Don’t Feel Blue, Joni (Part 1)

Blue by Joni Mitchell, Vinyl album review by CJ (Part 1)

With an emotionally resonant debut performance at the 2024 Grammy’s, Joni Mitchell is a living legend. After going through extreme health battles in 2015 when she suffered a large aneurysm. Joni’s journey has been hard. Ms. Mitchell had to re-learn how to play her guitar from past recordings of her shows.

The Canadian Icon performed her iconic ballad “Both Sides Now” to a packed crowd of the biggest names in the recording industry. Cementing herself as a rock in wall of legendary folk musicians.

“Blue”, released in 1971, is her fourth studio album. Written entirely by Joni herself, it comes after a tumultuous breakup with Graham Nash and a toxic relationship with James Taylor.

As I place the needle upon the record, the opening plucks of “All I Want” begin. This soft opener is declaration of Joni’s desires, directed at her lover. The person who Joni is talking to shifts from us, the partner, and herself. Joni finds beauty in the little things through this relationship, but she feels like its slipping. Her beautiful singing cuts through the jangling guitar that sets the tone of a failing relationship.

“My Old Man” follows with strong and cutting piano chords. The chords then shift to a much brighter tone. I interpret this song as Joni remembering what her man used to be like. Reminiscing on his passion for singing karaoke in bars. The beauty in this song comes from Joni’s lyrics. Beautiful metaphors and similes describing the love she had for a man that is no more.

After a gentle piano retard, “Little Green” fades in, sounding jangly like “All I Want”, but much more subtle. The rhythm isn’t as plotting as the opener. “Little Green” has a deep, emotional story. In 1965, a 21-year-old Joni gave birth to a girl. Being that time and that she was so young, Joni realized she couldn’t raise her on her own. A sonic palette decorated with sultry strings and Joni’s poignant vocals makes this a tough song to get through, in the best way.

The fifth song “Carey” shares a similar intro to the previous songs. This song is about breaking free. Shedding the old elf and transforming into someone new. Travelling through small towns, meeting new people. The person she’s with, however, isn’t as excited about exploring. “Carey” is based off her time spent living with Cary Raditz, dwelling in caves in a hippie community at Matala, on Crete. This song was also released as the B-side of the single “This Fight Tonight”, off of this album. What really touches me are the lyrics. Joni sweetly sings to Carey to finally return home.

We will talk about the next five songs next blog! Also, we will determine my final score for “Blue” by Joni Mitchell on 180-gram vinyl.

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