I was nine when Joni Mitchell's recording of Big Yellow Taxi was published, on her Ladies of the Canyon album, 1970. This album went gold, and also included Joni's hit song, "The Circle Game." I don't remember ever hearing "Big Yellow Taxi" in my childhood or teens, but did hear it later on, when Christian contemporary singer Amy Grant put it on one of her albums. This rollicking song appealed to me not just because of the fun sound, but also because the words were clever and gave a message to consider-- maybe we ought to stop and think about whether "progress" (i.e. building more concrete edifices and cemented public areas) is really progress.
I never knew the song was called "Big Yellow Taxi" though-- I always thought of it as "Paved Paradise, Put up a Parking Lot" because that phrase in the song was so memorable. So I was delighted to find this video with Joni Mitchell's original version of the song (which she wrote while living in Southern California and performing and interacting with other Southern Cali folk singers such as Crosby, Stills, Nash, The Mamas and Papas, and Jackson Browne). "Retro Top 10" has put together a nice collection of photos in the video.
I never knew the song was called "Big Yellow Taxi" though-- I always thought of it as "Paved Paradise, Put up a Parking Lot" because that phrase in the song was so memorable. So I was delighted to find this video with Joni Mitchell's original version of the song (which she wrote while living in Southern California and performing and interacting with other Southern Cali folk singers such as Crosby, Stills, Nash, The Mamas and Papas, and Jackson Browne). "Retro Top 10" has put together a nice collection of photos in the video.
The first song I ever heard Joni Mitchell sing (also via video, and fairly recently) was "California," in which she sings and plays a dulcimer. I was impressed by her amazing vocal range and fluidity, in this song. It's very enjoyable to hear. Here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS52fO-0pTM
One song of hers that I was very familiar with when growing up, though I'd never heard her sing it, was "Both Sides Now." We learned that song in music class in school; I remember enjoying its sweet lyrics and mellow sound. It had been made a hit by Judy Collins, another folk singer of the '60's. So even though I'd heard the Judy Collins version many times, I didn't know Joni Mitchell wrote it until just recently, when learning more about Joni. The song itself is excellent-- no wonder Judy Collins wanted to sing it. Judy's version was released in 1967 (Wildflowers album) and reached #8 on U.S. pop singles charts in 1968. The next year this song won Judy a grammy for "best folk performance."
Joni Mitchell's own recording of the song was published in 1969, as part of her Clouds album. Here she is, singing it in 1970:
One song of hers that I was very familiar with when growing up, though I'd never heard her sing it, was "Both Sides Now." We learned that song in music class in school; I remember enjoying its sweet lyrics and mellow sound. It had been made a hit by Judy Collins, another folk singer of the '60's. So even though I'd heard the Judy Collins version many times, I didn't know Joni Mitchell wrote it until just recently, when learning more about Joni. The song itself is excellent-- no wonder Judy Collins wanted to sing it. Judy's version was released in 1967 (Wildflowers album) and reached #8 on U.S. pop singles charts in 1968. The next year this song won Judy a grammy for "best folk performance."
Joni Mitchell's own recording of the song was published in 1969, as part of her Clouds album. Here she is, singing it in 1970:
Joni went on to experiment with jazz sounds, as well as some rock and pop. She has recorded numerous albums, done extensive touring and other performing, and has received a total of 8 grammy awards in various categories, for her musical work. She is also an accomplished visual artist and has been recently spending more time doing painting. If you would like to see some of her paintings, there is a nice collection of them here, on Pinterest.
Do you have a favorite Joni Mitchell album or song?
Do you have a favorite Joni Mitchell album or song?
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