First listen to Joni Mitchell - A Case of You (REACTION)

[@GaryColemanNC]

I'm 59. Joni saved my life. Many times over. Sometimes, music is the only thing that matters...

[@mikewoods8565]

I actually don't know what to say. We know joni 's songs mean so much to us. I really hope you're doing well and take care. It's tough sometimes I know. Just go to bed thinking I'm alive , even though I've got a ton of bills to pay thank you and take care

[@gergsar]

Joni had over 50 guitar tunings she developed herself, and she was the best lyricist that ever lived!

[@henchmusic5878]

She's playing a dulcimer. The guitar is by James Taylor.

[@otisyoung7061]

Lovely dulcimer playing

[@merlinscat]

I didn’t know that JamesTaylor played on this

[@johnbrady1211]

Check the credits on the album sometime. Steven Stills plays on it also. It is jam packed with musical talent.

[@theepistemiccafe]

"Both Sides Now" is one of my favorite lyrical songs of all time but I love her creative rhythm and that majestic voice of hers. Thanks for covering her D

[@InvidiousProductions]

Fortunately Joni has at least 20 of the best songs ever written in her catalog. She’s a dead set genius.

[@dangabbert3944]

All of the suggestions, for Joni Mitchell songs are worthy of a listen. Her catalog is vast and varied. Like Van Morrison or Bob Dylan, her music can vary greatly, from album to album. One of the all-time greats! Thanks for giving her a listen.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Helene, here....not my husband. Until I sold my collection of vintage albums, which I regret.....I had more Joni Mitchell albums than of any other artist...I had this album, but rarely played it because it is so terribly sad......It is very honest, written in a time of lost love....and self-reflection....and the title of the album is appropriate.......You’ve just discovered one of the greatest artists of the last fifty years. I hope that you do a deep dive into her work. You will be immensely rewarded....Especially if you are guitar player, which you are, I think...and have a deep soul, which you do. She is also an excellent visual artist.. a painter. She always intended to be a painter, but began to sing to make enough money to support herself after leaving home. Thank God she did. She is a poet, and her voice......sublime.

[@MissAstorDancer]

The entire "Blue" album will flat-out rip your heart out, and give you goosebumps! There simply never was, and never will be anyone like Joni! She was a genre all to herself! Her confessional and coversational lyrics were totally unique! Glad to see you enjoying her!

[@MissAstorDancer]

For some reason, this came up again today in my suggested videos, and I gladly watched it again! Just like the first time I watched it (and just like the first and every time I hear this song, or ANYTHING from "Blue"), I am brought to tears within the first few seconds! Blue is in my Top 20 albums, and it's in my Top 10 Singer/Songwriter albums. So glad you did this reaction, Daniel, and glad it came up again today!

[@emilyflotilla931]

She still gives me chills 50 plus years later!

[@johnbrady1211]

I agree. This album will rip your heart out if you have a heart to rip out.

[@wendellwiggins3776]

BLUE is a intensely deep & moving grab your heart masterpiece

[@wallyboy6666]

:) Joni's voice is so unique & lovely. She's incredibly talented and it's so nice that you are discovering her. :) Daniel, your intelligence & maturity still amazes me. You have a lot more insight & common sense than many 50 year olds have. :)

[@cspringer333]

Joni and Carole King were 2 of the biggest singer/songwriters of that era

[@otisyoung7061]

I heard Joni say this was about her relationship with Leonard Cohen........Nash wasn't as difficult......he couldn't get past being in awe of her which meant she never got all of him ......she saw Nash laughing with his wife and Joni said "He could never do that as freely with me because he revered me too much"

[@oppothumbs1]

I like the folksy Joni. I don't like her falsetto or the way she holds and fluctuates her vibrato or whatever the hell it's called. The music annoys, as does this critique ha. Nothing better than FOR Free, Urge for Going, Woodstock. Her jazzy bluesy style is very affected. Leave that to the experts. I am so unimpressed with a fantastic voice working so hard ; she's too clever for her own good. One of the worst songstresses. Neil Young does so much better with a so-called average voice. Neil's songwriting is so much better; his voice suited for his songs. Blue is a lousy record but for "River" which is pretty good lovely song where Joni controls her vibrating voice . I am not articulate, I am not as handsome but I am not wrong about Joni. Help me I think I'm falling* is a nice song but who would want to listen to it ad nauseum. She's got the kind of voice that tries and begs for love. Just like her sex desires she gives it out to much (ask Neil how slutty she was .. and slutty is fine with me (Neils a prude in a way) but it seems no control over sex, no control over vibrato. Just speculating , I know I'm weird. Hate to see talent go bad. Hate to see a good band overdo it with background singers too. Modestly , humbleness and talent is all you need. Thanks, Neil Young

[@jesusfreaklol1]

@@oppothumbs1 why did you bring your looks into a music review? Maybe there's some insecurities there that you should work on.

[@jamesmcnally1253]

Rainy night house was about Cohen,I think they were only together for a very short time,2 weeks from what I read but he left a deep impression.She thought he was one of the best living song writers

[@ria1636]

@@oppothumbs1 Dreadful so called critique, you don't know what you're talking about and sounds like you need therapy.

[@michaelkeefe8494]

When Neil Young songs Helpless with the Band in their last waltz concert, Joni is offstage with a hot mic singing backup. It's a gorgeous Canada hall of fame moment.

[@otisyoung7061]

Then after she sings "Coyote" which is just as good

[@oppothumbs1]

@@otisyoung7061 Not as good as Helpless.

[@nibb483]

The 'Blue' album really changed and offered a new paradigm for 20th-21st century songwriting. The reputation and subsequent collective conversation around this album has always been about the emotional vulnerability of Joni's songwriting, which now its crazy to think that its commonplace for an artist to "bare their soul" on an album, but in 1971 it was outrageous. Joni Mitchell played this for her record label and friends to which she received remarks like "Keep something to yourself!" I suppose its just a reminder that prior to this album songwriting either relied too heavily on impersonal traditional folksong writing or instead opted for convoluted, prosodic, most-likely British poetry. 'Blue's modern mixture of free-flowing conversation and impressionistic poetry pretty much is the contemporary standard for songwriting. Hope this provides some insight!

[@salvador75]

Such an amazing song from a genius amongst geniuses.

[@maruad7577]

She is a painter who just happens to be one of the greatest singer/songwriters of the 20th century. With her you might want to start at the beginning and work your way forward so your understanding of her music grows at the same pace as she experienced it. I am not certain if that would take you to Big Yellow Taxi or Both Sides Now to start but it is just a beginning.

[@rmac1042]

Joni Mitchell is one of the greatest song writers over the past 50 years! She went through many style changes in her career. Oh, and she was gorgeous when she was young-and yet she is so beautiful as an artistic spirit today!

[@joelliebler5690]

Joni’s original version of Woodstock is brilliant and a somber look of the world.

[@swinde]

Too bad she missed the concert, because of a TV appearance on a late night show in LA. I know that CSN was there and they featured the song on their CSN&Y album. She must have gotten a great inspiration from them to write the song. I like Joni's version the best.

[@Robbyrool]

I can’t listen to this without getting choked up. 🥹 So beautiful and sad. Joni is the GOAT.

[@reha1066]

With Christmas coming around the corner, I bet you would enjoy “River”. “Big Yellow Taxi” is another amazing song by her. To be honest, I really like all her songs.

[@slownoman]

River, absolutely. The best secular song of the season every written. Stunning.

[@emilyflotilla931]

Yup, how could there be a favorite...do love the lines from JUST LIKE THIS TRAIN, "Well, I've got this berth and this roll down blind, ...settle back into the clickety clack, with the clouds and the stars to read, dreaming of the pleasure I'm gonna have watching your hairline recede, my vain darling!" Ouch...to the core...

[@DavidB-2268]

Two of my favourites by her are The Circle Game, and The River.

[@glass2467]

Joni Mitchell is a genius and this song is great. Each fan has their favorites, but for me, if you want to hear her greatest and most mature work - listen to her album Hejira.

[@foxandscout]

As she got older her music got more sophisticated and her cigarette habit lowered her voice which is still gorgeous -even more so. Her collaboration with Jaco Pastoreus is a great album.

[@joeshields9083]

Hejira is my favorite Joni

[@zebulon8819]

"big yellow taxi" love that song ✌️♥️

[@rosmeeker1964]

That has to be the song that I have heard the most musos cover. Probably it is the one I have heard most people quote from too.

[@tommathews3964]

Ain't but one Joni! I've listened for more than 50 years, and she's just as fresh today as the first time I heard her. Interesting sidebar about a lot of her introspective, often sad/painful lyrics......I was at Jazz Fest in New Orleans a while back, taking a break and sitting in Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon, having a bourbon, and noticed a lady with long, straight blonde hair out of the corner of my eye. It was Joni. She was in town doing a songwriters workshop related to Jazz Fest. We started chatting, you know the usual, "I love your music" stuff, and she said, laughing, "we can talk about pretty much anything, except Joni Mitchell music. That shit's too depressing!" She bought me a drink, I bought her one, and we laughed and carried on. I could listen to her sing anything! That voice is amazing! Some of my personal favorites are: "Coyote" "Free Man in Paris" "Big Yellow Taxi" "Woodstock" "River" "Court and Spark" "Amelia" "Black Crow" "The Circle Game" and so many more! Here's a great, live "Coyote" from The Last Waltz, backed up by The Band. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGiwk6COoNGdabM

[@SnowWalker1]

My only playlist is a thousand Joni Mitchell songs. My only daughter's name is Joni.

[@laurelsoden8599]

My only daughter's name is Mitchell 💜✌️

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Her songs are so restless with complex emotions. This whole album is a masterpiece. Her album Herija is also a masterpiece. So many great songs from Her. Maybe try Joni’s song “Carey”.

[@rosmeeker1964]

Love Carey.

[@ms.chuckfu1088]

Rick Beato did a "What Makes This Song Great" on Mitchell's Amelia and discusses how her use of the Sus chords to keep the music from "resolving". She also had polio at 9 and while this is when she started singing and playing, she also had to modify her guitar playing technique.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Ms. ChuckFu so true. Unrooted and no home. The music weaves a beautiful but ambiguous direction. It’s perfect for her songs. I saw that video. Joni makes Beato cry too.

[@rosmeeker1964]

@@ms.chuckfu1088 It's a little masterpiece.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

All I Want is another song from this album. I would just do the album they are all really good.

[@brumleyhall]

Joni Mitchell wrote "Woodstock", which you reviewed last week.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Helene here. As I mentioned before, but which has more meaning to you now that you’ve heard her singJoni Mitchell was a huge part of the California singer/songwriter Renaissance of the late 1960’s and 1970’s. James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Glen Frey (The Eagles) Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young....It was common for this group of troubadours to share song ideas, hang out together, play together. James Taylor playing on this album doesn’t surprise me at all. That’s how it was back then. Russ Kunkel is indeed one of the greatest session drummers of the last 50 years. He is part of an elite group of session musicians who played on LITERALLY thousands of albums. This group is called The Section. They toured with James Taylor as his backup band. Leeland Sklar, the legendary bassist, is also part of this revered group. You’ve probably seen pictures of him, or seen him in music videos. He’s the one who looks like Gandalf. Robert Plant, of Zeppelin admired Joni allot; her voice, her poetry. The song he wrote, Going to California, is written about that time and place, which he loved, and refers to Joni in the line “A Queen looking for a King”. And also the line “Children of the canyon begin to awake” refers to Laurel Canyon, where Joni, CSN and others lived for a time and hung out together. It’s all tied in together, Daniel.....

[@jeffmartin1026]

Now that you have heard this song it will never leave your soul. Joni and James were a couple but it ended because of his addiction to heroin. She wrote the song Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire about the battle between her love for him and his love of herioin. It is stunning. A major theme in her work deals with love/love lost and the need to continue. Her song Amelia is a prime example of this. Joni constantly grew in her music. The folk singer > Pop music (Free Man In Paris) > Jazz. She did eventually find love and with her LP Wild Things Run Fast she started writing Love Songs.

[@sherryheim5504]

Blue is an an outstanding album, I have had a copy of it in my car for 30 or more years, listen to it often. Joni is a very personal writer and her relationships have always been difficult, if you listen to her music you will learn this. She wrote Woodstock, the song by Crosby Stills, Nash and Young that you played the other day. She is an amazing painter as well as poet, though she never sings anymore, she says she lost her voice but she never believed she could sing anyway. Joni once said I write music for my sadness, I paint for my joy. She is from Canada and she only got into music because could make a few bucks working coffee houses and she needed money to buy cigarettes. Joni used dolcimer on a few of her songs and actually was responsible for reviving the instrument for a time.

[@Kirkunik1]

She is a legend. Brilliant, beautiful. You want lyrics? Here they are. Just a few of so so many. This is about the break up of her relationship with Graham Nash (of Crosby, Stills and Nash). She is the consummate artist. She played the Dulcimer, guitar, and piano. Wrote the melody and lyrics. And painted. She got me through the rough times as well as a major influence in my own music. I knew them all. Exquisite truth

[@richardhornbostel3958]

I thought this was about Leonard Cohen.

[@whitfield2000]

@@richardhornbostel3958 yes, the conventional wisdom is A Case of You was for Cohen and River was for Nash

[@JimScholfield]

Her Court and Spark album is my one album I'd need on an island

[@danieljodrey709]

Daniel, when he says 'I am as constant as a northern star" he is bragging priding himself as this lofty thing that everyone depends on. She tells him way up there in the dark? I am down here with my feet on the ground. "If you want ME I'll be in the bar." She is actually there for him where he can reach her. Not out of reach like he makes himself. You mentioned Tori Amos. I highly request that you dissect one of her songs. Winter perhaps or Silent All These Years would be a great starting point lyrically and of course for piano wizardry Cornflake Girl.

[@theblackcat5416]

Wow ! I haven't thought about Joni's music in years. "Big Yellow Taxi" is a must listen as the lyrics are still relevant today. Thanks for bringing back her sweet voice ! ✌❤🌻😷🎶

[@ms.chuckfu1088]

Thanks for doing this one Daniel.

[@christinesullivan1229]

One of her great albums among 22. Her lyrics are wonderful, her voice always fluid , It's great to hear a lyric so clearly from a singer. Diction so important. Her messages and stories so powerful strong and universal.

[@ontherun9510]

I discovered Joni at your age and I am still in love with her art (voice, music, lyrics). The song is about a relatioship she had with Leonard Cohen. She mentioned influence he has on her writing (''part of you pours out of me in these lines from time to time''). The woman she met is Leonard's mother (''she had mouth like yours, she knew your life..'') Enjoy!

[@brumleyhall]

A lot of people are recommending "Both Sides Now". Make sure you choose the original version from her 2nd album "Clouds".

[@AlanHope2013]

You have to also catch the version she did in 2000. Very different interpretation of exactly the same song. She wrote it, and sang it on the Johnny Cash Show, when she was very young. Then she sang it again much later, and the words take on a different meaning, because of the years that have passed in the meantime. Both sides now, quite literally. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qny0hJ9-YrF_irM

[@MariaCarabin]

Do both versions of this song. I find it incredible that she wrote this song as a young person. It fits an "older" person looking back on their life. So I love that she re-recorded it when older (many people my age discovered it thanks to the film "Love actually). Joni a great painter too.

[@braunhausmedia]

I first heard this album the year it came out, when I was sixteen years old. I was at a friend's house and he said, "You've gotta listen to this." We played the album all the way through and I was completely devastated. Such a beautiful, deep, moving collection of songs, and this is one of the best. I have been a Mitchell fan ever since. It's so nice to see someone have a reaction that was similar to mine.

[@Gantzz321]

she wrote songs that meant somehing - They paved paradise Put up a parking lot Hey, farmer, farmer Put away the DDT now Give me spots on my apples But leave me the birds and the bees Please

[@swinde]

The "Big Yellow Taxi" song was inspired during one of her trips to Hawaii. When she looked out of her hotel room she could only see the parking lot.

[@ebonywahine]

So great to see young people listening to music across artificial boundaries of niche/genre. Joni Mitchell singer/songwriter/painter wrote closely observed personal songs and allowed us all to sink deep into them. Love her and always will!

[@queensquish]

Joni wrote this song about her relationship with Leonard Cohen, a fellow Canadian. She played a Appalachian Dulcimer on this. Beautiful ♥️

[@waynethera2712]

Free man in Paris is my favourite Joni song. It shows how she disliked the music industry back then.

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Daniel...watch the Rick Beato segment on KZbin where he discusses Joni Mitchell’s playing and songwriting of her song Amelia. You will appreciate his expertise and will learn something about Joni’s playing....

[@neonpark1874]

But listen to the song before you watch Beato's video.

[@lisarainbow9703]

And watch the live version from the Shadows and Lights tour, with Pat Metheny on guitar..

[@w.geoffreyspaulding6588]

Lisa Rainbow and Jaco Pastorius on bass......a true legend also.

[@lisarainbow9703]

@@w.geoffreyspaulding6588 Absolutely, Geoffrey~ Jaco is a legend in his own right, I've been a fan of him for decades. Actually saw him do a solo show in SF, in the late 80's. Mind-blowing...

[@charlesinsandiego2537]

True. Beato seems close to tearing up when he talks about Joni, he appreciates her so much.

[@sharmanminus4284]

Fifty years ago I went to a concert that was a fundraiser. Chilliwack, Phil Ochs and Joni were listed on the poster. Joni played this song along with the surprise guest, James Taylor. She did eleven songs, including this one, Woodstock, Big Yellow Taxi, For Free and The Circle Game. Also, one of my favourites, The Gallery. The evening was magical. Just last week I tracked down a two CD set of most of the concert (no Chilliwack, sadly). The new organization my $3.00 ticket went to that night? Greenpeace. All the artists worked for nothing. Search for Amchitka concert, 1970. Thank you for liking Joni ‘s music.

[@heidi_d]

WOW is right! Joni is just incredible. That voice, those lyrics, she is timeless 🥰

[@gulliegulliver4546]

it's great to see young people realise the musical, poetic genius of Joni. I've been a fan since 1969.

[@Ledgane]

Nice video! I'm watching the whole thing btw.

[@cheryldellaroyle5317]

This song contains one of my favorite lines -- "I'm frightened by the devil but I'm drawn to those ones that ain't afraid".

[@garypeatling7927]

Bleed inside each others wounds , melanie

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

Told you so! ;o) This album, when played at certain particular times, can choke me up and leave me defenseless. After Blue, musically she transitioned towards a very personal hybrid of folk/ pop/jazz, with more complex arrangements, using a full band. (Not that far off from Steely Dan in that she escaped easy classification, sometimes using the same session musicians.) But you can mine Blue for a while, actually, i've been mining it for a good 40 years with the rest of her works, and never exhausted it. (If the circumstances of the actual recordings can be interesting, Joni always said that if you interpret her songs as being about her, you've missed the boat. So yes, some of the songs are about her breakup with Nash, and some of the songs on For the Roses are about her relationship with J. Taylor, but they are so much nore than that. And, interestingly, she always remained friends with all the men in her life: so Taylor plays and sings on three of her later albums, Nash sings on Court and Spark, Cohen coverered a song of hers etc...)

[@Blue-qr7qe]

Dulcimer. And probably tuned in a non-orthidox tuning by her. " - - - Constantly in the darkness" - a brilliant comeback - like a star, surrounded by dark night sky. I read that this song was for Leonard Cohen, and that the woman with a familiar mouth was his mother. Be prepared to bleed" Wow! Glad you enjoyed this. The entire Blue album is magnificent. Great reaction - more Joni Mitchell would be welcomed. "Shadows And Light", "Amelia" (for Amelia Erhart) , "Judgement Of The Moon And Stars" (for Beethoven), and "Cold Blue Steel" are a few of my favorites.

[@Yosef1952]

There are songs on "Blue" that still choke me up every time I hear them, after all these years. I think you'd love the album, Daniel.

[@AlanHope2013]

One of the great break-up songs ever, because it takes place at the moment when things go to fuck. When she sings in the first line, 'just before out love got lost' she's in fact putting her finger on the moment just as the love gets lost, when she makes the constantly in the darkness wise-crack. That's when she knows it's no longer tenable. There have been a million songs written about trying to stop a love get lost, and millions more about regret after a love gets lost, but this is the only one I can think of that is there are the moment when it happens. I could drink a case of you, And still be on my feet. The effect has worn off. It no longer works for her.

[@stevejacobson2906]

I wrote to you a few days ago about the folk rock group Indigo Girls. They were so influenced by Joni Mitchell's Blue album. That's why Amy Ray chose the word Indigo for their name.

[@MartínComas-t6g]

Joni is medular in our life. She is heroine, prodigious, miraculous. Teacher, friend. Beautiful. So good.musician. her songs are.important.. Good.work! Congratulations! From Uruguay, M

[@rk41gator]

She lays it out but doesn't explain it. Complex and yes, bittersweet. Poetry. Joni genius.

[@starwhiteoflove]

"I saw ice upon the river as the plane came in to land I heard Joni Mitchell singing her poems of isolation" (c) Steve Hogarth (Marillion - Montreal) Do "Hejira" song next :)

[@judleym5877]

Appreciate the effort you put into trying to understand lyrics, which I sometimes find to be inscrutable. I've loved Joni for 50 years, and have a feeling of reverence toward her and her music. She was one of those "who ain't afraid". A truly great artist and lyricist - no one today is in her league, although Angelina Jordan has that potential. I just wish I had a few more years left to witness Angelina's evolution. Keep up the interesting reactions.

[@annedunne4526]

This has to be my favourite album of all time. I still remember every word of every song.

[@stevefoulston]

This is not a criticism but in 1964 a 20 year old Joni had a child a daughter that she gave up for adoption 30 years later they found each other again her name is Kilauren Gibb both are happy and making up for lost time for 30 years every time a blue eyed blond child went by she wondered if it was her daughter i always thought Jonis songs sounded sad.love and peace.

[@fidge54]

Bonafide genius, please don't stop with Joni yet. Great musician, arranger, paints her own album covers, lyricist. And of course that voice. Please check out two songs that don't get requested much but really show her range and ability to paint pictures; Just Like This Train and Raised on Robbery

[@thethikboy]

It's for songs like this that the word WOW was coined. Whoever is not moved by the mystical depth and sweetness of Joni's music and poetry is officially soulless.

[@martinehermans6661]

Blue is still one of my favourite albums after all those years. A friend of me and I used to sing her songs so long ago, so many dear memories. I am also very happy that my children love her/this album too. So lovely that she enchantes you too!

[@rk41gator]

Love your comments (again) I feel there are more than a few politicians who could use a case of Joni right now. Introspection should not be so rare an event.

[@brendawoodson3230]

James Taylor played on many of her albums

[@richardhooser5096]

I played the Blue album for weeks after my high school girlfriend broke up with me in our second year of college. We were at different colleges so it shouldn’t have come as a surprise but hey; I was basically still a kid! Anyway, Blue was my companion during a really sad period in my life. Bit in the end; it all worked out as it was suppose to since I then met the girl who would become my wife at my college. Isn’t music wonderful!

[@johnjenkins5854]

She’s an alien. No person can write, sing, & compose & perform at such a high level. Alien life form baby.

[@davidmaholchic6146]

Wow one of her many best hope you love love you

[@SandySilvie36]

I was most surprised to find out Prince was a huge joni Mitchell fan and he covered A Case Of you. Blue is my favorite JM album and this is my favorite song from it.

[@lisarainbow9703]

Wow, I never knew that!! My curiosity is piqued...

[@timzgraggen98]

Prince also name checks Joni and quotes the chorus of “Help Me” from Court and Spark in his song The Ballad of Dorothy Parker. Come to think of it two recommendations: 1. Joni - Miles of Aisles. The whole album. It’s a retrospective live album where she reinvents a lot of songs with a kick ass band. 2. Prince - you might want to give his album Sign O The Times a spin. Top to bottom a masterpiece and just reissued in a stunning remaster last week. Enjoy your content. Good work.

[@heidih2887]

As someone pointed out, Joni was a painter/artist BEFORE she became a musician. 🥰 Both her painting and her music varied in style and theme throughout her career. Being a visual artist FIRST, she wanted to "paint a picture" with her lyrics. As a mostly self-taught multi-instrumentalist (primarily guitar, dulcimer, and piano) she wrote/composed the music, wrote the lyrics, produced her own albums starting with her 2nd album in an era when women weren't even allowed to have their own independent checking/bank account. She painted the pictures/graphics used for all of her album covers that weren't photos, and some albums contained inserts with color photos of several of her paintings. Years later, she added her then-husband as a co-producer for a number of the albums. At the beginning of her recording career (she'd been a song-writer and performer for several years prior to that) her vocal range was immense and she often sang within the higher registers of that range. After years of performing, touring, and heavy smoking since she was a pre-teen, her voice gradually changed and lowered, allowing her to sing in bluesy and jazz-influenced styles as well. But ALWAYS, the LYRICS and enunciation of them have been a high priority. 🥰 I came across this review AFTER enjoying your later review of her song River. I'm pleased/impressed by your interest in all aspects of the songs and lyrics, and your understanding and appreciation of what songs like this have to say. 😊

[@rosmeeker1964]

Not so much a 'high voice' but a large vocal range. It isn't my favourite Joni song but, hey, I do like all of the songs. Thanks for this one. (I think you discovered how much in awe of Joni contemporary artists were. She had all the jazz chords and the crazy tunings.) My Joni favourites are Coyote, Amelia, and California. But as I said...so many good songs.

[@rosmeeker1964]

Possibly her most poignant song is 'River.' Put in on the to listen to at Christmas list. :)

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Those are all great. Her songs seem to bypass the ego and go straight to my soul.

[@bardaghohio]

Joni Mitchell had such a clear tone, almost a pure note...truly gorgeous sound. She always reminded me of another female singer who'd gotten started a bit earlier, Joan Baez...two incredibly talented women who composed and performed a number of iconic folk-songs during the '60s and '70s...back in the days when it was the musician, their instrument, a microphone and nothing else...no fancy electronic wizardry to make them sound good...just pure talent.

[@dannygriffith6185]

"Ladies of the Canyon"....where you'll hear her---the original version---of Woodstock."For the Roses"..., "Court and Spark"....and "Hejira"...are other GREAT albums by this phenomenal artist.

[@tonyhumphrisify]

Joni's lyrics are so so personal and her frasing so unique that very few have been able to cover her songs

[@ThisbeandPyramus]

I find everything on this album a snapshot in time. This particular song is among the best pop songs ever written, imo. BUT - this woman has been a monumental creative force and to assess that one needs to examine her work over time. As her recordings progressed the music became much more complex, musically sophisticated and (at times) obscure - so much so - that most of her pop audience couldn't go the distance with her. Towards the end of her performing life she sang one of her first big hits (Both Sides Now) at a concert which was held in honor of her work and her re-working of the song was an astonishing & poignant 2nd bookmark when contrasted with her earlier recording of the same song decades earlier. Don't miss out on the totality of her career.

[@StormIamthe]

This song is in my top ten favorites of all time. Even after all this time, so many times listening to this song over and over, I am always amazed at her timings.. how some small extensions of notes can just break you.

[@mgreen9316]

When I first heard this song and Blue in general, I too was bothered by the wordiness of it. This was a departure from her earlier songs which were more traditional in their format. This is really stream of consciousness. The first line which is a run on sentence on steroids' is perhaps the longest line ever put to music. This kind of writing was not only a departure for her but was radically different from what other artists were doing with the possible exception of Dylan. Joni however was still able to convey enormous feeling while doing this. This is hands down my fave Joni tune though I like most of her stuff.

[@slownoman]

A full-on genius both lyrically and melodically. Her polio early in her teen years made her hands need alternate tunings to achieve what she heard in her head- so she made them up, not just the standard DADGAD or open G tunings a lot of us guitarists use. There has never been anyone like Joni Mitchell.

[@whitfield2000]

@dethstrok9, thanks for posting and reacting so thoughtfully and openly to this incredible song. Others have remarked at the vastness of her catalogue, but you may be interested in her stunning and overlooked renderings of scripture. Her beautiful paraphrase of 1 Cor. 13 called “Love” is perfection and she pulls up the book of Job and includes the related psalms for The Sire of Sorrow: Job’s Sad Song. Joni is not a Christian, but she is scrupulous and empathetic when bringing us with her as she examines biblical text. Many other songs have elements as well, but these two are completely drawn from scripture. My favorite thing about her is she never produces easy answers - I needed that as a young Christian, as church teaching was lazy.

[@Blinkerson55]

Hi 9 Joni Mitchell is the queen of folk to Dylans king.. Her tunings are off the charts.The next songs by Joni you need to do in this order are "you turn me on, im a radio" , "Cary", "Circle Game"(which was response to Neil Young s "Sugar Mountain" Then her Metamorphosis to "Coyote " (which will blow you away with most famous bass player on tune) Then back to her first hit "Both sides Now" Cheers, Chicago Ray

[@mikebrison1838]

Joni on dulcimer. James Taylor on guitar. Joni's words and voice. Nothing better.

[@stevenmurano7863]

wow. jomi still amazes me all these years later. fantastic. i rarely recommend 'hits' from artists, but, her song 'help me' was pretty big. i was a kid when it came out and it was on the radio a lot...and it was fine...but listening now WOW . it's amazing. also....as a guitarist, you should read up on Joni's use of Alternate Tunings. people like her and David Crosby took tunings to a whole different place

[@herbhill7591]

Just another Canadian musical genius. 🇨🇦

[@MrGettysburg44]

If you like her voice and Karen Carpenters, you MUST listen to Sandy Denny!! "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?" (Fairport Convention) or "Banks of the Nile"(Fotheringay).

[@gablen23]

Joni ♥ My favorite album is "Court and Spark" but Blue is great too. You should listen to "Help Me", "Rainy Night House"(from Miles of Aisles), "The Circle Game" or "Woodstock".

[@monstermarkcornish]

i love his reaction when he realized how sad the opening song really was

[@GeneTrujillo]

Hopefully you know that this song is about fellow Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen, with whom she had an eventually failed relationship. In another interview Joni talked about how disappointed she was when she discerned that both Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan were lifting lyrics from great poets. In the first verse, Cohen is misquoting Shakespeare's Julius Ceasar. When she says that Cohen told her that "love is touching souls" she is calling him out for appropriating the poet Rainer Maria Rilke who wrote that "When my soul touches yours a great chord sounds". Oh Canada is the Canadian national anthem. Jodi is highlighting that she too is Canadian and that they both should have been represented on the map of Canada but Leonard was so full of himself that it was the Leonard Cohen show so she drew his face twice instead of both of them.

[@lsbill27]

Her best live performance is 'Free Man in Paris' from the 'Shadows and Light' tour. It rocks out pretty good. She had one of the greatest backup bands in history with Jaco Pastorius, Pat Metheney, Lyle Mays, Michael Brecker and Don Alias. During this tune she looks around adoringly at this incredible band she's got backing her. Look those guys up individually and you'll see what I mean.

[@pamhunter-to4xs]

Best album ever! I have a 40 year old copy, and my 25 yr old just picked up a now rare copy. Transcends generations. 🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦❤️ Case of you, river, CALIFORNIA, LAST TIME I SAW RICHARD. ❤️

[@Juston42]

Thank you for the Video. I love her so very much!!

[@cwilliamrose]

Back in the old days when you bought an album there was no internet but there was a wonderful thing called 'liner notes'. Since an album was about 12 inches square there was a lot of real estate for lyrics, biographical material, and stuff about the recording like who was on what song playing or singing, who recorded it and where the recording was done. Not all albums had liner extensive notes but the ones that did led you to explore the connections to the music. I loved reading liner notes.......

[@swinde]

The Blue Album had the lyrics printed on the inside two panels of the LP. There was only one disk. The inner sleeve was also solid blue. I still have my copy.

[@EchoesDaBear]

You've now discovered another Canadian treasure - masterful songwriter (the other being Gordon Lightfoot, but we have so many, but I'd consider them to be King and Queen of Canadian songwriters!) She has a beautiful voice, and is a wonderful guitarist in her own right, but this collaboration with James Taylor is perfection! Such a deep well of songs to discover with Joni! Both Sides Now would be my recommendation for next song. Enjoy this journey!

[@bobmessier5215]

Been on a Joni kick for the last few days and checking out ALL of her tunes from 1967-1974. All acoustic music until her jazz period in 1975. She's a hippie Goddess with terrific lyrics, vocals and guitar picking. She's the highest ranking female guitarist in Rolling Stone magazine's greatest guitarist and last I checked the only woman in the Top 100. Also a brilliant painter. She plays piano too!

[@pvthitch]

"I met a woman with a mouth like yours..." I've always taken that to mean his mother.

[@pamstuckey8349]

Very different style but I always include Joan Armatrading - singer/songwriter with a beautiful voice up there with my favorite female artists. Not as well known. Best album (and maybe best song) Down to Zero. You might also want to check out Mary Chapin Carpenter.

[@philcawser]

30 seconds it took me, at age 18, to realise I was listening to genius. And I am much slower to appreciate most things in life. Then I just thought “beautiful, this is beautiful”. Now, decades later, I try to think that, and sometimes just break up as the song exposes a hundred lifetime experiences. Which is why every generation will eventually discover and love her best songs.

[@WMalven]

Great choice, Joni's the voice of angels. Great rockers, like "Help Me," "Raised on Robbery," "Free Man In Paris," and slow sweet songs, like "For Free," "Sweet Fire and Cold Blue Steel," "River." There are two women singers who can reduce me to tears in an instant, Joni Mitchell, and Linda Ronstadt.

[@davemadman7093]

Haven't heard her in years wow🤣👍Excellent choice.

[@actorJSB]

It took me a long time to get into Joni (her voice is a bit of an acquired taste, but hey I acquired it eventually!) so glad you got her straight away...and always nice to see you tearing up at the same time as me...! Anything from Blue is worth hearing, also I Had a King and Michael From Mountains from her first (mostly overlooked) album . .and a whole lot more, of course!

[@georgewodicka4839]

Along the lines of Joni Mitchell, a name to consider down the line in a similar vein is the legendary Judy Collins. Still going strong now at age 81, performing since 1959. Perhaps the female version of Gordon Lightfoot, and arguably more prolific. Joni and Judy were both interwoven so tightly writing and performing with a massive part of 70's popular music.

[@richardhornbostel3958]

Joni never liked Judy Collins after she recorded Both Sides Now. Joni wrote that Judi ruined the song.

[@swinde]

Judy Collins was excellent. She was the "Judy" in the CSN cut "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes". Judy was dating Stephen Stills and this is the break-up song. Judy also did one of the best covers of the Beatles song "In My Life".

[@mikemiller3069]

My favorite Joni Mitchell songs are "Help Me", "Both Sides Now", "Free Man In Paris" and "Big Yellow Taxi". They're probably her biggest hits as well.