Blue

Why? Just why?

3 stars out of respect for Joni. She’s just not my jam

Phenomenal album. Very appropriate for the rainy week that started.

351/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑

Great album, but does the book need 4 Joni Mitchell albums? I don't think so. Eventually, after Morrissey, Elvis Costello and Neil Young and some other records one or two have to move over for something they forgot to include or something newer. This album has some of her best songs, but also some filler. Favorite song: Carrey.

I can see why she appeals to some. Very folky. Not my bag, and I don't like her voice. Some decent tracks with nice harmonies, but just a bit, meh for me.

There is no doubt that Joni Mitchell has a great voice. But the songs are fine. It could just be that this kind of folk music isn't my thing. I'll round up from 3.5 to 4. But I'd say good, not 100 best albums of all time or anything like it is often rated.

I know she's talented. I know she's a legend. But man. I just cannot get into Joni. Gave this the ol college try despite my experience knowing otherwise but nothing has changed. Sorry. 2/5 because of my first two points.

Wonderful lyricism, and great vocals.

I love it

Lush, gorgeous, and personal songwriting. Perfect album.

Good, enjoyed it

pretty voice but idk how much i would revisit

super boring

meh not for me

Very few do it like Joni. Top tier songwriting. I’m always shocked at how relatable yet personal her lyrics are. Also, maybe the most accurate album title of all time. I’m not particularly a Joni stan but she’s got bars. 9/10 Favorite Song: California Favorite Song

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.

I actually really appreciated this (hi Marco!). Simple and clean. Beautiful voice. Mindblowing that this is from '71.

Booooring

So not my thing. Mellow, sad and woth lyrics that were not too inspiring or lnspired

I know she is a singer-songwriter/folky a bit. I have much respect for her. Not my style though

https://rateyourmusic.com/music-review/JesseOverPessi/joni-mitchell/blue/255385572

Hermoso.

Really nice folk/country sound. Not particularly my style but there is undoubtedly substance in this. Som really nice tunes and lyrics.

Never really liked her vibe, but I can't say this isn't good music.

Yeah, A Case of You is on here and I love the bit about drawing a map of Canada.

Her voice is beautiful, she does cool things with it too. Joni has a lot to say lol these songs are jam-packed, it's like listening to someone read their journal. I liked it but I found it a little boring as the songs blended together. It's nice as background music though.

I've been aware of this album as one that people really love but I've never actually listened to it before. Dug it

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

Very personal, very pretty. I like California a lot. Some of the lyrics were pretty silly in 2025... "You're a mean old daddy", lol. The last time I saw Richard is a definitive non-favorite. I know it's a classic but I can't exactly say I love it personally. The back half is a lot stronger than the start

Really beautiful melancholic album, was an experience to just be in this realm for this short time. Rating: 4.5

- 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.

That voice and those lyrics - beautiful!

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!

Brought back memories with her sweet voice.

Great album. I enjoy her upbeat stuff the most. Blue itself was pretty bad, but fun!

I like her voice but the songs were putting me to sleep

Classic

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

Piercing. I think a few more listens would make me bump it up. I’m not absolutely enamored but I can recognize it’s beauty

One of my all time favorites!

The Big Yellow Taxi lady. Hadn't heard much else from her so it was nice to hear more from her. Beautiful voice, and they don't write lyrics like this anymore. However, this album is just too depressing for me to rank any higher than 3. "A Case of You" was nice and will go on the 1001 playlist.

Good her voice threw me off on some songs

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".

I just did not enjoy this album like I did in high school. I am having a hard time putting my finger on what isn't connecting for me, but I wasn't feeling it. I tried twice to listen to it, but it never connected.

A case of you is a great song, probably because I'm so far from when this record was new, that it ends up sounding like all the other folk artists of the era. Which is a shame, I get that Joni was a masterful and influential artist. So much so that all the derivative music of her work, makes her own work less revolutionary.

Carey and this flight tonight were highlights. A case of you deserves an honourable mention. Not really the sort of thing I'd put on of my own accord but this for what it is.

++: 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.

It’s interesting as a product of its time and there are some really good ideas here that have been built upon by others. But having my first listen in 2025, I feel like it hasn’t aged well at least for me.

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

Gotta love Joni, such a voice

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.

Extremely talented. Just not my taste.

10/10 No notes

I know she was heralded as a pioneer for solo women, but definitely not my taste. She sounds like someone we’d see playing in a coffee house. Strong voice, but just too slow for me.

Didn’t really enjoy it. I kept on waiting for her hit song, but it never came. I didn’t recognize any of them. Her constant fluctuations are a bit weird.

I found her voice to be grating when she was singing in the higher register, so this album difficult to get through.

Felt pretentious and devoid of emotion. She can sing, I just wish it wasn't so annoying when she did. Song structure seemed unimaginative but I guess that was all they could afford back then.

It was fine.

Classic folksy album, beautiful as a whole but individual tracks didn't necessarily stick out to me the way I expected

Not for me.

Korkeammalta kuin odotin

te amo joni mitchell

definitivamente tristão! preferi o que veio antes, mas é bem bonito. a voz dela é chique demais e ela realmente tava chateada com as coisa né.

I liked the stripped down nature of this album. This is either guitar or piano which makes the songwriting feel more intimate. I'm not going to lie I get distracted by her high notes in the first listen but it didn't bother me in the 2nd listen and I could focus on the songwriting. It was unique but not reaching or trying too hard. I enjoyed the song ""My Old Man"" in particular. "

Beautiful voice - the strength, the quiver, the range Uplifting instrumentation Unusual rhythms, and harmonic shifts - whilst staying within accessibility; can see the inspiration.

boooring

Really couldn't get into this, maybe the pace, maybe the high pitch voice. Not for me

ok

Perhaps my favorite Joni Mitchell album out them all.

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

I had never actually hear this album before which is weird. I learned today that I am definitely not a Joni Mitchell fan. Like at all. This is so not for me. I can appreciate that the lyrics are good, but I don't particularly care for her voice or the overall style. No judgement for those that like Joni Mitchell, it's just not music that I want to listen to. I can't really fault it for personal taste, I would actually turn this off if it came on randomly, but since this is my personal rating it's getting a 2/5.

I think it'd be a really good listen if I was sad, will keep it in mind for that.

Alright for one song but the way she keeps going high in her voice pisses me off a bit sorry. Specific rating -3.1 Fav song - little green Least fav- last time I saw richard

A nice vibe, but not my favorite style of music

Tended to like the guitar songs more than the piano songs (which I found a little too depressing). Most: Carey or California Least: The Last Time I Saw Richard

Enjoyable study music, I like that the album is short and sweet as I feel like if it was any longer I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.

Surprised at this one; the range of emotion conveyed was quite enjoyable.

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...

Meh

I just don’t love her music

This album was actually pretty good, I'm not the biggest Joni Mitchell fan but it was good and I didn't hate it lol she just isn't my favorite artist but I was actually pleasantly surprised by the album!

BAAAADDDDDD

More my speed than the other albums

Great vocals and guitar, thoroughly enjoyed. Very relaxing. California and Little Green where stand outs

No proper standouts but a good album I enjoyed it very nice vocals and a good vibe :)

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 enjoyed the vibes on this album. It was folksy but in a way that felt very serene. I thought the singing and production were top notch. Her voice is pretty unique, especially on a track like A Case Of You, and I think it works across this album. I think I prefer this album to the last Joni album we had. That one was a 3, so I'll give this one a 4.

I owe this one a closer relisten, but very much enjoyed it playing in the background as I went about my day this morning. Beautifully sparse arrangements of (often) just piano and vocals. Her vocals are beautiful and what came through of the writing was very nice. On first distracted listen this falls low 4, but I could see it growing on me with more listens.

Right in there with the rest of the singer/songwriter albums. Not bad, but not for me.

Another great album by Joni. This one was much more toned down and folky than her other 2. The singing and song writing just seem like they were pretty elite on this album. Must say I think personally I prefer trippy acid Joni, but this was still very good

I have enjoyed the Joni Mitchell albums we've had so I'm excited for this. Feel like she has such a unique voice and uses it as an instrument a lot of the time. I've also learned she leans heavy into the blackface since we've listened to the last album which is crazy to me. That was extremely beautiful. Not enough to warrant a 5 out of me but damn if I didn't enjoy it. I think I liked the experimental nature of the last album more but this felt cohesive af.

This took a couple of listens, and I'm still not 100% sure what I think. On first listen it just left me cold. Second listen at a slightly higher volume was more rewarding, but still not great. Pros: You can see why it's on this list. Mitchell is objectively a great songwriter, with a virtuoso falsetto voice, interesting chord choices and progressions, and some interesting use of imagery. Some parts really did hit home. Cons: It regularly just left me cold. Beautiful melodies were ruined by acrobatic squeaks. Some of the lyrics and imagery didn't feel anywhere near as deep as they thought they were. The mix was very odd - the voice is front and centre but the guitars were almost inaudible. Maybe more a headphone listen? I'm very glad I listened to it and I may come back. There's a reason so many reviews are either 5s or 1s. I would recommend people listen to it and I may find other JM albums enjoyable, but personally I'm more likely to go for Fiona Apple / Gillian Welch / PJ Harvey than listen to this again.

Never understand why joni mitchell is considered a great singer. After listening to this, still don't understand.

Undecided between 3 and 4 stars. 3 because it was a bit downbeat. But ultimately really lovely

I know that is touted as a classic. I can appreciate the quality of the song writing but the mood and feel of the album has never grabbed me and the voice I don’t think delivers.

Who hurt you, Joni?

7/10

No me gusta

I had liked a case of you.

Blue is brutally honest in a way that still feels uncomfortable today — like you accidentally opened someone’s most personal notebook and couldn’t stop reading. Joni Mitchell strips everything down to voice, guitar, piano, and pure emotion, turning heartbreak, longing, and self-reflection into something painfully beautiful. There’s no hiding behind big production or metaphorical distance; every lyric feels direct and exposed. It’s quiet, intimate, and emotionally heavy — not loud like the bands you love, but it hits with the same kind of intensity that lingers long after it ends.

Overrated

ahhhhhhhhhh

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

Thank god its over. Sadly hated her voice and her melodies.

This album is fine. I get why people like it, and maybe on another day I would have liked it more. It’s very chill. The songwriting is good, just not a huge fan of her voice.

I tried so hard to like this. But man I was absolutely not vibing with it. Sorry ma'am. 2 star.

Kedeligt og ensformigt. Jeg kan godt forstå, at det er relativt godt for sin tid, men for mig er dette album ikke besværet værd

Real talented lady with a great sense of vocal control and heartfelt songwriting. Just a lovely album.

Sad, folksy, Reedy and rhythmic. I was familiar with embarrassingly few of these songs, but enjoyed them thoroughly. Perfect for a sad rainy day. A few ideas get repeated but not to the detriment of the album.

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.

Sweet voice, but not my thing.

Very good vocals, great study music or for frollicking

I love the album. It gives me the taste of what paved the way of the likes of Florence and the Machine and other related current artists.

It's okay. I can hear a few, more current albums in this one. 3/5.

Don’t recall her apologizing for all the racism. I also don’t care for her music

Kinda the original Taylor Swift only more folksy. Good song writer and musician but not my style.

Not that great, very samy, not sure the songwriter even spoke to the composer

schono trurig aber au sehr nice. fasch alli lieder gliked. wöri weder lose au so eifach vereinzelt lieder aber im summer eher vermiede

Ok

★★★★★★

joni has such a beautiful voice and is extremely talented. beautiful singer songwriter project

Sometimes maybe good sometimes maybe shit

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?

Two Joni Mitchell albums in a row? I do have some better things to say about Blue than I did for Court & Spark. I’m still not crazy about Joni’s vocal style but there are at least full songs on Blue that I can say I enjoyed. (Little Green & River). Plus the music flows much better and makes more sense on Blue than Court & Spark. If someone else did the vocals for some of the songs on Blue, I feel I’d actually like those songs. As it stands, I don’t seem to be a fan of Joni Mitchell based on these two albums. While I did find Blue more tolerable, I still can’t get above a 2 for my rating. And please don’t make me listen to three Joni Mitchell albums in a row! Kidding. Not kidding. 2/5

not feeling it. 2.5 stars

Excellent

Joni Mitchell doesn't do it for me. I just can't get into her music.

Cant get behind her voice.

I don't really like her voice.

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.

Beautiful voice, lovely accompaniments , but it drives me nuts that most songs don’t have a defined melody. Her voice just meanders along. Obviously this is a me problem, since so many others love her.

The thing is that I like Joni Mitchell. I love how she just uses her voice as an instrument, but more importantly, she sings stories. She is ultimately a story-teller and that, to me, is pure gold. Okee Dokee... Now... the thing is that because it is all her all the time, each song, while different stories being told, sound more or less similar. So the sound part, the song part, can get a bit redundant. From what I do hear the songs have super deep and good meaning and are lovely. Yet... asch... sometimes I can't understand what she is saying. With her it happens a lot actually. So sometimes I miss stuff. Important stuff no doubt. So... I really like her, and I love story-tellers and folk style music. Yet I don't always understand her actual words, and sometimes musically it feels a bit sort of backgroundish after a while. Now, with THAT said, I love her road music most and this is ... OK but not my favorite of her work, so ... there it is.

My boss asked me what I was listening to. "Blue, by Joni Mitchell" I responded. He chuckled. "I thought so. I felt like sitting under a tree and plucking flowers."

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

I get it, but it's not for me.

Bisschen duselig, entspannte Stimmung

Blue is one of those albums that always tun up on the greatest amlbum lists but i never really got it until last summer when I spent a lot of time listening to a lot of eother Joni Mitchell albums, Hejira, turbulent Indigo,court and spark, hissing of summer lawns before coming back to blue. Now I get it. Now I see the intricately polished gem for what it is

I wouldn't have thought that I would enjoy a record such as this one, but this was amazing. Great vocal melodies and harmonic choices! And damn she can sing!!!

My only complaint is that sometimes I don’t care for her vocals.

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.

I know it's blasphemous, but I don't care for her chirpy, choppy vocals. There. I said it.

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.

Beautiful voice, but not really my thing.

A really nice album, even if Joni Mitchell generally isn’t my taste.

She has a wonderful voice, and this album clearly deserves to be on the list, but this just doesn't do it for me.

I hate her voice but her lyrics are are pure poetry.

Apparently she's a great writer with a wonderful voice, but I find her voice and her music a bit annoying.

Classic '70s folk music

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.

It was fine

Bueno

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

(insert Stand By Me barf-o-rama gif)

Ja ist nett, don't get the hype

it was good but I can’t unsee the black face

есть свое отличительное звучание, это и цепляет

It’s alright. Very distinct instrumentation with droning, open guitar strumming in what sounds like various tunings. Complex, yet flowing piano chords. Breathy, floaty voice which I enjoyed when it opened up and projected more volume. Overall, I would probably only relisten on sunny days outside if I was feeling hippie-ish.

Folk's not really my thing

Mellow, nice

Classic

This album cover feels like I’ve seen it a million times. If I’ve heard one note off of this I’d be fairly surprised. An album that is ubiquitous in the “best albums” sphere and no surprise that it turns up on our daily listen pile. I am excited for what this could be, but it’s a guarded enthusiasm. I have been crushed before. In the wise words of Beyblade; LET IT RIP. This is quite good. The vocal range and folk sensibilities make for an excellent combination. A lot of variation here and an incredibly interesting song structure. Great start. I did have to laugh when she was rattling off some lame “shampoo” rhyme, I read her bio saying “a folk singer with a poet’s spirit.” I love the way boomers refer to their significant others. The old lady/man. I tend to enjoy “the old ball and chain.” Speaking of prison, this song is happening. Nah it’s not that bad. There is such an odd quality to her vocal inflections. It gets a little too operatic for me here but it is far too interesting to ignore. Little Green, Blue, what’s next? Purple? Yellow? She could go anywhere with this thing. Oh no. It’s an astrology jam. AND a rebel moving to California song? Nooo. This was fine. There will be icicles and birthday clothes for sure. I bless the winds that come from Africa. I am also regularly thrown out of the mermaid cafe because I change the “f” in the sign to a “g.” Hey. When I call them freaks they also throw me out. I am banned from the mermaid cafe. What are we doing? Oh yeah. Joni came through here. Really fun song with lyrics that jump off the page/screen. Blue was darker. Dare I say, it was blue. Not my favourite moment on the album. I want more folk, Joni. Less wrists slashed in a bathtub. That particular sentiment needs to be accompanied by tremolo picking and blast beats. Wow. I tried to type wow and it just said “we” and I couldn’t fix it for a little while. It appears that this song has given me a stroke. The vocals here are beautiful, the prose is effortless, and the song whisks the listener into a state of bliss. At least this listener. Look at me forgiving trendy location fetishization. This MUST be a good song. Yeah, I mean another excellent one. I have difficulty writing about good albums. Shows my lack of writing prowess. Fortunately, no lack of writing prowess here. Jingle all the way. It’s literally every note of jingle bells except the last one. Oh. It is a Christmas song. What a musical sleuth I am. Other carols appear throughout as well, which is actually such a cool idea. I feel like I’ve heard a cover of this or heard it somewhere. Either way, I’m hearing her version for the first time anew. That vocal line in the chorus is heart wrenching. So good. CANADA MENTIONED 🇨🇦🍁🦫. Ugh. I hate regurgitating memes, but in these trying times of having the world’s shittiest neighbour (it’s always been that way), I feel I must show solidarity with my countrymen. The drinking a case of your love interest is a little laboured, but hey, I’m still loving this album. And honestly, this song is perfect. The metaphor IS a little dumb, but it’s delivered in a way that I believe it comes form the heart. It reflects a genuine feeling. Man. Richard sounds like a real downer. What a cool song. I thought it sounded a little too same-y off the bat, but wow. Makes me think of the DI song “Richard Hung Himself.” Wonder if it’s the same guy. What a journey. I was laughing early on about the poetic sensibilities, but Joni Mitchell really does have that unique poetic slant on the English language . Not everything has to be bogged down with unintelligible Shakespearean scripture to make an impact and generate a thought. I found myself increasingly engaged by the lyrics as they were delivered by an ethereal voice over competent instrumentation. This album deserves to be in the company that people place it in. I think this album should’ve been called “Fully Blue” as it was clearly a response to Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue.” It’s jokes like that, that keep my reviews unread by the general public, and it’s albums like this, that will keep me coming back for more. 4 HIGHLIGHTS: All I Want, Carey, California, River, A Case of You

Very relaxing, peaceful and happy, good vibes album

Overall: 2.7/5 Favorite song: California

So pretty

Beautiful voice. Nice and sad lyrics. Pretty melodías. I think this is my favorite album of her so far on this list.

Fjärde Joni Mitchell-plattan. Fjärde gnöl och gnäll-plattan. Fjärde för mycket. Skulle vilja höra musikjournalister och musikförståsigpåare nämna tre låtar med Joni. Tror de går bet. Tveksamt om även Joni själv kan nämna tre låtar. Det är så jävla dåligt.

Joni Mitchell is an icon. Her voice, her song writing. This album is both timeless and dated. The first few songs definitely reflect the language and attitude of their time. River and A Case of You are timeless however. As a side note, River and This Flight Tonight might as well be anthems for the Avoidant communicator

Peaceful, pleasant and gentle album. Joni Mitchell has a beautiful voice and there's some great songs here. I kind of prefer other Joni Mitchell albums but this one was nice enough, if not that memorable for me, even after multiple listens. California is probably my favorite song here.

Was excited about this as had heard it was fantastic, pretty disappointed/bored unfortunately

Really really enjoyed that

This is a solid album with great song writing. I've definitely listened to it before multiple times. I'm not sure why but I just really wasn't vibing with it though today. I think it's probably a 5 star album but I like it at a 4 star level. It's weird that River is using the Jingle Bells melody haha.

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

Good, but not My bag

Actually quite good. Interesting melodies and captivating lyrics. However, I can't get to grips with Joni's singing style. I cringe at every cascade of higher and higher notes.

My favorite Joni.

Great singer songwriter album. Very vulnerable and expressive.

It's a Joni Mitchell album all right. She has a lovely voice (with sometimes what seems like too much pitch range) but she does the thing that rarely every works - slamming 100 words in to a sentence that should be 25 words, tops. The songwriting is interesting, it's not just major chords and basic progressions. There are plenty of good transitions and structures, especially in the beginning of the album. Towards the end it becomes more and more classic folk/pop, which is not a bad thing. It's honestly a bit more listenable because she keeps the word salad throughout, and it's easier to deal with it when the song structure is basic. Not really my kind of music, but I can appreciate it all the same.

It’s a little odd to have heard Joni Mitchell’s mid-70’s output before this album, which is arguably considered to be her best. Court and Spark, The Hissing of Summer Lawns and Hejira feel like polar opposites to this record. They’re full of varied, layered instrumentation and, as a result, Blue’s sparse instrumentation is arresting to me, at least initially. It’s quite a personal album, not only because of the subject matter, but because of the minimal instrumentation and crisp production. Blue often feels as though you’re sitting in the same living room where Joni is performing these songs. Capturing that type of intimacy is an impressive feat of production, in my opinion. I think that I prefer the widescreen, vivid production on Court and Spark to Blue’s minimalism, but it feels like that might only be a difference of time and place. Blue suits a different, more specific type of mood for me than Court and Spark does. Either way, the base of either record is the same: Joni Mitchell’s singular vocal and songwriting talents. I’ve been consistently impressed by her records throughout this project. Blue is no exception.

Wish I could give 6 stars

I’ve never sat down and listened to an entire Joni Mitchell album, and this was a great experience. Very beautiful both lyrically and musically.

Amazing voice!

It was decent and mellow. There were some sounds i really didnt like though and sometimes her voice got weird. if it wasnt for that, -3

classic

I get how some might rate this highly. The lyrics paint it as a very personal album so I can appreciate that and the music of it I can sometimes get behind. But her voice just goes places that I don't really like. So all that combined its just okay to me.

Eh... less falsetto, please... I know this is allegedly a classic, but I just really, really hate folk... I was willing to consider giving this a 2, but her voice caused me physical pain at times, and that goes beyond just not liking it for being boring and pointless...

Not my vibe. I get it though. This was well done, and well written. It just isn’t for me.

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.

Beautiful folk with Joni’s wonderfully unique voice. Don’t love the first couple of songs. Otherwise lovely.

The Rolling Stone Magazine has this ranked in the top ten best albums of all time. I wouldn't go that far, but it's the best Joni Mitchell album I've heard. Favorite Track: "River".

Great voice. Loved it.

I don't prefer soft female vocals, I feel it sounds repulsive not my style but also conceptually and objectively not that great

This is my 3rd Jonie Mitchell album so far and I'm coming to a realization: I really don't like Joni Mitchell. She's never written a chorus in her life and her meandering style just annoys me. I'm also not a fan of her voice. I'd be happy to never hear another Jonie Mitchell song again, but it seems her albums comprise half this list so I don't think I'll be that lucky.

I took a pause from reviewing after finding a love whom I dedicated all my time too as I love her so much, but She broke up with me and reading the description of this album I see Joni Mitchell had just broken up with Garham Nash when she started to write the songs. You see The Nash part stood out and I see he was part of the group Crosby, Stills & Nash I reviewed one of their albums before and one song, "Lady of The Island" I had dedicated to this girl and she said it was her most favorite that I had dedicated to her. All though being honest I gave their album a bad review as it was my second review ever and I was close minded. It's just how this came full circle, that is interesting. Although not a big fan of this album.

Albumi #160, 27.02.2025 Joni Mitchellin arvostetuin albumi vuodelta 1971.

I really wanted to like this. I've had another one of her albums with Jaco on bass Fell flat to me even after 3 listens. I'm not much into lyrics and the voice wandering everywhere was more frustrating than enjoyable. Musically though it's still nice.

So nice I listened teuce

Eh, boring. Not my jam. 1/5 stars.

I just finished the series, "this is us". The wife in the show was obsessed with Joni. Me... not so much.

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.

Not my usual listening but pleasant - she does have an amazing voice

I did not use a private spotify session for this one. Seems like in the early seventies there was a mumbly singer on a acoustic guitar genre. I have no use for it.

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.

"Do you wanna take a chance on maybe finding some sweet romance with me?" "I wanna talk to you / I wanna shampoo you". Those unnecessary bursts of falsetto singing. People over 50 getting weepy-eyed at the mention of her name, to whom of course she is just "Joni". There are lots of reasons to make fun of, or at the very least not have Joni Mitchell not be your thing. I always think that like a true musical artist, she is her own category. You can't easily say "oh I like "RXRX" and she sounds kind of like RXRX so I can get into this". Sure, "singer-songwriter" applies here. But no others would construct a melody like the weird chromatic movement in "My Old Man". Nobody sings quite like her, writes lyrics like her, puts songs together quite like her. She does come from a time when LYRICS ACTUALLY MATTERED. It's got to be hard to be a newcomer, inoculated on today's music largely devoid of poetry, diving into introspective 70's music and knowing what to make of it. Who wants to pretend to be an English major and analyze poetry? I took a look at the reviews. Some idiot wrote this was "menopause-core". WTF? Mitchell was in her 20s when she made this album. Someone else says she doesn't rhyme. Here's some rhymes from Carey: "home, cologne." "down, town". "room, moon." Or Blue" "pin, in, skin". Little Green: "cancer, answer", "fade her, made her" and dozens of other examples. Yeah it's tough on these kids today. When I was 20 I thought Joni Mitchell was "chick music", so I kind of get it. But I probably wouldn't have been open to exploring 1001 records I might not have heard, either. I already knew everything then. Now I don't know jack. Eventually I did a deep dive into her first 8 albums and found stuff to like on the first 6 or so. If I remember correctly, "Court & Spark" was my favorite with the most songs I could enjoy, "Clouds" was also solid, everything else I could cherry pick a few tracks out of to make a "my favorites" compilation. "Blue" is supposed to be one of her best, and one of THE best, and I think it is more of a winner based on its far-above-the-crowd lyrics, rather than on great memorable songs that stay with you. "Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling And I would still be on my feet" is still a better couplet than in any dissolving relationship song these days.

Not a fan of hers at all.

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.

I don't like Joni Mitchell. I know I should. This is probably the 5th time I've tried to listen to this album and every time I feel like I am forcing myself to engage with it. Partly, it's her voice. There's not enough to grab onto with it. But more than that, every song sounds to me like she's making it up as she goes, finding the melody as she sings it, hitting random chords. There's nothing driving the song forward. It's a similar feeling to listening to my wife (who I love dearly) tell me a story, with lots of extraneous details that don't add up to anything and aren't relevant, forgetting to set the stage for the interesting parts, then getting frustrated that I've given up and now back to looking at my phone. Like, yeah, maybe I'm being a little rude. But this is mostly on you, babe.

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

Twelve stars. I fucking love Joni and this is pretty unquestionably her best album (For the Roses is up there too but think Blue has gotta be #1). All I Want, Little Green, Carey, California, River, a Case of You, all on one album!?!? Fuck me. So good. Her melodies never go where you expect them to. So inventive. Her voice isn't for everyone ('reedy' is a fair word for it) and some songs on here border on indulgently sad (she's straight up wallowing for 3 minutes on Blue), but man she is for me. Tragically my dear wife hates Joni more than any other artist (Mitski is her only rival). Every time she hears her voice, she yells 'WHO IS THAT WHINY BITCH!?' so I rarely get to listen to her. At the end of the day I love my wife more than I love Joni so I don't put Joni on around the house, so I really relished the excuse to invite her into my headphones today. Welcome back baby.

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.

Oh how I loathe her voice

Very melancholic

Nice lyrics. Remind me of traveling. Chill

Yeah, I like Joni. Having never listened to her before this list and this now being my third of her albums, I like her. I still think I preferred Hejira as an overall record but this one had a lot of good songs on it, including River which I didn't realise was a Joni Mitchell song but is an underrated Christmas banger

4.5

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.

I'm just gonna copy and paste my review from the last Joni Mitchell album, Court and Spark: "The songwriting is good. The instrumentals all sound the same for each song, but they nail that 70s soft rocky sound. Mitchell has a great voice. All in all, though, this music ain't for me."

I enjoy the simplicity of the instrumentation and the pretty guitar plucking. I'm a big fan of singer-songwriter stuff. The melodies were oddly meandering in this album and not many felt structured enough or something. I was honestly just bored through most of it. Surprised by how little I enjoyed this. Very lullabyish

took a couple listens, not my personal favorite in this lane but still very beautifully composed, doesn’t overstay its welcome, joni’s voice is (mostly) great, banger season

Objectively good but melodies just sound so random

Would give it a second listen, not my cup of tea. Too slow.

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 😞

Little Green is a downright perfect song and always moves me to tears. 💚 i love the first half of this album, and the last song is so powerful. it starts to all blend together at some points, but this is definitely my favorite Joni album. 4.35 if i could 💙

Świetny album w swojej kategorii. I choć nie jest to kategoria, do której sam bym zaglądał, to z każdym przesłuchaniem ten album stawał mi się coraz bliższy. Mimo to nie sądzę, żebym za nim zatęsknił i go słuchał. Chyba, że w ramach randomowego przypomnienia sobie płyt, które uciekły z głowy. Wciąż górna skala trójki. 3,5/5.

It's certainly not aimed for me but I feel that it is very effective in what it's trying acomplish? I don't know if that make sense but I can't give it high score and I wouldn't like to give it a low grade just because I didn't have fun.

Pleasant but forgettable.

It's one of those albums that I have to be in a certain mood to listen to. Overall--great stuff.

This album just kept growing and growing. I liked it a lot. "A Case of You" was the standout track.

I should love this album but don't

Nicht meine Musik, zumindest nicht gerade, Folk

Es un disco muy lindo, muy tranqui. La viola acústica suena que se te contra caga.

Never been the biggest Joni Mitchell fan and while I can appreciate the skill and craft on display with this album and how important it was at shaping folk music it just really doesn't do anything for me.

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.

Love River so much. Just vibes. Not always my jam, but a good time nonetheless.

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.

Honestly pretty good but a little bit repetitive. Could’ve been a lot better she seems like a great singer

meh

_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.

6.5/10

Me gusta como me suele gustar todo lo del género, pero no me apasiona del todo. No me despierta muchas emociones. Canción destacada: A Case of You

Really reminds me of Tapestry - Carole King, released the same year.

Objectively not bad, just not my vibe

Soulful and a great listen

no notes/perfect

Joni Mitchell has a distinct sound. Really well done album with some good songs.

Iconic artwork. Not really my style of music, but appreciate the artistry. Standout Tracks: - Carey - All I Want

Acid, Booze and Ass- needles, guns and grass. Gangster line. Crazy strong voice. I’m a Joni Mitchell fan now. Love Case of you.

Light and lyrical. Not my thing, but she's good.

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...

Not my preferred genre of music. Regardless, this is very well done. Slower/sadder songs. A solid album, if that's your thing.

Such a sad album, with some terrific songwriting.

Pretty raw emotions on display

тейлор свифт теперь я знаю откуда растут твои ноги!!! есть ощущение что этот альбом нужно переслушать (и переслушивать!!!) в мае :')

Oh. No thank you. I couldn't possibly. (Just not much of a fan of the half-mumbly/whispery acoustic singer-songwriter type thing, really.)

Blue oder was isch e schöne himmel wenns nur himmel und kei horizont/erdoberflächi gid? Oder was isch das schöne meer, wenn alles rundume au nur meer isch? Isch es den meh mit weniger meer? Entgege mine meer referenze isch das album nöd a mir verbigsäglet, sondern hed mir wenig spass gmacht zum lose. Aso zrug zu mine frage, nur wells es anschienend top album isch muss au nöd explizit guet für mich si. Darum 2 blaui träne für das album

absolut coasted uf dem I am sailing, I am sailing Home again 'cross the sea I am sailing stormy waters To be near you, to be free aber wasi mich dra chan erinnere sind schöni erinnerige ah öppert wo ganz viel über städt gsunge hett sozege wie öppert wo grad ferie plant aber ih album form

hoffentli nächst mal denn über 2*

Very cool, chilled and beautifully sung

<3

Enjoyable but didn't rock my world

Enjoyed this a lot more than the last one on the list, but it’s still not quite clicking for me

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

Mitchell's voice toes the line between "soaring" and "screechy", stepping over it way too much on this record. Her later works with a full band of stellar musicians keep the upper registers in check much better. This album is well regarded for its hyper-personal lyrics, but I can't hear them through the high-frequency vocals.

When she sings at a lower pitch, it's amazing. There's just too many high notes that peirce right into my brain.

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

27/01/25 Nothing on this album stands out for me.

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

Længe siden jeg har hørt den, tror måske jeg er gammel nok nu til at jeg skal til at have en Joni Mitchell Fase. Giver mig helt lyst til at købe en JM plade til min kone i julegave i stedet for det halstørklæde hun altid plejer at få.

Great sound on this record. Simple setups and just great singing.

Not my cup of tea

An sich ganz gut, aber Joni Mitchell Stimme ist ganz schön piepsig.

I love Joni Mitchell's soft but sweet voice and introspective lyrics that have a way about making you feel something. The album itself, however, falls short of powerful, particularly in the face of high expectations that were placed on it going on. Don't know how to explain it, but the songs collectively enjoyable to listen to, but no necessarily individually memorable. A great album, just not a 5

Gorgeous. River is my favorite

Liked it

An amazing album

Good enough, I must be missing something since this one is very well regarded. Will I listen to again: 50%

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.