Wednesday 17 December 2014

55.  A History of Popular Music.
Ladies of The Canyon. (LP). Joni Mitchell. May 1970.
'Ladies of The Canyon was Joni's third studio album. The album marks the point when Joni stopped being a folkie and started to write and record songs that transcended genre stereotyping. 'Ladies of The Canyon' includes 'Big Yellow Taxi', Joni's biggest hit record and 'Woodstock', a #11 hit in the US for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Joni's song writing on 'Ladies of The Canyon' shows a maturity and sense of humour (her fit of giggles at the close of 'Big Yellow Taxi') covering subjects such as environmental issues, relationships and the general Zeitgeist. 'Woodstock' tried to capture the feel of the times but ended up being ironic given that Altamont and Kent State were to follow. 'Ladies of The Canyon is the record that paved the way for James Taylor, Carly Simon and Jackson Browne as members of the 'mellow set'.

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