Don Juan’s Restless Daughter. I was a 13 year old girl in the Texas suburbs in the 80s in who had only heard Joni’s Laurel Canyon years. I picked it out of a bargain bin and it exploded my young brain. Not just the sounds - but the possibilities - seemed to my young ears such a huge leap forward into something I was too young to describe. I’m waxing rhapsodic but it was a huge eye-opening moment in my adolescence. For that, I will always hold it dear.
I consider DJRD to be Joni’s punk album. When in ‘song mode’ it’s just vocal, guitar, bass and drums. At other times it’s willful experimentation and then there’s a 15 minute orchestral tone poem with a sax solo in its closing minute. Wow
I don't like "Paprika Plains" much. It goes on too long and some of the lyrics seem a little clunky to me. But it's worth it to get to that Wayne Shorter saxophone solo.
I love Court & Spark of course, but I think my favorite of her albums is Hejira. The songs are more like tone poems, but man do they elicit the feel of a specific time and place for me - late summer in the late 70s. I didn't even listen to Joni Mitchell back then, but I might as well have haha
The early '70s was Joni's peak. If not "Hissing" or "Court", the much loved "Blue", also made during this time, would be the main candidate for her best album.
Having written about all three now for this newsletter, I'm still going to go with "Hissing," but the others follow closely behind in terms of quality.
A poetic lush subtly complex yet gorgeously melodic singer-songwriter avant jazz-fusion-art-pop LP that unfolds into a beautiful expanse of impeccable musical richness.
I am not a great Joni fan but I did buy this album when it came out. I was interested in the jazz theme of the album. I didn’t know the connection between Edith and the Kingpin and Aja but now it all makes sense.
The title song would have been my pick from the lo. Others.. definitely Blue, hands down.
I kinda think you had to have lived through that time rather than simply listen to it: she was emblematic of a certain time of the US and its music, Blue caught the zeitgeist and anguish perfectly. Hard to articulate. For the Roses is ne plus ultra..
Oh, hell, all her music is great, she’s a goddess. We all fell in love with her individually and quietly. I veered away after DJRD, but plenty of music of hers to revisit.
Nice read/listen. I do love this album. Though Hejira feels like the pinnacle of that era (to me). Great songwriting. Greet conception and storytelling. Great band. Joni for president indeed
This is 'my' Joni album. I love the others but this is the one that I have felt a personal attachment to for the last 30 odd years. Not only my favourite Joni album but one of my favourite albums of all time.
Oh wow, tough call. I picked this album up last year and it has been slowly growing on me, best listened to when dusk is turning to night. Up to now “For The Roses” is still my favourite.
When a friend in college asked about the music I wanted to be buried with, I was clueless. Years later I discovered Blue. That was it. Music that never ages
Definitely my favorite, I think her best. Jazzy. "Don't Interrupt The Sorrow"..."darn right." And some Steely cats in the studio never hurt. Best thing I read all day!
I bought Hissing of Summer Lawns on October 28, 1975, at the Yale Coop Bookstore. That night I met a cute guy on campus and invited him over to hear the new album. We kissed and spent the night. Last month we celebrated 50 years together. Lucky me.
Don Juan’s Restless Daughter. I was a 13 year old girl in the Texas suburbs in the 80s in who had only heard Joni’s Laurel Canyon years. I picked it out of a bargain bin and it exploded my young brain. Not just the sounds - but the possibilities - seemed to my young ears such a huge leap forward into something I was too young to describe. I’m waxing rhapsodic but it was a huge eye-opening moment in my adolescence. For that, I will always hold it dear.
So great — thanks for sharing!!
I consider DJRD to be Joni’s punk album. When in ‘song mode’ it’s just vocal, guitar, bass and drums. At other times it’s willful experimentation and then there’s a 15 minute orchestral tone poem with a sax solo in its closing minute. Wow
I don't like "Paprika Plains" much. It goes on too long and some of the lyrics seem a little clunky to me. But it's worth it to get to that Wayne Shorter saxophone solo.
I love Court & Spark of course, but I think my favorite of her albums is Hejira. The songs are more like tone poems, but man do they elicit the feel of a specific time and place for me - late summer in the late 70s. I didn't even listen to Joni Mitchell back then, but I might as well have haha
That may or may not be on the docket to review next year ;)
Blue. Songs are like tattoos….
The early '70s was Joni's peak. If not "Hissing" or "Court", the much loved "Blue", also made during this time, would be the main candidate for her best album.
Having written about all three now for this newsletter, I'm still going to go with "Hissing," but the others follow closely behind in terms of quality.
For anyone interested:
Court: https://bestmusicofalltime.substack.com/p/court-and-spark-by-joni-mitchell
Blue: https://bestmusicofalltime.substack.com/p/blue-by-joni-mitchell
A poetic lush subtly complex yet gorgeously melodic singer-songwriter avant jazz-fusion-art-pop LP that unfolds into a beautiful expanse of impeccable musical richness.
A stunning timeless work of art.
I am not a great Joni fan but I did buy this album when it came out. I was interested in the jazz theme of the album. I didn’t know the connection between Edith and the Kingpin and Aja but now it all makes sense.
Connecting (at least some of) the dots is what I strive for. Thanks for reading!
The title song would have been my pick from the lo. Others.. definitely Blue, hands down.
I kinda think you had to have lived through that time rather than simply listen to it: she was emblematic of a certain time of the US and its music, Blue caught the zeitgeist and anguish perfectly. Hard to articulate. For the Roses is ne plus ultra..
Oh, hell, all her music is great, she’s a goddess. We all fell in love with her individually and quietly. I veered away after DJRD, but plenty of music of hers to revisit.
Chacun a son gout.
I have always been in love with this album - totally agree!
Nice read/listen. I do love this album. Though Hejira feels like the pinnacle of that era (to me). Great songwriting. Greet conception and storytelling. Great band. Joni for president indeed
This is 'my' Joni album. I love the others but this is the one that I have felt a personal attachment to for the last 30 odd years. Not only my favourite Joni album but one of my favourite albums of all time.
Oh wow, tough call. I picked this album up last year and it has been slowly growing on me, best listened to when dusk is turning to night. Up to now “For The Roses” is still my favourite.
Another strong pick. Can’t go wrong with either. Thanks Clark!
When a friend in college asked about the music I wanted to be buried with, I was clueless. Years later I discovered Blue. That was it. Music that never ages
Definitely my favorite, I think her best. Jazzy. "Don't Interrupt The Sorrow"..."darn right." And some Steely cats in the studio never hurt. Best thing I read all day!
Thanks Carl! Appreciate you checking in.
A great article on a day when hope for all rises... hard to say what an artist's best is but you do it.
Thanks Steve!
I bought Hissing of Summer Lawns on October 28, 1975, at the Yale Coop Bookstore. That night I met a cute guy on campus and invited him over to hear the new album. We kissed and spent the night. Last month we celebrated 50 years together. Lucky me.
Just enjoy the fucking music, for chrissakes.
Why must people engage in these contorted efforts to interpret music from a half-century ago through the lens of today’s absurd zeitgeist?
Because we like engaging with art.