Joni Mitchell
One of the first female performers in modern rock to achieve both critical recognition and commercial success, Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell lines up among music’s most singular figures. Several of her early, reputation-building songs, in particular Woodstock and Big Yellow Taxi, rank among the era-defining works of the late 60s, while her intensely personal fourth album, Blue, from 1971 (described as one of “the turning points and pinnacles in 20th-century popular music” by The New York Times) is still arguably the pinnacle of singer-songwriter albums.
A lesser artist might ease up after such an accolade, but Mitchell has rarely rested upon her laurels during her stellar, six-decade career. Enshrining her legend as one of the best songwriters in music, with further 70s classics such as Hejira and the best-selling Court And Spark, her exploits have since encompassed everything from collaborating with jazz legends such as Wayne Shorter and Charles Mingus to making electronica-based albums (Chalk Mark In A Rainstorm) and orchestrated reworkings of her back catalogue (Both Sides Now). Her influence is truly immense: Prince was a fan, and even Madonna admitted to Rolling Stone that “Joni Mitchell had the most profound effect on me”.
Best Female Songwriters: 30 Great Artists You Need To Know
Encompassing an array of genres and subject matter in their work, the best female songwriters continue to inspire, regardless of gender.
‘Hejira’: How Joni Mitchell Journeyed Into Her Greatest Musical Experiment
Joni Mitchell’s eighth album, ‘Hejira’ was dominated by themes of wanderlust. It remains the peak of her 70s musical experiments.
17 Joni Mitchell Paintings And Self-Portraits Used As Album Covers
Many Joni Mitchell paintings and self-portraits have made for unforgettable album covers, serving to enhance her ‘very visual’ songs.
‘The Hissing Of Summer Lawns’: Joni Mitchell’s Savage Takedown Of Middle-Class Life
Cynical, ambiguous and beloved by Prince, ‘The Hissing Of Summer Lawns’ is, for many, Joni Mitchell’s best album.
‘Mingus’: What Happened When Joni Mitchell Met A Jazz Legend
A unique collaboration between Joni Mitchell and Charles Mingus, ‘Mingus’ was the crowning album in an innovative period of creativity.
‘Clouds’: How Joni Mitchell Began To See Life From All Sides Now
With the ‘Clouds’ album, Joni Mitchell found her sweet spots: the joins between love and freedom, hope and despair, and much, much more.
‘Ladies Of The Canyon’: The Further Depths Of Joni Mitchell’s Creativity
An album that explores joy and hope alongside sadness, ‘Ladies Of The Canyon’ took steps towards Joni Mitchell’s later experimentation.
‘Song To A Seagull’: The Story Behind Joni Mitchell’s Debut Flight
Far from a regular ‘folk’ album, Joni Mitchell’s debut, ‘Song To A Seagull’, explored her voracious exploratory impulse.
‘Both Sides Now’: Behind Joni Mitchell’s Mature Masterpiece Album
With her ‘Both Sides Now’ album of 2000, Joni Mitchell looked to songbooks of the past in order to demonstrate her interpretative prowess.
‘Court And Spark’: Joni Mitchell’s Commercial And Creative Breakthrough
Putting the idea of Joni Mitchell as a sensitive folk singer to bed, ‘Court And Spark’ was a jazz-infused triumph that changed her career.
‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’: How Joni Mitchell Threw Herself Into Jazz
With the double-album ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’, Joni Mitchell embraced jazz to fascinating and exploratory effect.
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