Live Album of the Week - Joni Mitchell at Newport
The rise, resurgence and resiliency of one of the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century.
The music of Joni Mitchell has not only endured the test of time, but Joni has endured herself. This is a different Live Album of the Week, usually I focus on an album or live album of prominence in my life at the time of writing, however, as I have finally taken a deeper dive in the realm of Joni Mitchell and all roads led me to Joni Mitchell at Newport, and the story surrounding it - will leave you speechless, as it did for myself. Lets talk about it.
Firstly, Joni Mitchell has been on my radar for a long time. Inheriting Joni’s album: Blue in a stack of vinyl from my mom, it was not a first listen to me, or a draw. I didn’t understand her songs. The discography was not played on repeat in my formative years, unlike John Denver, the Eagles and the Gap Band. We never discussed Joni Mitchell or Blue. So it was up to me to discover Joni. All I knew of Joni was that Blue was a certified banger, and that her songs were biting with a lyrical edge compared to Bob Dylan and Neil Young. Both of whom consider Joni to be a great friend. I mean, I heard Neil Young say he wrote some of my favorite songs of his, during his stay at Joni Mitchell’s Detroit apartment… that I came to find out, passed her former apartment frequently on walks in the City of Detroit, after spending a considerable amount of time in the city, over two years. How cool?
Fast forward 20 years, engrossed in the discography of both Neil Young and Bob Dylan, I wanted more. The same song structure, instrumentation and feel. Bob and Neil’s songs tell complex tales with not so complex music, one song can send someone into the deepest of existential crisis, and on the flip side one song can catapult you to the heavens of Valhalla in joy. I wanted a new artist for that muse.
I knew in the back of my mind that Joni Mitchell had what I wanted to hear. So I queued up Blue one day and listened front to back. Blown away. What a musical experience. But we are not here today to talk about Blue, we are here to discuss Joni Mitchell at Newport. To know the importance of Joni Mitchell at Newport, you have to know the story surrounding it.
Joni Mitchell played the Newport Folk Festival once, in her storied career, in 1969. It was a landmark set. Fitting for Joni. But it is what happened since then is where the story lies.
In March 2015, Mitchell suffered a brain aneurysm rupture, which required her to undergo physical therapy and take part in daily rehabilitation. Mitchell made her first public appearance following the aneurysm when she attended a Chick Corea (RIP) concert in Los Angeles in August 2016. She made a few other appearances - which became increasingly rare for Joni, and in November 2018 David Crosby (RIP) said that she was learning to walk again. Heartbreaking.
Lets jump ahead on the time line, to July 24, 2022, Joni Mitchell appeared unannounced as a special guest in the closing performance of the final day of the Newport Folk Festival, where she had first played in 1969, as part of a set billed as "Brandi Carlile and Friends". Supported by a group of well-wisher musicians, she participated in a 13-song set of her own material and covers, including one that she played as a solo on electric guitar. The recording of her surprise guest performance is this weeks Live Album of the Week.
Watching video recording of Joni return to the state brought tears to my eye, over and over again. Hearing the now matured voice of this legend is nothing short of a miracle, lets talk about a few of the standout tracks.
Big Yellow Taxi - One of Joni Mitchell’s biggest hits is performed perfect in his performance. Joni’s voice shines in ways we haven’t seen in years.
Both Sides Now - Originally written as a response to what Neil Young was up to at the time, is just as rich, inviting and haunting as the studio version. Both Sides Now has aged like the finest of wines.
Just Like This Train - a solo electric guitar cover, with Joni Mitchell on guitar. Outstanding. To overcome what Joni did, to perform a solo guitar number is truly a test of radiancy and poise. Joni nailed it.
Carey - My personal favorite Joni Mitchell song, really shines on this live record. Joni’s vocal paired will with Brandi Carlile on Carey, is brilliance.
This is a live record you need to hear for yourself, and for Joni.