Joni Mitchell Blue - Wow help me Agoners

Agree, I did blink at the price tag, still mulling it over.

I'm looking into the Archives box sets.

if you want to spend $ I guess ( since it's not out yet ) the MOFI 45rpm LP set would be the way to go , for less a Japanese pressing sounds great and I like the new Box set of the Archives vol 1 .   

I have at least 3 copies of her first 4 albums being her folk years and I would say her albums of emotions , after those I would say that she sings more about experiences , IMO .

I know they have a bit of a black eye right now but MoFi has a preorder offering of Blue:

180g 45RPM SuperVinyl 2LP Box Set - $125

SACD - $29.99

They are being more specific on the vinyl: 1/4" / 15 IPS Dolby A analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe
 

The ‘07 Steve Hoffman/Kevin Gray-mastered Reprise 74842 vinyl pressing seems to garner rave reviews.
$80-100+ in good shape.  

An ‘07 Bernie Grundman-mastered (original mastering engineer) Rhino 74795 HDCD can be had for about $20.

The ‘20 Kevin Gray-mastered RTI-pressed, Rhino RH1 74842 vinyl can be had for around $30.

The ‘99 Steve Hoffman-mastered DCC GZS-1132 24k gold CD goes for around $150-200+.

Actually getting a ‘07 SH/KG vinyl seems to have been tricky for some. 
There seems to be folks trying to get the SH/KG cut and either receiving a pressing with :

a) SH/KG on one side, KG on the other, or,
b) KG on both sides

The packaging seems to be the same on both versions, so even if a buyer demanded explicit clarification on a sealed copy, the seller would have to open the shrink to clarify.  

I would want an extremely clean vinyl copy, myself.  Music is too quiet and intense for surface noice.  Price becomes an issue here, as well as the apparent difficulties in obtaining the actual SH/KG mastering.

The ‘22 Grundman-mastered Rhino R1 2038 seems to be slightly cheaper than the ‘20 Gray cut, and also good sound according to several reviews.

The difference in sound quality between the highly-touted SH/KG cut and KG cut seems to be minimal to some.

There are some things to consider when endeavoring to hear this masterpiece in the best possible way.

 

 

 

I’m not a big Joni fan, but the 2021 Rhino record reissue of Blue is well done.  The recording is quiet, simple with a great presence of voice.  I have no idea how it compares to the CD, or previous vinyl releases.

I think I would be more accurate to write : Different pressing machines , plates and/or lathes produce different quality "Blue" LPs.

I oun everything Joni ever put on "Wax". Funny but different masters put forth a different version of Blue. I have 10 copies of Blue only 3 are the ones to listen too.

I've listened to "Night Ride Home" three times in the last few days. It's my favorite post 1980 Joni Mitchell cd. No wait, it's "Turbulent Indigo" ... No wait ... Aargh, love em both!

Just received the latest Japanese reissues CDs (late 2006) of Ladies of the Canyon, Court and Spark and Blue. Ladies and Court sound excellent while Blue seems to be a bit on the brittle side. This may be because of the dulcimers sound plus the sparse instumentation on the album. I've owned Court and Blue on gold CD and if memory serves the gold Blue was the best I've heard. I would recommend the Japanese Ladies and Court but not the Blue. Planning on purchasing Clouds, Hissing and Hejira in the near future.

A bit of news for fans of Joni Mitchell: She was inducted last weekend into the Canadian Music hall of Fame. She was also presented with a beautifull personalized handmade Boucher guitar, a beautifull instrument ( I happen to be lucky enough to own the same guitar). Upon receiving the gift, she immediately picked a few strings, to everyones's pleasure. James Taylor was on hand for a musical tribute song, as well as other artists. Last year's inductee was Neil Young. Her early albums were great, but also try ''Night Ride Home'' for a nice sampling of a somewhat more mature voice, and trademark intelligent wit.

The Rhino reissue sounds much different than my original. Everything (pianos, guitars, you name it) sounds much more life like and Joni's voice more dynamic and vibrant. The original must have some EQ because her voice is smoother (in places) but not as realistic. I think they rolled off some of the top end. Also on the original the piano sounds like a saloon upright compared to the reissue.

I can see how anyone accustomed to the original pressing may not like the reissue because it's a different animal.
To my ears the reissue wins, KO, no contest.

Wonder too how many have compared with a perfect first pressing of Joni that's been in their library since it was new?

Wonder too if the master might sound different now? 36 years have passed since my copy was pressed off it.

I worked in the music business back then, did coverage of rock concerts and promo work for a hot radio station as well as my advertising photography gig. My copy is VERY early, given to me by the rep from the record company.

As I already stated, perhaps I am just accustomed to my excellent copy, a tonal presentation of Joni that I have lived with and accepted all these years.

I may buy another copy and have a second go at this. I already passed my Rhino reissue to a young guy in my group that wanted it.

For him, it was his first experience with "Blue" and he loved it.

Dodgealum, you're welcome. Most of the comments I've read so far are in accord with yours: a very good reissue. I look forward to listening to my copy. I don't doubt Albert's experience with the LP, so maybe there is some variability in the pressings - it is after all a manual process.
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Thanks Rushton, very interesting. I have to say, on my system this isn't even close. The new Rhino pressing is so much better in every dimension. Who knows, maybe my original Reprise issue really stinks for some reason.

For those who may not have seen Steve Hoffman's comments on how he mastered this LP and why it will sound different than an original pressing, you can read is remarks here:
http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=103068

My system is down for my move, so I can't offer any opinion on the results.
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hoffman is phoning them in. the original blue, as well as yes-fragile are way better.

I received, cleaned and played my new copy of "Blue" and must say I was a little disappointed. This is the first time Steve Hoffman reissued an LP that I was not blown away with.

My copy sounded almost digital on the high frequencies, a bit ragged. Maybe there were some pieces that didn't get pressed right?

My original USA first pressing has more life in the vocals and more warmth in Joni's voice and the strings on the guitar don't sound as steely as the repress.

Who knows, perhaps the new issue is correct and I am just accustomed to the old version. Tonight with 8 people we played both albums several times and the original won by a slight margin.

Would love to read comments by others.

The entire Joni catalogue has been remastered in HDCD. These can almost always be found in the discount bin of your local record store. I bought "For the Roses" since I could NEVER find a decent pressing on vinyl. Engineered by Joe Gastwirt at Ocean View Digital the sound is very good. FWIW, here is my top four Joni list in rank order best to less:

Blue
Court and Spark
For the Roses
Ladies of the Canyon
Hissing
Hejira

I'm not a fan of anything after Hejira.

Elusive Disc has Blue in a remastered HDCD format. Has anyone heard this release?

court, hissing and hejira and my three favs

the new Blue 180 gram vinyl is available at acoustic sounds

if you like the solo acoustic realm of Blue
try Suzanne Vega's first self titled lp

Tom

I have to say I'm also a huge fan of "Hissing". Love the fretless bass and the dreamy atmospheric sound.

the first 4 joni records are all masterpieces of simple folk/pop.....after 'for the roses there was a lot more experimental pieces.

IMO there aren't any other Joni albums like Blue. The problem with JM is that she is a true artist. Hard to pick a favorite. I came into her music when I was in high school and Blue was the album. One album that is largely overlooked is "The Hissing of Summer Lawns". It was the studio followup to Court and Spark and the first one after the Miles of Ailes lp. Critics across the board hated it but it's where Joni found the onramp to the fast lane. She interwove Hendricks Lambert & Ross' "Centerpide" with her own "Harry's House" and every other song had mystical imagery of sometype that surpassed even her previous output. After that everyone else followed her but none came close. Shadows and Light followed Miles of Ailes within two years of each other and I don't think anyone will ever mistake one for the other because how different they are from each other. I like all kinds of music and respect most artist in one way or another but no artist comes close to her musicianship as far as how fast and furious she grew interms of intensity and output. Maybe Steely Dan. Great Thread!

Dodgealum, I received my copy yesterday but have not cleaned or played it yet.

I'll bet this limited pressing will sell out fairly quickly if it's as good as you say.

Just popping back--I just received and listened to the new Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman mastered Blue on Rhino Vinyl. Absolutely to die for. Must more realism and detail with the new version. On my old standard Warner Bros. issue Joni's voice could harden up during some passages, now not at all. I can hear instruments and instrumental lines much more clearly. Differences between types of instruments is also much easier to discern.

Strongly recommended.

Can you hear the various mics used on Joni's voice from song to song?

One of the first concerts I ever attended was Joni Mitchell solo at the troubador in LA right around the time blue was released. It was unbelievable. How can someone channel emotion so?

Blue is one of my all time favorite albums, a desert isle recording. It is best listened to alone late at night or early in the morning.

I own many copies of this recording. The best is my first pressing on vinyl. The vocals and instruments are extremely realistic. The second best is the dcc gold cd, which I sought out years after it went out of print, and for which I paid a pretty penny. Both are exceptional. I use both as system demo discs. The biggest criticism of the recording is its abundant treble energy. Stereophile interviewed Steve Hoffman (?) who remastered this record for DCC and he commented on the difficulties he had taming this energy. The two above versions have smooth treble and palpable realistic detail and timbre. Lesser versions can sound harsh.

Any early joni is excellent but blue is her masterwork.

Never thought about this before, but yes, perhaps I did buy my copy of Blue at Tower Records, London.

It's definitely not harsh.

Here's a good overview of Joni's career with discussions on each album. Don't take their comments as gospel, but they give a good feel for how she's evolved from one period to the next.

cwlondon given his name must have the English version because my version is harsh on the highs.

I would not recommend my version if there is another available. The strings sound good, but her voice is a little glaring on the upper frequencies. Having said that it is definately listeneable and enjoyable. Thanks for mentioning there is an LP.

I agree with Sit in that the recording is fair at best. Can sound harsh at times. Some songs and song parts sound good with her voice very "in the room". However, other sections are harsh and poorly recorded. Still the music is so good I can get past it.

Bill

Robm321, I have Blue on CD also but the qualilty of the sound of it does not come very close to that of my stereo LP and I purchased my LP originally when it was first released(so it has a lot of miles on it). I find the CD rather harsh to Mitchell's wide-ranging voice. It is, however, still quite good and I would not be without it. However, I would like to know more about your CD if you find it reference material because this is an all-time favorite recording for me and I like the "travelability" and convenience of CD. I am also going to look for the English version that someone in this thread mentioned above. I bet that format sounds even purer. Thanks

I have no idea what these other posts are talking about.

Blue is an excellent recording -- my copy is one of my favorite test CDs. Will check the version for you, but I don't think there is anything special about it.

It's not hi fi ish, but it's a very good, non fatiguing recording with an uncanny, almost spooky presence in the vocals.

But whether you believe that or not, there should be no debate that artistically, Blue is a masterpiece and a classic.

I like Blue also. I always thought of her as the writer for pop songs that others end up making into hits. So it suprised me when she had such a good voice. Maybe a little peircing on this particular CD (the version I have anyway), but very enjoyable.

I have two LP pressings, not sure which ones they are as I'm currently away from home. But based on these two LP's, I would have to say that while Blue is a great work of artistry, it just isn't that well recorded. I hope that's not the case in reality, but both LP's sound thin to me - Joni sounds "small". I should look for the DCC CD and check that out.

Can't help you with "Blue", but you should get Shadows and Light, a two HDCD live recording of a 1979 date issued in 1999. The band is killer: Don Alias (drums), Pat Metheny (guitar), Jaco Pastorius (bass), The Percussions (vocals) and I forget who else.

'Miles of Aisles' and 'For the Roses'. Plus if you can find a british pressing of 'Blue'

I am a big Van Morrison fan and I found her voice styling creative like Van's on Astral Weeks.

Great thread. Takes me back to 1972, we were riding in a friends 63 Rambler Classic and my best friend tells me I goota hear Joni Mitchell "Blue." It was twenty years later that I really listened to it and had the same reaction you did. I lived on the island of Crete for three years and her references to the island such as "I got beach tar on my feet" are absolutely precious. "Court and Spark" is also a start to finish killer set.

In addition to everything mentioned above, especially that you need to get BLUE on lp, give a listen to Dog Eat Dog, Night Ride Home, and expecially try her 2 cd remake of some of her best work which is captured on TRAVELOGUE.

Of all the artists in my record collection Joni is at the top of the list and "Blue" is my favorite. I understand we were THIS close to a DCC version on LP before they folded--the release was literally weeks away. I cried when I found out it wasn't to be. So what choices do you have? The LP version is best if you have a record deck. After that, make sure your CD version is HDCD which will tell you it is the most recent release remastered by Joe Gastwirt at Ocean View Digital. The sound is not bad and certainly better than the original releases. By every Gastwirt mastered CD up to 1985's "Dog Eat Dog", pull the cork on a bottle of red and sink into a morass of blissful depression.

i've blue, court&spark, miles of aisles, and ladies of the canyon. blue is easily the best.

try treating the CD with vivid. improved the thinness of the CD quite a bit.

Blue is a classic for sure, and I'd agree, find the LP if you have a rig. I made a comment similar to yours about the CD in another thread and had several folks jump down my throat saying that the CD was an outstanding one on their players. I think there was a 20-bit version of it at some point. And yes, Joni Mitchell is truly an artist...wonderful stuff...I've been a big fan for a long time. Blue would have to be my favorite of her early stuff. A close second would be Court and Spark. I think I wore those two LP's right through! Her recent stuff is quite different, and I haven't been as hooked by any of them. There is a great live double album too that is a must if you like her stuff...Shadows and Light.

Marco

I remember my Mom told me she went to a garage sale around 15 years ago and bought some records for me. Well my Mom is always buying stuff that I don't want anyway as she says it's the stuff you like. I said ok went over and there was Blue and the first Neil Young album Original Pressings in Mint + and my mouth started watering. Bless her heart,and this LP has been a reference recording,and Record to die for in both Stereophile and Absolute Sound for as long as I can remember. It's because of the vocals. Love you Mom.

All the suggestions above are great, but you should also check out her live album, "Miles of Ailses". Good song selection for the period and a great band to boot.

Agree with all the above, but would also add "Hissing Of Summer Lawns" to your list.

Try finding the DCC version - it's much better than the standard or the remastered version out now. Love it!

In addition to Blue, I recommend Ladies of the Canyon, For the Roses, and Court and Spark--great albums, all. Early Mitchell is the best Mitchell.

If you have a turntable, look for an LP of Blue.

Try Hejira. I'm also a huge fan of her first album, Song for a Seagull.