Court And Spark

A truly beautiful album. It's not my favourite Joni album, but it's not far off.

First time I'd heard it and loved it. Great final track!

Very balanced songs. Good harmony and lyrics.

The majority of this album is vintage classic Joni. However, my favorites are rocking Joni and Jazzy Joni (Raised on Robbery, Twisted)

a favorite album!

One of her best.

Wow this was great! I never listened to Joni Mitchell before and my impression of her before this was adult contemporary sappy romance but this was really interesting and fun! I'll go for 5!

another easy 5-star album. i really like the final 3 tracks that get jazzy and a little silly. "trouble child" has some great minor key horns and electric piano going on. just a great listening experience overall

Nothing like Joni has ever happened in music. She channels just about every love poem ever written and still sounds as original as ever. For her, love is a mythic act, and that's what she's after on this album. Court and Spark is a brighter album than Blue, yet no less a classic. Her melodies meander along like a roller coaster through bliss. "Help me" is a sweet ride, lilting and sweet. She's in good company here, with a consummately tight outfit who really get her. And her voice soars so high with crystal clarity, almost angelic. But she's not after heaven. She's after the grit and grace of love. Her evocation of the disenchanted man in "Free Man in Paris" captures his feelings so well, but it also sounds like a gentle mockery. She also has her jollies making like the Andrew Sisters with the boogie boogie number "Raised on Robbery". (I remember when saxophone solos like the one here was a staple on most 70s songs.) She has just as much fun on her cover of "Twisted" which features Cheech and Chong. (For you kids, they were a comic duo who released a slew of hilarious albums in the 70s.) I thought she'd penned this one for a long time, she performs it with such authority. And what a comical way to end the album, clearly indicating that she means business but she's got a sense of humor too. Nevertheless, it is her beautiful personal ballads which bathe us in her folk soul. I belong to "People's Parties", "The Same Situation", "Down to You", and "Just Like This Train", which are resonantly Joni. Just let me light one up and sway along. I still have my original vinyl and I've played it often, but not so often that the record gets worn down. This is a treasure I intend to... well... treasure.

Incredible spring album — “like a church like a cop like my mother you wanted me to be truthful” wow

Beautiful songs by a true songbird, loved it as I don't tend to listen to JM albums as such more songs within playlists etc.

I'm shocked at how good this is. I thought that Joni Mitchell only had one good album and that album was Blue, but this is amazing and maybe even better than Blue.

pure poetry! Fav: Raised on Robbery Least Fav: Just Like This Train

Already much-loved. The opening three songs, I love in particular. I enjoy this Joni stage, where she's moving (to my ears) from folk towards jazz but also sounds unmistakably "70s". Some wonderful melodies - I don't think anyone else writes melodies like she does, to my knowledge - and arrangements, and her usual wry, observant, self-aware lyrics. Fabulous (I'm not very keen on Raised on Robbery or Twisted, but let's not split hairs; she's genius.)

Bien

Man, this is some hot garbage. I don't understand how anybody can like this at all..... April Fools! Yeah, this is amazing. 4 albums in to her discography and I still love Joni Mitchell. Who would've thought? Court and Spark is widely considered to be one of Joni's best albums and I can absolutely hear why. In fact, now that I've heard all 4 albums of hers on this list, I have to say that the people behind this list nailed the Joni Mitchell representation on this list. They went with all of the best albums! Court and Spark is a very nice mid-point between the pure folk of her earliest albums like Blue and the jazzier stuff from a bit later like Hejira. It's quite enjoyable, as one might expect. Joni's songwriting is still full of delightful detail. You've got some all-time classics on here like the back-to-back "Help Me" and "Free Man in Paris." I will say that this album probably ends on its weakest song with "Twisted," but it's a minor hindrance to an otherwise fantastic album. I don't think I've called enough attention to Joni's singing in these reviews. It's quite beautiful, actually. I really love her voice. Combine that with the grade-A storytelling and the lovely musical compositions and you get an album with no major negative aspects to speak of. I do prefer Blue and possibly even Hejira over this, but there's no doubting that Court and Spark is an excellent showing of talent. Great stuff. Low 5/5.

this was the best album i've listened to so far and i really enjoyed every song. genuinely will add this to my playlists and relisten whenever i have an itch for some good ol folk country 70s inspiration.

Very good. Good voice and all songs were enjoyable

YASSS

vinyl day!! this is a classic

'And the more he talked to me, you know / The more he reached me.' Joni is reachin' here, that is, she's happenin', she's loosenin', & she's gettin' it goin': no graspin' at straws here, just reachin' like Digable Planets reach, like the best psychedelics reach, just like the best jazz and funkadelia reach & go on reachin'. You can almost hear the origins of dream pop, so elastic is her voice, ironic b/c she's a lyricist who wants to be heard while Liz Fraser has no such desire. I guess that's b/c 'Saying, laughing, and crying, / You know it's the same release.' It's pretty rare to have a 'folk' singer who's as good a songwriter as she is a vocalist, but that's what Joni offers, the goat in many ways. I may enjoy Hejira a bit more, but that's honest preference.

What else can be said about this beautiful woman. She's absolutely amazing & so is this record. I love everything she does. The beautiful melodies, music, lyrics, intelligence. Amazing.

This was an enjoyable listen considering I'm not usually super drawn to Joni Mitchell. I appreciate the jazz-y influence that runs through this album, it's a fun departure from the classic folk I went into this expecting to hear. I'm giving it 5 stars because, much like Rumours, I anticipate this growing on me from 'I enjoyed' to 'I loved' with repeat listens.

The most accessible Joni album. This is the one that made me buy physical copies of her entire discography a couple of years ago… completely unaware how experimental she got.

A very long time ago, when I was an impressionable college student, I purchased a compact disc: Joni Mitchell’s Clouds. I grew up listening to folk rock thanks to my parents, and Judy Collins’ version of Both Sides Now had always been one of my favorite songs. I remember listening to Clouds and totally expecting something else. I never gave Joni a fair chance. Years later, after getting into Bob Dylan and others, I gave Joni a second listen. This time, I got it and she changed my life. Court and Spark is only one of Joni’s many masterpieces. She opens up her soul and sings with the voice of an angel. Her songwriting is on display here, experimenting with rhythms and harmonies. At this stage in her career, she had started blending in jazz elements and the fusion is pure perfection. Help Me, I think I’m falling in love with Joni’s music again. 5 stars

I’m embarrassed I’d never listened to this in its entirety up until this point. Songs like help me are timeless, but hearing the creative exploration of twisted was so cool. Amazing piano playing, amazing sound, too. Will be in my regular rotation for the foreseeable future.

I loved this Indie-relaxed album

If Joni had not made Blue, this would be her masterpiece. I think it has one of the greatest opening lines: “Love came to my door with a sleeping roll, and a madman’s soul…”

One of my favorite albums by one of my favorite artists, no brainer 5/5

Soft rock, pop, jazz pop, jazz-rock.

“Oh they used to laugh at me When I refused to ride On all those double-decker buses All because there was no driver on the top” Joni Mitchell could reasonably be considered the greatest songwriter of all time. She has been nothing short of prolific since her debut and she has influenced countless others who followed her. The volume of music we would not have if it were not for Joni Mitchell treading the path she did cannot be overstated. I first deep dived Joni Mitchell’s discography around late 2021 into 2022 and was only about five albums in when she (understandably) pulled all her material from Spotify. Consequently, I never got around to “Court and Spark”. It was clear from the first thirty seconds of the opener that I had missed out massively. From front to back it is absolute classic Joni Mitchell. Lyrically exceptional in terms of the vivid imagery she produces and her capacity for putting her emotions into words. The guitar playing is as wonderfully progressive and experimental as ever and the uplift in Jazz voicings feels unique within the singer songwriter genre. Absolutely essential listening for fans of all kinds of music.

Very pleasant album. Definitely more like a 4.5 for me, but I rounded up. I respect Joni Mitchell a lot, even if her stuff isn’t always to my taste.

Love me some Joni Mitchell

This lady knows how to sing

I’ve never listened to much Joni Mitchell. I wasn’t a huge fan of her voice, at least from the few songs I heard snippets of. Plus, I was a rocker, and she seemed folky, singer/songwrit-y. Track 1, Court and Spark, the title track, is beautiful. I love it. It’s got piano as the main instrument, but it has acoustic guitar and steel guitar accenting the song. Her voice is incredible. Could I have been wrong all these years? I’m quite sure of it now. Maybe I only heard her when she was olde,r and her voice changed? Whatever the case, I wanted more. Track 2, Help Me, is very 70s AM Gold. I’m not sure I’ve heard any of these songs. Oh, sounds like maybe a tenor sax is back there sneaking in some notes. Wow, the song really opens up into a pop jam. Just a pretty little pop song. Track 3, Free Man in Paris, is another jam. Mitchell’s vocal styling is so different. It’s like she has so much to say, she’s trying to cram it all in there. It works, which is amazing. And there’s still time for the music to shine. Track 4, The Same Situation, is so great. Each of the songs has a similar vibe, but each has a new instrument pop up in the arrangement, or at least a new sound. This song is more piano, but there are some organ sounds in the background. Just a beautiful song. Track 5, Car on a Hill, has more sax in it, which equals jamtastic. There’s music that just puts you at ease, and so far, every song on this album does that. The backing vocals/choir on this album are what set it off. Plus, some electric guitar chords give it a heaviness. This song gives me a Steely Dan vibe. Mitchell is almost a rapper with how fast she spits her vocals. Track 6, Down To You, is mostly Mitchell’s vocals and a piano, but near the end, you get more choir singing, and a beautiful symphony comes in to buttress the piano. I said, buttress. Just another beautiful song. I’m really loving this album. Oooh, a crescendo near the end. There’s a melancholy feel to this song. Is that a French horn? This sounds like a movie soundtrack now. It’s the longest song on the album and may be the best song. Track 9 is called Raised on Robbery and it’s a jam. Damn, it’s like a Rolling Stones' song with Bobby Keys on the sax. Just a solid rock jam. I want to say that Neil Young and his band, for the Tonight’s the Night album sessions, played this with Mitchell. It was good, but I think Mitchell’s version here is fire. Robbie Robertson plays the guitar on it and just blazes. Great rock song. Track 10, Trouble Child, is a light pop song, but there are parts that give a kind of grimy feel to it. It has a very jazzy trumpet in it, too. Really different song for this album. It just has a different groove altogether. Noir, that’s what the song feels like. It could have been in a film noir set in the 1930’s, but the movie was made in the 1950s. Trouble Child just flows right into the last track, Twisted, and this song sounds much more like a jazz song. Mitchell sings it in a more old school way. It doesn’t even sound like her. The trumpet in the song gives it its soul. This song has a swing out the arse. Our good friends at Wikipedia tell us this was Mitchell’s most successful album, as it sold well and was received well by critics. Mitchell added more elements of jazz into her music for this album, which you can plainly hear. The album still has her folky singer/songwriter style, but it swings a little more. She hired the best session artists to play the music, including the aforementioned Robertson, with David Crosby and Graham Nash singing backing vocals on Free Man in Paris, another single. You can easily hear it's them. If I’m not mistaken, I think she dated, or whatever you did in the 60s, both of them for a time, one right after the other. Ahhh, the summer of love. This album is great, and I think it needs to be heard. It will introduce you to Mitchell’s work and maybe convert haters as it did me. I’ve already listened to it several times since I was assigned it yesterday.

Freedom. Love. Alcohol. Timeless. https://www.mojo4music.com/articles/stories/inside-the-creation-of-joni-mitchells-court-and-spark/

Amazing.

I really like this album, after I finished it and liked it, I thought I should listen to it again and really focus in the music since I was only half listening the first time. There’s plenty of variety in it because it goes from a piano song to a guitar song to a saxophone song. The vocals are also amazing, I actually love Joni Mitchell’s voice. This album is really just the good vibes, definitely listening to it again.

A wonderful album by one of the best songwriters on the planet. A 5 and than some.

Heard Before? Yup. Notes: - subtle, gorgeous, highly varied production. and I'm always a sucker for the drum sounds of this era. - these arrangements! even on the third time through there were surprises in structure and instrumentation. "Down to You" is a stunner. - as far as songwriting, it's a grower, like virtually all her albums. not exactly hooky - every song is like a puzzle inside a maze. - some odd sequencing - the two most similar songs stuck together on tracks 2&3, then unfortinately finishing with the brief and goofy (almost Andrews Sisters sounding) "Twisted". - some of my favorite Joni vocals for sure, lots of swoops, and impressive use of her lower range. Verdict: Based on my memories, I was not expecting to give this a five. But today I got lost in it and didn't want to be found. Listen Again? I didn't think I needed to until I tried it again today. So yes, I will return.

the most ethereal and androgynous voice i've ever heard

Очень красивый альбом с нежнячим вокалом, с красивыми лириксами. Никогда не слушала ничего у Митчелл целым lp. Теперь хочется посмотреть, что там еще есть кроме синего альбомчика. Не хватает пока в этих рандомных пиках женских работ.

А вот и брильянтик. Мои женщины с гитарой вошли в чат и звучат также прекрасно и 50 лет назад. Альбом, который максимально приятно слушать целиком, даже взяла бы его на виниле, живи я в 1970-е. Raised on robbery - шикарна

Внезапно - очень хорошо! Джони Митчел, как Патти Смит и Кэрол Кинг у меня ассоциировались с чем-то таким чисто глубинно американским, что мне как европейцу не понять. Но у Патти и Кэрол есть по хиту на слуху, а у Джони такого хита я не знаю. По итогу был приятно удивлён - звучит максимально хорошо, хоть и не хитово. Оценка между 4 и 5. Но дам пять, за приятное удивление.

I love her

I didn’t expect this from myself, but I really loved this album. Even now, that mix of sounds from so many different instruments feels fresh and original — and, most importantly, it all comes together in a really harmonious way.

Bangs

What a treat for a Monday morning - about as close as pop gets to perfection. Thoughtful lyrics. Complementary melody. Sophisticated arrangements. Beautiful voice. I never understand why she doesn't get as many mentions as Dylan when we discuss the GOATs. A 5* every day of the week.

Okay I didn't know much about Joni before starting this project but turns out she owns. I already got Blue, which is of course fantastic, but this hits in a much different way. It's jazzier and looser and a different side of her. Laurel Canyon in the 70s must have been so cool. Standouts: Help Me, Free Man in Paris, Car on a Hill

👍 very good.

I spent this entire album trying and failing over and over again to get an S Rank on Mystic Jungle at Super Sonic Speed. Having some reservations and thoughts about the bosses which may be present throughout this lost, it was a relief to encounter a third woman within the first 15 albums (following on from Tracy Chapman and Meg White). Joni Mitchell is a name I have long heard good things about without every listening myself, and I am kicking myself for that now, as this album is absolutely incredible for me. Her songwriting is relatable and vulnerable in a way that reminds me of Fiona Apple, but the instrumentation behind her blends these energetic blues and jazz sounds into this incredibly captivating singer-songwriter aesthetic. So much of this album revolves around love and romance, but Mitchell tackles the topic from different angles with so much layered and nuanced lyricism that it paints vivid vignettes in my mind of these situations. There is a creativity to her lyricism that I find compelling, finding these unique new ways and metaphors through which to examine the various topics she tackles. Everything about this album clicks for me, from the vocal melodies to the rhythm of the vocals to the percussive groove of so many of these songs: I'm getting the familiar gut feeling that I may have just discovered a new favorite artist of mine. Highlights: Court and Spark, Help Me, People's Parties, The Same Situation, Down To You, Just Like This Train, Raised On Robbery, Twisted

JONI MITCHELLLL i think this may surprisingly be the only album i havent listened to. obviously knew help me and free man in paris, but honestly this album was so great. While still influenced by her typical folksy sound and the introspective songwriting she's known for, there are so many other interesting influences here (jazz, blues). and her voice REALLYYYY shines here

joni u are just magic

A top 10 album for me. Delivers on all fronts. Incredible arrangements, beautiful song writing…it’s a real vibe. Laurel canyon brilliance

I’ve heard the name Joni Mitchell brought up by several people through out my life but never took the time to listen. I was missing out. I love this album. It’s in between rock and folk and it sounds amazing. Joni’s voice is refreshing. I don’t know exactly what that means but that’s how it felt as I was listening. Will be listening to more of Joni especially since she has a Jazz era later in her career

"Court and Spark" is my favorite Joni Mitchell album, comprising a near perfect blend of the folk majesty of "Blue" with an increasing pop sensibility (most obviously on the hit "Help me") and touches of the jazz and art-rock sensibilities that would define her later albums. Maybe this record is transitional, but its nearly perfect because of it.

Absolut wundervoll. Auch jazziger als gedacht. Unbedingt nochmal hören mit Fokus auf Lyrics

C'est certain que je ne contredirai pas Félix sur un 5 pour Joni!

Un bijou. Joni Mitchell = 5 automatique, aussi simple que ça. Merci à M. Villemure (aujourd'hui que je peux appeler simplement Marc), mon prof de concentration jazz, d'avoir montré à une gang d'adolescents de 5e secondaire ,dont j'étais, un concert de Joni Mitchell à Newport avec une passion tout à fait contagieuse. Je pense qu'on comprenait pas trop ce qui venait de nous frapper. Il me semble que Zawinul et Jaco Pastorius étaient de la partie, c'était buzzé ben raide. L'album qui marque le plus clairement la migration du folk au jazz de Joni. Quelle femme, je tombe en amour à chaque fois. J'ai dû l'écouter 3 ou 4 fois aujourd'hui. De la sérieuse compétition avec Blue.

Omg i adore this, the music is amazing her voice is great and I love this type of music

Very well made, Joni Mitchell is an excellent song writer and great composer

This is the type of album that pays dividends with repeated listens. It's open, honest and interesting both musically and lyrically. As evidenced in her later albums, Joni had a strong jazz sensibility and it shows here. In "Twisted" she sings it like a jazz trumpeter would play it. This is among her best and I enjoyed it.

One of the best singer\songwriter folk\rock albums ever made.

Classic! Light years beyond some chick with a guitar

I'd not been particularly interested in this album on previous glances, but I paid attention this time, and really enjoyed and appreciated it. There's a lot to attend to, in the music, arrangements, lyrics - it's intriguingly complex, without being deliberately difficult - I have strong impression it will repay repeated listens. There's a pleasing range of styles - one might skip particular tracks depending on mood, but none seem out of place. No-one should be put off by reputation as 'jazzy'. It's a "sit quietly and listen" album - I warmly recommend it in that space.

If this album had come into my life at a different time, it would definitely have been in heavy rotation.

Great era, great songwriting, unique voice

My favorite Jonnie album so far.

fua, FUAAAAAAAA

Jon's work feels like a rare gift that I don't want to rush all at once, but savour slowly, step by step. I've yet to come across anything of hers that I haven't admired deeply. This album was no exception. Every single song was great. I did feel that the album flowed really well until Raised on Robbery where it took a pretty sharp stylistic curve until the end, but it was so damn jazzy that I couldn't complain. Loved it. Love you Joni.

The starting point here is that Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” is my favorite album. It is pure yin energy in its darkness, its doubts, and its devotion. It is in a class by itself. So in some ways I can’t even compare “Court and Spark” to it, but I think my best story about it is that it is Blue’s yang counterpart, brilliant and brash. And I can see that in some ways it is so much more challenging because here a woman is being braggadocios and brilliant in a way pop music had never quite seen before. She’s hip, she’s horny, she’s a wizard, she’s Joni. So I could see why for may people this could be here greatest album — no doubt about it being a 5 for me.

Fun and light, some on joni’s best

Probably top 3 most important female artists of all time. And this is in her top 3 all time albums. Help me is a banger.

Phenomenal

I love that the music doesn't feel built for pop consumption. Instead of every song following the same formula of verse/chorus, hook, familiar chord progression and repetition, each song here feels individually crafted, using the formulas surprisingly sparesly. Yet this handcrafted album achieves pop success that heavily formula-driven albums can only dream of. The mixing and orchestration are clearly 70s, but in a hi-fi way. Some instruments and song structures give a psychedelic folk feel, but not straying far enough to become inaccessible to the casual listener. Overall the album sounds good to modern ears without having to rely on nostaglia. Even though this isn’t my go-to genre, it’s hard not to admire what’s been achieved here. And honestly, the whole listen was enjoyable. There were few noticaebly weak moments, most pronounced with the last song "Twisted", which while sounds like an exercise in playfulness, is doing a complete u-turn on the rest of the album by diving deep into familiar formulas.

One of the best albums ever recorded. Joni's 1st album change of direction into the fusion of rock pop and jazz. Does a great cover of Twisted one of my favorite songs she's done and the close out cut of the LP.

Beautiful album. In this album, Joni starts to get into jazz. She was always growing, reaching. And intelligent lyrics-no profanity needed.

She does know how to tell a story.

love love love. favourite tracks: car on a hill and just like this train

One of the great voices of music.

What a treat. So accessible and even catchy without sacrificing complexity and polyphony.

This album was part of the soundtrack of my life at one point. Each and every song is a jewel. Deciding on just one for the playlist was impossible. I settled on “A Free Man in Paris”.

Loved it!

One of the greatest albums of all time. First heard most of it at concert in Wembley, London in 1974

There really is something special about this album. Joni Mitchell feels like a “one-in-a-million” type artist between her vocals and songwriting. The infusion of jazz throughout is done subtly but quite well. “Help Me” is one of the catchiest tunes she’s ever written and almost feels like the perfect song.

ksigz - thanks for all the great factoids, I didn't about the polio source of her tunings, and especially your mom's shared name! I'm glad that instead of going straight to the review I listened to this one again, reminding me how much I love this album. For me the first 3 songs here are the warmups, the album starts at Other People's Parties as she starts stretching out into the introspection mode that really plays deeper into the jazz on the next two albums, my favorites. Here and everywhere she writes the best lyrics I know of. And I doubt there isn't an album that isn't the favorite a big chunk of Joni fans.

Nothing like Joni to make you argue with your spouse about whether “paved paradise to put up a parking lot” is by Joni Mitchell (it is but I was thinking of the counting crows cover)

I've been waiting for this album to pop up! I'm a Joni Mitchell fan and this is probably my favourite album of hers (though Blue is also excellent). I just finished reading a book about her life and music, so this is good timing. Nice to see another Canadian artist on this list too! I think the only other Canadians we've had so far are Leonard Cohen and Rufus Wainwright. This is one of the earliest of her albums where she shifts from a folk sound towards more of a jazz influence. I really enjoy the meeting of those two genres. The most iconic aspect of her music is her amazing voice that spans several octaves with ease and her creative and poetic lyrics. Both of those are on full display on this album. I think it's cool that she created her own alternate tunings on the guitar because she had polio as child so she had trouble playing traditional chords with her left hand. Her tunings make for very interesting chords and harmonies! I think all of the tracks on Court and Spark are fantastic. I've listened to the first three tracks a lot more than the rest of the album and still think they're great, but I particularly enjoyed listening from People's Parties onward for the first time in several years. I heard a lot of the songs with new ears and was particularly taken with The Same Situation, Car on a Hill and Down to You. I love the inclusion of woodwinds and horn on Down to You. Fun fact: Joni was born Roberta Joan Anderson, which is also my mom's name.

Joni forever

HOLY SHIT I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT

AL FIN UNO DE JONI QUE BANGERS Favs: Help Me, People's Parties, Car on a Hill

Strangely, I had actually listened to this album more than Blue before I fell in love with that album, through this list, earlier this year. Court and Spark finds Joni Mitchell moving towards the jazz sound she developed later in the decade, and the albums with which I was (slightly) more familiar with. Joni really is an amazing songwriter; there are no verse, chorus, verse, chorus songs here, everything feeling like she is telling a story. The melodies are wonderful and the production is clear and spacious, allowing the instruments and, especially her voice, to breathe. The supporting musicians are as great as you would expect - Larry Carlton, Wilton Felder, Joe Sample, Robbie Robertson, David Crosby and Graham Nash among them. The woodwind arrangements by Tom Scott on “Down to You” are incredible. There isn’t a weak song here. I think I am a Joni Mitchell fan…

This woman! Her blissfully beautiful voice, songs and stories are a gift. Help Me on almost everyone's 'favorite tracks of all time' list, Just like this Train is just gorgeous. Not a note out of place, tracks 1-8 is some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard. I LOVE this album and her 4E : )

Cool

Other than Fleetwood Mac, Joni made the best mom music there is.

Like the artist voice and his music gave me Peace and joy

Beautiful. Beautiful songs, voice, production.

Tb

Well, now I have to eat my hat about Joni Mitchell. This album defied my prejudices of her as a saccharine, trilling soft folk singer. This is hardly that. Excellent songwriting, sharp humor, jazz, electric guitar, and generally pushing musical boundaries. Every song is strong. Fuck me, it’s a 5.

Not being familiar with Blue yet, I suppose this is the moment where she shifts into more improvisational jazz territory. The blend of folk, pop, and fusion is handled well, and each song has something unique for the listener.

I can’t count how many times I’ve listened to Joni’s masterpiece, and it doesn’t matter. I can play it wherever, whenever and I’m transported to the summer of 1974. Her voice now has that smoky, sexy edge to it, and I feel I’m literally living in the LA sun, in the hills, feeling the mood and breathing the air. It doesn’t make sense because I was six years old then. But I mean that she captures in words and music a time and place and feeling in such precise emotional detail that Court and Spark becomes a time machine. I step in and I’m there. I don’t mean just nostalgia. I mean an artistic vision that transcends the present. That is timeless, as in it stops time. The only other album that manages this feat is Rumours. That was a group effort. This is one woman’s singular story, and it’s perfect.

Love this album. Joni at her best? It is top 3 in my book. Have this on vinyl and gifted this on vinyl. Just great songs by a superb artist in her prime.

Tuff

Perfect. Just perfect.

Rounding this one up to a 5. Not JM’s best album but beautifully sung.

It is littered with so many gems, and unfortunately the couple of lazy outliers; but it really is too good not too award a charismatic five.

Really rate 'Court and Spark' as one of Joni Mitchell's best albums, 4.5 so gets a bump to 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Joni’s seamless transition from folk to folk-rock to jazz-rock. Also interestingly, the Joni album that features music that sounds the most like the Law & Order theme (“Just Like a Train”, “Down to You”) and the Frasier theme (“Twisted”).

My intro to Joni Mitchell was via the clip of her playing Coyote in Gordon Lightfoot's apartment during Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Review (apparently that was the debut of the song, which she had written during the Rolling Thunder Review). I was immediately taken by Coyote and ended up listening to, and loving, Hejira shortly after watching the movie. However, my budding Bob Dylan obsession quickly took over and I never really got a chance to do a deeper dive into Joni Mitchell's work beyond Hejira. Court and Spark feels much more accessible and pop oriented compared to Hejira's jazz-y experimentation, but Joni Mitchell's poetic inclinations still shine through on this album and some of that jazz-y experimentation starts to come out in the last few tracks. The way she crafts a song and a melody is totally unique; it stands out to me compared to all of the other folk acts of the time.

Blue lived on the radio so this could live in the Smokey club. Beautiful melodies, flowing piano and jazzy pop tunes to stand with the best of them. A way to sing poetry that reminds you of Patti Smith without the spit.

really chill and amazing vocals. the melody follows the vocals and not the vocals follow the melody. really good album, in my opinion it's 4.7.

Really soft and nice Love joni mitchell Soft rock/jazz vibes

Joni Mitchell is underrated in just about every aspect--as a songwriter, as a singer, as a piano player. I think she's probably at a Dylan level of genius in her best moments--maybe that's too easy, maybe that's not fair to her. She is her own universe, and we're lucky to be able to enter it.

5 stores is not enough

Jazzy. Poetic. Accessible yet complex. Vulnerable. Witty. A glorious voice. The production is so clean and polished. Love the swing track 'Twisted' with the walking bass and the almost walking vocals, so impressive. Surprise Cheech & Chong cameo too! Help Me was fantastic, Trouble Child and Car on a Hill brilliant, but musically Down to You is hard to top, what an incredible tune. Such beautiful progressions. 8.5/10

It's a perfect album. I actually like it better than Blue (might be a hot take). It's a 5/5. She's a poet, has a distinct singing style and it's all backed up bu great instrumentation.

240/1089 - I really like the jazzy influence and smeary guitar effects on this one. Very sparse but effective use of lydian harmony. Lydian harmony has a tendency to be very "stock" in my opinion. Most people stick it on at the end to sound hopeful or do lydian for the entire song because it sounds "bright", but here it's just a short part of a phrase then it goes somewhere else. I like how she used the lydian sound here. Some parts remind me of Steely Dan sometimes and I'm guessing parts of The Royal Scam and Aja were influenced by this. Gonna listen to this again for sure.

This is exactly what this list is for. Never heard it before, and what a find. Gorgeous production and instrumentation, wonderful vocals, the whole shebang. Favourite tracks: the whole thing, but Twisted is just awesome. What a vibe.

Perhaps the apotheosis of sophisticated singer songwriter. More complex musically and arrangement wise and therefore seemingly less personal than others. But it’s brilliant

I'm surprised to read that this is her most commercially successful album. I would have thought Blue had sold more. I don't love this one as much as Blue or Heijira, but it is still great. Full of fantastic songwriting and hinting towards her upcoming jazzier experimental stuff. 9/10

Goooooood

A masterpiece, Joni in transition. Touching, marvellous and at times laugh-out-loud funny. Thanks to Prince for turning me on to this album in the first place.

Great album! An absolute gem I hadn't heard before. Blues/jazz/americana

I'm not much of a Joni Mitchell fan to begin with but this really caught my attention. One of those albums I wished I heard earlier in life, I could see this coloring my music taste when I was younger for sure. Just great all around, whole album is entertaining, great vocals, lyrics, and the instrumentals are muted enough to let her shine.

Easily my favorite Joni Mitchell album. The perfect mix of catchy tunes and well crafted lyrics/poetry. Free Man in Paris?!?!? Classic! Raised On Robbery?!?? Classic! Help Me?!?!? Classic! It never ends!

SO GOOD!

Were she a lesser singer, I might have a problem with the meandering nature of her chorus-absent songs. But as it is, I enjoyed listening to this album immensely. I didn't think Joni Mitchell would be a singer whose music I could get into. How wrong I was, it appears.

Day598 - joni mitchell’s voice is a national treasure. i really only knew the help me song but it’s a lovely album

was good but raised on robbery has no business going that hard, also twisted at then end makes this a rare back loaded album

Calm and relaxing

Another desert island disc for me - fantastic songwriting, varied styles and moods. Near perfection for me.

Top three Joni album which makes this one of the top three albums of all time.

Joni Mitchell always hits. Loved this album.

I listened to this album in junior high and high school. The lyrics to “Help Me” came instantly to my mind as I listened. “Free Man in Paris,” “People’s Parties,” “Car on a Hill,” “Trouble Child,” and “Twisted” were staples in my adolescence. I love Joni Mitchell. I love this album.

Huge fan of Joni Mitchell's music; this album was no exception. Already have several tracks saved.

I really liked this album. Joni Mitchell's voice is great. Again, this is another album I haven't heard before, but I am so glad that I've been able to experience it now. This is a very laid back album, easy to listen to.

Incredible listen with so much energy and amazing vocals! The instrumentals are fantastic – it blends Folk, Rock, and Pop seamlessly. I absolutely love this album and will definitely keep it in my rotation. Joni Mitchell truly stands out as one of the best! 9.5/10

Lovely album! Simple and clean execution. 'Help Me' is a nice song.

gorgeous voice, incredibly beautiful album

I tried getting into Joni Mitchell by way of Blue and it never took until I listened to this song and then I finally got why the people love Joni. Help Me is another one of those inner circle All-Time pop songs. I feel like I'm giving Fives out like they're candy but a hit is a goddamn hit.

Better than Coldplay

Would listen to again - singer song writer vibes with great music accompanying it.

owacje na stojaco

Made me a fan

Probably my favourite Joni Mitchell album, certainly my most played. Car on a Hill is just perfection. A beautifully arranged, sumptuous-sounding record that I could (and do) listen to over and over.

Classic Joni.

It will be a sad day when Joni Mitchell dies. 10/10

songwriter perfection

Really great album - loved the jazzy vibes and vocals

Court and Spark is the sixth studio album from Canadian singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell. This was the most commercially successful album of Mitchell's career. Court and Spark was regarded as one of the best albums of 1974, and in top one hundred of the "best albums of all time" lists. The album includes "Help Me," Mitchell's most successful single. Her clear, distinct voice is one of the most recognizable in folk - and perhaps all of popular music. These are beautiful, thoughtful songs from one of the most accomplished songwriters of all time.

Found myself going back to help me.

5/5. Vocals, lyrics, melodies, instruments, just excellent.

Heartfelt, fun, jazzy, powerful. Such a great blend of engaging and reflective music that really goes well with any mood. And will definitely leave you feeling better after listening. Top tracks: Court and Spark, Help Me, Car on a Hill

I feel this album gets overlooked, but it's definitely up there with Blue for me.

Really enjoyed this, not as dreary as I expected

Great classic albom! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a slow burn. Music and lyrics of great sophistication which gradually reveal their power and depth. Beautiful and mysterious from start to finish.

already aware of ms Mitchell, a true bible. twisted could be an anthem today.

Beautiful lyrics and voice. What's not to like?

5/5

Joni’s best record

Classic.

Joni Mitchell has really grown on me. Her music is so intricate

Hell yeah I love Joni Mitchell

Arrancamos el casi mediado de mes con esta artista bellísima, de la que escuché todo su trabajo hace unos años atrás. Es increíble cómo la suavidad de la voz de Joni Mitchell relaja, hace que uno baje un cambio. Su forma de cantar es hipnótica. Narra. Relata historias. Un disco pop, folk, jazz. Un equilibro bellísimo de todo eso. Favorite tracks: Help me, Down to you. Gracias por el regalo de comienzo de semana. Hasta mañana

Joni Mitchell has one of the greatest voices I've ever heard. And the songs on this album are just beautiful. The album has an effortless natural progression, each song is well written and is a beautiful trip.

Yay

So much of what came after this was an imitation. This is another one of those albums that could be released now and still be a sensation. Goddamn her singing is so, so pretty. Not my usual style, but I really like this a lot. It’s flawless.

Ms. Mitchell proves once again why she's hands down the single greatest songwriter to ever exist. And I will die on that hill. From the jump, this album has me mesmerized, constantly asking, "How in the HELL did she even come up with that?" It's truly not fair that someone can be this creative. There are turnarounds on this album that somehow make no sense and perfect sense at the same time. It shouldn't work, and that's the frustrating but amazing part.

Through a fruitful fusion of folk introspection and jazz sophistication, Court And Spark balances commercial appeal with artistic depth and emotional vulnerability with musical ambition, showcasing a songwriter at the height of her powers yet still reaching for more.

I may be a bogan tradie Aussie bloke but fuck me dead I love a bit of Joni Mitchell

Fucking beautiful, I love Joni Mitchell. Blue might be the more talked about album but this is her crowning achievement I reckon. Cinematic jazzy poppy masterpiece

One of the greatest writers of our time, and probably the only white woman has an understanding of “the black man’s experience” ✊🏾

Its this and hissing of the summer lawns for me. But this is just lovely

Good tunes, i really mess with Joni

5*, duh.

This was one of my mom's favorite albums and I listened to it in our house all though my childhood. I really enjoyed revisiting it today.

would’ve been a 4 but since this is maybe the first woman musician we’ve had in a week, and before the last one many months, gotta be a 5. love you Joni

Not quite a 5, but rounded up to a 5 - great variability, kept me interested - some bangers for sure - never really listened to her music bc I had a preexisting thought that it was boring but I’m glad I was wrong!

I’m only starting to get into Joni Mitchell album so hearing this early work was great. Her voice at the time was amazing as were the lyrics. Great album

Mitchell's voice is on display at its most beautiful on this album. Help Me is a perfect example of both her range and her songwriting prowess, she has the power to jerk a listener around with her arrangements in a smooth and almost inevitable way and is probably the best song on the album. Hallelujah to the oddball harmonies and resolutions in Free Man in Paris and Down to You. The storytelling journey is especially strong in songs like Car on the Hill, and the piano breakdowns leave you wanting more. She is also exceptionally dynamic in a way that I don't hear often. I adore the jazz influences and arrangements on songs like Just Like This Train and Twisted (Twisted is just plain jazz, no pop nowhere). Raised by Robbery is the black sheep of the album, it's the biggest thematic departure. To me it's by far her most "standard" rock 'n' roll song, from the more "roll" days of rock. She does a great job but I probably wouldn't like her as much if she stuck to this genre, it's not where her arrangement style thrives. I see other peoples comments about her obviously being a poet first and songwriter almost as an afterthought. I agree with this for parts of the album, like People's Parties and The Same Situation. That said, her lyricism is groundbreaking and more than compensates for the poetic focus. Her phrasing is unusual as a result, but I think that's a plus. I don't see how this is supposed to be a pop album, or a folk album. Its jazz fusion if anything. Overall, I definitely needed to hear this before I die.

This has been my favorite Joni Mitchell album. Great lyricism as always but this also felt more rythmic and upbeat than other albums I’ve heard like Hejira. The pacing was great and there weren’t any particularly weak tracks. Favorite songs were: Twisted Raised on Robbery Just Like this Train Free Man in Paris 10/10

This is the album that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant often mention when they talk about their admiration for Joni Mitchell. I personally prefer "Ladies Of The Canyon" from this period of her career, but this, like all of her albums, deserves at least 5 stars.

Beautiful. Jazz-like vocals on top of Americana/folk instrumentation. Perfect morning album.

Joni has such an amazing voice. I recently saw a YouTube video of her singing live in 2022. 79 and she can still pull it off, gave me goosebumps. Great lyricist, great poet, great singer. A nice album. I’m going to have to go and listen to more of her albums today, and because she reminds of Karen Carpenter I’m going to listen to The Carpenters and Neil Diamond as well. (Then on to some Megadeth🤘🏻)

CONSTANT STRANGER YOU'RE A KIND PERSON YOU'RE A COLD PERSON TOO one of my favourite Joni album.

Maybe my favorite Joni album. Reminds me of driving to Mwold this was in the tape rotation for sure.

Pre-listening thoughts: FINALLY we are back with a woman. Thank god and it’s legend Joni Mitchell. So hype Post/during listening thoughts: oh this is fireeee. Folky and jazzy in all the right places, and a masterclass in lyricism. People seem to be divided on her voice but I think it is beautiful. This is amazing. 9/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: mmm no but everyone should hear some Joni Mitchell before they die Fav tracks: no skips but I love Help Me, Car on a Hill, Raised on Robbery, and Twisted Least fav tracks: n/a

Get it twisted. You will never become a generational singer-songwriter. Your talents and efforts mean nothing to a cold, indifferent universe that will send Joni Mitchell to mog the ever-living shit out of you. You think you're safe, hiding in your genre. Sitting there thinking to yourself "I don't make folk rock; she can't hurt me." Then out of nowhere, like she's serving a warrant, Joni kicks in your door and says, "I learned jazz bitch." She proceeds to give you a tight, all killer no filler project. Just spitting hot lead for 37 minutes. Pay attention folks. This is how you blend genres. Sad to see it didn't win AOTY, but if you're going up against peak Stevie, I get it. Joni and Stevie battling it out in '75. Can you imagine? In the year of our lord 2025, I've got to seriously consider if Jacob Collier is going to win a Grammy. We used to be a country. 9/10 Favorite Song: Free Man in Paris/Trouble Child

10/10 Often imitated never replicated. Joni’s songwriting, composition, and storytelling vocals are in full force here. The peak of singer songwriter work here on the levels of Carole King’s tapestry but in its own unique way. Joni could make like a rolling stone but Bob Dylan could never make Same Situation. Favorite Song: Same Situation

Perfect record to drive home to on a Friday night in LA

I absolutely loved it. Stunning songwriter, pleasantly surprised

great

Joni Mitchell has been a black hole for me musically my entire 40 years of life. I had this idea of her as quietly sitting on a small stool, baring her soul, and while I know that that is indeed a part of her bag of tricks, I was astonished to hear the vibrant instrumentation on this album. It felt like this album was built in order to showcase her versatility as a writer of melodies and hooks, and has officially slid into first place on the list of 'Greatest Albums I've Never Heard Before This Exercise'.

Great. Will come back to this 100%. Lovely tunes, a great voice and thoroughly enjoyable instrumental breaks that are written with care.

This album lets you bask in a mood. 5 stars just for being Canadian and making it.

No notes

Hadn’t heard this one, definitely adding to the rotation!

This hit just right for me. Liked it more than my first listen of Blue or For the Roses. Joni my beloved

Another fantastic Joni Mitchell album. I forgot how good Raised on Robbery was.

I liked the atmosphere it created

Great album

A classic.

Joni Mitchell’s Court and Spark is a stunning fusion of jazz, folk, and pop, tied together by her evocative voice and poetic lyrics. The album feels deeply personal, like a collection of snapshots from Joni’s life. Tracks like "Free Man in Paris" and "People’s Parties" showcase her ability to capture fleeting, intimate moments and turn them into universal stories. Her songwriting feels both observational and deeply emotional, drawing the listener into her world. The orchestration is a standout feature, with lush arrangements and thoughtful touches, like the gospel-like choir in Down to You. Each song feels carefully constructed, yet the album retains an unstructured, flowing quality, especially in tracks like Troubled Child, where the jazzy undertones reflect wandering thoughts and introspection. Raised on Robbery adds energy and relatability, while Twisted ends the album with a playful, witty flourish. With its blend of sophisticated lyrics, vivid storytelling, and rich instrumentation, Court and Spark is timeless and captivating. It’s a collection of songs that lingers in your mind long after the music ends. Final Rating: 5/5

Dazzlingly masterful folk rock songwriting and production.

booooh court and spark mit so schönem bass und slide giti larry carlton aaaaahh. help me het de LA sound mit tom scott horns und sie singt haaammer. free man in paris suuper geili chords gitarre mached so viel bgvs huuere geil im refrain. boooh joni. peoples parties meega schöni 12 saiter und soo kreativi harmonie immer wie? the same situation super schöne isatz vo strings und steel gitarre. es schwebt immer alles irgendwie. car on a hill seehr geils intri tom am sopransax. ich lieb alles bis etz. noooh riichtig geeeil es isch bitz aja time. hihat huere luut haha. down to you kenni. wuuunderschön. LOVE IS GOOOONE fuuuuck huuuui. just like this train kenni au han ich mol die zweit siite vo dem glost? suuuper schön! raised on a robbery mega upbeat für joni aber seehr geil. wafür e sooolo tom. troubled child ultra geil gitarreline. meh en ruhige track macht nöd so viel aber seehr geil. twisted straight up jazz. aaah joni komplizierti jazzmelodie time. aso jo da album isch e heeeerts füfi. easy

Increíble, es muy buen álbum ahora no lo puedo describir mucho pero tiene melodías hermosas (casi prog), ella una voz increíble, buenas letras, muy bien producido.

All albums will be 1, 3 or 5 stars, with no further commentary or explanation given. Played via Spotify, re-listen. (Forgot to say for last two, both played via Spotify. Ágætis Byrjun was a first time listen, Ten was a re-listen)

this was more like a 4.5, I really enjoyed it + I'd listen to it unprompted, if the mood was right. I felt at times like I was listening to a Lorde album though I couldnt really express why. Her voice also grew on me a lot

Amazing, a true classic. There's no one like Joni.

Just some wonderful 70s pop from a very beautiful voice, which I dig very much. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

I… might be at a 10. I’m serious. I’ve never actually heard Joni Mitchell until today – her name was familiar, and I think I have a decent sense of her place in the 60s/70s folk canon, but she’s always been more of a trivia factoid to me than anything else. I’ve just never really had an excuse to interact with her music. I did think this would be good, but my expectations were a little more folk-y & a bit subdued. Holy fucking shit, I was not expecting this though. I harped a lot on storytelling when it came to the Marty Robbins album we got the other day, and this is storytelling in spades. A little more complex, sure, but the imagery she provides throughout is vivid and full of life in a way that’s more relatable to modern times than gunfighter ballads – there are some lines that hit me like a fucking truck throughout this album, and that’s the mark of a fantastic *writer.* There are great songwriters, but she’s really flexing pure writing here. It also helps that she’s really fucking good at making these work as songs; there are catchy choruses and vocal patterns all over this album, but they’re still very easy to follow along to story-wise, save for maybe “Just Like This Train”, but even then, it’s still gettable. That writing ability is just as matched by her vocals (seriously, what a voice – it got me plenty of times throughout the album), and the extremely jazzy/Americana-influenced band behind her. The instrumentals here are fantastic, and give each song room to breathe, their own distinct identity, and just perfectly compliment each other. When this album wants to go full rock, it can do it without blinking an eye – same thing applies to piano ballads, guitar ballads, nightclub tunes, et cetera. I don’t have a single complaint about the production here; everything feels perfectly mixed, and the transitions are seamless when they happen. It all feels totally coherent, and that’s a testament to the quality of every track here. Everything about this album is right down my alley, and I’m really, truly stunned that none of this has ever entered my stratosphere until now. It’s a remarkably tight 37 minutes that kept me captivated on every single word, while still managing to leave room for attention on her vocals and the band behind her. I may simply be blindsided by lower expectations followed by such a strong album, but damn, this really got me good. It’s a hell of an introduction to Joni Mitchell, at the very very least. For my tastes… yeah, I’m at a 10. It was *that* good.

My second Joni! The way she layers her voice on this album is so angelic. My favorite song is Help Me. I love the way she slides her voice on the words "help me", and the chord changes between 30 and 40 seconds really tickle my brain. I can't wait to listen to this again and really soak it all in.

Very nice instrumentation. Some jazz elements.

Not my favorite Joni Mitchell album, but I do love it. Not as good as Blue, but then not many albums are.

Lotta big swings here! And I have to say I'm super impressed. I think after the intimacy and vulnerability of Clouds and Blue, I like that Joni then reaches out to more instrumental richness, filling her songs with bouquets of sonic joy. The harmonies are on point here, the compositions are just delightful - great album! Best Track: Help Me Worst Track: Trouble Child

Best Song: Help Me Worst Song: Twisted

god every time i hear a new (to me) JM album im blown away and this was no different..

I think this is my favorite Joni album I've had so far (this will be the 4th I've reviewed). There's not a dud on this record. Usually I have a hard time getting into a Joni Mitchell album, but this one was great right from the start. She's a poet. This album falls at a time where she was starting to inject more folk and jazz into her music, so I think that helps too. Raised on Robbery is such a high energy song for Joni. It is fantastic!! Favourite songs: Raised on Robbery, Car on a Hill, Help Me, Twisted, Free Man in Paris, Just Like This Train, Trouble Child Least favourite songs: I really can't pick one. This album is super solid. 5/5

Such a cool shift in base sound from Blue, Joni keeps her storytelling forefront with jazzier accompaniments.

Iconic

My second favorite Joni. Absolutely wonderful. 4.5/5

One of my favorites. They lyrics, the mood. Joni's voice.

I had never heard Joni Mitchell prior to this but immediately heard her influence on some of my favorite singers like Sean Nelson. I enjoyed this album a lot!

Lovely

Probably my favorite Joni album, up there with Blue. It’s arrangements, lyrics, and vocal performances by Joni are outstanding.

Just perfect. High level songwriting with some of the best jazz and rock musicians on the recording.

Great? Great.

Magic. Joni Mitchell is one of the finest singer songwriters and this is a fabulous example.

An excellent blend of Joni Mitchell's odd yet satisfying vocal delivery with the genre that matches it, Court and Spark's combination of this soft but complex pop with the always moving nature of jazz leads to tracks with many all-time climaxes. Everything in nearly every track builds up to something greater, and it almost always pays off, with a good touch of 70s mainstream folk to keep the album grounded and lyrically thought provoking. Nearly every track was destiny for Mitchell to perform, and she knocks it out of the park, exceeding anything up to this point, and still standing above anything after it, at least from what I've heard. It's that slight variation between tracks that really flexes Mitchell's musical muscle, and the bluegrass-y Raised on Robbery surprisingly sealed the deal for me; this is a amazing record.

Second Joni album in a row - the last was 4* and I thought “she’s done better” - and lo and behold I was right. This is better.

This was excellent, as I knew it would be. Help Me was a bright spot, but I knew it already, so I might be biased. So incredibly melodic and harmonically surprising. Five stars.

mögulega sú besta

Not as good as Blue, but still worthy of 5 stars

Was pretty surprised to get another Joni Mitchell album so soon after my first. I liked this one even more. A bit less jazzy, and I like that. Just beautiful sound, voice, and lyrics. I feel like this is one to age on.

Great voice backed by a terrific band. Complex lyrics add to a great listen. Wish it were longer!

Had a lovely time what a nice lady. Raised on robbery was a real unexpected bop at the end

Difficult to believe this is 50 years old. Definitely one to go back to 5/5

Fantastic!!

Lush

Joni Mitchell is remarkable

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What pipes! Great lyrics and depth, but the last song’s jazzy slide blew me away.

I'm really not sure why I haven't listened to more Joni Mitchell. She lives up to the hype.

Perfection.

I always think I hate the artsy vibe and the whole musical poet thing that always feels kinda empty to me. But somehow Joni Mitchell does not feel empty, but more or less the opposite, like she's not saying all she could and I love that.

Very good, nice to learn about her

An album I had to listen twice. 5. People's Parties transitions to The Same Situation gracefully. I love Raised on Robbery. Trouble Child and Twisted speak to me. While every song is sweet on the ears.

I am finding words to describe how wonderful this album is. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 5/5

I am familiar with Joni Mitchell as an influential folk singer-songwriter and have heard a few songs from her in the past. However, I had not heard anything before from this album. Court and Spark takes the folk-rock music she had been known for before and infuses it with elements of jazz. The result makes for an overall exquisite listen. Joni got creative with the song structures, where the tracks don't always fall into the standard verse-chorus-verse structure and instead play around with bridges and refrains to give more depth and expression. This more obtuse approach to songwriting is complemented by song transitions throughout the album such as towards the end from "Trouble Child" into "Twisted" with the trumpet soloing. These kinds of structure tweaks made for an engaging listen. Lyrically, this album touches upon the pursuit of love and a simpler life, while also giving some fun caricature moments such as the prostitute's plight on the rocker "Raised on Robbery" or the experiences of Joni's music agent friend David Geffen on "Free Man in Paris". The words come off with a sense of whimsy and the stories told feel lived in. I was very impressed with Court and Spark, and give it a high recommendation.

Great album

Absolute classic by a genius at the height of her powers. Everything Joni Mitchell touched at that time struck gold. A truly unique voice of beauty, grit and grace. Masterpiece.

Blue is the only full album I've listened to from Joni, so that one is my favorite. I was blown away by that album, so I am listening forward to hearing this one. Her roller-coaster vocals are so cool. It's always a mystery where she is going next, and it's a beautiful ride. The musicality and musicianship, the harmonies, the songwriting, and the storytelling are all mastered by Joni. I could listen to her all day. In fact, that is what I'll be doing today. Just Like This Train is one of my favorites on this album. I still like Blue better, though. Easy 5 from me on this one, and probably most of her albums.

Wonderful - the sound of a singer-songwriter really coming out of her shell and embracing new sounds and styles

I started this journey Sith the first album being "Blue" and at 279 - I get met with another great Joni. Such a treat! you really hear how she is such a poet and musician - cent understand how one can be so blessed with talent! Awesome!

I think I like this more than Blue and Hejira. Really interesting arrangements and engaging songs, and very personal writing. Pretty fantastic

I love, love, love Joni Mitchell. This album is really great. The whole mood is really nice. The lyrics are great and how it's reflected in the arrangement. Really wholesome listening experience! So this is my first 5 star album. Favourites: Free Man in Paris

I listened to this album the first time when I was 19. I thought it was beautiful, quirky, sad and funny. Nothing has changed. Love this album.

The best

Magnificent. Wonderfully specific (occasionally waspish) lyrics, great tunes and arrangements, one of the high points of a great series of albums from the singular talent that is Joni

An absolute banger of jazz-rock that is in the pinnacle of historic albums.

Sure

I have never listened to Joni Mitchell before. There’s really something special here and her lore makes sense to me now. Timeless grooves.

oh come on this is always a 5

Maybe the best yet.

emocionante

I can't really explain it, but, as a straight man, this album makes me want to put on a sundress and spin while the sun is shining down on me. This album just makes me happy and comfortable. The jazz music in the singer-songwriter/folk style is incredible. Favorite Song(s): Help Me, Down to You

Great album. Used to listen to it often.

Nice find

loved it

I don't know a lot of Joni's albums all that well. I need to play through them all because this proves that I'm missing a lot of good music.

I love u Joni

I had actually listened to this a few days before as I found a copy of $11 of on original pressing. Jacket was a mess up the record pristine. I don’t think I’ve ever listened to her on proper sound system before instead just on my iPhone. So lovely to hear in a full some way. This is a great record. Highly recommend.

i am a big joni mitchell fan and, on a good day, this may be my favorite joni album. there truly is some brilliance here, as with much of her music. her songwriting is as top notch as ever. clever, funny, emotional, great. this album has her starting to move in a direction she would continue to follow in the later part of the 70s, with it being a little more sophisticated and jazzy at points. we're not at 'Mingus' territory here yet, but it truly is her firing at the pinnacle of her powers. not only does this have great singles, like "help me" and "free man in paris" (all timers, in my opinion), but has incredible album tracks such as 'people's parties' and the title track, as well as the rocker 'raised on robbery.' because of the shift to jazzier music, she includes some fantastic musicians on here. i also love how well curated the sound of this album is. nothing really sounds like this album and it all sounds consistently great. really, this is a moment of transition for joni, but ultimately, this might be the sweet spot for me.

Joni Mitchell's voice is amazing. Gilmore Girls vibes.

One of my all-time favorites.

It's funny, one of the recent albums I reviewed was from a certain modern musician who draws a lot of similarities to Joni. A negative I had for that other album was that some of the songs felt like long-winded narratives. Where the two separate themselves is in Joni's voice. Her distinct sound and style can carry a less orthodox lyrical approach like that with greater ease and keep the listener drawn in to her stories.

another joni mitchell album! i really really liked the last one i listened to. just like the last one, this one is VERY pretty when it comes to composition and writing, the perfect album to listen to when you're sitting in a patio and sipping some wine. emotional, relatable, and transcendent in time. what a great listen.

Nostalgia

Really enjoyed the album, great example of an expert singer songwriter at the height of their powers. Flowed great, just amazing all around.

Joni has such a beautiful voice, wow. While I'm not sold on every song, I'm giving it a 5 because I anticipate myself loving this album with more listens.

Great album. Still have it saved.

Wow. Two songs in and I’m finally getting the Joni Mitchell hype. She’s fabulous. Such an influence on modern music. So much of what came after this was an imitation. This is another one of those albums that could be released now and still be a sensation. Goddamn her singing is so, so pretty. Not my usual style, but I really like this a lot. It’s flawless.

Incredibly complex and interesting music.

Incredible album. The best surprise of this album is the voice of Joni Mitchell’s passing through your heart from his start until the final.

Fantastic album, slowly bringing in some jazz elements that she take farther on later work. Hard not to give this a 5.

Calming zen genre. 5/5

Court and spark Her voice is so great and sounds so good on this album. This is one of her more accessible / poppy album with lots of smooth 70’s soft rock sounds. Great album from the whole way through. Of the 4 we’ve had I’d say my order is Blue, Hejira, Court and Spark, Hiss of Summer Lawns. Some favorite songs are Help Me, Down to you, Peoples Party, Free Man in Paris and Twisted.

Very well manuel

A beguiling tho brilliant listen where she dives deep into jazz vocals.

A troubadour for the ages. No five for Joni, she's a TEN!

What a terrific album. Truly legendary. Joni Mitchell perfectly melds lyrics, melody and arrangement and incorporates jazzy licks. Great songs like 'Help Me', 'Free Man in Paris', ' Raised on Robbery' and 'Twisted'. A nearly perfect album.

One of those albums that everyone should own. Such a great sound and voice.

Bu far my favorite Joni Mitchell album. I like a lot of her stuff but on this one she actually sounds like she is having fun.

One of my favourite albums of all time. Grew up with my mom playing it in the car often because it was her favourite too. 10/10

Beautiful, nothing else to say!

Beautiful Fav songs: court and spark :3

Magic. 5

joni please marry me

Very nice easy listening.