Clouds [Orange Vinyl] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive]

by Joni Mitchell

Overview

Clouds is a stark stunner, a great leap forward for Joni Mitchell. Vocals here are more forthright and assured than on her debut and exhibit a remarkable level of subtle expressiveness. Guitar alone is used in accompaniment, and the variety of playing approaches and sounds gotten here is most impressive. "The Fiddle and the Drum," a protest song that imaginatively compares the Vietnam-era warmongering U.S. government to a bitter friend, dispenses with instrumental accompaniment altogether. The sketches presented of lovers by turns depressive ("Tin Angel"), roguish ("That Song About the Midway"), and faithless ("The Gallery") are vividly memorable. Forthright lyrics about the unsureness of new love ("I Don't Know Where I Stand"), misuse of the occult ("Roses Blue"), and mental illness ("I Think I Understand") are very striking. Mitchell's classic singer/songwriter standards "Chelsea Morning" and "Both Sides Now" respectively receive energetically vibrant and warmly thoughtful performances. Imaginatively unusual and subtle harmonies abound here, never more so in her body of work than on the remarkable "Songs to Aging Children Come," which sets floridly impressionistic lyrics to a lovely tune that is supported by perhaps the most remarkably sophisticated chord sequence in all of pop music. Mitchell's riveting self-portrait on the album's cover is a further asset. This essential release is a must-listen. ~ David Cleary

Product Details

Release Date:	07/14/2023
Label:	RHINO
UPC:	0081227882587

Tracks

1. Tin Angel
2. Chelsea Morning
3. I Don't Know Where I Stand
4. That Song About The Midway
5. Roses Blue
6. The Gallery
7. I Think I Understand
8. Songs To Aging Children Come
9. The Fiddle And The Drum
10. Both Sides, Now

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Joni Mitchell   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Stephen Stills   Bass,Guitar

Technical Credits

Joni Mitchell   Producer,Arranger,Composer,Cover Art
Paul Rothchild   Producer
Lee Herschberg   Mastering
Henry Lewy   Engineer
Ed Thrasher   Art Direction