A recording of a tribute concert, held in Los Angeles last November, dedicated to the music of one of the greatest songwriters and performers of the past 50 years. Joni Mitchell can no longer perform, following a brain aneurysm, but was in the audience to watch a star studded line up perform a selection of her best know works. A dozen acts, from varying genres, performed. While some stuck pretty much to the original versions, there were some interesting interpretations which freshened thing sup. Notable contributions from laconic Glen Hansard (Coyote), the stunning Emmylou Harris (The Magdalen Laundries) and the compendium of energy that is Los Lobos (Nothing Can Be Done). And a touching tribute from a frail looking Kris Kristofferson (A Case Of You) who was accompanied sympathetically by Brandi Carlile.
For a full list of the acts look on IMDB.
One man sang something other than a Joni song. Graham Nash, her one time partner, played Our House, the song he wrote about their life together. Not a dry eye...
Interspersed between numbers were a few brief interviews with the performers and other admirers, but their generally gushing nature added nothing to the proceedings and felt like a missed opportunity. A bit more meat about the great woman would have been welcome.
But it was Mitchell's night, and few have as great a claim as she to be feted in this way. Unmissable for Joni fans.
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