Tag Archives: Joni Mitchell Blue Album

25 Days Of Christmas Music: Day 14

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Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

2025 was the year I finally entered the Marvel universe-i.e., I watched the first two phases of the Marvel movies. I do realize I am 17 years late to the party but since I was never a comic book fan, watching movies about comic book characters-even the non animated kind-did not really appeal to me. But once I started I made it all the way to Phase 3 in three months time and got halfway through that before stopping when winter turned to spring and my hibernation ended.

Three words were the impetus for me to start the franchise: Robert Downey Jr. I have adored him F-O-R-E-V-E-R yet I had zero clue he was Iron Man (and sold out by Jeff Bridges in the first movie…..Dude!!!). I also missed Downey when he played Larry Paul in “Ally McBeal” in seasons 4 & 5.

The future Tony Stark showed us yet another of his remarkable skills when he performed today’s song during S4 episode 6 and it was quite beautiful. When the track was released in 2000 as part of A Very Ally Christmas, it featured a cello arrangement that when combined with Downey’s pensive vocal turned the song into an absolutely exquisite moment. There does not seem to be anything that man cannot do.

The same year he started on “Ally”-2000-was the same year Linda Ronstadt released A Merry Little Christmas. She included a cover of the same song, done with a lovely delicate string arrangement that is quite stunning. And given her immense talent, it is no surprise that Ronstadt made this song her own as well.

Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Linda Ronstadt circa 1975. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The writer of today’s song-Joni Mitchell-recorded it for her 1971 album, Blue. Since then it has been covered by an array of artists including one who played on that album (although not on this song). And 25 years later in October 2006, he released his own version on James Taylor at Christmas.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

Linda Ronstadt: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

James Taylor: “River” (2006, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2023: Day 5

Posted in 25 Days Of Christmas Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

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A lovely simple and elegant holiday display found on Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The legendary and multi-talented Joni Mitchell turned 80 this year (click here for that post) and her music is still as vital, as influential and as beautiful as ever. And it should be. Today’s pick is one of her most beloved and most covered tracks. I love the original version she recorded for her 1971 album, Blue. It was reissued in 2021 for its 50th anniversary along with a really lovely animated video for today’s song. My absolute favorite cover of this tune was recorded by actor Robert Downey Jr. in 2000 for his role as Larry Paul on “Ally McBeal”. It has a cello arrangement that is absolutely exquisite.

“It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace“.

Joni Mitchell
robd

Top: Joni Mitchell in the early 1970’s. Bottom: Robert Downey Jr. circa 2005. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “River” (1971, written by Joni Mitchell).

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2021: Day 5

Posted in Christmas, Holidays, Music by

Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

skating

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Today’s song is a cover version that was introduced to me several years ago by one of my loyal readers and I have been enamored with it ever since. Joni Mitchell’s original, released 50 years ago on her acclaimed album Blue, is lovely as are several of the other covers I have heard by Linda Ronstadt, Sarah McLachlan and James Taylor, to name a few. But actor Robert Downey Jr.’s version is as my reader described “hauntingly beautiful”. With all due respect to Mitchell, I do not believe a better version of this song exists than his.

“It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up reindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace“.

Downey

Robert Downey Jr. circa 2000. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Robert Downey Jr.: “River” (2000, written by Joni Mitchell).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!

25 Days Of Christmas Music 2018: Day 18

Posted in Christmas, Music by

Hi, Everybody!!!  Welcome back to the countdown.

I follow a lot of unbelievably talented & creative women on Instagram, and since their pictures are so beautiful, I wanted to share a few with you.

Debra Vintage Crushin.jpeg

Courtesy of Debra @vintagecrushin

Today’s picture comes from Debra @vintagecrushin who shares my affinity for white Ironstone among her many loves.  She creates such pretty vignettes in her home (like the one above) and is so creative she celebrated Thanksgiving in her garage which was decorated in classic vintage style (with an assist from her equally talented sister) complete with mismatched china, old silver and glass goblets.  All the pictures are up on her page for your enjoyment!!!  And my thanks to Debra for letting me share her beautiful picture!!!

Today’s song was a suggestion to me in 2016 by a reader (thank you, Michael!!!) and I have been addicted to it ever since.  It was written by Joni Mitchell in 1971 for her album “Blue” and quoted by Meg Ryan’s character Kathleen Kelly in “You’ve Got Mail” ( “It’s coming on Christmas, they’re cutting down trees. Do you know that Joni Mitchell song? ‘I wish I had a river I could skate away on?’ It’s such a sad song, and not really about Christmas at all, but I was thinking about it tonight as I was decorating my Christmas tree and unwrapping funky ornaments made of Popsicle sticks, and missing my mother so much I almost couldn’t breathe”).  I do love a good pop culture reference  🙂

This song has been covered by such diverse artists as Sarah McLachlan, Barry Manilow, James Taylor and Sam Smith.  But this version is my absolute favorite and something this good needs to be shared.  And it is from of one of my favorite shows ever, Ally McBeal,  when this actor/singer/hottie played Attorney Larry Paul.

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Robert Downey Jr. & Calista Flockhart from “Ally McBeal” circa 2000 (original source unknown).  

Robert Downey Jr. “River” (2000)

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing some things that I love with you  🙂

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!