release date: Mar. 1968
format: digital
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,28]
producer: David Crosby
label: Reprise Records - nationality: Canada
Track highlights: 1. "I Had a King" - 3. "Night in the City" - 5. "Nathan La Franeer" - 6. "Sisotowbell Lane" - 10. "Cactus Tree" (live)
Studio album debut by Canadian folk and singer / songwriter Joni Mitchell [aka Roberta Joan Anderson]. The original vinyl album's A-side is labelled "I Came to the City" (tracks 1-5), and the B-side: "Out of the City and Down to the Seaside" (tracks #6-10). Mitchell wrote all songs herself, and she is only accompanied by few others on just a couple of tracks. Apparently, the album was released somewhat unnoticed despite the fact that Mitchell was already well-known for having written songs for other artist including Judy Collins, Fairport Convention, and Tom Rush, and the album peaked at number #189 in the US. I find it quite interesting, a little narrow in its sound, production, and arrangements, but definitely a fine album.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]
