Blue

Somehow this is more important of an album than my pure enjoyment of it ranks.

Infinitely better than the other stuff by her I've been subjected to. Still no.

Her fourth album. Folk. I find the likes of Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Janis Joplin and whole host of singer/ songwriters from the 60s and 70s so much more authentic and real than the female artists of today on the whole. This album feels like a raw, wide open window into her very soul.

blue bird drug

Clearer a talented singer and I love You're So Vain but most of the songs on this are very sparse and maudlin. I enjoyed Carey, California and This Flight Tonight, but the rest were not for me.

I won't say this is not a good album. I'm sure there are plenty of positive reviews that are justifiable. I'm just not a fan of Joni Mitchell's voice and the piano and guitar sounds. Surprisingly, the track I liked best was This Flight Tonight because I know the Nazareth version. Nazareth as a band could not be further away from Joni Mitchell's sound so, as she wrote the song, I guess this speaks to the quality of her song writing and her versatility. She's well known and highly respected for a reason so perhaps I should give her work more of a chance and get past not much liking her voice.

An absolute classic, and an easy score to give. Effortless songwriting, immaculate production, and a beautiful vocal performance from Mitchell.

I rated Court and Spark as 4 star, so this has to be 5.

Presenting 1001 albums sponsored by Joni Mitchell and The Band

What to say. An incredibly beautiful album that fully deserves its place as one of the best ever. It's been in my collection for 45 years and becomes more meaningful every time I listen. Coldplay, take note.

I don’t even know what to say. Blue is a timeless classic that never fails or gets old. The lyrics are pure poetry, and the music is just so beautiful and amazing. And Joni, she really can sing. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this one.

Blue by Joni Mitchell is an album full of many personal and deeply emotional stories matched with one of the most beautiful voices I've heard. This album is nothing short of perfect and the songs are timeless classics that will never fail to bring me close to tears.

Joni Mitchell delivers one of the most compelling contemporary folk albums of all time with Blue, a series of tender emotional ballads delivered using a small instrumental palette and Joni's enchanting voice. Every song is just so special.

Obviously not something I’d listen to on a regular basis but if you don’t think this is beautiful, ur wrong

Undeniably pretty, but it's no Court and Spark! :( Standouts: My Old Man • This Flight Tonight

Really solid album that I do not think is the third best of all time. River is one of the best songs ever though. California is Joni Mitchell at her absolute peak and I think she really perfects her more conventional sound here. I wish I had a river I could skate away on!

Joni's music is always very hit or miss for me, and this album wasn't an exception. Some songs were beautiful but sometimes her voice is just too bouncy and sharp. I know that's her style but it's not always very nice to listen to for me.

A stone cold classic - not much else to say, really.

Is ok

alguma coisa me trava de musicas mais pro lado do folk infelizmente apesar de ser um gênero que eu não goste, é muito fácil reconhecer a qualidade das faixas. a voz da Joni é muito maneira

I felt like it had everything to like, but just didn't that much.

Beautiful album. Joni's voice conveys so much emotion. California and Carey are great. River is one of my favourite Christmas songs, like top 5, for sure.

Pretty plain, standard folk music. Songs feel somewhat disjointed/random/non-cohesive. What helps the album is hearing the passion in Joni Mitchell's voice, you can feel the energy through that

Hated when Amanda Seyfreid sang California on the Jimmy show and hated it when I heard it on this record. I don’t like her voice at all. Reminds me of the people who think they can sing and then bust out in theatrical yelling. Sorry!

Such a great singer songwriter and her voice weis like glass. Joni Mitchell never lied.

Please don't assassinate me: I just do not like the sound of this woman's voice.

Objectively a great album but I couldn't get into it.

Vulnerable, heartfelt and extremely personal. This album is an interesting look into the artist's soul. This style of music isn't what I usually listen to, but I do vibe with this record

Absolutely deserves to be on this list, but I just don't like Joni Mitchell that much. Her best songs are great, but the rest of it gets boring quickly. And while this has been very influential, most of the people influenced by this are pretty boring too

I really enjoyed this. What can I say about Joni Mitchell that hasn't been said already. Hauntingly beautiful. Written from the soul for the soul.

I thought I might like this more than I did, but this is some folksy hippy dippy shit. Heavy on the folksy. Doesn’t seem like her style evolves much album to album, as a different song from a different album came on after and I couldn’t even tell. Would have been 3 stars but ‘My Old Man’ bumped it down with it’s dissonant key changes, and lyrics referencing coffee percolators and washing machines.

Ótimo e muito gostosinho de ouvir!!!!!!!

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Blue is better than The Black Album

not sure if im a fan of folk…. top: all i want

Mid

She is absolutely killing it with the vocals oml. I like the folk vibes of this album and I really enjoyed the song California. Not something I would listen to a lot, but it is far from bad. Amazing song writing that slays.

#19/1001 🇨🇦🟦 Love this album. Its been a few years since i last heard it. Not an easy listen, its brutal in its simplicity and honesty. Heartbreaking lyrics, delivered with such fragility. Best tracks: Blue, River, A Case Of You.

It sounds like a grower. But the seed has only just been planted. Need to relisten but definitely solid.

This is great and I’m not sure why I’ve never listened to this all the way through.

It feels like everybody loves her, but I think her voice is kind of shrill.

What an opening with All I Want. I never really get the talk-sing thing. I don't usually enjoy it. Especially when she/anyone stuffs more syllables in than fit in the beat. Her guitar work is amazing.

Wonderful album. Favorite songs: California, This Flight Tonight

I am a huge Joni fan but find this album a difficult listen. Stripped back and stark i prefer Hissing Of Summer Lawns and Hejira.

Beautiful! I love this album, I even have a friend who is named after one of the songs!

I have negative associations with this record from my youth. In my mind, it’s something overly dramatic people listen to while sipping red wine, looking wistfully out a window, and sighing sadly every ten seconds to try to get you to pay attention to their FEELINGS. So it took me by surprise, twenty years since I last heard it, how much I loved it. Stunningly beautiful. The first few tracks didn’t quite grab me, but from “Carey” onward I was captivated. I get it now! Look forward to hearing more Joni Mitchell.

There are some nice songs on this. I’ve just never been a huge fan of Joni Mitchell’s voice.

Find it a struggle to listen to Joni Mitchell. Have gotten over her doing blackface

Melankolikus chill. Egyszerűen gangszerezett modern folk

21/01/2025 *1. all i want - really excited for this album. immediately love the guitar. very intricate! love her voice <3 the lyrics are great!!! 2. my old man - piano now.... lovelvoelove the bridge. reallllly lovely :) *3. little green - loving the guitar immediately, realllllly moving. *4. carey - love the backing vocals. bass is great!!! chorus is fantastic!!!! 5. blue - piano again! very vulnerable.... :( 6. california - really liking the mix of guitar and piano songs. love how rhythmically and emotionally she sings.... her voice is phenomenal..... slide guitar!!! *7. this flight tonight - guitar reminds me of nick drake. realllllly loving it!!!!! oooooooooo just got to part where the audio changes!!!!!!??? crazy!!!!! 8. river - jingle bells??? lyrics just started, added to christmas mix :) 9. a case of you - fantastic voice!!!! phenomenal lyrics!!! great guitar!!!!! 10. the last time i saw richard - lovely piano.... great!!!!!!! completely loved this album. was really looking forward to it because i only really know coyote and it's one of my favourite songs, so have been meaning to listen to more joni mitchell. every single song was completely fantastic, generally liked the guitar ones more than the piano ones, but they are all absolutely phenomenal!! <3

Magnificent. An easy five.

meh

You know how sometimes you’ll have two movies with very similar plots released the same year? That, except music, with this being the counterpart to Carole King’s 1971 release Tapestry, just less interesting. It’s easy to listen to, and that’s the highest praise I can offer it. 3/5

nog nooit gehoord van joni mitchell tbh. 't doet me wel een beetje denken aan kate bush ofzo. ''california ken ik!!!'' Weet niet meer waarvan.. vgm iemand op tiktok die het heel mooi zong ofzo haha. ik twijfel tussen 3 of 4 sterren. wel relaxed om naar te luisteren, opzich goed voor tijdens het leren ofzo dus.

Wow this album sounds so fresh. It doesn't sound like it was made in the 70s at all. 100% essential.

Feels alternately like being pulled underwater and breaking the surface with gasping breaths.

Joni Mitchells voice is not my ja

She has an amazing voice. Great album but you really need to be in a mood to go back and listen again.

Jesus, I forgot how much I like this album. JM is as distinctive as they come. I’m not on board with everything, but this one I am all in.

Yep, yeah, yep … I know … I hear what you’re saying … Canadian treasure, sure, I mean she even drew a map … I understand but … but her voice doesn’t … ok, yep, no … yes, dear, you’re right … I think it’s pronounced be-love-ED … okokok … sure … but three (3) stars isn’t bad? … plebiscite? Like an election?

I used to say my favorite of hers was Court and Spark, and while I do love that album, I think I was just saying that to not be like everyone else, but it turns out everyone else is correct and yes, upon a middle aged listen, this probably is her best.

Haluisin jopa sanoo et se Jonin aiemmin tässä generaattorissa tullut levy oli parempi. Tää oli vähän tämmöstä liian tasaista tussuttelua. Vaikea saada mistään biisistä kosketuspintaa. Voimaantumisbiisejä varmasti monelle

Ihme hihhulointia, meni töiden taustalla

Vähän liian hempeetä menoa oli maanantaiaamuun tämmönen, rupes nukuttamaan uudestaan.

Joo. Kylhän tässä sillai tavotetaan varmaan jotain semmottiis mitä muut ei oo osanneet toteuttaa tai hokanneet. Pelkistettyä taustaa, mutta silti monipuolista äänimaisemaa ja siihen sitten laulu päälle, joka ohjaa veisuja moneen suuntaan. Vähän jos jaksaa keskittyä niin huomaa, että ei oo vaan poukkoilevaa jollottelua vaan ns. rakenteellista. Sit viel kun kaikki tuotannosta lähtien on yhen gimulin tekemää niin ohan siin kerrakseen. Verrattuna siihen toiseen mitseliin niin huomattavasti parempi. Kai se on sitten, että tää on se pääteos ja muut sitten kokeilevampaa tai pliisumpaa. Klasu antaa kymppi pistettä jaettuna kahella.

Ei kyllä lähde Joni.

Kuuntelin autossa matkalla Jyväskylästä Jämsään. Ihan huikean suvereenia laulantaa, mutta joku tässä kyllä vähän tökki. En oikein osaa selittää että mikä. Ei ihan päässyt fiilikseen, kun laulellaan Kalifornian lämmöstä, ja meikä tykittää Opelilla läpi räntäsateen ja sumun. Oikeastaan kaikki biisit oli keskenään ihan samanlaisia. Tykkäsin (muistaakseni) paljon enemmän siitä edellisestä Joni Mitchellin levystä.

I know that she is a brilliant singer/songwriter but gods almighty - I cannot stand folk music. It's like fingernails on a blackboard to me.

Essentially background music

Simple, unadorned brilliance.

First listen I was a 3 - but persevered given its reputation. I am now high 4 - but not quite a 5. There are some really lovely moments of real beauty - but at times there is a bit too much going on a few too many words. EDIT - have been listening to this album alot over past couple of days as wanted something chill to listen to and its now very much in 5 territory.

Blue Whatever you think of them, Fly By II is a great tun…oh wait, wrong album. I have two memories I associate with this album; buying it at one of those CD fairs in Dunelm and it having one of those yellow exclamation mark stickers, and Simon le Bon performatively saying California was one of his favourite songs on the Jo Whiley Show episode 2.3 broadcast on channel 4 on Wednesday 28th of September 1998, alongside Mel B and Shaznay Lewis. He is right though, it is a _fantastic_ song. They don’t have a great deal to do with the actual music, which is of course stellar from start to end, and as great as some of her subsequent albums are, this is my no1 of hers, and its possibly the peak of the laurel canyon confessional singer songwriter genre. I love the simple and pared back arrangements, with only a few songs accented by drums or bass or additional guitars, giving an hushed, personal feel to the intimacy of the songs, both melodically and lyrically, and it’s pretty much a perfect, not an extraneous song or moment - it's delicate, upbeat, sad, wondering, wandering, hopeful and resigned all at once. The dulcimer and piano of All I Want is such a lovely sound, an upbeat tempo with a sad lyric, followed by the superb My Old Man, the piano shifting around hopefully and then mournfully into the ‘and when he’s gone’ part. Little Green is a beautiful song, one I’ve always liked, but that has really emerged as my favourite listening now, particularly understanding its origin and significance, and the move into the chorus is just fantastic. It needs the skippier and brighter Carey to balance the heartbreak, with its peripatetic tale of cave dwelling hippies. Blue is another beautiful song, mournful and sad to close side 1. California is a fantastic combination of dulcimer, voice and guitar and pedal steel, similar to All I Want, but with a fantastic lyric of longing for the creative freedom California represents. This Flight Tonight carries on the theme of travel and longing, although this time not wanting to go home. There’s probably a reason River doesn’t make onto that many Christmas song playlists, but its interpolation of Jingle Bells and mournful tone strikes a chord with the sadness that sometimes appears at Christmas. A Case of You is yet another great song, and another great combination of her dulcimer and James Taylor’s guitar, and the whole thing ends on a disillusioned and poignant note with The Last Time I Saw Richard, although the tone is sad it seems that her life without him is far better than the depiction of Richard’s. Beautiful album. 5. 💙💙💙💙💙 Playlist submission: Little Green

Surely it's peak Joni. A glorious collection of compact songs, not a note wasted, often moving. There seems to be a few emotional threads running though acting as inspiration - Graham Nash, James Taylor, her child. It led Kris Kristofferson to say "Joni! Keep SOMETHING to yourself!" (my emphasis), which is grossly patronising given each lyric is articulated so brilliantly. The highest praise is saved for 'Little Green', a genuinely moving lament for her child given away for adoption; just Joni and her guitar, beautifully sung. 'Court and Spark' is superb and her voice sounds even better there. This feels like an emotional maelstrom rendered as stripped down brilliance, maybe even more consistent than Court. Outstanding.

No expectations putting this one on, and I was just blown away. It's so emotionally charged, and just beautiful. Folk masterpiece? Yup. Excellent guitar work, and no skips as well. Kind of at a loss with how great it was, trying to put more words together. Will probably buy this vinyl

Joni’s got the juice. California is one of the best songs ever

It’s nice, I enjoy the lyricism but it’s not for me

Joni's third album is often thought of as one of her finest, it's stripped back, bare sound draw attention to the deeply personal lyrics. I don't have this on CD, so I've ordered one today

I knew some of Joni Mitchell’s work but not all of it, so I was excited for this !! She’s an incredible vocalist, but tbh I didn’t really care for this album… I much prefer the folky guitar songs to the piano ballads. Fav song is ‘California’.

I didn’t expect to be as touched by this album as I was. A delightful record

I mean… wow. There’s a reason Joni Mitchell is considered a legend. The lyrics, her voice, the musicianship is all just SO good. It was just beautiful and it’s hard to dislike this era of music.

So theres no denying that Joni Mitchell has an outstanding voice and impeccable songwriting skills... But I think I'm more Joan Baez than Joni Mitchell when it comes to my taste in 70s folk singers. Joni Mitchell is like an eloquent beautiful song bird but I want a little bit of grit and dust on my folk songs. I can't deny that this is good music its just not 100% my taste

This is what I'm here for. How'd I miss this? That being said, Canada and California being better than Spain in summer has got to be a hot take even in 1971

Yet another Joni Mitchell. This one didn't change my opinion. Still think she's a great person, but her music is nails on a chalkboard to my ears.

0.275% of Joni Mitchell is really a bit over the top for this list!

I am not gonna sit around and lie and act like I think this album is at five. I find this album pretty boring and every time I listen to it I leave not really understanding the height. I think Joni Mitchell has much better albums in this, mainly Hejira, maybe Court and Spark maybe hissing wants. She’s still an amazing songwriter, though

decent album, maybe not for me, very slow and melodic

Beautiful but not for me. Songs blend into one and not memorable. Performance is incredible though, and the emotion she sings with is incredibly powerful

Carey - Amsterdam mentioned!!!! Nice listen like the voice, hreat stuff

fine

she clearly has a beautiful, clear, strong voice but the style is too folksy for me to want to listen to this again. 5 for artistry, 1 for personal appeal

Favourites: 1. Blue 2. River 3. Carey Least Favourite: The Last Time I Saw Richard

I absolutely adore this album. It's a masterpiece of songwriting. It's just so beautifully honest in its lyrics and the emotions behind them, and the songs themselves are just incredibly beautifully composed and performed. Considering her vast and varied discography, I'm not comfortable saying this is Joni Mitchell's best album, but this is certainly her most sincere one at least. What I can certainly say is that it's one of the best albums of the seventies and one of my favourite albums of all time. 5/5

Considered a 4, but probably a bit too slow/downer to really want to listen to. But did like it if ok with downer vibes, chill/slow and she has a nice voice, and worth trying again and listening more closely to lyrics

Some of it sounds a little Alanis Morissette-y, but not in a bad way. Also kinda gave me Indigo Girls vibes, though not quite as fun. I liked a couple of the songs, could take or leave others, but didn’t dislike any and didn’t love any. The one song I knew was “River” which is kind of a Christmas song (goes “I wish I had a river I could skate away on”)

Very good album I really enjoyed it. The 3rd Mitchell album I have listened to, I really enjoyed the folk rock elements in this album which were present throughout and made a pleasant impression on me. Track wise I really enjoyed the lyricism in ‘River’ the title track ‘Blue’, ‘Little Green’. In ‘Little Green’, “the little green have a happy ending” line reminded me of the cyclical nature of winter or the assumed rocky relationship. As it highlighted the changes in one’s life from thorny icicles and birthdays as the main character aims to better themselves. All in all, this album was very good. 5/5 -GEMV (12.01.2026)

nope

A voz dela me irritou um pouco. Álbum muito bem feito, as músicas se conectam, dá para sentir a tristeza dela em cada música. Acredito que seja uma grande referências para cantoras das novas gerações como a Olívia Rodrigo.

I’m sure a lot has been made of the songwriting and singing. I like those but Mitchell has a knack for groove. All of the guitar based songs have an infectious rhythm that I enjoy a lot. It’s so interesting because this recording is so minimal.

1. uuant - 1 2. man - 1.5 3. green - 2 4. carey -1 5. blue - 2 6. california - 1.5 7. flight - 1 8. river - 1.5 9. caze - 1.5 10. time - 1

beautiful

Incredible album. I love Joni's poetic songwriting. My favorite of this relisten was 'The Last Time I Saw Richard.' I would give 5 stars to 'Hejira' too, that's my favorite Joni Mitchell album and I recommend it.

I liked but could do without the high pitch moments

A classic

Some interesting chords and key changes, a few lyrics that stand out. Not really my taste of music but I can see why it was important.

Unas ganas de llorar, mira no me haga' acorda'

I’ve heard my whole life how this is a classic. Essential listening. It just didn’t do anything for me. I love the 60’s folk stuff but I could only get with one song on here.

My favorite Joni album.

A wonderful old favorite. Not a soul or a voice on this spinning earth quite like Joni.

Very pretty voice and lyrics but not really my style, especially a whole album of it

The guitar playing acoustic sound is very great me personally I am not such a fan of her voice. I’m sure the lyrics are wonderful, but the voice really doesn’t do anything for me.

I REALLY liked this one 😱😱 (surprise surprise). 100% best album so far

They're getting better..

Soooo good! Incredibly engaging throughout, with interesting melodies, beautiful arrangements and deep and personal lyrics. I listened to this three times in a row.

Okay

3,5*

I just dont understand how anyone could not consider this album some of the most beautiful 30 mins of music ever recorded? It is also just mastered and produced so perfectly.

There’s already been one Joni Mitchell album and that was already too many.

3/5 I’ve heard about this album many times and I think I even listened to it a long time ago but it didn’t stick and I now know why. Tried it twice and the second time I enjoyed it more, but still not a winner for me. The small and calm songs are the best for me. In some others the high voice and changing of tones starts to be uncomfortable. I do understand why people praise this album, for me it’s just okay. Favourite song: - Little Green

9/10 maybe 10

did I not get this album earlier.... no that was a Marianne faithfull album lol. anyway its not great

Great lyrics as in words feels like personal and touching but I hate the rhythm of it idk the melody is great n her voice is so unique and interesting but really boring personally, works well as background music but doesn't interest my ears that much and her voice is not my fav even tho I said its unique lol. it really has that 90s sound to it that makes it so simple yet incredible but is not really my style, maybe I need to check out her other albums fav song - a case of you

Too high to be easy listening, but beautiful songs. Not really for me

I'm really torn on how to rate this album. Joni clearly has unmatched talent, perfectly hitting every note for some complex melodies. Even many trained singers couldn't dream of anything close. On the other hand, the complex melodies don't really serve much of a point and seem completely disjointed from the rest of the music. It's one of those albums that I'm glad I listened to once and might listen again attempting to understand the music but not for leisure. I have no idea what to do with this.

Very solid. Nothing that I would seek out, but some really good songs are on this album. Her voice is very good.

best album ever

I love Joni Mitchell, and Blue is, without a doubt, one of the most influential and emotionally resonant albums ever created. It stands as a timeless masterpiece, a raw and unflinching exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of the human heart and its strength lies in its simplicity of sparse arrangements that beautifully highlight Mitchell's unparalleled songwriting and vocal delivery, creating an intimate and deeply personal window into the artist's soul during a turbulent period of her life. While I often find myself debating whether Blue or Ladies Of The Canyon (shockingly missing from this list) represents her absolute peak, there's something about the raw vulnerability and unadulterated honesty of this that continues to connect with me after all this time.

My favorite album.

Good folk vibes if you're into it. Not really my jam, enjoyable regardless.

It was okay but was not in the mood to the genre.

I'd already heard this album. I like it, I can drink a case of you.

Album 10 Top 3 favorites off the album: A Case of You, All I Want, The Last Time I Saw Richard Mitchell is an excellent storyteller. The vulnerability and humanity of the lyrics with the spare instrumentation make for a deeply personal album. There's a hand to hold there. Also, ouch! At 9 a.m. on a Tuesday! I've been reading a poem every morning from Devotions by Mary Oliver, and I initially thought this album and Oliver's work lived in similar spaces. Both, in my opinion, have a lot to say about the experiences of love and loss. There's joy and sorrow, but there's joy again after sorrow, and so on. After some reflection, I think Mitchell's work leans more into the sadness/loss whereas Oliver embraces the entirety of human experience. Both give me a feeling of being held, though. I can see this album being one that takes on a different meaning throughout life. I think I understand it well now, but maybe with more life I'll find new things.

Classic

My Aunt just died so I inherited like 10 Joni Mitchell albums so this is what I have to look forward to

I've always meant to listen to this album, but never got around to it. Joni Mitchell is so iconic - raw, honest, passionate. Not something for everyday listening, but she hits an emotional chord like very few others artists do. - Heard before? Some individual songs, but not in its entirety. - Will I listen again? Yes. - Does it inspire me to listen to more of this artist? Yes. Notable songs: A Case of You. It will stick with you.

Incredible

Joni Mitchell was a manic pixie dream girl. This record is venerated as one of the best in pop music. The vocals are very impressive - her voice is nimble and beautiful. The lyrics and music are very earnest and challenging. It's true that she has written some truly great songs, but to me this is a little too challenging - there aren't any simple hooks or melodies to cling to, so all that's left is the vibe which is mostly somber and reflective. That's not a bad thing, but I don't think it quite reaches universal appeal even if it does tap into the shared human experience. That, and "River" leans on the Jingle Bells melody too much.

I guess I'm officially a Joni Mitchell fan now over the course of the last week. I knew and liked California from this album, but added a few more tracks listening to this album including Carey and This Flight Tonight. If this came up on its own instead of in close proximity to Court & Spark, I might have given it a higher rating. I liked that one better since it had a pretty singular vision and a very specific place in time. This seems like a good folk record and I'm less likely to revisit it. Her lyrics are consistently great.

A wonderful album, even though like C&S it doesn't have most of my favorite Joni songs. Brings back personal memories of the mid-1990s when I was heavily into a bunch of singer-songwriters. Not so much Joni, more people I could see live at local joints, but all of them were influenced by her. River is achingly beautiful.

5/5 - Couldn’t ask for much more from a classic folk album. Aside from River, which is one of my all-time favorites, I like All I Want, California, Carey, Blue, A Case of You — yeah, most everything. Joni’s lyric writing is on another level.

Not my cup of tea.

Really unique and beautiful voice

Fine but it doesn’t hit her voice bi maae ktir

She's not an alright singer, straining vocal range. Very basic instrumental and cheaply recorded, as live, acoustic charm. Not very good lyrics either, repetitive, shallow. No real flow or rhyme or pattern. Not very creatively named, covered or written. Sense of potential cultural significance, easy to learn / sing along too. Carey is alight

Meh, not a bigg fan

Ah I'm really bored. Like, it's nice. But super boring.

I mean I sob to River every time I hear it and it’s already one of my favorite albums so a 5 is necessary here

It was nice. Didn’t hate it but also it all sort of blended in to one, which I’m also not mad about

I really, really dislike her style of super busy singing.

6,5/10, não é o meu tipo de música. ainda assim, um álbum bem estruturado e agradável.

Songs 5/10 The songs I liked were very good and the songs I didn’t like were very meh. Not a huge fan of the cadence of Joni’s singing but half the album is very good for me.

Had to run a sanity check here and relisten to all three Joni albums we have had so far. Can confirm, my scores for the other two stand, and she really cooked here. Just the whole second half of this album is great song after great song. The instrumentals are subtle yet effective at letting her vocals and songwriting shine. I understand it now. I wanted to be contrarian on this one and I just can’t. This album is really great.

She’s brilliant, love her lyrics but somehow manages to make all her songs a variable of about 4 classics. I shall be listening to some tracks again.

Nice to listen to, but i don't know what she's saying. This is definitely a "me problem"

I appreciate what it is, but it is not my style.

An intimate, resonant classic - elegantly crafted and beautifully delivered

masterpiece

Fantastic writing and a great performance

Joni summons wave after wave of emotional devastation on this album, sure, but she's also low-key catty af. "Constantly in the darkness? Where's that at? If you want me, I'll be in the bar." If Joni actually said that to me - after I poured my heart out to her - I would instantly dissolve into ash.

Just not something I can comfortably listen to. Too slow and melancholy. Songs don’t vary much.

An Absolute classic. Joni Mitchell is an icon and and influence on just about every folk singer that came after.

Déçu J’ai bien aimé "Little Green", mais c’était la seule de l’album... Dommage car elle a vraiment une belle voix

Pleasant album with River being a clear stand out. An easy listen, but nothing to get too excited about

It doesn’t really matter how much Joni Mitchell this project throws at me - I just don’t get it. “River” is a lovely Christmas song, though.

Joni Mitchell album number 3 (inexplicably meaning there's one more to go - seriously, for a list that really underrepresents women, Robert Dimery has quite the thing for Joni). My Old Man felt extremely familiar, so this might be one of those songs my parents played a lot when I was a kid? I quite liked it, as it was very reminiscent of Tori Amos (along with a few other tracks). I quite liked California too with it's steel guitar. I still think she has a lovely voice whilst also thinking her music isn't quite my thing, though it did grow on my over the course of the record. 3/5

Great vibes

Too meandering for my taste. "River" is good, and ironically meanders less. 3.1

Amazing album absolutely no notes

I can appreciate the simplicity of a girl and her instrument. It’s kind of hard to pinpoint how I feel, her voice is lovely and the music is nice. It’s not what I’d normally listen to but I am enjoying it overall. Felt like I was practical magic drivin in the dark Faves: Little Green, this flight tonight, Carey Least faves: blue, my old man

This is a fantastic classic album! One of the all-time greats. Pitchfork: 10.0 Rolling Stone: Top 500 Albums #3 Best Songs All I Want Carey California River A Case of You The Last Time I Saw Richard

Excellence

Kind of sounds like the cranberries. I like it

Carey, Blue, California, River, and A Case of You are all on this album. Any one of those would be someone’s entire career, if they were incredibly lucky. Joni wrote those all, and five others just slightly less brilliant, for one album. And it's not even her best album

This was a beautiful album. I listened to it twice. Joni Mitchell has a lovely, expressive voice. Musically the songs were simple and complex at the same time.

3rd Joni Mitchell album on the list for me so far. She's a great writer. 4/5

Oh my goodness peakkkk. I love this album but already heard it. Review: I listened to this album a while back but didn’t get too far and didn’t really like it but I listened recently and this album is amazing! I love her amazing vocals over super fun songs with amazing guitar! This is a top 10 album in my opinion!

Folky and full of beautiful harmonies. The feeling of this album is all blue skies and sunshine. Joni is an absolute songbird. In theory this should be a perfect album, but Joni does this thing with her voice that I really dont like. So I would listen again, but it isnt my favorite.

I don't always listen to female singer-songwriter albums. But when I do, it's usually Joni Mitchell. And this is my favorite of hers.

Finally

5 stars no notes, this is simply the best album ever put to tape. and its not even close. The music, the lyrics, and that voice. that VOICE. it makes me feel everything.

Favorite Song: A Case Of You Least Favorite Song: Carey Tough listen, there’s just nothing interesting going on with the instruments.

Many of my all-time favorite LPs (Ocean Eyes by Owl City, Immersion by Pendulum, Everything by Lido, vertigo by EDEN, etc.) have blue color schemes, so its a funny coincidence that I’m giving my first five to yet another “blue album” that is literally named Blue! One of my biggest hopes for this challenge was that the first album I’d give five stars to would be an album that I hadn’t heard before. Now 100+ albums deep into this thing, that hope was definitely starting to fade – I was kinda just waiting for a personal favorite from Justice or Kendrick Lamar to show up so I could finally get it out of the way. My expectations for Blue were fairly high, but it easily cleared them! Not because it’s some crazy, conceptual, deconstructed art-folk album, but because it’s just one great song after another. I love that it’s fairly short, uncomplicated and never loses its emphasis on Mitchell’s excellent vocals & songwriting. While Blue isn’t my “thing” in the same way that albums like Music for the Masses or Ray of Light or I Should Coco have been, it’s the first Book Album where almost nothing it could have done differently would have made me like it more – it’s simply perfect. Highlights: ALL OF ‘EM

3.5

9/10

I can't get into Joni Mitchell. This is my second album of hers and some of the lyrics are good but I don't enjoy her delivery or voice I guess. It does make me want to look up Joni Mitchell covers though...

Naw... Just can't get into Joni Mitchell

Some interesting choices on how she handles the melody but ultimately all tracks sounds too similar.

Alright

Wonderful album, an easy 5, taught many cold English hearts how to love

I wish it was snowing when I listened to this. I’ll have to come back again later

It’s nice and thoughtful, didn’t mind it too much but wouldn’t listen again.

I did not have fun.

I love her voice but her songs don't always get me

Everybody's mom loves it but I don't get it

Yeah, this is good! The simple production with her voice and those lyrics, is just wonderful. River is a beautiful song.

wow

Highest quality folk. Little green… beautiful and melancholy. The album is lovely and the storytelling is masterful.

I was early 20s when I bought this, influenced then as I still am now, by lists of top-whatever albums. In truth, at that time, this should in no way have appealed to me as it clashed quite dramatically with the aesthetic of my contemporary listening. However, it was the same music journalists who were at the time championing my favourite cool new bands-du-jour that were also making lists of 60s/70s/80s albums which deserved my attention. When I could afford it, I duly invested in selections of this “ancient” music and to be fair, I rarely bought anything that disappointed me. This was good news because my shocking lack of funds would have really felt the sting of bad purchase. To give myself a little credit, I have always had decent instincts when it comes to reviews, album covers or hearing just a single song and figuring out if any particular artist is likely to be for me. I expect it was only reading that made me have any interest in Blue because I would likely only have ever heard “Big Yellow Taxi” and as Joni Mitchell album sleeves go, Blue is rather underwhelming. Bearing all that in mind, there was still little about this album to suggest that it would be a winner for me. Nevertheless, I basically fell for it right away. I look at that situation now and presume the quality, the raw emotion, the honesty were all speaking to me directly regardless of the style and presentation of the music. My taste in music has dramatically broadened over the years making it less odd that I embrace the Joni vibe, but also the fullness of the heft these songs carry has revealed itself to me more and more. Listening today I feel a greater connection than I have on any of the previous decades of listens. That an album can continue to deliver over such extended exposure is an astonishing tribute. I’m writing reviews during this 1001 project apologising when albums have slightly lost their edge from years of personal overexposure, but no such issues with Blue. Maximum score. Thank you Joni.

There's something here that I can't grasp yet. I don't think I'm ready for this album. I will save it and revisit it one day. For now I can say if feels sincere and full of love. I hope to be able to enjoy it soon.

Buena voz, letras profundas

Hat ein paar schöne tracks gehabt, insgesamt hat es mich aber nicht abgeholt

Zzzzzzz... California...zzz..Blue.....zzzzzzzzzz..The River!!...Zzzzzz

Haunting vocals, often at odds with the content of the lyrics. Incredible voice and story telling

released 1971. an influential 1960s folk album, blue was Mitchell’s 4th album and known as a heartbreak album after reltionships with Graham Nash and James Taylor songs i already knew: river songs i liked: little green facts: she heavily inspired taylor swift. after a stroke in 2015, music therapy helped joni mitchell relearn to speak and occasionally perform again

While I do appreciate the songwriting in this album, sadly her voice just doesn't really agree with my ears

Carey is fairly fire California is a banger

Nah… nie podoba mi się

Works nicely as background music.

I don't think it's for me.

Classic

Not as bad as the album with the snake. Quite listenable but a bit boring.

I'm so sorry Joni, it's very hard to listen to for me. You have a very great range and singing voice.

Any lyrics-first type of album starts with a disadvantage with me, and this is very much a lyrics-first album. Also I do not like her voice, and the accompanying music wasn't for me either

Good one

Something tells me I'd like Joni Mitchell more if I was more of a lyrics guy.

I mean...River and Case of You almost make this 5 stars by themselves - add to that other songs like Carey and California and it almost seems a sure thing. But I get a little lost in all the wandering of the other songs. It's not that I don't enjoy them, they are just a little too ambling for me. So I land on a 4, but this is still an album to own and cherish.

One of my favorites, of course. My baby sister has just started to get into Joni which I love, sharing music with people is one of life’s greatest joys. Happy afternoon relisten!

Not my thing

Beautiful album from a great singer and all-round artist. Iconic songs from start to finish. It seems her earlier stuff was a bit more 'fun', whilst this was written whilst going through a break-up. It is her most well known and emotional album, but there's lots more worth checking out too, both before and after. This is relatively pared back and introspective, often just her and her piano or guitar. Most songs have no drums at all. One of the best albums from a solo female of the era, you can hear how it shaped the likes of Fiona Apple, Tori Amos and compatriot Alanis Morisette (vocally rather than musically) 20 years on, whilst today Taylor Swift hails it as the best album ever written. The peerless 'River' has also grown in stature over the last few decades to be rightly acknowledged as perhaps the very best Christmas song.

C'est une grande chanteuse, de jolies chansons. Après, ecouterais je a longueur de journée ? Peut être pas.

Really enjoyed this. A surprise.

Ikke helt for meg. Anerkjenner talentet, men jeg får ikke tak i oppbyggingen av låtene. Det hører til at lyttingen ikke har fått 100% oppmerksomhet.

Wanted to like this more but her switching of pitches mid line bothered me

10/10, I mean it’s Joni Mitchell, do we really need to say anything else?

Should it be included on this list, yes. Is it one of the most overrated albums in the history of time? Also yes. 6/10

Second thoughts: I had to sit with this album for a few days to start to see its appeal. There is simultaneously a warmth and a melancholy to the soundscape of Blue. During many moments on the record, I have felt a welling in my chest due to the emotional weight of many of these songs. For now it’s a high 4/5, but I may increase with more time. (Original score: 3/5)

I have heard of Joni Mitchell before but I haven't listened to her actively or sought her music out. A really pleasant voice to listen to and the album is a very easy listen. An artist and songs that I will definitely listen to again in the future.

Usually not very into singer/songwriter albums, but this was very very enjoyable. I loved the poetic style of the lyrics, artistic and evocative without coming across as cliche or tired. I was touched by the relationship between love and grief reflected in the lyrics; this album does a lot with a little.

I acknowledge the talent but I’m just not a fan of Joni Mitchell

Second album by Joni. I just don't like her. Find it boring and hard work.

Not for me, Clive. I don't think I'd like it even if i was 60s hippie with dirt on my feet and sand in my nails. Sorry Joni.

Sorry Joni, but I just don't care for your voice. 2.0

was not a fan of her vocals :(

perfect for a melancholy christmas 4.5/5

similar to the last one (court and spark?) - idk i dont think its as good though

8.5

Good stuff a bit boring towards the end

Classic. Brilliant. Every song

*1971 *I just can’t with Joni’s soprano. Occasionally she chills out and sounds more like Carole king, which is great. RATING - 6.5/10

Everyone was right. Was sure I wouldn’t like Joni Mitchell’s music that much, folk is not really my genre, but it really is beautiful. ‘River’ made me cry. ‘California’ ‘All I want’ really great. Amazing album.

Great voice with honest, introspective lyrics

Best Joni album by a country mile. Highlights: All I want, A Case of You, Blue

Joni’s music is so beautiful Fav songs: California, A Case of You, Carey

It's nice. It's pretty. The vocals make no sense. The lyrics do, but the cadence (might not be the right word) is just too random, up and down and high and low she's just all over the place. It's kind of annoying. But I get why people like her.

Very emotional and beautiful. Reminds me of Love Actually, when Alan Rickman's character gives "Both Sides Now" to Emma Thompson's character and she realizes his infidelity. Very distinct voice and vibe.

4.5

Not my vibe, technically good but ehhh

I really wanted to stand back from this one a bit - it’s one of those archetypal ’classic albums’ that appears in every list, to the point that you wonder if there some kind of conspiracy at play. How good can a record be? It’s surely now a habit now to call Blue a great album. It’s just a record. I didn’t want to call it great just because everyone says it’s great and therefore, it’s great. So I planned to pull a few bits off of it - I was going to have a stab at the occasional tendency for over-singing, like for example on My Old Man where Mitchell’s stretching the vocal cords into warbler mode but really, how could it be sung any differently? How could these songs be presented in any other way? This is perfection. A brilliant, brilliant record. Every second is pitch-perfect. A masterclass record.

This MIGHT be my favourite Joni Mitchell album, marginally less vocal histrionics possibly even slightly less hippy (but don’t quote me on either of these things) but it does contain A Case of You which is a wonderful song. The whole album can be revisited with pleasure where some of her albums have wonderful songs and tiresome dirges combined. Not thisun. Today I am going to give it 4-stars on another day it might be 5.

Incredible! this album feels like thinking about your warm bed at home on the first night of a long journey. it ACHES.

Sometimes it doesn't click

Normally, when music critics unanimously agree that an album is one of the greatest albums of all time, it ends up being somewhere between okay and great, but not greatest of all time material. Abbey Road is great, The Dark Side of the Moon is great, Rumours is great, but they don't really come to mind when I think "perfect albums." This thing, on the other hand, is perfect. It's just so damn emotional the whole time. Every song on the album is full of feeling, regardless of that that feeling is, and it really goes through a range of feelings, really complex and hard to write down feelings at that. The best part is that she makes it so captivating. Her voice has this quality that draws all of the songs what she's saying. I feel like I said that horribly but I don't know how to say what I'm saying. Anyways, this album really does go beyond incredible, or what incredible even could be. For once, the critics were right.

I actively hated this album. I do not understand why people like Joni Mitchell so much. Also, she loves wearing blackface

Hell yeah Joni Mitchell.

Too whiny, as a teen it seemed so deep, but now it is obnoxious

4/10 - A bit meh, not really different from her other albums, not sure we need so many Joni Mitchell albums on this list

143 Aunque hay algunos momentos en que no me llamaba mucho la atención, de verdad que es un disco hermoso y entiendo por qué está en esta lista. Escucho tanto de ella en tantos referentes posteriores que me encantan. Conocía sólo un par de canciones por ser parte de bandas sonoras de películas (Practical magic), y porque Sophie Madeleine le hizo un cover una vez, nada más.

I get it I get it, influential... shes your favorite singers favorite singer songwriter. Her voice makes me unreasonably angry. It sounds like the used tin cans and strings to record this. I understand why shes on this list, but these are my rankings and I think shes ass.

Not bad, I’ve never been a huge fan of her (unpopular opinion, I know).

This is by far one of the better albums I've heard through this. The raw emotion from Joni is breathtaking, her voice is phenomenal, and the instrumentals are perfect. Such a beautiful, raw album, and it makes me want to look more into Joni's discography. My Old Man, California, River, This Flight Tonight are my top songs from this album, but they're all phenomenal songs

60's folk classic. The voice is sometimes a bit too "all over the place", which impacts the stickiness of melodies. Prefered "Court and spark"

Highly technical and beautiful execution. The music is beautiful, the guitar is beautiful on Little Green and the piano too on Blue. I find that the vocal complexity amd tone distracts from the nature of the lyrics though. The combination doesn't work that well for me for many songs.

A classic sad girl album

Well I can't say I'm usually into aggressively heterosexual albums, which this definitely is. So much of this album is fawning over guys that I instantly knew this was going to be an upward battle for me. I prephise the album with this because the fact that I like this album so much is really a testament to how good it is that it's completely out of my wheelhouse. My god, the singing on this. The way the songs blend conventions of music with a kind of stream-of-consciousness is incredible and I should have listened to this a long time ago. Especially because I do love so many singers influenced directly by Joni Mitchell (Weyes Blood being an obvious example)! It almost makes you forget Joni Mitchell did blackface and refused to apologize for it up until today because she said she was basically black despite being the most archetypal white Canadian Woman to ever walk the earth. ...But anyway the album itself is good. Funnily I heard River playing just two weeks ago, but I'm not one for christmas songs. Favorite songs are California, Carey and A Case of You.

One of the all time greats. Perhaps not my favorite Joni album but certainly the core text. Lots of memories of specific people, times and places associated with this for me. Required listening for anyone in their 20’s, it speaks to passion, longing and regret better than anything else, and lowers your blood pressure while doing so. On this listen, was struck by Joni’s unique combination of lyricism and melody- the tunes never leave your head, but if you try to sing it yourself you end up with endless 6-car-pileups on the freeway. Several songs on this would be the greatest, most moving song anyone else ever wrote. Also worth noting that my vinyl copy of this album is one of the best sounding records I own, much, much better than how it sounds on streaming. One quibble- the final track on the album has never really done it for me. I recognize the need for a chaser after ‘case of you’ but i have never been able to fully digest ‘the last time i saw Richard’.

So i immediately see why this album is so prolific. It’s a super calming and serene album that’s soothing and just makes you feel good. It has a great flow to it, like the album just goes by so quickly and it all feels perfectly connected to each other. I didn’t really connect with this album like I did with Hejira. But that’s not really saying anything cause that is my favorite Joni Mitchell album of all time. Seriously though this album is a total masterpiece.

2.5 (36:15, 10 tracks, 1971, 6th album) folk So if I'm ever looking forward to a 35 minute nap on a road trip and someone says, 'how about Joni Mitchell's Blue?' I'm gonna be like, "Fuck yeah, crank that bitch to 4!" Not bad, considering it's folk. Enjoying the instruments. I think Joni is a better guitarist than lyricist but always impressed by singer songwriters. Overall boring. Some of the hippie slang hasn't aged well. I find how she hits the high notes annoying

??? oh sieht aus wie das Portishead-Cover,passt auch irgendwie sehr sensibel sinder/sondwriter vibes, so tori Amos style. c

Heard it before. First day of December and the generator decided to break my heart with River. Oh Joni, you write such gorgeous tunes 4/5

I can understand why people wouldn't like this and I think the things they'd dislike are part of why I enjoyed it. there are days and moods where this is probably a four instead of a high three (and it might be a four when I actually have to rate this, I like to keep myself guessing). I know it's sacrilege but I really do like what came after her better - that sort of Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, Poe kind of era, I guess - but I love the guitar and piano here. and the dulcimer. added to collection

The generator is playing no games today. What an outstanding album this is! Beautiful, minimalist song-writing and melodies. Heart-breaking lyrics. What's not to love?

ok

It isnt a bad album, but it doesnt do anything for me that other albums dont do better. Superfisually seems like typical vocal album from a popstar whom has written this album within the spirit of its time. But for me it doesnt translate well to now. Abbey road like in thats just very Okay. Christmas music was not what i wanted to explore. At some point became kind of moany to me.

Beautiful, but boring music with very personal lyrics. Joni does some interesting progressions I didnt see coming. Still, singer/songwriter music without basically any instrumentation isn't my cup of tea. I'd like to give it a higher score, but I was mostly just bored during the songs.

I can imagine there are plenty people who will love this album. I really am not one of them though. It is all the same slow, soft music. A single song is quite nice, but when I realized by song 2/3 that the entire album would be like this, I started looking forward when this album would be done. Critics will probably describe it as vulnerable, intimate, and soft. To me it's just boring and a little whiny.

2.1 nothing interesting

10/5

Joni's songs and voice are nice, but this music gives me anxiety for some reason

One of my mums favourite albums, so been meaning to listen properly for a while and it didn’t disappoint

Shame on you

Just a classic album. A brilliant introduction to a prolific visionary.

Like a Bob Dylan. Very poetic and some odd vocal choices.

2nd Joni Mitchell album I've had in the first 40. I hope there aren't any more.

What a beautiful singer songwriter album. This is what I think all of the genre should be haha. Too bad I wasted it whilst supermarket shopping, it deserves better then that

Never been the biggest fan of singer-songwriter folk music, but Mitchell does attempt to shift my opinion. While the album is quite repetitive, it highlights her incredible vocal talent, backed by soft, mellow melodies that really complement her voice. My partner told me to add that she was quite fond of this album.

Wow. I didn't know what to expect but boy this was bad.

A lyrical and melodic masterpiece. It's immediately apparent that every single note is perfectly curated and intentionally placed. Her use of vibrato, dynamics, and range is incredible. Her vocals are absolutely ethereal. I didn't relate very closely to a lot of the lyrics about heartbreak/longing, and a lot of it feels a little bit syrupy for my personal taste. What a blessing to have this glimpse into Joni's mind. I listened to this in December 2025 and "River" had me feeling all sorts of emotions. Beautiful song and beautiful record. 4.3/5

It was ok. Wasn't really feeling interested in any of it. Not very memorable.

I’ll never understand how overrated this artist is.

Just when I think there are moments where the songs might sound good…she chooses to venture into that cringe-worthy falsetto. Another overrated album from an overrated artist.

Oof there is a lot to dislike here. So soft. Granting two points solely for River, which I’ve always really liked. Otherwise pass.

No, no, never, no, never

A Thanksgiving treat to give this overrated album/artist an emphatic 1*. 1.5/5

Her voice is so beautiful, but I feel like its so barebones that feels like I'm with Joni talking about life and the heartbreak of growing up.

Didn't clear Court and Spark, but more Joni is not a bad thing yet.

If you don't wanna knit me a sweater, then you ain't worth my time

Kinda fell asleep while listening to it which isn’t an indictment but also not an endorsement

Excellent album. Joni at her peak. The others that have come up were okay to good but this one shines

after listening to this multiple times I decided to follow along with the Spotify lyrics up. I get it a lot more now. But as someone who finds it hard to make out lyrics she kind of mumbles a bit. Almost feels more like a jazz or poetry or improvisation delivery. Not great for my following along but the vibes are immaculate. That and I learned about the “Appalachian dulcimer” she used which causes that droning bluegrass sound which is cool.

I didn't like the other Joni Mitchell album & I didn't like this. It's not bad just not my vibe. The lyric " I want to shampoo you I want to renew you" killed me

I can absolutely understand why Joni Mitchell’s songwriting and her remarkable voice are so highly praised, but unfortunately it just isn’t to my personal taste, even though I really wanted to like it.

Sensational