Both Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell are two of my biggest childhood musical influences I grew up listening to. I loved how Linda pulled off this classic song written by Joni Mitchell with an incredible arrangement and vocal. Thank you for posting this beautiful version.
My two favorite female singers!! I never knew Linda covered Joni, wow 🤩 I adore them both. I am grateful to have seen them both live, the last time I saw Linda was with Emmylou in 1999, Linda’s last tour, for The Western Wall.
First "Christmas song" I'm listening to the day after Thanksgiving. Thank you, Ms. Ronstadt, for always dedicating yourself to honoring song. Treat yourself to listening to Joni Mitchell's isolated vocals on this song. Hopefully, still on UA-cam.
What is amazing is this song and her Christmas album is from 2000.The year Linda said she started having vocal problems due to her health. She is amazing. But the best songs on this album is her unbelievable, angelic voice singing with the Tuscon choir.
I have always loved this song....but particularly this version by Linda Ronstadt...what a delight to see this posted and just a few weeks ago! Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!
glasshalffull51 You're welcome, glasshalffull51, and I agree with you. As much as I like Joni Mitchell's original version - and some other versions - I think Linda Ronstadt's version is my favorite. Merry Christmas to you!
I love Linda and her singing on this version. The arrangement is too heavy-handed for my taste - I think the simple piano arrangement on the original Joni recording reflects the plaintive message better - but I like this none the less. Merry Christmas!
I make it a point to see and hear this version of River each year at this time. I have also rediscovered Joni Mitchell's version this year also. She did it with such compassion. Thank you for posting this version.............................
This song makes me think of my former wife. Beautiful, solipsistic, warm when the mood strikes, sad, hurtful but she doesn't mean to be. And she loves Christmas.
Great song, and I really like her rendition of it. I also like the way Robert Downey, Jr., sings it, but my favorite cover of all is by Sarah McLachlan. You can hear it here on UA-cam.
"It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees. They're putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy & peace. I wish I had a river I could skate away on."
Though I liked your posting of Linda's version, i never commented until now. Three years on, I just watched it again and wanted to tell you what an incredible interpretation you did of the lyrics. Your video captured it. Every nuance. I've skated on frozen rivers & creeks myself as a child. I think that's what made Blue such a significant album for me. Joni wrote a song about which I could truly relate, in all its elements. We three are in the same age group, Joni, Linda, and I. I appreciate it more the older I get. Linda's voice does this beautifully. L♡ve them both.
I wish she had a version without all the pizzicato strings and, well, all the strings... just guitar, string bass and her voice would be all it needs... it needs to be spare.
Hi would love to know what you think of my 17 year old grandsons acoustic cover of this. Just him and his guitar ua-cam.com/video/bCulyjnA_dI/v-deo.html
"I wish I had river I could skate along." If you have money you can do that. But you will never be a true part of the community that lived along that river all their lives.
You're welcome, Scott, and you're right. It would be great if "River" got more airplay over the Christmas season and more people were able to appreciate and enjoy it.
I adore Linda Rondstadt's voice and her version of Desperado is among my all-time favorites, but this version is simply too fast for something as blue as these lyrics. It's not nearly melancholy enough.
Linda will sing forever in the hearts of those who love her.
My favorite version of this sad confessional tune. Linda's sorrow is always the truest to my ears.
clay clown Linda - very special
clay clown i
In one word : perfection.
This song is truly emotional and Joni, Linda, and Sarah have sung it amazingly well
So sad that Linda had to stop singing. She is the musical love of my life.
Robert Downey Jr did a nice version of it as well...check it out
Both Linda Ronstadt and Joni Mitchell are two of my biggest childhood musical influences I grew up listening to. I loved how Linda pulled off this classic song written by Joni Mitchell with an incredible arrangement and vocal. Thank you for posting this beautiful version.
+Jennifer Felan You're welcome, Jennifer, and thanks for viewing!
Totally.
What can't Linda Ronstadt sing? She shows such skill and mastery of her artistry. She made me love this song. Wonderful job Linda.
My favourite track on the album, and the most Linda-ish. ❤❤❤❤
I love this version of Joni Mitchell River.And do love Linda.She’s been my idol since the seventies .
I completely love this version The arrangement with the harp and the strings is just awesome and Linda has the chops to do it justice.
Voce sublime...Donna stupenda...Canzone meravigliosa! Love you!
A song to cry to this is the one happy holiday season everyone 😍🌺👍😪❤️🇺🇸🎻🎹🎤.
My two favorite female singers!! I never knew Linda covered Joni, wow 🤩 I adore them both. I am grateful to have seen them both live, the last time I saw Linda was with Emmylou in 1999, Linda’s last tour, for The Western Wall.
Every time I hear Linda sing this song I want to cry--but in a way only she has with her magical voice! Happy Holidays everyone!
First "Christmas song" I'm listening to the day after Thanksgiving. Thank you, Ms. Ronstadt, for always dedicating yourself to honoring song.
Treat yourself to listening to Joni Mitchell's isolated vocals on this song. Hopefully, still on UA-cam.
Really beautiful song and such inspirational holiday music
I don't know when I've ever heard a more beautiful Joni cover. omg. oxox
Such a beautiful song written by Joni Mitchell
What is amazing is this song and her Christmas album is from 2000.The year Linda said she started having vocal problems due to her health. She is amazing. But the best songs on this album is her unbelievable, angelic voice singing with the Tuscon choir.
Such a wonderful arrangement and Ms. Ronstadt delivers...
I have always loved this song....but particularly this version by Linda Ronstadt...what a delight to see this posted and just a few weeks ago! Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!
glasshalffull51 You're welcome, glasshalffull51, and I agree with you. As much as I like Joni Mitchell's original version - and some other versions - I think Linda Ronstadt's version is my favorite. Merry Christmas to you!
i love this song by jony Mitchell and i think this is a great version
I love Linda and her singing on this version. The arrangement is too heavy-handed for my taste - I think the simple piano arrangement on the original Joni recording reflects the plaintive message better - but I like this none the less. Merry Christmas!
My favourite of all the covers 💖
Wow!! What a version! Beautiful!!
Gorgeous voice and all the heartbreak you need. Luv Linda most of all.
Perfect voice for beutiful song...love Linda
I've never heard this version ... Love Ms. Ronstadt's version. Thank you for posting!!!
OMG! So moving...! Just beautiful.
I make it a point to see and hear this version of River each year at this time. I have also rediscovered Joni Mitchell's version this year also. She did it with such compassion. Thank you for posting this version.............................
You're welcome, Michael!
This song makes me think of my former wife. Beautiful, solipsistic, warm when the mood strikes, sad, hurtful but she doesn't mean to be. And she loves Christmas.
I love this song too. I love to hear Linda sing it.
So beautiful 😢
Thanks for this version, I will always love Joni Mitchell's version, but miss Linda is lovely! thanks ☺️
A version of truth and beauty. Linda sang often for the saddest among us.
Once Linda sings it- it belongs to her
Great song, and I really like her rendition of it. I also like the way Robert Downey, Jr., sings it, but my favorite cover of all is by Sarah McLachlan. You can hear it here on UA-cam.
"It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees. They're putting up reindeer, singing songs of joy & peace. I wish I had a river I could skate away on."
She does justice to the original. Well done.
Love this song!
A real good Joni Mitchell cover!
Lovely version, thanks for posting it!
Joe Capita You're welcome, Joe, thank you for viewing, and Merry Christmas!
River is so beautiful
Thank you 🙏
i'm not crying...there must be something in the air...
💕
I love this, I'm cryin'
aww its okay 😍😎🌺✌.
Of course Joni Mitchell owns it - she did write it- but it’s always nice to hear Linda, no matter what she sings.
Thanks! Love this version
Best cover of this song ever! One of my favorite songs! Listen to the Tori Amos version too!
I love you Linda
Beautiful, of course. And be sure to listen to Sandi Thom's version. Stunning.
it's coming upon Christmas everyone! Happy Holidays!
every songwriter ever says; “wow”
Linda can hold those high notes just like Joni
Wow amazing wow
Though I liked your posting of Linda's version, i never commented until now. Three years on, I just watched it again and wanted to tell you what an incredible interpretation you did of the lyrics. Your video captured it. Every nuance. I've skated on frozen rivers & creeks myself as a child. I think that's what made Blue such a significant album for me. Joni wrote a song about which I could truly relate, in all its elements. We three are in the same age group, Joni, Linda, and I.
I appreciate it more the older I get.
Linda's voice does this beautifully. L♡ve them both.
Thank you for sharing that, Kingscrib!
Gorgeous, of course. Also listen to Sandi Thom's version. Stunning.
Lovely
love you linda
Perfecto...
This is like one of the saddest songs I’ve ever heard. I love the melody, but it’s hard to listen to.
joyeuses fetes ,linda.
Excellent up there with Sarah and joni but for me sarah
What a babe...:)
I wish she had a version without all the pizzicato strings and, well, all the strings... just guitar, string bass and her voice would be all it needs... it needs to be spare.
Hi would love to know what you think of my 17 year old grandsons acoustic cover of this. Just him and his guitar ua-cam.com/video/bCulyjnA_dI/v-deo.html
"I wish I had river I could skate along." If you have money you can do that. But you will never be a true part of the community that lived along that river all their lives.
Except for Tracy Thorn's 2010 version I really dislike every cover version of this track. Now I like 2 versions. Well done, Linda!
Skeeter NYC yup!
Ben Platt and Sarah maclachlan arent bad either.
:-)
~ loved me so naughty, made me weak in the knees.
great line
linda is amazing...but joni's is best by a mile over any covers
Its not what Joni Mitchell thought.
I'm a big LR fan but but my favorite cover of this song is by Sarah Mac from her Wintersong album.
Disagree. this is the best version of the song.
Thanks for posting! Why don't the "Christmas" radio stations play this or Joni Mitchell's version?
You're welcome, Scott, and you're right. It would be great if "River" got more airplay over the Christmas season and more people were able to appreciate and enjoy it.
It seems a little fast to me
I adore Linda Rondstadt's voice and her version of Desperado is among my all-time favorites, but this version is simply too fast for something as blue as these lyrics. It's not nearly melancholy enough.
1 second difference over 4 mins,so its not "simply too fast"
Wow, this is a great song. Why so fast? No cover has been this fast. It's not that joyful.
And, pics of her with Brown? So wrong.
Look ugly on my
Ok