Blue (Rhino High Fidelity R2R)

Limited Edition Of 350, Exclusive To Rhino.com

Released June 22, 1971, BLUE established a new benchmark for the singer-songwriter movement, reaching #15 on the Billboard 200 while earning platinum certification. Written and produced entirely by Mitchell, the album offered an unprecedented level of emotional transparency as she navigated the aftermath of her relationships with Graham Nash and James Taylor. Captured during intimate sessions at A&M Studios in Hollywood, the tracks are stripped of heavy orchestration. Instead, the stark arrangements rely primarily on piano, acoustic guitar, and Appalachian dulcimer, creating a singular work that feels less like a performance and more like a confession.

BLUE is universally recognized by music critics as one of the greatest albums ever made. It remains a towering achievement in recorded music, having been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 and selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2000. Rolling Stone ranked it #3 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” — the highest entry ever achieved by a female artist. More than half a century after its release, the album’s radical vulnerability and harmonic brilliance continue to influence and inspire generations of artists.

ABOUT REEL-TO-REEL
Once the gold standard for serious listeners, reel-to-reel delivers studio-quality sound — bringing the master tape experience into your home.

Each Reel-to-Reel title is duplicated in real time from a 1:1 copy of the original flat analog master tape, faithfully reflecting the source. The result is a master-quality listening experience that captures the full dynamics of the recording without the surface noise or groove wear of vinyl. Produced to the IEC standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and housed on 10.5-inch metal reels, these releases are designed for exceptional longevity when stored in a cool, clean place away from magnetic fields. 

These 15 i.p.s. half-track 1/4" reel-to-reel tapes are produced to the IEC equalization standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and housed on 10.5" metal reels. These releases are designed for exceptional longevity when stored in a cool, clean place away from magnetic fields.

Originating in Germany in 1928, the reel-to-reel recording process produces pristine sound. It has been favored by audiophiles and musicians since its commercial debut in the late 1940s, with pioneers like Jack Mullin and Ampex introducing this format to singer Bing Crosby. The magnetic tape format gave musicians the ability to re-record, erase, and edit their recordings—features that had not been available before.

Reel-to-Reel builds on Rhino High Fidelity’s dedication to premium sound, pairing essential albums with the unrivaled warmth of reel-to-reel. Celebrating the enduring appeal of analog sound, the series offers collectors a format that preserves music exactly as it was meant to be heard.

1. “All I Want”
2. “My Old Man” 
3. “Little Green” 
4. “Carey”
5. “Blue”
6. “California”
7. “This Flight Tonight”
8. “River”
9. “A Case Of You”
10. “The Last Time I Saw Richard”