Blue Review: Confession as Art
10/10 — Joni Mitchell - Blue (1971)
Pros
- Startlingly honest lyrics
- 'A Case of You' and 'River'
- Distinctive guitar tunings
Cons
- Emotionally heavy
- Sparse
Blue was written after Mitchell’s relationships with Graham Nash and James Taylor, and is largely sung with acoustic guitar, piano or dulcimer. It’s regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriter albums.
What works
The honesty is startling, from the longing of ‘A Case of You’ to the bruised ‘River’ and the playful ‘California’. Mitchell’s voice soars, and her unusual guitar tunings give the songs a distinctive shimmer.
Where it falters
It is sparse and sad, so it may feel emotionally heavy, and her high register will not appeal to everyone.
Verdict
A tender, devastating and perfectly crafted album.
