Hejira

I’ve got lots of love and appreciation for Joni Mitchell’s greatness, but I can really only enjoy it in small doses. This is good. It’s not “Blue”, though. Three stars.

I spent most of the album looking at the track list waiting for it to finish.

After listening through a few times I'm left with a question - why is this album on the list? I'm not saying that it's a bad album, far from it. The issue I have is that this is the fourth Joni album I've had so far and I just can't justify so many inclusions from one artist. There are thousands of albums released each year so there is inevitably deserving artists that have been snubbed. With that said I'm not letting that influence my voting for this album, I'm judging it on its own merits. I loved the previous albums from Joni that I listened to, yet this one didn't quite land quite the same. I didn't connect with it on the same level. It's a good album but I'm not sure I will revisit it.

Hejira is a pretty good album. This album definitely does have a lot of the typical Joni Mitchell staples that you would expect from her. It has lyrics that are more like poetry and i think that is easily the best part about this album as it really does show what Joni is capable of and she does tell some great stories here. The music here is also alright, some pretty good sounding stuff but i do feel it doesn't go all the way and isn't as memorable due to it just not having enough elements to keep it interesting and to set it apart from it's cotemporaries. Its a good album, i just feel that it is not the best that it could have been. Best Song: Black Crow Worst Song: Coyote

Didn't really pay attention but not a good thing that it couldn't hold my attention... Not for me

Just don’t care for her style or sound. Easily could be a 1 for me.

1/5

Pretentious, long-winded, completely un-musical, and dull. I have nothing positive to say about it. Not for me.

The last of the four Joni Mitchell albums on this list. I still have the same problems with it as I did with her previous work, the songs just don't stick with me even if in theory I should love this. Anyway, this one sounds a bit artsy-er than the other ones, with less conventional song structures and even jazzier elements. Key tracks: Coyote Black Crow

Nope.

I took my own hegira after listening to this. A full on exodus from ever having to listen to Joni Mitchell again.

lol this sucked

If I realized one thing through this exercise is that Joni Mitchell is like nails on a chalkboard for me. This felt like pretentious hippy poetry and every time she came in I wanted to punch something like Randy needed to punch Brennan in Step Brothers.

Someone please explain the love for Joni Mitchell to me. On second thought, please fucking don’t. 1/5

Joa gut nix dran auszusetzen, bisserl longweilig

So so good wow

Loved this!

She is like a folk run on sentence. Insufferable.

Her voice is lovely and the instrumentation is great, but I do find the songs a little meandering and similar to each other

Wow. While I've enjoyed, I've never been overly impressed with Joni Mitchell outside of Blue, but this was outstanding. Totally blew me away. "Coyote" and "Amelia" are possibly Joni's best songs, but every track on this album was fantastic. Totally brilliant, and I loved the mood of the album. I'll be listening to this a lot.

Cozy

Not a great album, tolerable and able to listen to it but noting super really.

Another Joni Mitchell album. This one was probably my least favorite of the 3 I've heard. I am not a big Joni fan, and this album had a lot of stylistic choices that I dont enjoy: breathy si g-talking, vocals that dont match the instruments, and rambling lyrics. Overall- not bad, but not for me

Much of this album strays away from the folk music Mitchell was best known for as she experimented with a decidedly Jazz sound. The bass lines, percussion, vocals all sound more jazz than folk. Still a solid singer-songwriter and I thought the lyrics were deep and meaningful. While I really love Blue, I did not like this sound as much.

I mean. I guess it's fine. It's still Joni and her lovely voice, but I don't think I'd ever really be in the mood to put this on over something else by her.

This is one of my favorite Joni albums. I actually like it more than Court and Spark. Cannot miss tracks: Coyote Amelia Hejira

I have yet to listen to anything from the 70s that I genuinely like.

Enjoyed it.

Just......didn't do much for me. I do like some Joni Mitchell songs, and a great laid back vibe for background, but......nothing really stood out.

..

This is incredible. Amazing singing, beautiful instrumentation (love the fretless bass) and incredible songs. It just delivers with this incredible weight. Awesome.

Normally I'd rather to a chalkboard being scratched for an hour than a Joni Mitchell album, but this one was an unexpected surprise, mostly thanks to the superb bass playing. Of course it was Jaco Pastorius! Best song is Black Crow.

boring and just boring and boring some more.

She has such a lovely voice

boring

I enjoyed Joni's strong vocals and lyricism. The instrumentation was a tad boring for me.

Seriously, what is the difference between this and your single aunt showing you slides from her summer trip over any generic Starbucks coffee house CD while going into far too much detail on the strange men she slept with along the way. Just like the slides it just goes on and on and on. This is wildly self indulgent.

This album is one of my favourites by Joni Mitchell (which is saying a lot) after only maybe Blue, and it contains “Coyote”, which is one of my all-time favourite songs. The way in which she sings that first verse is just…inimitable. A truly beautiful album that never fails to make me cry.

I love her vocal inflections; equal parts Bob and Paul Simon, and yet this music feels like an entirely new experience. For an album pretty much standing against the idea of a song having typical song structure by fully rejecting choruses, each song still stands on its own with some of the most beautiful lyrics I’ve ever heard.

Hey, it’s Joni Mitchell! But not at her best. And I’ve never bern a fan, she doesn't speak to me or for me. But hey! She’s a bucket and a half better even on her off days than much of the dross on this list. 3.

26/02/25 It was just okay.

Monotonous Guitar and everything same sound every track. Zzz 🤤 🧟‍♀️

you either love Jaco or not I guess. The chords and lyrics are ace. It's a masterwork

I have never heard an entire album by Joni Mitchell so I am glad that this project forced me to do that. I go back and forth on this. Her storytelling, poetry type lyrics are beautiful and deep. Sometimes they feel a little to raw and unfinished but I do credit her with creating some deep songs. Coyote was a bit weird. It seemed like a fun diddy, but basically the guy was a predator. Maybe that was the point but then again it just felt way to casual and happy for the content of the song. That theme went a little bit through the album and maybe just a little too casual for some of the themes. Maybe that was her perspective at the time, somewhat the brush it off and act like everything is okay, and maybe it would have hit me better at a different age in my life.

I can imagine myself sitting in a sunny coffee shop listening to Joni sing these songs, and wishing she would stop. All the songs are the same in that it amounts to her sorta flowy washy guitar chords while she sings her poetry. The rhythms are lacking. The melodies are not catchy. Harmonies are non-existent. I didn't really care for this. It was kinda weird... and not in good ways.

These feel more like stories than songs. I'm really not familiar with Joni Mitchell's music, so I wish I had listened to an earlier album first to get a better idea of how her music evolved to this. She has a pretty voice and is a good storyteller, but as music, nothing really resonated with me. I did do a good amount of reading on her today since she seems like someone I should know more about. Her story and career are absolutely impressive, and she was an incredible influence on so many other artists. I'm gonna assume there's more Joni in this project, so maybe some of her other work will make me a fan. This was almost a 2 for me, but it didn't annoy me in the way that most of the 2s I dole out do.

I'm not a Joni Mitchell fan

Joni Mitchell is like licorice. I really want to like her music, but I just don’t. Her phrasing is weird to me, like her voice outruns the music. Like she’s trying to fit 87 words into one phrase. If this album existed without her voice, then cool, I could dig it. And props to her for succeeding as a singer songwriter with an impressive catalog. But bless her heart, her voice is awful. And the album cover looks like she’s one of those old bitchy ladies that says “hey peasant, you washed my car with Dawn and not with my 487 dollar car soap.” 1001 album worthy: No - 49/89

Beautiful, special voice

Pleasant listen given Mitchell's talent. Nothing stood out in a big way, either positively or negatively. Lyrics range from dark and sad to humorous, lots of story-telling.

music very much subordinated to the lyrical content here. fortunately, that lyrical content (introspective travelogue) is generally top notch.

Rating: 4/10 Very boring. The lack of choruses takes its toll on the album very quickly.

I've heard of Joni Mitchell before but never heard a song of hers. I just know that she's a legend. It's definitely a grower of an album, and it will take multiple listens to fully appreciate it but after only two spins, I already love it. It's a collection of some of the loveliest songs sung by someone with one of the loveliest voices I've heard. The title track has a slight south Asian tinge to it which sounds great. An immediate standout would have to be the epic 'Song For Sharon'. It's gorgeously haunting. The bass throughout the album is a highlight but on 'Black Crow' it's so so good, it oozes cool, coupled with the equally good guitar riff and solo towards the end of this slightly heavier sounding track. There's not exactly a typical structure to the songs and I love how loose and open they are. Albums like this are the reason I started this challenge. Great from start to finish.

coyote- i dont really know what to make of this. i feel like i just went to my aunts house and shes in the backyard singing and dancing while naked. 5 amelia- stop it. 3 furry sings the blues- you got a furry to sing the blues? 4. NOT THE HARMONICA. hes missing a leg??? a strange boy- 4 hejira- 3 song for sharon- THIS IS EIGHT FUCKING MINUTES?? black crow- 4 blue motel room- refuge of the roads- joni, this sucks

3.5/5 so Joni Mitchell but I eat it up every time

Yeah pretty good Easy to listen too A lot of joni on this list. Don't want to hold it against this album If its a 4, it's barely a 4, maybe a high 3

Enjoyed it.

I think she wrote a book of short stories but needed an album so she just kind of sang the stories. These songs are meandering. It’s good storytelling but it did not need to be set to music.

joni is a gem and legend.

Man, I know people get their pants in a bunch about Joni Mitchell, but I think she’s just ok. The songs are interesting musically, but the melodies are not compelling and the lyrics tend to ramble. To each their own, I guess.

Joni is a very talented singer. However these songs don’t really speak to me and I find them all very similar and boring.

Muy lindo canto, guitarras Super exquisitas 6 letras que se salen de lo típico. No es mi género pero también, le voy a poner buena puntuación. Definitivamente voy a escuchar otro de sus discos. Nota: 3.8

I've never been a Joni guy. I lived with a Joni superfan, and despite the exposure I just never got her. I liked this more than I thought, but it leaves me feeling pretty flat. I wasnt a huge fan of the fretless bass sound on the album. My favorite track was Hejira. I liked the darker palette. Album cover (B-) No strong feelings

An ethereal entry bordering on jazz. Worthy of more exploration, for sure.

It’s loose, jazzy, and kind of meandering. The bass is front and center, making everything feel like it’s floating. The guitar is bright but soft, more like watercolor than sharp lines. The lyrics feel like someone figuring things out in real-time. It has a similar vibe to Paul Simon’s later stuff—folk mixed with jazz, storytelling without a clear ending. It’s not in a hurry to get anywhere.

Good porch music. Vocal cadence is almost jazzy.

Not Joni’s greatest but it’s Joni so it’s great.

I've always loved Joni's songs. On this album, I really appreciate the music, the texture of the guitars, especially. There is a warm depth of the music that I really love. 4.5/5

2/10 L'ho trovato molto meno interessante rispetto a Court and Spark, un altro album che mi è stato proposto qui. Pieno album country, ma che ho fatto fatica a terminare, trovandolo noioso. Chitarra acustica, armonica e noia. La bella voce non è sufficiente.

Lyrically brilliant, beautifully produced. Not exactly what I enjoy, but it's really good

Not for me. 1/5

A very pleasant experience. Of course the bass work by Jaco is just phenomenal, and is the reason I bought this album in the first place. Joni's usual penchant for singing long flows of words with no thought to any rhyming scheme is evident here as usual. Just a straight up storyteller that happens to sing instead of speaking. It's hard to really pin down what genre any of this is, some sort of folk/pop/jazz amalgamation.

Belíssima voz

My favorite Joni Mitchell album. A sprawling exposition of 1970s feminity and self-identity.

It was ok, but probably not returning to it anytime soon

Enjoyed. Hints of what is to come

Coyote 3.4 Amelia 3 Furry Sings the Blues 3.2 A Strange Boy 3.4 Hejira 3.3 Song for Sharon 3.4 Black Crow 3.2 Blue Hotel Room 3 Refuge of the Roads 3.1 Score: 3.222222222

A Joni Mitchell album. No surprises. An enjoyable listen. (3/7)

Folksy girl with guitar. She has a really happy pleasant voice. Stand-out: Coyote

Lovely vocals and melodies.

Great voice. I wanted to like this more, but it was too monotonous and I couldn’t follow the stories.

Pretty and atmospheric. Enjoyed the title track and Blue Motel Room in particular.

Although some of the lyrics are cool and Joni Mitchell's voice is unique, this album isn't a stand-out for me.

Not a fan. Seems like she's got a lovely voice, but I don't like her singing style. All the songs seem very similar to each other. I know she's highly regarded, but I don't get it.

It's ok. Not my jam, really.

Not my favorite (Joni, or this album), but still a solid album

This one feels like it’s for the real Joni heads out there - if you enjoy her writing enough to listen to a stream of consciousness of it. For the casual listener I thought it was fine but kind of tiring. Couldn’t tell you the difference between the songs.

Never been a big Joni Mitchell fan. This album is good but I don’t love it. Coyote is a great opener but nothing else stands out to me.

I probably would have liked this more if I care more about lyrics. The music on here sounded pretty similar track to track and just was not something I loved hearing. I'd be open to hearing why this is a "great album" but it sounds nowhere near as good as Blue to me.

Es impresionante lo sólido que es el catálogo de Joni Mitchell. Habiendo escuchado ya el famoso "Court and Spark" uno podría pensar que la cantautora podría bajar en calidad en sus obras siguientes (ya que Hejira se lanzó dos años después del icónico LP), pero no es el caso. Mucho más fácil de escuchar, en mi opinión, Hejira se adelanta al sonido de "cantautora" que reinó en los años '90s con PJ Harvey, Alanis Morrissette y Tracey Chapman. De la producción solo queda decir que es sorprendentemente buena, haciendo que las largas canciones de más de 5 minutos en promedio se sientan como frescas brisas de los páramos norteamericanos. Las interpretaciones de Mitchell no dejan de sorprender, ya que parecen conversaciones y recuerdos de un relator confiable, poniendo voces, riendo y entrando completamente en los personajes que construyen la totalidad de Hejira. Pistas destacadas: Coyote Furry Sings the Blues Hejira

We have crappy, snowy weather today in Colorado. And what a great album to listen to in such conditions, staying warm by the fire and away from the cold. While I love Joni’s earlier work, this was more of a challenging listen. And I mean that in a good way; you just don’t get the lovely nuances in the instrumentation and chord progressions, which are typical Joni. Like a lot of music that demands deeper focus and attention. She doesn’t disappoint, especially in the writing, but it’s the band that gives this a cohesive vibe. Having said that, it’s that necessary deeper listening that goes against the idea of a 1001 albums challenge with one new album coming at you every day, that makes this one a harder than usual case. I’m rating it a 3 of 5 stars today, but I get the sense it’ll provide rewards for me if I revisit it regularly. My favorite cuts are “Coyote”, “Furry Sings the Blues”, “Hejira”, “Song for Sharon”, “Blue Motel Room” and “Refuge of the Roads”. My copy is from the Asylum Albums (1976-1980) box set released last year from Rhino Records, a great way to get an overview of her later work. < EDIT > Yup, it’s said that this album is a grower and damn if that experience didn’t happen for me. I listened again as if it was calling me to reconsider its merits, and I gave a focused listen with no distractions and I fell in love as if the universe was opened up to me. Not only a five star album, but a stone cold classic.

Sometimes albums I listen to in the morning decide my playlist for the day on Pandora. I enjoyed listening to this album, plus the music that Pandora connected to it. A wonderful day of inspiration.

Joni and Jaco! What else can you ask ?! Beautiful album. Not as iconic as Blue, but really good! 4 stars

Stunning production and the usual heartfelt lyrics that we've come to expect from Joni. When testing new audio equipment, this is one of my go to albums.

Take the jazzy parts of summer lawns and give the songs a rock edge. Joni Mitchell is seemingly the queen singer/songwriter, flexing her stylistic range with each album throughout the '70s. Hejira is simply fantastic, taking everything she's learned to date and perfecting it to a fine point. It's a haze of memories and introspection, with the road guiding Mitchell to be the woman she is today. The mark of a great songwriter is someone who truly knows themself, being able to weave stories from their own life and emotions. It's beautiful, in a word.

It feels much denser than Blue and Hissing of Summer Lawns so it'll probably take a while before I get a good grasp on this one. I still really enjoyed it albeit not as much as the previously mentioned. It goes in a jazz direction that I usually can't get much out of but I felt like I was able to understand it better than usual. Rating: 4.3

Already had Hissing of Summer Lawns, and I feel similarly about Hejira. Nice enough background music and the bass is cool, but the rambling / free-form structure doesn't grab me. The songs feel like they don't go anywhere and nothing is particularly memorable on this record. Please add a hook or two Joni..

All the songs sound the same.

Flatter than expected. Did nothing.

I think I liked this even more than I liked Blue. Amazing bass playing from Jaco Pastorius, who really brings that extra something to the tracks he is on.

over the past couple of years I have really fallen in love with Joni Mitchell's music and although this is the first time I've listened to this record, in particular, I can say this falls right in line with everything else. this album lives at the crossroads of folk, country, and jazz, and it is such a comfortable position there. this album is so cozy even though at the same time it feels like a road trip album. there's a longing that exists in a lot of Joni's music that is also ever present. here. her songwriting and her melodies are top notch as always, and I love the expanded jazziness exhibited here. just a great album through and through!

Love Joni but this is not her best album.

I’ve been guilty of enjoying the occasional singer/songwriter, but I simply hate the watch show phrases her lines when signing. Halfway into the last song I got so annoyed that I has to turn it off. Not an album for me

I just don't get Joni Mitchell -- her phrasing is weird, and that takes me so far out of the music that I just can't enjoy it. I know everyone considers her a genius, and this isn't the first time (nor will it be the last time) that I just don't get it.

Сложная музыка с великими текстами. Лучшая песня - Hejira.

Joni travelling around the US in the mid 70s recording her experiences over scattered beats. Kind of medidative. Poetry set to music. A bit rambling but also soothing and beautiful.

It left me feeling nothing. I really don’t have much to say so unlike this album I’ll keep it short and sweet. Unnecessarily long songs and very boring. There was nothing really there to grab my attention, very much a case of once you’ve had one song you’ve heard them all

I think she writes lyrics to songs without the music, and then just smashes them into whatever random musical tune she likes. It is influential, in the same way that dinner time cleft lip aid adverts influence me to change the channel, rather than donate to a good cause.

Joni has an incredible knack of singing in a way that makes it seem like she's unfamiliar with her own songs or lyrics. It's like listening to someone fumble through a song they're not familiar with on karaoke- with almost every song following the same, inane pattern. Squeeze a load of out-of-rhythm syllables into the middle of a line, then drone out the last word. The songs were filled with pointless metaphors, excessive and hollow imagery- more often than not about roads and highways. She should have taken a different career path, something that gets her closer to those highways.. like a taxi driver, or roadkill.. then maybe she'd have satiated her obvious tarmac fetish. Basically it was poncey horseshit. The sort of music you'd expect to hear from a single, middle aged beret clad woman, that writes her music in Starbucks.. when she's not busy telling people she an "artist".. who paints poetry with her lyrics.. when actually what she does is force her friends and family to buy her shit, homemade CDs, and refuses to go and get a proper job because she's an infantile, workshy ponce. Take your beret and your matcha green tea squirrels milk macchiato and fuck off.

took me absolutely ages. Didn't know if I was enjoying myself or just confused. Basically a singing version of action bronson where she just lays out random nonsense lines. I finally decided I wasn't enjoying myself during 'Blue Motel Room' when she said 'Will you tell all those girls your got... Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeerman measels? Tell them you got................... germs.' Shite

I first became aware of Joni Mitchell when my mom used to listen to Blue and chain smoke Silk Cut in the kitchen, and stare off into the distance thinking about her youth, whilst also effortlessly caning our Cadburys selection boxes (yes it's always Christmas in this memory). For this reason, I've always disliked Joni. What was she doing to my mom? and why would anyone want this for themselves? Also, I cannot stress enough how much I fucking hate that bit in Big Yellow Taxi when she laughs at the funny voices she just did. AND SHE FUCKING DOES IT AGAIN ON FURRY SINGS THE BLUES! I'll give it a 2 because I know that objectively it's not shit, but I find very little to enjoy on any of her records. If she comes up again, this is getting copy and pasted.

When it comes to Joni Mitchell's music, the emperor isn't wearing any clothes. She can't sing, and even her songwriting is a meandering mess. Just because she used to shack up with Graham Nash doesn't warrant all of the butt-kissing that she receives at the mouths of the music press and hipster d-bag aficionados. Zero stars

Insanely good!! Loved it and will listen again!

This is definitely one my my favourites from Joni Mitchell so far. I have yet to really properly get to know any of her albums, but I can just tell that this is one of her best. I really like albums that contain fewer songs, but each song is much longer. It makes for a far more memorable album and that can really be felt here.

Sooooo boring. I wish I liked it more but it's just not that fun.

2nd best album...good

Dreadful stuff. Fell asleep twice.

Great voice, gentle singing and on this album she shifted to more enigmatic sounding instrumentals.

her voice so grating im forever joni hater

It’s not for me, lads.

I am not a Joni Mitchell fan, but I do think she has a way with writing lyrics. What saves this album for me is the inclusion of the best bassist of the 1970s, Jaco Pastorious. Mitchell appears to have given Pastorious the record and just said, please bass all over this, and the result is glorious! 3⭐️

Wanted to like this way more than I did. It's just not my kind of music. It's good, she's incredibly talented, but this style ain't my jam. 3/5

Wasn't a fan when the album started, but it kind of grew on me. Mostly the rhythm section.

First of all, It's Joni Mitchell. But, then it's also Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell has always been a difficult artist for me. I deeply appreciate what she has done for music, but I find all of her stuff too quiet and sleep inducing to enjoy properly.

I have listened to it before and really didn’t like it. Today it was a different listening experience and I enjoyed parts of it and Pistorius fretless bass in particular. Still not a favourite but I can see why people like it so much.

That was dull and bothersome to listen to...

boh ascoltabile?

Idk but Joni Mitchell... They Say its her best album which tells me that there's not much more to expect from here discography. Good songwriting i give her that! but it is so fast a drag for me

The start of her fading star, Ladies Of The Canyon was a long time ago, even Court And Spark released two years before this feels like a lifetime ago. This feels a touch overdone, overindulgent, she's wanting to tell a story in each song but most overstay their welcome... "Coyote" is a great opening song, but it's also too early a peak to fully enjoy the album as a whole.

It is the fourth Joni Mitchell album on the 1001 list. I don't have anything more to say after the first 3.

3.5

Initial reaction to the album reveal: I am 49 years old. Prior to beginning this project, my entire exposure to Joni Mitchell is the line in Janet Jackson's Got Til It's Gone when Q-Tip says, "Joni Mitchell never lies." Based on the albums of hers I've heard during the last year of this project, I wish that were still my entire Joni Mitchell experience. It's probably the best one of hers I've heard so far. It's still droning and tedious. I sincerely hope there aren't any more Joni Mitchell albums.

2,5

i didn’t like it

Over the years, I've had my fair share of struggles connecting with Joni Mitchell’s music. I've spun Blue and Court and Spark countless times, trying to fall in love with her as some of my friends have. I have immense respect for her as a lyricist, songwriter, and vocalist, but something about her delivery and even her choice of subject matter hasn't fully clicked for me. It’s a personal disconnect, and I’m sure Joni isn’t losing any sleep over it! Hejira, however, was new territory for me, and knowing it marked her deeper exploration into jazz, I was eager to give it a shot. At first listen, it sounds like a natural extension of her earlier sound; the compositions are looser, and her vocal tone feels a little deeper and more grounded, yet it’s still unmistakably Joni. But if anything, this album’s restrained delivery speaks to me more. She’s less focused on pitch-perfect moments and more on letting the raw emotional undertones of her words shine through. There’s a natural flow, a sense of just letting the words and music breathe. Subject-wise, Hejira is a true road trip album, drenched in solitude, introspection, and freedom. Inspired by Mitchell’s 1975 solo drive from Maine to California, the songs are shaped by the long stretches of highway and open landscapes she travelled alone. This album feels like a series of snapshots—moments of clarity, passing thoughts, deep reflections. In tracks like "Coyote" with its flirtatious spontaneity, "Furry Sings the Blues" with its haunting portrayal of Beale Street’s lost past, and "Song for Sharon," where she contemplates the paths not taken, she captures the exhilaration and isolation of the journey. Hejira has been a revelation to me, upending my preconceived notions of Joni Mitchell and her music. Its understated beauty, raw emotion, and introspective lyrics have drawn me in like never before. The album’s cinematic feel, rich with evocative imagery and stripped arrangements, creates the impression that you are riding shotgun with her on the highway. Did/Do I own this release? No Does this release belong on the list? Sure, although 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns', 'Blue' and 'Court and Spark' are more closely recognised with the artist Would this release make my personal list? I'm surprised by just how much I enjoyed this album. It may not have made me a die-hard fan just yet, but it definitely brought me closer to appreciating her world. Will I be listening to it again? For sure.

It's fine

Liked this way more than expected

Not really music I enjoy but can appreciate why some people might like it

No reason to ever listen to this one again

3.5

This is a great album and is definitely growing on me. It’s in between folky and jazzy. Gonna do a 4.5 because I can tell there’s more there.

Joni Mitchell versteht ihr Handwerk mit viel Seele und Herz. Beeindruckend was die Grand Dame abliefert. Ihre Kreativität ist unerschöpflich. Top!

Carino, forse un pò ripetitiva la voce dopo un ora di ascolto...alcune parti veramente spettacolari, tuttavia per apprezzarlo al meglio bisogna capire molto bene l'inglese in quanto l'artista sembri raccontare delle storie

I quite like this rambling style of singing she's got going on. It helps with the storytelling and really captures the "roadtrip" vibe. It's a nice, calming album but too samey and gets boring after the first couple of songs. Probably one to listen to a couple tracks from every now and again rather than playing the full album. A generous 3 me thinks

It was okay. A little slow at times but overall super chill vibe.

Not a Joni album that I reach for that often but a really great one that demonstrates an evolution of her sound.

I love Joni, but everything else she has done is better than this one

Enjoyed this a whole lot more than expected. Super relaxing tunes and quality singing. A little boring at times but still good, coyotes a great tune

Listened but didn’t hear.

Impeccable story telling as you’d expect from Joni Mitchell. As a whole album it’s just all a bit samey and far from her best work. 3.4

Too many words. Always.

Way to boring. I couldn't even get through it

Absolute masterpiece. One of the greatest albums ever made. Whilst Blue will always have a special place in my heart, Hejira is probably the pinnacle of Joni's work.

Not my vibe today. Might need to give it a second chance

Glad I’ve finally listened to this properly; I need more time, as the lyrics have the density of poetry, and must settle. This is as close as I’ve heard in record to the Beat ideal, a series of glimpses and startling images combined for revelatory effect. Mitchell appears to have given Pastorious the record and just said, please bass all over this, and the result is glorious, gives the record the feel of rolling on waves or undulating tarmac.

Oooh yes, my favorite Joni album! "Coyote", "Amelia", "A Strange Boy", Jaco Pastorius' slick sticky bass lines and the finest example of a very long song that I wish had another 20 verses (eat it Dylan!) - the incredible "Song For Sharon". Just wow. Imagine seeing (or being involved with) the Rolling Thunder Revue! Easy 10

I love Joni Mitchell, she's why I switched from Spotify to Apple Music. Now her and Neil Young are both on Spotify again and I'm still stuck with Apple's shit algorithm. Fuck you Joe Rogan. Oh yeah hey everyone I'm back.

I like Joni Mitchell but hadn't got round to listening to this one before. Good as always, but probably not my favourite of hers. Fav tracks: Coyote, Refuge of the Roads, Blue Motel Room

I don’t think I’ve really listened to much of her music but I really enjoyed this. Coyote was great

meh

On a roll with artists I actually know.

Road trippi-musaksi aika junnaavaa ja melankolistakin. Ehkä se oli sitten sellaista naisena matkustaa 70-luvulla. Ei oikein saanut kiksejä vaikka kivutonta kuultavaa.

Tylsä ja meni ohi vaivihkaa

Ok so I know Joni Mitchell is like one of the classic musicians of all time but I just think this is kind of boring. I mean it's not bad, I just would never listen to this on my own. I can't really point out anything that stands out to me, good or bad. It's boring at best but a little irritating at worst. Also, is that a penis coming out of the road on the cover? What the hell is up with that? This is my first album from her on this list, I would imagine that Blue is probably on here too, but it would be weird if this was the one album of hers that they picked for this... 2/5.

This was goooood. Compared to the previous Joni record I got on this list, this one sounded much more evolved musically. Some real nice tones throughout. Kinda want to listen to it again which is always a good sign

Pleasant enough.

Super

Have a lot of respect for Joni, but her music is really not my style.

Solid Joni fare. She’s been better but I still enjoyed it.

Vocally not at her best but pleasant enough. Good lyrical content

This album feels warm and wonderful but breezy. I've never really listened to Joni Mitchell before but I definitely ended up enjoying the album. I drifted in and out of the lyrics but from what I could tell they seemed poetic. Very much just enjoyed the vibe of this. Wasn't a big fan of "Song for Sharon" but I liked everything else.

Really liked this. The movement of the bass doesn't allow it to wash over you and you're almost forced to listen - not unpleasant though! Lyrically interesting and poetic. Joni's a new treasure for me from this list, I only knew of her and maybe one or two hits. What a guitarist she is too!

I liked this one a lot. Joni is great here and has amazing lyrics. That with the folky jazz makes a great combo. Maybe I’ll return to it.

I'm not a huge Joni Mitchell fan. This all kind of ran together for me. I think if I were really listening and reading the lyrics with it it would have spoken more to me. If i'ts just on in the background it's sort of bland. I couldn't tell where one song stopped and another started.

Interesting album with hypnotic textures and engaging themes. Hejira is an untamable work product of Joni and Jaco during their peak. Love it!

I don’t see the point having 4 Joni Mitchell albums on a must listen list (at least 4, for I am at 100ish listened albums now) - not bad, OK, but still.

It was pleasant without being remarkable.

Super mixed feelings about this one. Joni Mitchell is an amazing singer and musician all round, but I struggled with this one a bit. We started off strong with the bongos which set my expectations really high but then as the album went on it died a bit. And maybe that was the point because Blue Motel Room and Refuge of the Roads definitely felt like the end but I'll admit I was a bit happy when the album ended because I was falling asleep. Highlights for me were the jazz elements used in every song and Black Crow had a super fun vibe to it. Definitely a #travelgirl album though and the lyrics in some songs very much had an improvisational feel to them.

Bah. noodly and waily - definitely not Joni Mitchell's best. She warbles throughout the songs, and when finally she actually start singing, it's a 7 minute slog in the shape of song for Sharon. Boring.

"I see something of myself in everyone." <3

I know Joni is beloved but I cannot for the life of me get into it.

het begint redelijk maar ook redelijk rap tegen te staan... niet voor mij

Lovely Joni Mitchell

Not for me dog

meh

Nice and relaxing

Enjoyed this, love Joni, but not sure if I love it as much as her earlier stuff, idk if that's controversial or not but I generally prefer late 60s/early 70s for most musicians of this genre and era. I do love that this album has a lot of cool bass lines!

Did not care about this, not my vibe

very chill vibes. love me a folksy melancholy tone

Her voice is pretty, but I don’t care for the chatty meandering way that she sings

Another one that probably deserves more attention than I was able to give it yesterday.

It was ok. I needed to listen it more, and with more focus, especially since this is a lyrics-heavy album.

Very well produced, but the meandering lyrics and limited instrumentation (while lovely) make it difficult to follow along unless listening very intently. The follow up to 1975's Hissing of Summer Lawns, I'd argue that 'Hissing' is more accessible than this album, but this album wonderfully encapsulates the meandering feeling of living life on the road - as Joni was doing at the time of 'Hejira'. Plus one extra star for album art penis. Nice.

вообще не оставило никаких эмоций. я гей

A fabulous record from my collection

Fine music, top artist, but I don't listen often to her music.

Nice riffs, beautiful emotion, interesting songwriting

More good Joni Mitchell, but not quite at the level of Blue and especially The Hissing Of Summer Lawns

One loves the cool, mature and uncompromising nature of this record – it’s distinctly non-pop sensibility. But it's also just dreamy and delightful, subtle and sweet, with each cut a shade different but producing similar almost Lanois-ian effects (more than a decade in advance). Yes, the songs are long, but patience with them pays off profusely. First two cuts set a very high bar. And Jaco just rules, doesn’t he? One loves how "A Strange Boy" takes its time in playing out so reflectively. So does "Song for Sharon." Title cut works well – the suggestive insertions of bass make the cut. "Black Crow" is at once the jazziest and the most rock-and-roll track, totally cool in its restraint. “Blue Motel Room” is wan, languorous and lovely. "Refuge of the Road" is a fitting end to this near perfect soundtrack for quiet afternoons.

Another JM album, gave the other three 3 stars and this one as well: music is pretty flawless but both vocals and lyrics not conpletely for me. fav songs: amelia, song for sharon

Without this album I probably would not have invested as much time checking out Joni Mitchell's discography as I have done, starting with her continuation on the more jazzy path with Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. Especially Larry Carlton and Jaco Pastorius give Hejira a unique sound that combines so well with Mitchell's songwriting and vocal performance. And then on top of that you have Amelia, probably my favourite Joni Mitchell song ever. Top end five stars for me.

Unique JM signature style, which is ok but slightly monotonous.

I know it was critically acclaimed, but definitely didn't enjoy the tracks as much as her earlier work.

This one felt like a step back musically compared to some of her prior albums I've heard from this list.

What a fantastic album. An easy 5 in my book.

A subtley beautiful album that deserves a second listen. I feel like I missed the point of the A side on my first listen, and I didn't start to connect with the songs until the end of the A side. B side is excellent and heartfelt, with some truly sublime bass playing as well. This definitely feels like an album that takes a bit to click, but once it does is amazing. Top tracks: Hejira, Song for Sharon, Refugee of the Roads

My goodness, what a boring record. I played 3 tracks, tried to skip the boring intro, only to find that it remained so boring. 1/5

the best part of this album was Jaco. 51 minutes is too much joni mitchell for a single sitting

I realize Joni Mitchell is highly praised and very influential for a lot of singers and songwriters and singer/songwriters. I just don’t care for her. Maybe I’m missing something, but she bores the tar out of me. But I know she’s talented and all that, so I guess she gets 3 stars.

Good album.

The start of Joni's move from folk-rock to folk-jazz; quite pleasant, but for me nothing stands out.

Fantastic entry in Joni's storied catalogue. Absolute masterclass in songwriting and arrangement from start to finish. Murderer's row of session musicians.

Poetic deluge A voice falling fast down stairs Wisped away by wind

5/5 The music seems to be simply a vessel to take on Mitchell's poetry on the opener Coyote, like much of Dylan. But it is great writing. Amelia is more melodic, and so beautifully constructed. Then Furry Sings the Blues is a pleasant and evocative if not groundbreaking tune. A Strange Boy is pretty similarly good too, and after that the title track is really packed full of emotion. Such a good tune. Song for Sharon is an amazing groove, and Mitchell's performance is fantastic. It's actually just one of the best things I've ever heard. Black Crow is such a welcome change of pace, full of life and energy. It's a brilliant track before Blue Motel Room is a relaxing, laid-back love song. The closer is great to wrap up the whole concept of travelling and feeling unsettled. In summary, Mitchell proves that she is one of the greatest lyricists and vocalists of all time. The high points are so good, and these exceptional peaks are scattered across the album, which has a cohesive, consistent feel. Coyote 4/5 Amelia 5/5 Furry Sings the Blues 4/5 A Strange Boy 3.5/5 (LEAST FAV) Hejira 5/5 Song for Sharon 5/5 (FAV) Black Crow 5/5 Blue Motel Room 4.5/5 Refuge of the Roads 4/5

Joni Mitchell is one of the greatest artists of all time...and it is also true that this is a truly terrible album. It seems like Joni drank the coolaid of her own success on this album and became a laughable parody of herself. This album is one of those "what were you thinking!?!” albums that came out in the 70's. During that time, many talented artists made terrible decisions in an effort to be clever and take things in a new direction, and instead ended up looking ridiculous. Some how, some way Joni produced an album with no alternate tuning guitar or piano parts and lackluster lyrics. That's ludacris. All I can figure is she fell under the spell of that bizarrely awful bass player. I can't believe I'm saying this about Joni, but this album is a 1. It's just unlistenable.

Oh boy - its such a unique soundscape that is a pleasure to listen to for 50 minutes

This is my desert island album. It's my coming-home album. My traveller's album. It's the jewel at the center of the galaxy. I don't know what caused me, midway through Joni's discography (chronologically) at age 26, to pause at Hejira and go no further. For years. But I'll just say that I've been stuck on this album for years and years now. Don Juan is, in some ways, a more expansive and intense vision of the Hejira sound. Court and Spark has some lovely, lovely songs, and I'd never be mad to put it on. But Hejira? This wormed its way into my brain. For years. Flashy albums are great. I love artists that go for broke, make a statement, pull you along kicking and screaming. But what strikes me about Hejira every time I listen is its quiet confidence and its (frankly) uncomplicated brilliance. It's just: beautiful poetry, set to Joni's utterly entrancing guitar tone that hits its stride in a huge way on this album (it's transformative, here). And some of the best and most forward-thinking session/jazz musicians of the class of 76. Jaco, of course, but... Chuck Findley. Victor Feldman. Larry Carlton. All at their best, but all serving the song. It's what I think of when I think of a truly musical collaboration. The jazz influence is authentic and brilliantly executed, but it's so... loveably Joni. I'm reminded of the Frank Ocean quote to James Blake, working on Frank's record: "You're in my world now." We're in Joni's world, no one else's. Her poetry is just entrancing. I don't know how she keeps getting away with it! Such an honesty, almost an earnestness that's been in her lyrics since she was 19... here, delivered in its most confident and assured form. This really is an album that doesn't have an equal. This new jazz-pop style, with the modulations, the Pat Metheny-esque chorus and phased guitars, the open tunings (very Joni) all seems to have collapsed into elevator music as soon as it was just getting going. I've hunted and pecked for anything, anything that has this kind of sound. And I'm sad to say... it doesn't exist. Beyond a couple of standouts or collaborations, we just get this album. This album is so good, you can almost sit back and miss it. It feels over in a second. Just hypnotic. I'll treasure it for the rest of my life, and it really is my one of one. 5/5

Lovely stuff from Joni once again

Moany Mitchell more like. Cheer up love it might never happen It's ok. Her voice is too moany for me but good vibe

whilst i can appreciate the appeal of this album, for me, the ceaseless guitar and never changing vocals were a bit tireless. i often could tell one song from the one that had come before it, and after nearly an hour of this, it became too repetitive. not much else to say about this, and i doubt i would re listen

Tosi lähellä 4

Talk/singing over uninteresting music for an hour. Lyrically this works better as short stories than as musical lyrics.

every song sounded the same

Over the years I have tried to appreciate and enjoy Joni Mitchell mostly because I feel like I should. For whatever reason this album, listening today, was the time I finally got it. Although she will never be my favorite artist, and I likely will not put this album on often. I finally heard her music as the route of so many things that have come sense. Ani DiFranco, Adam from the Counting Crows. and so many more direct to descendants of her style. Also, if you didn’t notice this album features one of the greatest living bass players ever, Jaco Pastorius. There were times I stopped following the lyrics and instead was listening solely to the bass

She has a pleasant voice, but I have no idea what she was talking about, and the songs ran together. I think she might appeal to folks from a particular set of decades.

Bit annoying

I do feel bad only giving this a 2 because her voice is 5/5 but I don’t like the songs at all

It’s not my favorite. This is very pretty. She sounds amazing. Production, all of that is excellent. My issue is with the songwriting style that was popular at the time: I’m sitting here and I’m doing this, and now I’m over here doing some other thing… And it’s just an endless meandering list of things scribbled in a journal. Coyote, Song for Sharon and Black Crow have more structure, and are more cohesive, to my ears. 3/5

I am definitely not the target audience for Joni Mitchell and I didn't expect to like this. Probably not something I'd listen to again, but I didn't hate it. I get why people like her so much. Pretty unique songwriting, even if it gets a little repetitive sounding.

Not as good as her earlier magnum opi "Court and Spark" and "Blue", but Hejira has its merits. The lyricism is complex and thought-provoking (though to be honest, I didn't really follow what they meant) but this was the music's greatest strength. Mitchell's melodies, which I've criticised before for being hard to follow and incongruous with the harmonies/chords, are noticeably more rambly and even less accessible than her earlier works. In fact, the melodies are so odd and (dare I say it) "incorrect" that it kind of forces the listener to engage fully with the lyrics. Interesting strategy – after all, lyrics are Mitchell's strong point – but it does negatively impact the listening experience. Interestingly, this also has the effect of making the simpler tracks more enjoyable than the more complex ones. Black Crow, a stripped-down tune with a simple chord progression on the acoustic guitar, is a standout for this reason. A Strange Boy and Coyote are also fairly simplistic and have reasonably catchy melodies. The instrumentation is fantastic, always complementing each song as well as it can. I like the basslines, particularly in the two opening tracks, Coyote and Amelia. The drumming is done lightly and tastefully. I'll raise it to a 4 because Joni Mitchell is cool. 4/5 Key tracks: Coyote, A Strange Boy, Black Crow

Not quite my taste but I really did enjoy the album. Seems like this is something she made later in life but not sure. If so, it shows age hasn’t knee capped her artistic ability.

I can’t deny her talent, I just don’t really like this type of music. Before I started this challenge, I would have thought I’d love this sort of thing. Weird how that works out.

She’s just not for me.

In Love Actually I used to think Emma Thompson left Alan Rickman because he was having an affair. Now I know it’s because he thought a Joni Mitchell album was a good gift.

This wasn’t horrible. She has a following for a reason. That said, don’t ever put this on again.

Joni in her prime. Mellow, folksy ballads with dense lyricism. Gorgeous.

It's just hard to stay awake on this one.

I don't "get" this one but Joni is always good

Pure poetry absolutely beautiful from start to finish

Possibly Joni’s best album. More mature evolved songwriting and arrangements. Jack Pastorius’ contribution on bass is other worldly. Can help but notice that apart from Coyote (an all time great) many of the songs sound the same.

It’s clear that this album, conceived on the road amid multiple lovers and new experiences, truly reflects its origins. While this genre doesn't resonate with me as much as others, the authenticity shines through.

This album - all about moving from place to place, person to person - is itself transportive. From the opening chords of Coyote you are taken to a world that is uniquely Joni Mitchell. This was my entry into Joni and continues to be my favorite. Listening now I feel like this is music outside of genre - not exactly folk or jazz or rock - it's just music. Musical portraits expertly drawn one of one.

2021: I got Blue, 2022: Court & Spark, 2023: The Hissing of Summer Lawns, Now Hejira, on July 31, 2024 ooh I'm liking the echoey, dark, desert landscape this evokes so far The less conventional song structures are back, last heard in Hissing. Though this album is a lot more consistent sounding than that one, it lacks Hissing's element of surprise (insert African drum loop here). The interplay between Mitchell & Pastorius's guitars may be the best thing about Hejira. I suspect this might be numero uno for Mitchell albums on this website, but I also thought that about the last 3. This & Court & Spark are the two I have a physical copy of, so maybe they can fight for the top? HL: "Coyote", "Amelia", title track, "Black Crow"

Album 484 of 1001 Joni Mitchell - Hejira Rating : 2.5 / 5 She has just never really resonated with me. Never got the hype. "Blue Hotel Room" stood out for me.

5/10

Of its time. Of which I have none for this whimsy guff. Only did the one listen through.

'Coyote' sets the tone. Story telling , folk yet with that west coast feel throughout. Lauren Canyon personified.

I absolutely adore Joni Mitchell and Blue is in my Top 10 albums of all time. This one doesn’t quite hit that mark, but is still classic Joni none-the-less.

Joni Mitchell is a rare human. If you listen to her lyrics you realize that she is putting herself out there, open, vulnerable, and raw. That is (to me) so lacking today. That kind of intimacy is precious. I am probably so very different than her in so many ways that AI would not put us on the same matrix. Yet I feel her lyrics, they are my feelings in many ways. Sometimes paradoxical, like some may hear the words but not understand what she is saying. Some see her as sad or melancholy, I see her strength and humanity. I think there is a lesson here; in vulnerability comes strength. Words can be twisted and poisoned but truth is steadfast. Also this is a GREAT road album.

Not too bad, just a bit meh of an album. Nothing too exciting, but it's a decent album just for leaving in the background.

4.7 - Like a female version of Paul Simon in places. Fantastic album, looking forward to more from Joni

Joni Mitchell never lies. Great album, I love the vibe of it so much, I could have it serenade me slightly in the background all day long. That being said I don't think it's perfect, after the first few tracks it kinda lacks some punch, I probably wouldn't seek out any of the second half tracks for individual relistening. Fave Tracks: Coyote, Furry Sings the Blues 4.2/5

Her song writing really emphasizes lyric above all else, the songs never resolve into a clear form, instead meandering from verse to verse with some nice melodic phrases but not enough repetition to anchor them as compositions. Combined with the very consistent instrumentation, it means the album sounds very monotonous and samey over the course of 50 minutes - all blurring together a bit. Her voice is expressive and emotive, really chewing over and delivering the verses, but has a thin warbly timbre that always feels underwhelming. The music itself is a washed out jazzy folk where the signature sound is the whoompy fretless bass cast against the bright acoustic guitar. Lots of open extended chords that defy resolution and keep everything open and ethereal and very heady.

well it was definitely something

It was pretty good, and there were no bad songs, I liked it all, but nothing truly jumped out at me as extra special, so i think 6.75/10 for this one.

why is this causing me actual stress to listen to and not in the fun way this feels pretentious without having the authority to be?? like its not musically complex or interesting enough to be weird which just makes it kinda.. annoying..? it feels crazy to say that but mannnn this was so disappointing so shocked that i didn't like this that much because i love folk of this style but i think if it was more guitar centric (like also if the guitar parts were actually interesting too!) i would enjoy it more 😔 as with most singer-songwriters, i appreciate the point of the album, and how inspired it is, but i feel often when lyrics are at the forefront of the project, it is so lost on me because i do not fixate on them as much as the music i want to be able to grasp the general idea of what the singer is trying to convey through the music and have the lyrics support that and build the song further in every listen, like new little slices of information that make the track more enjoyable and exciting every time its heard, but i do not get this off a single track on this album, the music itself feels so generic and doesn't give me a single indication of the mood of the song though i LOVE the tone of Joni Mitchell's voice, i am a bit sour on the rambly, formless delivery on this album, i understand WHY, i just don't particularly enjoy it Hejira was a highlight track that I actually enjoyed quite a bit, but it definitely doesn't save the rest of the album :( also, "Song for Sharon"????????? More like LONG for Sharon! EIGHT AND A HALF MINUTES??????? ITS FINE WHEN PINK FLOYD DOES IT BUT OHHHHHH MY GODDDDDD PLEASEEE STOP MAKING RIDICULOUSLY LONG SONGS WHEN YOU DON'T NEED IT TO EXECUTE THE CREATIVE VISION, YOU'VE JUST GIVEN ME 5 MORE MINUTES OF THE SAME IDEA???? between 2/5 and 2.5/5

Is everything she did that pristine?!

All this lady’s music sounds the same. Honestly if you took away the gaps this could have been one long song since each song follows the same exact format without fail. Her voice is fine but she really is just rambling and describing things she “sees”. 4/10

(Finally) instrumentation to match Mitchell’s wandering vocal style. Tales of hitchiking across state lines, road houses and gas stations, truckers and coffee, fleapit motels, and barroom brawls. A souls journey, grit yielding pearl.

First of all, what is that on the road????? I like Joni Mitchell. I think she is an excellent singer-songwriter and I really enjoy her music. There are some solid songs on here. My problem is it's hard for me to pay attention to an entire album of hers. It kind of starts sounding all the same. Some similarly styled instrumentation while she's telling stories while sing-talking.

Joni Mitchel is one of my favorite songwriters. She's such an effective storyteller in her lyrics, and vocal melodies. One of my favorite things about her style, which shines really strong is this record, is how she uses her voice as an instrument. It bounces up and down in her vocal melodies, and influxes interestingly. Its very non-traditional, but fits well with her storytelling and songwriting style. I also really like how she stepped away from her traditional guitar / singer style and mixed in more electric instruments. Guitars with lot of reverb, really fun harmonicas and interesting natural sounding percussion. I think this is a really cool direction for singer songwriters. It still sounds like Joni Mitchell and highlights what she's good at, but sounds new and interesting.

One of the things I feel like I'm objectively wrong about.... but this just doesn't work for me. I really don't like how it sounds and meanders, I always concentrate more on music than lyrics and I think that's a flaw for this type of music. I'm sorry Joni, I think I have to read her words on their own to really appreciate it. 3 - just cause it feels like the most neutral rating I can give to something I'm sure is good but that just doesn't work for me

Joni Mitchell is very cool, but this album was a little lacklustre

Not my favorite Joni Mitchell album, but I need to read the lyrics sometime. It's got a weird stream of consciousness thing going on, almost like she's rapping more than singing. Can you imagine Joni Mitchell rapping her lyrics? "Between the forceps and the stone." These songs seemed much moodier than other Joni Mitchell songs I've heard. And apparently she was kicking her cocaine addiction around this time. Apparently she was also sleeping around a lot. Wild woman Joni Mitchell. I'm not sure how to describe the first few songs other than stream of consciousness singing, and they give me major Sun Kil Moon vibes (but now I feel like Joni and Mark Kozelek may have been the same type of person at one time...). Conflicted a bit on this one but I think the lyricism saved it. Need to try it again someday and I'm sure I will. Can't digest Joni all at once.

I hadn't heard this particular Joni Mitchell album but I had heard a lot about how good it was I wasn't disappointed. I do however prefer some of her previous albums but she was in a purple patch in the 70s as far as her music and songwriting. If you like Joni Mitchell or the 60's & 70's introspective acoustic singer songwriter genre this is an album you will enjoy.

I like Joni but for me this is too jazzy Joni wailing above noise. I prefer the clean songs with beautiful melodies.

A prisoner of the white lines on the freeway 🔥

It aight -6/10

I don’t know why on earth I gave Blue a 5. I want to love Joni Mitchell but I just don’t. This album was good enough and I enjoy the energy but I think it’s much better as an album than as individual songs. As in I’d prolly skip most of the songs if they popped up on a playlist. Something ab the way her songs flow just don’t do it for me. 7/10

4/10 - It was equally as mid as the other album but there was not a song I already knew. Plus I did not enjoy her switching between the singing and talking in one of the songs.

Significantly better than blue

Not bad, I prefer one of her other albums we reviewed that I forgot the name of and am too lazy to lookup. She's good at what she's doing but it's fairly similar throughout her career from what I'm hearing.

It's pleasant, jazzy and well produced. Furry Sings the Blues got me a little. Blue Motel Room had a nice vibe. Joni is talented, but her vocal style just doesn't click for me.

Yea, pretty sweet

+1 for the accompaniment

Moving from a kind of pop sound to something more open.

I liked this a lot, very chill with that awesome bass to back up her vocals. Reminded me of John Martyn a lot. BUT it looks like there's a random floating penis on the cover and I can't unsee it.

I've encountered these types of albums before. I find them delightful. It feels more of a diary entry set to music than an album. Thats not a bad thing. The prospect of listening to a series of crafted songs for listening to while on radio, is not this type of album. I feel I can dip into and out of the words and the lyrics, if I want to, or it can wash over me like a comfortable balm. Either way, its a lovely discover, and I gotta say, Canadians rock. Even if it is quiet subdued and quirky melodic poetic-rocking like this. Almost 4 stars, but not quite. 3.

I like an occasional song by her, and I appreciate her place in the era but I wouldn’t listen to it on purpose.

🤮 I think that the creator of this listing is a sick, demented little man who sits in a dark room all day long researching horrible albums.

Too monotonous for me to enjoy. I really liked one of the songs, but I have no idea what was the title.

Her voice is beautiful but the songs are boring for me.

I still just can’t get to grips with Joni Mitchell. I understand her talent, but it still just doesn’t feel like good song composition to me.

Her best album

Enjoyed this - wistful, a bit bluesy, thoughtful

I'm really trying, but Joni Mitchell and her style of music is as far from my alley as it can be. Maybe I can like her music one day, but definitely it's not the time right now. Just a bit too poetic for me.

This was tough. Blue is a five star album. Her voice is great, but I found myself getting bored with this one though. Seems kind of aimless, like a strong editor/producer might have helped.

Kinda slow and rambling for my tastes.

could i write poetry to this? n

My favorite lineup of Mitchell's backing musicians. Larry Carlton, John Guerin, and Jaco Pastorius bring just enough Jazz to keep it interesting, yet accessible.

It’s crazy how much more I enjoy Joni Mitchell now that she’s back on Spotify and I can use my phone while still listening to her music ad-free. This is one of her more upbeat albums I’ve gotten and is well written as usual. Think I’m gonna relisten to blue since I remember (probably unfairly) shitting on that album when I got it.

Never cared for this one

2 not really my thing. Nothing is really a song just a story with music

Fine, but nearly as good as the other Mitchell albums that are included on this list. A welcome respite from the over abundance of horrendous electronica on the list though.

01) Coyote - 8,0 02) Amelia - 7,0 03) Furry Sings The Blues - 6,5 04) A Strange Boy - 7,0 05) Hejira - 6,5 06) Song For Sharon - 7,5 07) Black Crow - 7,0 08) Blue Motel Room - 7,0 09) Refuge Of The Road - 6,5 TOTAL: 7,00 (70/100) Current ranking: 149/219 This is great storytelling, but musically I find this boring. I wouldn't even say musically, the music is ok, but the final product, the songs themselves are boring. There is no chorus, no hook, nothing to catch on to. Joni Mitchell definitely deserves to be here, but I still hope there are better albums of hers on this list than this one. If not, then I'm not a fan.

It might be the headspace I'm in today, but sometimes albums just click with you. I've been feeling listless and lost, and I can feel that in the writing on this record. The free-jazz stylings of Jaco Pastorius really add to that sense as well, and just make for a beautiful compliment to the album. Favorite tracks: "Coyote", "A Strange Boy", "Song For Sharon"

Severely over rated.

I don't know who this is for, but it's not for me.

I did not enjoy this. It’s was poetry-ish. Kind of spoken word-y. Not bad maybe, but definitely not my thing.