For the Roses
Encyclopedia
For the Roses is a 1972 album by Joni Mitchell
, between her two biggest commercial and critical successes - Blue
and Court and Spark
. Despite this, in 2007 it was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress
to be added to the National Recording Registry
. It's Mitchell's first, and so far only, album to accomplish this feat.
It is perhaps best known for the hit single "You Turn Me on I'm a Radio", which Mitchell wrote sarcastically out of a record company request for a radio-friendly song. The single was indeed a hit, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100
charts, becoming Mitchell's first top 40 hit released under her own name (as a songwriter, several other performers had had hits with songs that she had written). "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" — a menacing and jazzy portrait of a heroin addict — and the Beethoven
-inspired "Judgement of the Moon and Stars" were also popular. The title song "For the Roses" was Mitchell's farewell to the business; she took an extended break for a year after.
"Banquet" describes a metaphorical table from which "some get the gravy / Some get the gristle... and some get nothing / Though there's plenty to spare". "Barangrill", with its more complex arrangement, is a lighter and sprightly rap which extols the uncomplicated virtues of a roadside truck stop. "Lesson in Survival" is the first of the love songs, about the longing for greater privacy, a sense of isolation, and a love for nature. "Let the Wind Carry Me" contrasts thoughts of a more stable, conventional life with the overpowering need to live with minimal constraints upon one's freedom.
The second side opens with "See You Sometime", which deals with fleeting feelings and romantic competition. "Electricity" extols the simplicity and serenity of the quiet country life against the way in which people in modern society think of themselves unconsciously as machines. "Woman of Heart and Mind" is a portrait of a flawed lover.
The album was critically acclaimed with The New York Times saying "Each of Mitchell's songs on For the Roses is a gem glistening with her elegant way with language, her pointed splashes of irony and her perfect shaping of images. Never does Mitchell voice a thought or feeling commonly. She's a songwriter and singer of genius who can't help but make us feel we are not alone."
A nude photograph of Joni Mitchell was included on the inside cover of the original LP and is included in the CD booklet. The photograph shows the singer from the rear and was taken from a considerable distance; she is shown standing on a rock and staring out at the ocean. This created some controversy at the time.
Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell, CC is a Canadian musician, singer songwriter, and painter. Mitchell began singing in small nightclubs in her native Saskatchewan and Western Canada and then busking in the streets and dives of Toronto...
, between her two biggest commercial and critical successes - Blue
Blue (Joni Mitchell album)
Blue is the fourth album of Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Exploring the various facets of relationships from infatuation on "A Case of You" to insecurity on "This Flight Tonight", the songs feature simple accompaniments on piano, guitar, and Appalachian dulcimer...
and Court and Spark
Court and Spark
Court and Spark is the sixth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Released in January 1974, the album saw Mitchell infusing her folk-rock style, which she developed throughout her previous five albums, with jazz inflections...
. Despite this, in 2007 it was one of 50 recordings chosen that year by the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
to be added to the National Recording Registry
National Recording Registry
The National Recording Registry is a list of sound recordings that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States." The registry was established by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, which created the National Recording...
. It's Mitchell's first, and so far only, album to accomplish this feat.
It is perhaps best known for the hit single "You Turn Me on I'm a Radio", which Mitchell wrote sarcastically out of a record company request for a radio-friendly song. The single was indeed a hit, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
charts, becoming Mitchell's first top 40 hit released under her own name (as a songwriter, several other performers had had hits with songs that she had written). "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" — a menacing and jazzy portrait of a heroin addict — and the Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
-inspired "Judgement of the Moon and Stars" were also popular. The title song "For the Roses" was Mitchell's farewell to the business; she took an extended break for a year after.
"Banquet" describes a metaphorical table from which "some get the gravy / Some get the gristle... and some get nothing / Though there's plenty to spare". "Barangrill", with its more complex arrangement, is a lighter and sprightly rap which extols the uncomplicated virtues of a roadside truck stop. "Lesson in Survival" is the first of the love songs, about the longing for greater privacy, a sense of isolation, and a love for nature. "Let the Wind Carry Me" contrasts thoughts of a more stable, conventional life with the overpowering need to live with minimal constraints upon one's freedom.
The second side opens with "See You Sometime", which deals with fleeting feelings and romantic competition. "Electricity" extols the simplicity and serenity of the quiet country life against the way in which people in modern society think of themselves unconsciously as machines. "Woman of Heart and Mind" is a portrait of a flawed lover.
The album was critically acclaimed with The New York Times saying "Each of Mitchell's songs on For the Roses is a gem glistening with her elegant way with language, her pointed splashes of irony and her perfect shaping of images. Never does Mitchell voice a thought or feeling commonly. She's a songwriter and singer of genius who can't help but make us feel we are not alone."
A nude photograph of Joni Mitchell was included on the inside cover of the original LP and is included in the CD booklet. The photograph shows the singer from the rear and was taken from a considerable distance; she is shown standing on a rock and staring out at the ocean. This created some controversy at the time.
Track listing
All tracks composed and arranged by Joni Mitchell- "Banquet" – 3:01
- "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" – 4:17
- "Barangrill" – 2:52
- "Lesson in Survival" – 3:11
- "Let the Wind Carry Me" – 3:56
- "For the Roses" – 3:48
- "See You Sometime" – 2:56
- "Electricity" – 3:01
- "You Turn Me on I'm a Radio" – 2:39
- "Blonde in the Bleachers" – 2:42
- "Woman of Heart and Mind" – 2:38
- "Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)" – 5:19
Personnel
- Joni Mitchell - vocals, guitar, piano
- Wilton FelderWilton FelderWilton Lewis Felder is both a saxophone and bass player, and is best known as a founding member of The Crusaders, initially called the Jazz Crusaders. Felder, Wayne Henderson, Joe Sample, and Stix Hooper founded the group while in high school in Houston...
- bass - Russ KunkelRuss KunkelRussell Kunkel , also known as Russ Kunkel, is an American drummer and producer who has worked as a session musician with a number of well-known artists.Kunkel was born in Pittsburgh, PA...
- drums - Graham NashGraham NashGraham William Nash, OBE is an English singer-songwriter known for his light tenor vocals and for his songwriting contributions with the British pop group The Hollies, and with the folk-rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer...
- harmonica - Bobbye HallBobbye HallBobbye Jean Hall Porter is an American percussionist who has recorded with a variety of rock, soul, blues and jazz artists, and has appeared on 22 songs that reached the top ten in the Billboard Hot 100, six of those reaching #1.-Early career:...
- percussion - Tom ScottTom Scott (musician)Tom Scott is an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, conductor and bandleader of the west coast jazz/jazz fusion ensemble The L.A. Express.-Biography:Scott was born in Los Angeles, California...
- woodwind, reeds - James BurtonJames BurtonJames Burton is an American guitarist. A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 2001 , Burton has also been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame...
(credited as "Jim Burton") - electric guitar on "Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire" - Stephen StillsStephen StillsStephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
- rock'n'roll performer on "Blonde in the Bleachers" - Bobby NotkoffBobby NotkoffBobby Notkoff is a violinist who played with The Rockets in the 1960s and Family Lotus in the 1970s. He was a founding member of Electric Flag, one of the first supergroups, with Mike Bloomfield and Buddy Miles.He lives in New Mexico.-Selected discography:...
- strings