Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell

Yaffe may not offer any new insights, but at least this book is well written and heartfelt in terms of respect for Mitchell. It also covers ( with much more depth) the age old problem the FEMALE artist faces in the creative industries - especially back then. She was constantly criticised for being outspoken, driven, egotistical in a way that none of her peers (Dylan, Young, Cohen, Simon, Gaye etc) ever were. Not to mention the list of lovers who were always name checked in the opening paragraphs of even the most serious reviews of her greatest work or rare interviews - always aimed as a suggestive slur and is still appearing today, in every review I've read of this book. She may not be likeable or too outspoken or crazy, but genius is genius and Yaffe completely acknowledges this. He sees her important place in the history of 20th century popular music and the impact it had on future generations - not only women with guitars, but innovators like Prince, Bjork, Jimmy Page, Morrissey, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush etc. Interesting that Dylan acknowledged being inspired by Blue during the making of Blood on the Tracks ( many years after Blue when Mitchell had moved on much further to Summer Lawns and Hejira) and yet his album is often rated as the breakthrough in this particular genre. Yaffe also articulates the uphill battles she had and her stubborn determination to keep her creative flame burning against all odds. The best biography so far.

So far I'm only halfway through this book but the author had me after just the preface. This intimate look at Joni's career tells why her most unforgettable songs came to be written, and delves into the intensely personal feelings behind each one. The author scatters phrases from her songs liberally throughout the text which keeps the music dancing in your mind all the time. The enormous contribution of her finest musical collaborators is covered. A really enjoyable read, but if you have an image of Joni as a wide-eyed innocent that may change dramatically.

Yet another laboured boring presumptive appreciation on the back of a genius. Malka Marom’s book of her transcribed interviews with Joni Mitchell is far superior and intelligent and what most of this boring book is based upon. Buy Malka Marom book instead. It’s straight from the genius’s mouth and not someone making money from the genius.

A superb piece of writing, and must surely be the definitive statement on Joni. He has clearly understood what makes her tick and is not shy in describing her flaws, while respecting that she is the greatest female musical poet of all-time.

This is a really well written and informative book about Joni Mitchell, and therefore its exactly what I was hoping it would be. At the same time, learning all about her life was a completely deflating experience, as she's not the type of person you'd want to know or be.

Worth reading if you want to remember how much Joni has contributed to music and culture

Enjoyable read but suitable for true fans or music buffs of the 60s quite complicated in places hard to keep up

Absolutely loved this, but I am a Joni fan

This biography has the virtue of documenting both the person and the music in some detail We are interested in the person primarily due to the music, so Yaffe's knowledge and reporting on the music is essential to the quality of the tale. Also, though he clearly admires Joni Mitchell, the difficult nature of her personality comes through clearly, and illuminates the musical journey well. Like a recent biography of Beethoven, which also goes into the musical evolution of the composer with authority, Yaffe accomplishes that essential duality in such biographies: comprehending both the person and the art, the double-helix in the story.

I have a very large collection of Music Biographies. This one truly stands out. It took author David Yaffee 10 years to complete the work that went into the bio. Why 10 years? You'll have to read it to find out. Going below the surface of Joni Mitchell was not an easy task. Together they came out the other side. I learnt more about Ms. Mitchell in this book than the other approximately 8 bios that are out there.This is the one to buy!!!

I have almost every album of Joni’s...(except those 80’s ones)( I hate electronic / synthesized music). I’ve love her music, her words, her honest representation of reality. While much of who she is as a person, I have been able to glean from her songwriting, yet, when you admire the talent and gift of a person like Joni, you wonder about the circumstances that were the soil for her songs.The book started a bit slow...but, quickly picked up momentum. It was well written and I found it extremely interesting.I loved the elements of music history. Not only Joni’s, but, the bits of music history (and relational history) of musicians who ended up at one time or another orbiting around her.She was indeed a brilliant woman, a creative genius. Incredibly insightful...I marvel at her prowess (in so many areas of life), and yet, much of her life and way of being in the world left me feeling sad.Doubtless, all those hard, sad parts are what made her into a power house songwriter...In a generation that wants everything easy and instantaneously... Joni’s life/musical career provides ample illustrations of what hard work, doggedness, tenacity and courage can do.

Reckless Daughter: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell is a well-researched look at Joni Mitchell's musical life and times. It takes you through the tumultuous 60s and 70s with no punches pulled about her love life, giving up her daughter for adoption struggles with drugs, and her health issues. At times it's a little hard to like if your idea of Joni Mitchell is strictly about The Circle Game and Both Sides Now folk era. Some of the gossip media coverage was hard on her. She was tough, bitchy, proud and brilliant. If like me, you admire Mitchell for her musical explorations and pushing the boundaries of folk and rock into jazz, you'll likely enjoy learning about that side of her journey as a musician.

This was quite a detailed bio of a very complicated artist. I must admit to skimming some of the discussions about Joni's guitar tuning technique. The author jumped around, chronologically, and info regarding Joni's later years was a bit skimpy.

I really enjoyed reading Reckless Daughter, especially since I know one of her friends noted and quoted in the book. I think David Yaffe did a great job considering Ms. Mitchell is a complicated woman loaded with a variety of talents. My only complaint is that I wish there were more details about living and creating music in Laurel Canyon. Her neighbours and friends were (are) also notable singer-songwriters, some of whom recorded with Ms.Mitchell. This was a unique, game-changing and particularly creative time in popular music that will never happen again and I think David Yaffe could have dwelled on this aspect a little more, in my opinion. There must be some great anecdotes to tell.

This is not so much a biography as an opinion. If you'd like to know more about Joni Mitchell's life and lifestyle it's worth the time. A good portion of the book documents the author's View as opposed to the facts. However it does give a persuasive picture of our heroines life and the environment of those days. To that extent I was saddened that one of my favorite Canadian people was subjected to some of her trauma.

The story sounds like a grade 9 student writing a biography . It has not been undersigned by Joni Mitchell . I understand why not.

Brilliant musician, one of a kind. The author has done a great job with detail in Joni’s journey as a great musician.I grew up in Calgary and to know she was performing there in the 60’s makes the connection to her music even more special.Thanks Joni!

David Yaffe has been able to combine his prodigious knowledge of her music with his research into the history behind the songs and put things together using a non-linear time frame that accurately reflects the emergence of the pre-eminent singer/songwriter/poet of our time. [sorry Mr Dylan, but you're a distant second - Nobel prize and all].

Again I don't believe I received this item. I am a big Joni Mitchell fan and am slightly annoyed that I do not believe I received it.

If you love Joni, you won't be disappointed. It's a terrific book.

Bought for my husband and he enjoyed the read very much as he has always been a Joni fan.

Good present

Loved it!