Best Joni Mitchel Album

I'd add "For the Roses" to the list

I love her "Mingus" album. Moody jazz and mind blowing bass ala Jaco Pastorius. "Blue", "Ladies of the Canyon", "Court and Spark", "Don Juan's Restless Daughter" are essential Joni...

If you're gonna get just one, go for Miles of Aisles. Good cross-section of her work up to that point, GREAT band, good live recording.

Wonderful Joni Mitchell fans. But it took until the 12th post to get the real jewel of her crown: For The Roses. Thanks to Musicslug for opening the door.

Kind of agree on Court and Spark -- a bit sellout but really entertaining. Blue is in a class by itself but not at the level of For the Roses. As for Hissing of Summer Lawns -- solid but not on the top tier.

For the Roses -- contents: Neil Young angst (Blonde in the Bleachers); fame angst (Judgment of Moon and Stars; more romance angst (Woman of Heart and Mind) and some truly edgy stuff (Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire). I realize I'm in a minority here but the lyrics and chord work of this album are worth taking the time to really listen to.

Anway, JM2C. If you have to listen to in on digital -- find yourself an HDCD decoder and the HDCD version. Otherwise -- vinyl all the way.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

F7

Fathom7,
The "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" on Miles of Aisles is one of my favorites. "For The Roses" is like "Blue": stripped down, clean, almost forcing you to really listen to what she has to say in those lyrics of hers. Joni Mitchell is a poet for the ages...