Reading Lloyd Whitesell’s The Music of Joni Mitchell, my esteem for Mitchell’s artistry has grown even more. I already knew her music was rich in imagery, harmonic adventurousness, and sensitivity to the way that music and words work together. But this book exposed me to far more than I had observed myself. Whitesell explores how the songs are put together and how they work — their “sound, syntax, design and effect.”

In Chapter 2, he looks at songs from the perspective of her entire career and how her style has evolved. In Chapter 3, he considers the different voices and personae that inhabit the songs, and how her singing elicits various characters and perspectives. Chapter 4 examines primary thematic threads: traps, quests, bohemia, talent, flight. Chapter 5 looks at the broad harmonic palette that Mitchell uses, and Chapter 6 provides an insightful analysis of melody. Finally, tying it all together, Chapter 7 looks at how individual songs cohere as albums or collections.

Whitesell’s skill and perceptivity make this book a deeply satisfying read that befits the subject matter. While some of the musical analysis may be a bit technical for the average reader, you’ll still come away with a greater understanding of why Mitchell’s music is profound, and what elevates her above the typical singer-songwriter.