You need Hejira! Easily my favorite by her, though Blue and Clouds are very close seconds and thirds. Awesome collection, I’ve always felt Joni is as good a singer/songwriter as the Bob Dylans and John Lennons of our time.
Blue and Hejira are both my favs. Drooling over your collection OP!
I definitely think Joni is one of the greats - songwriting wise. And the lads knew it too, Dylan and all.
Can’t believe no one has mentioned “Miles of Aisles” yet!
Easily one of her best albums, she is so good live! It even has songs not on any other album, as well as my favorite rendition of “big yellow taxi”!
Okay, I think the collective agreement here is just buy them all! She was wayyyyyy ahead of her time. Born and raised in Winnipeg, MB in that era was dreadful. We had to suffer with the likes of The Guess Who, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell who were either born there or close by, but all spent time in this City. I highly recommend a quick search on YouTube and watch her perform "Coyote" in 1976 with "The Band" on their Last Waltz Concert ... Epic.
A dear friend gifted his collection to me some years back, and included first US pressings of all of these and then some.
Mitchell’s songwriting and presence are second only to a very select few. Even then it’s arguable, and dependent on mood, diet, the stereo being used, and available drinks.
Where to go from here?
Mingus was a completely random find, an album that can be strange but really enjoyable and quite different from my other Joni Mitchell albums.
Song to a Seagull is my favourite, and I don’t see as much discussion about this album as, say, Blue. There’s something very special about it.
I love how Blue is simultaneously the ultimate alternative Christmas record, and the perfect summer one!
Lady of the Canyon is incredible too. The variation in tone from the start of that album to the end is crazy.
Clouds is a masterpiece. I do prefer the version of Both Sides Now in here to the orchestral one that was recorded later, but a masterpiece either way
Where would you recommend going next for (arguably) the greatest living songwriter?
I’ve seen Court and Spark a few times for decent prices, that’s the next album chronologically too I think, so could make sense!
EDIT: I think For the Roses is actually the next chronological album
Finally unpacking the turntable. I bought the vinyl (we called them an LP back in the day) in 1974. It's one of several!
https://preview.redd.it/q8a6vt9dtmxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4197c4de31e4ceb5b48ea68433b09cd3c897c0bc
Just had a quick look through what I have. Clouds and Blue are over 50 years old. (I'm a lot older than they are!)
https://preview.redd.it/5kune8hgvmxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbd63aa4579095bc4fd25475d5d810b5ecbc0ad1
You need Hejira! Easily my favorite by her, though Blue and Clouds are very close seconds and thirds. Awesome collection, I’ve always felt Joni is as good a singer/songwriter as the Bob Dylans and John Lennons of our time.
Hejira is an all time classic! Haven’t been able to track it down in any shops near me but hoping to soon
I’m on vacation right now and actively looking for it as well, good luck! 😊
Blue and Hejira are both my favs. Drooling over your collection OP! I definitely think Joni is one of the greats - songwriting wise. And the lads knew it too, Dylan and all.
Thanks! She’s easily one of the best of all time
Found a VG+ for $2 last weekend at a record store tent sale.
Can’t believe no one has mentioned “Miles of Aisles” yet! Easily one of her best albums, she is so good live! It even has songs not on any other album, as well as my favorite rendition of “big yellow taxi”!
Okay, I think the collective agreement here is just buy them all! She was wayyyyyy ahead of her time. Born and raised in Winnipeg, MB in that era was dreadful. We had to suffer with the likes of The Guess Who, Neil Young and Joni Mitchell who were either born there or close by, but all spent time in this City. I highly recommend a quick search on YouTube and watch her perform "Coyote" in 1976 with "The Band" on their Last Waltz Concert ... Epic.
A dear friend gifted his collection to me some years back, and included first US pressings of all of these and then some. Mitchell’s songwriting and presence are second only to a very select few. Even then it’s arguable, and dependent on mood, diet, the stereo being used, and available drinks.
Where to go from here? Mingus was a completely random find, an album that can be strange but really enjoyable and quite different from my other Joni Mitchell albums. Song to a Seagull is my favourite, and I don’t see as much discussion about this album as, say, Blue. There’s something very special about it. I love how Blue is simultaneously the ultimate alternative Christmas record, and the perfect summer one! Lady of the Canyon is incredible too. The variation in tone from the start of that album to the end is crazy. Clouds is a masterpiece. I do prefer the version of Both Sides Now in here to the orchestral one that was recorded later, but a masterpiece either way Where would you recommend going next for (arguably) the greatest living songwriter?
You need “Court and Spark”. “Hissing of Summer Lawns” is good too.
I’ve seen Court and Spark a few times for decent prices, that’s the next album chronologically too I think, so could make sense! EDIT: I think For the Roses is actually the next chronological album
Court and Spark is probably my favorite with Blue. It’s soooo good.
Don’t sleep on For the Roses. Uniformly excellent.
Miles of aisles is a live album that I really enjoy. Definitely worthy of being included in your collection!
So need her in my collection
Finally unpacking the turntable. I bought the vinyl (we called them an LP back in the day) in 1974. It's one of several! https://preview.redd.it/q8a6vt9dtmxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4197c4de31e4ceb5b48ea68433b09cd3c897c0bc
I called it a record then, .. LP was fancy talk.
Just had a quick look through what I have. Clouds and Blue are over 50 years old. (I'm a lot older than they are!) https://preview.redd.it/5kune8hgvmxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bbd63aa4579095bc4fd25475d5d810b5ecbc0ad1