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.
+1 Ann Power’s article as mentioned by @tomic601.
Ann Power is about as eloquent and insightful an observer of popular music as exists today. Her article comparing the minimalism of both Blue and Kind of Blue, among other insights, is a great read. 
Highly recommended!