Best Joni Mitchell album?

Blue, without question. There's a reason it's so universally loved, critically lauded, and personally revered. Every time think about listening to it, I think "been there, done that." But then I put on the album and it continues to reveal new depth and richness to me. There's a song on Blue for every season, every stage of life, and every listening situation - communal or solo. It's a masterpiece of production and performance. I will never tire of Blue.

If I had to pick a second favorite Joni LP, I'd have to go with Ladies Of The Canyon. "Big Yellow Taxi," "Woodstock," need I say more?

 

Blue here.

 

Blue is her best. But like most people, I like the hits on Court & Spark.

 

For the Roses !!

 

Hejira is her most complete album even more so than Blue. I think due to her maturity.

 

Like many others, I'd pick "Hejira" as my #1 Joni album.

After that, it's a three-way tie between "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter", "Hissing Of Summer Lawns" and "For The Roses", all album that find Joni restless and adventurous!

 

I know a lot of people seem to like "Hissing...", but I feel that's where she lost the melodies. Something happened between "Court And Spark" and that album; I guess it was the jazz influence catching hold.

 

Hejira
Court and Spark
Hissing

In that order.

Then Shadows and Light
Don Juan's...
Mingus
Wild Things
Miles of Aisles
Night Ride Home

 

Or the drugs.

(Seriously. Around that time she entered her drug phase).

 

This thread could have used a poll.

 

Turbulent Indigo, Hejira, and Hissing are my favorites... Tied for the top.

 

No way. A discussion is always better than a poll.

 

Blue but I really love The Hissing Of Summer Lawns and like many more.

 

This works for me.

 

Shadows and Light

 

Court and Spark

 

I like most of them but Ladies of the Canyon is a favorite.

 

Blue is definitely her best but Heijira is my most favorite.

 

My knee jerk reaction to this was to say Blue, but when I gave it a little more thought I decided that my favourite Joni album is Mingus, closely followed by Hejira and then Blue. I love most of her work and up until about 10 years ago, I would have instantly named Blue, Hejira, Court and Spark, Hissing, or Ladies of the Canyon as being pretty much perfect albums. However, I went through a really bad patch about 10 years ago and one day could not decide what I felt like listening to and saw Mingus on the shelf and put it on. It had always been an album that I could never quite get into but for some reason, on this particular day, it just spoke to me. I played it incessantly for months and still play it at least weekly. I guess I just had to be in the right head space for it!

 

Court and Spark

 

Miles of Aisles

 

Court and Spark

Ive never got that into Blue

 

Ladies of the Canyon.

 

Yikes. I think Joni's "This Flight Tonight" is magical.

 

Hejira FTW.

--Geoff