First recorded by Dave Van Ronk & The Hudson Dusters (1967).
Also recorded by Fairport Convention (1968), Jennifer Warnes (1968), Gloria Loring (1968), Joni Mitchell (1969).
Hit versions by Judy Collins (US #78/MOR #25 1969), Green Lyte Sunday (MOR #19 1970), Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 (MOR #21 1970).
From the wiki: “Written by Joni Mitchell, the song was inspired by Mitchell’s room in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City. Although written by Mitchell in 1967, she held off recording the song herself until preparing her second album, Clouds (1969), partly because ‘Chelsea Morning’ had already been recorded by several other artists, first by Dave Van Ronk & the Hudson Dusters in 1967.
“Judy Collins recorded ‘Chelsea Morning’ during the 1968 sessions for her album Who Knows Where the Time Goes. ‘Chelsea Morning’ did not make the track listing for the album but Collins’ version was given a July 1969 single release, peaking at #25 on Billboard’s Easy Listening chart and #78 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Earlier arrangements of ‘Chelsea Morning’ were recorded by British folk-rock group Fairport Convention on their eponymous debut album in June 1968, and by Jennifer Warnes (‘Right Time of the Night‘,’(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life‘) – recording as ‘Jennifer’ – on her 1968 debut album I Can See Everything, and by future TV soap star and chart-topping Carl Anderson duet-partner Gloria Loring.
“Other charting versions of ‘Chelsea Morning’ include 1970 releases by Green Lyte Sunday, and by Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66.”
Fairport Convention, “Chelsea Morning” (1968):
Jennifer (Warnes), “Chelsea Morning” TV performance (1968):
Gloria Loring, “Chelsea Morning” (1968):
Judy Collins, “Chelsea Morning” (recorded 1968/released 1969):
Joni Mitchell, “Chelsea Morning” (1969):
Green Lyte Sunday, “Chelsea Morning” (1970):
Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66, “Chelsea Morning” (1970):