Joni Mitchell - River (REACTION)

‪@AirplayBeats‬ reacts to Joni Mitchell - River
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[@janicemacmillan2610]

This is one of the best albums ever produced, the sound is so crisp, you get a perfect soundstage and feel like you are there watching the band perform. I used to take it with me to test stereo equipment.

[@JohnGeorgeHill]

Not too many artists that would say, "I'm the problem. I'm selfish and I'm sad...." Real courage.

[@redpine8665]

Agreed. She casts an unflinchingly brutal portait of herself here.

[@Angelslvhf]

She wrote this after her break up with Graham Nash. She was homesick and reminiscing about growing up in Canada.

[@GGLee315]

Well, in part, at least, this was about her, giving her daughter up for adoption.

[@davidcann2405]

@@GGLee315 I thought that was Little Green

[@EC-dz3fb]

​@@davidcann2405Yes, it was "Little Green."

[@gregcable3250]

Ya beat me to it, Angelslvhf. Well done. Graham Nash (of Crosby, Stills and Nash--and sometimes Young) was maybe the love of her life--and vice versa.

[@Angelslvhf]

@@gregcable3250 Don't know if you've seen the video of Graham singing to her A Case of You, the song she wrote about her love for him. The images of their time together played in the background - so poignant. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3rEZmalfa50msksi=q6bPa-1m5O48zgbF

[@terenzo50]

Not only one of her greatest lps, one of the greatest lps period.

[@jameshannagan4256]

One of the most talented music artists that ever lived period.

[@neilschroeder7854]

Joni’s Blue and Carole King’s Tapestry were recorded concurrently in the same studio. Carole preferred the piano in Joni’s studio, so Joni would let her use it, and even sang on some of Tapestry’s tracks. Amazing that arguably the two best albums of all time from female artists had such a connection to each other.

[@darkmagus64]

I'm always here for Joni. This is early Joni. Like Dylan she goes electric on her following records.

[@debbiegottschlich3177]

Her voice touches my soul.

[@brianwalsh3091]

Its not a xmas song….its about being lonely at holidays….she has plenty of songs with great drumming…shes one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century…there is a minor hint of jingle bells, shes observing whats going on at christmas time, but it aint a xmas song…..

[@TheoZoffrok]

The genius of the piano part is that, although she is indeed playing Jingle Bells, she's transposed it into a minor key, giving it that unmistakably melancholic feel. You can't miss with *any* Joni from Blue through to Hejira.

[@dbradx]

One of Joni's greatest songs for sure, and a favourite at Christmas time - it captures that melancholy vibe that comes with Christmas as we get older. Brilliant songwriting, killer vocals, beautiful piano - there's nothing I don't love about this song. I knew as soon as I saw the notification that you guys would absolutely love this one - much love from Canada ☮

[@rkoblues24]

Notice the key change at the end of the track when the vocal ends. Superb composition. Definitely a Christmas song.

[@mikemccabe6258]

This song always makes me cry and I just want to hold her and tell her it will be alright.

[@italoblu]

That’s one thing Joni would never want!

[@pumasgoya]

@@italoblu lol

[@ronwilcox7716]

How great do you guys want to be? Joni will rock every particle of soul in your being. Step up or step off! She rocks and she rolls and she takes us with her! She bares her soul and shows us ours. It’s hard to love someone you’ve never met, but she’s done it for me. Every time! Each song! Play something from “Hejira” and be taken aback! Joni makes me cry and sing and wonder who I am! Her songs make me crumble at the edges, and wish I was someone better. She is miles beyond. I would cry on new plowed ground, and hope the tears would bring me peace.

[@mimicme23]

So moved by your words. How eloquently you described your feelings. 😢

[@grandwazoodebris1015]

Blue is one of the greatest albums ever, by anyone. You guys should do all the tracks on this one.

[@lindafletcher1628]

She wrote Both Sides now and its quite an experience to listen to her sing this when she was in her 20s versus when she sings it in her late 60s ... well worth a listen

[@BrixtonTone]

@lindafletcher1628 Totally agree, the difference of maturity in the last version compared to the original is stunning, adds a whole new layer of complexity to the song .

[@MrRandyv]

Joni Mitchell was an original “flower child” from Laurel Canyon; she would never have been involved in such a commercial megapolis, as Disney. She played piano and guitar and composed her own material. She was also famous for her innovative tuning figurations.

[@kathybwell]

She played the dulcimer too

[@SBel65]

@@kathybwellexactly what I was going to say…and she played it extremely well imo

[@kathybwell]

@@SBel65 indeed, she played it very well.

[@Searles007]

Great album and artist! Prince was infatuated with Joni mentioning her in song and putting her name on the Controversy cover. 💚🤙🏼

[@JoeandAngie]

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were infatuated with her, as well. See: Going to California

[@healthybrand]

Prince loved Joni so much he had a rider in his contract with venues that required them to play Joni tunes as the pre show walk in music.

[@thetheRedundant]

That voice. My God, that voice.

[@kamaliancirranoush1916]

For another side of Joni check out her live performance of “Coyote” from “The Last Waltz”, you guys will dig it. She’s playing with The Band in their last concert. The Band is another deep rabbit hole that I think you’ll like. Thanks for the react.

[@Wordsmyth8]

Agree with everything you said.

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

Coyote on "Shadows And Light", with Pat Metheny and Jaco, now THAT was something else.

[@lynnarthur_stillkickin2024]

Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” made history being the first album for a folk/pop female artist to write the most personal “confessional” album of her generation. While Rolling Stone and her fans gave Joni props for Blue’s musical/lyrical achievements; her male industry contemporaries (including Graham Nash, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash) harshly criticized her for exposing the personal experiences and emotions which (in their opinion) “embarrassed” herself. However, decades later, on Blue’s 45th year (release) anniversary, the album finally received the media and music industry accolades it deserves.

[@helenespaulding7562]

You’re talking about “some people need the drums and the beat snd some want the lyrics “. And “where did Joni fit in back then”. Guys…..there was an entire musical movement in LA in the late 60’s and early 70’s that Joni was a part of; The singer/songwriter movement, centered in Laurel Canyon in LA Artists like Joni, James Taylor, Jackson Brown, Carly Simon, Stephen Stills, David Crosby (CSN) which was folk and folk rock in style. Joni was a troubadour, like Bob Dylan. She was a folk singer with a jazzy soul. The genre of music you’re thinking of where no drums were used and it was about the lyrics was the folk music scene of the early 60’s…..Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, among dozens of others.

[@BrixtonTone]

Still firmly remains in my top ten most listened too albums .

[@CuriousGeorge1111]

I love River. And I am definitely in the singer-songwriter camp--all about the writing and the vocal performance. Joni is a master singer-songwriter, and her talent shines through in all the genres that she's tried: Folk, Jazz, Techo... she cuts right to the point, with soul-baring insight. I'm a fan.

[@SomeoneHasToSayIt2525]

It's about a break-up at Christmas. Christmas is going on all around her but she feels nothing but sorrow. The piano is playing a blue/modal reference to Jingle Bells. A perfect heartbreak song.

[@gzucc]

This song yanks the deep, dark Canadian tears from my heart. Joni Mitchell decorates with pinches of her own experiences, she sprinkles her ideas of poetry, her idea of existence.......Joni Mitchell blows on every level. FREEMAN IN PARIS!!! The story behind that poetic edda will blow your mind!

[@STAMPER-DESIGN]

I discovered this album because of Prince, this was his favorite album, and he talked about it all the time. A master class in songwriting and the Jingle Bells in a minor key compliments her lyrics with perfection. Thanks as always gentlemen

[@Jan-xn3kz]

I thought his favourite album was Hissing of the Summer Lawns. Either way both/all beautiful.

[@JeffEdwardson-jr9fy]

You guys will not be disappointed if you react to every song on this album.

[@fidge54]

This is song about how sad being alone at Christmas in sunny California makes her feel, her being from Canada

[@looneygardener]

She also painted her album covers! Creative genius, multi-instrumentalist, extraordinary vocalist, poet.

[@3generboiler]

My first listen and I’m nearing 60.. great voice

[@salmuscles]

Hi La and Che.. yes this is the saddest most beautiful Christmas song ever .. not everyone is happy at Christmas..

[@dopeymark]

Just wanted to add that it came out late June 1971. Some people think the whole album is a masterpiece.

[@m.gideonhoyle409]

My favorite vocalist for half a century and running...

[@philipcolbert2069]

"Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire".

[@Mallykins]

The first time I heard this song, I cried. I’m always alone on Christmas. This is a song that captures some of the feelings of those like me. Joni never made a bad track though, one of few who can say that. It’s a Christmas song, but it’s also just a wonderful song.

[@stlmopoet]

The song isn't a Christmas song,, but the events described in the song happened at Christmas. It's meant to contrast with how she's feeling.

[@bobbobiv]

I wish more people understood this song was about shame, not regret.

[@MrCrkeenan]

The whole Album was Written And Produced by Her !

[@frankpentangeli7945]

Not a Christmas song per se, but a Christmas-themed breakup song. Sad and beautiful.

[@NitescapeAstro]

I had to make a midnight run from LA to Tucson to race to see my sister before she died. This song and Great Gig in the Sky played that night. This song is emotionally tied to me now.

[@judynorman9497]

The entire LP is timeless!

[@benoitdesmarais2948]

From her Court & Spark album on (1974), she had amazing bands, sharing a lot of musicians with the likes of Steely Dan and Weather Report. She self-produced.

[@Looksue]

Don’t you feel silly missing out on Joni all these years

[@ML-un1oi]

Joni, what an excellent singer, songwriter, and musician !! Excellent reaction, fellas 😊❤🙏

[@rukusthelamiaslayer9510]

Love your channel , love your vibe and enthusiasm of listening to the best music , composers , bands and artists of all time . Please don’t ever associate Miss Joni Mitchell with Disney overly fabricated goooooooo . Please . Not your fault as I know you guys don’t pre research any of these masters of music beforehand Peace and love

[@AirplayBeats]

I knew people were going to take that the wrong way. Has nothing to do with research. We just push play and give our opinions and it sounded like a lot of Disney songs got some influence from Joni. It’s more of a compliment not disrespect

[@rukusthelamiaslayer9510]

@@AirplayBeats it’s cool for sure , 👍🏽 Respect to both of you … Peace ☮️

[@neillenet291]

Analog recordings always sound warmer and less sterile than digital recordings.

[@ronbock8291]

Shout out to my old friend Henry Lewy, the genius behind the board on all of Joni’s albums up to Shadows and Light.

[@paullacroix527]

Great stuff guys. Not a Christmas song but a song of regret about pushing away a lover. She's from cold Canada where there is a lot of rivers/lakes that one can skate for hours and forget about bad things. When I was a kid, young Joni used to play on music shows in Canada b4 Saturday night hockey games. First time I saw her I fell in love with her. I was 10 probably. My Mom would say, Paul, your girlfriend is on tv tonight lol. Joni is very special...

[@xmathmanx]

It starts with jingle bells dude, you can't tell me it isn't a Christmas song

[@scottsnyder2726]

Joni is such a treasure. Wonderful singer, songwriter and musician. She is one of those few artists than transcends her craft. I suggest you listen to Joni’s live performance of “Both Sides Now” from the 2022 Newport Festival. Even in her 70’s her spirit soars

[@Jude_196]

One of my FAVORITES by Joni Mitchell....SO EMOTIVE!!! LOVE her VOICE!!! HUGS, YA'LL!!!

[@franktrig]

One of my favorites.

[@robertthole695]

one of the great albums of all time

[@lawrencesmith6536]

Joni has 10 Grammys.

[@paulprendergast3184]

Blue is a fabulous album! Joni is the pride of Saskatchewan.

[@Newfie-zc7ug]

Wrong.....LOL......She is the PRIDE of all Canada !...... :) Peace and Love

[@kathiwilleford4242]

First of all, she is from a part of Canada that gets very, very cold. Secondly, the song isn’t about Christmas but rather about her relationship with Graham Nash. More to the point, it’s a metaphor, a word picture about being in a place where rivers freeze over and therefore provide a way of escape from one way of living to another, whatever that life may be.

[@pilesovinyl]

Love your reactions, and fellas I'm a 68 year old midwest boomer. You guys make me happy on a daily basis.

[@jimmoore8951]

The longer I live, the more I like Joni

[@thursty101]

Just watched Joni on the Elton John, Gershwin award show, and she was fantastic.

[@michaelbeerbados3291]

Always in the top 20 of recorded music in any survey-immaculate album

[@joshb23]

Perfection. Joni the One and Only.

[@doriwiljt]

One of my favorite songs from Joni. It was about her breakup with Graham Nash. For jazzy Joni listen to Coyote.

[@stlmopoet]

In recent years Joni Mitchell disclosed she'd given a baby up for adoption right before this album. Added difficult emotions to deal with when writing and recording.

[@kkampy4052]

She was a unique talent with a unique timbre to her voice.

[@paul2862]

Jingle Bells in a minor key. This is a X-mas BREAKUP song.

[@kevinaldridge]

First heard this when I was 15/16 years old and Joni’s voice blew me away. 💚

[@carol-mariefleming8689]

This album is beautiful.

[@markharbin9945]

Hell it's a piano and voice 😮

[@tjrivers]

She always showed up at anti-war concerts, like one I saw her perform in DC in (I think) 1973. A wonder of a voice.

[@goldieschooch8512]

Would love a reaction to Raised on Robbery & Twisted… completely different! Either way No one sings & writes like Joni!! I’m so glad I was raised on great music! ✌🏻☀️☮️

[@johnthegreek5836]

Definitely one of my favorites but I love all her songs

[@grisselmoya7854]

She wrote and produced her music. She was great playing the guitar, the piano, extraordinary songwriter and producer.

[@jenniferfoster1692]

Joni's 'A Case of You' is a must listen. It's one of her best & Prince, who loved Joni & her music so much, covered it. It's acknowledged as an incredible cover.

[@garyrausch1184]

Simply voice and piano, not Simple writing wonderful

[@joelliebler5690]

Maybe the greatest singer songwriter in history with one great song after another from the late 1960’s into the late 1970’s!

[@scifimonkey3]

A song that illustrates the fact that for some people Christmas is a reflective time and not all glamour and glitz……

[@charlottedixon6628]

So beautiful Joni💖 😪

[@bobdelp2023]

This Is From Epic 71 ( Blue ) Album Lah And Che. A Case Of You Was The Other Hit. This Was When She Was Breaking Off With ( Graham Nash ) And Moving On To James Taylor 🙂

[@notintohandles]

Good reaction. Plus I love the Expo's cap.

[@mikemurphy1700]

She wrote this song around Xmas.

[@michaelz9892]

Talent.

[@MrRandyv]

This song was about heartbreak. The “river” was symbolism for a partner and lover; that she had recently lost, due to abbreakup.

[@sallyh5413]

She soothes my soul every time I hear her beautiful voice.

[@lorrainemiller688]

Check out her "Dry Cleaner from Des Moines" to experience her full range-- jazz!

[@BRLaue]

Her touch on the piano is exquisite.

[@bobdelp2023]

It's A Christmas Song For People Who Are Lonely At Christmas, Who Knewww Right Guys??? 🙂

[@loisrogers9042]

Chills, right?!❤

[@randolphpatterson5061]

When a young, unknown Joni Mitchell first hit up the New York folk scene, she said she wanted to sound like Shelby Flint. Now that you know this, you'll want to listen to Shelby doing " Angel On My Shoulder". Shelby went on to have great career, and she's still alive & singing today.

[@LexwellLavers]

Self taught in every respect. True artist. This album and Patti Smith's debut album are masterpieces and two of the most influential albums in music. Bob Dylan is the most imitated and most influential vocalist in Rock.

[@conniedean1977]

Sarah McLaughlin covered this on her Christmas album. ❤️

[@JudithAtyeo-xn6tm]

She’s a singer, poet and brilliant painter too.

[@hookalakah]

Joni had a profound connection to drummer John Guerin, who played in the L.A. Express band, which became her band. They recorded Mitchell's "Court and Spark," "Miles of Aisles" and "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" albums. Guerin was one of the greatest and most prolific Hollywood studio drummers--from the late 1960s to the '90s. He was a jazz drummer who played on a lot of pop records, but he could make any artist sound better by what he played.

[@mjm5081]

❤Joni❤

[@TimWatson-yt5ou]

A Classic, both her and this album

[@ObscurePilgrim]

There was an explosion of musical creativity in the early 1970s. So many talented artists with completely different sounds and styles. Nothing like the crushing "sameness" and unoriginality that permeates most popular music today.

[@heidih2887]

She produced this and many other albums herself, played piano, guitar, dulcimer, and included James Taylor on guitar on at least one song on this album. She loved working wiht her favorite engineer Henry Lewy, working with him for much of her career. She grew up in the bitter cold winters of Canada, certainly knew how to ice skate, so skating away from her sorrow and homesickness on a frozen river was a natural way of telling the story.

[@winterwomanes3828]

Never thought I'd see Joni on here. Nice work Gentleman!

[@13terapyn]

I have no idea if this is her best song but it's my hands down favorite of hers

[@ontherun9510]

It,s very interesting to listen to her progression from her begining to Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. Quite a journey!

[@ThoseBackPages]

if you fellas have not heard "A Case Of You" yet, you'll love it

[@AngelChester914]

That's that.