Joni Mitchell ~ River Live

[@jimaltese8738]

I met my Wife Liz when I was 14 years old and I would visit her and hang out in her room and listen to music and she would always play Joni Mitchell and this was her favorite song My Liz has passed away now and I miss her very very much Thanks for putting this live song on for all of us to enjoy,

[@laurieparent6619]

met my hubby of 47 years as a 13 year old.... We'd walk through a local reservoir and love it up in sun shine on a cold winters day.... Miss him like mad..... This song.....

[@joelarama]

Avery Merry Christmas to you Jim. 😁

[@inezmickel1274]

Omg ... why did reading this make me cry ... literally cry

[@paulbosoreal9040]

Lost my Dee 7 years ago, she also liked Joni, I think about her everytime I hear this song.

[@richardzilver8919]

Thanks for sharing Jim. All the best.

[@TheBrokenCassette]

"I'm so hard to handle, I'm selfish, and I'm sad" This is how I feel most days. This song heals my soul.

[@Karen-m2d1t]

Keep listening, dear one.

[@meghanyoung3273]

@@TheBrokenCassette I would teach my feet to fly. *not crying*

[@paulpremnadama9009]

Mmm. This song first touched me as a teenager. But as a guy in his 50's it now brings tears...

[@mcnabk1]

that is so sad x

[@davidb8777]

Her songs are so beautiful but there is a thread of sadness and depression through many of them like this one.

[@cedarraine7829]

I cry every time I hear this beautiful tune. I don’t know why.

[@fpngan]

Am I the only one who cries at the sheer beauty of this?

[@anthonyodoherty1436]

No 😓

[@martinromeijn6302]

No... Every time.

[@samlewis7878]

Same here. This song brings back so many memories...good and bad.@@martinromeijn6302

[@scottharrold7772]

No this is so beautiful

[@raffybphotos]

no. every. single. time.

[@treider1]

I'm glad you met Joni. I have been listening to her for over thirty years. She has been the only woman who ever understood me even though I've never met her and probably never will. She has been the woman who I have measured every other woman against.

[@bettyanngould1]

Yep, Joni is a gift to the world...

[@bengood1883]

To me this song is about being around everyone at Xmas/NYE celebrating and you have a heartache and want to be a thousand miles away.

[@kingofdubb2133]

she had a baby before she became famous, which was put up for adoption, because the marriage failed

[@arrabellaadler7018]

Hauntingly beautiful song. Fantastically talented and fascinating woman. Truly one of a kind.

[@gretchenfleming52]

I get a big lump in my throat when I hear this; it is such a beautiful song.

[@cbyam1300]

This song is pure genius, so delicate, yet strong, with a gentle melancholy. It moved me enormously when I first heard it years ago & still does now....how many of us identify with the lyrics ? I know I do......thank you for posting.

[@lag3227]

It just doesn't get any better. Poet, artist, performer -- all done with such grace and honesty.

[@minusbilis]

Something terrifyingly beautiful in this

[@mariavarecka5357]

I feel the same way. It's beautiful and very sad at the same time.

[@mikeduplessis6315]

Nobody ever mentions her piano work. I know a *little* piano, just enough to be in absolute awe of her.

[@kristopherchynoweth9770]

Yes, her and Tori Amos in my opinion.

[@NewEarthBlog]

Beautiful! Though I've listened to this song on an album for over 40 years, I loved hearing this little different rendition, where she ad libs with in different ways. Her voice is one I never tire of.

[@TheCrabshaw1]

reminds me of growing up and skating away for hours. got old, live in florida, have not seen snow or ice in 30 yrs. still. thank you. a must have song

[@oreyish]

This live version of River is like the greatest song ever. Usually I'm a fan of studio versions of songs but this is just... incredibly beautiful.

[@Lakelandvoices]

In 1963 I was at school in the English Lake District and the whole school skated across Lake Windermere. Whenever I go skating now I think of this song. Few songs can take me back like this one does - where did all those years go? What a beautiful singer - Joni Mitchell, the patron saint of nostalgia!

[@nooze7]

Beyond...... Thanks for the loveliest version of a lovely song.

[@jmrob1107]

This song is as beautiful today as it was when Joni first recorded it. Joni Mitchell is a genius of a singer/songwriter. If this song doesn't touch you somewhere in your soul, then you are not alive. Her music is a true reflection of life itself. She is a treasure.

[@jormsby4284]

Ooooooo BLISS, tingles all down my spine--Joni, THANKYOU SO VERY MUCH for all the wonderful music/poetry. Joni Mitchell--LEGEND.,

[@Mentalfloss64]

There will never be an equal to Joni.

[@Boradogih]

This song is so beautiful and emotional that.. tears just escaped my eyes.. there was no way holding them back..

[@chrissarles1686]

I l love all music and am new to joni. I've known of her my whole life, but when I heard the vocals on this song it brought MY house down. Wow. Left me breathless and shaking.

[@marcfrost7045]

I’ve had a crush on this genius since I was 20 years old, 45 years ago💖

[@macs_1959]

This song is my favourite xmas song.

[@Lisa0529]

If you're listening to this, Eric and Dee, know that I think of you guys dragging our toboggans when I hear this -- fills my heart with joy -- good times!

[@cheesyface143]

I had to sing this for school in choir and it made my music teacher cry! it's very rare to find people say they love Joni Mitchell, I love her songs, very talented woman I wish I had her voice, I would be very happy... this song makes me cry at times... I'm very emotional.

[@pacerr34]

40 years of my life, in love with a voice and the spirit behind it. Thank you, Joni.

[@jarabaa]

Thanks for this. I can only echo everyone else. A goddess. And this is live... And to think that ordinary mortals were there and saw and heard this.

[@fripouille69]

I used to be in the military. In the Navy. I would listen to this and the rest of Blue in my bunk, on a frigate sailing through the night, using a cheap battery-powered cassette player with crummy headphones. Before going to sleep. Kinda doesn't make sense, I know. But it does make sense, believe me........

[@leanhquoc3109]

The more I listen to this the more I appreciate how gifted Joni is, this is literally soul healing.

[@Highland804]

I got chills listening to this. Thanks so much for posting. Beautiful.

[@mariavarecka2618]

JONI, I HAVE NO WORDS, THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

[@MrJasdog107]

This song shines like the gem it is i always come back to it at this time of the year its the best ever song for the christmas season.

[@SuzzyStohelit]

That:s an interesting choice, most of us heard her when we were "growing up" and I have spent many a nights sleep crying and listening to Joni. Hissing of Summer Lawns was my CA. song, and Blue is another fav, thanks for the answer to my..?

[@amnesiacadvocate]

she's not just a performer's performer. she's an artist's artist. such a beautiful song sang with the most honest emotion...

[@darkktur88]

Me virgo with tons of leo thrown in . Bjork..triple scorpio another amazing artist Man I listened to these songs forever when they originally came out and somehow forgot about them ...thanks to you tube for resurecting them..I just re-bought the CD..OMG what talent

[@MikPonderable]

Every time I listen to this song it makes me cry and I've been listening to Joni since the 70's... It's a tough life being a hopeless romantic, but it feel so good!

[@auto900700]

Absolutely stunning , sad , enchanting, heartwarming ; all avenues of love in one song ,amazing.

[@albertoclipper]

When I listened to music in the early seventies it was all Yes, ELP, Led Zep, all guy stuff cause after all women singers were just girl music. Well thanks to You Tube I get to hear all the music I missed. I think I missed a lot of good stuff!.

[@cbyam1300]

Whichever way you examine this song, whether it be lyrically, musically, emotionally or spritually, it is an incredible piece of music, so deceptively brilliant, so deep, yet so simple...a masterpiece. Thank you for posting this live version...bless you.

[@Marklewisdes]

I'm a Canadian..this is my all-time favorite by a Canadian artist..it's such a beautiful song..timeless..

[@TravelingBibliophile]

The River and Both Sides Now are my favourite of Joni's songs they are timeless and that is why people still love them today and artists want to cover them.

[@spacetimeeternity]

As a young man in my early twenties, I first heard this after buying the album because I'd seen it referenced as an ifluence by such a diverse range of musical artists...it piqued my curiosity. A year later, I had a new son...I was unmarried, trying to make my way in a new world, totally in love with this new human... It was a very emotional and confusing period. I still have to listen to it now and again to remind me of the grace, beauty and dignity of the song...

[@qwertyuiop1014]

This is my first time listening to this song and it made me cry. This is breathtaking.

[@unoriginalnamehere7350]

There's some real heartbreak behind this song, but also a touching reconciliation. I love that James Taylor plays this song back for Joni and that both of them can look back at this time of their lives peacefully.

[@ppumpkin3282]

Heard Joni sing this once. Gave me goose bumps. Maybe Canadian goose bumps.

[@tattoofthesun]

the piano in this song is like the snow and ice, Joni's singing is the skating woman, skating away and away

[@beingshar]

Thank you Joni...so nice to have something to resonate with at Christmas besides some of the commercial stuff - this is not commercial....Ms. Mitchell sings from the heart on this one.

[@JacquelineOdessGillett]

Don't give up. You're so young. You have your whole life to turn it around. You have no idea how messed up I was till my mid-30s!!! And now, 30 years later, my life is really good! Pray for help---you'll get it.

[@CTinSeattle]

You are not alone..... ahhhhhh, music. Beautiful, beautiful music...

[@ciricillo1]

It is so beautiful!- and brings me back to my wonderfull days as a young girl with all my friends ice skating and enjoying life. I like to wax philosophically every now and then since I'm moving toward my 60's. She tells a beautiful story and since she is the song writer and poet, no other artist can sing this song, they try but they don't even come close. You just can't stop wanting to hear her. She is contageous.I went to see her in my high school days and she was like no other. Enjoy!!!!

[@chelezeh]

She's a poet, singer, painter...and I could go on, performer, inspirational strong woman but ultimately she's Joni and just amazeballs!!

[@KileyLagan]

I heard this song 1st from Sarah McLachlin which I loved. My Auntie told me Joni lst sang it. So glad I could find her version too. Loved both.Thank you for posting this.

[@blancawinterduncan7192]

I believe Michell wrote it.

[@okrajoe]

Amazing live version of "The River" by Joni Mitchell

[@SuperCait101290]

Fantastically beautiful, the song AND the artist. That type of performance comes from a place inside a person that a lot of modern recording artists just don't bother to reach any more.

[@joshuataylor3975]

Like any any great lyric, this lyric grows older with you as you do the same... Profoundly beautiful. Profoundly sad. And yet, somewhere in the darkness, a comforting hope. Thank you, Joni.

[@slownoman]

Joni is, transcendently, a poet. There is no finer songwriter in this generation. Some are on the same pinnacle: Cohen, Simon, Lennon, McCartney, Dylan- but no one is better.

[@SnowWalker1]

Beautiful song. Always the one I play over and over and over again.

[@barbaradunbar9540]

My very favorite Christmas song.

[@DarkEmpress1]

Oh My God....I literally have tears in my eyes right now. This is the first time Ive heard this and I feel like Ive lost out on alot. Its probably the MOST BEAUTIFUL song ever

[@corinne54]

What a lovely rendition. I'd never heard this live version before. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@Song-bender]

Just an emotional jaw dropper. I could live the rest of my days with this in the background. Maybe not...The foreground.. Play it loud!

[@problemocean01]

I know how you feel..... I always listen to this song when I think about my Dad. I have probably heard this song 500 times, especially at Christmas

[@Tolbiny]

So beautiful......thank you x

[@butfulmuzik]

Ah, Joni, this song makes me cry and weak at the knees. Beautiful, sad, and every word and note is from the heart. I love how she uses her voice to create the sense of motion: "I would teach my feet to flyyyyyyyyyyyy" or on Banquet: "back where the water skiers gliiiiiiiiiiide." Her voice is an instrument. A great, great artist.

[@ellenprokopow1840]

Heard her interview on NPR this morning. Hadn't know she wrote this in context of being hospitalized as a child and unable to walk. Told she could go home "if she could walk". And she did.

[@lisal63amy]

I heard that too this morning... a great interview!

[@NewEarthBlog]

+Ellen Prokopow Thanks, Ellen. I hadn't known that!

[@nortebboxersltd]

the deffinative sound of the 60`s/70`s,even though this is the first time ive listened to joni with out being stoned its still such a beautyfull song lady gaga can sing my arse.

[@stevenzyla]

Not too shabby for a painter.

[@yeekins]

What a beautiful recording! Thanks for sharing

[@merwingreen2396]

That's back when music was real and real good.

[@TAndrackeH]

There always is "real and real good" music out there. Don't limit yourself. Music keeps us all going. All One ~ ONE LOVE

[@jrw344]

Incredible vocal range, brings me chills....

[@ben909ben]

I always felt this came from living in California but growing up in Saskatoon and skating on the sloughs on the prairies every winter, or the Ottawa Canal. Every year I take my hockey playing daughter to Ottawa to skate on the canal, and I sing this song to myself. Once the ice was real bad and when I sang "...feet to fly" I caught an edge an went airborne landed on my head daughter laughing both of us laughing but I damn near brained myself aren't little girls just perfect?

[@DaveMorrisonOrkney]

This is one of my favourite Joni songs it is just such a beautiful song it always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

[@geraldbrown9497]

First time I have had the pleasure to listen to her remarkable voice.It won't be the last

[@tmmmviii]

Wow! It give me chills when she lets her voice go.

[@shir4141]

No words other than simpley amazing.

[@thefrittsfactor]

When I was ten (1969) my parents divorced, Joni Mitchell got me through it, River was the song that I listened to over and over. My oldest sister gave me the cassette, Blue and I was Home! Thank you Joni for your wonderful poetry in motion from this lonely girl finding her way. I did!

[@samandafa]

This absolutely gives me chills and goosebumps. So beautiful.

[@MFlego81]

I love this song, and Joni's musical talent! :)

[@scassarina]

When I listen to this song I imagine my next summer, leaving this city to travel around countries, playing music, meeting people, enjoying nature and searching for a spiritual peace. Without any idea of what to do the following winter. We miss you Joni.

[@villemurej]

she was quite young when she sang this....the way it is sang here....and anyone who understand that song should be holding a very emotional moment in this ...

[@chuckm51]

There are SO many wonderful songs by Joni. I wish I had a river I could skate away on...

[@ElvisLivesUpstairs]

It's strange how 10 people could dislike this, each to their own, I guess.....

[@forestchild23]

I never heard this song until 3 weeks ago when I heard Hayley Westenra sing it at a Christmas concert. Then, yesterday they played it on 'Doctors'. It's so beautiful. I do love Joni Mitchell's voice.

[@storybeader]

what a beautiful singer/songwriter. She makes me break down in tears always!

[@larryjanssen7869]

Wow, always loved this song, but this is just incredible!

[@JEP177777]

Thank you for putting this beautiful version up. It is perfect.

[@RUefingkidding]

probably the most beautiful sad song I've ever heard. Kudos Joni and ty

[@littlerainworm550]

this is my first meeting joni mitchell. I was scared because I teach myself to slowly discover the old songwriters and I was disapointed of some of them, but joni is perfect!!!! I´ve fallen in love! thanks for posting this!

[@sandia.dufern479]

My dear Sweet Joni...sending love. you music is the soundtrack of my life. I graciously thank you. Sandi

[@Holymakinaw]

An absolute Canadian TREASURE.

[@Sadlullabiesdreamer]

brilliant.. God, every time i listen to this song i fall deeper and deeper in love with it...

[@duinnerfs]

Joni Mitchell, a great posting...

[@keithjetton4932]

My wife's favorite Winter Solstice song....heck, she loves it year round.

[@barbarafalk1284]

I wish I had a river to skate away on just now....thanks Joni..I have to hear this every Christmas

[@AngieMFAK77]

Shivers down the spine OMG beautiful

[@antioccidents]

Often when I hear this song, I wish that one particular person would be listening to this song and feeling badly, because I've cast myself as the "best baby" they'd ever had. That's pretty cruel and unforgiving of me, but it's true.

[@fpngan]

Learning to play this on piano, such an beautiful song

[@SnowWalker1]

omg I have always loved this song so much!