Er, no, it took us several weeks to listen to the albums, including some we already knew well. Not sure where you're getting the "weekend" thing from?
Sorry. I just recognize myself in this, projects, deciding things, dumping things. A lot of times I'm really glad I didn't dismiss something or throw it out when I had almost pulled the trigger. These things are all emotionally complicated.
I understand. And FWIW my post has nothing to do with whether Blue is a great album -- perhaps it is, and someday I'll realize the fact. I simply wanted to note that, for me and my wife, it would not have been a good "starting point" as neither of us felt the same affinity for Blue as we did for the rest of her work. Put differently, if Blue were the first Joni Mitchell album I'd heard, I probably wouldn't have been interested in exploring any further. As it was, Mingus was the first one I did hear -- at least consciously: I know my sister had an album of hers, maybe a compilation, and played it when I was a kid -- and, since I was a bass-playing teenager at the time, that got me interested via the Jaco connection.
I started with Court & Spark, which is probably her most conventional (for the times) and accessible album, without pandering unsuccessfully to current trends (a la Wild Things). I didn't buy another Mitchell record for quite awhile, before picking up The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (in part because it was Prince's favorite), which I similarly adored, followed for some unknown reason by Chalkmark In A Rainstorm, maybe because I scored it on a clearance sale. I, um, didn't care for it as much, but "My Secret Place" is an overlooked gem - I loved the video before I had any Joni - and showed she could still do hypnotic like nobody's business. I think I picked up Blue and Hejira next. Mind blown.
that's not the album to start off with...try Ladies Of The Canyon and Court and Spark...you'll fall in love with Joni.
tracks listing of blue joni mitchell - Google Search There are 10 songs on blue, and 9 of them are stone classics. It's in a different universe from other LPs generally. I just can't look at LPs as children to be favored or disfavored. They are songs too, in a continuum, of an artistic statement, for some, we hope. It is inconceivable to forfeit this flight tonight, or California, or 7 others, and to cherish other LPs by this artist, as if Blue is a breech of listener demanded decorum, rather than the height of her confessional art. I'm not saying it to offend or scold. But I think treating LPs as either in favor or out of favor is really deceptive when listening to Joni. I rate each Joni LP by the number and intensity of the great work. What other criteria could there be? For instance I think Ladies of the canyon is a downer. I never owned if for a long time. It has slow minory songs and it has an annoying hit with a horrible artificial laugh, and a cliche song done elsewhere, and an ancient singalong. I have reasons for not liking it is my point, but i may recognize virtues later on. For me it's a no brainer that all early joni work is part of a great body, anyway. Blue in this continuum is stupendous. If one doesnt prefer it it begs the question as to why, and I ask myself musical questions like that all the time.
"Confessional art" is not what attracts me to her music. Although Joni may be considered the queen of self-examination, that is not a selling point for me.
I was saying it was a "peak" of her songwriting, and it was the most emotionally open she got, by too many accounts to dismiss. IOW take what I said as "Emotionally transparent and artistic breakthrough in the same tunes= a peak" Jonis art is "confessional" I am referring to her art as being at it's height.
The ugly duck is little green for me. It sounds older. It is older. I know about it. Nice youtube of her doing it in color. ETA; It's about her child she gave up for adoption we know, right? OK
I think my favourite is Hejira, so obviously would recommend it, but then I believe everything up to Mingus is spectacular.
Joni Mitchell's albums – ranked! hard to argue with the top ten - although my 3-2-1 would be: 3 - Blue 2 - Hissing 1 - Hejira
I can't get there either. I can tell the songs are brilliant, but I also hear a lot of rambling and not sticking to a melody so I can get there (reminds me of listening to Jeff Buckley 'Grace' in that regard), and find her vocal ear piercing. And I love Kate Bush so it's not the soprano issue. It's just too loud and cuts through everything, punching through and hurting my ears until I wince. I shall try Court and Spark next. I'm really disappointed in my ears today. I really want to get into this.
hard to imagine Not loving her, for me. But, if you put on Blue or Hejira through decent headphones and pay attention to her guitar playing, you may gain a different appreciation than her lyrics and vocals would bely. Her tunings and technique are really incredible
Just finished Court and Spark and I LOVED IT. When I know there's definitely something there to love, I don't just move on. It can take time and maybe just the right doorway in. If I just gave up I would have missed out.
For Christmas I want the Steve Hoffman DCC Blue. It is tough to find. Blue is Joni Mitchell. Her most genuine and authentic recording.
Question for the SHF think tank. Anyone have any leads where the DCC Blue and Court And Spark might be found?
In my case I started with Court & Spark's friendly accessibility. I then ventured into Blue and had my musical tastes greatly expanded.
