When she moved to L.A. half a century ago, Canada-born Joni Mitchell found what she once called a ânew golden land.â As her ex-boyfriend Graham Nash recalls, âIt was sunshine all day, music in the air, beautiful people, great dopeâŚ. It was freedom.â
Laurel Canyonâs halcyon hippie days are in the past, but the music Mitchell made there remains timeless: her writing so personal, style so unique, and insight so keen that sheâs never at risk of being irrelevant or outdone. Which makes it all the more surreal that the inimitable singer-songwriter is turning 75.
On November 6 and 7, the Music Center marks that milestone with Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration, starring performers like Chaka Khan, Kris Kristofferson, and Norah Jones. Here four artists covering Mitchellâs work share how she inspires their own creativity.
Graham Nash
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bje3E5ph01-/âThe first time I met Joni she played me 15 of the most beautiful songs I ever heard. I had no idea somebody could write so profoundly about life. If I had to point to one thing she got right, Iâd say âreality.â Whether itâs a love song or something pissing her off, you get reality from her. You can see her soul. Joni raised a new bar that songwriters had to try and climb over or risk fading away.â
Seal
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfgU5RinOWw/?taken-by=sealâShe made me understand the importance of storytelling. Her writing is among the best thatâs ever been, but itâs also her ability to turn a phrase. The empathy in her voice. Her use of metaphor. She understands that the completion of the story happens in the listenerâs head. So she tells it in a way that invites us to get lost in the song. Thatâs why her music transcends time.â
Los Lobosâ Steve BerlinÂ
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnt-wxXhXzx/?taken-by=loslobosâThe song structures, the chords, the harmoniesâŚwith her itâs all so nonlinear and unpredictable. I find it thrilling. She never followed any rules, and now thatâs kind of a thing. Tune-Yards, Ana Tijoux, St. Vincentâsome really amazing artists are taking the Iâm-gonna-do- it-my-way-no-matter-what vibe she always had and running hard with it. Joniâs a pioneer.â
Rufus WainwrightÂ
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnb8GJKl1XN/?taken-by=rufuswainwrightâHer songs are obviously brilliant, but Joni as a human being is just as remarkable. She was a massive star when she broke, like a Marilyn Monroe of folkâso striking, with such an unusual personality. Everyone knows she was groundbreaking, but I adore how lightly sheâs worn that mantle. Itâs secondary to what she wants to do as an artist; sheâs just being herself. Itâs a lesson in sticking to your guns.â
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