Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Period (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I understand Mercer's love of Joni's Blue period, and her urge to write on the topic, but on that note, the book reads more like a well-written high school thesis paper on a topic the author cares about, as opposed to any sort of insight into Mitchell's feelings, writings, life, etc. A lot of personal reflections by the author and seemingly irrelevant histories of St. Augustine, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan fill the pages, leading me to think perhaps this should be re-titled as a general history of folk/pop songwriting, instead of pertaining to Joni Mitchell's best work. I have loved Joni Mitchell's music since I was a young girl & my mother danced to Court & Spark with me and my sister. This book is fun to read despite the authors' repeated departure into cultural analysis and comparisons. I was not surprised that this was not a bio filled with the dirt of Joni's love life, but you do get many tasty morsels of which albums were influenced by her famous lovers. Enjoyable but not amazing.
What do You think about Will You Take Me As I Am: Joni Mitchell's Blue Period (2009)?
Partly biography, partly an analysis of Joni Mitchell's songwriting skills.
—jake
An excellent account of the inspiration behind Joni Mitchell and her music.
—niggers
