Joni Mitchell live in Sydney, Australia - 1983

Joni Mitchell live at Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW, Australia
23/3-1983 (FM recording)
Band
Joni Mitchell - Guitar, Dulcimer & Piano
Russell Ferrante - Keyboards
Michael Landau - Guitar
Larry Klein - Bass
Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums
Setlist
0:00 - Free Man In Paris
3:30 - No Regrets Coyote
9:18 - Edith And The Kingpin
13:22 - You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio
16:42 - Song For Sharon
24:22 - God Must Be A Boogie Man
28:29 - Real Good For Free
33:22 - Big Yellow Taxi
36:26 - A Case Of You (Canada)
41:49 - Amelia
49:50 - Ladies’ Man
52:46 - You’re So Square (I Don't Care)
57:10 - Chinese Cafe/Unchained Melody
1:02:54 - Help Me
1:07:35 - Both Sides Now
1:12:58 - Band introduction
1:14:09 - Underneath The Streetlight
1:16:52 - Woodstock
A truly wonderful concert by Joni and her amazing band.
This one is from her ”Refuge” tour in 1983 and the location is Sydney Opera House
(how cool isn’t that).
And to crown it even more it has a perfect FM recording.
This is a true jewel.
Joni’s voice has mature over the years and she sounds amazing.
Her band is spot on and a favorit of mine Vinnie Colaiuta on drums.
So enjoy this great show/GråZon
ps. Don’t forget to support your artists and buy their records etc.ds
Read about the ”Refuge” tour here:
www.jonimitchell.com/chronolo...
”Wild Things Run Fast” album here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Th...

[@johnduley1417]

A "Joni story": In 1975 I was living with my girlfriend (my wife of 35 years now) in a little house at Warrandyte, a village in the countryside outside Melbourne, Australia. We had heard 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns' LP at a friend's house and had saved up to buy it. Finally, we rode in on my motorbike to Melbourne, over an hour's ride, to buy the record. Then, very excited, we headed home, my girlfriend sitting pillion behind me and holding the precious Joni LP in front of her. On the way there was a light shower of rain, so the road was slippery. We headed out of the suburbs into the rural area, and were rounding a long curve when suddenly - from an embankment on one side of the road - a herd of cows ran up onto the road in front of the bike! Someone must have left a gate open. I had to avoid the cows but had no possibility of braking, as we were already leaning into the corner on a slippery road. So I had to lay the bike down on the road! As I slid along the road on my back at about 40 mph (we were both wearing leather jackets, jeans, helmets, leather gloves and boots), I didn't think, "My girlfriend, is she ok?" No, instead I suddenly thought, "Joni Mitchell!" So I looked back over my shoulder. The bike was sliding on the road alongside me. Then behind that was my girlfriend, also sliding on her back on the road. But she was holding the Joni Mitchell record high in the air! When we finally all stopped in the dirt by the roadside, we dusted ourselves off and surveyed the damage. Some torn jeans, scuffed leather jackets, a few scratches on the bike... but not a mark on 'The Hissing of Summer Lawns'!

Fond memories I'm sure. Thanks for telling.

[@tomhaggard3352]

Great story John! Thanks for sharing

[@janeybusiness6601]

Great story!

[@debbieschmidling8158]

❤️❤️❤️

[@lloydbennett5295]

Cool story………keep well folks…..

[@stutombs5294]

Wow! How wonderful to hear Joni in her prime with such great sound quality. JUst beautiful.

[@harveyschlifstein1129]

Priceless, definitive, at her prime what a band ,vinnie,Larry,landau,,ferrante ....best band for me no one tries to take the light from the superstar!!!! Greatest female composer. Her own type of music JONI JAZZ!!!!!! I love what she's done for my mind and body and the education in music she's given me . Following her career from blue on has been such a gift. Helped me understand and appreciate music and women!!!!

[@jonathangems]

I have a "Joni story." I think it was in 1993. I was at a Hollywood party. Prince was there (with his entourage) and Eddie Murphy (with his entourage) both pointedly ignoring each other on opposite sides of the room. Joni Mitchell was near the middle of the room, talking with a bunch of guys. She was so animated I wondered if she was on coke. I was standing quietly behind her, thinking about how my best friend would envy me if he could see me standing next to the woman we'd totally idolised since school. Suddenly, she turned around and asked me if I had a cigarette. "Yes, sure," I said. I got out my pack of Marlboros and took one out for her. "Would you like a few?" She said "No, one's enough. I'm trying to quit." She was about to turn back to her friends. I had to say something quick to keep her, and heard myself saying: "I've loved you since my balls dropped." She looked at me properly for the first time and said: "What?" Feeling very nervous, I said: "I've loved you since my balls dropped." She burst out laughing and asked if I'd like to join her group. They were going back to her house later. I was so nervous that, like a fool, I thanked her but lied that I had to be somewhere else. "Okay,' she said, lightly, and turned back to her friends.

haha what a fantastic story. Thanks for telling us/GråZon

[@danevans5823]

Damn,great intro but you never know how that might have gone if you went with her.Im envious

[@lindagleeson5763]

I also have a fond Joni Mitchell story. On the day of one of Joni's concerts, maybe the one recorded here, I was spending the day on Bondi Beach on my own... sunbaking, swimming, reading. When I left the beach and reached the Corso area, a man approached me. He was Joni Mitchell's manager, and he offered me two free tickets and backstage passes to her concert that very evening. He said I was the most attractive person on the beach that day! Quite a compliment as it was very crowded. He confirmed that I could be there, and also asked if I could sing, to which I replied yes (everyone can sing, right?). The concert was brilliant, we were right up the front, and afterwards we were invited back to the Sebel Town House Bar, where Joni, the manager and a few others relaxed after the concert. Even though there were possibly only a maximum of twenty in the bar that night, I didn't say hello or chat with Joni, as she sat at the bar with her back towards us. After awhile, my friend had to leave. Soon after, the manager asked if I would like to come upstairs and meet Joni. I was afraid and said no. Great night! Great experience! Felt like I was in the company of true greatness. An honour. Thank you Joni's manager and Joni.

[@diego-gk3qm]

this has one of the best case for you that I’ve heard

[@johnduley1417]

Great! thanks for posting! I saw her in Brisbane, Australia - I think maybe the following week. She told the audience that she had just married to Larry Klein. A lot of disappointed males in the audience, that she didn't marry any of us! LoL.

[@stanlisowski126]

This Joni tour was my first time seeing her live it was memorable. I am a fan since Court and Spark. My favorites are many but number one is the Dog Eat Dog album. Joni is my number one favorite female singer and Jon Anderson my favorite male singer of all time.

[@jackrussell2798]

Opera house. I was there!

[@elizabethmcleod246]

I was there to.

[@halloweenjack2562]

Love Joni - What a fab quality recording. I was at one of the London GB gigs on this tour in April '83, the only chance I've had to see her live. This wasn't the best period of her career in my view - never liked the 80's big sound production sound of the era - but any chance to see her live is something treasured and never to be forgotten! Much preferred her mid-70's music C&S, and Summer Lawns, and the magnificent bands she had to the end of the decade. The style of music from the early/mid 80's was too rocky (although technically superb) and didn't seem quite in fitting with the style we'd become accustomed to - just saying! Thanks so much for posting this GraZon, it brings back fantastic memories of seeing Joni in person on stage.....surely this is worth an authorised or even an unauthorised release as the quality is almost perfect. Btw, also love the other recordings on your YT channel...more please!

Big thanks for your kind words. There is more goodies on the horizon.

[@jonathanharrington7950]

Great Sound.

[@jcamp348]

Joni is just phenomenal

[@ianbarnes387]

A wonderful and atmospheric recording - what a joy

[@teacherman9000]

I've been a Joni fan for 50 years and this album has the rockin'ist version of "Song for Sharon" I've ever heard.... First time listening tonight. Thanks for uploading this gem.

[@OneOfUsHere]

I've found one that is even hotter. I'll send you the link. As far as I'm concerned Joni is always fabulous but I think she sounds a little tired here.

[@hilaryburrows9487]

When I saw her at this show I played acoustic guitar myself, but in recent years I’ve been playing electric and I really got off on the guitar on that version listening just now.

[@witchitawineman]

@@OneOfUsHere i’m keen to hear the version you’ve got. I agree her voice is a bit tired. She’d already toured around Australia, and if I recall correctly, these shows were added at the end, that’s why she is not at her best vocally. sound production team did such a great job and the band is on fire.

[@OneOfUsHere]

@@witchitawinemanHi, I'll send the link when I get a chance.

[@debbieschmidling8158]

❤

[@juliabarbiero9226]

here's my Joni Mitchellstory: in 1983 I was an eight-year-old little girl exactly at the oposite side of the world, Argentina (as I am now...) Eons would pass until I heard about this queen. The more I listento her, the more I get spelled by her unique style and genuine creativity. Thanks for sharing this true jewel

[@hilaryburrows9487]

I was at this show and also the Capital theatre show. I remember being a little anxious when she complained about the Concert Hall acoustics, I probably wanted her to have a good opinion of us.I’ve always been moved by her music, all periods.Thanks for putting this up.

[@jl3937]

Yes great concert I was there too. Joni came on and started playing, then after maybe the 2nd or 3rd (cannot remember exactly) song I thought Joni looked "nervous", I called out "how are you?". When I think back how loutish this must have seemed, but I was quite young! Joni smiled, having discovered this recording I tried to listen hear myself calling out, maybe it was edited out which is understandable ...I must've sounded like a real yob!

haha. I know the feeling. Remember when I shouted for Robert Plant to play some Harmonica on a gig.

[@janeybusiness6601]

I saw her in Chicago area that year, outdoor venue so she always seemed to have a cigarette burning... Maybe Joni needed a smoke & a toot? When you think about it, performers are working their butts off trying to stay in character for us & three of Joni's long songs is a lot to get through without a smoke break.

[@debbieschmidling8158]

🤣

[@debbieschmidling8158]

@ 🤣

[@OneOfUsHere]

@@janeybusiness6601 You're right she had been doing cocaine around this time. I'm not sure if she had kicked it completely yet. I think she and the band sound a bit tired here. Still good but compared to all of the other videos on KZbin there's definitely a difference. Every song is slower. I have to research their tour schedule for this performance. They might just all be exhausted from traveling. I've heard every interview and read bio's. She said touring took a lot out of her physically. I've been on tour for many years with my husband. Some days you can hardly keep your eyes open let alone put on a 90 minute show. I won't say who he was but was other than a professional musician since the age of 17 when he played guitar with Chuck Berry.

[@paolomontrone7656]

Superlative. Genius with a once in a lifetime line up. What she did with these musicians is unique. There has never been anything like it and 40 years later something tells there will not be.

[@Thadmotor1044]

Sharing Song for Sharon co-written David Crosby . You can tell , great duo . mean guitar , Michael Landau

[@witchitawineman]

Thanks for posting. Your comments about Vinnie’s central role in this performance is spot on. This is a definitive Joni moment in her recorded concerts based simply on the band & Joni ‘locking in’ with Vinnie. I was there and he was laying it down with Larry with such command that Russell and Mike and Joni seemed to relax a bit and just enjoy themselves. The Sydney concert is a better performance than the offical Wembley dvd! Song for Sharon on this recording is the ultimate lesson in what musicians call ‘playing in the pocket’. I’ll never forget the experience as the greatest concert I’ll ever see. Some nights magic happens!

[@harveyschlifstein1129]

Just wonderful I'm always looking for live Joni wanted the Dylan tour in particular thankfully this was on FM PRICELESS!!! THANKS !! got anymore????

Well I might... stay tuned for more =)

[@lloydbennett5295]

The State Theatre was the and is the best venue for this type of entertainer……… she was outstanding….

[@lloydbennett5295]

Was there……what a gig…..

[@marijagalic1680]

I love how you changed the title of "A Case of You" into "Canada" haha, genious

haha good call =)

[@waynecarrol3415]

I haven’t got a Joni story except I went to this concert as my birthday present ( as my girlfriend knew I was a fan & we went together) Joni never disappointed one of my prize possessions is love has many faces c ds never could decide my favorite album blue or cout n spark I have 12 lps & the 4 cds of love has many faces what a voice 🦘☮️🇦🇺

This is essential my friends. Terrific in every way/GråZon

[@user-wd4ut2pg9o]

I wonder, just putting this out there, if Joni would sing Pat Suzuki's version of How High The Moon. It's a haunting version, and I think it might be great for Joni's current vocal range.

[@juandominguez9167]

Todos tienen una experiencia sobre Joni Mitchell, a mí un día élla me escribió y me dijo: amigo has un gesto de bondad al azar por día, y ése día abracé a un gatito con toda el Alma y le di alimento. Ahora es mí fiel amigo desde hace años. Joni Mitchel nos une, puente de luz

[@teddypantelas]

Great find! She sounds great and the band is killing! Thanks for posting!

[@Thadmotor1044]

Anne Lennox of Eurhythmics shared that Joni's Hissing of Summer Lawns as great influence

[@carolgoldberg9952]

At the Joni Gorge concert in WA last year (2023) Annie said Ladies of the Canyon album is what influenced her to become a singer. Annie proceeded to sing that title song as her contribution to the evening. What an over the top amazing night of music to see Joni back at it. I saw her at the NZ show after this one in Australia. Just happened to be there at that moment. Meant to be.

[@marvusparvus]

warm hugs & cheers yall 💝 homeherenow

[@garypeatling7927]

Love guitar in amelia lovely

[@garysimpson3830]

Amazing. Have only become a big Joni fan in the last few years. Probably could have seen her on this tour. Regrets, I have a few…

[@garypeatling7927]

Case of you excellent

[@Neilllll1]

it's simple......WOW !!!!

[@warrengreene6143]

Joni and Jaco. Perfect

[@adelaidedupont9017]

Love that comment about the stamps on the passport of BOTH SIDES NOW! What places has that tune been that its mother should have told it to avoid? A good song can truly take you anywhere...

[@AndreaHopkins-kw6fh]

🎉🎉🎉🎉 ... wish I were ' ER ... but I am just pathetic little ME !!!! .. she my real Mum . Guy, poeme . Xxxx

[@cpw60]

Ich kannte die bis vor kurzem noch nicht wirklich, aber hört sich an wie Joan Armatrading

[@elizabethaspinall6967]

The other way around, JA sounds like her sometimes!

[@lloydbennett5295]

State theatre

This could be good: ultimateclassicrock.com/joni-mitchell-dawntreader-jimi-hendrix/

[@warrengreene6143]

Ooops maybe not Jaco?

[@misterlemons111]

by that time Jaco was doing really bad, if I'm not mistaken a year after this concert he died

[@robyntanssi3779]

This whole tape is playing a little too slow..

[@Zepster77]

Don’t think so. Her voice was a bit deeper by this time…

[@garypeatling7927]

Over backed , like putting glasses on the mona lisa