Not too many artists that would say, "I'm the problem. I'm selfish and I'm sad...." Real courage.

Blue is one of the greatest albums ever, by anyone. You guys should do all the tracks on this one.

The first time I heard this song, I cried. I’m always alone on Christmas. This is a song that captures some of the feelings of those like me. Joni never made a bad track though, one of few who can say that. It’s a Christmas song, but it’s also just a wonderful song.

Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” made history being the first album for a female artist to expose her deepest level of personal intimacy. While Rolling Stone gave her props for Blue’s musical/lyrical achievements; her male industry contemporaries (including Graham Nash) harshly criticized her for how she was willing to expose her deepest emotions and embarrass herself. However, her fans (including myself) felt privileged to be a symbolic shoulder for Joni to cry on. Decades later, on Blue’s 45th year (release ) anniversary; the album finally received the media and music industry accolades it deserves.

Just wanted to add that it came out late June 1971. Some people think the whole album is a masterpiece.

Love your reactions, and fellas I'm a 68 year old midwest boomer. You guys make me happy on a daily basis.

One of my favorite songs from Joni. It was about her breakup with Graham Nash. For jazzy Joni listen to Coyote.

She also painted her album covers! Creative genius, multi-instrumentalist, extraordinary vocalist, poet.

She wrote and produced her music. She was great playing the guitar, the piano, extraordinary songwriter and producer.

The genius of the piano part is that, although she is indeed playing Jingle Bells, she's transposed it into a minor key, giving it that unmistakably melancholic feel. You can't miss with *any* Joni from Blue through to Hejira.

I love River. And I am definitely in the singer-songwriter camp--all about the writing and the vocal performance. Joni is a master singer-songwriter, and her talent shines through in all the genres that she's tried: Folk, Jazz, Techo... she cuts right to the point, with soul-baring insight. I'm a fan.

This is song about how sad being alone at Christmas in sunny California makes her feel, her being from Canada

Its not a xmas song….its about being lonely at holidays….she has plenty of songs with great drumming…shes one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century…there is a minor hint of jingle bells, shes observing whats going on at christmas time, but it aint a xmas song…..

First of all, she is from a part of Canada that gets very, very cold. Secondly, the song isn’t about Christmas but rather about her relationship with Graham Nash. More to the point, it’s a metaphor, a word picture about being in a place where rivers freeze over and therefore provide a way of escape from one way of living to another, whatever that life may be.

Joni Mitchell writes her own songs ,that´s why she sounds so true.She is more talented than many of her male contemporaries

That voice. My God, that voice.

You’re talking about “some people need the drums and the beat snd some want the lyrics “. And “where did Joni fit in back then”. Guys…..there was an entire musical movement in LA in the late 60’s and early 70’s that Joni was a part of; The singer/songwriter movement, centered in Laurel Canyon in LA Artists like Joni, James Taylor, Jackson Brown, Carly Simon, Stephen Stills, David Crosby (CSN) which was folk and folk rock in style. Joni was a troubadour, like Bob Dylan. She was a folk singer with a jazzy soul. The genre of music you’re thinking of where no drums were used and it was about the lyrics was the folk music scene of the early 60’s…..Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Peter, Paul and Mary, among dozens of others.

Not only one of her greatest lps, one of the greatest lps period.

The song isn't a Christmas song,, but the events described in the song happened at Christmas. It's meant to contrast with how she's feeling.

It,s very interesting to listen to her progression from her begining to Don Juan's Reckless Daughter. Quite a journey!

I'm always here for Joni. This is early Joni. Like Dylan she goes electric on her following records.

Don’t you feel silly missing out on Joni all these years

Blue is a fabulous album! Joni is the pride of Saskatchewan.

Joni is such a treasure. Wonderful singer, songwriter and musician. She is one of those few artists than transcends her craft. I suggest you listen to Joni’s live performance of “Both Sides Now” from the 2022 Newport Festival. Even in her 70’s her spirit soars

In recent years Joni Mitchell disclosed she'd given a baby up for adoption right before this album. Added difficult emotions to deal with when writing and recording.

Love your channel , love your vibe and enthusiasm of listening to the best music , composers , bands and artists of all time . Please don’t ever associate Miss Joni Mitchell with Disney overly fabricated goooooooo . Please . Not your fault as I know you guys don’t pre research any of these masters of music beforehand Peace and love

@AirplayBeats

Ай бұрын

I knew people were going to take that the wrong way. Has nothing to do with research. We just push play and give our opinions and it sounded like a lot of Disney songs got some influence from Joni. It’s more of a compliment not disrespect

@rukusthelamiaslayer9510

Ай бұрын

@@AirplayBeats it’s cool for sure , 👍🏽 Respect to both of you … Peace ☮️

Not a Christmas song per se, but a Christmas-themed breakup song. Sad and beautiful.

How great do you guys want to be? Joni will rock every particle of soul in your being. Step up or step off! She rocks and she rolls and she takes us with her! She bares her soul and shows us ours. It’s hard to love someone you’ve never met, but she’s done it for me. Every time! Each song! Play something from “Hejira” and be taken aback! Joni makes me cry and sing and wonder who I am! Her songs make me crumble at the edges, and wish I was someone better. She is miles beyond. I would cry on new plowed ground, and hope the tears would bring me peace.

@luisasheldon2010

Ай бұрын

So moved by your words. How eloquently you described your feelings. 😢

Shout out to my old friend Henry Lewy, the genius behind the board on all of Joni’s albums up to Shadows and Light.

Jingle Bells in a minor key. This is a X-mas BREAKUP song.

Her voice touches my soul.

Would love a reaction to Raised on Robbery & Twisted… completely different! Either way No one sings & writes like Joni!! I’m so glad I was raised on great music! ✌🏻☀️☮️

Self taught in every respect. True artist. This album and Patti Smith's debut album are masterpieces and two of the most influential albums in music. Bob Dylan is the most imitated and most influential vocalist in Rock.

The whole Album was Written And Produced by Her !

I discovered this album because of Prince, this was his favorite album, and he talked about it all the time. A master class in songwriting and the Jingle Bells in a minor key compliments her lyrics with perfection. Thanks as always gentlemen

@Jan-xn3kz

Ай бұрын

I thought his favourite album was Hissing of the Summer Lawns. Either way both/all beautiful.

Cool reaction to an amazing song. Thanks guys. I need to comment on the followers you have. Sometimes on reactions the comments are just weak. I tip my hat to the crew you've developed.

Great album and artist! Prince was infatuated with Joni mentioning her in song and putting her name on the Controversy cover. 💚🤙🏼

@JuniorFarquar

Ай бұрын

Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were infatuated with her, as well. See: Going to California

@healthybrand

Ай бұрын

Prince loved Joni so much he had a rider in his contract with venues that required them to play Joni tunes as the pre show walk in music.

She always showed up at anti-war concerts, like one I saw her perform in DC in (I think) 1973. A wonder of a voice.

Joni Mitchell was an original “flower child” from Laurel Canyon; she would never have been involved in such a commercial megapolis, as Disney. She played piano and guitar and composed her own material. She was also famous for her innovative tuning figurations.

@kathybwell

Ай бұрын

She played the dulcimer too

@SBel65

Ай бұрын

@@kathybwellexactly what I was going to say…and she played it extremely well imo

@kathybwell

Ай бұрын

@@SBel65 indeed, she played it very well.

Maybe the greatest singer songwriter in history with one great song after another from the late 1960’s into the late 1970’s!

Big fan of how she starts out with sad minor key variations on Jingle Bells in the piano intro, letting you know its Christmas but a sad one. She wants a river from Cali to Canada (where Christmas is more like home)that she can skate home for Christmas to. Or basically turn back time.

Just watched Joni on the Elton John, Gershwin award show, and she was fantastic.

Now we're talking

Hi La and Che.. yes this is the saddest most beautiful Christmas song ever .. not everyone is happy at Christmas..

One of Joni's greatest songs for sure, and a favourite at Christmas time - it captures that melancholy vibe that comes with Christmas as we get older. Brilliant songwriting, killer vocals, beautiful piano - there's nothing I don't love about this song. I knew as soon as I saw the notification that you guys would absolutely love this one - much love from Canada ☮

From her Court & Spark album on (1974), she had amazing bands, sharing a lot of musicians with the likes of Steely Dan and Weather Report. She self-produced.

I like both early joni and then Karen Carpenter for melody/ harmony and words that make you stop or pause and think or just imagine.

For another side of Joni check out her live performance of “Coyote” from “The Last Waltz”, you guys will dig it. She’s playing with The Band in their last concert. The Band is another deep rabbit hole that I think you’ll like. Thanks for the react.

@Wordsmyth8

Ай бұрын

Agree with everything you said.

@benoitdesmarais2948

Ай бұрын

Coyote on "Shadows And Light", with Pat Metheny and Jaco, now THAT was something else.

Joni has 10 Grammys.

There was an explosion of musical creativity in the early 1970s. So many talented artists with completely different sounds and styles. Nothing like the crushing "sameness" and unoriginality that permeates most popular music today.

Charles Mingus chose Joni for his final collaboration. That says a lot. I would highly recommend her next album, For the Rose.

Edith and the kingpin a special song: i love her albums "for the roses" and "the hissing of summer lawns".

You guys will not be disappointed if you react to every song on this album.

Check out her live performance with Jaco and Pat Metheny.."Black Crow", Good lord, Jaco's Bass!..and "Coyote", one of her greatest songs, but she's had so many..Amazing voice/writer/musician.

When I was a kid growing up in a small Wyoming town, I used to skate out to my cousin’s house on the frozen irrigation canal. These days I would give a lot for a few blissful hours with just the sound of my skates for company.

Analog recordings always sound warmer and less sterile than digital recordings.

One of my FAVORITES by Joni Mitchell....SO EMOTIVE!!! LOVE her VOICE!!! HUGS, YA'LL!!!

The longer I live, the more I like Joni

Great stuff guys. Not a Christmas song but a song of regret about pushing away a lover. She's from cold Canada where there is a lot of rivers/lakes that one can skate for hours and forget about bad things. When I was a kid, young Joni used to play on music shows in Canada b4 Saturday night hockey games. First time I saw her I fell in love with her. I was 10 probably. My Mom would say, Paul, your girlfriend is on tv tonight lol. Joni is very special...

@xmathmanx

Ай бұрын

It starts with jingle bells dude, you can't tell me it isn't a Christmas song

She wrote Both Sides now and its quite an experience to listen to her sing this when she was in her 20s versus when she sings it in her late 60s ... well worth a listen

@BrixtonTone

Ай бұрын

@lindafletcher1628 Totally agree, the difference of maturity in the last version compared to the original is stunning, adds a whole new layer of complexity to the song .

This song always makes me cry and I just want to hold her and tell her it will be alright.

@italoblu

Ай бұрын

That’s one thing Joni would never want!

@pumasgoya

Ай бұрын

@@italoblu lol

Joni had a profound connection to drummer John Guerin, who played in the L.A. Express band, which became her band. They recorded Mitchell's "Court and Spark," "Miles of Aisles" and "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" albums. Guerin was one of the greatest and most prolific Hollywood studio drummers--from the late 1960s to the '90s. He was a jazz drummer who played on a lot of pop records, but he could make any artist sound better by what he played.

It's A Christmas Song For People Who Are Lonely At Christmas, Who Knewww Right Guys??? 🙂

I have no idea if this is her best song but it's my hands down favorite of hers

A song that illustrates the fact that for some people Christmas is a reflective time and not all glamour and glitz……

Free Man In Paris is a must y'all

My first listen and I’m nearing 60.. great voice

A Classic, both her and this album

The entire LP is timeless!

if you fellas have not heard "A Case Of You" yet, you'll love it

Hell it's a piano and voice 😮

Blue is in my top 10 records, ever!

Joni, what an excellent singer, songwriter, and musician !! Excellent reaction, fellas 😊❤🙏

This album is beautiful.

My favorite vocalist for half a century and running...

Top 5 album. I even have the Blue songbook. One of her easier songs to play. 💜💜💜 Edit: Also, her guitar tunings are legendary for future listening information.

Oh can’t wait for this one love Joni love you guys

Definitely one of my favorites but I love all her songs

The third song on my Christmas mix…Just after Tom Waits “Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis”

Wow, I never noticed the Jingle Bells motif. Nice catch!

That's that.

one of the great albums of all time

This song was about heartbreak. The “river” was symbolism for a partner and lover; that she had recently lost, due to abbreakup.

Never thought I'd see Joni on here. Nice work Gentleman!

Still firmly remains in my top ten most listened too albums .

This Is From Epic 71 ( Blue ) Album Lah And Che. A Case Of You Was The Other Hit. This Was When She Was Breaking Off With ( Graham Nash ) And Moving On To James Taylor 🙂

Lay Lady Lay - Bob Dylan

Perfection. Joni the One and Only.

Funny you should mention Disney and Frozen in particular. Imo, the modern version of Joni is Aurora. And Aurora WAS the voice of the North Wind in that Disney movie. You have a good ear Che! Have you two reacted to anything of Aurora’s yet?

@AirplayBeats

Ай бұрын

No we haven’t and thank you for understanding our Disney statement.

@helenespaulding7562

Ай бұрын

@@AirplayBeats like Joni,, she writes her own songs. BUT, if you’d just like to get a feel for the purity of her voice, she has done great covers of The Beatles’ Across The Universe, David Bowie’s Life on Mars, Nat King Cole’s Nature Boy, among others. And of course, you can always hear her as the voice of the North Wind. 😁

Finally! I tried to get y’all to do this one for Christmas. Great reaction! Thank you.

She was a unique talent with a unique timbre to her voice.

Talent.

First heard this when I was 15/16 years old and Joni’s voice blew me away. 💚

One of my favorites.

Hard hitting!

Chills, right?!❤

She soothes my soul every time I hear her beautiful voice.

Simply voice and piano, not Simple writing wonderful

The first bars sound like Jingle Bells

Every bit the lyricist Dylan is, and runs him off the track on guitar and piano. :)