The definitive female singer songwriter album of the 70s 1971s Blue is just about as perfect as an album can be. 10 immaculate songs that re-defined songwriting, Joni had a small heap of classics under her belt by the time she recorded this masterpiece but it was Blue that signalled just what a seminal writer and performer she was. Stephen Stills, James Taylor, Sneeky Pete and Russ Kunkel backed her up, but its Jonis show all the way - heartbreak, longing, exuberance, passion and doubt in classics such as "A Case of You, River, This Flight Tonight". Utterly essential!