Couldn't read the article, but Joni had a huge impact on songwriting and Blue may be her masterpiece.  She was and is a complicated person, but I guess most great artists are.  I love the album.
See also IMO Ann Powers NPR article: Her Kind of Blue for a parallel look … with another Blue….
My copy of the reissue of Blue sounds excellent!  It is a wonderful album of music, the SQ is superb and the vinyl is very quiet.  Couldn't ask for much more than that.