Blue - JONI MITCHELL*****

All I Want/My Old Man/Little Green/Carey/Blue/California/This Flight Tonight/River/A Case Of You/The Last Time I Saw Richard

Blue was the final album from the golden period of singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Her idiosyncratic folk-rock compositions would become both less inspired and more jazz focussed. (US:15 UK:3)

“This is the record that launched a thousand female singer-songwriters. It features some of the most accomplished and most influential songwriting of the 1970s, full of the substance that so many singer-songwriter albums lack.”

“Joni Mitchell's Blue is without a doubt one of the finest pieces of singer-songwriting. The album is a magnificent culmination of her piano and guitar talents, this time adding the simplistic and almost exotic beauty of a lap dulcimer. The tones are highly personal; loneliness, homesickness, confidence, excitement and deep sorrow.”

“This is my favourite of Joni’s albums, and it definitely marks the point where she perfected the approach she was developing on her first four albums – quiet, understated folk music heavy on acoustic guitar and piano, and light on most other stuff.”

“Lots of beautiful and heartfelt tracks here, featuring slightly odd melodies and harmonies lending it an original-sounding mood. This constitutes poetry that is stunning at its best moments, with gorgeous melodic vocals.”

“I am simply amazed at Mitchell's songwriting, vocal range and melodies. I could go on and on. There are no songs being written or sung like this today. Joni has the ability to paint pictures of her journeys through life that intrigue and fascinate us. Plus the songs are simply a joy to listen to. At first I used to be turned off by Mitchell's singing and vocal mannerisms. but before long her voice becomes comfortable and welcome.”

“Consistently perfect songwriting throughout. Joni Mitchell knows how to wring the sweetest notes out of a guitar. Her melodies and chords are always rich, bold and colourful. Best of all, her emotional honesty makes for a deeply touching listen.”

“Certainly the most influential folk album ever written by a woman, and the template for every sensitive female artist playing a guitar, piano or harp. She dissects herself and her lovers past and present with analytical precision.”