Joni Mitchell on Bob Dylan

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In advance of the Joni Mitchell Luminato Tribute Concert the legendary singer and artist sat down with Q host Jian Ghomeshi at her house in Los Angeles.

[@chairmanmeow3693]

I don't care what character Bob Dylan is playing. All I know is he made a lot of really great songs!

[@chairmanmeow3693]

@Matt Roberts Thanks I do too. To be honest though, I saw a post years ago from someone with this username and I decided I would use it also . If you also want to adopt it you have my blessing!

[@johnhuwroberts7766]

I love Bob and Joni. It’s personal. I don’t need to compare and contrast. Both gifted, mysterious and special. Thanks, both of you. It’s been an absolute pleasure!! X

[@svendbosanvovski4241]

As great and lovable as Joni is, she still doesn't get Bob. He is as elusive to her has his lyrics are to the rest of us. Its not Bob's voice and guitar playing that matter so much, or we would be looking for a hybrid cross of Tommy Emmanuel and Mario Lanza. And he is not trapped in the 60s with his hobo attire and Woody Guthrie voice. He is a cinematic experience, shifting form from one reel to the next, a perceptive living organism who invented a name and hit the highway like one one of those minstrel players he sings about.

[@jimmatlock7348]

Huh? Why waste my time with this 'he's so deep you just don't get him' crap. You want to know about a, talent that Re-imagined himself, read Jame dean:the mutant king. I just saw him in east of eden last night, and he makes it look so easy, like falling off a, log.

[@8OBO8]

​@Jim Matlock cool you he isn’t for you then. In other words you dont get him. But thats fine. I bet there are a load of great artists that you love, but I dont get.

[@jimmatlock7348]

What's love got to do with it? He WA called a n 'organism' - - - look, I like my cinematic e perience to recognize my life form, not a paramecia that eats bacteria for breakfast. Not a cup of tea to try to read Tarantula.

[@bendmymind486]

What I hear in this interview is that she’s standing up for Bob… “that comment was taken completely out of context”… “that was journalistic bullsh*t”, lol. She shares at the end that it wasn’t his vocals or even really his guitar-playing style that was particularly special, which I would agree to- but bet she would’ve noted if the interviewer stayed on the topic of Dylan longer that it really was his lyrics in so many of his songs that were jaw-dropping in their imagination, honesty or authenticity. He started out copying others’ styles, yeah, but couldn’t contain that original talent/intelligence that was uniquely him. His lyrics were the thing that stood out & just wowed everyone. The poetry & imagery of Tambourine Man and of It’s Alright Ma, I’m Only Bleeding that goes on & on…. the irony, humor & even kind of early rapping ?!? of Subterranean Homesick Blues…. that’s why Bobby Zimmerman was unique. Love Joni. And I can tell she respects Bob, but is simply noticing differences in their original approaches when young. I hear her saying it’s an artist thing, & corrupt or un-informed interviewers (not this guy) wouldn’t understand….

[@JohnB-dr8sk]

@@jimmatlock7348 Ok. Bob Dylan completely changed the face of modern music years before anyone had even heard of Joni Mitchell. The Beatles would have still been playing "Yeah Yeah Yeah" had it not been for Dylan. US politics were changed by Dylan. The Byrds went electric because of Dylan. Jimi Hendrix had a major hit covering Dylan. Every songwriter after Dylan stole from his approach. Dylan's influence was so enormous it defies the imagination. All because of his MUSICAL songwriting genius. Yeah, Joni was great, but Joni didn't change music like Dylan did. She lives in his shadow and she knows it. She let her narcissistic veil slip in this interview and it's a really bad look for her.

[@allanrussack2844]

As everyone knows, talent isn’t just about how technically proficient the artist is. One thing that amazes me is the writers ability to pull an original song, words and melody etc from thin air and to make it exist for the rest of us to enjoy!

[@virvisquevir3320]

Dylan brings me to dark, swampy, muddy places; Joni brings me to snowflakes sparkling and swirling and dancing in the sun, the joy of existence, the magic of being alive. I don't care how "good" anyone is at anything. I care where they bring me.

[@ChristianMitchellMusic]

Agreed. I can appreciate technical ability but if there's no soul, forget it. But Joni? Well, she's got it all!

[@benhayes5683]

Listen to Nashville skyline by Dylan and you'd change Ur mind I think , really up beat nice country and his voice is great , alot different to what you'd expect 🙂✌️

[@sharonsmith2771]

@@benhayes5683 love that album. It was the first Dylan album i listened to.

[@benhayes5683]

@@sharonsmith2771 it's magical to say the least ahha 😝

[@sharonsmith2771]

Hence Dylan is the superior song writer.

[@jorgeyogues788]

There are entertainers, performers, musicians and rock stars. Dylan is a poet, a social commentator, an artist. His genius is not in his guitar or his voice but in his words. He's a song writer. In my opinion, one of the best.

[@timber750]

I agree he wrote a number of memorable songs

[@knotwilg3596]

I think nobody really wants to see a ranking of song writers but it's hard to argue that at least lyrically Dylan is unsurpassed. Dylan doesn't even have a particular lyrical style. He masters all styles. He has so many tricks up his sleeve that you can spend a repertoire yourself on copying them. Another thing Dylan has (besides an obvious lack of finesse in his voice or guitar) is delivery. His phrasing is unparalleled too. He creates emotion through poetic rhythm. However, in terms of linking smart or sensitive lyrics with unorthodox yet appealing music, Joni wins ;)

[@willfromyadkinville]

i loved it!

[@ajfrost3382]

I would argue that there is genius in his voice. Everybody knows it. Even with the worst Bob Dylan impression it's easy to tell who it is.

[@charlieleonardo]

Hey hang on there: BD has produced some gorgeous sounding tracks both vocally & sonically: ‘Lay Lady Lay’ & ‘Just Like A Woman’ come to mind instantly!

[@virvisquevir3320]

She's brilliant, authentic and sharp And original. And bares her soul. God bless you, Joni, and thank you.

[@cozmovox]

I love the way she exposes the stupidity of many so called "intellectuals", especially when they work for the media. Someone who states that Joni is "unauthentic" is indeed someone who doesn't know the meaning of the word "authentic" and doesn't know anything about Joni's life work. She has the right to call him an a.....e.

[@klausrain111]

Should be "inauthentic."

[@cozmovox]

@@klausrain111 wise ! Newt time I'll just say "not authentic"

[@freesoulsinger]

Joni speaks honestly and she is a free spirit and an immensely gifted artist

[@phillipanderson7398]

She does and she sounds like a very intelligent person who wants to get her point of view across. Unfortunately I don't like her singing, her music or her albums.

[@Namdor2012]

Ms Idiot Wind> Roberta Joan Mitchell .....She transcends bitterness.....Janis Ian, a far greater talent..

[@larryobrien7006]

Joni Mitchell has written some of the greatest Jazz lyrics in her album Mingus, and brought an incredible jazz vocalist interpretation to those great Charlie Mingus songs. She and Tom Scott were an incredible jazz team on several albums, most notably Miles of Aisles. She had many albums that most casual listeners have never listened to that are incredibly original and thoroughly enjoyable. Most people think of her early folkie stuff and have no clue what a great original artist she has been since then. Listen to Hejira or The Hissing of Summer Lawns, with the great bassist Jaco Pastorius, and then come back when you know who you're talking about.

[@SmoothCinnamonX]

Joni's synergy with Jaco was amazing! "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines" to me is one of her all-time greatest recordings, and so few fans ever mention it, which is weird, because it's also one of her most covered songs.

[@annikastarr]

BOB IS A GREAT GUITARIST , I'VE SEEN IT FIRST HAND

[@ApocalypsePlough]

She uses the word "musically" before she lists Dylan's weaknesses. She's not criticizing his art, but his technical skills, ie, guitar playing and voice. And Dylan HAS created this character that he hides behind. Joni criticizes everyone. Would you rather have her be dishonest? I think she comes out with things like this because she is incapable of lying. You don't want her to talk about Dylan, then don't ask her. I like both Dylan and Joni. It IS possible to like both, you know.

[@mbrand19971]

People can debate on who's the best songwriter till they become blue in the face. I had grerat admiration for both Bob & Joni and these songwriter have given the world the best music they wrote to high aclaim no matter what folks say. Joni was born a artist and her body of work will forever be timeless along with Dylan as well. Their music will forever last and live eternally.

[@sharonsmith2771]

She is cool but she is not in Dylans league!!! Not even close.

[@mbrand19971]

@@sharonsmith2771 fair enough.

[@clarkewi]

Joni is so cool. Great artist - in paint and sound.

[@nancyprohira2571]

You should see Bob Dylan's artwork..He is very talented in both painting and welding. He is truly gifted.

[@SmoothCinnamonX]

2:17 "That's journalistic bull****" God I love Joni!

[@thescoobymike]

Lol I read her interview and wondered why she hated Bob so much and now I'm watching this and I absolutely love her and how much she hates interviewers cause they really do misconstrue to get headlines

[@klausrain111]

Don't really think she hates anybody. Exasperation maybe, but not hatred.

[@JohnB-dr8sk]

There was nothing misconstrued. Joni is out of her mind. Bob Dylan completely changed the face of modern music years before anyone had even heard of Joni Mitchell. The Beatles would have still been playing "Yeah Yeah Yeah" had it not been for Dylan. US politics were changed by Dylan. The Byrds went electric because of Dylan. Jimi Hendrix had a major hit covering Dylan. Dylan's influence was so enormous it defies the imagination. All because of his MUSICAL songwriting genius. Yeah, Joni was great, but Joni didn't change music like Dylan did. She lives in his shadow and she knows it. She let her narcissistic veil slip in this interview and it's a really bad look for her.

[@catherinelevison3310]

I have loved Bob Dylan since I was 14 years old and he covered a lot of artists’ work and Woodie Guthrie songs. Guthrie was Dylan’s hero. He sat at his bedside practically daily while he was an older man in the hospital. Dylan lived with lots and lots of people because he was young and broke. These people had large record collections and huge amounts of books. Dylan had all day to read and he has told this to us. He listened to the oldest recorded music ever put on vinyl and took all that in. He had a definite affinity toward the early folk music and came out as one. Did his singing anywhere they’d have him. He became an original based on prior work. They booed and booed when he went to the electrical guitar and he didn’t care. Every Dylan concert I’ve been to has been vastly different. He followed his own path. Now Joni Mitchell is VERY original!!!! I had her albums when I was young too. I do not sense any copying of anyone. She taught herself guitar in a rural setting. You are going to be original when you do that. Dylan admits to imitating his idol and singing Guthrie songs. Mitchell admits nothing like that. She was rare. We had other female folk singers but Joni is her own thing, person. A true original. Most musicians admit to who they were copying; for example The Rolling Stones. David Bowie claims to have nicked (stolen) his inspiration and has said he can copy any voice. But I love Bowie and I give him more credit than he gives himself. The different personas he developed were extremely individual and had not been done before, not ever. Because he studied as a mime and wanted to be an artist he was trained in “expression” and admits it a lot. Joni wasn’t trained and mimicked no one. She broke a mold. It is not often that anyone has an original thought. It’s rare. She is rare. She is lovely. And she is that great combination of artist and musician. Respect originality.

[@jamesx9881]

@Stig Weard his comment is longer than the interview.

[@imaonarseal]

Come on, Joni loved jazz. She called one of her albums after her heroe, Mingus.

[@SmoothCinnamonX]

@@imaonarseal the Mingus album was an artistic collaboration between Charles Mingus and Joni Mitchell, and it was Mingus who requested to meet with her to work on what would turn out to be his last songs.

[@ha222ha222]

She's brilliant. She even imitated Dylan's voice. But he started as a gifted poet who put his poetry to music.

[@alcarusojr3040]

Bob Dylan was always a Musician Jim Morrison was a poet

[@ha222ha222]

@@alcarusojr3040 Bob Dylan is no musician. His music means little. But his words were like poetry according to Joan Baez who was with him in the Village at his beginning

[@alcarusojr3040]

I am not a expert on Bob Dylan I do know a little He always wanted to be in a Band he did covers and Evolved just like everyone else Beatles included

[@alcarusojr3040]

,Bob Dylan was always in a Band since he was a teenager long before he was a Great poet read about his Beginning everyone Evolves

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

@@alcarusojr3040 But he was good at being a poet

[@04Mscentrum]

04mscentrum: Tragic that this interviewer lost his way, his job, and yet-HERE had the gift of a Mitchell interview--in her home, so rare.Human beings, flawed, here a TALENT, thrown away. God Bless Joni.....so candid here, eccentricities and all.

[@stevendelopoulos]

Look. Im an artist. A writer. Been doing it for over 20 years .If you are just a lover of music, thgen Joni will come across as harsh. But, if you've been on the road and toured extensively , you will understand the truck driver slang . Joni is an Artists artist. So real and true , pure. If you haven't lived that life style , then you might not understand the ghetto musician street wars .

[@timdavisfitness]

I’m glad to get the Dylan thing cleared up

[@fauxhokington]

one of the few people who's critique of Dylan is worthy of being heard - I love it "sometimes I wish I could have had that character" a la Bob - cool

[@djangolad]

She's right that Bob turned to craft to re-invigorate himself, 1987 he had a crisis whereby he almost quit. Had to turn back to advice he got from Lonnie Johnson about musical theory to re-start the engines. Thank god he did!

[@rickstalentedtongue910]

What a treat, didn't know Joni was alive, jazzed to hear her take on things. This was the era.

[@johnavy4912]

LovdDylans voice and guitar playing

[@davidmayhew4818]

funny how her telling the truth makes some people so defensive. the comments here show exactly what she says about being misunderstood. she's famously verbal and that is courageous.

[@danapack40]

+David Mayhew maybe, but she is an artistic lightweight/lyricist compared to Dylan, I like her stuff but she is not even in his league, people are not being defensive as much as truthful

[@christy1165]

Are you serious..... Join's musical talent is classical....her knowledge of music and poetry unmatched. But do we absolutely love Dylan songs, of course! She does not sound bitter at all...just hard to communicate to morons.

[@cinaetscott8340]

+David Mayhew Anyone can be "famously verbal." All it requires is narcissism, self indulgence and a lack of discretion.

[@davidmayhew4818]

Cinaet Scott Why are you so negative? She's so right on! Somebody has got to come up to the plate. She does. And intelligently!

[@brucehauge1391]

Others would say she is classless and bitter and Jealous.

[@jonasreijniers4801]

Frankly, she said:'' I like a lot of Bob Dylan's songs''.

[@greenatom]

She has a right to be pissed about being misrepresented in the newspaper article. Yet another example of how you can't trust a reporter to just give you the facts.

[@universalsailor]

She's misquoted and misunderstood, and mostly because she's honest. Whatever you make of her, you can't deny she's an artist, in the core sense of that word, and also a great performer. I have a huge problem with her hippy politics, but I love the lady's extraordinary abilities. A genius, actually, though she'd deny it.

[@TruNordics14]

+universalsailor At least she's not a Feminazi. She could have gone that way but saw the whole Gloria Steinem man hating thing for what it was. She said she knew the card carrying members of that club in the folk scene and the politicos and said strait up they are man haters. As far as hippie women from that era, she's not too bad lol.

[@randyventresca4152]

@@TruNordics14 she has said she is a feminist in that women are as good as men and should be equal. But, she has never been a man hater. As far as "hippie politics" are concerned, Joni Mitchell has never been that political in her lyrics. Her songs are more about relationships. But, she does throw in a bit of commentary in a song now and then.

[@timothyecheandia2043]

I have often thought that Dylan's voice was perfect accompaniment for his lyrics. If he had a sweet melodic voice or a " danceable beat" like on AB then the poetry wouldn't have the same impact or power. There are plenty of acts that are covered in gold and thousand dollar suits singing " I who have nothing". And he has written the greatest love songs ever.Tangled up in blue, Baby blue, It ain't me babe, Desolation row, Lay lay lady lay, Queen Jane Approx., It takes a lot to laugh....,Girl from the north country,I want you, Sad eyed lady of the lowlands, Just like a woman etc brilliant simply brilliant A GENIUS.!!

[@MacJaxonManOfAction]

Great artists steal. Dylan is one of the greatest artists of the 20thc. I don't give a shit whose voice he borrowed or how he moved from Elvis and Little Richard to Leadbelly and Guthrie and back and forward. He wrote Mr Tambourine Man and Love Minus Zero and Blind Willie. His work speaks for itself.

[@Honestly__now]

She is awesome. Who care what they borrowed . Bob is great too. Its all just music

[@shirleegraff-allen5141]

I have two things on my bucket list: 1. Die sober. 2. Meet Joni Mitchell and spend just five minutes expressing how important she was for me during my teen years, how much I connect to her music and brilliant lyrics, her timeless relevance and that she saved my young life many times. I own every single recording of her work. Magdalene Laundries, Turbulent Indigo, Sire of Sorrow, I Had a King, Song to a Seagull to name a few.

[@Gomek2]

Joni is like Miles, Coltrane, Sinatra, etc She can get away with being an over opinionated blowhard, that's one of the reason I love her! Her songwriting and musical talent is WAY off the charts! She's in the top 1 percent of all time great poets and songwriters period!

[@byHexted]

I don’t think she’d appreciate being called over opinionated Bc she was ASKED A QUESTION. She hates interviews and barely ever does them, and then when she finally gets convinced to and gets asked ABOUT ARTISTS IMITATING, she’s OVER OPINIONATED for answering

[@joaquindelarosa1215]

Sinatra was a great singer but he was not a songwriter, composer, or improviser.

[@fishtruckisfand2291]

It's funny she would question his musical ability. I mean as the story goes Mitchell's 'Blue' was what instigated Dylan to fiddle with open tunings, and it just so happened that he ended up recording an entire album in open E. and that record: Blood on the Tracks, is perhaps the most genuinely moving/heartrending collection of songs ever committed to tape... And his voice, I must add, is what carries all the emotional force and evokes the poignancy or whatever it is. because... ''Any fool can think, and most can write; delivering those thoughts intact to another mind, another consciousness, is the extraordinary talent'' and that there is the reason why Dylan is a genius and a class apart.

[@niallswaine2436]

Could not have been put better than that

[@scottmasson3039]

Literally, she is one of the greatest creative minds alive on the planet right now.

[@savedfaves]

Two geniuses. I love the both. But Joni is sort of oddly becoming my personal hero. She's one of the truest music artists there ever was or is.

[@zimmermanhighway3]

The ghost of electricity howls in the bones of her face

[@RileyRampant]

jesus, that was perfect

[@duckbrew]

Don't forget jewels and binoculars which hang from the head of her mule..

[@boxieracorn8445]

Ain’t it just like the night to play tricks while you’re trying to be so quiet?

[@rushabhbansode7056]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@arisumego]

Live Free Or die you’re making yourself look a fool. Joni is a master

[@piehole23]

If I was so unfamiliar with famed singers' discographies, I'd keep quieter. She has two album of the year Grammys and many others that have been best-sellers.

[@klausrain111]

It's a shame that her negative comments about Bob were taken out of context. She's right that he may not be a great guitar player, but compared to her, who is? And yes, he invented a character to sing his songs for him, I agree with that 100%. IMO, they are two of the finest lyricists in rock history.

[@bryant4310]

Sorry but overall Dylan’s lyrics are better

[@Dawg93]

@@bryant4310 sorry but everyone knows apples are better than oranges bro cmon

[@bryant4310]

@@Dawg93 is this some kind of joke? how in the world are apples better?

[@granthurlburt4062]

@@bryant4310 Dawg is saying that comparing Dylan and Joni is like comparing apples and oranges.

[@bluesborn]

I absolutely respect this fearless woman and everything she has to say. She doesn't hate Bob at all in fact she probably respects him more than anyone else but she's also not going to jive the interviewer with cheap sentiment and fake praise.She nails Dylan down exactly.Bob DOES take on a character to write and basically concocted a whole fake history to build a mystique around himself. He admits as much. It's who he is and how he creates the amazing work that he does. It's part of his whole PROCESS. Look it up.

[@HippieFlower1000]

A complete folk Goddess,saying it ,as it,.is!..An honest reaction to the questions asked....Bow low to this lady..she will never be replaced..but will leave her legacy of fantastic songs for the future generations of folk to look up too, and admire..:)

[@Mrariesdave]

I respect her more now than ever, her intelligence, integrity, and personality shine through.

[@jamesobrien7338]

Dylan is a much better guitarist than given credit for, watch him perform with Clapton in that 1999 show, and his voice is the thing that attracted me to him when I was like 14, Im 17 now and went to see him recently and its still ace to me, in terms of technicalaly good voices listen to the 1967-1973 time, but I love any voice he's had

[@fivehead6675]

And watch him play It’s Alright Ma in 1965 on guitar.

[@JimDeferio]

Dude, he couldn't even figure out what chords the Beatles were using in their songs. George Harrison had to give Dylan a short guitar lesson in 1968. Dylan admitted all of this in interviews.

[@jamesobrien7338]

@@JimDeferio you’re clearly just not looking into his music over the years and live performances etc If that’s what you’re basing it off

[@JimDeferio]

@@jamesobrien7338 When I think of people like Dylan and Springsteen and think about how many DECADES have gone by and they STILL are not that good on the guitar, I have to wonder about the level of their musical talent. If I were in the music business my guitar playing would be beyond an Eric Clapton level by now but I'm not and I would rather study science, logic, etc and just fool around on the guitar. So, if these guys are only at my level I say that they STINK. LOL Btw, I saw Dylan in concert in 2003 and it was pretty bad.

[@niallswaine2436]

@@JimDeferio Wow you have figured out Dylans and Springsteens guitar playing level based on your non existing guitar level. You clearly havnt seen Bob or Bruce play guitar much or even seen bob play piano or harp. Do a bit of study. listen to Bobs playing on the origonal its alright ma im only bleeding. That alone may change your way of thinking. then continue

[@ergbudster3333]

Good old Joni. Best thing about us ordinary homely folks is when we git old it don't matter.

[@Hernancillo37]

Joni is great, but Bob is a genius. The only man who invented a culture. As Jerry García said: " Dylan has written songs that touch the mind to places that nobody had come."

[@theminotaurs]

"At midnight all the agents and the superhuman crew come out and round up everyone that knows more than they do. They bring them to the factory and the heart attack machine is strapped across his shoulders and then the kerosene" From Desolation Row. No other songwriter wrote anything so terrifying and vivid.

[@byHexted]

Joni is a genius. Undebatable. Joni is a better songwriter and artist, and both of their contemporaries not only WOULD agree with me, but they HAVE. Ask Crosby.

[@byHexted]

@@theminotaurs she wasn’t talking about his poetry, she’s talking about his voice, style and how he presents himself in his music verses how he really is. Whether y’all like bob more or not is irrelevant, her point still stands. You cannot find even the slightest example EVER of Joni not being the same person inside and outside of music. You can’t say the same for bob dylan, and y’all need to show some respect and accept maybe the person who TOURED with him and knew him personally, has a better idea of what she’s talking about then you who probably quite literally didn’t exist yet.

[@tygodine]

Joni Mitchell is wonderful

[@ernietollar407]

I've been noticing that interviewers and journalists liv under the expectation to create a tension, a controversy, something that is supposedly worth checking out because it is contentious. If I was around a Joni or Dylan I'd think that they would do well (better) in the absence of me directing the conversation with a list of questions or an agenda. I'd rather hear a Joni or a Dylan respond to an open ended question like "what are a few of your favourite things" ? or whatever... maybe no question ... just engage, person to person and wait for the words to flow. It's not important to breakdown artists to their list of qualities, original, virtuoso, great lyricist. Joni touching on her internal process about a painting influenced approach is indeed interesting... but it's her inner workings... I'd argue that what is more important is her final work - the expression that she in the end projects in the final product. And comparing it to Dylan or anybody is to break it down analyze it... but, great music is always more than the sum of its components, and while I love hearing the artists talk freely I like hearing their songs with my eyes and ears not through a consrtucted portal

[@Theweeze100]

Ernie Tollar Yep, it's really irritating and makes you want to turn off their mic!

[@chris-dempsey]

It's really sad that this interviewer wasted as much as a brief moment bating her and pitting contention between her and another artist. I agree with you. She would be so interesting to listen to answer an open ended question about her process / inspiration or just her day to day interests

[@moehammondmedia]

Joni is the 🐐.

[@imannonymous7707]

Bob dylan kicked the door open for the entire singer songwriter movement

[@dontworrydon]

Whatever.....

[@gilchasin1022]

So said LC

[@missymissymiss5192]

I enjoyed this interview immensely.

[@RickSkrzypek]

At 50 years and counting, we have Van, Bruce, Neil, Leonard and had Cash and Ray Charles.

[@kennywowie]

Not jealousy. Annoyance at being compared to anyone. Affirmative on Crosby. One of our national treasures. My favorite rhythm guitarist. Wind on the Waters. He and Nash nailed that one in the opening choral section. Stunning.

[@gdsongwriter]

I read the comments here, many of which are, frankly, bizarre and ridiculous and all I can think of is of some of the finest albums of the 70s like Blood On The Tracks, For The Roses, Desire, Court And Spark etc. We'd all be better off listening to wonderful songs like Simple Twist Of Fate, Woman Of Heart And Mind, Shelter From The Storm, Electricity, Hurricane, Song For Sharon, Sarah. It's a long list. Do yourselves a favour and listen!

[@DexterHaven]

Speak for yourself. You sound like an old lady moralizing when you say, "We'd all be better off listening to wonderful songs like Simple Twist Of Fate... " Why don't you add, "And we all need to learn from Dickens after that and look into our own hearts and try to be a little kinder this Christmas..." yada, yada...

[@ruffyy123]

Joni Mitchell was working with different tunings and with Jazz musicians. Her music had a sophistication that Dylan's heartfelt backwoods music did not. Neil Young and Tom Petty are sort of cut from the same cloth. Basic chords and an accessible sound that we ordinary folks can relate to and play with minor proficency. Joni Mitchell is indeed high art and learned musicians will concur.

[@cstevenson1234]

Anyone offended by what she said isn't getting what she's saying. She said she liked a lot of his songs, but he wasn't a good musician and his persona was borrowed. That's not an insult; not being a good musician wasn't a limitation for him, and his use of a different public persona doesn't invalidate his effect.

[@cstevenson1234]

epiphany difference What constitutes genius is subjective; to say that an individual must align themselves with one's point of view is totalitarian.

[@nickpastorino5370]

+epiphany difference Would you say that me saying that 2+2=3 is just a 'different point of view' from everyone else? I'll be sure to tell my math professor that I never got any wrong answers on my exams, my incorrect answers were just different point of views. XD

[@HankFinkle11]

Cedric Conti what does that mean, "borrowed?"

[@artrock101]

@Scott Reed Have you ever seen or heard Woody Guthrie?

[@BayaniMagtanggol]

@Lord Elpus - wait, so Woody came first in the spotlight before Dylan did? please answer I'm curious.

[@jespersorensen4462]

Bob is the greatest songwriter ever. Joni has a handfull of great songs. You won’t catch Bob doing interviews passing negative judgement on Joni (or any other great songwriter). He does’nt need to - He knows where he stands in the pack !

[@dylan11558]

The reasons that Dylan is careful, even secretive about himself, his music, his thoughts, his life is showcased here with JM. Dylan protects himself by being evasive and mysterious, because he knows the price of fame is too a high a cost for anyone. JM, because she does not have Dylan's 60+ years of being mysterious and hard to figure out, seems a bit confused and bitter. JM is a huge talent, but she needs more of Dylan's control of her media image to protect her image and herself. Dylan learned that early in his career.

[@gilchasin1022]

Bitter? To me, it's more like passionate -- good for her for passionately standing up for herself, for correcting the wrong done her by ignorant interviewers, & for clearly stating not liking being set-up, taken out of context & misquoted. Nobody I know likes that from anyone. Love her 'certainly not by someone whose IQ is somewhere between their shoe size & the distance between their ankle & their knee.' Lol. I don't blame her one bit, but to label her biitter? That's your opinion...but Why, because she's not all lollipops & roses, & calls a spade a spade? C'mon. Real? Definitely. And, maybe I missed it, but where was the confusion? Goddess forbid that she took a breath to think how she wanted to respond. She seems refreshingly clear as daylight to me. 🙏🏿🙌

[@susankenneth2298]

If she spits out so many petty insults at the ignorance of a hack journalist I can believe she has some bitterness she needs to share.

[@DanielMulloy-bg6gw]

I will always love that woman!

[@Theweeze100]

Joni has nothing to defend. Her body of work is an ample defence against the "pedestrian quality" of much of the music that came after her. Musicians and music fans alike realize what a phenomenal talent she is! Man..this guy is a jerk!

[@karinettinger2912]

aweF0Am innerEnvy0n theShhh.awL0wGreen,"inTheBrrr.Aking&Brrr.EaThin0f 'theWaterWeeds"...

[@scottt3100]

Funny, I thought he was quite respectful. Maybe you didn’t see the entire interview. This was but a few minutes of it.

[@CuirPhotodotNet]

Joni could do anything Bob could do on any level.....his work ethic and drive for fame and recognition is stronger than hers....the interviewer took the emphasis off of HER..TO TALK ABOUT BOB....she fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book...the few comments I have read reflects the level people are on...I thought she was going to discuss their personal relationship instead of a discussion of her opinion about his undeniable talent ....JONI...is a unique being...truly....her art is undeniable....

[@ernietollar407]

Also while Joni is responsible for her comments about others, I'd prefer for a forum which encourages her to focus on HERSELF, and not steer a now woman into a mental sparing dialogue with herself.. she was always very welll spoken and directed the conversation to things that mattered to her (which is always a good thing for the one who is being interviewed to aim for). Hearing her scoff at a great fellow artist like Paul Simon was not the well thought out Joni I love... more a rambling moment when she let herself (at an older age) get steered intowhat I think is not her most meaningful moment

[@christinechapman7288]

She is wonderful🙂

[@clappzzz]

Dunno why she's insecure, her talents were immense. Maybe it's still hard to accept that it's over. She was great for a decade or so, and that's a LONG time for a songwriter. The thing about Mitchell is, she had the whole package: fantastic lyrics, original guitar style, beguiling melodies, BRILLIANT voice, good looks...none of the other great singer-writers of her (or any other) era were so completely gifted. So she can poke a hole in just about anybody else, if she wants to...

[@thomaselliott573]

Good looks???????? She is one of the most ugly ladies ever created! She could not even win a beauty contest at a horse show! Maybe you got the clap from her because you are raving mad.

[@lvrgrl8472]

she's not insecure.... youre one of those interviewers she's speaking of. taking everything out of context. she is obviously very secure in herself

[@lvrgrl8472]

@@thomaselliott573 you have a distorted reality of what beauty looks like. To talk about someone that way is gross.

[@thomaselliott573]

@@lvrgrl8472 but true. She was a girl with a chip on her shoulder. Eternally depressed and looking for someone to blame it on.

[@outis439-A]

@@thomaselliott573 Ok, she was not hideous; I mean she wasnt stunning either but she looks average.

[@mbrand19971]

Thanks Norman I'm glad you read this and hopefully these debates of good songwriters shpuld end all of them gave us good music that will cherish our lives forever.

[@DreaCN]

Here's my thoughts on this for what it's worth and for any that care. Even if Bob Dylan 'stole' material or ideas or a persona or whatever, his abilities and insight at reading the times still outweigh much of the criticism levied against him. He was a lightning rod for the times and changed everything after him. Had he not been that, there would be no Joni Mitchell. Bob Dylan has said many times that he just wanted to do his thing and people ended up taking him too seriously for his own liking. He resonated a bit too much. He enjoyed the attention but found it also absurd. Dylan also said that he can't write the way he did back when. May be true but his songwriting still isn't bad. His singing voice, today, well that's another story altogether. Joni Mitchell, talented as she is, came from a lack of experience which gave her the originality she enjoyed. It was in not knowing how to do it but having the will to express her eccentric self that made her really stand out as an artist. She's original but flaky too. Those things often go together with artists. For the most part I enjoy her take on things artistically but she takes her own originality too seriously as well and often ends up making a creative mess out of it. Joni is being a little dishonest when she talks about persona. She is after all in show business and all performance has a bit of theater. All performers are actors, even street performers, waiters, customer service people, sales people and politicians. There's a lot of opportunities to 'act' a part. Many great musicians have used a persona or a mask to deliver their work. Elton John, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Lou Reed, etc. She's being a little underhanded here whether she knows it or not. She hasn't remained as popular over the decades while Dylan's legend grows larger than, in her eyes, maybe it should. I don't think either idea sits well with her. I think that's evident.

[@subzerothought]

+Drea CN A very astute comment!

[@humanbein9415]

+Drea CN Wow. Very perceptive, and extremely well articulated. I must concur.

[@lijanal5090]

Drea CN chuck Berry was the beginning of Dylan for song writing so did the beach boys steel Gordon Lightfoot is original

[@62426637]

Right on! Joni can rightly claim to be an original--but she has to admit who the greatest original among postwar songwriters was. She is the opposite of Dylan in that she reveals a single soul, while he approaches form many directions, adopting many (dis)guises along the way.

[@user-kh9ki3kq8m]

Bob Dylan was a phony who pretended to not want to be ogled over for using stolen content. Someone who really made music and didn’t care about being recognized is someone like Karen Dalton. People who don’t care about attention, generally don’t get that much.

[@piehole23]

Wherever would you get the idea that things didn't work out for Joni Mitchell?? 8 Grammys, 7 more nominations, inducted into Rock & Rol Hall of Fame; her music enthusiastically covered by other famed singers, Rolling Stone ranked "Both Sides, Now" #171 on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.etc. etc. Not to mention acclaim for painting and poetry, beatiful homes in Bel Air and Half Moon Bay, BC. Ya, things really have gone bad for her!

[@playingdominoes]

Gorgeous when she mimics him "Sometimes I wish I could have that character". Two greats.

[@johnanthonycafe2993]

Brutal honesty about Dylan. Joni was an original.

[@wakajawakka]

It's pretty laughable how vigorously Dylan's fans will defend him, even against the most tepid of criticisms. Does it ever occur to you that Joni knows him personally and therefore has opinions of him that go beyond what you know of him as fans? Most of these legends from the 60s/70s knew each other and probably like/dislike each other for reasons that, as fans, we'll never be privy to.

[@cactaceous]

Bob slept with her and dismissed her a few times, specially later in life he was not nice. She spoke marvels of him throughout her life but now spews vile his way since then. Wonder why?

[@anfieldarcher8545]

She said that she has never borrowed and she is an original what's so original about a guitar and a folk song

[@PianoHead26]

Thanks Joni, you are a true musical star:)

[@JoeRivermanSongwriter]

Total hero. She's a wonderful and unique artist. Respect!

[@bluesborn]

Joni is just giving her honest opinion on certain facets of Dylan's style.I appreciate that honesty. I think they are both brilliant song writers but I wouldn't hesitate to give Bob the edge as far as that goes.Conversely Joni is a brilliant guitarist whose open tuning technique is highly regarded in the guitar world.Bob on the other hand has a rather simplistic technique and so in this regard Joni definitely has the edge.Having said all of this-it really doesn't matter.They're both genius'.

[@xmandlt]

Love Joni. Love Bob. If anyone has a right to express their opinion about Bob, Joni does. Love and respect to both of them.

[@andocrates]

Mozart didn't copy Bach nor could he escape him.

[@mcdaniels6188]

I'm so glad to hear that Joni didn't actually dis Bob Dylan. Joni should be the next Nobel recipient for literature.

[@chuckhurlocker2180]

Glad I watched this on this fine morning

[@lewisfirth6502]

her take on Bob is interesting even surprising but is as honest as she can be, its deep and she should know, no criticism from me , Bob could see which way the wind blew, pun intended, oh and hi anybody.

[@harrylazard805]

Great interview, I was never a great fan but there's no doubt she's a genius.

[@DearArianaMusic]

Listen to "It's Alright Ma I'm Only Bleeding" and tell me Dylan isn't a very good guitar player.

[@jamesx9881]

@nightridehome - you say Dylan WAS a mediocre musician? It is 2020 and the Legend is releasing it a new album of original work. I have seen Bob Live 5 times, twice at the Albert Hall, he is not and never will be mediocre. He changed the world and the world of music. Listen to Time out of mind and tell me that album is mediocre.

[@gayleliman3423]

@nightridehome - you must be Canadian.

[@ronchapman6525]

@nightridehome - I love Joni's music but you are an ignorant fool.

[@michaelcelani8325]

Why compare two artists that are unique..? Super Dumb!

[@gayleliman3423]

@@michaelcelani8325 Super dumb! Yes!

[@beyeringly]

sorry, does not diminish the fact that she is an incredible song writer, musician and singer and may be the second greatest poet if the 20th century

[@davenorman2803]

Joni paints pictures with words ... that's the difference to me !

[@olajohansson1678]

Ever heard A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall? Tangled Up In Blue? Jokerman? Brownsvillle Girl? Born in Time? Love Sick?

[@JM-co6rf]

Saying Dylan wasn't a good guitar player is like saying T.S. Elliot had mediocre handwriting.

[@imaonarseal]

True that. And Dylan is realistic about his own abilities in this regard. I have heard him say he prefers other people's versions of some of his songs, as do I myself. He is probably the greatest living songwriter, certainly in the English language, so that's something. And besides, many of his studio albums are classics, from Highway 61 revisited, Blood on the Tracks, Desire, Modern Times, Rough and Rowdy Ways (2020) and probably a dozen others in between. His is a wonderful gift to humanity, aided by his other output, Chronicles & Theme Time Radio Hour in which he opens his library of influences to all who wish to see. There was a time when I didn't really like Dylan and associated him with annoying harmonica solos. Now I think I know better. Having said all that, I think Joni is one of the most underrated of songwriters and I don't blame her for being a little snappy.

[@travisthornton1792]

For the first half of this video, she answers a general question with personalized, self-centered answers.

[@lorddragon7767]

She got all you Dylan fans pressed. She read his ass.

[@tony22745]

"Good artists borrow, great artists steal", - Pablo Picasso.

[@kathidori8504]

There is nothing new under the sun. Go look for the babylonian ceramics in the Louvre in Paris : maybe Picasso was inspired by them.......

[@douglasmartin9346]

Tempest is the thirty-fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan, released on September 10, 2012 by Columbia Records. The album was recorded at Jackson Browne's Groove Masters Studios in Santa Monica, California. Tempest was very well received by contemporary music critics, who praised its traditional music influences and Dylan's dark lyrics.

[@RemedyUnderTheSun]

God, I lover her lol. She's got so much class.

[@ianjohnson3840]

She's an old hag and a mess in this video

[@funisnumberone1]

I'm glad she go the chance to explain her previously attributed comments about Bob. I never thought she'd say something so harsh and degrading about him,and I can absolutely believe she was misquoted and/or taken out of context by a journalist trying to create controversy and notoriety. She basically says what Bob has said before: that he borrows from his influences in the folk tradition and adds to it, whether that be his voice, his writing style, and the words he uses so magically.

[@nosnayack]

The first time I heard Joni was "Court and Spark" and I felt her melodies and chords were otherworldly. Bob Dylan was influenced by Joni's "Blue"...."Tangled Up in Blue" and the whole of Blood On the Tracks. She has it right when she depicts most musicians imitating their heroes. All the comments here seek to express that Dylan is better but miss the point. He gets loads of credit. Joni is a worthy equal and doesn't really get much credit. She really had to fight to stay in the business

[@tomthumb3500]

What a bright wonderful lady.

[@cbcmusic]

Couldn't agree more

[@daveholly9005]

I would just love to spend an evening talking with Joni and Bob.. when I say talking with.. i mean shutting up and listening.

[@GD24__]

You don't have to have remarkable voice ,if you have things to say,people listen. Singing has nothing to do with popularity. It's the persona that shines through,that is what people see and appreciate.

[@sspbrazil]

She’s right about Bob with what she says at the end with the exception of not being a good guitar player, he’s so spontaneous when he plays, he can break into anything on a whim, maybe he doesn’t have the gift of alternate tunings like Joni, but he’s still a good guitar player.

[@sharonsmith2771]

Joni wishes she could have written Visions of Johanna or Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands. I really see no comparison. And her singing style is annoying. There, i said it. Come at me but you will never convince me she is on a par with Bob.

[@sspbrazil]

@@sharonsmith2771 that’s not the point of what she says here though, Bob couldn’t have written anything off of Blue either. It’s not a competition.

[@santanaincubus]

Nyah, forget all the Dylan haters and Ms Joni's comment about Bob that he's made a character and that his talent is limited. Hell to the No. Bob is and was a great musician and can sing and play guitar at a great high level. Made great classics and decided to not sell out or appear in the media late in his career.

[@bigkkm]

I saw them both on the same bill in 1998. As a huge fan of both of these artists, their shows couldn't have been more different. Joni opened with an an amazing, reflective. guitar-as-synthesizer, almost quiet (albeit ear-bleeding level) set, an Bob came out rocking as if his life depended on it. It's disappointing reading the comments here, yes she is full of herself, but so is Bob, and they both have earned the right to be that way. It's an artist thing, we mere mortals couldn't understand.

[@thatisrob]

I love them both

[@celestial9669]

Starting @ 04:14, Sounds like a Dylan dig to me. Whatever Joni, Dylan's music will be remembered more than yours will be to future generations.

[@ShunyamNiketana]

One important aspect of artistic "genius" is the ability and willingness to adapt, evolve, develop. Joni has that in spades. Based on her folk-hippie songs (can't think of a better term) of the late 60s, all beautiful, who would have anticipated the amazing, jazzy essays of the 90's and beyond? Those are complex, subtle, tender hymns. Dylan benefited from timing and his own NYC coffee house ambition, but that's not to minimize the genius of songs that endure and cover so well. I like both.

[@gmawneydawgness]

Wow! I think Joni and Dylan are both brilliant, despite what she says about Dylan at the end of the video

[@JohnOShaughnessy]

That cleared up a few things! She's a real muse