Joni Mitchell

Released in 1969, Joni Mitchell's second album leaves her voice at center stage, accompanied on early gems like "Both Sides Now" and "Chelsea Morning" by little more than acoustic guitar. "The Gallery," which starts the B-side, is a lesser-known gem of Mitchell's, as is the sultry "I Don't Know Where I Stand." The record won the Grammy for Best Folk LP in 1969.

Without David Crosby's production--this is basically a voice-and-acoustic record--Joni's voice sounds malnourished, which it is. Three excellent songs, but two of them, "Both Sides Now" and "Chelsea Morning," have been done better elsewhere. (By the way, nightclub singer Gloria Loring's version of "Chelsea Morning" is better than Judy Collins'.) The other one is called "Roses Blue." (Grade: C)