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Amazon.co.uk
Joni Mitchell's third album offers a bridge between the artful but sometimes dour meditations of her earlier work and the more mature, confessional revelations of the classics that would follow. Voice and guitar still hew to the pretty filigree of a folk poet, but there's the giggling rush of rock & roll freedom in "Big Yellow Taxi", and the formal metaphor of her older songs ("The Circle Game", already oft-covered by the time of this recording) yields to the more impressionistic images of the new ones ("Woodstock"). The dark lyricism of her earliest ballads is intact (on "For Free" and "Rainy Night House"), yet there's a prevailing idealism here that sounds poignant alongside the warier, more mature songs to come on Blue and Court And Spark. --Sam Sutherland
Product Description
JONI MITCHELL Ladies Of The Canyon (1988 German 12-track CD issue of the classic 1970 album including Woodstock and Big Yellow Taxi picture sleeve)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
LOTC was my intitation into the world of Joni Mitchell. Fourteen years old, with romantic notions about Woodstock as it approached the twentieth anniversary, I searched out the cassette to hear what Graham Nash had described.
The "Woodstock" anthem was the catalyst for LOTC success, but it is by no means the only, or even best, tune this effort offers. "Morning Morgantown" sets the scene for a recording that basically takes the listener through a pastoral panorama. Along the way are some observations about the intrusion of art meets commerce ( "For Free"), manipulative triangles ( " Conversation"), Gender roles ( the stunning " Arrangement"), and spiritual quest ( " The Priest"). Of course, another career launcher, " Big Yellow Taxi", graces this album, as well as Mitchell's camp classic " The Circle Game".
This might possibly be the best introduction one could have to Ms. Mitchell's extraordinary canon. Then, working back to the first two, already exquisit work will be found. Proceeding forward, the genuis takes shape. LOTC is music for mellowing.
The "Woodstock" anthem was the catalyst for LOTC success, but it is by no means the only, or even best, tune this effort offers. "Morning Morgantown" sets the scene for a recording that basically takes the listener through a pastoral panorama. Along the way are some observations about the intrusion of art meets commerce ( "For Free"), manipulative triangles ( " Conversation"), Gender roles ( the stunning " Arrangement"), and spiritual quest ( " The Priest"). Of course, another career launcher, " Big Yellow Taxi", graces this album, as well as Mitchell's camp classic " The Circle Game".
This might possibly be the best introduction one could have to Ms. Mitchell's extraordinary canon. Then, working back to the first two, already exquisit work will be found. Proceeding forward, the genuis takes shape. LOTC is music for mellowing.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Joni's third album starts much like her first two, with guitar and vocals. Sounding elfin and youthful, Joni describes the awakening of 'Morning Morgantown', as "The merchants roll their awnings down / The milktrucks make their morning rounds." A lovely and reassuringly familiar start. But piano, thus far hardly present in her music at all, enters the mix on this first song, as do subtle percussive sounds. These are the first signs of further developments that will ultimately make this album a real departure from her previously super-minimal guitar/vocal soundscape.
Track two, 'For Free' is new territory; the first fully fledged piano-based song in Joni's recorded catalogue. She also sounds self-conscious, even a little guilty, about her status in the 'music biz', a new theme whose implications she would continue to explore as her success grew. It also anticipates the bleak melancholy, underpinned by her distinctive piano feel, which would figure so strongly on her seminal album Blue.
Drummer Russ Kunkel adds subtle brushwork to 'Conversation', which also uses recorder, flute ('For Free' already having brought in clarinet) and Joni's own ebullient harmony vocals: Joni is stealthily expanding her palette! It also introduces a slightly bitchy vibe, as the note of love is slightly soured by jealousy: she writes of her rival, with typically articulate scorn, "she speaks in sorry sentences, miraculous repentences, I don't believe her"!
The title track sounds, melodically and harmonically, like close-kin to material on her first album, but the degree of maturity and sophistication she's now achieving is on a higher level. And what a wonderful celebration of womankind. What a great subject for a song!... Read more ›
Track two, 'For Free' is new territory; the first fully fledged piano-based song in Joni's recorded catalogue. She also sounds self-conscious, even a little guilty, about her status in the 'music biz', a new theme whose implications she would continue to explore as her success grew. It also anticipates the bleak melancholy, underpinned by her distinctive piano feel, which would figure so strongly on her seminal album Blue.
Drummer Russ Kunkel adds subtle brushwork to 'Conversation', which also uses recorder, flute ('For Free' already having brought in clarinet) and Joni's own ebullient harmony vocals: Joni is stealthily expanding her palette! It also introduces a slightly bitchy vibe, as the note of love is slightly soured by jealousy: she writes of her rival, with typically articulate scorn, "she speaks in sorry sentences, miraculous repentences, I don't believe her"!
The title track sounds, melodically and harmonically, like close-kin to material on her first album, but the degree of maturity and sophistication she's now achieving is on a higher level. And what a wonderful celebration of womankind. What a great subject for a song!... Read more ›
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Download|Amazon Verified Purchase
Along with the classics Blue and Clouds, Ladies Of The Canyon is essential listening. Released in 1970, this is Joni Mitchell at her peak, and it contains the hit Big Yellow Taxi. Enjoy!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By carlosnightman
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD
Joni's third album is a massive leap forwards in terms of quality, melodically stronger, musically more adventurous, thematically there is a wider range, and it is also lyrically sharper. Blue may be the more critically acclaimed and overshadows much of her other work, but this is equally flawless and indeed contains more famous songs. Her first big hit Big Yellow Taxi is here, as well as one of the defining songs of the Sixties `Woodstock'. With this album Joni became the spokesperson for a generation and every song both sounds eternally rooted in the days they were written, and as fresh and relevant today. Ladies conveys the freedom and ideals of the Hippy movement, but is also full of the darker introspection which would fill her next album. At turns joyous and bleak, and never less than mesmerizing Ladies Of The Canyon is an album which stands high above the singer-songwriter offerings of today and is one which every music lover should hear.
`Morning Morgantown' opens the album in storybook style with Joni telling us about an idyllic morning in a small town, who she sees and everything that happens. With pleasant melodies, soft guitar accompanied by soothing piano in the chorus it is an elegant opener which has more in common with her previous album.
`For Free' is my favourite song on the album and the first which is primarily dominated by the piano. Casting many shadows with its atmosphere it speaks of the dark side of fame, causing loss of self, selfishness, guilt. Self-deprecating, ironic, and supremely descriptive the lyrics are among Joni's best. Avoiding a standard verse chorus convention the song grows in depth as it continues, with subtle strings added in the second half, and the piano melodies varying with each line to avoid repetition.... Read more ›
`Morning Morgantown' opens the album in storybook style with Joni telling us about an idyllic morning in a small town, who she sees and everything that happens. With pleasant melodies, soft guitar accompanied by soothing piano in the chorus it is an elegant opener which has more in common with her previous album.
`For Free' is my favourite song on the album and the first which is primarily dominated by the piano. Casting many shadows with its atmosphere it speaks of the dark side of fame, causing loss of self, selfishness, guilt. Self-deprecating, ironic, and supremely descriptive the lyrics are among Joni's best. Avoiding a standard verse chorus convention the song grows in depth as it continues, with subtle strings added in the second half, and the piano melodies varying with each line to avoid repetition.... Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
With her strong voice and often quavering tones, Joni Mitchell was - for the 1960's and 1970's - the ultimate folk songstress of her generation. This album contains some of her greatest tunes - most of which she also wrote - including the title song, "Ladies of the Canyon," which is still well-beloved today. Her most well-known tune - made popular by Crosby, Stills, and Nash in 1969 - "Woodstock" is also included. Mitchell writes songs which talk about the confusion, frustration, and sometimes pain of interacting with others - though not in a whiny way, but is reflective of her own feelings and how she found the best way to come to terms with those feelings, and ultimately with people and humanity. These early songs are on this album, and along with "Court and Spark," one of her following albums, shows a maturity of a young singer of the "Boomer" generation coming to terms with life, love, work and just getting along in the world. Brilliant album, and recommended.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very pleasant
Joni Mitchell from way back, lots of nostalgia. I prefer her voice now that it is more moody and has deepened, but this is also very good.
Published 7 days ago by J. Smy
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rediscovering a fine singer/songwriter
Some of these songs seem a bit dated to me, but most are as fresh as when written. I liked her stuff when she was active as a singer, and I'm really enjoying rediscovering her now.
Published 2 months ago by Gershon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nostalgia album
Not quite as good as I remember but timeless lyrics delivered by Joni Mitchell's as nobody else could. Took me back 30 years or more.
Published 3 months ago by M. Michael Hardcastle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oldie but Goldie not Moldie
This is even better than the first time I heard it on tape all those years ago. Such a beautiful voice and lyrics, there really isn't any more to say.
Published 3 months ago by Karen A.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cd
Love Joni Mitchell. Excellent cd brings back memories of my youth. Great voice and fantastic songs. Love it, love it.
Published 4 months ago by Marion Nichols
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ladys of The Canyon
I was delighted to still be able to buy this download!! It was great to hear and brought back all the memories of when I first heard it 40 years ago!!
Published 6 months ago by Sha
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great songs
Great songs, great singer - Joni Mitchell fans will be happy with this CD. I like the uncomplicated easy going style.
Published 6 months ago by Hone
5.0 out of 5 stars
You NEED to own this album...
...it's a work of true beauty. Really. And it's currently on sale for less than four quid. If you've never heard this before you'll think it's the best £3.99 you ever spent.
Published 11 months ago by Montague H. Withnail
5.0 out of 5 stars
Halcyon days
I think this record encapsulates the Laurel Canyon scene like no other; from the cover to the lyrics to the songs, it has that canyon feel about it, that glow of a halcyon era of... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Michael Cater
4.0 out of 5 stars
Joni revisited
Revisiting some old favourites from previous record collection, hence buying this CD. Great to hear familiar songs, especially the one of the title, and those half forgotten... Read more
Published 13 months ago by ali53
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