Emily's Albums A to Z

Listened: Tuesday June 8

I acquired Court and Spark on vinyl in college, when I was collecting lots of cheap classic records. I listened to it once or twice and taped it on side B of a tape that had Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours on side A. I listened to side A repeatedly for many years and never heard side B. Until one day I let it run. I was totally blown away by this album like I had never been years before when I first heard it. Maybe I needed to get more life experience to really hear it for what it is.

I’m not surprised that Joni Mitchell is a painter – her songs are just like paintings to me. People’s Parties and Just Like This Train tell you all the details of a setting to help construct the scene in your mind. Free Man in Paris takes you somewhere else when you’re stuck to your desk – since it’s about the joy of going traveling and not being stuck to your desk.

In terms of sheer pleasure generated, this record was one of the best finds of my vinyl diving days.