Top 50 Canadian Albums Of All Time #1

06/30/00 6:38pm

1. JONI MITCHELL Blue (Reprise) 1971
It wasn't outright shock that registered on the faces of Chart editors when the final results were tabulated, but more of a mild, and not altogether unwelcome, surprise. Joni Mitchell is someone who, for the most part, has been out of the public eye and consciousness for a number of years now, but that her 1971 album Blue was voted the number one Canadian album of all time is a testament to the fact she's created a work of art that's had a deep, lasting and profound effect on anyone who's heard this magnificent record.

Called "an essential product of the singer-songwriter era" in the Virgin Encyclopedia of Music, Blue was more than just peace songs from another coffeehouse malcontent. This was bleak music that struck the very heart of those who listened.

"The emotional content plus the music makes for a magical listen," says Sue Hutton, of Rhea's Obsession. "I could sing every single song off the top of my head. Every song is great."

Mitchell's influence on the music world cannot be understated, says Hutton. "Every night I hear someone who's trying to emulate her. I grew up trying to emulate her."

Chart writer Ryan Watson can see and hear the impact of Blue everywhere as well. "Sarah McLachlan is pretty obvious, Tori Amos as well. I've just heard the Travis cover of 'River' and that makes a lot of sense too," he says.

But it's the songs on Blue, not their attendant impact, that truly define this record.

"When I first got it, it just connected — it's just the voice. It's depressing," says Sujinder Juneda, of Beggar's Banquet. Of the song "Blue" he says, "Blue. That first word is just so depressing. But say you're in a bad mood, it just brings you up as well."

Watson adds, "I think 'River,' 'Blue' and 'A Case Of You' are the real core because they're the most intimate and honest songs. That's where you get to the real heart."

Still, Blue's deepest impact is probably felt in the depth to which it resonates with the listener, the feelings it evokes and the emotions it inspires.

"It used to bug me that Joni sang about California so much, until I found myself listening to Blue on headphones while walking through Santa Cruz redwoods and learning more about myself and where I came from than from anything I heard when sitting at home," says Michael Barclay, a writer with Eye Weekly. "Blue transcends all time, barriers and borders and speaks to anyone who's ever been 20 years old, in love, or far away from home and trying to find their place in the world."

 

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