My friend Scott’s family had a summer cottage on the B.C. coast when he was a kid. He told me he remembered the cool lady who lived next door who would chain smoke cigarettes and paint all day, but he had no idea who she was until he got older. Now has a painting hanging in his house of himself as a kid swimming in the ocean given to his parents by Joni Mitchell! All he can really remember about her is that she was cool and she smoked non stop.
Her place is a few kms up the road from here in an area known as Pender Harbour/Madeira Park (lower Sunshine Coast) accessible only by ferry . One of the early albums Mazzy showed a painting showing water-front property ...she is looking over the water among the famous Arbutus trees seen in this area. When she came to the local village everyone respected her privacy (considering her a local) and gave her space she was always friendly ...smoking up a storm (she hated the recent smoking ban but restaurants just gave her a table in the back where she could puff away). I love "River"
Larry Bowe I used to live up in Powell River and would drive through that area every week doing deliveries for Townsite Brewery. It’s such an amazing and beautiful place, I live in the B.C. interior now and I miss the ocean and those amazing arbutus trees every day. I hope to live there again someday. I used to find awesome records at all the thrift stores along the Sunshine Coast probably due to all the old hippies living around there...
@@78deathface Neat! Townsite is a fab brewery love the"Tin Hat" IPA. I'm afraid the days of finding gems at local Thrift Shops on the Coast are no longer, ... a rarity. Hope its better in the interior. Keep well!
Joni Mitchell is a lifelong favorite of mine. Amazing body of work. Unique and original. Great lyricist, composer, instrument player, vocalist, ... A complete and original artist.
Got to see Joni twice. Once at the Atlantic City Pop Festival about a month before Woodstock. She came out and started singing. Stopped halfway through, started crying and said no one was listening to her, and walked off the stage. Then saw her early 70’s at Radio City Music Hall, that was a great concert. You left out one of her early interpreters, Dave Van Ronk. He did Clouds and some others very early on. I feel the same way about her album Mingus. I want to like it more than I do. She hasn’t really done a complete great album since 77, but what she did before that will last generations. Thanks for posting and reminding me to break out some of her LPs.
My favorite female artist. I’ve been listening to Joni since junior high. Today I’m in my 60s and she is still the queen of my turntable. It doesn’t get any better. Great video! 👍
For The Roses is my favorite JM album. I saw Joni headline at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 69 or 70. She brought out a then relatively unknown Janes Taylor.
I got into Joni around the "Blue" time, then I hit all the early to mid 70's albums, from Court to Hejira, and yes even Mingus, seen her on the Miles of Iles tour, and worked my way backward, what can I say? one of the most important artist of our time, thanks for a great video....
Joni Mitchell wrote the Woodstock song, and when you hear her version you can hear the sadness in her voice. When CSNY covered it they gave it the harder sounding Woodstock rock feel. A couple of weeks before Woodstock took place, there was a Pop Festival in New Jersey at the Atlantic City Horserace Track, and Joni Mitchell was one of the performers. I was at that festival, I also went to Woodstock with my older cousins who bought tickets. It was a blast, I was only 12 years old, and I was pretty much on my own for those three days of bliss. Back to Joni, when she went on stage at the ACPop Fest she began playing her first song, and when it was done there were so many people hollering at her to play Both Sides Now etc. Joni Mitchell didn't know how to handle the loud, obnoxious East coast rock fans, so she broke down in tears and left the stage. It took a while for her to return, and she didn't play very many songs. She was supposed to perform at Woodstock, and her boyfriend at the time was Graham Nash, and he was performing with her shared friends Crosby-Stills-and her fellow Canadian friend Neil Young. Her manager wanted to keep her away from the East Coast concert festival crowds like what she encountered at ACPop, so he booked her to perform on the Dick Cavett TV program. She wrote the Woodstock song while she was in her hotel room, and when she recorded it her overall sadness was still with her. She was also sensing the end of the 60's within that song, and she was mourning the end of the hippie movement. That's why her version sounds so sad and emotional. She's such a brilliant artist. Thank you so much for doing this video about her.
Night Ride Home should be revisited, especially for Two Grey Rooms, a song that can bring me to tears each time I hear it. You can read on Wikipedia the story behind the song. Absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful. Also the song’s video can be found on TH-cam.
A very enjoyable presentation. My "first time" with Joni was Court and Spark when I was in high school, had Miles too. The sad for the world but good for vinyl record collectors like me is that most of her albums are easy to pick up from the $1 bins. I've got all of her records through Dog Eat Dog except the debut, Mingus and the other live album. I love her albums, wish the younger generations would decide her music was a must have like LZ and Pink Floyd. I remember a quote from her about her alternate tunings on the guitar was something like, "I just keep messing with it until I like how it sounds". I think her biggest champion might be David Crosby. I've seen him state numerous times on social media that she is the greatest artist he has every know, or the most talented person. Now I've got a mission, I've got to find that first album, Mingus and get a cleaner copy of Miles. take care-Elliott
Elliott Crews yup Crosby championed her in LA. She dated Graham Nash during that time in Laurel Canyon. Even her failures best many other artists. Love love her. Time for a reassessment if her later catalog.
Hey Mazzy..I love Joni but haven’t listened to her stuff in a while. This video motivated me to do so. I just pulled out Hissing Of Summer Lawns. What a great album !!!
Happy 80th Bday, Joni! I haven’t seen this yet, but will watch tonight in honor of her big day. Then I’ll go listen to her albums that I have. Thank you, Mazzy.
Funny how things turn out, as I became a rabid fan of the Smiths since hearing This Charming Man, and then thanks to my sister turned to Joni by the Don Juan's Reckless Daughter album that was part of bargain bins in 1984... Still hearing Morrissey solo career and of course Joni! Forever!
Another excellent discography video Mazzy. I must confess to owning all her mid 70s catalogue on vinyl, but aside from Hissing, have never actually played them! Wha? Hearing what you had to say made me feel like pulling them off the shelves. I must get my act together...
Just a quick note to say thank you very much for a fantastic overview of Joni's records. Only saw her once performing in a huge venue in Birmingham England, performing her album 'Wild Things Run Fast.' Great band and a great performance from Joni. She did not seem at ease, maybe not quite sure, with quite a reserved British audience how well she was being received. Your review echoes my own views on her career. I came to the Joni party with 'Court and Spark' and as you said you never forget your first album. Keep on doing your reviews I really enjoy hearing your take on things. Very envious of your superb collection.
Love this video!!! Thank you for sharing!!! I completely hear you on "Dog Eat Dog" but for some reason I actually love that album lol. I think it's the camp-y 80's sound... it's almost like, it's so bad it's good? Also I love that she literally made a song out of that old timey cigarette machine.
Very interesting tracking shot; even if my english unfortunately is non that great -at best, I have been able to understand the overall meaning of your message. I miss the most recent releases from her, so it's time to give them a listening. Many thanks! Luigi (from sunny Italy)
I admire the literacy, occasional sarcasm, gentle irony and deep knowledge and love of music and those who create it as expressed in your videos.In short; I love Massy.
Hey Mazzy, I don't think I've commented before though really been enjoying your videos and perspectives on things. Lovely tribute and overview here. I was quite late getting into Joni's music though had been aware of her throughout life. It took my dear friend Shannon's video series from almost 2 years ago to get me started, and now like yourself, I have most of her collection. 🙂 I'd say 'Clouds', 'Court and Spark', 'Hejira', 'Don Juan's Reckless Daughter', 'Wild Things Run Fast', and 'Chalkmark in a Rainstorm' are particular favorites. I would have to agree with you on 'Mingus' even though I tend to lean more towards jazz myself. Was really excited to find out that Pat and Lyle were on that live album, being lifelong fans of theirs. I don't know about you, but the thing that draws me to her music the most are her harmonies, the chords...they're just so distinctive to her, and she often finds what I call these "sweet spots" that strike a perfect balance of emotion and...sophistication for lack of a better word. Not to mention her wonderful voice. Anyhow, thank you for doing this video when you did, and I believe she's due for a further revisit here now. 🙂 -Carm
huge joni fan here,thank you for doing this mr maslov.i also loved your 1970 themed epic video as well!that one inspired me to buy the eponymous ry cooder album on vinyl last friday.had a tremendous music weekend thanks to you.
Excellent video Mazzy! I have all the albums up to and including Mingus. I saw her in Buffalo, NY with Boy Dylan and the Rolling Thunder Review. Love her.
I've had For the Roses for a long time and always loved it. I finally found a really good copy of Blue. It is just a second press but it is one of the best sounding records I own. Her voice was made for vinyl. Lionel Ritchie had such an amazing solo career but in my opinion, most of his music hasn't aged well.
Nice overview. I only have Joni's fusion albums. Hejira and the live Shadows and Light are my faves. Love Metheny on there and of course Jaco. I like Hissing and Mingus too. In the 80's I like the duet with Gabriel.
I remember Joni when she used to busk down in Yorkville Village here in Toronto in the mid 60s. I even tossed a dime into her guitar case. Just the once mind you, money was scarce back in the hippy days for most of us....A lot of good music and artists came out of that scene... I suppose Joni, Neil Young, John Kay and Gordy Lightfoot garnered all the fame. It was Canada's musical mecca. I'd get a cheese sub just up the street for a quarter before I'd make the scene. LOL... Yeah Joni's Big Yellow Taxi was prophetic as well as condemnation wasn't it... Nobody paid attention, now look at us..... They were great days, I miss them... Whoa Horsey!!!!!! You were at The Band's gig the "Last Waltz"? . That just may be the greatest R&R movie of all time. That concert is most definitely a feather in your cap.... I been at a couple of doozies myself. Much earlier though. By the mid 70s I stopped going to all the gigs, just a select few. I got spoiled. LOL A very respectful and admiring video of the Lass. Kudos....
Bobby Gass 5 great memories Bobby. It’s all about right place right time. Growing up in San Francisco allowed be to all the great early bands of the day the Dead, Airplane, Janis in the park. Fillmore West and Winterland and Altamont , Last Waltz a final Sex Pistols concert. 🎸🎶🥁
Man, Mazzy, I didn't realize how much Joni Mitchell I had, till I've seen your collection! My first Joni album I bought was The Hissing of Summer Lawns, at the recommendation of a co-worker. I was too young the first time around for Joni's music, and over the years I've been filling in my collection. Thank you for sharing your collection.
Big fan of Joni Mitchell as well, since the early 70’s. Nice tribute and overview Mazzy, thanks. If you don’t know the story of Little Green on the Blue album, do check it out, then listen to the song. The Circle Game brings tears to my eyes every time I listen it, especially as I get older, I usually don’t get emotional about things, but something about the song does it to me.
Hi Sir. My brother is such a dedicated fan of Joni Mitchell. His favorite album from Joni was Blue. My older brother maybe born in 1989 but he's really into 60s, 70s and 80s music. Mostly hes into female artists such as Kate Bush, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell & Nina Simone. Now he has a stable job he promised to collect Joni's vinyl he was just so upset bec we are living in the Philippines aside from its hard to find her records, shipping rates are quite expensive if he will order it internationally. He would be jealous once he watched this. Haha
I started collecting records in 1974 and I remember Court and Spark staying on the top 30 album charts from early spring into fall - 7 to 8 months. It was THE album of that year probably outperforming Band On The Run on the charts
You really must see the live video for the Shadows and Light concert. It's terrific, if a bit pretentious. Amazing band behind her, but she is in total control. Mitchell was apparently very interested in the potential for mixing music and video at the time -- just before the whole MTV thing went down. I watched it on TH-cam, but it might be available on other platforms, too.
I adore Joni Mitchell's voice. She is a fantastic artist, I have always enjoyed the artwork on her album covers. I've always been a fan of her music, but never really knew much about how she became popular/her personal life. I knew she has become a recluse, but this video was full of lots of great information. Ladies of The Canyon is probably my favorite Joni Mitchell album, I do like Blue but like you said I don't think it's my favorite. However, Blue is among one of my favorite albums to listen to on a rainy day. Missing a few of her albums from my collection, but I will complete it one day.
Joni had land and cabin on the Sunshine Coast of BC and every year mid 70's she'd send a cheque into the Lands tax office which i would process and rubber date stamp as paid. She had nice hand writing/signature as i recall lol
One of the truly great recording artists of our time. All her 60/70's albums are essential listening in my opinion, but I agree her later offerings became somewhat indifferent but still contained some great songs as in Euthiopia from Dog eat Dog, Two grey rooms from Night ride home and Sex kills from Turbulent Indigo.
Great overview, I like many gave up collecting after Dog Eat Dog. David Crosby was on his boat sailing around the Keys and heard Joni at The Coconut Grove. He was instrumental in bringing her to California and introducing her to all of his musician friends. After a short affair with Coz she was with Graham Nash for a while. He wrote Our House about living with Joni at her house. Besides a great musician, songwriter and painter she was hot as hell, beautiful woman!
If you don’t own any of her records, Miles of Isles is a great album to start with, it’s a live greatest hits album, several songs actually eclipse the studio recordings, most notably, Both Sides Now, there are a lot of covers of that song out there, none come close to the version on that album, I fall in love with her every time I hear it! Enjoyed the video!
Unfortunately I sold my JM records during the 80’s cd craze, now I’m buying the lps again, I do have Hits, Blue, Court in Spark on HDCD they sound awesome! Buffy Sainte-Marie covers The Circle Game on her Fire & Fleet & Candlelight lp. Her cover of TCG is on the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood soundtrack. (Hey Joni and me have the same initials, I know so what!) Love Joni, California gives me goosebumps, Carey, Big Yellow Taxi, Help Me, etc. great great songs!
I have bought her first 8 studio albums this year and like them all, playing them extensively. I have sort of put them in order and my favourites would be Song To A Seagull and Hejira in the sense that if I didn't know what to play I'd put them on, rather like Rubber Soul and Revolver are my go to Beatles LPs
Hi mazzy. I just started my Joni Mitchell exploration. My first album is Dog eat Dog which I know you are not found of. I grew up in the 80’s graduated in 89 and actually i quite like it. This video is a great overview of her discography, thank you and will use it to build my collection. 31:06
Of course Mingus falls a bit short the main muse of the project died and it was finished as well as they could and released, it’s not like they could finish it properly.
Did you forget 1988's "Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm" (between "Dog Eat Dog" and "Night Ride Home")? Understandable if you did. Those last three Geffen CDs (none of which was ever released on vinyl to my knowledge) were mostly forgettable -- mostly colorless and static. Her sometimes turbulent melodies were always complex and unusual, but on those late '80s albums they often came across as flat and aimless. Every once in a while flashes of the old spark would shine through, though. I kinda like "Good Friends" (with the then-ubiquitous Michael McDonald), "Dog Eat Dog," "My Secret Place" (with Peter Gabriel), "Cherokee Louise"... But Billy Idol on "Dancin' Clown?" No thank you. Things start picking up again with her return to Reprise. I'm just so happy that in her 70s she's once again getting the rapturous attention she's always deserved.
Totally disagree with you about the album Dog Eat Dog. The lyrics and construction of the melodies and the songs are as inventive/insightful as her early albums. The use of ‘sythns’ may sound dated on Dog Eat Dog but that becomes ‘retro' anyway. You seem just to dismiss her later albums which I think show a real progession. Anyway l liked your review but you seemed to have no time for how she changed or developed. Mingus is a stunning album and yes It took many plays for me to feel that but I love hearing that album now. PS: heard her play some of Dog Eat Dog on just guitar and it sounded amazing. Hope I don’t sound hard as you do obviously do love Joni Mitchell but just give her later stuff some distance from her early work.
You might want to skip (or not) the vlogger "Shannon Talks Music" video on ranking Joni Mitchell's studio albums. While she worships the ground Joni walks on and thinks she is the greatest singer/songwriter in history, she ranked "Dog Eat Dog" at No. 19 (dead last), and "Mingus" at No. 17. Just some opinions.
A very nice overview of Joni Mitchell. I was first introduced to her in the late 70's by a warped copy of Ladies of the Canyon and eventually found a non warped copy in good shape and in the early 2000's, found a bunch of her earlier LP's at the Goodwill, Blue, Hissing of Summer Lawns, Mingus, Hijera, dog eat dog and one or two others, though I don't have her first 2 LP's, nor For the Roses. I do have to respectfully disagree on Mingus, I loved her interpretations of Mingus' works, putting lyrics to them and it's a good album in it's own right, is it as good as some of her earlier works, no, but a good LP nonetheless. I don't think I've played Dog Eat Dog yet, though I could be mistaken and I have at least one of her later albums on CD, but not played it as yet. Totally agree on Ladies, a truly great album all its own and I can see how Blue came to be one of her biggest sellers, along with Court and Spark (have that too on LP, and it's an early press due to the embossed cover). Anyway, a great artist in her own right. Thanks for sharing.
Nice Joni tribute Mazzy Jaco played on 1/2 of Hejira (my favorite) - Max Bennett play the other bass parts. the naked shot is from British Columbia where she lived during FTR, Jericho on Don Juan is one of Joni’s most deep and moving songs. There is an intimate concert /art gallery blu ray of Joni with a 4 piece - Brian Blade and Larry Klein. She goes into depth about songs. It came out around the time of Taming the Tiger (I didn’t really like her 80s on work that much)
Hi Norman - I was thinking that, for your serious, whispering videos, I should really go with the more formal "Norman." Let me know what you think. I know you remember Buffy St. Marie singing The Circle Game in the movie The Strawberry Statement. I think they filmed that in your hometown. My favorite? I'll probably stick with Blue. Doesn't it seem that somewhere along the line, Joni started releasing new albums as vehicles to get her visual art out? Really enjoyed it Mazzy - thanks!
Very cool Joni Mitchell collection Mazzy in 1996 I got turned on to Joni Mitchell with Hejira by my boss when I worked at Borders music dept. an that had me collecting everything from the 70s her jazz period then Court and Spark etc those I own on vinyl Joni's arrangements were great with Jaco, Larry Carlton and the rest of the Jazz Crusaders a match made in heaven Don Juan's Reckless Daughter is great also Chaka Khan sings background vocals. Each Joni Mitchell albums are so different and outstanding I fast forward to Taming the Tiger I heard that album wow man she still has so prolific Mazzy I have to this year get more of her albums like Blue , Ladies of the Canyon, For the Roses . You said your missing a couple of album man you have an outstanding collection in my book you understand Joni . Great episode Norman. Lovellandrew
I kniew Joni back 1960 she played YOrkville in toronto we did same photos then she buggered off for U.S. I lost interest after Blue with the odd Relase hissing and a late cut can not think-getting like you Mazz
Nice. Love her voice. I don't have any of her records though. What album would you recommend for her best? For a newbe. I made this comment while still watching. Maybe you did say. I'll keep watching.
Blue is my all time favorite, but I think Hejira showcases her as a great songwriter and also represents a more mature time of her music. Therefore I'd recommend it.
I like your channel in general but you REALLY got to work on your editing esp for the length - few seconds of Joni's interview would suffice - if I'm interesting in longer one I would look up the original, right? Some of your posts are over 1 hour! c'mon, even Scorsese can't do it...
Ridiculous! I had to stop watching after your mere mention of The Hissing of Summer Lawns. Please go back listen again. This is Joni at her best, as close to a concept album as you’re gonna get with her. The subject: disillusionment. Where she often laments relationships or the various movements of the world and society itself within in her work she always leaves us with a sense of what’s possibilities and future hope. But not here. Here she draws distinct contrasts between Shadow and Light. The rhythms, the dissonant chords, even the studio sweeteners are miraculous, but above all else the lyrics stand toe to toe with poets like Sylvia Plath and Elizabeth Bishop. This album is the high point of her creativity, her depth of understanding, her empathy and pathos. Do yourself a favor and listen again. It’s a tough nut but I believe you have the insight to crack it open.
Please read David Yafee's, "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter," and maybe you won't make so many mistakes in your video, like on "For the Rose's," the nude picture of Joni was taken on her property on Vancouver Island in Canada, not California. David Crosby completely screwed up the mixes on her first album, and Joni is quoted as, "It sounded like it was record inside of a Bell jar." Please educate yourself before presenting your facts. Larry Carlton was in "LA Express." Jaco's first album with Joni is 3 song's on Hejira. The pimp you refer to and her "black face," she met once right before Halloween, so on Halloween she went to a costume party dressed like this pimp and no one at the party recognized her, including her boyfriend at that time. Mingus summoned her and gave her four tunes titled, Joni 1, Joni 2, Joni 3, and Joni 4, and told her to write lyrics and music for those 4 tunes. Joni didn't want to do it, and finally relented. He died right before the album's release and never hear it in its entirety, but he did hear most of it as works in process. When Mingus met Joni, the first thing he said to her was, "The violins on Paprika Plains were out of tune," and she replied, "Wow, you hear that too, everyone else to me that I was imagining things." Again, Joni Mitchell didn't want to do the Mingus album, but she also couldn't refuse a dying man's request, so she went forward with the album. Larry Klein was only given co-producer credit because she loved him, he was younger than her and she did it to stroke his ego; however, she has always been in charge. The Wild Things run Fast album has a song called "Moon at the Window." The song is based upon a poem by Ryokan a Zen Monk, the reference to her life is that when the father of her child left her to go to California, he left her a drawing of a pregnant woman on a note with Ryokan's poem, "The thieves left it behind, the moon at the window." Joni brought in Thomas Dolby and allowed him to work on a single track, after several weeks he delivered it to her, she told him it was awful and never put it on the album; however, she had to give him credit because David Geffen made her, she hates that to this day. As for Turbulent Indigo, Joni Mitchell received a Grammy for Best Album of the Year for this album, so so much for your opinion.
Sorry, but I disagree with you about Night Ride Home. For me, it's the last really good album Mitchell released. The title track, "Come in From the Cold," "The Only Joy in Town," and the concluding "Two Grey Rooms" are memorable, thoughtful, and engaging in ways that much of her earlier work was. Even the "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" experiment works, putting Yeats's poem to her music (and giving a sly California nod to Joan Didion's seminal collection of essays, too, I think). Oh well. Different strokes.
One of the Great Female Folk Protest Singers in 60-70s ? Mazz do something with your accoustics Joni does not Sound like that Bright & hollow Yes its about the Music-But when it does not Sound Like Music Chages as dadid Bowie States CHANGE YOUR ACCOUSTICS YAHHH
If only she had stopped after Don Juan..............go out at the top, easier said than done! Her status was decimated by the Mingus and later efforts. A few stunning Lp's, - shame more pop-folk singers did not use Jazz musicians. How important is chronology, after hearing Hissing, Hejira, Don Juan the early Lp's sounded weak. The KIds just want Blue, Blue, Blue.........stunning, but not her best! The biggest seller means nothing kids!
mike, I tend to agree, on the other hand, if all she did were her first three albums; she would still be remembered as a force of nature, an authentic and original artist. And, Re: Mingus; to be fair, he passed away after her contractual commitments had already been made. She had to deliver something, and she had to completely reimagine the project after he passed away. She was always exploring, always growing, always taking risks. Sometimes that works better than other times; but this is her nature. Hell, she could have settled down with Stephen Stills, popped out some babies and chilled with the cats. He would have been very happy with that, but she was driven to produce art. She didn't take the easy route, or the safe one.
@@ivermec-tin666 Remembered as an above average young folk singer had she called it a day after the first 3, the 3rd was more memorable. Joni sung about the value and dynamics of human relationships, a very watery 'female' lens. Very deep, astute , authentic perspective at times. Mingus had this cerebral Jazzy bent, not an emotive muso, so a 'bad' match up. One way of looking at it. Folks fond of Mingus's music did not see it as such a disastrous offering. What a talent though or ''force of nature'' . I've been saying for decades Hissing and Don Juan are up there with Stimmung, Rite of Spring, Einstein on the Beach, Rock Bottom, ..but not everyone agrees, as yet. Hopefully as time passes they will be more often.
@@miketomlin6040 People tend to miss the nature of the project (Mingus). She's at the top of her game/fame and successfully incorporates accessible melody with wolves while exposing Mingus' legacy. With some of the "uncommercial" Mingus melodies, she mixes enough pop to appease the company store with "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines" that could have been a single. This album is just a continuation of an artist's desire to change it up, not grow redundant, remain interesting, and not become redundant.
@@DKaschak1 It was a disaster, the end of the road for her musically, critical redundancy followed. As to why? My hunch is Mingus's music is very emotionally cold, detached, cerebral....she is a feeling-water psyche, known for a rare ability to communicate feelings well through music. So a terrible matchup. Don Juan may have been her zenith. although some argue Hissing was, so it was a shock for me, or many, to hear the Mingus catastrophe back in the day.
@@miketomlin6040 If it was the end of the road then she wouldn't have the grammy for Turbulent Indigo. Dry Cleaner, Wolf, and if I think about her ability to capture the emotionally cold, detached, and cerebral Mingus in the lyric, she succeeded. Def not a favorite, but to each his own.
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My friend Scott’s family had a summer cottage on the B.C. coast when he was a kid. He told me he remembered the cool lady who lived next door who would chain smoke cigarettes and paint all day, but he had no idea who she was until he got older. Now has a painting hanging in his house of himself as a kid swimming in the ocean given to his parents by Joni Mitchell! All he can really remember about her is that she was cool and she smoked non stop.
78deathface wow. Such a great story. Probably a very cool painting. Thank you for sharing. Cheers. 🎨🎨🎨
I would like to see that painting!
Her place is a few kms up the road from here in an area known as Pender Harbour/Madeira Park (lower Sunshine Coast) accessible only by ferry . One of the early albums Mazzy showed a painting showing water-front property ...she is looking over the water among the famous Arbutus trees seen in this area. When she came to the local village everyone respected her privacy (considering her a local) and gave her space she was always friendly ...smoking up a storm (she hated the recent smoking ban but restaurants just gave her a table in the back where she could puff away). I love "River"
Larry Bowe I used to live up in Powell River and would drive through that area every week doing deliveries for Townsite Brewery. It’s such an amazing and beautiful place, I live in the B.C. interior now and I miss the ocean and those amazing arbutus trees every day. I hope to live there again someday. I used to find awesome records at all the thrift stores along the Sunshine Coast probably due to all the old hippies living around there...
@@78deathface Neat! Townsite is a fab brewery love the"Tin Hat" IPA. I'm afraid the days of finding gems at local Thrift Shops on the Coast are no longer, ... a rarity. Hope its better in the interior. Keep well!
Joni Mitchell is a lifelong favorite of mine. Amazing body of work. Unique and original. Great lyricist, composer, instrument player, vocalist, ... A complete and original artist.
Joni is right up there with Dylan, lyric wise.
In terms of the breadth of her canvas and originality, she is way loftier. Less well known than Bob Dylan though. I prefer her lyrics over Dylan.
I appreciate where you’re coming from here, but I see Joni as being far beyond Dylan .
I love Joni and I love you too. Thank for this beautiful video. Greetings from Spain.
Great overview on Joni's
discography.
Got to see Joni twice. Once at the Atlantic City Pop Festival about a month before Woodstock. She came out and started singing. Stopped halfway through, started crying and said no one was listening to her, and walked off the stage. Then saw her early 70’s at Radio City Music Hall, that was a great concert. You left out one of her early interpreters, Dave Van Ronk. He did Clouds and some others very early on. I feel the same way about her album Mingus. I want to like it more than I do. She hasn’t really done a complete great album since 77, but what she did before that will last generations. Thanks for posting and reminding me to break out some of her LPs.
My favorite female artist. I’ve been listening to Joni since junior high. Today I’m in my 60s and she is still the queen of my turntable. It doesn’t get any better. Great video! 👍
For The Roses is my favorite JM album. I saw Joni headline at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 69 or 70.
She brought out a then relatively unknown Janes Taylor.
I more or less grew up with Joni. She was always growing musically, and I went along for that ride. She's still one of my top favorite musicians.
I got into Joni around the "Blue" time, then I hit all the early to mid 70's albums, from Court to Hejira, and yes even Mingus, seen her on the Miles of Iles tour, and worked my way backward, what can I say? one of the most important artist of our time, thanks for a great video....
Joni Mitchell wrote the Woodstock song, and when you hear her version you can hear the sadness in her voice. When CSNY covered it they gave it the harder sounding Woodstock rock feel. A couple of weeks before Woodstock took place, there was a Pop Festival in New Jersey at the Atlantic City Horserace Track, and Joni Mitchell was one of the performers. I was at that festival, I also went to Woodstock with my older cousins who bought tickets. It was a blast, I was only 12 years old, and I was pretty much on my own for those three days of bliss.
Back to Joni, when she went on stage at the ACPop Fest she began playing her first song, and when it was done there were so many people hollering at her to play Both Sides Now etc. Joni Mitchell didn't know how to handle the loud, obnoxious East coast rock fans, so she broke down in tears and left the stage. It took a while for her to return, and she didn't play very many songs.
She was supposed to perform at Woodstock, and her boyfriend at the time was Graham Nash, and he was performing with her shared friends Crosby-Stills-and her fellow Canadian friend Neil Young. Her manager wanted to keep her away from the East Coast concert festival crowds like what she encountered at ACPop, so he booked her to perform on the Dick Cavett TV program.
She wrote the Woodstock song while she was in her hotel room, and when she recorded it her overall sadness was still with her. She was also sensing the end of the 60's within that song, and she was mourning the end of the hippie movement. That's why her version sounds so sad and emotional.
She's such a brilliant artist. Thank you so much for doing this video about her.
Thanks so much for sharing!
❤Joni❤
Night Ride Home should be revisited, especially for Two Grey Rooms, a song that can bring me to tears each time I hear it. You can read on Wikipedia the story behind the song. Absolutely heartbreakingly beautiful. Also the song’s video can be found on TH-cam.
Agreed. I love much of Night Ride Home very much, esp. Two Grey Rooms.
A very enjoyable presentation. My "first time" with Joni was Court and Spark when I was in high school, had Miles too. The sad for the world but good for vinyl record collectors like me is that most of her albums are easy to pick up from the $1 bins. I've got all of her records through Dog Eat Dog except the debut, Mingus and the other live album. I love her albums, wish the younger generations would decide her music was a must have like LZ and Pink Floyd. I remember a quote from her about her alternate tunings on the guitar was something like, "I just keep messing with it until I like how it sounds". I think her biggest champion might be David Crosby. I've seen him state numerous times on social media that she is the greatest artist he has every know, or the most talented person. Now I've got a mission, I've got to find that first album, Mingus and get a cleaner copy of Miles. take care-Elliott
Elliott Crews yup Crosby championed her in LA. She dated Graham Nash during that time in Laurel Canyon. Even her failures best many other artists.
Love love her. Time for a reassessment if her later catalog.
Hey Mazzy..I love Joni but haven’t listened to her stuff in a while. This video motivated me to do so. I just pulled out Hissing Of Summer Lawns. What a great album !!!
Happy 80th Bday, Joni! I haven’t seen this yet, but will watch tonight in honor of her big day. Then I’ll go listen to her albums that I have. Thank you, Mazzy.
Funny how things turn out, as I became a rabid fan of the Smiths since hearing This Charming Man, and then thanks to my sister turned to Joni by the Don Juan's Reckless Daughter album that was part of bargain bins in 1984... Still hearing Morrissey solo career and of course Joni! Forever!
The hissing of the summer lawn is my favourite, then ladies of the canyon, blue but i love most of the others too, i like the box sets a lot too
Really enjoyed this video. I have her early works up until Hejira. Now I will look out for the later, more jazz infused material.
Thank you...amazing albuns.
Another excellent discography video Mazzy. I must confess to owning all her mid 70s catalogue on vinyl, but aside from Hissing, have never actually played them! Wha? Hearing what you had to say made me feel like pulling them off the shelves. I must get my act together...
Thank u ...great video
Just a quick note to say thank you very much for a fantastic overview of Joni's records. Only saw her once performing in a huge venue in Birmingham England, performing her album 'Wild Things Run Fast.' Great band and a great performance from Joni. She did not seem at ease, maybe not quite sure, with quite a reserved British audience how well she was being received. Your review echoes my own views on her career. I came to the Joni party with 'Court and Spark' and as you said you never forget your first album. Keep on doing your reviews I really enjoy hearing your take on things. Very envious of your superb collection.
Love this video!!! Thank you for sharing!!! I completely hear you on "Dog Eat Dog" but for some reason I actually love that album lol. I think it's the camp-y 80's sound... it's almost like, it's so bad it's good? Also I love that she literally made a song out of that old timey cigarette machine.
Very interesting tracking shot; even if my english unfortunately is non that great -at best, I have been able to understand the overall meaning of your message.
I miss the most recent releases from her, so it's time to give them a listening.
Many thanks!
Luigi (from sunny Italy)
I admire the literacy, occasional sarcasm, gentle irony and deep knowledge and love of music and those who create it as expressed in your videos.In short; I love Massy.
Gorgeous video.
Great job Mazzy..
Hey Mazzy, I don't think I've commented before though really been enjoying your videos and perspectives on things. Lovely tribute and overview here. I was quite late getting into Joni's music though had been aware of her throughout life. It took my dear friend Shannon's video series from almost 2 years ago to get me started, and now like yourself, I have most of her collection. 🙂
I'd say 'Clouds', 'Court and Spark', 'Hejira', 'Don Juan's Reckless Daughter', 'Wild Things Run Fast', and 'Chalkmark in a Rainstorm' are particular favorites. I would have to agree with you on 'Mingus' even though I tend to lean more towards jazz myself. Was really excited to find out that Pat and Lyle were on that live album, being lifelong fans of theirs.
I don't know about you, but the thing that draws me to her music the most are her harmonies, the chords...they're just so distinctive to her, and she often finds what I call these "sweet spots" that strike a perfect balance of emotion and...sophistication for lack of a better word. Not to mention her wonderful voice. Anyhow, thank you for doing this video when you did, and I believe she's due for a further revisit here now. 🙂 -Carm
Thanks for watching and glad you got into Joni. And I miss Shannon’s videos 🤠🎶
@@mazzysmusic I miss them too. Shannon was also greatly an inspiration to me to try doing videos myself, and that was nearly a decade ago!
huge joni fan here,thank you for doing this mr maslov.i also loved your 1970 themed epic video as well!that one inspired me to buy the eponymous ry cooder album on vinyl last friday.had a tremendous music weekend thanks to you.
Excellent video Mazzy! I have all the albums up to and including Mingus. I saw her in Buffalo, NY with Boy Dylan and the Rolling Thunder Review. Love her.
I absolut agree on the "greatest hits" thing, I want to dig deep too.
I've had For the Roses for a long time and always loved it. I finally found a really good copy of Blue. It is just a second press but it is one of the best sounding records I own. Her voice was made for vinyl. Lionel Ritchie had such an amazing solo career but in my opinion, most of his music hasn't aged well.
Nice overview. I only have Joni's fusion albums. Hejira and the live Shadows and Light are my faves. Love Metheny on there and of course Jaco. I like Hissing and Mingus too. In the 80's I like the duet with Gabriel.
I remember Joni when she used to busk down in Yorkville Village here in Toronto in the mid 60s. I even tossed a dime into her guitar case. Just the once mind you, money was scarce back in the hippy days for most of us....A lot of good music and artists came out of that scene... I suppose Joni, Neil Young, John Kay and Gordy Lightfoot garnered all the fame. It was Canada's musical mecca. I'd get a cheese sub just up the street for a quarter before I'd make the scene. LOL... Yeah Joni's Big Yellow Taxi was prophetic as well as condemnation wasn't it... Nobody paid attention, now look at us..... They were great days, I miss them...
Whoa Horsey!!!!!! You were at The Band's gig the "Last Waltz"? . That just may be the greatest R&R movie of all time. That concert is most definitely a feather in your cap.... I been at a couple of doozies myself. Much earlier though. By the mid 70s I stopped going to all the gigs, just a select few. I got spoiled. LOL A very respectful and admiring video of the Lass. Kudos....
Bobby Gass 5 great memories Bobby. It’s all about right place right time. Growing up in San Francisco allowed be to all the great early bands of the day the Dead, Airplane, Janis in the park. Fillmore West and Winterland and Altamont , Last Waltz a final Sex Pistols concert. 🎸🎶🥁
Man, Mazzy, I didn't realize how much Joni Mitchell I had, till I've seen your collection! My first Joni album I bought was The Hissing of Summer Lawns, at the recommendation of a co-worker. I was too young the first time around for Joni's music, and over the years I've been filling in my collection. Thank you for sharing your collection.
Big fan of Joni Mitchell as well, since the early 70’s. Nice tribute and overview Mazzy, thanks. If you don’t know the story of Little Green on the Blue album, do check it out, then listen to the song. The Circle Game brings tears to my eyes every time I listen it, especially as I get older, I usually don’t get emotional about things, but something about the song does it to me.
Hi Sir. My brother is such a dedicated fan of Joni Mitchell. His favorite album from Joni was Blue. My older brother maybe born in 1989 but he's really into 60s, 70s and 80s music. Mostly hes into female artists such as Kate Bush, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell & Nina Simone.
Now he has a stable job he promised to collect Joni's vinyl he was just so upset bec we are living in the Philippines aside from its hard to find her records, shipping rates are quite expensive if he will order it internationally.
He would be jealous once he watched this. Haha
I started collecting records in 1974 and I remember Court and Spark staying on the top 30 album charts from early spring into fall - 7 to 8 months. It was THE album of that year probably outperforming Band On The Run on the charts
You really must see the live video for the Shadows and Light concert. It's terrific, if a bit pretentious. Amazing band behind her, but she is in total control. Mitchell was apparently very interested in the potential for mixing music and video at the time -- just before the whole MTV thing went down. I watched it on TH-cam, but it might be available on other platforms, too.
Love her such a gift to us thanks for it all
I adore Joni Mitchell's voice. She is a fantastic artist, I have always enjoyed the artwork on her album covers. I've always been a fan of her music, but never really knew much about how she became popular/her personal life. I knew she has become a recluse, but this video was full of lots of great information. Ladies of The Canyon is probably my favorite Joni Mitchell album, I do like Blue but like you said I don't think it's my favorite. However, Blue is among one of my favorite albums to listen to on a rainy day. Missing a few of her albums from my collection, but I will complete it one day.
Joni had land and cabin on the Sunshine Coast of BC and every year mid 70's she'd send a cheque into the Lands tax office which i would process and rubber date stamp as paid. She had nice hand writing/signature as i recall lol
One of the truly great recording artists of our time. All her 60/70's albums are essential listening in my opinion, but I agree her later offerings became somewhat indifferent but still contained some great songs as in Euthiopia from Dog eat Dog, Two grey rooms from Night ride home and Sex kills from Turbulent Indigo.
Great overview, I like many gave up collecting after Dog Eat Dog. David Crosby was on his boat sailing around the Keys and heard Joni at The Coconut Grove. He was instrumental in bringing her to California and introducing her to all of his musician friends. After a short affair with Coz she was with Graham Nash for a while. He wrote Our House about living with Joni at her house. Besides a great musician, songwriter and painter she was hot as hell, beautiful woman!
You were at the last Waltz?😮
If you don’t own any of her records, Miles of Isles is a great album to start with, it’s a live greatest hits album, several songs actually eclipse the studio recordings, most notably, Both Sides Now, there are a lot of covers of that song out there, none come close to the version on that album, I fall in love with her every time I hear it!
Enjoyed the video!
Saw Joni in '98 when she toured with Dylan. Only thing I have of hers is Court and Spark, but I need to go further into her catalog.
Unfortunately I sold my JM records during the 80’s cd craze, now I’m buying the lps again, I do have Hits, Blue, Court in Spark on HDCD they sound awesome! Buffy Sainte-Marie covers The Circle Game on her Fire & Fleet & Candlelight lp. Her cover of TCG is on the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood soundtrack. (Hey Joni and me have the same initials, I know so what!) Love Joni, California gives me goosebumps, Carey, Big Yellow Taxi, Help Me, etc. great great songs!
I have bought her first 8 studio albums this year and like them all, playing them extensively. I have sort of put them in order and my favourites would be Song To A Seagull and Hejira in the sense that if I didn't know what to play I'd put them on, rather like Rubber Soul and Revolver are my go to Beatles LPs
@@daffodil800 great catalog.
Hi mazzy. I just started my Joni Mitchell exploration. My first album is Dog eat Dog which I know you are not found of. I grew up in the 80’s graduated in 89 and actually i quite like it. This video is a great overview of her discography, thank you and will use it to build my collection. 31:06
What a coincidence with your video, a friend of mine is going to send me 2 vinils from Joni Mitchell
Of course Mingus falls a bit short the main muse of the project died and it was finished as well as they could and released, it’s not like they could finish it properly.
Did you forget 1988's "Chalk Mark in a Rainstorm" (between "Dog Eat Dog" and "Night Ride Home")? Understandable if you did. Those last three Geffen CDs (none of which was ever released on vinyl to my knowledge) were mostly forgettable -- mostly colorless and static. Her sometimes turbulent melodies were always complex and unusual, but on those late '80s albums they often came across as flat and aimless. Every once in a while flashes of the old spark would shine through, though. I kinda like "Good Friends" (with the then-ubiquitous Michael McDonald), "Dog Eat Dog," "My Secret Place" (with Peter Gabriel), "Cherokee Louise"... But Billy Idol on "Dancin' Clown?" No thank you. Things start picking up again with her return to Reprise. I'm just so happy that in her 70s she's once again getting the rapturous attention she's always deserved.
Circle game written in response to Neil young’s sugar mountain !
Totally disagree with you about the album Dog Eat Dog. The lyrics and construction of the melodies and the songs are as inventive/insightful as her early albums. The use of ‘sythns’ may sound dated on Dog Eat Dog but that becomes ‘retro' anyway. You seem just to dismiss her later albums which I think show a real progession. Anyway l liked your review but you seemed to have no time for how she changed or developed. Mingus is a stunning album and yes It took many plays for me to feel that but I love hearing that album now. PS: heard her play some of Dog Eat Dog on just guitar and it sounded amazing. Hope I don’t sound hard as you do obviously do love Joni Mitchell but just give her later stuff some distance from her early work.
You might want to skip (or not) the vlogger "Shannon Talks Music" video on ranking Joni Mitchell's studio albums. While she worships the ground Joni walks on and thinks she is the greatest singer/songwriter in history, she ranked "Dog Eat Dog" at No. 19 (dead last), and "Mingus" at No. 17.
Just some opinions.
A very nice overview of Joni Mitchell. I was first introduced to her in the late 70's by a warped copy of Ladies of the Canyon and eventually found a non warped copy in good shape and in the early 2000's, found a bunch of her earlier LP's at the Goodwill, Blue, Hissing of Summer Lawns, Mingus, Hijera, dog eat dog and one or two others, though I don't have her first 2 LP's, nor For the Roses.
I do have to respectfully disagree on Mingus, I loved her interpretations of Mingus' works, putting lyrics to them and it's a good album in it's own right, is it as good as some of her earlier works, no, but a good LP nonetheless. I don't think I've played Dog Eat Dog yet, though I could be mistaken and I have at least one of her later albums on CD, but not played it as yet.
Totally agree on Ladies, a truly great album all its own and I can see how Blue came to be one of her biggest sellers, along with Court and Spark (have that too on LP, and it's an early press due to the embossed cover).
Anyway, a great artist in her own right. Thanks for sharing.
Nice Joni tribute Mazzy
Jaco played on 1/2 of Hejira (my favorite) - Max Bennett play the other bass parts. the naked shot is from British Columbia where she lived during FTR, Jericho on Don Juan is one of Joni’s most deep and moving songs. There is an intimate concert /art gallery blu ray of Joni with a 4 piece - Brian Blade and Larry Klein. She goes into depth about songs. It came out around the time of Taming the Tiger
(I didn’t really like her 80s on work that much)
Hi Norman - I was thinking that, for your serious, whispering videos, I should really go with the more formal "Norman." Let me know what you think. I know you remember Buffy St. Marie singing The Circle Game in the movie The Strawberry Statement. I think they filmed that in your hometown. My favorite? I'll probably stick with Blue. Doesn't it seem that somewhere along the line, Joni started releasing new albums as vehicles to get her visual art out? Really enjoyed it Mazzy - thanks!
Randall Weaver formal Norman works 🤓
Were you thinking of Tom Scott's LA Express or Joe Sample and Larry Carlton's Jazz Crusaders perhaps?
Guess you skipped or do not own "Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm".
Off topic..Do you sell catalogs of photographers you represent?
Hi there... I would like to hear your opinion about the new box set The Reprise Albums.
I m not getting it as I have lovely originals ✌🏽
Very cool Joni Mitchell collection Mazzy in 1996 I got turned on to Joni Mitchell with Hejira by my boss when I worked at Borders music dept. an that had me collecting everything from the 70s her jazz period then Court and Spark etc those I own on vinyl Joni's arrangements were great with Jaco, Larry Carlton and the rest of the Jazz Crusaders a match made in heaven Don Juan's Reckless Daughter is great also Chaka Khan sings background vocals. Each Joni Mitchell albums are so different and outstanding I fast forward to Taming the Tiger I heard that album wow man she still has so prolific Mazzy I have to this year get more of her albums like Blue , Ladies of the Canyon, For the Roses . You said your missing a couple of album man you have an outstanding collection in my book you understand Joni . Great episode Norman. Lovellandrew
I kniew Joni back 1960 she played YOrkville in toronto we did same photos then she buggered off for U.S. I lost interest after Blue with the odd Relase hissing and a late cut can not think-getting like you Mazz
Nice. Love her voice. I don't have any of her records though. What album would you recommend for her best? For a newbe. I made this comment while still watching. Maybe you did say. I'll keep watching.
I'd say go for Clouds or Blue as a jumping point.
@@andrewcraske2730 thanks bro. I'll check those out for sure.
Blue is my all time favorite, but I think Hejira showcases her as a great songwriter and also represents a more mature time of her music. Therefore I'd recommend it.
I like your channel in general but you REALLY got to work on your editing esp for the length - few seconds of Joni's interview would suffice - if I'm interesting in longer one I would look up the original, right? Some of your posts are over 1 hour! c'mon, even Scorsese can't do it...
Ridiculous! I had to stop watching after your mere mention of The Hissing of Summer Lawns. Please go back listen again. This is Joni at her best, as close to a concept album as you’re gonna get with her. The subject: disillusionment. Where she often laments relationships or the various movements of the world and society itself within in her work she always leaves us with a sense of what’s possibilities and future hope. But not here. Here she draws distinct contrasts between Shadow and Light. The rhythms, the dissonant chords, even the studio sweeteners are miraculous, but above all else the lyrics stand toe to toe with poets like Sylvia Plath and Elizabeth Bishop. This album is the high point of her creativity, her depth of understanding, her empathy and pathos. Do yourself a favor and listen again. It’s a tough nut but I believe you have the insight to crack it open.
I do like Hiissing. I listen to all her work. Just live others better.
Please read David Yafee's, "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter," and maybe you won't make so many mistakes in your video, like on "For the Rose's," the nude picture of Joni was taken on her property on Vancouver Island in Canada, not California. David Crosby completely screwed up the mixes on her first album, and Joni is quoted as, "It sounded like it was record inside of a Bell jar." Please educate yourself before presenting your facts. Larry Carlton was in "LA Express." Jaco's first album with Joni is 3 song's on Hejira. The pimp you refer to and her "black face," she met once right before Halloween, so on Halloween she went to a costume party dressed like this pimp and no one at the party recognized her, including her boyfriend at that time. Mingus summoned her and gave her four tunes titled, Joni 1, Joni 2, Joni 3, and Joni 4, and told her to write lyrics and music for those 4 tunes. Joni didn't want to do it, and finally relented. He died right before the album's release and never hear it in its entirety, but he did hear most of it as works in process. When Mingus met Joni, the first thing he said to her was, "The violins on Paprika Plains were out of tune," and she replied, "Wow, you hear that too, everyone else to me that I was imagining things." Again, Joni Mitchell didn't want to do the Mingus album, but she also couldn't refuse a dying man's request, so she went forward with the album. Larry Klein was only given co-producer credit because she loved him, he was younger than her and she did it to stroke his ego; however, she has always been in charge. The Wild Things run Fast album has a song called "Moon at the Window." The song is based upon a poem by Ryokan a Zen Monk, the reference to her life is that when the father of her child left her to go to California, he left her a drawing of a pregnant woman on a note with Ryokan's poem, "The thieves left it behind, the moon at the window." Joni brought in Thomas Dolby and allowed him to work on a single track, after several weeks he delivered it to her, she told him it was awful and never put it on the album; however, she had to give him credit because David Geffen made her, she hates that to this day. As for Turbulent Indigo, Joni Mitchell received a Grammy for Best Album of the Year for this album, so so much for your opinion.
But did you like the video?
Sorry, but I disagree with you about Night Ride Home. For me, it's the last really good album Mitchell released. The title track, "Come in From the Cold," "The Only Joy in Town," and the concluding "Two Grey Rooms" are memorable, thoughtful, and engaging in ways that much of her earlier work was. Even the "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" experiment works, putting Yeats's poem to her music (and giving a sly California nod to Joan Didion's seminal collection of essays, too, I think). Oh well. Different strokes.
One of the Great Female Folk Protest Singers in 60-70s ? Mazz do something with your accoustics Joni does not Sound like that Bright & hollow Yes its about the Music-But when it does not Sound Like Music Chages as dadid Bowie States CHANGE YOUR ACCOUSTICS YAHHH
If only she had stopped after Don Juan..............go out at the top, easier said than done! Her status was decimated by the Mingus and later efforts. A few stunning Lp's, - shame more pop-folk singers did not use Jazz musicians. How important is chronology, after hearing Hissing, Hejira, Don Juan the early Lp's sounded weak. The KIds just want Blue, Blue, Blue.........stunning, but not her best! The biggest seller means nothing kids!
mike, I tend to agree, on the other hand, if all she did were her first three albums; she would still be remembered as a force of nature, an authentic and original artist. And, Re: Mingus; to be fair, he passed away after her contractual commitments had already been made. She had to deliver something, and she had to completely reimagine the project after he passed away. She was always exploring, always growing, always taking risks. Sometimes that works better than other times; but this is her nature. Hell, she could have settled down with Stephen Stills, popped out some babies and chilled with the cats. He would have been very happy with that, but she was driven to produce art. She didn't take the easy route, or the safe one.
@@ivermec-tin666 Remembered as an above average young folk singer had she called it a day after the first 3, the 3rd was more memorable.
Joni sung about the value and dynamics of human relationships, a very watery 'female' lens. Very deep, astute , authentic perspective at times. Mingus had this cerebral Jazzy bent, not an emotive muso, so a 'bad' match up. One way of looking at it. Folks fond of Mingus's music did not see it as such a disastrous offering.
What a talent though or ''force of nature'' . I've been saying for decades Hissing and Don Juan are up there with Stimmung, Rite of Spring, Einstein on the Beach, Rock Bottom, ..but not everyone agrees, as yet. Hopefully as time passes they will be more often.
@@miketomlin6040 People tend to miss the nature of the project (Mingus). She's at the top of her game/fame and successfully incorporates accessible melody with wolves while exposing Mingus' legacy. With some of the "uncommercial" Mingus melodies, she mixes enough pop to appease the company store with "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines" that could have been a single. This album is just a continuation of an artist's desire to change it up, not grow redundant, remain interesting, and not become redundant.
@@DKaschak1 It was a disaster, the end of the road for her musically, critical redundancy followed. As to why? My hunch is Mingus's music is very emotionally cold, detached, cerebral....she is a feeling-water psyche, known for a rare ability to communicate feelings well through music. So a terrible matchup. Don Juan may have been her zenith. although some argue Hissing was, so it was a shock for me, or many, to hear the Mingus catastrophe back in the day.
@@miketomlin6040 If it was the end of the road then she wouldn't have the grammy for Turbulent Indigo. Dry Cleaner, Wolf, and if I think about her ability to capture the emotionally cold, detached, and cerebral Mingus in the lyric, she succeeded. Def not a favorite, but to each his own.