Music Joni Mitchell

[BD]

Surely one of the most underrated artists around? Granted, this opinion is based on the previous Joni Mitchell thread on here only having a handful of replies, and most of them are about Sarah McLachlan.

Blue is one of my favourite albums of all time, and Hejira is also great. Both great albums and both so different sounding, not to mention Court and Spark and Ladies of the Canyon.

Brilliant voice and brilliant lyrics.

Here's a song from Blue:


and one from Hejira:

 

[dumbo]

I don't think there is anything else quite like her. I consider very few great musicians great poets too - Leonard Cohen and Joni and almost nobody else. I can't think of another musician whose lyrics resonate in the same way for me.

Richard got married to a figure skater
And he bought her a dishwasher and a Coffee percolator
And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on
And all the house lights left up bright

I meant to go over and ask for a song
Maybe put on a harmony
I heard his refrain
As the signal changed

Lady, please love me now I was dead
I am no saint, turn down your bed
Lady, have you no heart, " that's what you said
Well, I can be cruel
But let me be gentle with you

Just before our love got lost you said
"I am as constant as a northern star"
And I said, "Constant in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar"

I met a redneck on a Grecian isle
Who did the goat dance very well
He gave me back my smile
But he kept my camera to sell
Oh the rogue the red red rogue

She radiates an authenticity, integrity and self-assuredness that is practically unique. Rainy Night House, The Last time I saw Richard, The Gallery.

 

[Ian Reus]

Top musician.

 

[jackofalltrades]

One of the all time greats. Blue is my favourite, though. Read a long article about her a few weeks back. She had a baby and had it adopted, something which shocked me. They are now reunited or at least reconciled.

I could drink a case of you
and still I would be be on my feet...

She was very ill. She hasn't died, has she ?

 

[Snowjoe]

Both Sides Now is a banger

 

[BD]

One of the all time greats. Blue is my favourite, though. Read a long article about her a few weeks back. She had a baby and had it adopted, something which shocked me. They are now reunited or at least reconciled.

I could drink a case of you
and still I would be be on my feet...

She was very ill. She hasn't died, has she ?

No she hasn't died, thankfully.

Yeah she gave her daughter up for adoption cause she didn't think she would be able to afford having it. This was all when she was young and before she got fame, as far as I know. That's what the song 'Little Green' on Blue is about, and there's a live version on YouTube where she sings Kelly Green instead of Little Green in some of the choruses (Kelly is her daughter's name).

 

[Classical Mechanic]

She's a bit like Morrisey, has some anti PC views that upset Guardian columnists and readers that love her music.

 

[Eckers99]

No she hasn't died, thankfully.

Yeah she gave her daughter up for adoption cause she didn't think she would be able to afford having it. This was all when she was young and before she got fame, as far as I know. That's what the song 'Little Green' on Blue is about, and there's a live version on YouTube where she sings Kelly Green instead of Little Green in some of the choruses (Kelly is her daughter's name).

Little Green is a beautiful song.

 

[Gentleman Jim]

Not sure she's underrated, she's long been a critics favourite with frequent appearances in their polls for greatest albums and vocalist but she fully deserves her place in them.
This hasn't translated to huge record sales but that's never really been her aim and she's done pretty well after a hard start in life.