Joni Mitchell - Ladies of the Canyon

Joni Mitchell's third album offers a bridge between the artful but sometimes dour meditations of her earlier work and the more mature, confessional revelations of the classics that would follow. Voice and guitar still hew to the pretty filigree of a folk poet, but there's the giggling rush of rock & roll freedom in "Big Yellow Taxi," and the formal metaphor of her older songs ("The Circle Game," already oft-covered by the time of this recording) yields to the more impressionistic images of the new ones ("Woodstock"). The dark lyricism of her earliest ballads is intact (on "For Free" and "Rainy Night House"), yet there's a prevailing idealism here that sounds poignant alongside the warier, more mature songs to come on Blue and Court And Spark. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com

A frozen moment in time...

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1BJGPTK66NKHM My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician (check me out on Amazon!) and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!! November 12, 2008

For Free and Woodstock

I give five stars to For Free (a real gem) and Woodstock. (I did not download any other songs from Ladies.) I am not a fan of Big Yellow Taxi, I heard it too many times on the radio way back when. This version of Woodstock is much more thoughtful and dark than the CSNY version -- it is not an anthem here, but an observation, an insight, a hope.

I also like the Miles of Aisles versions of both songs, but these studio versions are the best. (Her nervous giggle in For Free/Aisles is cute but detracts from the song, which is not at all giggly.) The Byrds version of For Free is good, but the harmonies are a little heavy for the concept of the song (but they are beautiful harmonies).

For Free and Woodstock would be great poems without any music, without her voice. She is an amazing artist. Don't miss Court and Spark, which for me is her masterpiece. November 8, 2008

I really like early Joni

I like the early Joni albums that are simple and folksy. The later Jazz influenced music is nice, but I tend to play her first few on up to 'Blue' the most. November 1, 2008

HIghly Recommended

I consider this to be Joni Michell's best work. Songs such as Willy and Blue Boy have a poignant melancholy that is unmatched. I enjoy the 'solo' work on her first three CDs the best of all her work. She is a wonderful song writer and intimate performer. And Ladies of the Canyon is my personal favorite. October 17, 2008

Songs to Aging Children- The Beginning

I recently viewed the American Masters documentary on Joni Mitchell during a time when I had been re-reading Norman Mailer's Marilyn- his take on the life of the legendary screen star Marilyn Monroe. And although there is no obvious connection between the lives or the talents of the two women there is a tale of two generations hidden here. Marilyn represented for my parent's generation, the generation that survived the Great Depression and fought World War II, the epitome of blond glamour, sex and talent. To my more `sedate' generation blond-haired Joni represented the introspective, searching, quiet beauty that we sought to represent our longings for understanding in a seemingly baffling world that we had not made. As this documentary and Mailer's book point out however they `represented' our fantasies they also shared a common vulnerability- attempting to be independent women in worlds dominated by men. Such is the life of the great creative talents.

Now to the work- this album of work only brings out the truth of what I tried to express above. Start with the joyful pace of the title track (and great harmonics), the wistfulness of The Circle Game, the hopefulness of Woodstock, the love/ hate of The Priest, the sadness of The Apartment the yin and yang of Willie and on and on.

In such songs Joni is charting the trials and tribulation of dealing with fame, men and the expressions of her political beliefs she sings her heart out, so, so sweetly we forget how powerful a voice she has. No barrelhouse singer here and for the material presented none is necessary. That is the true virtue of her value as a singer/songwriter. Ladies of the Canyon is at the top of the pantheon of her best music. A nice place, indeed, for us aging children to listen from. Sing on.
June 10, 2008

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