British guitarist analyses Joni Mitchell's ENGAGING one woman show in 1969! 

In 1971 I went to a David Crosby, Graham Nash concert at the Queen Elizabeth Theater in Vancouver. The Q.E. theater is a huge concert hall and the two were dwarfed, sitting in one little corner of the stage with a bunch of guitars on stands behind them.. Well into the concert the crowd was delighted to have Joni make a surprise appearance and walk to center stage where a single microphone was set up. She said hi, told a little story of singing Woodstock in a cave, in Greece, and announced that the three of them were going to sing it now, Acapela. Crosby and Nash were still over on stage right, standing up to their microphones, when, Joni looked over and said something like, "It is a concert hall, why don't we step in front of the microphones and do it without an amp," Crosby and Nash gasped in disbelief as Mitchel stood there in front of a full house and filled the hall with the sweetest version of that song I have ever heard. Still gives me chills thinking about it.

"To play a wrong note is insignificant. . . . to play without passion is inexcusable." (Beethoven)

In the spring of 1976 I met Joni in a natural foods store in Boulder CO. She was mindblowingly beautiful -- and very friendly. She looked just like the cover of the Clouds album. Joni was just so friendly and natural and meanwhile I totally froze up and couldn't talk while she was trying to get me to engage in small talk. She walked up to me and stood very close and told me I looked like someone she knew. All I could say was: "I look like someone YOU know?" She smiled and said:: "Yes." I replied: "I'm sorry you are mistaken." Then she said: "Are you sure you don't know me?." I said: "Yes." She said: "Well, that is just too bad then." She gave up and walked away. I found out later she was visiting the guitarist Robben Ford who was attending the Naropa Institute of Boulder. Joni was driving across country getting inspiration for Hejira. Anyway, even though I blew it by not being friendly with her I still got to stand right next to her in her personal space -- looking right in her eyes.

A painter whos career got derailed by incredible musical talent.

Completely untouchable songwriting, and musical ability. Truly in her own league. Love her work.

To describe someone as"unique" is very much overplayed today, but not in the case of Joni Mitchell. She has to be one of the most creative, innovative and creative musicians of all time. As an artist, absolutely unique!

I'm 65 and have always considered Joni Mitchell one of the top composers in the world during the 20th century. Her depth and emotions in the lyrics mixed with the emphasis of guitar has always been amazing to me. Back when I was a young woman, I had a 2.5 octave range and loved to sing her music. Thank you for keeping her and others like her in the spotlight.

I’ve always loved Joni Mitchell’s songs, but especially her voice and vocal style. It always feels like I’m riding on an autumn leaf in a gentle breeze as it slowly falls. Simple yet profoundly beautiful...

You know what I think we all love about your ability of being a music critic? its you leave critical out and the music lover in! My wife and I agree it's the charisma of you and your smile that says it all. I enjoy listening to what you have to say, I'm sure not all of the music you hear is your favorite but, we all resonate to a different frequency and groove to a different beat and you do a awesome way of explaining that and that which these talented artists find that thing they do to move us. Just as you do! Rock on and keep up the awesome work...make that the love of music!

He is a lovely guy who understands what it is all about. You feel his true appreciation.

Re: alternate tunings, Joni said, “I tune the guitar until it sounds like I feel.”

Her giggle on the line 'Birds and the bees' is like a central moment of the joy we as listeners are allowed to witness in her music. It is a privileged to share in her spirit as an artiste. She sold this song like no one else can do and I am mesmerised:)

Automatic like, brother. Joni is the master tuner. Joni used more tunings than most guitarists could dream of. One of the best songwriters ever. Blue was an absolute masterpiece.

Joni made it look so easy. Smooth and laid back and beautiful. And listening to her in 2019, the music is just as relevant and engaging and current as it ever was. I love how well her compositions have aged.

To have written Both Sides, Now in her twenties....what a soul she has. Joni is in a class by herself.

Joni can move me like no other. Her voice is epic. Her lyrics, boy do we ever need to hear her tell people, stop destroying the environment. She transcends.

Brought me to tears. Even Led Zep sung about her- Going To California with an aching in my heart. Someone told me there's a girl out there With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair. They say she plays guitar and cries and sings. We love you Joni!

50 years later, her voice, feel still gives me chills !!

Out of our era (60s) came the best , and Jonie is probably the best of all of them . Her ability to write lyrics is incredible .

In Joni's performance of this song in 2000, her voice changed to that of a mature woman, the lyric of this song takes on such a profoundly different meaning. To think she wrote it when she was so young is really incredible.

I haven't heard Both Sides Now for some time and it just made me cry.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!... ONE OF MY FAV 60's/70's ARTIST EVER!!!!...I used to listen to Court n Spark so much when I was a teenage that I had it memorized. Joni's voice was like an angel...sadly she has been unable sing or speak since trying to recover from a brain aneurysm in 2015. This past Fall they had a tribute for her 75th birthday which she attended. Thanks Fil!!..you made my night!!...✌❤🤘

Not only have I always loved her songs, but you gotta recall what it was like playing with all the guys in 1969. She was never intimidated or cowed by her peers like Stephen Stills or Robbie Robertson. She was their equal in every way. Total confidence and ability to make her own artistic statement strongly without allowing for any disrespect. They weren't nice guys, really. Awesome. Tough lady

one can rarely say that there will never be another like her. Much like Ella, Billy, Arethra and a couple of others, Joni is without a doubt in that small class of great great vocalists. Fantastic and a legend!!!

She had a way of piercing the heart. "A Case of You" was really moving.

One in a billion ! Astute, personal, revealing, teaching - an ultimately creative soul !

Again my era for this old lady. Thank you for her talent showcase! Words still ring true in 2022! You probably know she tuned her guitar in various unconventional ways!!

Fil I just want to take the time to thank you for these videos! It makes me so happy as a musician that you highlight what makes the artists you showcase so exceptional. From their voices to their abilities with the instruments they play, and the history of their careers. You are keeping their music alive and hopefully introducing them to young and old generations for the first time. And for me it reminds me of why I wanted to play the guitar and piano in the first place. Everyone from Jerry Reed, Glen Campbell, Karen Carpenter, The Beatles, Heart...so many great artists and video clips. Thank you again for what I'm sure is a labor of love!

My god, her lyrics are incredible. Pure Poet

Joni Mitchell is probably one of the greatest songwriters ever. She wrote Woodstock and didn't get to go to Woodstock. But sent Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and they performed her song Woodstock. She had to do a previous commitment in LA. During which time she was hanging out with David Geffen. She was always letting other people have hits with her songs. Understated and underrated. Not to mention a Hot.

I grew up in the 60’s and am thankful to have had all the great music from that period. Joni is one of the greatest. She contracted polio in 1952 (the same year I did) and it affected the strength in her left arm and hand. Not having the strength and hand control to make complicated chords lead her use open/alternate tunings. Which do not require complicated fret hand control. She is a master of open/alternate tuning! And singing and song writing!

Her albums “Blue” and “For The Roses” changed my life as a guitarist. I came out of myself and saw so many new possibilities. Thank you, Joni. And thank you Fil.

I was in college when Joni arrived on the scene. I was an instant fan and still am. Her lyrical and melodic style as well as her guitar playing was so original and great I couldn't believe it. You might be surprised to know she considers herself a painter who also plays music. She is my favorite creative mind of the 20th century.

"you don't know what you've got until it's gone" could easily apply to the clubs of the 60's in Yorkville. But the people a little older than me that regularly dropped in to the Riverboat to see Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and others, tell me they now feel so lucky they had that period in their lives.

"hey farmer, farmer put that DDT away now, and give me spots on my apples" Prophetic.

So glad you chose Joni as a subject for one of your videos. I know Bob Dylan gets all the songwriting accolades, but to my mind Joni is heads & shoulders above even Dylan. All on her own out there, the greatest singer-songwriter in pop/rock. Album after album of gems, polished on my old turntable until they shone like moons in the dark. She's the greatest.

What a talent, sadly I never appreciated her in my younger years because I was all about heavy rock, my taste as I've aged has become much more eclectic, I appreciate fil how you have the obvious appreciation and respect, as a young guy that I wish I'd always had.

Your analysis always gives me a greater appreciation for the music. And that's what makes your videos special. Well done. Rock!

Joni, another brilliant songwriter. God, it was so great to live in this era of music. Can't deal with today's music. Thanks Fil

There's a lack of words to comment on Joni's songwriting. What she puts together makes real a depth of meaning that is consistent and unique. That's the best I can do.

Joni Mitchell. Insanely talented.

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on such an underrated superstar... she just never wanted any part of the pop worship crowd, and was as humble as one could be. Her first album had more (really) great songs than many artists write in a lifetime...

My daughter started to listen to her in the late 90’s while in the military! I was so proud of her ...when I found Joni Mitchell cds in her car :) haha

I'm so glad to have lived in this time of music, nothing compares today. Thank you so much for the post

Your face during Both Sides speaks more than words. Mesmerized. Me, too. Page/Plant were smitten with her, as well.

Love me some Joni.❤ Hejira is my favorite album! "Coyote", "Song for Sharon" There's nothing else like it.

Joni could do it all. She composed her own music, she could sing, she played guitar and piano, she was an artist and did the art work for some of her album covers, and she had some pretty amazing men in her life. I love her first four albums. If I had to pick a favorite song, it would be “Rainy Night House”. And “Both Sides Now” is a masterpiece. I’ve always loved the lines: “Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say I love you right out loud”. Words to live and love by. Thanks for doing this analysis, Fil.

The second song she wrote Both Sides Now when only around 17 years old although recorded years later and the two most Important words at the end of the chorus were "AT All"Gives the song closure, remember this was recorded live in 1969 no autotune effects nothing except just pure vocals and guitar. Awesome

She sings like a mother would while putting her children to sleep, beautiful and peaceful!

I am so happy about this one! Joni just hits a sweet spot in me. Love her!

I saw her in concert in Salt Lake City in 1972. She performed at a local high school. She had just released “Help me” and we all went crazy when she played it. Will never forget her performance. Another genius.

The one and only Joni Mitchell. Greatest singer/ songwriter of her generation. Kept evolving, fell in love with Jazz. Conquered polio at age 9. A sheer force of will. She insisted on being home for Christmas, and got out of an iron lung and started walking.

You said it right, “Honest and authentic” performance and that coincides with Joni’s singing and songwriting excellence. So pure. Thanks for this golden moment.

My goodness Fil. Jackson Brown the other day now Joni Mitchell. Fil are you trying to wring our emotional musical virtual tear ducts? I enjoy your breakdown of the music/playing. Joni is magical, as you know, thanks for featuring.

Both sides now: one of the few songs that can move me tears. All the years that have gone by, losing my singing ability, losing my son, but don't give yourself away. Now that I'm in my 50s, this song is so bittersweet. I grew up with it.

I doubt if she ever plays a song the same way twice. She exudes musicality. So unique. Also, the courage to stand in front of an audience with just your voice and a guitar. Unless you’ve done it, you really have no idea how hard it is to do.

I was born in 1962 and my brother is 5 years older, we used to listen to AM radio with these two songs by Joni, and Penny Lane by the Beatles sticking in my head from earliest memory so whenever I would think of Hippies and Summer of Love after I got older these songs always came to mind. Iconic. Thanks Fil for another memory lane journey.

Thanks Fil for your analysis and turning me on to the subtleties of Joanie Mitchell’s performances. She is one of my all time favorites.

In 1969 American baby-boomer, hippy, pop culture at the time, a woman's "old man" referred to her live-in boy friend, i.e., her lover...the Yellow Taxi reference describes her boyfriend leaving her (i.e, has nothing to do with a Police car)......trust me - I'm an American (now aging) baby boomer from that generation...!

Joni is a talent that you would count on one hand. She innovated and broke new ground where none had ventured before her.

Another great video Fil your mention of the break between chest voice and head voice being a stylistic choice in Big Yellow Taxi is proven in Both Sides Now where she changes as smooth as silk. Awesome analysis of one of the most consummate singer/songwriters of all time.

I think it was ex-boyfriend Graham Nash who said that because Joni had polio as a youngster, which weakened her hand grip, she evolved these open tunings for guitar.

She never knows how deeply n greatly her songs, words n’ sincerity have moved a guy thousands miles away in Hong Kong since his childhood

Inventing her own chords, innovation, creativity and mixture of styles of music. She was so ahead of her peers at this stage of her career.

Yeay Fil- Joni is a so great it's beyond human. She is a Goddess

Joni Mitchell's music will still be making people smile 100 , 200, 500 years from now. She was one of the preeminent performers of the 60's-70's-80's. She also had a habit of not keeping time. Lot of sidemen had trouble following her. Enough so that when Jaco Pastorius was playing on her album, she remarked how well he kept up with her fluid sense of meter, and asked how he did it. He said he watched her foot tapping and used that as his cue.

Her performance is spellbinding. Brings a tear to the eye. I like the way you give performers your full attention in your videos.

So great! LOVE Joni Mitchell. 😎

Joni Mitchell is a fellow Canadian and fellow Albertan! Apparently John Haeny produced Joni Mitchell's first album after David Crosby brought him the first flawed recordings of her songs. Where would the world be now without her songs like "Woodstock" ? My favorite composition by her is "Both Sides Now". I have been in touch with David Crosby on Twitter and he agrees with me that Joni Mitchell was one of the most gifted songwriters ever. Thank you Mr.Crosby for promoting Joni Mitchell from the very beginning and thank you Wings of Pegasus for posting this video.

I found this video about 4-5 years ago and immediately knew it was a legendary performance. A real deal talented musician in the truest sense of the word. An artist, a genius and a professional. If I’m not mistaken she states that she was sick with a respiratory illness during this concert on top of it all.

A Canadian we are so proud of .glad you experienced her. A true gem 3cheers from Canada

The best analysis vid you've done, Fil. Good stuff, interesting,

Thank you so much!! She was a major influence on me personally and as a musician. Genius. These were commercial hits. There is so much I don't know what to begin to tell you to do. Can't decide. This is very early stuff. Thank you .

just hearing her voice makes me cry. and i'm cold as a zaor blade, tight as a tourniquet, dry as a funeral drum...

Joni , one of a kind The mold is broken.

her work with jaco was some of her best in my opinion... the whole "shadows and light" concert can be found here on yt and i'd HIGHLY recommend giving that a view! pat metheny, lyle mayes, jaco, michael brecker and don alias......what a stellar lineup!!

I learned alternate tunings from Joni's first albums. This was just the beginning for her. Her evolvement continued on a steep upward curve to those fantastic early 70's albums like Court & Spark. Now, that's songwriting.

Joni really plays guitar and sings very well on these two songs here and they are two of my favorites. Between her vocals and playing, she sounds so beautiful. Fil says it best.Jim

I just watched a 2003 documentary of her and she had 25 songs already written before recording her first album. Incredible.

She's my all-time favorite singer-songwriter! I'm still listening to her music after all these decades. Her artistic journey has always intrigued me and there are always new things to discover in her music and lyrics.

Love Joni. Saw a video today about Neil/ Sugar Mountain and Joni/ Circle Game. It said she found Neil’s song depressing, because it made life seem so short. So she wrote her song to treat time passing in a gentler way. Also saw an interview in her home. Her paintings were on the walls and were quite beautiful.

Great performance choice by Joni Mitchell. She also great on the piano. what a great roster of songs She has written. great analysis and break down on Joni. best of luck to You on your livestream Tues/Wednesday.

I've only watched a few of your videos but I really like what you're doing with them.You're bridging generations, and the older I get the more I realize that great music, and more generally great ideas, are found in all generations and genres.

I was there back in the day and this is so great having her come back again! Thank you for a really great reaction. I loved how perceptive you are about so many aspects of Joni's performance! ✌️

Thanks, Fil! As if I didn't appreciate her enough, your insight into her musicianship makes me appreciate Joni even more!

I love Joni Mitchel from her earlier stuff thru her jazz stuff with Pastorius. What a voice

4 years ago, going back into my long lost past. Just a young girl, so much ahead, so many memories, takes me back into long lost memories. Thank you for all those memories. Thank you.

Joni is in my top 10 favourite artists. Thanks for your excellent reaction.

“Joni Mitchell never lies lies” Deep stuff man.Proud to say I have a original pressing of her “ Ladies Of The Canyon” Lp on wax.Awesome breakdown as always Fil.Bless up/Peace

I didn't notice the mistake on the guitar.. I thought she was laughing at the double entendre " leave me the birds and the bees "

I love Joni and I also love how you smile when you are listening

Joni Mitchell is most like Van Morrison, completely unconventional and unique genius. Playing 6 dimensional chess while everyone struggles with checkers. 10,000 years from now the AI beings that rule the world will listen to her music in awe.

I have a friend who attended an art school with her. He said she lamented daily the fact that she didn't know at the time if she wanted to become an artist or a singer. A quick check of some of her album covers reveals she is easily BOTH!

Geez. All choked up watching these. So beautiful.

It is so wonderful and such a gift/treat to have such great artists analyzed and "dissected"; giving the general and (musically) uneducated public the chance to appreciate and better understand the talent behind the talent. Thank you!!

While in Maui about 5 years ago, we met a couple from Canada who went to high school with Joni. She said Joni carried her guitar everywhere she went and stated she was going to California to be a singer, songwriter. And man, she sure followed her dream.. She said that Joni was very unique and literally played her guitar all the time! Thank you Fil for showcasing her Big Yellow Taxi! She just glows in this performance!

Thanks Fil. I fell in love with Joni Mitchell in the late 60s- early 70s. Not in a romantic way...but for what she had to say. And how she so bravely said it. I'm sure you're aware of how she handled a hostile crowd at Leeds (I believe it was Leeds) and calmed them and tamed them. She went from boos to wild applause. I understand. Her song to Neil Young, a hometown friend who was having difficulties with growing old when he was just a young kid artist. He wrote "Sugar Mountain" in a mood. And his friend Joni wrote "Circle Game" for him. She's a treasure all right. She's also a hell of a jazz singer as well! Her voice is quite different with that music.

Great video. Her performance of Both Sides Now from a few years back, with the orchestra, the wisdom and maturity gained coming through her older voice is absolutely stunning.

you can tell that he really appreciates both the guitar playing and vocals and enlightens the listener with his well thought out comments

I sang "Both Sides Now" in Church solo about 1970. My Grandmother would ask me to sing it to her once in a while from then until she passed in 1996. This song always reminds me of her. Love and Miss you Mamadoll!