I love Joni Mitchells 'Blue' album. Could anybody reccomend other tracks by this great lady that will reduce me to a weeping mess? or perhaps tracks by other individuals in a similar vein which u think i may like

You can´t go wrong with her 70´s albums. For the roses, Hejira, The Hissing of Summer lawns and Court and Spark her the best in my opinion. If you are new to Joni better avoid her albums from the 80s. They sound a bit dated. Even more than her older stuff.

well this really has nothing to do with this, but my sister is named after a Joni Mitchell song



she doenst admit it though

ella731 said:

Her name is Carey?

Just buy Court & Spark, The Hissing Of Summer Lawns, and Hejira (Amelia is just plain genius) for starters. If you're interested in her 80's stuff after hearing the magic of the 70's records, there is a boxset called, The Complete Geffen Recordings, which has 44 tracks and a good, not great booklet. The Geffen boxset will cost you $50 something dollars though, but it's worthy. Those are my biggest recommendations.

[Edited 7/27/05 14:11pm]

Both Sides Now .... the version from the album of the same name circa 2000. breath-taking, heartbreaking, sweeping and beautiful.

theplejades said:

Ditto.

Stay away from her 80s stuff until well after you've come to appreciate her 70s and even 90s output.

Tessa said:

All true. I'm not a particularly soft guy, but I can't listen to this version of the song without getting teary eyed.

minneapolisgenius said:

Or maybe her name is Pork Pie.

Lammastide said:

Or My Old Man.

minneapolisgenius said:

Or maybe Chelsea

ella731 said:

Or Summer Lawn?

Tessa said:

Absolutely. One of the most honest, touching emotional songs I've heard.

And I can't say it enough...if you like Joni Mitchell, check out k.d. lang's last album, "Hymns from the 49th Parallel".

sosgemini said:

Hissing Of Summer Lawns is a personal favorite of mine. The song is very relaxing and jazzy. You just have to love the saxophone solo, it always gives me a chill or two!
[Edited 7/27/05 23:13pm]

LADIES OF THE CANYON is very BLUE like.

but i agree HEJIRA is one of the best, it's completely different but very pretty.

My personal fave is Blue, to me she hit the ceiling when it comes to things I like; mood, vocal and lyrics. All sublime on that album.

It's melancholic and moody. I love that.

sosgemini said:

or Shiny Toys?

paligap said:

Or Furry?

Lammastide said:

I am.
Are you?

I'll never understand why people overlook Songs To A Seagull ( aka self titled). Tracks like Michael From Mountains, Song To A Seagull, Catus Tree (possibly my favourite Joni song ever) and the Dawntreader are beautiful, introspective, moody and timeless. Give them a listen 3121. I agree with Tessa about Both Sides Now ~ that versions is stunning ~ but for the Dawntreader stick to the original version.

Yeah, her first two albums are really good. Cactus Tree and The Dawntreader are among my favorite Joni-Songs ever too.
Personally, I don´t rate "Blue" very high though. Its a good album with some classics but it isn´t even in my Top 10 of Jonis records. Maybe its the production or the sometimes harsh sound of the dulcimer. I can´t put my finger on it.

theplejades said:

It's the same for me. Some of the songs on Blue are amazing but as a whole I can't rave about it the way others do. I just lisrend to it two weeks ago to try to figure out what it was that wasn't connecting but can't identify it. Cool avatar theplejades!

HamsterHuey said:

You're... furry!?!? Yum.

Looks like I'll have to slate another slot for my 2006 European tour.

MoonSongs said:

Good point. I was sloppy...I usually lump her first few releases with her 70s stuff, and I shouldn't. Her sound was markedly different then.

I, too, love "Songs to a Seagull," and Dawntreader is one of my favorite Joni songs.

MoonSongs said:

the Dawntreader?

Lammastide said:

Oh Cool! I can't wait to be your seventeenth lover in one month!

I started with Shadows and light, as it features amazing musicians like Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays and Jaco Pastorius.
That band just sounds marvellous.

It is just one side of her though. I am still discovering new things.

HamsterHuey said:

I'm a good boy, so you'd be more like the seventeen-thousandth hottie I simply oogled in a month.

3121 said:

the song Hejira. whhooooo.
vocally lyrically, this could be the best song ever Think it ain't?
And then Amelia from the same Hejira album.
That whole album is such a friggin' masterpiece.

try Paprika Plains from Don Juan's Reckless Daughter.
15 minute masterpiece and the vocals on that one will mooooove you.

Down to You from Court and Spark

Lock yourself up in room with The Hissing of Summer Lawns album --The Boho Dance, shadows and light.....

And YES, the newer version of Both Sides Now shoooould make you weeeeep.
Check your pulse if doesn't.
When I first heard it i was like and ran out to get the album.

More recently try The Sire of Sorrow (Job's Sad Song) from Turbulent Indigo and Keep in Touch from Taming the Tiger album.
Or try to re-recording of Love (or even the old one) based on Corinthians 13

heavy and beautiful stuff. damn i love Joni.
i think i'm gonna go have me a listen now...and get all melancholic.

3121 said: