The Daily
Joni Mitchell Never Lies
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Joni Mitchell's comeback performances highlight her resilience and artistic command, showcasing her ability to reclaim her space in the music industry after significant health challenges.
- The connection between Joni Mitchell and her audience reflects a deep generational understanding and appreciation for her profound influence on music.
- Mitchell's choice to focus on later work during performances emphasizes her refusal to be pigeonholed by past hits, favoring artistic freedom and evolution.
- The collaborative dynamic among Mitchell and her accompanying artists is marked by unique listening and attunement, creating an intimate concert experience for audiences.
- Joni's laughter signifies a deeper joy and resilience, serving as a celebration of life's complexities and her journey through art.
Summary
The Comeback of Joni Mitchell
The episode opens with a nostalgic tone as host Michael introduces the remarkable comeback of Joni Mitchell, who emerged on stage at the Newport Folk Festival after a long hiatus due to health issues. This event marked her first performance in years, following her struggles with a brain aneurysm that greatly affected her ability to sing. Critic Wesley Morris shares his initial skepticism about her participation in these events, questioning if it was genuinely what she wanted or if it was a product of younger musicians' adoration for her.
Experiencing Joni on Stage
Wesley recounts attending a performance by Mitchell at the Hollywood Bowl with his friend Sasha Weiss. They dive into a discussion about the profound experience of witnessing an 80-year-old Joni Mitchell in command of her artistry. Weiss shares her deep personal connection to Mitchell's music, elaborating on how Joni's songs have influenced her throughout her life, steering conversations into the themes of intimacy and generational connections that Joni's music evokes.
The Power of Musical Presence
The conversation transitions to the essence of Mitchell's musical presence during her performances. Despite being seated throughout her concerts, the energy that Joni exudes captivates the audience, creating a majesty around her persona. They discuss the unique camaraderie between Joni and her accompanying artists, how they collectively listen and attune to her voice and presence, allowing her to take command of the show.
Repertoire and Artistic Freedom
Wesley and Sasha analyze the choice of songs performed, noting that Joni did not merely revisit her classics. Instead, she chose songs from her later albums, signaling her refusal to be defined solely by her past hits. This artistic decision underlines her command over her creative identity and allows the audience to experience her evolution, rather than simply feeding nostalgia.
Laughter and Resilience
Their discussion concludes with the examination of Mitchell's laughter and its implications. They delve into how her laughter reflects a deep joy and resilience, often serving as an embodiment of her artistic essence. The laughter shared during her performances denotes not only personal triumph but also connects listeners to a deeper historical context, as Wesley draws parallels between Joni's laugh and ancient narratives.
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Show notes
In 2022, seven years after surviving a brain aneurysm that left her unable to sing or even speak, Joni Mitchell appeared onstage at the Newport Folk Festival. Singing alongside her were her supportive — and emotional — musician friends, including Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford and Wynonna Judd.
Our critic Wesley Morris had his doubts. What was really happening here? Did Joni Mitchell even want this? Or were her younger adoring musician fans propping her up for their own reasons? When he learned this fall that Joni would be appearing onstage again, at the Hollywood Bowl, he bought a ticket to see for himself.
On today’s episode, Wesley talks with his editor Sasha Weiss about the concert, and what it’s like to experience an 80-year-old in full command of her meaning.
Guest:
- Wesley Morris, a critic at large for The New York Times.
- Sasha Weiss, the deputy editor of the The New York Times Magazine.
Background reading:
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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