Court And Spark

Just not my kind of music, sorry Joni

Surprised me honestly, I quite enjoyed it. Except for the last song. Last song is way too Tossed Salad and Scrambled Eggs.

A really cool mish-mash of genres in this. We've got some classic acoustic style songs, gentle piano tunes, a proper bluesy track and even a fun wee jazz one at the end. Definitely appreciate the variety in this. Joni's voice was as beautiful and soothing as ever. Some great lyricism in this too (particular stand out in 'twisted'). I've already heard 'Help me' before, and it probably is the best song on the album, as well as being one of the best songs she's written. I'm hardly new to Joni Mitchell; I've heard her Blue album and several of her famous songs. I prefer Blue to this one. Something about her acoustic sound is (so far from what I've heard) unmatched. For example, one of my favourite tracks on Count and Spark was 'People's Parties', a pretty acoustic song with a hint of jangle pop. Despiste all my praise, this is just a pleasant enough album. But knowing how great some of her other albums and songs are, I don't feel particularly enthusiatic about this one. But this is a first listen. It may grow on me more someday.

Te quiero Vania

it was nice, i had it too low so i want to play it again and really listen, but it had a nice vibe

Great folk/ jazz album.

An excellent collection of songs by the Dame of folk. 3.5/5

Might like this one more than Blue. No really memorable songs though.

I enjoyed this album a lot, there are nuances on her songs that interpolates complex jazz and prog material, but still directioning her music to a gentle and melodic style

trying too hard to be jazz without actually putting in the work. it's fine and all but it's not consistent.

Wasn’t necessarily my bag, but was quite good

Nice to listen to but nothing more.

Before starting this list I had never heard of Joni Michtell. Now that I've tried three albums I think I still can't make up my mind what I think of her music. Generally, I don't really care for lyricism, which others say is one of the major merits of Joni's music. This leaves me in a tough spot as for the rest this record isn't that interesting. It's a lot better than the other two records as this one at least has some decent instrumentals. I particularly like "twisted" with its jazzy playful sound. The rest is just kinda upbeat folk music. For what it is trying to do, its good. It however does not strike a single cord in me.

Joni Mitchell remains still an amazing artist who is not my style. I know that many love her, and that is great. I can hear that she makes great music, it really just isn't my style. The album is soft, with great guitars and good lyrics. It is a coherent album, but it does build on its own sound and properly explores what she has to offer. It does make me slightly sad to know that her first album I heard was blue, which really wasn't a good introduction for me on her.

Not my favorite Joni Mitchell album, but it's a Joni Mitchell album, and it's pretty darn good. It's a little too poppy for my tastes, but strong lyrically, and as an Annie Ross fan, I always appreciate the final track.

Ugh, 4th album in a row from late 60s to early 70s. And I didn't love the other JM album I've had so far. Still... 4 tracks in and it's as expected. A folky, acoustic-y sound. You can't deny she can sing, and write songs well. It just doesn't connect with me. I like some of the more jazzy/prog chord progressions that can be found, like the very end of Car On A Hill These unusual harmonies are prominent on Just Like This Train Jazzy feel back again on Twisted. With a vocal delivery putting me in mind of Regina Spector or Fiona Apple Best track - Car On A Hill, Just Like This Train 3 stars

I do like listening to Joni Mitchell, but the previous albums (Ladies of the Canyon and Blue) were more interesting.

I enjoyed this much more than the first Joni Mitchell Album we were served.

I love her voice and harmonies, and help me is outstanding.. but I do find myself getting a little bored the longer it goes on.

Sweet. But a little bit cheesy

3.5

# Album Name: Court And Spark # Artist: Joni Mitchell # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: Lovely little chilled album. Great vocals. # Top Tunes: C&S / help me / free man in paris / car on a hill / down to you / raised on robbery # Would I listen to it again? Yes

Listening session: september 13th, while getting ready in the morning Listened to before: no Thoughts: Joni Mitchell has a really distinctive sound with the falsetto singing, folkish guitar playing and unstructured songs Favourite tracks: Court and Spark, Free Man in Paris & Twisted

Another joni banger!!

I dig the pacing and variety of genre influence on this one. Of course Joni's voice shines through

Joni is folk-rock luminosity! This album is a smoothe cup of tea with a few spiced notes, all wrapped up in fantastic stories of love, self-consciousness, adventures and relationships.

4/10

Yep, that's Joni Mitchell alright. I like Raised on Robbery.

This Folk Rock album feels like being trapped at a dinner table with someone who keeps telling me increasingly elaborate stories about their relationships, feelings, and travels, while I only can wait for the conversation to end. The piano, acoustic and electric guitars, bass, drums, and jazz-inflected arrangements provide a polished but rather undemanding backdrop, while Joni Mitchell's voice keeps circling through the songs in a high, wandering, whiny delivery. I find myself drifting away rather than becoming involved, because the songs seem more interested in continuing the conversation than in taking me somewhere. The occasional livelier arrangement briefly catches my attention, but then the talking starts again.

There is far too much Joni Mitchell on this list. One album was too many, let alone FOUR.

Moni Titchell I liked it more than Blue.

I think this was the best Joni Mitchell album we had. I hope it was the last onen

Gotta love Joni! Such a unique voice and talent.

Catching up on a couple of missed days, so had Joni immediately after Big Black. There was significant tonal whiplash, but this was very nice.

Álbum proporciona uma audição muito prazerosa. Ótimos vocais e arranjos. QoA Adonis New.

3,3 Highlights: Court and Spark, Raised On Robbery

Classic female singer songwriter.

Wow wow WOW. New instant classic for me. So many of my favorite Joni songs were on this album, but never listened to the whole work in full. Such a stunning Labor Day listen.

Great production choices with wonderfully placed guest artists. Four albums by Joni on this list seems a bit excessive. However, this one does deserve a place on any long format list of top albums of all-time.

Beautiful voice beautiful songs. Joni Mitchell makes me think of my mum, even though her favourite Joni song isn’t on this album. I think Joni Mitchell can often be overlooked by a lot of musos in Britain, this album is class and so is she. 5.0/5.0 Best Song: Just Like This Train

Legendary song writer: apparently Loved by all her peers: apparently. Beautiful voice: yes Do I know or care what she’s wittering on about?: no

Somehow I know most of this. Is it possible that while as an untethered toddler in the back of my mom’s Volkswagen Beetle it was playing on a 8 track cassette? Whatever the reason, it’s not really my jam, the narrative is interesting but her voice can get really annoying after a couple of songs.

fine

super cute :)

#233 this is the most I have listened to Joni Mitchell at any stretch. It had always been sparse. She has a lovely voice and the songs were pretty familiar. The jazzier stuff really wasn’t to my liking as much. Biggest Hit - Help Me Biggest Miss - twisted Hidden Gem - free man in paris

Mi primer acercamiento a Joni, no estuvo mal, pero debo escucharlo más. También debo escuchar más de ella, fue una experiencia interesante.

Not really my thing

Groovy, nice to work to.

Okay music

Court and Spark-7/10 Help Me-10/10 Free Man in Paris-8/10 People's Parties-9/10 The Same Situation- 8/10 Car on a Hill- 9/10 Down to You-9/10 Just Like This Train-8/10 Raised on Robbery- 8/10 Trouble Child-8/10 Twisted 9/10

Some of the songs are okay, I just really can't deal with her voice. Sorry.

3.5

I love Joni Mitchell though I don't know her work very well. I do think her song writing isn't best exhibited with a project that pushes you from album to album to album each day. I need to sit with this one longer, I think (and probably look up some lyrics so I can understand what I'm hearing better). Anyway it's really lovely.

Smooth easy listening, usually with a story

Good - enjoyed without being captivated.

Superb album, an album of hers I have not listened to as much as others, but the familiarity of a couple of songs, Court and Spark, Help Me mean this is laced with all timers. An incredible musician, artist, and without a doubt the most iconic female voice of all time. Put it straight back on repeat to enjoy all over again, love this and I will be rinsing it a lot more.

Love Joni

Tedious. Lyrically narcissistic. Musically rambling. Cringe making psychology - ‘My analyst told me’. The whole album felt as if was searching for a tune - and never found it. All the big musical moments - brass, cello, French horn - felt like gate crashers at Joni’s album long solo moan party. .

Ashamed to admit I've never listened to a full Joni Mitchell album, despite knowing her legendary status. I am so glad this album has rectified that. Smooth as silk vocal tone, and such gorgeous feel on every song. The musicality of this album is fabulous.

Not for me, couldn't get into it and every song sounded similar.

Didn't grab me!

Nice listen! Nothing ground-breaking but lovely to have on while pottering around the house or on a road trip.

Really enjoyed some of the songs, particularly 'Raised on Robbery' and 'Twisted', but Im afraid to say, the overall package didn't stir too much emotion in me

not really my cup of tea

Pretty decent. Good voice

Not bad

nice

And thus ends Joni Mitchell's three album run of four star albums. I didn't mind this album. However, all her other albums had a few songs that caught my attention. This one just faded pleasantly into the background.

no me gusta joni mitchell! lo siento

I actually liked this more than i thought i would!

A classic for sure and I love Joni

3.8

bonito, pero joni mitchell…

It was nice but all the songs sounded the same to me. It wasn’t really bad but it wasn’t really good either.

Based on my musical taste, I have every reason to like her, and I want to, but I just don’t.

jazzed up folk stuff

good one

Okay album art! Oh Joni, how I loved you unconditionally before learning you had a whole ass Blackface persona that everyone just rolled with. Have had the actual thought, “Brandi Carlisle must know this and still loves her, so.” And then think, “Brandi is also white” Okay. Here we go. // Loved. Obviously. What can ya do, amirite

Really enjoying this one. Very laid back and got lyrics and songwriting. Canadian legend

I can hear in this where a lot of other musicians I enjoy have gotten some inspiration

Lovely Album

I like her voice but I'm just not into most folk rock. The best of this sounds like a movie montage soundtrack. It's good, but I don't like it.

fun bit of classic 70s folk. "twisted" is an interesting track.

I love her voice and songwriting but the arrangements don't do much for me.

For me, this is Joni at her best. 5 stars or A-.

Brilliant! I love this woman!

essentially perfect

boomer slop

Well this was lovely. I see why she's considered one of the best singer songwriters! Car on the Hill really stood out as a sonic highlight as well. 8/10

The hippie poet makes The 1001 Must Hear List again. Much improved over Blue (our previous listen), Court and Spark is her masterpiece! Never owned this album in any format, but very familiar with it. Opens strong with title track, Help Me, and Free Man in Paris. These three and Raised on Robbery got radio play through the seventies so knew ‘em well. The rest of the album is listenable folk music, Twisted with its guest appearance by Cheech ‘n Chong makes for a nice finish - never noticed that before. (3.3*s) As I look through her catalog, I see two other albums that I recognize. She might be back again…

Court and Spark is an improvement from the hailed Blue album with more going on. Some studio polish and added styles/instruments. On the fence with the final track. At first I did not like the jazzy style but a wild child drinking vodka at three and the jive talking perked it up. Was trying to figure the album cover art out and had to look it up (is that some weird whirly bird tentacle creature?). Original painting by Joni titled "The Mountains Love the Sea." Think I can see it now. 1.63 stars for sparking my interest...slightly.

Nice to see a much more lively version of Joni Mitchell. I can recognize her skill as a vocalist and understand why her early stuff captured an audience when she first debuted, but I much prefer this style with some jazz/rock backing. It adds a lot more depth to her already competent songwriting and lyrics. It's still not something I would put on personally in my free time but I can understand how she carved out a fanbase and was a complementary featured act for many other artists during her height. She can obviously carry a tune and having some solid players behind her makes it more palatable to my ear. Her career endured for 50 years for a reason and I can understand that her music wouldn't have been made for my demographic. Not a bad entry in Court And Spark but 35 minutes was about all I needed. 2.56 stars

Another name I've heard. A beautiful voice! Very interesting lyrics, feels like listening to poetry readings in a good way. Loved the piano and the choral sections. Very interesting listen. Twisted was a stand out for sure!! Will likely seek out more by her in the future!

A lovely record — that's the right word and it's not a small thing. Court and Spark is Joni Mitchell at her most accessible and her most sophisticated simultaneously, the jazz influences that would come to fully define her later work beginning to integrate with the folk-pop songwriting that made her famous. The result is something that satisfies both worlds without compromising either. The LA Express provide the backing and Tom Scott's saxophone gives the whole thing a warmth that Mitchell's earlier guitar-and-voice records didn't have. The arrangements are lush without being busy, leaving space for her chord voicings — those open tunings creating harmonic colors that conventional guitar playing can't produce — and a voice that carries emotional weight the conversational lyrical style makes feel like something overheard rather than performed. "Help Me" is the signature and her biggest commercial moment, a piece of jazz-pop that sounds effortless and is harmonically more sophisticated than almost anything on the radio in 1974. The second half delivers the variance that keeps the record from settling into a single emotional register — good sequencing rather than accident, the album breathing differently as it goes rather than maintaining one consistent mood throughout. Some critics have never quite known what to do with Joni Mitchell, which is a failure of listening rather than a legitimate critique. Court and Spark makes the case for her without asking anyone's permission. A four that the songwriting and the sophistication earn completely.

Tykkään Jonin pehmeästä äänestä. Tämä levy oli aika rauhallinen ja sisälsi monta hidasta biisiä. Yksi meneväni pala oli lopussa.

Not many hits here, but it's JM in the pocket of her best years.

Yeah it was okay, pretty basic but some good emotional stuff in there.

Laughin and cryin you know it's the same release. Masterpiece! And yes that is Cheech and Chong on Twisted

I like her voice a lot, but overall, the music just isn't gestalt'ing for me. ★★★

Very diverse. I liked how jazzy it was

nothing memorable its average

Pretty, I liked Car on a Hill best

Not my thing

love joni mitchell's voice and the way the lyrics are sung. overall gostosinho de ouvir.

She is wonderful, of course. Canadian icon!

Very easy listening that caresses the soul and soothes your ears. 10/10

I was excited about this one cause Jasmine has her Blue vinyl - her first vinyl purchase, so I know it's special! I loved this and listened to her other popular songs on Spotify and it just leaves me wanting to listen to more / relisten again. she is an incredible vocalist and her lyrics are introspective and poetic and put a smile on myself :) i also had heavy associations to an album i love: Titanic Rising by Weyes Blood. she must have been heavily influenced by Joni Mitchell. if you liked this album, at least give Movies by Weyes Blood a listen - not exact but heavily reminiscent of Help Me!

Well this album was a pleasant surprise to the ears. I'd never heard of this artist or this album—though I now know she was part of Bob Dylan's circles—and getting the opportunity to listen to it is part of the reason I'm happy I found this website. Lovely folksy 70s sounds, great harmonies and instrumentation. This was a joy to the ears and I probably would have never checked it out otherwise.

One of my favourite albums of all time.

Exceptional

Might bump this up to a 5 eventually, I really dig it

Not as good as her early stuff, bit more musicianship- that raw edge is missing here

This is my favorite Joni Mitchell album. It's the moment she expanded out of folk and weaved in jazz elements without losing the focus of the song. The stories of frustrating love affairs and David Geffen's frustration with the industry feel tangible and emotional. I know Joni is not for everyone but, if she is, this is the pinnacle.

I knew this album from way before. I listened after a long time and i still like it a lot, even tho some songs are not that great and can be boring at times. I love Joni's singing and lyrics.

This is her best one yet but I still am not convinced she needs three albums in this list

Previously unknown. I enjoyed this more than I expected. Musically interesting.

Joni is an eternal 3 for me. I don't hate it, nor do I love it.

"Help Me" is such a good fucking song, I'd rate this at least three stars if every other song on the album sucked, but fortunately that's not true and most of the other songs are also great.

Not sure about this one, Joni

Some good grooves on here, but it overall didn’t strike my fancy. The last song brought the score down a lot.

I like "Help Me" quite a bit but this doesn’t hit me like some of her other stuff. There’s nothing here I like as much as, for example, “A Strange Boy” from Hejira.

So far every Joni Mitchell album sounds like I woke up on a Saturday morning in 1970 and I gotta take my station wagon to the gas station and then pick up some groceries.

I love this album so much but then I remember Joni’s continued defense of when she did blackface.

Sweet and listenable but not for me

Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Ziemlich öde.

4 sterne

Court and Spark - 3.5/5 Help Me - 4.5/5 Free Man in Paris - 4/5 People's Parties - 3.5/5 The Same Situation - 3.5/5 Car on a Hill - 3.5/5 Down to You - 3.5/5 Just Like This Train - 3.5/5 Raised on Robbery - 4/5 Trouble Child - 3.5/5 Twisted - 3/5 As some people have already said, Joni Mitchell seems like she would be a better poet than a musician. There are things here that are pretty good, including the standout "Help Me", but everything tends to blend together where it's hard to differentiate between certain songs. It's a very strong 3.5*, but for this here it's a 3. Overall: 3/5 Favorites: Help Me

How did a review complaining that Joni's songs don't have choruses get to be the second highest rated review here. How dare an artist not stick to the bog-standard ABABCB pop-song structure! Blasphemy! Even though this album is listed as folk rock, the jazz influences are definitely there, particularly in "Twisted", though less prevalent than in "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" (which came later, so presumably something she decided to lean more into?). This album is similarly easy-listening, and Joni's voice is similarly gorgeous. I wasn't paying close attention to the specifics of the lyrics, but they flow quite freely similarly to a beat poem, except actually really beautifully sung. This gives the album a feel like a series of short stories. I don't think it always works all that well, and it can give it a slightly awkward limping feeling sometimes, but it was never offensive. I can understand Bob Dylan falling asleep to this album; it's music I could quite happily fall asleep to too - Joni's voice has such a comforting tone. Couldn't fall asleep to anything by Bob Dylan though because of the obnoxious harmonica, let alone his voice. Unlike "The Hissing of Summer Lawns", there wasn't a track here I didn't like. The backing could use a little more variety, and I appreciated it where it happened (like the brass in "Down to You"), but the piano is lovely anyway. This also didn't outstay it's welcome at only 37 minutes. Not long enough for me to get bored. "Raised on Robbery" is a jam. Good! 4/5

Smooth slow uninteresting jazz. It's not bad and I'd say I like her voice but it all gets kinda samey. It's short and doesn't overstay it's welcome. High 2

Never heard of this album. Very good. Listened to it twice. Will probably grow on me with subsequent listens.

Better than expected but not my type of music.

very beautiful and unique, but not really for me

She has a good voice but it still all kind of sounds the same after a few songs.

Blended together but her voice was good

Fine. She sounds good I just don’t understand why this is supposed to be incredible/important. Just fine, wouldn’t complain if someone put this on but if they did that and then said it’s their favorite album I’d give them a weird look.

I just don’t really get the appeal. She’s a decent enough writer, but don’t care for vocals in higher range. And not really sure what genre this falls into

7/10… singer-songwriter / folk / *1974

Jazz Folk...What a concept...What a record.

This is everything that was missing from her other record on here. Superb.

started tuesday august 11th, 1:42AM

she’s got range ok

The music lover in me wanted to like this, however I'm already not the biggest jazz fan and this is a jazz heavy album. Something about her singing out of rhythm with the music made me feel actual anxiety-it's a personal pet peeve of mine.

9 / 10

Eclectic. I’m just wondering why ladies of the canyon is not included.

liked this more than Blue but i still don't really get Joni Mitchell

2.5. Some songs were fun but it isn't my thing.

I love this album so much. The lyrics, the music and Joni’s voice - all of it.

'Free Man in Paris' is my favourite song of all time. Must be the best transitional album ever made.

high 4 ive tried to become a big fan of this album so many times. i like it a lot and there are some real highlights

Really enjoyed

Upbeat and wholesome. A turn for Joni Mitchell.

I like the growth in Joni Mitchell's sound. Building in jazz and R&B riffs, a little more rock and roll on top of the folk singer/songwriter vibe that she owns. Comparing it to Blue is tough though. I really felt her in that album and mostly just heard her in this one. The way she stretched artistically is amazing but I lost some of the connection. Help Me

Because -stars aren’t allowed

What could be possibly worse than listening to one Joni Mitchell album, listening to your second Joni Mitchell album. Then realizing there is still two more. Ugh. 1/10 Top song... None

Far too much easy listening jazz for my taste. I prefer folky Joni. 1.65 rounded up to 2

Def the most accessible Joni for me. Love the jazzy stuff, some bops on here

I don’t like her music as much as I probably should

WOW!!!

08/08/2026 I didn't mind this so much, I would say it was worthy of 4 stars. Spotify listeners: 2.8 million

I wish i couldve enjoyed this as much as a widowed millenial lesbian. This was still phenomenal the song writing the instrumental great, just not my style. fav song: Car on the hill

So close to a 5 for me but raised on robbery and twisted bring it down to a 4. Love Joni Mitchell though

Nicht mein Ding

Joni Mitchell müsste ich vom Prinzip her völlig abfeiern, aber keines ihrer Alben, die ich bisher gehört habe, wollte zünden.

pretty, technical, impressive but also the forgettable soundtrack to a dinner party I'm desperate to get away from... 2.4

Singular voice still holds up

The only thing that's a over-represented and boring as mediocre British pop on this list is folk from the Laurel Canyon. Of course Joni's lyrics, composition and her feminist approach have been influential and deserve respect. I still cannot stand her annoying style of singing and the music.

o court and spark é um dos meus favoritos da doutora lindo demais, como sempre

que pedrada da porra. vou até escutar os outros dela que passaram por aqui porque esse eu gostei DEMAIS mesmo, to mto surpreso. acho que me pegou finalmente. delicinha demais. coisa fina e tranquilinha!

Someone said that most of the songs are just unstructured messes that never go anywhere (no choruses and endless verses). I couldn't agree more. They're cute, and thirsty, but become frustrating to listen to at times.

It's not quite the blue album but what a voice. I'm so glad there are multiple Joni entries.

This one is not for me. Definitely the female Bob Dylan, poet turned “musician”. I feel like I was getting whiplash emotionally and honestly just was not interested in her personal journey in relationships. It felt like a very specific time capsule that unfortunately(or fortunately) I was not alive for.

I might get crucified, but i've never been a massive fan of joni - i respect the music but, it's just never had a mass appeal to me. However, I think this is one of, if not her most, accessible albums, it definitely has its place

Wowzers what an album, I’m decently familiar with blue but this was new for me. Way more uptempo and jazzy but just as well written. Joni Mitchell really is that good

Joni's music isn't what I'd call accessible (she's clearly allergic to writing a proper chorus) but she is clearly a gifted poet. In that sense this is certainly a beautiful album.

That makes two Joni Michell albums for me, and I think I can officially conclude that I'm not a fan.

Sure her voice is nice but those orchestral and jazz arrangements did my head in. Not my type of music, happy that others get joy from it.

Versatile, vulnerable, and vibrant. My first perfect score for this project. WOW, what an incredibly dense and diverse album. Heartbreak and hedonism woven throughout this album. Sensational.

Helt ok. Jag är inte överdrivet förtjust i Joni Mitchell. Visst har hon gjort flera fantastiska låtar, A Case of You till exempel. Men en hel skiva blir lite enformigt att lyssna på. Favoriter var Help me och Raised on robbery (egentligen enda låten som stod ut för mig). Jag gillar Joni i små portioner och inte på ett helt album, i alla fall inte detta.

Um, featuring cheech and chong! Larry Carlton goes on a real heater, playing guitar on the rest of Joni's 70s albums AND, much to Jay's chagrin, four incredible Steely Dan albums over the same period.

Instantly recognizable voice. Solid album for a Sunday afternoon listen.

Down To You is a masterpiece but I couldn’t get Liz Lemon’s impression out of my head.

Not bad, nothing special for me either. Piano based, variety in instruments. Maybe it needs a few more spins.

I know this already, but the first thing I noticed upon revisiting it is the full diversity of sounds. I think it's a lot to chew on, and it goes to beautiful places, but it is also not the longest record so my ear was interested and never tired. My main gripe is that at times, I think it's a bit disjointed, cause it's not structured in a typical way (in particular the songs themselves) and that can throw me off a bit. But yeah the poetry, the vision, the expertise in sound, her voice that is so fucking delectable, and she is incredible.

Maybe I was just having a rough morning but, while I enjoyed this, I didn't like it nearly as much as the fairly similar Hissing of Summer Lawns. I dunno man music is funny that way. Maybe I'll come back to it someday.

I don't mind this. It's not my jam, but I'll give it a 3 because I could see myself listening to this again.

Can't see myself ever getting into Joni Mitchell, but I respect the artistry.

My review of The Hissing of Summer Lawns also applies here: I appreciate that Joni Mitchell is an icon who has influenced countless artists, but her music doesn't do it for me.

It's extremely difficult to pull of the jazz-folk pop thing, but Joni does it better than almost anybody. A couple of these tracks light up my cornball sensors, but this is otherwise a wildly inventive record. Joni has a completely unique ear and, as a result, her songs never sound hackneyed or generic. Her sense of harmony, structure, texture, and melody is unmatched.

Honestly, felt more soulful and mature than Blue in certain ways. This was a great forcing function to explore more Joni Mitchell, whose body of work is so deep that it can be difficult to know where to begin. This album is a great place.

This is a DENSE album! There are some toe tapping bits but I need to re-listen to the lyrics to really understand them.

Joni really is one of the best artists of all time. I've really enjoyed the dive into her back catalogue and this is right at the top of pile. A poet with a deep understanding of the human condition and a wonderful voice.

So much of this is great (Free Man in Paris especially), but I'm deducting a star for Twisted. For the sake of our sanity and hers, no one wants to get Joni Mitchell on the subject of how much she identifies with jazz musicians, but I don't think it really works.

Dug it some.. Maybe I don't like Joni Mitchell as much as I thought I did.

Some folk, some soft rock some soul some jazz but overall pretty boring.

"Heeeelp me I think I'm fallin..."

3.95 for Joni's Court and Spark, but it's getting a 5 star because it's an essential album to listen to for everyone. This is a major sea change for her, adding electrical and a backing band where as her previous albums were mostly acoustic with just her singing. Not that this is bad, her songwriting is at her strongest on this album, and it basically set the bar for what a singer-songwriter can do in the space coming from the traditional folk and more into the pop rock era. It's excellent and one of my favorite Joni albums.

10/10 album

Court and spark - 3 Help me - 3 Free man in paris - 4 People's parties - 3 The same situation - 3 Car on a hill - 3 Down to you - 2 Just like this train - 3 Raised on robbery - 4 Trouble child - 3 Twisted - 3

before I even start, I am so excited to listen to Joni Mitchell. I've a little bit been saving her for a "special" listening moment. But today is great and I should stop waiting. Oh wow her voice is so soothing. So far the first two songs have been phenomenal. Wow, so happy to have finally listened to this.

Fine

nothing but respect for ms. mitchell but this album isn't doing much for me. pleasant music, lovely vocals, well-written if a bit quaint and sometimes corny lyrics, in one ear and out the other highlights: help me, car on a hill, raised on robbery, trouble child

Fun

1.7/5 I'm not a fan of Joni's voice so this wasn't an enjoyable listen

SLAYYY. Mi primer album de Joni. 5 asegurado. O sea, tengo una visión sesgada porque amo a Joni y todo lo que haga me parece una maravilla. Este no es mi album favorito, aunque teniendo a Help Me se justifica mi puntaje. Probablemente lo reescuche y me guste más (como me pasa con la mayoría de sus álbumes)

Bit rambly and self indulgent She’s trying to fit too many words in each bar Maybe she should’ve been a rapper

Joni steps into jazz. I love how weird she is willing to get in this one. It’s not my favorite of her albums but still really good.

This was a truly beautiful listen. Joni has a wonderful voice and a writing style that demands your attention, even during quieter songs that would fade into the background for lesser artists. The production on here was great, fitting in beautifully with the lush sounds of AM gold and Laurel Canyon permeating every interesting chord progression.

Another album I was pretty familiar with before going into this, and while I didn’t really love it before, I can pretty confidently say I do now! This is pretty easily the most “pop” Joni Mitchell album: it still obviously has a lot of folky elements, but it also adds a bunch of really fantastic hooks while still being just as well-written as any other Joni album. I don’t think it’s her best, but it’s grown on me a lot and I do love it a lot. And ‘Help Me’ is her best song.

Fine album.

Nice and calming to listen to - good background music.

# Joni Mitchell - *Court and Spark*: An In-Depth Review Released in January 1974, *Court and Spark* stands as Joni Mitchell's commercial breakthrough and a pivotal artistic statement—a "bridge of sighs between folk-rock singer-songwriter and neo-jazz experimentalist". It was her sixth album and ultimately her biggest hit project, reaching #2 in the United States and achieving double-platinum certification. The record represents a deliberate step into jazz-inflected pop, showcasing a newfound polish and sophistication while retaining the confessional intimacy that defined her earlier work. ## Lyrics: Confession, Observation, and Internal Conflict The lyrics of *Court and Spark* mark a shift from the raw emotional immediacy of *Blue* toward more distanced, analytic ruminations on love's patterns and paradoxes. Mitchell described the album's approach as "songs about love" rather than love songs, with the lyrics weaving a central thematic tension: the conflict between freedom and commitment, and the "almost Zen-like dilemma" of always knowing what she wants while remaining depressed when she gets it. ### Key Lyrical Themes **The Freedom vs. Love Dichotomy**: Throughout the album, Mitchell explores this fundamental ambivalence. In "Help Me," she captures the thrill of romantic surrender tempered by self-protection ("We love our lovin' / But not like we love our freedom"). The title track finds Mitchell unable to leave Los Angeles to follow an alluring drifter ("But I couldn't let go of L.A. / City of the fallen angels"), choosing career and security over romantic possibility. **Fame and Its Discontents**: "Free Man in Paris"—famously about her friend David Geffen—depicts a music industry executive yearning for escape from the "star-maker machinery". "People's Parties" presents a more personal view of Hollywood social circles, capturing the performative nature of celebrity gatherings with lines like "Laughing and crying / You know it's the same release". The album reveals Mitchell's growing cynicism about the L.A. scene she had entered. **Mental Health and Vulnerability**: The album's closing pair—"Trouble Child" and the cover of Annie Ross's "Twisted"—address madness from two angles. "Trouble Child" depicts a medicated savant who threatens the comfort of those around him ("Breaking like the waves at Malibu"). "Twisted" uses humor to mock psychoanalysis ("I got into the vodka one night"). Together, they "flirt with insanity from a distance safe enough to show she can control even so threatening a concern". **The Internal Conflict**: The album's central tension is crystallized in "The Same Situation": "Caught in my struggle for higher achievements / And my search for love that don't seem to cease". This conflict reflects the broader challenge faced by ambitious women in an era when career and partnership often seemed mutually exclusive. ## Music: The Jazz-Inflected Arrangements *Court and Spark* represented a significant sonic departure from Mitchell's earlier work. Where *Blue* achieved emotional effect through sparseness and nuance, this album "achieves its ethereal and lyrical quality with even more instrumentation than any of her other recordings—including horns, strings and a full rhythm section". ### The Session Musicians Mitchell assembled some of the finest session players of the L.A. jazz scene: saxophonist/arranger Tom Scott and his band L.A. Express, guitarist Larry Carlton, drummer John Guerin, and keyboardist Joe Sample. Guest contributors included Robbie Robertson, José Feliciano, David Crosby, and Graham Nash. The musicianship throughout is impeccable, with "tonal separation sharply defined" and arrangements that feel both meticulous and spontaneous. ### Musical Highlights **"Down to You"**: Often cited as the album's masterpiece, this track uses instrumental breaks as storytelling devices. A long instrumental passage—moving from somber bass notes to pizzicato strings and triumphant piano chords—mirrors a journey from darkness to acceptance. As one critic notes, "the music is less a reinforcement of the lyrics and more of a counterpoint to them". **"Car on a Hill"**: A bold experiment that "suffers from a possibly too literal conception". Mitchell changes tempi and inserts choral passages between verses, attempting to contrast specific lyrics with dreamy interludes—a technique that works better in concept than execution for some critics. **"Help Me"**: Mitchell's only Top 10 hit, it demonstrates her ability to blend accessibility with sophistication. The track features "John Guerin's measured rhythms on the skins" and "Larry Carlton's soft-sex electric guitar licks". ## Production: Polished but Contested Mitchell co-produced the album with engineer Henry Lewy, while Bernie Grundman handled mastering. The production represented a significant step toward polish and accessibility. ### The Controversy Not all critics embraced the new sound. A contemporary review complained that Mitchell had "buried herself with too much sweetening," sounding "sometimes like the Carpenters" and losing the "simple purity of style" that defined her earlier work. The critic noted her voice had become "lower, huskier" and that she risked becoming "just another pretty voice". ### Technical Quality Audiophile reviews praise the album's sonic quality. The Rhino remaster features "more punch, more weight down low with excellent resolution and texture on percussion, piano and woodwinds". Some find the pressing "a bit brittle in the higher registers of the piano" depending on the pressing, but overall the production is considered "superb," with "pointed observations on superlative pitch control, timbral complexion...and paper-dry patterning of drum skins and brushes". ## Themes: A Woman's Perspective on Love *Court and Spark* is notable for offering a woman's perspective on the complexities of modern relationships. As one commentator notes, "while most relationship stories were told from a male perspective... Mitchell gives us a woman's perspective on love". The album moves from *Blue*'s self-blame and *For the Roses*'s blame of others to a more mature view: the source of unhappiness lies in relationships themselves, "in the patterns of interaction between lovers". ## Influence: A Lasting Legacy *Court and Spark* has proven remarkably influential. Stevie Nicks described dropping acid while listening to the album, calling it "a pretty dynamic experience". The album's melding of confessional songwriting with jazz sophistication influenced generations of artists, from Kate Bush to contemporary singer-songwriters. The record also represents a key moment in Mitchell's artistic evolution, setting the stage for the even more experimental works that followed: *The Hissing of Summer Lawns*, *Hejira*, and *Mingus*. As one critic observed, for younger listeners, *Court and Spark* often supplants *Blue* as the essential Joni Mitchell album. --- ## Pros and Cons of *Court and Spark* ### Pros - **Sophisticated musicianship**: The jazz-influenced arrangements featuring L.A. Express and top session players are impeccable - **Lyrically rich and emotionally complex**: The album captures nuanced ambivalence about love and freedom with remarkable precision - **Sonically excellent production**: The recording quality is superb, with clear separation and dynamic range - **Commercial accessibility without artistic compromise**: Mitchell achieved radio hits while maintaining her artistic integrity - **Tonal variety**: The album ranges from the poignant "Down to You" to the raucous "Raised on Robbery" and the humorous "Twisted" ### Cons - **Loss of intimacy**: Some listeners miss the stripped-down, emotionally raw quality of *Blue* and earlier work - **Occasional over-production**: The elaborate arrangements can feel like "excess baggage" that buries Mitchell's voice - **"Car on a Hill" experiment partially fails**: The tempo changes and choral passages feel overly literal - **"Twisted" is a stylistic oddity**: The closing cover, while charming, feels disconnected from the album's emotional arc - **Voice has changed**: Mitchell's voice had become lower and huskier, losing some of its earlier ethereal quality --- *Court and Spark* remains a landmark album that successfully balances commercial appeal with artistic ambition. It captures Mitchell at a crossroads—between folk and jazz, between the personal and the universal, between the pursuit of love and the demands of career—and represents what one critic called "a sky-high marriage of serenity and yearning". While some fans may prefer the raw intimacy of *Blue* or the experimental daring of *Hejira*, *Court and Spark* stands as Mitchell's most accessible masterpiece and a definitive statement of 1970s singer-songwriter artistry.

One of my favorite musical styles ever ever, the quirky girl singer songwriter,.was born right here. Without Joni there is no Alanis, no Regina Spektor.

4/10

Full sound but I don’t think I like Joni.

Possibly even better than “Blue”. “Raised on Robbery” standout song! High 4*/5

It was really nice but some of Joni’s vocal line Melodie’s have lines running into each other and it irritates me as a listener because there’s no space. That s my issue and shouldn’t stop you enjoying some beautiful songs.

Joni é poeta, mas musicalmente não me encanta tanto. Talvez seja um disco melhor do que me parece, mas dificilmente escutarei de novo.

lovely

not a huge fan

Pretty but somewhat boring

So when I was 16 I was walking through a mall and this came on the loudspeaker. Don't recall which song. I stopped, literally, mid-stride, listening in shock and awe (sorry, my phrase too, not only the warmongers'). I knew a couple Joni songs from the radio, but this was different. The start of an obsession. I walked to the record store and bought the LP.

As big of a Joni Mitchell fan as I am, for some reason, this album was never one I fell into. I'm familiar with much of it, but damn, taken in one sitting, what a fantastic record. "Help Me" is a gem of a song, and there are many others that rival it on this. Love the jazz feel, love the unpredictability, love Mitchell's unabashed literacy. Great album, a treasure of a songwriter.

Some great tunes on here, though the 70s smooth-jazzy sheen has always been a bit of a turn-off for me. Still, it's Joni.

What is there to say about Court And Spark that hasn't already been said? All the accolades seem so trite when compared to the masterpiece that is this album. This listen I had swirls of memories from distinct moments in my life when I would spin this. High School - I found the LP in a record collection from a family I babysat for. They let me spin their records. I think I even borrowed Dr. Rothfarb's album and failed to return it. Summer of 1984 - I was an exchange student in Germany for the summer brought this with me on cassette. Help Me became more about falling in love with myself and my choices. I felt so powerful listening to this song. That confidence helped me make it through that summer. Fall 1987 - Back in Germany for the year, feeling so mature and worldly...I was a free woman in Bremen going from cafe to cabaret. Joni singing on my Walkman as I navigated so many cobblestones. Mid 90s - Finally upgraded my cassette to CD and started to hear the music behind the lyrics. Oh christ, the same situation. All I wanted was to send up my prayer. Last night - Thankful that prayer was answered. Most thankful Joni Mitchell and this, my favorite album, has been a soundtrack through all my journeys. Lately I've come to recognize what a strong impact travel & music have had on me and my life choices. So this isn't really a great review of an album. But Joni's work has always meant more to me than just music. And we know millions of people feel the same way.

Might relisten, might not. Don't like Joni Mitchell

This has probably been my favourite full album of Joni’s I’ve listened to, every song isn’t amazing but it flows so well, you almost don’t need to worry about which song is which, just enjoy the album!

I like Joni Mitchell and haven’t listened to this album. I am familiar with Help Me and Free Man in Paris. Love the album. 3rd favorite of Joni’s.

This is an easy album to admire. Joni Mitchell is universally respected for good reasons. Brilliant lyricist, incredible vocalist, and as an artist, a true trailblazer. Help Me and Free Man in Paris are timeless masterpieces. There are no bad songs, and there is a pleasant variety. Raised on Robbery is a cooking little boogie woogie number, while a number of the others are smooth and slick stories set to a folk-music wrought storytelling approach. I can't see anything but five stars for this album.

Niet echt me ding maar raised on robbery was wel leuk

Pretty solid Joni Mitchell album. I’ve listened to her before. It’s a really lovely sound and feeling but I can’t say it was knock my socks off.

I liked this a lot more than the last Joni Mitchell album we had! I’m not sure why, maybe because it was more jaunty and varied? Really loved Free Man in Paris in particular (I long to be a free man in Paris)

I think this was pretty good but didn't leave too much of an impression on me. Raised on Robbery was so good!

Beautiful. I think this album really demonstrated her lyrical capacity, in that she tells stories that are so incredibly believable that you can imagine them happening word for word. Raised on Robbery the highlight.

Joni Mitchell is a great artist. Blue is an alltime classic, and you hear a lot of the songs from this album on certain radio stations, too. So it's almost a personal shame that I can say that I just can't get too warm about it. There's artistry galore here, from Mitchell herself and I wouldn't be surprised if the session players are Wrecking Crew level 70s all-stars, too. But, sorry…

Sehr tolle Stimme diese Frau, hat Spaß gemacht dem Album zuzuhören

Joni, nein danke. Ich werde kein Fan von dir. Langweilig.

angenehm

Very good album. I enjoy listening to Joni.

Very much my type of stuff

Me gustó mucho su voz. Me gustaría escucharlo más y con más atención a las letras, siento que me podría gustar más aún. Igualmente no es tan mi estilo como para repetir el disco entero, probablemente escucharía canciones sueltas. Me gustaría poner 3 ½ pero no me deja.

So, I feel like I should like this better than I do. I listen to all of the women inspired by Joni, so I should like Joni. I mean, is there something wrong with me? I don't know, but this was just ok. Maybe I just don't vibe well with her singing style. Her lyrics are interesting, but it's not enough for me to love Court and Spark. I did like the song, "Raised On Robbery", but the album as a whole is just ok.

From the beginning song court and spare which rambles beautifully to the peerless help me. This is an absolute work of art. A different style and more narrative rather than the personal previous albums. Such a storyteller and such a voice. A quiet album that kicks like a mule

Pleasant and well performed. Nothing really stands out. I liked the title track the best.

I don't mind a lot of Joni Mitchell's material, but for some reason nothing on this album grabbed me, maybe it was plan old familiarity (i.e. I didn't recognise any track).

Enough of my own musical heroes consider Joni a hero that I totally understand her importance. The music has just never done a lot for me. I have already had Blue in this project, and I think that was the only one people NEED to hear before they die. Diff'rent strokes, for different folks. Reading the Wikipedia page, this album had quite an all-star cast! This did kind of grow on me. Maybe I just haven't listened to enough Joni.

legalzinho, mas acho que não é pra mim. No final, achei super genérico o estilo da música, apesar da voz da Joni Mitchell ser incrível e as letras serem até que interessantes.

Boring

Didn’t have a chance to fully write something up for this one but I thought it was really good. The vocals were lovely and even though most of the album wasn’t upbeat, I didn’t find myself getting bored. 4/5 ⭐️ 203/1089

I don't get all the negative criticism on this album. Joni is a brilliant singer, composer and poet. Unlike a lot of modern music, her songs tell a story that's relatable to so many, backed by beautiful arrangements. Her vocals are straight up buttery goodness! The only song I didn't care for is "Twisted", not because it's not good, but more so because the jazzy change up threw me off.

Not as money and sad as I thought it might be. Definitely the last song on the album was a nice surprise

Quite nice

Enjoyed this

Such an amazing voice

I was going to give this a 4, but then I waited a day and gave it two more listens. This is really good, her voice is always beautiful but it feels just completely like an instrument. Such range and careful use, I could have this on in the background just all of the time.

Pretty groovy and funky; I liked this one more than Hejira a week or two ago.

Meh

I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. It is definitely going into the rotation.

Good listen..timeless tunes

____zzz___

Jeg kan ikke høre Joni Mitchell uden at tænke på verdens bedste julefilm. For når man siger Joni må man også sige Love Actually. Og har man sagt Love Actually må man også sige Alan Rickman. Og så er vi jo uundgåeligt ved verdens bedste julefilm: Diehard! Nå men musikken spørger du? Det er ikke mærkeligt at Rickmans karakter i Love Actually hellere vil flirte med sin sekretær end at tage hjem til sin Joni Mitchell lyttende tørre kiks af en kone.

Better than Blue??? This was amazing

Saturday, 11 July, 2026 A great follow up to Blue, just not quite as good. Side one is amazing.

boring

This is another very good album by Joni Mitchell. It's more varied than Blue, with some more rock and jazz influences. Songs I enjoyed: "Help Me", "Free Man in Paris", "Car on a Hill", "Down to You" (great arrangement and probably my favourite track in the album), "Raised on Robbery" (a great "rocker"), or "Trouble Child" (great lyrics). Actually, the song I enjoyed the less is "Twisted", which happens to be the only cover in the album . Overall, I think it deserves 5 stars as part of this project.

ABSOLUTE TRASH. SOUNDS TOO BORING. ALL THE SONGS SOUND THE EXACT SAME TO ME, NOT LIKE A CHARACTERISTIC STYLE, IT LITERALLY SOUNDS THE SAME, ALL SONGS

At first, I listened to the beginning of the album while reading, and honestly, it fit really well with what I was reading, It felt very cinematic, almost like a soundtrack. Based on my music taste, I think this is the kind of music I’d have playing in the background when I’m looking for inspiration or just trying to relax. It reminds me of a warm summer sunset while I’m drawing and feeling inspired. “Help Me” has a great instrumental, However, it’s not something I’d listen to all the time or become obsessed with. It’s not really my usual style or what I’m used to listening to, but I still enjoyed it. My favorite songs were “Help Me” (which I noticed is the album’s most popular track) “Just like this train” and “Car on a Hill.” I didn’t finish listening to “Down to You.”

Simply beautiful

I watched a woodpecker climb a tree while the People Laughing portion, like Woody Woodpecker, of People's Parties came on. Its weird how nature can match the music you're listening to. She reminds of Dylan in that when the story is engaging, you are engaged. When it is not, it can be dull & my brain goes elsewhere. Yet the music is amazing. It's very jazzy & very easy listening. 3

Joni is just SO good at writing and has some of the most unique and recognizable styles of all time.

I admire but don't necessarily love her free association weirdly spaced phrasing and singing style. Blue was a very good listen, Hejira was decent, this is pretty meh to me, sorry to the Joni Mitchell blowhards. Ok that last track was a nice little jazzy bop though.

Joni Mitchell is always good. I enjoyed “Twisted” and “Raised on Robbery”—sounds like she had fun with those. “Free Man in Paris” also stood out to me. Lyrics hooked me “I deal in dreamers and telephone screamers…”

sehr schön

Lovely

iconic

Like

First of 4 Joni Mitchell albums on this list and the first time I've listened to an album of hers. Despite this not being *the* Joni Mitchell album (which I've heard it Blue) I enjoyed this album for the most part. My favorite tracks are "Help Me" and "Raised on Robbery" and while not every song hit like those I can appreciate what Joni is doing and I enjoy the various genres she features on this album. 3.5 rounded down to a 3/5

I don’t care how Love, Actually frames it, I’d be quite happy with a Joni Mitchell CD

calming

I know this album well, it's the only Joni album I own.

It was nice, very chill. Her singing was a bit much for me though

She’s a poet

It's good! Exactly as I anticipated with a folk singer. I haven't listened to a full Joni Mitchell album prior to this but I enjoyed my time with it. Introspective while not being boring or dull, some tracks that went beyond a typical 3:05, it was well worth the listen and I enjoyed my time.

I'm pleased that they have the next two of Joni's albums in here along with this one! That's my favorite stretch of her catalog for sure. This album is just incredible, a perfect synthesis of her earlier folksier stuff and the stuff that comes after this that becomes more meandering and outwardly jazz-influenced.

A pleasant listen, can’t say much more than that really

Joni Mitchell is an artist who needs to be listened to more than once to hear the nuances in the lyrics and the music. No one writes songs like she does. But when you first hear her, it doesn't make sense as pop music because she breaks so many "rules." Nevertheless, her influence is enormous, and she lays claim to being one of the all-time great songwriters.

fint album. jeg kan virkelig godt lide joni Mitchell's stemme.

..

So good

Majestic

(5/7) glad she found a band

Det jag gillar med Joni Mitchell är just hennes röst men känner att hon sjunger likadant hela tiden. Nu låter det som att jag inte förstår att hon har en röst men tycker att hon kan experimentera lite mer. Låter lite oinspirerat ibland. Mycket fint men också mycket svalt.

Não senti

General Thoughts: * Her lyrics are *dense* in multiple ways: She sings through them quickly, but they're also laced with meaning deep enough that I can't parse them as fast as she's singing them. * Her voice eventually grated on me almost as much as Curtis Mayfield's falsetto. Since the lyrtics are so dense and so fast, I could barely parse any meaning from them, so her voice was basically "just another instrument" at that point. * There are so many songs that I lost track that follow the same pattern - Immensely interesting instrumentals on their own, that *completely disappear* when she starts singing and turn into some of the most generic folk-pop in the world. It's like every song is two songs: The part where she's singing, and the part where she isn't. And I like the parts where she isn't a LOT more. Final thoughts: If I had the inclination to sit and pause and rewind and analyze each song to really pick them apart I would end up liking them more, but on a very first listen? It really didn't do much to inspire me to listen again. In the end, so much of it blended together that it felt "Samey". And if you like that samey, then this is GREAT. But I didn't. Would I listen to Again: No Overall Score: 4/10 - 2 stars What goes on the playlist: Free Man In Paris, Raised on Robbery, Twisted.

An extremely pretty, perhaps relatable story of loneliness, falling in love, being turned down, coming to terms with rejection. And then a side story at the end, with themes about mental health and acceptance of neuro-diversity, which would have been extremely forward thinking for the time. I thoroughly enjoyed my time listening to this, relating to the themes very strongly.

Pre-Listening thoughts: My folks loved Joni, and I'm familiar with some of her work. Folk music can be great to listen to, and while I'm unfamiliar with the album by name, I know what I'm getting into.. This is her biggest album charts wise with the biggest single (even though Ladies of the Canyon's Big Yellow Taxi has had greater lasting power. This is the first of four albums we'll get from Joni, and Ladies won't be one of the four. So listen to Big Yellow Taxi on your own, it's one of my favorite songs, and is actually one of two songs I sang for my American Idol audition. (The other being Hooked on a Feeling) Court and Spark: Piano to start, very gentle and typical Joni, warm and builds after the first verse. Just a little melancholy like I'd expect from Joni. Album title track as opening track is an interesting album building choice. Help Me: (Second Single, Most popular single ever) Nominated for two Grammies. Oh YEAH! I know this track, mom used to listen to it all the time. Very good track, I love the winds that are in the background as almost seasoning. Very 70s folky songwriting, this almost could appear as the example of the genre from the time. Free Man in Paris: (Third single, top 3 single ever) Flutes are a little more audible here. I don't have a ton to write, these are good, and kinda comfort food music, what I grew up on. By now I'm sure I've heard this album before, likely mom listening to it. The multitracking harmonies are great on this track though! And this has Crosby and Nash doing backing vocals! Nice! People's Parties: This is just warm… soothing. Same Situation: Oooh, a seamless transition, that's neat, and good on an album! It feels like a continuation of the previous piece, but slightly more challenging and deeper. Car on a Hill: This has amazing multitracking, as the BG vocals are all Joni, And this also feels… smoky… but not like jazz club cigarettes, more pot and other casual drugs that the flower power hippies did. Down To You: Won a grammy Joni's piano playing is so good, I can see why dad loved this as much as mom. Another soft folk track that is just… comfortable. But this second part is a little more challenging sounding, before resolving back to a piano solo. Ooh, some gospel feel, and is that an oboe? The WARM orchestration is so comfortable, I can see why this won a grammy, it's good! French horn!! Just Like This Train: Back to normal, this is more radio friendly than the last track. Raised on Robbery: (First single, least popular on album) Oh GOSH, why wasn't this more popular? This is the most upbeat on the album, and a GREAT choice for the lead single, and SO different from the rest of the album. The feel of this is just so much less warm and safe, and more fun and exciting. While showing her musicality. This is AMAZING. You can hear Robbie Robertson's guitar so easily on this. Damn, lovie it so much! Trouble Child: Oooh, this seems more soul, and then she started singing and it pulled it out. Her voice is almost incompatible with what the intro promised, it's obvious by the shift when she came in that it was mixed to blend with her voice. This is another so close to being a change from her style, but it falls back into it. Damn it, the sound when she's NOT singing is what I want to hear, the moment she comes in, the sound changes, I want the song without her voice. I like the song with her voice, but it doesn't sound as good as the other promised song. Twisted: Another seamless transition, and MUCH more Jazz. THIS is fun. Love the muted trumpet. This is the only track on the album that she didn't write. This is my second favorite track, damn, this is good! CHEECH AND CHONG! That was unexpected and awesome! God that was a great finish to the album. Overall Thoughts: These tracks feel… short. (Except Down to You, which was just a wonderful long piece.) Really enjoying overall, it's comforting, safe, and brings back memories of childhood. Did I mention I'm Gen X and do have memories of the 70s and early 80s and the warm wood tones in homes, and music like this on the radio. Before the neon and harshness of 80s pop and new wave challenging this status quo. This is obviously more Jazz inspired than the earlier folk she'd done, and has some fun experiments that are still rather safe by today's standards. This was pulling the mainstream soft rock forward for sure. This did so much to pull her away from the folk rock Hippie who skipped on Woodstock to do the Dick Cavett show image. Favorite Song: Raised on Robbery Least Favorite Song: Trouble Child Album rating: 8 Familiarity: 8 Would I listen to again: Yup! The whole album is great! I can see why it was her most popular album.

This may be the most approachable album I’ve listened to all week. Joni Mitchell is one of those musicians who is just kind of… always there. I’ve never really paid much attention to her work; that may be because I haven’t spent a lot of time listening to folk rock, or it may be just that I haven’t had the urge, or didn’t have the chance, or... Well. Ask me why I’m doing the 1001 Albums Challenge. Anyways. I turned this one on, and the opening piano just made me smile. The way that “Court and Spark” builds up over the song feels like the proper way to open an album like this, bringing all the pieces together into a full band. The songs on the whole are… emotionally dissonant? That’s probably the best way I can describe this. If you pay no attention to the words, these are all (well, mostly) upbeat, hopeful songs, a little jazzy alongside the piano and guitar… but if you pay attention to the words, most of these are sad songs, the words of someone who has fallen out of love with love. There’s a vulnerability on display here that you don’t often get in albums that try to be pop music. It’s an unusual combination, to say the least, all leading into “Trouble Child”, the one song that actually feels downbeat in the music to match the lyrics. It actually feels kind of like it’s what the whole album is building to, the inevitable crash of someone who is trying to appear happy while they’re inwardly depressed. … and then that track suddenly veers into the bubbly jazzpop of the one song on the album that Joni Mitchell didn’t write, a cover of Annie Ross’s 1952 “Twisted”, which fits at the end as, like… the person who went through all those songs we just listened to needs therapy, I guess? It’s very clearly a different style altogether from the rest of the album, but it feels like a perfect mirror of “Trouble Child”–one song took all the pessimism and held it so that the other could be a release of joyous energy. 7.5/10, but then bumped up to 8.5 for “Twisted.”

My second Joni album in a few days and this one didn’t resonate with me as much as _Blue_. It was a jazzier affair than its predecessor and perhaps felt a little too produced compared to the more visceral _Blue_. Still decent though, and I’d probably give it another chance.

Se, det er god chill.

Joni Mitchell tiene cosas súper lindas, pero a veces no tengo la capacidad de escucharla. Hay cosas de su elección de tiempos... No sé

Fun and light, with some confusing lyrics