JONI MITCHELL — Ladies of the Canyon (review)

JONI MITCHELL — Ladies of the Canyon album cover Album · 1970 · Pop/Art Song/Folk Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
AtomicCrimsonRush
A much loved album that would grace any music lover's collection. I remember getting hold of this gem because I was after the quintessential single Big Yellow Taxi. Who could forget that lilting voice of Mitchell making it plain and simple; "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got till it's gone, they paved paradise to put up a parking lot." We listen intently when the protesting voice of Joni pleads for the man to "put away that DDT" and the powerful lyrics about putting the trees in a museum and then we were charged money "just to see 'em". The song follows the demise of a woman who sees a big yellow taxi taking away her hopes and dreams and in effect it focusses on the squashed hopes and dreams of humanity, the trees, the environment and wildlife are being destroyed by the creators of the ashphalt jungle. One of the most famous parts of the song is when Joni uses a high pitched voice at the end "they paved paradise", and then uses low baritone for the "put up a parking lot" line, followed by a genuine giggle of delight. The songs were injected with fun although the messages were often serious.

The wonderful 'Woodstock' is the same song that was sung on the movie but her version is darker, and she sings out of tune purposefully, her voice cracking. The flower children are warned about how fleeting the peace of Woodstock would be and in this case Joni was prophetic. This was about the same time as JFK assassination, Man had landed on the moon, Men were sent to Vietnam and Easy Rider crashed and burned the dreams of the hippy freedom; all would show the disillusionment of peace in a war torn world. Joni hit the nail on the head with such heartfelt sonnets as Rainy Night House and Blue Boy. Often she goes for a straight acoustic and her dominating vocals alone and this seems to carry the folk elements well.

Her vocals are mesmirising and she transfixes with bold lyrics about the shape of the world and especially characters that meet a fate or find a place in the world such as the beautiful Ladies of the Canyon.

Overall this is a wonderful album and the 1970s became synonymous with Joni's folk ambience. Her voice became an instrument that rung out that there was always hope amidst the darkness.

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