Joni Mitchell Hejira Jun 15, 1986

[@anoukclairdelune3908]

This woman gave me my voice...I was born in 1960 and watched my brothers, all older than me in '69 take off for the Woodstock festival only a couple of hours from our home in Brooklyn, NY. I was 9 then and very shy. One of my bothers, who was a musician, heard me in my room singing along with my Joni Mitchell album .. (I'd eventually collected all of her LP's....and taught myself the guitar chords to each of her songs so I could sing to myself when I was blue).and he told me..."You sound just like her..". In later years, when I became a mother, I sang to my first baby, a preemie born at my 24th wk of pregnancy, while she was in the n.i.c.u for 4 months to comfort her in her struggle to live. After she'd passed away, 7 1/2 months later, Joni Mitchell's voice comforted me as I would sit alone in my grief. When my other children were bourn to me, again I was blessed and would softly sing Joni's tunes as I'd cradled each one in the carrier every day, over my heart, on our journey to the market, nursing them or just doing my chores around the apartment, lulling them to a peaceful sleep. I, myself was adopted as a child, so parenting is nothing I take lightly. I never knew my birth mother, but I thank heaven I was finally taken in to a permanent family. To this day, when I feel grief and the blues coming on, I sing to myself while going about my day. My heart broke when I had heard Joni was rushed to the hospital. I cried and prayed...There is no one, absolutely no one who compares to this lovely Angel on Earth. She is radiant!

[@JimMarshall57]

Absolute..

[@mahavishnustravinskij]

I hope you're well.

[@RHoffmnn]

I have not lived yours but your story adds to the poignancy of this moment. Joni's songs almost always bring tears to my eyes; and like you, I began grieving in anticipation of losing this brightest of lights from our presence. Be well, sister.

[@Dl515]

That was a beautiful story. Join's music has also comforted me in sadness and joy. Blessings to you.

[@koolaidman52]

This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@nickweiserfolz]

The best of all singer/songwriters ever. She is the Shakespeare of our times.

[@eshmawi]

Agreed!👍

[@andremansa1]

Say it for the people in the back

[@coletteheard8311]

How about Natalie Merchant & the incredible Ani di Franco

[@coletteheard8311]

Shakespeare who? or is that whom... and gods help us if we're making these puerile comparisons....

[@higgsmerino3925]

Hyperbole much! Scccheeeeeesch. Many compelling artists out there still working. Relax, see some more.

[@carolwelch8162]

The best lyrics, arrangements, words and phrasing I would never think to use. I've listened to her for almost 50 years. She touches my soul!

[@AndreasHelberg]

❤

[@AzimuthTao]

Anyone who could write one song like this would rightfully be considered a genius. Joni Mitchell wrote tons of songs like this. Add the guitar mastery and her voice and you have a brilliance beyond this world.

[@bernlin2000]

Albums full of music like this...I've never seen a singer-songwriter with such power and expression before, in all aspects of her music, but especially her voice.

[@michaelp6776]

@@bernlin2000 One of the 3 greatest songwriters of all time (and Dylan isn't one of them, try Richard Thompson and Bruce Cockburn, over time far and away superior)

[@debrabrabenec]

@@michaelp6776 Richard Thompson for sure. Haven't heard enough Cockburn to have an opinion. I'd say Sarah Jarosz is the current generation's candidate, and maybe Ben Gibbard

[@douglashott9843]

She ought to be the second musician given a Nobel for literature.

[@D2uned]

This makes a grown man cry just from the beauty and perfection of it.

[@virginiaviola5097]

My husband and I met as students in 1982. Hejira was the album of our courtship, and Amelia was my favourite song, this one, my husband’s Amelia and Amy Johnson were my heroines. Although we are no longer married, after 38 years we are still together in a manner of speaking, parents and grandparents, we raised a family together, all the things we dreamed, our hopes and plans, the first time we made love, it was this album. We were soooo young. And so in love. So, thank you Joni. This is the record that built a family xxx

[@martinryan2073]

She said once that she valued intuition over intellect. Ironically, of all her peers, her intellect shines brightest. This is most apparent here, for me her best song.

[@RayasNegroOvejas]

I believe she wrote this from a way of intuition

[@freddiesalone]

That's what happens when one's intellect integrates into intuition......

[@stevemartin4249]

Much in the same way that Einstein valued imagination over knowledge.

[@DS-yp2cl]

But she always followed her intuition.

[@bernlin2000]

It's not how many books you read, but how you can effectively reflect your own experiences to others. It requires a grand mind, indeed, for your life itself to be artwork.

[@ebaylistentomusic]

She is singing her heart out on this one. She is one of the giants of our lifetime.

[@micknolan489]

The vocal by Joni on this is heart stopping, it's pure beauty. The playing also makes the old ticker miss a few beats, amazing and so special.

[@lindahuff8976]

The greatest songwriter ever.

[@hbgap3596]

I will always be grateful for her accompaniment of my life between the forceps and the stone. Since age 15, now 63, getting closer to the stone...

[@cherylczekala4558]

There has never been anyone to match Joni.

[@thinwolf4516]

Joni Mitchell, tired, starts off weak, gives herself to the audience, gives herself to the music, gives 110%, gives more than she has, finishes, puts down her guitar, walks off by herself, without a bow, without a word. A singularly great performance.

[@robgrant7683]

Well you got it partly right. It certainly is a great performance but I totally disagree that she started off weak and tired. It was wonderful from the first note. Particularly impressive since she was pissed off at the audience which is why she walked off at the end without acknowledging them.

[@jackarmstrong7403]

The audience, even tho they clap and cheer at the end, were noisy and not truly listening - their loss!

[@51tomtomtom]

she has more balls than a stadium full of hooligans, she has more voice than the entire chorus of nowadays singer, she writes music like marble columns , you'll find hundred years later in the middle of the gravel the music-industry left . Here ist the difference of music which has something to say (music+words) and the bum-bum-bum on the radio-stations.....

[@pierremaes5453]

SO much ... with YOU and ... Her !?

[@Bobby007D]

She gotta lot of cigarette butts in her ash tray.

[@marieannecelticwoman3466]

"Thought I heard the voice of Miles Davis coming through the trees." It does not get better than this, ever.

[@consulentecomunicazionestr3072]

exactly, my friend. I totally agree

[@MadHatter847]

She has more guts than the DNC and Trumpagoon Party period

[@MrsCheshiregal]

Joni Mitchell is still the very best singer and songwriter. Superb.

[@inglepropnoosegarm7801]

It does not get any better than Joni Mitchell.

[@curvycom]

I'm sitting here listening to Joni's music all alone. Just sobbing. She as always left me speechless and teary eyed.

[@luckystars2000]

This is a stunning performance. In 1986, I was 20 years old, and I doubt I would have appreciated this if I’d been there. I probably would have been pissed that Townshend didn’t play. At 53 now, I get it. Joni is brilliant.

[@larryscott3982]

She makes me good-cry.

[@spudcustardx1]

We all get old and run out of time, we don't all get the chance to leave what Joni has left us, she has been blowing me away for decades

[@cliveclerkenville2637]

Yah mon

[@howardwhitehead2167]

I believe we’re hear this angel singing in heaven.❤😊

[@OoLaLana]

When I finally met Joni in '96, it was her Hejira cd cover that I asked her to sign. Oh, my sweet Joni who traveled with me throughout my 20s and now forty decades onward. Her music and lyrics ooze out into the atmosphere and seep into my veins. I love music, but no other musician can create that feeling. Of awe, of intimacy, of universality. (My son currently lives in an old Victorian house that she rented in her early days... and that single thought, and to stand in that space... thrills me to no ends.)

[@davecrawford100]

Not only is the performance incredible but duet between these two lovers is amazing. They worked really well together.

[@noregretcoyote1808]

The gods have Vermeer, Schubert and Shakespeare so they gave us Joni.

[@jameslawson6245]

College, 1978 and introduced to Joni......Life hasn't been the same since! What an excellent Story teller! Joni Speaks My Language!

[@frankwail1375]

I'm a man, a fan since my 20s...and I share your depth of feeling for her words and music..I'm constantly playing and replaying her poignant songs in my head, reading and seeking their meaning. Yeah, I'm a sensitive guy. Gifted, I feel, in that way

[@spudcustardx1]

She scares me shitless, she sets a standard that leaves me totally inadequate, of course I love it, nobody quite gets to me like Joni. I know she is an artist, don't look just listen

[@virginiaviola5097]

She’s a genius. Her tunings, everything. Like Beethoven before her, she is just one of the special people. We never got to see Beethoven at work, but we’ve got Joni. Don’t be scared, be inspired!

[@moz1953]

a masterpiece by a genius

[@beckjuly100]

moz frank I agree.

[@JimMarshall57]

Rebecca Horton She's currently in fair condition at either Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center,[phone] or Cedars-Sinai Medical Center [phone]. Both neither confirmed nor denied her being there for the obvious reason, but i asked the Spiritual Care department {the ph#'s) to please give her a note if she is there, expressing my regards and wishes to her.

[@sepertela]

moz frank yes yes yes

[@ninapeyser9675]

Jim Marshall it will be devastating to all if dies. When I listen to her songs, I still get chills and enjoy.

[@sime52]

+Nina Peyser I hear that she is home, walking, talking and eating by herself...

[@Spiderwebs101]

i have no idea how she could do a whole show when she gives her entire soul in this one song alone, Joni is literally incomparable

[@Spiderwebs101]

+Ze Ze Ze do you not agree?

[@Spiderwebs101]

+Ze Ze Ze I don't know what you disagree with that I said? I simply said about how much she gives in this performance, nothing about its power for non-anglophones or anything?

[@Spiderwebs101]

+Ze Ze Ze generally I guess because she is such a multi talented figure, but I mean as a poet, as a songwriter. shes just a consummate artist, no one can truly be compared to her because she's so singularly talented and unique I think

[@walking241]

I disagree music is most certainly attached to all those things thats what gives different types of music its character and subtance and set it apart from other types of music. I understand what your trying to say though that everyone can enjoy music but your premise is wrong music is not created in a vaccum its created by artists who are people who have a culture race society class etc. And all that informs the music.

[@emdiar6588]

Yeah. She is definitely way more incomparable than her peers. (yup, that's an attempt at irony... sorry)

[@gkankava]

She is out of this world.😍

[@anotheryou218]

If anyone asked me to exemplify the music and genius of Joni Mitchell in one song, I guess this would be it. This absolutely kills me. She did it as an encore in a later concert I attended which included nothing from this era of her career. It was so unexpected that out of her enormous repertoire, she would pick my favorite. It was an emotional moment, saying the least. Thank you, Joni!

[@jamesbadham228]

My favorite, too, from my favorite album. This and Amelia.

[@anotheryou218]

@@jamesbadham228 Oh yes! And , for me, Song for Sharon! nevertheless, she chose that particular song, and it was like the universe reached out and touched me. One of "those" moments! Thanks for replying!

[@theresa42213]

This piece is SO prolific, so full of things everyone has felt. Being able to artfully put this into words blows me away. l never get tired of hearing it and each time it sounds new. She just reaches in and grabs my emotions. What a gift! Thank you Joni with all my heart. ;)

[@theresa42213]

Joan, You sure know how to reach right into people. Thanks girl. ;)

[@MrBob1bob1]

I know all her music, THIS show the gracious bravery that cements are greatness as a music, leader, human being---you see so many on you tube harry's house on rosie odonnel, love puts on a new face on leno, she shines brilliantly, flawless performances, but this was a rough event for anyone but big bands party major music, so the grace she gets through this with while still trying to educate an audience, saying That is right, after the lyric superficial is above what all of this generation did, plus this music is utterly brand new and a new form of classical , she and larry move with wild hot gentle ease, no wonder she is always mention when her music was not hitmaking in her time, she points out same true of bille holiday and doris day, billie didn't sell until long after her death the wild things songs are a blast too thank you Theresa and others for getting her, sure has added to my lfe

[@mikebeeton4982]

Just so ---------- Joni Mitchell, variable, but always just so good ! Play on Lady !

[@d3a1990]

Might be one of the best things I’ve ever heard.

[@evanhughes1510]

Wow that’s sad

[@d3a1990]

It’s just an opinion. I’m drawn to Joni’s work.

[@OldBlueMusician]

Beyond genius. What privilege to listen to Joni!

[@taf44tt8io]

and meet her soul

[@evanhughes1510]

She doesn’t have a good voice

[@donrobinson2452]

My deepest thanks for posting this. I hadn’t heard it in a long time. It brought me back to hearing the album when it came out, sitting on the floor and listening to every song without even pausing it. This video reminded me that Joni wrote some simply beautiful songs. I mean, who else could have written “white flags of winter chimneys call truce against the moon….In the mirrors of a modern bank through the windows of a hotel room.”

[@Patty_Boom_Boom]

Exactly . . Such an amazing song. She makes you see and feel her lyrics

[@gregoryford3531]

She is so deservedly famous. My love for her and her art is sheer anguish.

[@gigidayz6936]

Me too. And what a beautiful way to put it

[@geoffteece3230]

Remarkable. Transcendent brilliance. What a song- unsurpassed. This period was my favourite and her peak I think. An artist without equal.

[@matstango]

she is and will always be thee best

[@simonleslie3607]

This song, in fact this whole album puts me into a trance. Unbelievably good.

[@juliahoff7158]

This is a lovely song by a brilliant and lovely woman. Thank you Joni for your music.

[@dennisd5433]

What fool would have the nerve to hit the dislike button. One of my regrets in life is never having seen her perform live.

[@Neuroneos]

My favorite song of hers. Absolutely transcendent.

[@daviddiangellidaviddiangel1304]

Wow! Damn I love Joni Mitchell's music so much. What a pure gem!

[@geoffteece265]

Difficult to compute how brilliant this is. She has accompanied my life not long after the forceps to getting increasingly near to the stone. Lyrically and musically this song and this album tops the lot for me.

[@PlymouthVT]

Ain't no yeah I like her. You either love her or you don't.And I love her.

[@beachcaster56]

Perhaps the most beautiful woman ever

[@andrew-bighillcullen65]

Even after 40 years I tear up in awe of the naked complex plaintive vocals meshed seamlessly into the flow of her journey.

[@marieavela6627]

Hejira is incredible! Genius lyrics!!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@WhiteForSoreEyes]

I miss Jaco on this one 😔 the guy on the fretted is trying his best but it’s just not as soul filled at Jac. Joni Is truly one of a kind 🤍

[@covey53]

Friends of mine bought dead center seats, for my birthday, about 5 rows back, for a Joni Mitchell Concert in Vancouver in the late 70's or so, she was by then playing with some of the best jazz rock fusion musicians in the world, Pat Methany, Jaco Pastorious, Don Elias etc etc. It was simply the greatest Concert I have ever seen, transforming, brilliant, almost spiritual, and Joni from 30 feet away was simply one of the most beautiful women I've ever set my eyes on. I was swept away. She is a musical genius without parallel.

[@barrietover2238]

Her music saved me from myself

[@jenniferlee5871]

Stunning performance in every way. She uses her mouth to twist and mold the words so that they fit the music and spit out her conviction. Her eyes look far away beyond the audience as if she is a soaring bird above the mundane. Then she just walks off at the end like she has spoken her mind and got energized and is off to some unknown.

[@tylerwareham940]

She continues to amaze me. Genius is the only word one can use to describe her.

[@jerrachavez8421]

She was my guru! Thank you for giving us a whole different perspective in this crazy world! We love you Joni!

[@marieavela6627]

Joni is the greatest multi talented genius in the world. She's not just a voice or guitar player. Joni is infact her own category. She has mastered it all. All while dealing with physical challenges. Plus one of the nicest, inspiring, intelligent, honest people in the creative biz. ❤✌️❤

[@sergeiparajanov]

One of her best songs. How weird it must be to perform before such a huge audience where so many seem to be partying and ignoring what's happening onstage. Mitchell's rapport with brilliant bassist Jaco Pastorius was magical, but he was sadly very troubled, provoking bar fights for unknown reasons. The worst of these put him in the hospital where he died of his injuries just a year after this performance. A tragedy for popular music.

[@francisjpyne7330]

This is Larry Klein on bass, not Jaco.

[@slyslaughter5115]

She shook my out of sleep and set me on my own road, really. Forever grateful to this wonderful artist and woman.

[@birdmiles]

she is right up there with the absolute best ever. thanks for the video, will always love joni mitchell. her lyrics are so deep.

[@romneymarsh5119]

I first heard Joni on a Kibbutz in isreal 1979. A young lady from Canada introduced me to the music. Joni is priceless with all the music memories she has given us..

[@patriciagray7304]

The one, the only, never to be repeated genius of Joni Mitchell.....mesmerizing.

[@loreleimcbroom328]

Hejira more than any other Joni Mitchell album makes me cry too! She was such a major part of my childhood. I was a teenager trying to figure out all my mixed emotions about life and my place in it. Joni's ability to paint emotional pictures is incomparable! I had the privilege of meeting her in the 80s, and she was sweet. I will forever cherish Joni Mitchell ❤🎉

[@garykentigian3675]

Literally the light of my 61 old life .

[@trafyknits9222]

Joni is a global treasure. It's so sad that she ruined her voice by smoking. Her music will live forever.

[@johnmerritt8448]

I coul listen to this singer sing this song over and over

[@jvcfilm1]

"from the forceps to the stone". Who else writes with such eloquence. She makes me proud to be Canadian.

[@jenniemalloy7402]

Brilliant, beautiful, and blessed.

[@spudcustardx1]

I apologise if this sounds weird, I'm a man from the 60,s but no one ever wrote about being a women better, I do know its not my place to say that. She gives me skin crawls and I keep going back

[@Neuroneos]

I love you guys. I'm an 80s kid but Joni is my secret soulmate :)

[@pashacat56]

No one has written about being a HUMAN BEING better

[@scottamichie]

No woman has written better about how a man should love a woman than Joni.

[@countrybob330]

From the first time I heard Joni's music in 1972 until now, no artist has touched me more.

[@novakingood3788]

Just settling down to lose myself in Joni's singing when my guitar nerd jumped up and pointed at the headstock of her Strat that has 'Gibson' on it. Thanks, guitar nerd, now I can't thnk of anything else! It even gave me the moment when you can see it! 0:26

[@roysimmons7426]

the philosophers will always look back and wonder how one drop of reality touched down and put out so much truth and beauty

[@sdoughty1953]

I first started listening to her around 17 years old. In late 60's. Made love to her music many times. Love her sweet soul. Love her

[@morningtheft1]

Everything about this is stunning.....

[@SlightlyStrangeFlo]

Joni looks so gorgeous here.

[@markthompson4953]

Love you Joni. Glad you are feeling better ❤️

[@strexus]

Joni is head and shoulder's above all but her fellow genius's. Count them on one hand.

[@jeangounin9142]

poète, peintre musicienne, chanteuse, guitariste hors pair, belle, géniale : telle est Joni Mitchell

[@jamesomahoney2181]

Got to hardest song for bass player... Jaco I believe is only , or few people she proudly gives credit for writing.. God bless Jaco and long live Joni

[@jamesomahoney2181]

Co-writer.. I ment to say

[@electrojazz14]

just beautiful

[@stutombs5294]

Just incredible.

[@Boots-zh9iu]

Musical ecstasy!......not much more to say... There is a look of 100 Centuries in her eyes as she sings...I think she knew she hit her Zenith here and walked away knowing nobody would top this live performance finger picking, caressing and noodling a Strat like it was the most majestic Classical Guitar on the planet 🌠 Just wow! Thank you Mr. Marshall for sharing this :)

[@celesteanngray]

Her confidence is stellar, took her a long way, congrats Joni on a job well done~

[@lisesin1]

Gorgeous. Joni inspires me every day.

[@pamelajohnson8227]

Timeless music. Symphony of our life. Love you. Thank you for your thoughts in music. My most favorite. Performer.

[@stevesmith3990]

That was 7 minutes of total genius and pure joy.

[@cosmicmauve]

I can quote many of her lyrics that blow me away, but one of them is definitely "each so deep and superficial between the forceps and the stone". Jesus! -ok the other is: "Maybe it's you Judas in the end when you just can no longer pretend that you're getting what you need Or you're giving out anything for them to grow and feed on." Talk about insight and finding the "exact" words. That's her gift. She says what people struggle to explain sometimes their whole lives.

[@slyslaughter5115]

Indeed!

[@gigidayz6936]

Returning to myself... Between the forceps and the stone... Theres comfort in melancholy.. Yes. Joni is a goddess of poetry and lyric. My jaw drops to hear her musical interpretation of life..love..longing..learning and loss.

[@stevemartin4249]

My favorite line as well.

[@GrandWagJeep]

YES! These are two of my favorite songs as well. Incredibly crafted lyrics, even by the bar she set so high. I'm glad you mentioned Jericho- I seldom hear people mention it which confuses me since it's such a masterpiece.

[@marcdecaux8478]

Always a crazy voice ! all my love Joni ( from France)

[@daviddiangellidaviddiangel1304]

Definitely my favourite Artist of all time.

[@ninapeyser9675]

I am so happy!! Joni Mitchell is recovering. I miss her singing.

[@jospinvanraat8730]

What an extraordinaire woman! Beautiful.

[@victorkrottner3818]

Most of her songs (since I was just a kid) I never knew what she was singing about. But I still felt every haunting emotion of hers that touched me deep inside my soul as no one else's music ever did. I'm now 64 years old and she still makes me tremble.

[@davidmoreno7581]

Her most brilliant of brilliant songs. She really punches it out in this live version. Love you Joni!

[@suziemcdonald9590]

[@Huckebein2]

Thank you for this 😊

[@stutombs5294]

That vocal is so great I could cry. What a performance!

[@jjwek7918]

“Just a defector from your petty wars That shell-shock love away” . Like Van and Dylan, Joni continues to re work and improve her poetry over the years by changing a word or a line.

[@heatherbrown1880]

so much gratitude TO yOU Jim,for this footage.

[@jazz4randall]

Beautiful Genius

[@bgfd1]

Tell em Joni. Not an easy audience here (and that’s being polite) but she stood her ground here and like the true artist and genius she is she worked her craft. WOW! what a great rendition. She hits them with:- ‘There's your hope. There’s your hopelessness I’ve seen it all these years’ . Looking at their behaviour on mass as an audience that gave goosebumps.

[@se461]

Wow. Glad I got to see her live

[@martycrow]

Possibly my favorite Joni song - and there are so many. This feels so profound and instructive that it has stayed with me since it was first released. They say it is Art is when you discover something new each time you encounter it. If that's true, this is ART!