PBS broadcast a tribute to Elton John and Bernie Taupin last night. The night's highlight was a performance of "I'm Still Standing" by Joni Mitchell, with backing vocals from Annie Lennox and Brandi Carlile. Introducing Mitchell's cover, Carlile says: "She was given the green light by Elton and Bernie to change some of the lyrics to fit her, which is honestly the most Joni Mitchell thing I think I’ve ever heard of." Variety has a clip from the performance here, along with a review of the show.
I’ve got to spend some time with the new #MFSL#JoniMitchell#Blue and I have to say it sounds incredible.
Guitar is smoother and less harsh. Drums sound amazing with great bass texture. It’s the best digital version I’ve ever heard. It also sounds particularly good in my car system. Drums are definitely more car friendly. There’s more body to the bass drum in a way that isn’t boosted or artificial.
The album is so good I’m inclined to buy every other Joni Mitchell #SACD MFSL is putting out.
Last week's Grammys were a hit with viewers — mostly for some brilliant performances by artists like Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox and Miley Cyrus. The Recording Academy presents all the musical highlights here.
My junior high school years were a major inflection point for music. Sweet Baby James. Carole King's Tapestry, which touched our hearts so deeply. All of us remember how we felt when we first heard them. But then came Joni Mitchell's Blue. I remember being stunned by the twists and turns of the melody, the darkness of the piano, unlike anything I'd heard before. More than 50 years later, it still hits me every time I hear it. #JoniMitchell#music#1970s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu7aOan-lds
Today's #1001albums album went by like this. It was lovely to listen to, but... hm... it was more or less in the background.
How am I ever gonna rate it?
I never listened to #JoniMitchell before although of course I knew her. That's what I like about the 1001 albums, it "forces" me to listen to known artists I never listened to.
I had a man in summertime
He had summer-colored skin
And not another girl in town
My darling's heart could win
But when the leaves fell on the ground
And bully winds came around
and pushed them face down in the snow...
He got the urge for going
And I had to let him go.
He got the urge for going
When the meadow grass was turning brown
And summertime was falling down
and winter was closing in.
50 years ago today, #JoniMitchell released "Court and Spark." True story: I gave a copy of the album to my rather uptight high school French teacher. Six months later, she cut her hair, left her husband, and got an apartment on Patchin Place in the West Village. She thanked me. https://youtu.be/iBsO_dh3IK4?si=ufOoBAR8xa-TIocC
Good Morning #Canada
OTD in 1974 Asylum Records releases "Court and Spark", Joni Mitchell's 6th studio album. It becomes her biggest seller.
Born in Fort MacLeod Alberta, one of Canada’s greatest talents has a list of achievements that is too extensive to list here, but includes 10 Grammy awards, hall of fame inductee in U.S. and Canada, and a postage stamp.
Here's a unique biography on Joni that I think you'll enjoy.
50 years ago, Asylum Records releases "Court and Spark", Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell's 6th studio album; features the songs "Help Me" and "Free Man In Paris", it becomes her biggest seller #JoniMitchell