For the Roses

I was always a Joni fan. This is a magnificent album. It’s as good as Blue, which is like a skimmed-down version. It’s moody, melodic and just plain beautiful. You can get lost in For The Roses. (I see everyone’s using the word Masterpiece to describe this. Add me to that list. The simplified version of my longer review is just....it’s magnificent) For any new Joni fans, the best albums, imho, are Blue and For the Roses, (early period). And Hejira (later period). After those three, go on to Clouds, Songs for a Seagull, and The Hissing of Summer Lawns and Court and Spark. And of course the live album Miles of Aisles. If ur ever depressed and feeling the mood of it, lol, all of the above, or the moody Clouds album and Songs for a Seagull. If depressed and want to get out of it, Blue. My favorite Joni songs. Well, everything on For the Roses, “Amelia” and “Song for Sharon” from Hejira. And Court and Spark (the song from the album of the same name) and of course, “Carey” and “California “ and about five others from Blue. The song Tin Angel from Clouds reminds me of my 20s and first living in NY.

Years ago, I had an aural love affair with Joni and this was my greatest love.

I LOVE Joni throughout most of her phases but there are just four songs in this highly acclaimed LP that stick with her sweeter past work: You Turn Me On I'm a Radio, For the Roses, See You Sometime, and Judgement of the Moon and Stars. I used to think that all of the other tracks just sounded so similar and meandering and it bugged me a little because her voice, the lyrics, and the instruments are SO beautiful but, due to my immaturity, I just couldn’t enjoy the compositions (the notes, melodies, or lack thereof, etc...). I previously described it like this: “it's an exquisite article of hand-tailored Saville Row clothing made with the itchiest wool dipped in vinegar.” Like a child, I was used to strong, sweet flavors and was unable to appreciate the wide pallet of subtle and infinite pastels that Joni was expressing. If you’re still limited to a high-sugar diet, go for those four tracks mentioned earlier, but for the rest, for me, I’ve been turned on, I’m a radio...

I was hooked on Joni Mitchell through the 70's. Her music, and this album in particular, were the last sounds I heard each night before I went to sleep during my college years. I had not listened to her music for many years until tonight, when one of her songs played during my yoga class. I had forgotten her crystal clear, soaring voice. I was singing my favorites from memory all the way home from class. When I got home, I downloaded this album, Court and Spark, Blue, and Ladies of the Canyon. (My only copies were scratched vinyl versions!) As a previous reviewer said, this truly is music for the ages. So glad to hear it all again!

I enjoy all the reviews and different insights into the creative mind and genius of Joni Mitchell words and music. Many of us came into Joni's music at one time or another, mine of Court and Spark, I was 15 a kid listening to all this and many other recording artisits out there at the time that gave us so much music to savor through the decades that has followed. For the Roses was one I got to take in right after C & S and it also was shades more subtle, I was working backwards, before I knew it the live collection came out, just to much music to take in as a teenager. I was digging my Cat Stevens and Jackson Brown, Bonnie Raitt, Phoebe Snow, Steely Dan and all the rock music that we all took for granted back then(Beatles, Stones, Creedence, Allman bros, Little Feat), all had a place at the table with the blues, country/folk, it was such a reall cool time for music. Listening to For the Roses today, this is just so outstanding and I agree a bridge between her growth, music that will live on for ages..

The music on this album clearly bridges the stylistic gap between Blue and Court and Spark. There is no other Joni album like it. The songs have haunting melodies and captivating instrumentations; you'll find them rolling around your head after a listen or two. Particularly striking are Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire, Barangrill, See You Sometime, Electricity, and Woman of Heart and Mind. These really exhibit the jazz influence being incorporated into Joni's music, but in a much subtler way than on Court and Spark and her subsequent albums. This album never received the recognition it deserved. It is a masterpiece.

This is one (if not the one) of Joni's best ever albums. A masterpiece in every way. It is about healing …. and the music and lyrics are timeless and amazing. Lots of hidden gems such as Barangrill to go with the other more well known titles such as See You Sometime and You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio. Not a bad track on this album. Looks at these musicians! Woodwinds and Reeds: Tommy Scott Bass: Wilton Felder Drums: Russ Kunkel Percussion: Bobbye Hall Strings: Bobby Notkoff Harmonica: Graham Nash Electric Guitar (Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire): James Burton Rock 'n' Roll Band (Blonde in the Bleachers): Stephen Stills

Beautiful music with thought provoking lyrics.

Maybe it's an exaggeration to say Blue and Court and Spark aren't worth checking out, as another reviewer did, but it's no exaggeration to call this Joni's best album. The thing is, Blue sometimes strays into cliche, and Court and Spark can sometimes sound so polished it fails to ring true. The iTunes review calls this album transitional, and that sums it up: For the Roses retains the best musical elements of Blue--like its warm, unpolished sound--while the lyrics have all the maturity and poetry of C&S's. This album and Hejira are Joni's best. Terrific driving music, by the way.

Joni drives me nuts but I find this and CLOUDS to be her finest through and through. Scrap the bread, even if BLUE and COURT are critically acclaimed. Go for the meat. Passing on carbs will do you good