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California (Joni Mitchell song)

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"California"
Single by Joni Mitchell
from the album Blue
B-side"A Case of You"
Released1971
Recorded1971
GenreFolk rock
Length3:48
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Joni Mitchell
Producer(s)Joni Mitchell
Joni Mitchell singles chronology
"Carey"
(1971) 		"California"
(1971) 		"You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio"
(1972)

"California" is a song written by Joni Mitchell that first appeared on her 1971 album Blue. It was also released as the second single from the album, as a follow-up to "Carey."

Mitchell wrote "California" while living in France but longing for the creative climate she had experienced in California.[1] In the song she expresses the depth of her longing for California despite considering herself a member of the counterculture.[1] Like "Carey", "California" takes the form of a travelogue and uses a stream of consciousness narrative technique.[2][3] Pitchfork critic Jessica Hopper describes both songs as "how-Joni-got-her-groove-back ditties".[4] The lyrics tell of her time in France, a trip she took to Spain and an excursion to a Greek island.[2] At the end of each story in each location she expresses her desire to be back in California.[2] The character that "Carey" was based on also appears in the second verse of "California".[5][6] According to author Larry David Smith, Mitchell uses the descriptions in "California" as a strategy to demonstrate "principles associated with the Earth Mother manifesto."[2]

"California" uses a verse-bridge structure.[5] James Taylor plays guitar on the song.[1][3] Russ Kunkel provided drums and percussion.[3] According to singer Estrella Berosini, the recitative phrasing Mitchell uses on "California" was influenced by California singer Laura Allan.[3] According to Rolling Stone critic Timothy Crouse, the song "jumps along in quick bursts", but the refrain is "flowing" with tango elements.[7] Crouse praised the "subtlety" of the production, particularly "James Taylor's twitchy guitar and Russ Kunkel's superb, barely detectable high-hat and bass-pedal work."[7]

Critic Kim Ruehl called "California" one of the highlights of Blue, describing it as "personal and largely sentimental."[8]

"California" was included on Mitchell's 1998 compilation album Hits[9] and on her self-chosen 2004 compilation album Dreamland.[10]

American group Wilson Phillips covered the song as the title track to their 2004 studio album California.

Personnel

References

  1. ^ a b c Bego, M. (2005). Joni Mitchell. Taylor Trade Publications. pp. 86–89, 98–99. ISBN 9781589792210.
  2. ^ a b c d Smith, L.D. (2004). Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell and the Torch Song Tradition. Greenwood Publishing. pp. 48, 50. ISBN 9780275973926.
  3. ^ a b c d Weller, S. (2008). Girls Like Us. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781416564775.
  4. ^ Hopper, J. (November 9, 2012). "Joni Mitchell The Studio Albums 1968-1979". pitchfork.com. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  5. ^ a b Whitesell, L. (2008). The Music of Joni Mitchell. Oxford University Press. pp. 90, 148–150. ISBN 9780199719099.
  6. ^ Marc Myers, "Joni Mitchell on the Muse Behind ‘Carey’", The Wall Street Journal, 11 November 2014.
  7. ^ a b Crouse, T. (January 21, 1997). "Blue". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  8. ^ Ruehl, K. "Joni Mitchell - Blue". About.com. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  9. ^ Parisien, R. "Hits". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
  10. ^ Jurek, T. "Dreamland". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-06-04.
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