Why Evolution is True is a blog written by Jerry Coyne, centered on evolution and biology but also dealing with diverse topics like politics, culture, and cats.
Reader Bob knew I couldn’t resist looking at this post from SingersRoom, as it has two things that attract me: rankings and Joni Mitchell. If you read here, you’ll know that I think Joni is the best woman singer/instrumentalist/songwriter of our era, and, if you rule out Dylan because he can’t play or sing all that well, then all that’s left is the Beatles, which is a group, not an individual. Ergo you might leave “woman” out of the description above.
Click to read the SingersRoom ranking.
First, the site’s list, with links to either a live or recorded performance.
Beg to differ on Help Me (but maybe because I was falling in love with my ex in ‘74🤓). Still love the song, if not the man.
River’s another fave I cannot get enough of.
I love the version of “Coyote” Joni sang during The Last Waltz, but there’s nothing quite like watching her try it out for the first time with her fellow songwriters during Bob’s Rolling Thunder Review tour:
If someone wanted to drop all of Blue (or almost all of it) in their top 10 I wouldn’t fault them. The Last Time I Saw Richard is a great deep track and awesome album closer.
Agree with you re Blue. And hard to limit it to 10, or 13. I’ll throw in Song for Sharon and Amelia (I can’t resist its self-referential line, “I checked into the Cactus Tree Motel”) from the Hejira album, not to mention Cactus Tree itself.
I don’t know Joni’s music nearly as well as you (or the other commenters here), so I am more than happy to accept your judgement. What I do know is wonderful.
As you say, “You do realize, of course, that both the above selection and my own choices are more or less subjective”. But of course you had no choice in the matter….
Hi Jerry,
In your opening paragraph you wrote “If you read here, you’ll know that I think Joni is the best woman singer/instrumentalist/songwriter of our era, and, if you rule out Dylan because he can’t play or sing all that well, then all that’s left is the Beatles, which is a group, not an individual. Ergo you might leave “woman” out of the description above.” I think you’ve forgotten about Paul Simon who, I’m sure you’ll agree, definitely qualifies on all 3 of your criteria.
And so many more – Tom Waits, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen. For me Dylan reigns supreme. His idiosyncratic playing is part of his charm, and he expresses emotion through his voice better than anyone. Springsteen deserves a mention, too
The Circle Game is my favourite of Joni’s. She often uses non-standard tunings on her guitar and in this case it is an “Open G” tuning of D G D G B D. If you look in the video that you included, at 40 seconds in, you’ll see her bar the 3 strings from 3 to 5, leaving strings 1 and 2 open and then she moves it up one fret and bars the 4 strings from 2 to 5 leaving the 1st string open. She has to move her hand from underneath the neck to do the barring from above. How did it even occur to her to do that?
I like our host’s list better than the first one. The inclusion of other songs from Blue (“All I Want” and “California”) was good to see. And “A Case of You” is simply one of the best songs ever written/performed. My choice of an underrated song of hers to slip into a top ten list is “Just Like This Train” from Court and Spark.
Risking excommunication – it’s her jazz-influenced work that does it for me, as do the solid driving rhythms on Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow, In France They Kiss On Main Street, Coyote. I suppose I’m a bit more rocky than folky. But Harry’s House/Centerpiece is the one I can’t resist repeating immediately on the car stereo, and The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the album I always come back to, perhaps because it’s the first one I bought. It’ll always be my image of Joni Mitchell, even if it’s less representative of her whole career.
I am sneaks with Cristian Davies. He’s absolutely correct about the songs on For The Roses being part of the best. Blonde in bkeschers woman if Hesrt and Mund , Ludwig’s tune , let the wind carry me, lesson in z survival , Banwuet, see you a sometime , ,, the piano tunes the best and most beautiful of any composer ever.
Wow, what an incredible list of Joni Mitchell’s best songs! As a devoted fan of her music, I must say you’ve curated a truly enchanting collection that showcases the depth and brilliance of her artistry. Joni Mitchell’s ability to intertwine poetic lyrics with soul-stirring melodies is simply unparalleled, and each song on this list holds a special place in the hearts of countless listeners worldwide.
When I see a first-time post like this, I know it’s from someone trying to worm their way onto this site to advertise their own site. Sorry, but I can’t do that. I’ve removed your link.
Wow! You take your music and rankings to another level.
I think Beato hipped me to River – check his channel – indeed, a splendid, thought-provoking tune.
I think this is it – its on Beato’s favorite Christmas music video : https://youtu.be/BsUw6s6OlS0
Beg to differ on Help Me (but maybe because I was falling in love with my ex in ‘74🤓). Still love the song, if not the man.
River’s another fave I cannot get enough of.
I love the version of “Coyote” Joni sang during The Last Waltz, but there’s nothing quite like watching her try it out for the first time with her fellow songwriters during Bob’s Rolling Thunder Review tour:
If someone wanted to drop all of Blue (or almost all of it) in their top 10 I wouldn’t fault them. The Last Time I Saw Richard is a great deep track and awesome album closer.
Blue is her best album by far. It’s a work of genius, and a classic.
A few from my own Joni Mitchell all-time greats list:
Nothing Can Be Done
Wild Things Run Fast
Come In From The Cold
Refuge Of The Roads
Agree with you re Blue. And hard to limit it to 10, or 13. I’ll throw in Song for Sharon and Amelia (I can’t resist its self-referential line, “I checked into the Cactus Tree Motel”) from the Hejira album, not to mention Cactus Tree itself.
+1 for Blue being her best album.
I’ve always liked “Rainy Night House.”
It was a rainy night
We took a taxi to your mother’s home
She went to Florida and left you
With your father’s gun, alone…
I don’t know Joni’s music nearly as well as you (or the other commenters here), so I am more than happy to accept your judgement. What I do know is wonderful.
As you say, “You do realize, of course, that both the above selection and my own choices are more or less subjective”. But of course you had no choice in the matter….
Urge for Going is my favorite Joni song, and it’s not a close call. This may be heresy, but I like Tom Rush’s version the best of any I have heard.
Heresy!
Hi Jerry,
In your opening paragraph you wrote “If you read here, you’ll know that I think Joni is the best woman singer/instrumentalist/songwriter of our era, and, if you rule out Dylan because he can’t play or sing all that well, then all that’s left is the Beatles, which is a group, not an individual. Ergo you might leave “woman” out of the description above.” I think you’ve forgotten about Paul Simon who, I’m sure you’ll agree, definitely qualifies on all 3 of your criteria.
Yes, I did forget him, and I can’t forgive myself for it. Thanks for reminding me!
And so many more – Tom Waits, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Leonard Cohen. For me Dylan reigns supreme. His idiosyncratic playing is part of his charm, and he expresses emotion through his voice better than anyone. Springsteen deserves a mention, too
The Circle Game is my favourite of Joni’s. She often uses non-standard tunings on her guitar and in this case it is an “Open G” tuning of D G D G B D. If you look in the video that you included, at 40 seconds in, you’ll see her bar the 3 strings from 3 to 5, leaving strings 1 and 2 open and then she moves it up one fret and bars the 4 strings from 2 to 5 leaving the 1st string open. She has to move her hand from underneath the neck to do the barring from above. How did it even occur to her to do that?
I like our host’s list better than the first one. The inclusion of other songs from Blue (“All I Want” and “California”) was good to see. And “A Case of You” is simply one of the best songs ever written/performed. My choice of an underrated song of hers to slip into a top ten list is “Just Like This Train” from Court and Spark.
Risking excommunication – it’s her jazz-influenced work that does it for me, as do the solid driving rhythms on Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow, In France They Kiss On Main Street, Coyote. I suppose I’m a bit more rocky than folky. But Harry’s House/Centerpiece is the one I can’t resist repeating immediately on the car stereo, and The Hissing of Summer Lawns is the album I always come back to, perhaps because it’s the first one I bought. It’ll always be my image of Joni Mitchell, even if it’s less representative of her whole career.
“The Hissing of Summer Lawns”
Woe – that is either dreck or genius.
I am sneaks with Cristian Davies. He’s absolutely correct about the songs on For The Roses being part of the best. Blonde in bkeschers woman if Hesrt and Mund , Ludwig’s tune , let the wind carry me, lesson in z survival , Banwuet, see you a sometime , ,, the piano tunes the best and most beautiful of any composer ever.
Wow, what an incredible list of Joni Mitchell’s best songs! As a devoted fan of her music, I must say you’ve curated a truly enchanting collection that showcases the depth and brilliance of her artistry. Joni Mitchell’s ability to intertwine poetic lyrics with soul-stirring melodies is simply unparalleled, and each song on this list holds a special place in the hearts of countless listeners worldwide.
When I see a first-time post like this, I know it’s from someone trying to worm their way onto this site to advertise their own site. Sorry, but I can’t do that. I’ve removed your link.