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.
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.
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!!
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!
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