Blue

classic

5 - I finally get Joni Mitchell

Sarah Mclaughlin's best.

It's simple, either you recognize the greatness in this album, or you're retarded. A friend called Joni Mitchell a budget Sarah McLaughlan. He's retarded. 50 years later we're still listing to this album for a reason. Sarah McLaughlan, on the other hand, can't be forgotten quick enough.

she's so goated man

I will never listen to this album again. Not because its bad, but because its so sad I can't handle It. I can't with this shit. Masterpiece

Words cannot…. (I’m just surprised in the reviews how many people comment poorly on “River”, maybe my favorite song on this album (for reasons I won’t go into here…)

I cannot say enough about this album. One of the greatest and my favourite Joni album of all time. Every song is beautiful and honest and raw at times. She is right up there with cohen and Dylan. Incredible. Also, I just realized that when she says ‘I’d even kiss a sunset pig’ she’s talking about a cop on sunset blvd.

Achingly beautiful, as always

One of my favourite albums

I love this LA classic.

I only know one song of her from "six feet under" the series, I really like her voice, and according to reviewers I have a hope for this album to be good. First song, it's more upbeat than I expected, not the lyrics I assume. I was right about the voice. I relate tho this in my own way mm. Second song, mm this is too good as expected. Her voice is so whimsy. Sonical part is full. There's not a special chorus here that catches one's ear, but it works in its own way ig. Ending piano part is so mm childish, love it. Third song, I imagine myself performing this tbh, its emotions... especially if the lyrics are what I can actually relate to. She was made to make music like this. 4th song, "happier" start. Mm I heard the choir. I associated this with a person which made it better, if it wasn't already good ahah. 5th song, she vocalized a lot here, good because she has it in her. I wish she had some rageful songs too. 6th song, it does become a little repetitive I must say. Her delivery makes it worthwhile, tho there's nothing more happening here and after. 7th song, stronger start than usual. Wtf it randomly changed up like a radio, the coolest thing she did tbh. 8th song, the difference note-d Christmas melody at the start, the scenery of the lyrics and the meaning mm too good. Apparently I've seen Joni and just realized that, I didn't remember her by name but she has been familiar to me mm. Looove how she turned Christmas song into a sad one, I was wrong about her not giving me anything more. 9th song, not bad. Though I didn't catch anything here. This is her second most listened song tho, It's not particularly catchy so I wonder how it got popular. 10th song, mm I expected the lyrics would be a story. Probably one of the best songs here, to me at least. The song is ending and well I guess I will evaluate this album.. mm I was thinking between 4 and 5 because it is missing some parts that I really like in songs, but some parts and quirks were too good to ignore and it's the Joni Mitchell so giving her 5 is more than right. I want more of her albums here, or I'll listen to her other albums myself.

Joni’s voice is incredible and the writing is beautiful

Mitt favorit album någonsin, kan inte beskriva hur mycket jag älskar detta

Por el amor de dios, que mujer

Was dreading this one a bit, as the last time i listened i didnt really get it for all its critical acclaim. Not sure why!! Something clicked this time - what a beautiful album. Very good songwriting, and her vocals make it incredibly unique sounding. Does not overstay its welcome. Good first 5 star album

Zuhause, Heidenheim, Deutschland. Fantastisches Album.

It's so hard to be objective when it is one of your favorite singer-songwriters. This record, Joni's most poppiest/accessible album, was the first one I heard many years ago. Her voice is incredible, the lyrics are sublime, you can feel the situation, see the characters, understand the feelings in every tale brought to life by music. They are poetry and confessional poems at that. The tunes are accessible but there is always something different about her melodies that distinguishes her work from other artists. I am trying but its really hard to put into words how much her music means to me.

Difficile de mettre moins de 5 étoiles pour un album dans le top 3 des meilleurs albums de tous les temps selon Rolling Stone. Je dois par contre avouer 2 choses. 1- Blue n'est pas absolument l'album que je préfère de Joni Mitchell. 2- Il faudrait que que j'aille discuter avec Félix pour me faire communiquer sa passion pour celle-ci. (Je crois qu'on a la même passion pour Bob Dylan par contre)

Tellement en admiration pour cette femme, c'est l'artiste folk la plus accomplie. J'hésite même à dire artiste point. Vraiment weird et novateur la façon qu'elle a accordé sa guitare pour cet album, mais ça marche! La petite histoire dit que c'est parce que c'était plus facile de jouer avec sa main gauche, après sa polio infantile. Dylan a copié sur certaines tounes de Blood on the tracks (ah non il parle encore de Dylan lui là). Little green me donne instantanément des frissons et des larmes aux yeux, quand on connait l'histoire derrière, c'est d'une tristesse et d'une beauté infinie :'( "Call her green and the winters cannot fade her Call her green for the children who've made her." La track de piano sur Blue juste wow. "Acid, booze, and ass, needles, guns, and grass , lots of laughs, lots of laughs" Si Court and Spark et Hejira est pas sur le palmarès je pète une coche... dans 3 ans. Je recommande aussi River de Hancock bel album hommage pour l'incroyable génie de cette femme. Et Live in Newport 2022 la consécration de la queen. Vive le vent en mineur sur River, absolute genius. Case of you positivement la plus belle chanson d'amour, et aussi le plus beau diss, "you told me you're as constant as a northern star, constantly in the darkness, where's that at?" Bon je me tais je pourrais parler des heures de cet album, alors si vous m'accostez en disant Blue pendant une bière, tenez vous le pour dit. Et ça va libérer les oreilles d'Alice.

Si je ne mets pas 5, Félix va me faire mal. Au secours! Blague à part on parle d’un classique de la musique moderne. J’aurai besoin de d’autres écoutes, mais j’ai beaucoup aimé. Avec un titre comme Blue je m’attendais à une sonorité beaucoup plus déprimée, mais au contraire ça sonnait très joyeux (les paroles sont surement sur la grosse dep) Bien aimé Carey et California, qui par hasard sont les singles. River aussi, excellente. Bien aimé aussi l’alternance entre la chanson à piano et la chanson à guitare. Je vais réécouter, c’est certain!

Hey, she's from my home town!

Simply one of the greatest and most beautiful albums of all time.

Joni is an acquired taste, and I can honestly say the first time I heard this album I was bewildered by it. The vocal stylings can be abrasive, and the melodies are not straightforward and sometimes difficult to track. But with repeated listening, and broader exploration of her catalog, it starts to click. Blue is one of the most accessible records in her more mature period, and while not my favorite it is undeniably brilliant and among the most emotionally resonant pop music ever produced. Worthy of all the accolades.

A perfect singer songwriter album.

Yeah there's a reason this one is universally lauded as a classic. Never had really listened to it through before but the writing is incredible and so is her voice. You can see the through lines to current stars like Lana Del Rey and Lorde in this work. Incredible stuff. Standouts: Carey, California, A Case of You

Little Green punched me right in the gut. I love Joni Mitchell

It's this the only album on the list that features a dulcimer? Should get 5 stars just for that. Joni is phenomenal, and proof (maybe the only proof) that American singer/songwriters aren't all dogshit.

Amazing songwriting paired with an amazing voice. All the more amazing they are coming from the same person. Another national treasure, she is, so glad to see her having her day in the sun here at the end of her career and life.

Classic songs. Great.

An immediate 5 star rating. In my mind one of the most perfect albums ever made. It’s really hard to put into words just how special this album is. Joni Mitchell manages to concentrate everything it is to be in a relationship across these 10 songs. The details of these songs are so intimate in their storytelling they really capture the true heart and soul of what it is to love another person and what it is to lose that love. This is probably the best album on the list; it’s all downhill from here!

There is beauty in the sadness being put on display on this album. My first initial reaction to this was confusion as to why everyone sung praises about this. It took a few days to process but after few listens you can start to piece together what this album is really about. Those feeling of intimacy hits you straight away when you dive into this. Looking into Joni's lore you can understand her thought process and reasoning behind creating this. Take Little Green for instance, it's so damn heartbreaking. Having to put your daughter up for adoption because the father doesn't want to have anything to do with her and you the mother are too poor to take care of her. Getting to a point in your life when you aren't afraid to just lay all that sadness all on the table. Then you create some beautiful art that is Blue. Top 5: My Old Man (fav), Little Green (close second), Carey, River, and A Case Of You (third) NO BAD SONGS 4.50-4.75/5

Unimpeachable classic.

delicacy in album form

I would say there is a compelling case for this being the best singer/ songwriter album out there 5*

Love it

Incredible album filled with beautiful songwriting.

Yes. Fremragende. Og på tide, jeg fik hørt den her frem for Hits. Det hjælper også at kende de fleste sange på forhånd.

Piękna płyta. Idealna. Smutek Joni ma w sobie coś transcendentnego. Czysty jak kryształ. I do tego kompozycje z tekstami, które poruszają do cna. 10/10. Moja ulubiona płyta świata.

Wonderful lyrics, great melodies, and the voice... Femma!

Love this album. But not my favorite Joni. That’s Court and Spark, a more mature album. Highlights for me, this flight tonight, California, Tiver, my old man and Carey. Almost perfect, but not quite there. 4.8

💙

So good what the heck

Wow. First time listening and was beautiful start to finish.

Yes

It's blue. Sensitive, vulnerable and beautiful.

I've tried her before and mostly not for me, but this is art. It commands attention. I'm probably just unsophisticated for the parts that don't resonate as much.

Sad and joyous in equal measure. Some of the best songs set to vinyl on this Lp. Heartbreak in the song Little green, sadness in River, hope in My Old Man. A case of you remains funny and powerful. Not a better album released in the 70s, not sure there have been any better in fact. The very definition of a "go to" album.

Hell yeah love me some joni, prefer Hejira but this still bangs

One of the best singer-songwriter albums to ever exist

Love Joni Mitchell already, but nice to listen to this whole album.

Joni. 5. So beautiful so effortless Blue is exquisite. I love her

I reserve 5 star ratings to the greatest albums of all time of which there are a select few. This is one of them. A masterful album by a true original. There’s a purity to this that is raw, intimate and evocative and her voice is angelic. I’ve listened to this album many times over the years and will continue to come back to it.

I know of Joni Mitchell but I've never heard this album. I feel like I'll appreciate this more now than I would have a few years ago. I think learning more about her as a person and as an artist has given me more appreciation. I think that's true for all artists but specifically for powerful forces in music that are women. Her songwriting is inspiring. She sounds so free, you can really hear her feelings through her voice. Perfect then that in the first song she says "I want to make you feel free." You did it Joni, I totally feel free. I am a sucker for piano over guitar so I'm loving the piano ballads. They have this effervescence that lends to the alt feeling of her music. It's so interesting because she's not really doing much different from a lot of the folk singer songwriters but yet they feel so different! I wish I had the words to explain that phenomena, I'm sure many people have explained it before. they describe her as a folk singer with a poet's spirit and that's such an apt description. These songs really have a melancholy feel to them but not in a way that brings you down, in a way that feels poignant. I'm really enjoying this. I want to listen to her music more, if I was to write songs, I would want them to feel how hers feel. There's not really hooks or choruses and I love that. Because sometimes that can feel contrived. All this has shown me is that I love singer-songwriter. Which I knew of course but wow am I confirmed on that. Folk sure yes but mostly singer-songwriter regardless of the genre.

GOAT GOAT GOAT OF ALL TIME HERE Joni Mitchell is a legend and this album is peak. Arguably the best Singer-Songwriter album of all time. It's awesome. 10/10

I wrote songs for 10 years. And then I listened to “Blue”, and now I’m writing songs whole different way, and people around says that they were already good/ok, but now it’s night and day — musically AND thematically. So, thanks Joni. You are one of a kind. As this album too.

nothing short of a masterpiece of vocal performance that leaves behind a titanic legacy.

This is one of the 6/5 albums on this list. I'd never heard it before but it's everything it had been hyped to be. The lyrics draw you in and make you feel. The instruments fit perfectly, and her voice is beautiful. Absolutely stunning and I wish I could hear it for the first time again already.

💙🩵💙🩵💙

Love this album.

Still brilliant.

Gorgeous, gorgeous. This taught me I always have 5 stars for female folk music.

Masterful songwriting, her voice is phenomenal, a near perfect collection of songs

Bear with me... In 2012, when a 22-yo Taylor Swift was onto her 5th Famous Boyfriend and her public image as a serial dater was catching up to her, she acquired a straightening iron and released her signature Break Up Album, Red, the cover art eerily similar to Blue. As far as I am aware she never acknowledged Joni's influence on either the aesthetic or intensely confessional music of the Red era. (But music critics caught on.) In 1971 when Joni Mitchell released Blue, Rolling Stone dubbed her the 'Queen of El Lay' in mocking acknowledgement of her supposed string of sexual conquests, many of whom were also famous talents. Her lovers and collaborators—Graham Nash and David Crosby of CSNY, Swift's namesake James Taylor, Leonard Cohen—felt she was leagues ahead of them in terms of songwriting ability. Fans and music writers would read into her lyrics in an attempt to guess which iconic resident of Laurel Canyon had inspired which song—swifties will find this familiar. Joni was far from the first songwriter to have a tumultuous personal life, but she pioneered the notion autobiographical lyrical content, weaponizing her warbling soprano into a narrator of small, intimate moments shared during and after love. She expressed upon the release of Blue that she had been in a dark place and 'needed' to make the album—a common sentiment coming from artists today, but music in the late 60s was yet to become a domain of personal expositing. One could argue whether or not things have changed for the female songwriters of high-profile affairs since Blue—Swift has turned notoriety into a billion-dollar empire, after all. Public opinion has come to agree with that of Joni Mitchell's contemporaries in terms of her artistic ability, but her promiscuity is still condemned when replicated in artists (and women) of today. So I think in some sense Joni paved the way and was scorned for doing so. Either way this album is towering and beautiful, and even the men towards whom Joni directed her hurt and bitterness on the album agree.

Great

Like with Dylan, I came to Joni Mitchell backwards. I saw and heard her on the Band's Last Waltz and had a video recording of an early '80s concert where her bass player was, I think, Larry Klein, her husband and a jazz player. Consequently, I was drawn more to Mitchell's mid-'70s albums with Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter and other jazz greats, although I don't think I fell in love with any of them. I never really listened to Blue. What a mistake. This is simply one of the most achingly beautiful albums I have ever heard, confessional and heart-baring. The playing and production are uncluttered and clear. There is a lot of space for Joni's voice to rise above her and James Taylor's guitars, her own, incredible piano accompaniment on many songs, Sneaky Pete on a couple of tracks - one phrase on "This Flight Tonight" is amazing, where he is essentially a sound effect. I can't believe I once thought Joni's voice a little shrieky in her high register; her tone is stunning. I knew several of the songs before. "River", "A Case of You" (listen to Prince's cover if you get a chance), "This Flight Tonight" from Nazareth's version and the rest of the songs are just as personal and wonderful. It has taken almost 50 years but Blue has got me at last. I have fallen head over heels for the album and for Joni Mitchell and her back catalogue will be my next deep dive.

The first time I listened to it I wasn't sure if I liked it, but then I listened to it on loop for a week. This has become an essential album to me

Incredible.

Gorgeous

Hollly fuck what a good album. Little green almost made me cry thinking about ***. I really love this album, fuck. All good dreamers pass this way.

Whoa. I knew I "liked" Joni Mitchell, but I didn't know I loved her until I listened to this all the way through.

Perfect

Top 5 albums ever - incredible

all time favourite. Among Jonsi's great albums most probably her best. I would like to have "river" to be sung at my funeral (seriously) 5/5

This was not a new album for me. I love this record. No skips, absolute perfection. Beautiful piano. Transcendent. I don’t own this on vinyl yet and I need it.

This one I have and this one I love 5/5 #musicsky #albumsky #musicchallenge

Disco grandioso. Forse il più conciso della Mitchell in termini di scrittura, seppur si porti appresso un senso di irrisolutezza, di tensione costante verso un oltre, verso una trama aperta. Un grande classico.

This was an album on my list to listen to for a while, and it definitely did not disappoint. The lyrics are beautiful, the instrumentals are simple yet so gorgeous. I love the way she utilizes her vocal range as well. I'm a sucker for some good singer-songwriter, and this album is PEAK. No bad moments. The songs remind me of Pink Moon, and I love that album. This up there the best of the best.

Classic 🩵

Simple yet complex. Delicate yet powerful. Quirky, sad, joyful, blue. I don’t know how this much of everything is possible to put in one album, but here it is.

Blue by Joni Mitchell is honestly one of the coziest albums ever made. The moment it starts, there’s this warmth that just wraps around you, and her voice… man, her voice is something else. It doesn’t just sound good, it touches your soul. Her writing is incredible so vivid, so emotional, so personal. She paints pictures of heartbreak, love, longing, and vulnerability in a way that very few artists can. You can feel the honesty bleeding through every lyric, and that’s what makes it timeless. There isn’t a single bad track on this album. Every song carries its own weight, its own story, and it flows beautifully as a complete piece of art. The instrumentation is simple but perfect. the guitar, the piano, the dulcimer they just hit in all the right ways, leaving space for her voice to shine. Listening to Blue feels like being hugged. It’s comforting, emotional, and intimate in a way that albums rarely are. It’s one of those records you can always come back to, no matter what you’re going through, and it’ll meet you right where you are. Truly one of the most beautiful, soul-touching albums ever made.

I did not need to relisten to this album to know it was five stars. One of my favorite albums of all time.

One of my favourite albums of all time. Beautifully personal lyrics, delicate musicianship, and soaring vocals. Each song tells a story and leaves you feeling almost like you were there. Joni's skill really has her near the top of the all-time list.

She's got a beautiful voice, and a way of weaving a story. Definitely belongs on the list. At least something by her. Nothing on this album grabbed me, but I wasn't bored listening to her. My rating: 5/5

Blue is the fourth studio album from Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. It is regarded as her best work, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest albums ever recorded. Mitchell has a distinct, beautiful voice, and plays a technical, textured guitar which adds to the rich sound of her songs. Her songwriting may be her greatest strength - her songs are honest, open, striking images from a woman in love.

Wonderful lyricism, and great vocals.

I love it

Lush, gorgeous, and personal songwriting. Perfect album.

10/10 Generational album. Joni is so fucking goated on this album that she put a Christmas song on there just because. She’s got the sauce. Favorite Song: California

9.3/10.

To have that one-of-a-kind songwriting talent, with that voice, with that poetic flair, with that intellect, with that range of emotional expression, all in one person... Now that's just simply unfair.

Hermoso.

Excellent, I’ve always sort of casually liked Joni Mitchell but never really gave her a good listen

- love the dulcimer throughout the album - beautiful voice - beautiful just in general

Can't separate listening now from my earliest encounter (15 or 16?) with some of these song and then listening soon again as my desperate attachment to Joni took shape and flowered. The raw simplicity of the playing and arrangements makes the poetic lyric beauty resonate. Green just now (knowing the back story) brought tears to my eyes. Then Carey made me laugh joyfully. California--I was living back east--was a dream (I'd lived there as a young'un). I have more stories, but will leave off. A favorite album of all time. Brilliant achievement.

This album is transcendent. From the first notes she sings, I'm practically in tears, and the first tune isn't even among the sad ones. There's an emotional heart that anchors this work, it's infused with sorrow and hope and wanderlust and an artist's joy and pain. Remarkable. Few bells and whistles, just a microscope on what Joni is playing and singing. For her part, Mitchell carves something beautiful and haunting out of thin air. I also noticed, more on this listen than ever before, the hintings at her jazzier works. There were passages and chord changes and melodies that speak to her later work in ways I hadn't picked up on before. Love this album.

This is one of the three albums that I consider my all-time favorites. (Revolver is another. We haven't come across the third one yet.) I love every second of this record, and every song has been my favorite at one point or another. On today's listen, I marveled at how gorgeous the guitars and dulcimer sounded. If I can distill my love for this album to one moment, it's the opening line. ("I am on a lonely road and I am traveling, traveling, traveling, traveling.") The fact that she sings a variation of the line first and the "standard" version later on is such a baller move. It gives the song instant familiarity and makes it feel like an old standard. Nothing can ever top Blue. It's beautiful and perfect.

Nothing more beautiful than Blue. (Little Green always makes me sad. But Carey always delights!)

One of those revered albums that I think deserves its praise, even if I haven’t always fully connected with Joni’s music. The first time I heard it I expected a string of soul-baring tearjerkers that sound like the album cover looks, and sure, there are some excellent examples of those. But I was pleasantly surprised to also find a number of downright breezy, almost playful tunes like California and Carey. I enjoy the rhythmic guitar style on these - it feels quite distinct among folk songwriter types. The songwriting is obviously the star though; the lyrics paint vivid and impactful pictures without using oblique or complex language - just unique perspectives and honesty.

Loved. Poetic lyrics and beautiful vocals. Dulcimer!

melodies that are still stuck in my head. vocal emotion and range. A favorite

One of my all time favorites!

I’d heard bits & pieces of Joni Mitchell over the years but it wasn’t until last year that I started to really appreciate her and explore her discography a bit more. I’m a very happy convert. The combination of her raw, wispy voice with her soulful, open-tuned guitar is magical. This is her flagship album as far as I'm concerned. California, River and A Case Of You are all examples of perfectly crafted songs. The remaining songs are of such a high standard that this is well-deserving of a coveted 5 star rating.

Beautiful voice, a genius

First listen, I can immediately see how influential this album is. Mitchell's voice is so distinct and beautiful, the instrumentals are sparse and purposeful, and each song is so vulnerable. My favorite song is "River".

++: All I Want, My Old Man, Little Green, Carey, Blue, California, This Flight Tonight, The Last Time I Saw Richard +: River, A Case of You 9,7/10

Mum's favourite and definitely one of my desert island discs. Great guitar, great lyrics, sad, happy, angry. Best Album so far.

Pretty exceptional being able to release such a personal and stripped back album and then make it listenable. It’s not an album I’ll go back to often as it’s a bit raw for me but I’ve got to give it its dues that it’s an essential listen

When I was a dumb kid I thought Joni was that weird hippy singer whose voice was too high and whose songs didn’t rhyme correctly. Then one night, probably in my early 20’s, (I shit you not) she came to me in a dream. We were seated next to each other at a huge lavish banquet and we just talked. I could never remember what we said but I woke up and said “Shit, I’ve been wrong” and she’s been a guardian angel ever since.

10/10 No notes

All I Want Carey Blue California This Flight Tonight River A Case of You The Last Time I Saw Richard

I'd never heard this whole album before. Just...beautiful from stem to stern. Not to mention horny on main! So much of this 60's/70's stuff resonates with me now that I'm no longer the young punk I once was. Why couldn't I get it then? Things to ponder on my birthday...

No easy stuff. But so rewarding. This is great songwriting and great performance. The musical and lyrical openness goes hand in hand. Open chords, non repetitive melodies, lyrics that invite for searching. Sketches from the soul, delivered as if were momentaneous inventions. I love it... Something, like most of her work, on its very special own.

Really beautiful album, had heard a couple songs but never given the whole thing a listen. Vocals, guitar and lyrics are all superb. Lots of powerful moments. Will definitely keep this in mind for certain vibes 5 - All-time classic

Joni Mitchell has a unique style and rhythm to folk but you can hear the influence she has on music today. Blue is an amazing record with great lyrics about love, life, and Mitchell’s emotions. While the folk genre is not for everyone, if you are able to appreciate it then you will love this masterpiece of an album.

★★★★★★

Lo aspettavo da tantooooo, per me Blue è un capolavoro assoluto, dalla mood alla strumentazione al canto, tutto si unisce per creare forse il mio album preferito di sempre. Adoro questa Joni giovane dalla voce squillante e vivace con già tutta la profondità dei suoi testi, è così accattivante e incalzante, insomma spacca. Serata Joni Mitchell in discoteca quando?

Excellent

I'm a bit more interested in Joni's jazz years, but I mean, come on. it's Blue! talk about an album that will cradle you like a baby when you're feeling low. Mitchell's unique guitar tunings create so much dissonance and heartache, and the way her soprano voice floats over them is so tender and perfect. this is one of the greatest heartbreak albums ever created. it's soul-bearing, deeply confessional and incredibly honest. I can't listen to "A Case of You" without shedding at least one tear. strong 9/10.

IT is difficult to state what exactly makes this album one of the greatest expressions of female work in music. Joni Mitchell simply wraps you up in her songs and makes you experience a spectrum of emotions as if you were witnessing the stories in real time. There's not one song I'd pick as a favorite or one to save. The album is an experience in and of itself

River is one of my favorite songs and it took me 50 years to hear it sung by the writer. Beautiful voice and writing

Beautiful voice. While I like her next album better, I can see why this is a top 100 album.

River is one of the most beautiful songs.

Rarely has an artist been so bravely and completely herself the way Joni Mitchell is on this record and throughout her life really. She can do so much with sparse instrumentation, her voice and her writing. Just before our love got lost you said "I am as constant as a northern star" And I said "Constantly in the darkness Where's that at? If you want me I'll be in the bar." I love the vivid picture and feeling she creates with her words and I love this album. But what do I know? I’m just a romantic, so I’m cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark café.

Joni Mitchell’s Blue has had an immense impact on the music that I gravitate towards and seek out currently. It is the first folk album that clicked with me and has opened me up to other singer/songwriters of her time and of today. Some of my favorite albums and artists in recent years can directly be linked to my love of this album and the way it opened me up to a sound I previously found boring. While I can’t really put a finger on why it works for me, Mitchell’s approach to playing guitar and piano is entrancing to me. It’s all simple and often the only thing accompanying her voice. And I think this minimal approach really keeps the focus on the her vocal performance. Joni Mitchell certainly has a voice and songwriting approach rivaled by few and is likely why I was immediately able to take to this album. It has stayed in my rotation ever since, but I always love an excuse to relisten as she quickly became one of my all time favorite artists. If I were to make a list of my favorite songs of all time, she would probably have the 3rd most songs on the list with literally every song here probably making my short list. And if it were a ranked list, A Case of You is easily right near the tippy top. Every song has a message that, even if I don’t always relate to, I can at least completely understand and empathize with Mitchell. She makes me simultaneously feel sad and blue (lol) but still encourages me believe that everything will work out and be okay. It’s my happy and sad album of choice.

Stunning

I listened to this on the way home from work. I went to Walmart to get melatonin and tried to get a car wash. This album is perfect for night skies

есть свое отличительное звучание, это и цепляет

Classic

Classic. I love how simple and bold this record is. Joni's voice is pure magic. Her playful vocal melodies and guitar playing hit every range you could feel. I tend to gravitate to blues and longing songs, and this definitely has that. However, I think what sets Joni apart is her overwhelmingly hopeful and optimistic songwriting and playing. She sings, plays, and writes with a level of optimism and wonder that I think most songwriters can tap in to. I can listen to every song on this record and be content. Though, I would be remiss to not mention "California" , "River" , and "A Case of You" as some of the greatest acoustic songs of the century. Pure gold.

Classic singer-songwriter record. Lyrics are insightful and interesting, melodies are enjoyable. California and A Case of You are particular standouts.

Incredible

My favorite Joni.

Great singer songwriter album. Very vulnerable and expressive.

Wish I could give 6 stars

classic

Open any dictionary and look up the definition of the word masterpiece. It will say, "see Joni Mitchell's 'Blue'". 5

Joni takes me away to a better place when listening to her beautiful and creative music. Blue is easily one of the best albums created.

Great voice. Loved it.

So nice I listened teuce

Really pleasant listen and very evocative of that counterculture movement. Just good folky pop music, idk what to even call it. It's obvious why its so revered.

A beautiful, tender, serene (even in its melancholy), intimate folk album that tells tales and paints landscapes of relationships old and new. She’s really got a unique approach to the whole thing, it sounds familiar but also unusual. Her rapidly pitch shifting vocal lines flow naturally despite some odd, intriguing rhythms. Musically accompanied by sparse, but often still busy, acoustic arrangements that serve as a perfect complement. There’s still plenty of variability in the tone, mood, and feel of the songs, as well as lyrical and emotional depth, to keep the whole album interesting.

My first real experience with Blue. I've always dabbled in Joni and was more drawn to Court and Spark, I think because of the bigger and jazzier arrangements. Digging into this was pretty cool. I was not aware of the Graham Nash/Joni/James Taylor love triangle. **I read Old Man was about Nash, so I take it to mean her man or bf** I think you really need to emerse yourself in this music to enjoy it. A little painful/sad at moments. Other times I felt a little disconnected (to a famous woman traveling Europe with boy problems). Nevertheless - incredibly vulnerable. Goes without saying she is one of one and that comes across in her arrangements, harmonies and singing voice. Gererally I think I'll always lean towards the bigger varied arrangements on Court and Spark, but when I want to get real emo I'll throw on Blue. My 2 y/o was into it too.

Theres a lot to be said about Blue. Its one of the rare entries on this list that I have no problem listening to non stop throughout the day. 36 minutes of genius. Great musicians playing with her —- Three unanswered questions: This Flight Tonight - maybe my favorite track on the album. At the 1:55 mark, Joni says “They're playing "Goodbye, baby, baby, goodbye. Ooh ooh, love is blind” and the track sounds like its being piped through a shitty speaker and back into a mic. What is the song that she’s referring to? Also, what is this effect? Is it supposed to represent the song or the sound quality of airplane entertainment of that day 😂 My Old Man - love the tune, but the lyrics are twisted in some lady form of oedipus rex. Is the ambiguity here intentional? Or did Old Man mean something entirely different then 🤨 How many times can someone say “California” on an album before it gets old? Its crazy high on Blue

Of all the albums we've heard so far, this is the one I've listened to the most, and one I know I will come back to often. This little comment box and these five stars can't capture the beauty - it's perfect.

What can I say about this album that hasn’t already been said? A true masterpiece.

Remarkably personal collection charting almost all imaginable aspects of relationships principally hers but has universal resonance. Songwriting, her voice and the spare accompaniment come together to produce something timeless. I regret not having listened to this more.

Beyond words.

I was born in 1971, but like marmite and Bob Dylan you either get it or you don't. I get Dylan but not Joni 😞

Gorgeous.

This could not have come at a better time. It's been a rough week and a melancholy album is just what I need. I love her voice and the instrumentals are great too. Need to listen to more of this artist.

Amazing voice, got goosebumps many times while listening, I really liked the simplicity of often just having piano or guitar in each song. Overall the album just seems very cohesive and authentic.

_Whiplash_

Uma combinação de produção minimalista e arranjos delicados capaz de capturar a essência da experiência humana com honestidade lírica e sofisticação musical. O auge da sua beleza está na introspecção poética para refletir sua vulnerabilidade emocional e habilidade em capturar a complexidade das relações humanas.

A really nice album. Very simple and calming to listen to.

no notes/perfect

Some albums aren’t just great, they go way beyond this as if they are woven into the fabric of time and music itself. Blue is one of those albums. Joni Mitchell strips everything down to its bare essentials—just her voice, her words, and a handful of acoustic instruments—and somehow creates something that feels bigger than any full-band production ever could. The songwriting is devastatingly intimate, packed with raw emotion and poetic brilliance. Whether she’s longing for escape on California, reminiscing over lost love in A Case of You, or unraveling pure heartbreak on River, every song hits like a personal confession. There’s no filter, no pretense—just unvarnished honesty that cuts deeper with every listen. Joni’s voice is a marvel, shifting effortlessly from warm and comforting to sharp and piercing in an instant. While people love to joke about Bob Dylan’s voice needing a disclaimer, no such warning is needed here. Her delivery isn’t just technically impressive—it’s so deeply personal that it feels impossible to separate her from the music. Her unique tunings and delicate, precise guitar work only add to the magic, making every song feel like it could only ever belong to her. The melodies twist and turn in ways that defy easy imitation, creating songs that feel both familiar and impossible to replicate. Plenty of artists have tried to capture what Joni does here, but none quite succeed. They all wish they could sing like Joni Mitchell can and make an album like this. But they never really can...

I've considered nitpicking about her somewhat strained and annoying high registers, but scratch that. Gave it another listen this morning and it just makes me feel things. Exceptional songwriting, particularly River and A Case Of You.

This is Joni at her finest. A must-listen, although I like Song to a Seagull more. But, you cannot go wrong here. She is amazing. Top songs: All I Want Carey This Flight Tonight A Case of You River 5/5 = Absolute perfection.

Just beautiful. Joni Mitchell is so good a captuiring certain emotions and turning them into songs that are just lyrically speaking some of the best out there. Aside from that the minimalist soundscape of the record allows the focus to be on the vocals and the lyrics, which I am a big fan of. Blue as a project also just makes sense, thematically and in terms of sound the album has an excellent flow, with an perfect mix of more energetic songs(Carey) and a good dose of sadness, the title is blue afterall, which once again that idea and the pain is captured so well (river is just a tearjerker) on this record and overall the record is quite seemless. Favorite track: River(very HM to My Old Man). Overall score 9.3/10

4.5/5 Joni Mitchell's raw, brilliant vocals convey her exceptional songwriting amazingly in this short, emotional journey. The light instrumentation supporting her is fantastic and the consistent quality makes this album great. All I Want 5/5 My Old Man 5/5 Little Green 5/5 (FAV) Carey 4.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Blue 4.5/5 California 5/5 This Flight 4.5/5 River 4.5/5 A Case of You 4.5/5 The Last Time I Saw Richard 4.5/5

Joni pls 😭 miss once 😭 man kan simpelthen ikke sætte A Case of You på et album og forvene mindre end 5/5

Gorgeous. River is my favorite

An amazing album

This is awesome. I’ve never listened to this album before but I think I’ll listen to it over and over in the future.

she's brilliant. River is of course an all time great song

I like Court and Spark a bit better than this one, but it’s still masterful.

I first listened to this album as a teen when I played my parents’ vinyl copy, which sparked a (mild) argument about who bought it - my mum or my dad. I can see why they both wanted to claim credit, because it’s a masterpiece.

What can I say? Didn't know this existed on Tuesday. It feels like I've never been without it on Wednesday after three listens. 5 - all day, every day for the rest of my days

well, yes!

Perfect. Joni Mitchell's writing is deeply affective, vulnerable and conflicted - it paints a vivid picture, spanning the mundane and the poigniant. It's Joni's voice which really brings the imagery to life. Unconventional at times, but undeniably beautiful and skilfully wielded. The instrumentation is very simple, which lets her voice shine through. Suffice it to say, I'm a fan of this concoction. Favourites are mostly the wistful and melancholy - Little Green, A Case of You, and Blue is simply devastating.

I think I checked this CD out from the downtown library when I was in high school (yes, the Columbus Public library had an amazing music and movie selection for rental) mainly because I thought the album cover looked cool. I was only vaguely familiar with Joni Mitchell, but I couldn't stop listening to it. Carey is a highlight for me, along with California and A Case of You. The whole album is perfection.

Ach Joni one of my all time favourites. Searingly open and honest. Love this entire album.

First listening - really enjoyed this album and know it will grow on me as time goes on. Joni’s vocals have their own pacing lending her an identity that is fun but feeling. High falsetto with operatic performance. Songs like little green and blue convey her emotional intelligence when dealing with topics like familial love or romance. But then California and A case of you express her admiration for beauty even in its excess. It’s just classic folk so I can’t say no. Four listens in one day. After reading wiki and finding out it’s the ultimate break up album I still find it reductive. It’s definitely filled with emotions, regrets, desperation for solitude and isolation while admiring all the crazy intoxicating feelings that flow through someone. Maybe Joni wrote all this just to get all the shit of her chest and say this is how I feel so take part. Removed though, it will be done amazingly with all my best intentions.

I loved this CD. I've heard plenty of other Joni Mitchell but not this one. Her voice is incredible, and this CD is really just a vocal showcase for her. Most of the songs are just Joni on vocals and either guitar or piano (her accompaniment is quite nice too). Even the few with prominent backing vocals, like "Carey", I get the impression it's Joni overdubbing the backing parts. Her vocals are the highlight, and she's just an A+. It actually took me a couple listens to get used to them, because she's so mobile - she jumps up and down the register and between scales in ways that I think most singers just can't physically do, so when you hear someone actually nail it, it sounds too different to process. On "My Old Man" she's repeatedly cycling through different scales, like a jazz soloist - I've never heard someone pull that off. On the chorus to "California", probably the best song on here and the most chilling moment, she jumps sequentially (I think) down a 4th and then up an octave, which I simply can't do with my voice. While not in as rapid succession, on other songs she demonstrates an even wider vocal range, there have to be three octaves on here. And she's just got every possible trick in the book - long sustained notes on the title track, energetic mobile melodies on "My Old Man", opening up and belting at the end of the same, it's just an absolute showcase. Her guitar and piano work is neat too, she's got some creative harmonies. But she could've sung these melodies over an endless loop of the "whomp-whomp" sound from Charlie Brown and I'd still give this a 5.

Thought I'd already done this one, but I guess I just listen to it. What a record. Just keeps on hitting. I'm lucky to have discovered a love for it during midlife, so I haven't yet played it to death. Although I have played it twice today. I've never really got into any other Joni record, I like jazz but not really Joni-jazz, but this is the real deal. Why does River not end up on Xmas music playlists? So Christmassy. Anyway, it's on mine now. Best songs: Case of You, River, All I Want, Carey, California

The original sad girl

one of my top 10 albums of all time

Beautiful!

I'm glad there's only one Joni. I'm glad she followed the pure inspirations of her heart.

Probably not my number 1 Joni but still great

This has always been an album I knew I should listen to, but never did, because it’s not my usual style. Still not something I’m gonna listen to all the time, but man, if this isn’t great songwriting, I don’t know what is.

Hippy songs, enjoyed it

Perfect. Sun kissed melodies and an angelic voice. The instrumentation is understated and serves only the song and is all the more for it. You can feel the sand in the grooves of a long lost summer. Every time I listen I find something new to love. Every song rejostles for my favourite... Classic 5*

Nearly a flawless album. The vocal talent is obviously amazing, but the showy parts are also perfectly exucuted. This one’s staying in my downloads. Favorite Song: This Flight Tonight Least Favorite Song: A Case of You

One of my all time favourite albums and so good to listen to at this time of year, when I already have River in heavy rotation. Funny how little of the rest of her catalogue I enjoy really. Her voice grates and it’s only on this record that I really enjoy it

Joni is a legend, and blue is just flat out beautiful.

Great folk album, She is female bob Dylan

This album is so beautiful lyrically and musically. Makes me cry

this for me is one of the most beautiful albums of all time ... joni's voice and lyrics invoke such incredible images in my mind ... and Case of You is one of the most devastating songs ever written i reckon ...

Such a lovely and serene album.

Love it. It's calming and well-written.

10/10 perfection Beautiful

Perfect Album!

Love this album

I was just so captivated by the whole thing from front to back, it’s such a raw and vulnerable album. Favorite track: California

My second Joni Mitchell album in a week and this is one I was already familiar with. Out of her albums I've heard, this is easily my favourite - just unbelievablely good lyrics start to finish. Easy 5* for me. Fav tracks: A Case of You, River, Carey

It has been some time since I gave 5 stars. Joni deserves it for this masterpiece. It's Joni at her best. It is sad and happy and emotional and just very good.

Moet ik hier zelfs nog uitleg bij geven. Dit album komt ook perfect. 'T is wat koud buiten en het landschap verandert in een bruin-oker kleurenpalet. Door het verdwijnen van dit album op Spotify ben ik indertijd overgestapt naar Apple Music en dat zegt misschien wel genoeg (oké, misschien had Neil Young er ook wat mee te maken). 5.0 en als ik meer mocht geven, zijt maar zeker dat ik dat zou doen.

Amazing is the word that describes this album. Amazing voice, amazing sound... I'm sorry but today I'm speechless...

Can see a lot of inspirations of LPs that I love coming from this one

Blue and The Last Time I Saw Richard get me every time

Her voice and style is completely unique. After a brief adjustment period this album really shines.

Beautiful. I'd never listened to Joni Mitchell before, and I can see why Blue is such a lauded record now. It's a unique folk record for its time since it eschews some radio sensibility-style rhythms or melodies, opting instead for a more poetic songwriting style. It feels more like she's written a series of experiential stories.

It's simple and even kind of plain, but her voice, lyrics, and performance are rock solidly beautiful throughout.

Joni's the GOAT, man. I think very few songwriters manage to reach that kind of intimacy and vulnerability. I'm always finding new things to love from these songs. An all-timer. Best Track: River Worst Track: not a chance. you're 'avin me on

Didn’t get into it until about halfway through, but this is beautiful! Joni has a beautiful voice, and the fact that this is mostly just her and a piano is amazing.

It's a very meditative, reflective album. Part of my slight quibble on Joni Mitchell is sometimes her voice goes all over the place (like in "The Last Time I Saw Richard"). But that's a minor complaint, as she doesn't do it on every song. I was listening to this while I was prepping for class today. I felt a bit more at peace, and ready for the day. I wish all albums were able to do that for me. But that this one did, says a lot about the feel and music. I could listen to pretty much every song on that album again almost immediately. It has a very re-listenable quality to it. Definitely a must.

I think this is a pretty darn good album. But it sure gave me opposing views. Like on the opener All I Want. She has some great vocals but then sometimes she switches too abruptly between ranges. And her vocals are clever but also maybe a little juvenile? - I want to talk to you, I want to shampoo you. I just don't know how to feel, although I know I feel like it's a solid song. There are no clunkers on this album and her piano-based ballads like My Old Man, Blue, River (minus the Jingle Bells bits), and The Last Time I saw Richard really bring out the emotions - both her delivery and sharp (sometimes bleak) lyrics. But they are not to be outdone by her soft acoustic pieces like Little Green and A Case of You - also tug on the emotions. And then there are her more up-tempo folk pieces like Carey and California - just fun. This Flight Tonight ain't no slouch either, a great version of that song. You won't appreciate this album if you only listen to it once or twice.

It sometimes takes me a moment to get past the way she jumps up and down the scale in her singing, but once I get past that it's clear as day what a beautiful voice she has and how outstanding her songwriting is. There are so many albums in the 1001 that reward a close listen. I was a little dismissive in my first listen, but when I focused on listen two, following the lyrics, I was blown away by this album and understood all the accolades. Great musicianship (guitars, piano, singing), great songwriting, powerful lyrics, beautiful voice. Favorite tracks: Little Green (about the baby she gave up for adoption and didn't see again until 1997 - crushing lyrics), Blue, California (fun fact - Going to California by Led Zeppelin references Joni Mitchell: "To find a queen without a king / They say she plays guitar and cries and sings"), This Flight Tonight (really like the guitar on this song), River (the nicest song to ever feature Jingle Bells), The Last Time I Saw Richard ("All romantics meet the same fate someday" - great line). Definite 5.

I knew most of these songs, though it ended more quietly and moody than I anticipated.

This will be my third Joni Mitchell album to review, and I’m really looking forward to it. I gave four stars to both Court and Spark and The Hissing of Summer Lawns, the latter of which I should have given five stars to. I wasn’t familiar with any of Joni Mitchell’s music before starting this project, but she’s quickly become an artist that I keep going back to. I can’t think of a better way to spend a Friday than listening to one of her most popular albums. This album is great, and I can see why it has a reputation as Joni Mitchell’s best work. It’s intimate, beautiful, and features great songwriting. The whole album is poetry set to music, and it works wonderfully well. I feel like other artists struggle to be accessible when they focus so much on the songwriting, but not Joni. The instrumentation might be somewhat sparse, but it’s a treat to listen to. I love the guitar and piano playing, and no matter which one she’s using, it’s soothing to listen to. Colors came up as a theme several times throughout the album, but that theme was subtle, and I liked how the cooler tones of those colors drove the mood of the album. Joni’s singing was absolutely fantastic, and her voice fills in every corner of this album to perfection. “My Old Man” and “Carey” are neck-and-neck for being my favorite song on the album. The backing vocals and carefree spirit of “Carey” are so much fun, and on “My Old Man,” I love that key change about a minute into the song (at least I think it’s a key change, I’m not very well versed in music theory). That change shifts the mood of the song before right before the lyrical tone shifts as well, and I thought it was brilliant. From a songwriting standpoint, “Little Green” might be the best song on the album. The story of the child that Joni gave up for adoption is absolutely heartbreaking, and as man, I will never understand the bond between a mother and her child, but this song is about as close as I’ll ever get. There were some moments on this album that weren’t my favorite, but the singing and arrangements were so beautiful that it I always had something to enjoy in each song. This album is great, and it earns its reputation as one of the best albums of all time.

A beautiful album.

Oh, this is such a relief on so many levels after listening to that Muse album straight through yesterday! First of all, there is such an overabundance of male voices and perspectives coming at me on a daily basis that a female one makes me want to get down on my knees and weep with gratitude and relief. Second of all, when that voice is Joni Mitchell, I’ll go from my knees down to a fetal position and just soak it in. I’ve never listened to this album (or most albums) from start to finish. I love this whole 1001 albums project for forcing me to take the artist’s intended journey. It’s new for me. After the Muse album the “simplicity”….no, that’s not the right word….the “straightforwardness”, maybe, of a voice and a guitar is such a gift. That’s what my brain and ears, such as they are, were craving. And her turns of phrases, both musical and lyrical, are delicious. The notes of the phrase “we don’t need no piece of paper from the city hall” in “My Old Man”…so satisfying. Oh, my kingdom for the vocal freedom of Joni Mitchell…her voice feels like a bird soaring on gusts of wind and relishing every swoop and directional change. Jesus, though….how desperately lovely and heartbreaking is Little Green. And River…I’ve never been able to listen to it without crying, and that’s okay. It’s such an absolutely perfect encapsulation of that very particular shade of heartbreak. I’m so grateful when I find those songs that I know can strum that particular heartstring for me…it reminds me to tend them. That said, now I’m crying in the grocery store, so….that’s inconvenient.

I don't know very many Joni Mitchell songs and I hadn't really listened to anything by her except Big Yellow Taxi and Both Sides before starting on this 1000 Album journey. This is the second album of hers that I've listened to here, and man, I just love everything about her sound. The performances (both instruments and vocals) are just absolutely perfect. Super stark and simple, but over the top in beauty and clarity and inventiveness. There was one track, This Flight Tonight, where Joni's vocals got so loud that they distorted a bit, which was surprising given the high production quality of the rest of the album. However, this kinda worked to give that part a more raw sound, so maybe it was like a happy accident and left in on purpose? Anyway, I loved it and listened to it twice. Five stars.

Magnificently beautiful album. (10) ★★★★★

Not my favourite Joni Mitchell album, but still one of the greatest albums of all time!

i mean what is there to even say. masterful storytelling. one of my favorite things about joni is that i don’t think her voice sounds that ‘impressive’ at first listen—just cos she’s not belting or doing anything that obviously crazy, and it has a lighter tone that might be mistaken for ‘weakness’. BUT if you actually try to sing along it becomes apparent just how flexible her range was. just so effortless…i would describe her voice as being nimble which i think also suits her very dense lyrical style. incredible vocal + narrative dexterity. yeah. the way she slightly mispronounces “percolator” in the last time i saw richard is like a lance through my heart. i cry every time. fav tracks: the last time i saw richard [probably in my top 5 songs of all time tbh..]; california; all i want; river; carey; little green

obviously amazing. there is just SOMETHING in the music that even without hearing the lyrics makes me cry...to the point that when some songs start i get choked up even though NOTHING HAS EVEN HAPPENED YET but i know what's coming and i'm emotional just from the anticipation of it. that being said this is one of the rare cases where i do care a lot about the lyrics, and like any of the artists that penetrate my typical inability to hear lyrics, it makes them all the more special to me. there's something about the way the words roll off her tongue that feels so inextricable from the melody itself, like the words are begging to be sung a certain way rather than her writing lyrics to fit a tune. But also the inflections in her voice feel so natural and effortless that it's hard to tell which she came up with first, or if it was even a conscious process at all rather than an organic outpouring of emotion. it really is as good as everyone says it is.

See guys! The Blue Album is on the list after all! I'm joking, of course. However, while I would love it if the Weezer blue album was on the list, I am perfectly content with getting Joni Mitchell's Blue instead. Why is that, you may ask? The reason is simple. This album's amazing. I've said this to a few other albums, but this might be the saddest album I've ever heard. Songs like "Little Green" and the title track are written in such ways that really capture strong emotions well. Speaking of which, the writing on these songs is great. I can see why the 1001 albums book listed Joni Mitchell as an example of a great songwriter. Of course, while a great songwriter can be successful despite having a weak singing voice (just ask Bob Dylan), strong lyrics are made even stronger with a good vocalist. Fortunately, Joni Mitchell is also a good vocalist. I really like her singing. It's nice. The sound is quite simple, but still excellent. A lot of the sound was provided by Joni Mitchell herself, though other artists like James Taylor contribute as well. They all do well with the music. Overall, this is a timeless album that absolutely deserves the praise it has gotten and then some. It is a true artistic statement of a quality that doesn't come all the time. It is, dare I say, a masterpiece. 5/5.

Everything they say about Joni's songwriting is true.

Wow, this is a gorgeous album. I can't help but feel that it must have inspired Kate Bush's Aerial album - the title track is definitely reminiscent of this record, for sure. Favourite tracks: All I Want, Carey, Blue, California.

Pure, unadulterated occasionally over sharing songs about love, lust, absences, adoption and all human emotions. This was where Mitchell went as clear as cellophane and allowed us to experience what she was experiencing, whether for good or ill. You'll jump between sadness and exhultation from song to song, all anchored by her amazing voice and supporting instrumentation. Some may feel it's an emotional car wreck, but even sunlight can look beautiful glinting off shattered glass. Best Tracks: All I Want; Carey; California

One of the greatest folk albums

all i want isch suuuper. sie spielt soo speziell gitarre. my old man au super, was isch d melodieee? little green (heisst drum am spina sini band so?). sie het überraschendi chords so unglaublich im griff. carey het background vocals ööh. und so klatsche uf 2 und 4. sie molt extreem guet bilder. title track jooo sie scho seehr brüele singe mengmol. california hani au scho ghört, mega schön mit bitz perkussion und so. uuuuh yes pedal steel! jaaaa ganz bitzli hihat jaaa! meega geile song so minimalistisch. this flight tonight hani etz au hammer gfunde würklich, stüprt da zf e füfi zue? river passt gad sehr, es regnet dusse und ich bin im bus. haha sie spielt e art jingle bells am schluss. i could drink a case of you and inwould still be on my feet isch wuuunderschön als textzeile. sie cha sooo texte. the last time i saw richard au wieder okay joni verzell ich friss der alles us de hand.

blau alles ich will omg ihri stimm so e melodie wommer nie weiss, wo sie hiigaht, I love it wauw insane bis jz, nüt mega catchy aber unglaublich schön casey het jz chli meh ums lied ume california ultraschön, river und a case of you nüt mega krasses die letzte zeit ich sah richard he ja es isch route 4 oder 5

Perfect. Beautiful melancholy tunes that make me wanna learn the dulcimer. Joni is pretty much always great and this just might be peak Joni.

I love Joni and this is my favorite of her albums. I know, not really that hot of a take. I remember back, just when I got out of college, I decided to check out this album, because I was unfamiliar with Joni’s music and always heard it was good. I was so blown away, I took it to my roommates and played it for them. One walked away after a couple songs, and the other called it “boring” and I shut it off. I couldn’t believe it. Anyway, I think this might be my third five star rating in a row, and this was the first one there was no debate in my head about it.

Wonderfully authentic and down to Earth. Joni takes you on a trip down a path thats been heavily travelled, but rarely talked about.

loved this album. incredible

An absolute stunner and a record I had already coincidentally been listening to on repeat this week. Along with Hejira, Blue is the absolute peak of Joni Mitchell records.

Magnificent, one of the best of all time. Little green and the last time I saw Richard are classics I hadn’t yet heard and the studio version of California is a romp. River and All I want are of my favorite songs that bring me back to my teenage days

How does anyone not love Joni Mitchell?

Not my first listen, but first in a while since it was put back on Spotify. Really just a timeless classic -- I have gone deeper into Joni's discography in the last year (For the Roses is one of my favorite vinyls that I own) and nothing compares to Blue. She was ahead of her time then and is now the blueprint for so many indie/folk female artists.

A masterpiece of writing and performance. Ne plus ultra.

The good songs are so good that it deserves a 5.

I am only a little familiar with Joni Mitchell. Wow, she really is remarkable.

This was astonishingly good. I'd never heard a single track from this album before and now I have half a dozen new favourites to listen to. There was a period of around 30 seconds or so at the start where I figured I would detest this album, but once I had adapted to the vocals, I was totally on board.

‘One of the greatest albums of all time’. ‘The pinnacle of composition and structure.’ ‘Not bad for a girl’. It’s hard to review or critique or even listen objectively to this. Every mediocre cafe singer has heard this and when they sing of their intensely personal life and tell you pointless stories of how this particular song came to be, this is the album to blame ‘This next song came to me when I was doing a load of laundry. Then I caught the bus to buy some milk and my sister rang and we chatted for 34 minutes. I had an itchy nose so I scratched it. My cat meowed and I fed it. This song is called ‘feeding the cat while doing the laundry’ (start cliched chord pattern). Joni is not at fault here. (Neither is Jimi Hendrix or Yngwie Malmsteen or Aretha Franklin, or Stevie Ray Vaughn, or Bob Dylan or Jaco Pastorious or Celine Dion or Metallica to name a few.) A prodigiously talented songwriter, a brilliant guitarist and a great singer, I can’t blame people for wanting to copy her but her stuff is uncopyable. In short this is a great album. One of the few that you should listen to. But I prefer others - offhand Hejira or Court and Spark - from her. Nonetheless five stars.

So glad this is here. I have no idea where my copy is and out of sight out of mind. Maybe I lent it ? Thanks. For some simplicity. Some clarity where we can focus on just the voice and one or two instruments. For the reminder of feminine whimsy raw honest folk, delicate and shrill and some playful non-standard standards. And then case if you. Often covered. Tender sensual emotional and sad and oddly soothing. What an album. And the there's the lyrics, as devastating as an unexpected poem from The New Yorker. Careful. Thanks Joni.

On Blue, Joni Mitchell is your mother and she's singing you gentle, soothing lullabies. This a key brick on the path of women singer/songwriters that leads to your modern day Joanna Newsom, Fionna Apple, or Weyes Blood. *Heard before.

One of the best records I have, and one of the best Christmas songs in "River" too.

A fun fact about my cat: he loves Joni Mitchell. He will always come and hang out if he hears her. I love Joni Mitchell too, so that works out. This is one of the albums I already own on vinyl, so I was excited when it popped up here and I had an excuse to revisit it!

it goes without saying but the songwriting is some of the best i’ve ever heard!!!!! i understand why this is a staple 😻

im pretty sure this is a 5 yeah

Joni Mitchell was not a name I was familiar with before doing this project and she has quickly become one of my favorite singer songwriters. I love her music

Fantastic album.

Perfection

A beautiful album, much-loved since my teens. Not a bad song on it.

I too sometimes wish I had a river I could skate away on.

Beautiful album. What a talented songwriter

Brilliant album.

Beautiful album, no notes, perfect

UGH. Now we're cookin. Antithesis of Frank Sinatra. Obviously comparing them doesn't make sense haha but he was my last album so. All I'm saying is what a relief. Nothin like authenticity. Real vulnerability, risk, expression, feelings, growth. This is the good stuff.

I did not expect to like this at all. Thinking of rating this as a 5, it's amazing.

A realisten, but what a joy.

Not sure I was in the right mood for this album. It is fantastic however. Voice of an angel and some wonderful songwriting.

This is just folk rock at its absolute peak, pretty much as good as it gets here. The lyrics are raw and emotional, it's simple but catchy at the same time, Joni just strips it back and crushes it. It seems like the context is that she had a few relationships and breakups around this time (including with Graham Nash and James Taylor) and decided to take a break after her third album for a European vacation, which is the backdrop for a lot of this. It just consistently comes across as honest and sincere, she's not holding anything back. This is also one of the rare albums that gets better as it goes. It's incredible the whole way through, but a lot of my favorite songs on here were on the back half. Just an awesome album all the way through, easy 5 stars. Favorite song: California Other: All I Want, My Old Man, Little Green, Carey, Blue, This Flight Tonight, River, A Case of You, The Last Time I Saw Richard 7/13/24

10/10. talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique.

Ugly as a horse but a voice as sweet and soft like spring. Forever forward a closetted Joni fan 🫶

Fucking great album. She has an amazing voice and it’s a great album. Title track and rivers are bangaroos 10/10 album.

Joni Mitchell's Blue is a timeless masterpiece that exudes warmth and comfort, evoking a deep sense of nostalgia. The album, with its introspective lyrics and soulful melodies, has a unique ability to transport to a place of solace and familiarity. Each track is a heartfelt journey, revealing Mitchell's raw emotions and profound vulnerability. Songs like A Case of You and River stand out with their poignant storytelling and haunting beauty. Mitchell's poetic genius shines through every song, weaving a tapestry of love, loss, and self-discovery. Her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in such a soothing manner is truly remarkable. Blue is not just an album; it's a cherished piece of art that continues to resonate deeply with each listen. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 8 STAND OUT TRACK - River

Joni’s best album, imo. So lilting and beautifully understated.

Now this is more like it. This is what I want from my Joni Mitchell like figures, gentle, sensual, melancholy, and full of pathos. The Joni Mitchell stuff that I’ve had to listen to previously has been part of her later experimentations with Jazz, and I’m sorry, but I really don’t think that they work. I’ve said before, but Jazz Folk is really difficult to pull off, and when the actual Folk music you had been putting off is as good as this, why even attempt to introduce an element that is not only difficult to pull off just from a compositional standpoint, and near impossible to pull of well, and also just antithetical to the sort of music that you had been putting out in the first place? The big confession is that, I’m still not 100% convinced on Joni Mitchell after this. There are still elements I’m not sold on, her style of writing melody is still a bit busy for my taste, I’m not a big fan of her voice. But I do now understand what the positives people see in her are. I’d be very happy to give this another listen (or three) and maybe from then I can start branching out

Very emotional performance, 5/5

Reminded me of college days at coffee shops. memories

What more can be said. Masterpiece by Joni.

I’d usually rather listen to upbeat Joni but this is a powerhouse when it comes to songwriting. Odd tunings, funny phrasing with her vocal range going so high and low on a whim. The dulcimer rocks too. All songs good. Taylor Swift couldn’t write a single line as good as what’s on here if she tried. Full marks

One of the greatest

Incredible songwriting and music and lyrics. One of the legends for good reason.

All time favorite- glad to be back on this though

yes

"But when he's gone...the frying pan's too wide" Relatable.

Joni Mitchell was an artist that I knew of, knew she was considered one of the best song writers of all time and I maybe knew 3-4 of her songs but that was about it. I don't recall what inspired it but one day I sat down and actually listened to one of her albums. (I believe it was Court and Spark) After hearing that album I wanted to hear more. Soon thereafter I had listened to all of her albums from 1968 to 1976. Somewhere along the way I "got" her. One major draw is that her songs are so intimate and that she reveals so much of herself in her music. Blue is impressive from beginning to end and yet it's just one of several brilliant albums in her discography. I've got nothing negative to say about this one, it was wonderful. I wish I could discover more albums that are on this level.

Classic Goddess

Didn't have weeping to the opening bars of Jingle Bells on my to-do list for June, but we are where we are where we are. Just the perfect album, no notes at all. Her guitar playing, vocals, lyrics and production are all beyond amazing. About eight songs could be my favourite, certainly California, My Old Man, A Case Of You are all worthy. But River is the most moving and affecting song I've heard in my life, and has to take top spot.

Exquisite.

God what a beautiful album. If someone sang some of these songs to me I’d fall in love on the spot.

I’m always happy to hear Joni Mitchell. She brings me peace every time.

tremendously good album

Unlike the other Joni Mitchell album I've listened to (Court and Spark), this isn't a tough call for me. It’s a clear 5/5. The compositions are great yet simple, with gorgeous, semi-unpredictable melodies and some of the best singing you could ask for. Mitchell's voice is incredibly on-point here, and her little improv flourishes sound kind of jazz-vocal-y. And, like pretty much everything she writes, the lyrics are relatable. (Or they'll be relatable in a few years, hopefully.) I’m guessing this is one which I’ll grow to love, not only as I listen to it more in the future, but as I gain more wisdom. Like Court and Spark, this is an album for wise people. Instrumentally, I'd compare this album to Paul McCartney's and John Lennon's solo debuts, in that the instrumentation is very minimalist yet complements Mitchell's vocal beautifully. The piano is particularly good. Yeah. I’ll have to give it a 5. 5/5 Key tracks: All I Want, My Old Man, Carey, Blue, River, A Case of You

You already know we love this one.

Not feeling blue after that

I could drink a case of this album

5/5. The most relaxing album ever. And as a bonus, if you listen to the lyrics you can cry too. I respect the avenues of music Joni took but this will forever be a perfect album of back to back songs of pure emotion and lyrical prose. Each listen provides a new favorite song and new way of experiencing it, with age comes new understanding. A must-listen. Best Song: All I Want, California, River

Loved it!

i believe every damn word she says. true brilliance.

This is my favorite album by one of my favorite singer/songwriters. The lyrics of each song could stand on their own as great poetry, but when you add in Joni Mitchell's unique phrasing and vocal gymnastics they become magic.

A absolute masterpiece

This used to be in my Top 10 albums of all time, knocked out of the running by Zero 7’s debut “Simple Things:. An achingly lovely album — her singing and playing are wonderful throughout.

Such an amazing talent. Her vocal range is awesome.

A favorite in my collection. Something to listen to on pensive quiet nights. Great voice, great lyrics, great music necessary it.

Knew every word of it long before I left high school. Not a false note to be found. There may be albums I’ve recommended more often, but this is the only one with a perfect record: everyone I’ve ever suggested it to, from all walks of life, has come back massively in love with it. One for the proverbial Desert Island. What “California” meant to be before it was my home, what it meant to me the twenty-two years I lived there, what it means to me now that I will never live there again…this, in itself, is the story of my life: an essay of longing.

Not gonna say anything groundbreaking here, because Blue’s reputation precedes itself more than potentially any other singer-songwriter album. But still, this completely floored me when I first heard it. Genuinely one of the best albums of all time, no arguments. I always forget how charismatic Joni is with her vocal delivery - it’s so captivating, so hopeful and just the right medicine for hard times. She really is one of the best to ever do it.

My mum loved Joni and she loved Leonard Coen. I loved Blue - the first verse of "case of you" is a masterpiece of writing. I don't think I would have come to her if it hadn't been played to me as a kid - it's obviously very arty folk and her voice and phrasing are unique. This is a superb album, definitely one of the best ever and it deserves its reputation.

Another album that I didn’t expect to be as good as it was. And only gets better with subsequent listens. It’s sparse but yet very deep, “simple” stream-of-conscious lyrics that are incredibly profound as they simmer. Incredible voice (that initially grated me) that truly makes the listen feel all the more real and personal. Awesome album 4.5/5

A beautiful masterpiece, one of those albums you just have to sit down and appreciate the lyrics.

V. Sad V. Wistful V. Triumphant V. Loving

Simply stunning!

Top 10 of all time