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All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology.
BLUE marks the culmination of Mitchell's early, traditional singer/songwriter period, and it is one of the very best albums of that genre. Though she was already beginning to experiment with elements of pop and jazz, BLUE focuses on Mitchell's skill as a folk singer, showcasing her reedy, expressive voice in duet with her piano or guitar. The arrangements on the album--which feature keys, dulcimer, bass, and assorted percussion--are spare and tasteful, so much so that it is easy to overlook their sophistication.
Yet it is ultimately Mitchell's songs that make BLUE such a moving and memorable experience. "All I Want" establishes the themes of wandering and soul-searching that define much of the artist's work, while "My Old Man" and "Carey" explore relationships with a keen attention to detail and emotional truth. Songs like "California" shuffle along with a sunny yearning, but the predominant mood--true to the album's title--is lonely, plaintive and stark, with "River," the title track, and "The Last Time I Saw Richard" ranking with the saddest, most moving songs in the pop canon. An album of great intensity and confessional depth, BLUE closed the chapter on Mitchell's folk period beautifully, opening the gates for the bold new work to follow.
Live Recording
Composer: Joni Mitchell.
Personnel: Joni Mitchell (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards); Joni Mitchell; Sneaky Pete Kleinow (guitar, steel guitar, pedal steel guitar); Stephen Stills (guitar, bass instrument, bass guitar); James Taylor Jr. (guitar); James Taylor (vocals, guitar); Russ Kunkel (drums).
Recording information: A & M Studios, Los Angeles, CA; A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA; A&M, Los Angeles, CA.Rolling Stone (10/31/02, p.135) - Ranked #2 in Rolling Stone's "Women In Rock: The 50 Essential Albums" - "...An acoustic tour de force..." Rolling Stone (8/5/71, p.43) - "...her songs, like James Taylor's, are only incidentally commercial: Her primary purpose is to create something meaningful out of the random moments of pain and pleasure in her life..." Rolling Stone (9/30/71, p.42) - "...She writes beautiful tunes coupled with beautiful lyrics...what more could be asked of her? BLUE is her best album by far..." Q (7/99, p.150) - Included in Q's Best Chill-Out Albums of All Time - "...tangible warmth....A solitary album, which conversely makes the listner feel less alone..." Q (p.132) - 4 stars out of 5 - "The gold standard for the confessional school of '70s songwriters in one beguiling package." Vibe (12/99, p.157) - Included in Vibe's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century NME (Magazine) (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #28 in NME's list of the Greatest Albums Of All Time. NME (Magazine) (9/18/93, p.19) - Ranked #9 in NME's list of The Greatest Albums Of The '70s.
my favourite this is my favourite album. what a voice. all is good : fantastic songs, beautiful and original music. even joni is beautiful ... buy it! Submitted by cyrielle (le pré st gervais, france) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Joni defines blue in her own elements-high notes and creativ Blue is great CD to analyze. At first listen, it's hard to catch what Joni is Blue about. Her voice is so angelic and fun that one tends to overlook the darkness of some of her lyrical phrasing. The title track is full of emotion, power and thirst. It's obvious that Joni was full of love and trials. Joni tops off this incredible album with "The Last Time I Saw Richard." What an excellent summary of an excellent album- "only a phase, these dark cafes." Submitted by wl_jefferies (Atlanta, GA, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Blue is "pure" Joni... For anyone who is a purist and appreciates the artist and her guitar, Blue is a perfect album. I always just allow it to carry me away every time I listen to it. From her soul searching in "My Old Man" and "This Flight Tonight" to her relationship conundrums in "River" and "A Case of You", this album never disappoints. The special treat for me remains in her story telling rendition of "The Last Time I saw Richard", delivered in her so utterly unique style. Do yourself a favor and get "Blue"....you won't be. Submitted by a reviewer (Vero Beach, Florida) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
straight to the top i considered myself a joni fan and had a half dozen albums but not "blue". so when i finally got it i could rank it against all those other joni albums which i adore. after one play "blue" headed the list. it is astonishing, it has the most tender song ever written, "little green" and how about those lyrics in "all i want"!!!! thats love, warmth, truth and an overlooked quality of joni's - humour, all in one song...this album is essential (why did i leave it so long) Submitted by tony (london, england) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
great songs I have had a copy of "Blue" for many years, but it was a bad tape recording, so I was pleased to finally get the CD. Every song is beautifully performed, lots of feeling, great lyrics, and although it was recorded some years ago, it remains one of my all time favourites. Submitted by a reviewer (Torquay, United Kingdom) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
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