Favorite Joni Mitchell album (1968-1979)?

[Duncan Grant]

Most of the progressives I know have a little Joni in the soundtrack of their lives. Do you have a favorite album? As much as I love Blue and The Hissing of Summer Lawns I'm guessing DU is going to prefer Court and Spark, followed closely by Blue.

Got a favorite song(s)? After 20+ years, I still haven't tired of "People's Parties and "In France They Kiss On Main Street". And you? :hi:

[SeattleGirl]

1. "Court and Spark"

But I pretty much like all things Joni.

[Duncan Grant]

11. I pretty much like all things Joni, too.

She sure has a keen insight into the human experience. :)

[NNadir]

2. It's very hard to pick one. I voted for "For the Roses," but all those albums are great.

My favorite song for the sound is "Edith and the Kingpin," off The Hissing of Summer Lawns which is a greatly under-rated album in my view.

I could never pick a favorite for lyrics, because she had so many songs that were beautiful. Of course she was always very self-absorbed, but what a self to be absorbed in!

When I was young and played in clubs, I covered a lot of her material. I am, so far as I know, the only man who regularly covered "A Woman of Heart and Mind," which has to be one of the best put-downs ever. When I used to play it, I thought often of an old lover who put me down - she was the woman who introduced me to "For the Roses," actually.

Song for a Seagull was also a very wonderful album. Nathan LaFraneer is probably my favorite song on that album.

[Duncan Grant]

12. I love "Edith and the Kingpin".

That vocal is amazing! I had to grow into The Hissing of Summer Lawns but once I did, it never let me go. :thumbsup:

[some guy]

19. hmm...

I never thought of her as self-absorbed.

A lot of her songs are pretty autobiographical, but more explaining herself, and her life, possibly for the daughter she thought she might never know?

:shrug:

For years, due solely to the song Little Green, I wondered if she had had a child; a few years ago, I read she had. Kelly, imagine that.

[some guy]

3. I opted for Ladies of The Canyon

though it changes from day to day.

I would have voted Turbulent Indigo if it had been a choice...

:hi:

(yeah, yeah, I know 10 spots only)

[Duncan Grant]

13. "Rainy Night House" - I still like that one a lot.

My husband and I like to listen to Ladies of the Canyon on road trips. Actually, we listen to them all on road trips. :hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Blue

Bought the vinyl winter of '72. Listened to it a lot that winter while living alone for the first time.

[Duncan Grant]

14. "Blue" was an important part of my early college years.

God. The perils of romance in those days. (sigh) :)

It's comin' on Christmas...

[livetohike]

21. Me too - and it was one of the "standards" at the Free Clinic

where I volunteered on Friday nights :-). Wore the grooves off that vinyl.

[MissMillie]

22. Agreed, and I think Joni says it's her most intimate work

I think it shows.

Though I can't think of anything she's done that could be considered unacceptable.

[mondo joe]

5. Hejira - no comparison~!!!

[Duncan Grant]

15. Yep.

"Song for Sharon", "A Strange Boy" and "Coyote" -- just to name a few... :)

[QMPMom]

6. None. She should have stuck to songwriting. Her singing stinks.

[BlueJazz]

9. Alright..Damnit!...That does it....

No soup for you.

[Duncan Grant]

16. Aw, you've been deprived.

It's sad that you never had a friend who turned you on to Joni. You missed out. :hug:

[xchrom]

7. i went with hejira. and she's a great singer.

extremely evocative and great range and control.

[TheMightyFavog]

8. Hejira...

Shot in Madison, WI.

[Duncan Grant]

17. I couldn't have said it better myself.

xchrom, you are obviously a genius. :)

[hippywife]

10. I can't choose!

Please don't make me choose. I love her music soooooo much! :hi:

[Duncan Grant]

18. Ask me again, tomorrow.

Honestly, I went with The Hissing of Summer Lawns tonight but tomorrow -- maybe Hejira. It's such a winter sound, imho. (Must be the skaters on Wollman Rink in Central Park.) :hi:

[Bassic]

20. Anything with Jaco Pastorius on bass?

He was one kick-ass bass player.