Albums That Changed Music: Joni Mitchell - Blue

In 1971, Joni Mitchell released one of the most influential and powerfully introspective albums of all time, Blue. In a tumultuous period of her young life, learning to balance fame alongside changing personal relationships, Mitchell held nothing back. She shared an incredible vulnerability that not only tapped into the spirit of her own generation at the start of the seventies, but that also inspired generations of aspiring songwriters and musicians to follow.

Mitchell began her music career as a folk singer, but by 1968, she had written a hit single, “Both Sides Now” for Judy Collins. The song appeared on Mitchell’s 1969 album Clouds which showcased her songwriting talent and won her a Grammy for best Folk Performance. Mitchell’s early work reveals her ability to synthesize the changing landscape of the world around her into musical form with songs like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Woodstock.” Although she never actually attended the famed festival, her song became a hit for the band Crosby Stills Nash and Young in 1970 on their landmark album Deja Vu. Around this same time, she released her second album, Ladies of the Canyon which housed both “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Woodstock. The album was an instant success in both radio play and sales.

Blue was released on June 22, 1971 by Reprise Records. The album hit number 15 in the US on the Billboard 200 chart, number 9 in her native Canada on the Canadian RPM Albums Chart and Number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. The album’s single, “Carey” barely hit the Billboard Hot 100 – peaking at number 93. It’s a strong initial performance – no doubt – and reviews were equally positive….but its legacy has far outshined the album’s initial commercial success.

50 years later, it is largely viewed – by audiences, critics and especially other musicians – as one of the greatest albums of all time. In 2020, Rolling Stone rated it number 3 on their list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.” In 2000 The New York Times named it one of 25 albums that represented “turning points and pinnacles in 20th century popular music.”

David Crosby recently reflected: “For me, Blue is the best singer-songwriter album. Picking a song from it is like choosing between your children. Can you imagine a better song than A Case of You? She was so brilliant as a songwriter, it crushed me. But she gives us all something to strive for.” It would be impossible to overstate the influence this album has had on generations of aspiring songwriters and musicians, alongside the influence it had on her own circle of musician friends at the turn of the seventies. In the midst of an impressive collection of phenomenal songwriters and musicians, Joni Mitchell bared her soul and brilliance with an unmatched level of honesty and abandon.

Written by: Caitlin Vaughn Carlos

❤️My Favorite Plugins:

❤️GEAR:

Join the community here:

Facebook Group

Facebook Page:

Instagram

Twitter

❤️❤️Free 3 Part Mixing Course:

#ProduceLikeAPro
#HomeRecording
#JoniMitchell

Produce Like A Pro is a website which features great tips to help the beginning recordist make incredible sounding home recordings on a budget.

[Producelikeapro]

What other albums do YOU think changed music? Let me know by commenting below!

[kenkeyes]

She's in a category by herself, incomparable to no one else at no other time.

[DianeLee]

We are blessed to have lived in the lifetime of Joni and to have been changed and made better by her influence. Every time a young person hears Blue for the first time, his/her face changes to an awed expression. Sum it up with “holy shit!” Here’s to the next millions of first-time listeners. Enjoy 😉

[michaelhayes]

Joni Mitchell is unique stand alone artist. She is her own category. Never heard phrasing so unique and creative.

[tcpip]

I'd been listening to Blue for weeks. Never tiring of it. I'm not musically smart. One morning my tin ear worked out that the opening bars of River were Jingle Bells, and it floored me, reduced me to tears.

[mikehomner]

The quintessential story teller of our lifetime.

[williamcampbell]

What makes Joni tops is that her lyrics, melodies, and rhythms are all sewn together--- of a piece, not merely adjacent.

[underwoodvoice]

Blue and Carole King's Tapestry were omnipresent in my circle in that time. It's so evocative of that time for me. And it's brilliant from beginning to end.

[nostaticatall]

Sometimes I think I'm biased because I'm Canadian but then I hear other people in the music business who know music inside out rate her so highly and it always makes me smile.

[darrendohertymusic]

She is peerless. This is yet another wonderful video, thank you.

[joethebar]

Joni and Jaco... perfection. Hejira is her magnum opus. The songwriting is next next level

[CallMeChato]

As a Canadian homer I’d like to think we punched above our wait back then; Mitchell, Young, Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia, Guess Who, David Clayton Thomas, Robbie Robertson, Steppenwolf and many others. As always thanks for your insights.

[TRAjim]

I was hoping you would do this album! An absolute work of art.

[anonagain]

For those who haven't seen it, look for Joni's "Shadows and Light" concert - it's usually here on YouTube for free. You know you've got something special when your 'backup band' is Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, Jaco Pastorius, Michael Brecker, and Don Alias . :-) Thanks Warren!

[daneleslie]

I adore Joni. I can’t wait for next year when For The Roses turns 50. That album is spectacular and deserves more shine and praise.

[davidnassur]

Didn't discover her until Hejira, back tracked after that, My love of Jaco made me but that as always thanks Warren!

[madeinjuanjo]

I never believed music could ve so detailed, intricate and introspective until I heard blue for the first time

[TheJewellian]

Joni is indeed the greatest on so many levels, thank you for doing this. Her first album Song To A Seagull is often overlooked, a masterpiece.

[chriswhitt]

Blue scored one of the happiest periods of my life. Falling in love and having our first child. This album seemed to be on a lot as my partner also loved the album. I still love the album as much as ever if not more than ever.

[eliasandrinopoulos]

It really is a beautiful, brilliant record, and it cuts deeper and more viscerally when returning to it at different periods in my life.