]

Love how you appreciate Joni !

[@samgriffin895]

Her album “Blue” is a classic.

[@Veggamattic]

Wow guys...I mean Gents...you are getting so good at your craft! Slow Clap!

[@missmelissa2303]

Aww so giddy over this Monday morning Joni reaction. She really is such a talented goddess and a very special person. 💕 Next Joni I would go with would be either A Case of You or Both Sides Now. ✌️💕✨ P.S. Please give Carole King a shot sometime! One of Joni’s contemporaries. I Feel The Earth Move, It’s Too Late, or just do the album Tapestry in its entirety. It’s so good!

[@normanleroy1874]

A thousand times this!

[@charlieboard4862]

Yeah, they should dive in and do TAPESTRY in one shot with virgin ears. Perhaps THE most influential album of the Seventies. And commercially the longest-charting album of all-time until DARK SIDE OF THE MOON overtook it.

[@missmelissa2303]

@@charlieboard4862 oh wow!! I didn’t know that. It’s one of my favorite albums of all time. Along with DSOTM. I would love for the guys to go into it blind and see what they think.

[@jameswalls4172]

She started as part of the great songwriting team of Goffin and King.Tapestry was her big breakout.It’s too late is a great song about a break up.

[@AdamMcGahan]

Yep, whole album "Tapestry" is probably the way to go. If I have to pick one song, then I'd go with "It's Too Late", but the whole album just has a feel and is worth doing.

[@lanacoenen8582]

From "Going to California" by Led Zep: "Going To California with an aching in my heart Someone told me there's a girl out there With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair" I believe the boys are referring to Joni.

[@TheMinster1960]

Free Man In Paris is the next Joni Mitchell song you should check out. It's from her 1974 album, Court And Spark.

[@michaelt.b264]

Mitchell said this about writing the song: I wrote 'Big Yellow Taxi' on my first trip to Hawaii. I took a taxi to the hotel and when I woke up the next morning, I threw back the curtains and saw these beautiful green mountains in the distance. Then, I looked down and there was a parking lot as far as the eye could see, and it broke my heart... this blight on paradise. That's when I sat down and wrote the song. Pink hotel would be the Royal Hawaiian. She would have been looking across to the international marketplace with its boutiques and the Banyan Tree bar "a swinging hotspot" The tree Museum I believe would be a reference to Foster's botanical gardens which would also be visible from her hotel. I think Graham Nash of Crosby Stills and Nash is her "old man" at the time and had to leave to go back to California.

[@ericthrasher2615]

She grew as time went on. She enjoyed the freeness if jazz, and started to incorporate it in her work. Her album hejira, is filled with these songs, coyote, hejira, Amelia, so many great songs. And Jaco pastorius on bass, incredible.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

artists Wanted to accompany her, for good reason !

[@marthalowe1556]

She had it all. Incredible Voice, deeply poetic, relevant lyrics, excellent musicianship with instruments...guitar, dulcimer, piano. No one could touch her. A musicians' musician.

[@brumleyhall]

Nice reviews, Guys. You caught all of the nuance to this song, which other reactors miss. This song was about 5 years earlier than Help Me, when she was mostly a solitary singer-songwriter. In later years, she added more instrumentation and production and the music in her songs got more complex. My vote for the next song is "A Case of You".

[@toddmichelfelder3417]

Great singer and songwriter, but a very underrated guitarist… Truly one of a kind!

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

during those times, women were underrated and that sucks. Less radio play, too. = less money.

[@legionofbarry]

Joni is legendary. Historic! My favorite track of hers is "You Turn Me On (I'm A Radio)". Must listen to any and all of her catalog.

[@MrDiddyDee]

Joni plays the acoustic guitar and piano on her records. She's is still quite young on this album, so her voice is pretty sweet sounding, as she got older her lifelong smoking habit did eventually change her voice and it limited that vast range quite a bit on her later albums. She didn't write that many songs in standard tuning, the majority are a wide variety of open tunings, over 50 of them I think. Her song writing very quickly became very sophisticated from this album onwards, a superb poet and intuitive player. The fact she rebelled against formal music training is how she came up with her own unique styles, and her whole career has been one of rejecting unrequested advice from everyone who underestimated this slight looking woman. She has wit, intelligence, disarming honesty, steel and a dogged vision of what her music should be. She sees herself as a painter first, and a songwriter second, but applies the same thought processes to both, and considers them just alternative creative languages to use depending on what you're trying to convey.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

well said.

[@catbutte4770]

What can't Joni Mitchell do? She's amazing! 😺

[@lawrenceabeyta3808]

You guys would enjoy her live performance of “Woodstock”. The other female artist that you need to discover is Carole King; her Tapestry album is one of the top released albums.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Carole is such an influential artist. Her Tapestry album paved the way for more singer/songwriters- my personal favorite genre. I've seen her live and so happy I did.

[@linjicakonikon7666]

The River is a great song about her breakup with Graham Nash...Very Winter Breakup melancholy

[@gerardodoherty9178]

You mean the Bruce Springsteen song was actually a cover? :-)

[@8fran08]

AGR gents!! Ms. Mitchell is a master writer of song. My favorite evidence (there is so much) for that statement is, A Case of You. The images painted the in the verses, the simile used for the chorus and the note choices (I especially like the intro), blend beautifully when speaking to the intended person. If it were me I'd get the message! It's my suggestion for the next reaction gents!! 🤙😎

[@1tishhead]

She is definitely the songwriters' songwriter. I have an old book of Rolling Stone long-form interviews with various artists. It's amazing how many talk about their admiration for her. She was just getting started when she did this one. Blue and Court And Spark are her masterpiece albums and the live album Miles Of Aisles (great title for a live album) provides a great overview.

[@Wordsmyth8]

I agree with all the above. The boys definitely need to listen to the entire Miles of Aisles album.

[@Prone2Thrill]

She also plays a beautiful piano and dulcimer. You need to check out California and Woodstock (also done by CSNY) also DDT was the prior deadly crop poison before Monsanto came out with Roundup which is sinful to birds, bees and ultimately humans...

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

Oh Canada.......and yes, she draws her own album art . Joni is the jewel in our crown....Neil is not bad either ...LOL

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

yes Canada sends many A+ artists out into the world !!

[@nbell817]

Joni Mitchell is a talented multi-instrumentalist. Guitar, piano, dulcimer. A brilliant song writer and vocalist. I'm happy to see you checking out her music. Some of my favorite songs are A Case of You, Woodstock, Court and Spark, Twisted, Free Man in Paris. Just to name a few! 😁 Have you ever checked out Beth Hart?

[@linjicakonikon7666]

The queen of alternate tunings.

[@pauldevito7476]

You need to hear "Hejira", "River", "Cactus Tree", and "Both Sides Now". Great job guys.

[@richardryan5826]

Two popular tunes, from Joni Mitchell, that you would enjoy are "Both Sides Now" and "The Circle Game." Deeper cuts from Joni should be explored too. I recommend "For Free" and live versions of "Cactus Tree" (from the "Miles of Isles" CD) and "Amelia" (from the "Shadows and Light" DVD or CD, with the Pat Metheny guitar solo included).

[@AdamMcGahan]

"The Circle Game" is one of my favorites, not sad but poignant.

[@maruad7577]

Isn't "Circle Game" the one she wrote in response to Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain"? I am fairly certain it is.

[@richardryan5826]

@@maruad7577 Your recollection is correct. Joni tells that story, beginning at about 39:33 in the following concert recording: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKCpo4itrtZ_maM

[@Dave13185]

Joni had polio as a child which left problems in her hands. It’s amazing she went on to play guitar, because of the problem with her hands her songs are all played in an open tuning and she bars her hand across the fritz as that’s all she can manage. She still makes it pretty amazing to listen to

[@lynne5322]

JONI FANS: Joni will be honored at next Kennedy Center Honors (12/5/21)

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

her 75th birthday concert is great as well.

[@XtheMystic244]

Joni Mitchell was at the top of perhaps the greatest period for singer/songwriters - the seventies. So many great women in that period. Joni , Janis Ian , Carole King , Joan Armatrading , Patti Smith , Stevie Nicks , Carli Simon to name just a few.

[@lynne5322]

Thx for bringing up these women artists! Can we throw in Phoebe Snow, Karla Bonoff, Nicolette Larson, Rickie Lee Jones, & Valerie Carter? Cheers! ☺🍻

[@paulhansberry8168]

If you like Joni Mitchell, then maybe try Carole King if you haven't already.

[@rogerstarkey5390]

James Taylor, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt.... It's a loooong list!

[@gablen23]

also Laura Nyro!

[@mikealicke4609]

Carole King is a monster songwriter! One edge though with Joni is she writes all her lyrics.. Carole collaborated early on with her 1st husband Gerry Goffin and on her landmark Tapestry album with Toni Stern.. Incredible catalogue for sure😉🎸

[@jdcapps21]

It’s so amazing how these guys have literally never heard anything before!

[@stpnwlf9]

Canada seems to have a gift for producing true genius singer-songwriters. As an American from birth, I am very grateful to my neighbors up north for Joni, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Cockburn, and many others. Note: DDT was a widely used pesticide that turned out to have highly mutagenic and carcinogenic effects on humans and wildlife.

[@kathytoy5055]

I would love for our gents to listen to Bruce Cockburn. I'm just not sure which song to start with to hook them. (And if you do hit his work, it's pronounced "Coburn". haha

[@stpnwlf9]

@@kathytoy5055 That's the dilemma - his only bit radio hit here in the States was 'If I Had a Rocket Launcher' which doesn't really exemplify his introspective lyrics and his brilliant guitar work. I would point people to 'Dancing in the Dragon's Jaw' first, personally.

[@kathytoy5055]

@@stpnwlf9 Hmm. I'm Canadian and he had so many hits here, I hope principally to do with talent but probably also to do with the Canadian Content laws. I would have thought "Wondering Where the Lions Are" would have been his international hit. As a young'un, I loved "Musical Friends", but that's piano. Off to listen to a whole bunch of Bruce Cockburn!

[@kathytoy5055]

@@stpnwlf9 How about "Going to the Country"? Just Bruce and his amazing guitar.

[@itzel1735]

@@kathytoy5055 I love his Speechless album. Just great guitar.

[@7thkansascav468]

You guys ever heard of the band "Cactus" from the early 70's? Very few people have and it's a shame. Drummer was Carmen Appice with bass player Tim Bogert from Vanilla Fudge, GREAT stuff. They did a cover of Howlin' Wolf's blues song "Evil" that will knock you right on your butts. Other good tracks are "Parchmann's Farm" and "Brother Bill".

[@Chaikittie]

The Circle Game, a profound and moving early song. Chelsea Morning, Free Man In Paris, Raised On Robbery. So many early gems that should be heard.

[@eximusic]

Awesome song and great analysis/reaction! Joni is uber-talented. No one can play guitar like her, sing like her, or write songs like her.

[@kimhesketh2016]

When you get to her song "Both Sides Now" you should listen to her when she sings it in her 20's and then compare it to when she sings it in her 60's. What a difference a lifetime makes.

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

Totally agree that this would be so meaningful. Her later version shows her life stage, her wisdom, her experience and her voice makes the words resonate even more.

[@akbar41]

"A Case of You" will be played at my funeral, even if I don't put that in my will. Without that song, there will be no reason for music.

[@donaldjackson1490]

More Joni! Every song is unique and worth many listens…

[@kimalexandersmedsboel2098]

You should also listen to Joni later albums from Hieja 1976 (with Jaco) and up to her last album Shine. Her voice got better through the years and she went through some amazing musicians like Metheny, Landau, Shorter, Mingus, M Becker and many many more. Joni made so many incredible albums over the years.

[@JimGeigerMusic]

Join is one of the greatest composers of all time. Her guitar chording and her use of alternate tunings is insanely original.

[@tkbourne53]

Sooo many facets of Joni Mitchell but my favorite clip, which has to be watched, is her performance of California from a BBC live concert.

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

Joni is a genius. BTW, at the time she wrote this, Toronto police cars were yellow. I doubt she lived here (I'm in Toronto) when she wrote this, but there is a theory that Big Yellow Taxi was slang for cop car. I moved here long after they changed colors of the cars, and I've never actually heard the term used, but it sounds plausible.

[@johnbeardshall2898]

She lived in Toronto in 60's

[@orestzarowsky4086]

Led Zeppelin's "Going to California" was about Joni Mitchell, who had moved to California by then. Joni was a star and inspiration for many. Another Canadian who rolled over so many. See also Neil Young. And Alex Trebek.

[@strings53notlob50]

“Hello, I am Linda Richman. I am here to say her voice is like butta’! When she sings, I must admit, I get a little verklemt. Oh, oh! There I go! I’m getting verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves.” (Who will get this reference)

[@missmelissa2303]

SNL!! Love that character from MM. The best one is when Barbra Streisand shows up! Lol.

[@missmelissa2303]

“Here’s a topic. Duran Duran is neither a Duran or a Duran. Discuss.”

[@JohnLGladden]

It’s Coffee Talk from SNL. Love it!

[@Meandmymirror]

Remind me what/who that is?

[@Meandmymirror]

@@JohnLGladden oh right! Snl

[@alanglover9117]

Great reactions guys see this is why I like your channel

[@daverichter1687]

Counting Crows covered this in the '90's.

[@edwinawilcox663]

Dudes - Joni Mitchell... you don't even know. She paints her own album covers, plays guitar, piano, dulcimer. Deeply influential songwriter drawing on folk, pop, rock, classical, and Jazz. I could go on and on. So happy you've gotten around to reacting to her.

[@Shadowrider1872]

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY ☮️❤️♾️

[@normanleroy1874]

Good morning @John H !

[@michaelnorris7353]

Great choice. The album cover is a painting of Topanga Canyon in LA which was where she and many other rock stars of the day were living. You should really listen to "Woodstock" (she wrote the song that CSN&Y covered and made a huge hit) or especially "For Free" which is about her hearing a street musician who was amazing playing for free for anyone that would listen while she only plays for friends or large amounts of money. She is one of the best songwriters to come out of Canada.

[@josephcrangle4669]

Just found out “Free Man in Paris” was written about her manager at the time David Geffen when they were vacationing there. A great song to feature next and I highly recommend the David Geffen documentary on Netflix. So much interesting musical history: Jackson Brown, CSN & Y, Guns N Roses and of course Joni.

[@5JRTs]

Wasn’t that documentary fascinating? I just watched it this past weekend and, like you, learned that Free Man in Paris was about David Geffen. A great song about a great man.

[@lisaharrod8386]

Joni is a musical journey unto herself...her catalog runs the gamut You can spend a lifetime listening to her changes, transitions, and musical collaborations. It's a breathtaking voyage... She injured her left wrist, and to compensate used really unusual tunings and capo placings. Plus that mercurial voice! Nice reaction to an amazing artist!!

[@billwaters7615]

I believe Joni painted the design for the album "Ladies of the Canyon". Lots of great songs including "Morning Morgantown" which is about my hometown and the home of WVU.

[@marmotsongs]

Because of the sing, I was so excited when I got to go to Morgantown (for a Dead concert, no less).

[@shemanic1]

YES! Joni's voice is a tonic for the soul, she sings mostly personal stories, poems, so her soul is in every tune. “A Case of You” & “River” from "Blue" & maybe "Hissing of Summer Lawns" next please, she is magical live on piano, guitar or dulcimer.

[@billwaters7615]

Joni Mitchell...great singer songwriter.

[@chris...9497]

Joni Mitchell has had such a long career in music, you can read vocal maturation & musical styling development in her recordings. "Big Yellow Taxi" is still pretty early, but her voice mellows by "Furry Sings the Blues" & mellows more by "You've Changed". BTW I think you might find "The Jungle Line" fascinating: Joni Mitchell - The Jungle Line - KZbin; Mitchell is credited with the first commercially-released song to include sampling, featuring a loop recording of African Burundi musicians. What would be interesting is if you would react to a comparison of "Both Sides Now" from her early period & from a much later period. The 31yrs difference of time & maturity makes them somewhat different songs, certainly different experiences. 1969 version Joni Mitchell - Both Sides, Now [Original Studio Version, 1969] - KZbin 2000 version Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now (HD) - KZbin Or you could compare the 34yr difference between the original version of "The Circle Game" with a later recording. 1968 version Joni Mitchell - The Circle Game - 1970 - KZbin 2002 version The Circle Game - KZbin

[@mikewoodrow5878]

When Joni was in her jazzy phase, her band included Jaco Pistorius on bass and Pat Metheny on guitar. Kick ass. Peace from Toronto!

[@rommix0]

Jaco of the one and only Weather Report.

[@sjrmjr1071]

If you guys dug this song you should check out Carly Simon - You're so Vain. Great vocals plus she plays the piano and there is a great story behind the song. This was the early 70's evolution of music.

[@charlesburris6314]

When a song sparks a discussion over the depth of its lyrics, it's mostly likely a great song.

[@lcpharm]

very young sounding, her career spans so many generations. Both Sides Now is an early classic. Personal fave has always been Chelsea Morning from her early catalog. Please check out her song Woodstock on Live from Miles of Aisles. The arrangement is wonderful. Someone back me up on this!!! River,Amelia, Cactus Tree, it goes on and on. You will never be disappointed. She’s a Kennedy Center Award Winner this fall.

[@ThePittsburghToddy]

Joni has said that it’s difficult for her to play some of her own songs live because she can’t remember how she tuned her guitar when she originally recorded them. She’s great!🤟🏻✌🏻

[@KindCountsDeb3773]

wow, she cares that much. good to know.

[@surfrunnerd8457]

Joni Mitchell "Woodstock." Performed by others as well but she wrote it.

[@johnrobb8435]

You should react to her "Blue" album.

[@RickF-dw8cl]

The contrast between the lyrics and the upbeat musical treatment and vocals is genius!

[@wallasboyd]

If you guys want to do more Joni, I think going to the albums "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" and "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" would be interesting 👌🏼

[@CarnivoreStork]

“We are golden Caught in the devil's bargain And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden” ~Woodstock by Joni Mitchell © October 22, 1969 Joni & I share the same great, great grandparents from Norway. They’re Scandinavian & Sami.

[@barryshapiro3349]

My favorite Joni song is “Raised On Robbery”. It’s as close as she comes to rocking AND she mentions hockey!

[@telebender]

Love this song...so, so good. Also, Robbie Robertson, from The Band, plays guitar on that track. Killer!

[@barryshapiro3349]

@@telebender Did not know that. Thanks👍🏻

[@eileendobbs8009]

Prince did his own version of A Case of You. He was a big Joni Mitchell fan.