Blue

Now this next album I know some people were quite surprised it was on my list. Not really an album I talk about much but certainly an album I hold very close to my heart. This album in question is 'Blue' by Joni Mitchell.

I'm not a massive joni mitchell fan really, not a fan of her jazz side anyways, but Blue is different for me and I am going to try explain why.

I first heard this album because of one song and that was River. I heard a version of it by Travis, which was ok but I knew it was a beautiful song, and hoped the original was much better, and for sure it was better than I could ever imagine. That song alone made me chase down this album. I remember buying it a number of years ago. It was not like anything I was listening too at the time. With its gentle rhythms and subtle tones it was the polar opposite to anything I was experiencing. But I made a connection. Everytime I listen to it it just clicks for me. Its a combination of Joni Mitchells playing and vocals that make this serene and the most beautiful thing put down on record.

Its full of the obvious themes of love and heartbreak and obviously being the 60s the revolving factors that affected it too. She has the knack of pulling heart strings and not even realising she is doing it.

Many people have tried to replicate her style and this album but have never come close. Listen to tracks like River, Blue, My Old Man and Little Green and just close your eyes and let her in to your heart. You will be beside yourself with emotion and you won't want to look back.