Why BOTH SIDES NOW is a perfect song

[@MarySpender]

First 1000 people to sign up using this link get 50% off... ▶ How To Play Fingerstyle Guitar: bit.ly/3Xtlxn1

[@jonbongjovi1869]

HELP me teach society that FOR THE ROSES is far better than BLUE, which is clunkier! DYLAN CAN'T WRITE GOOD SONGS IN ANY WAY! CRAP LYRICS TOO!! JONI is the KING!!

[@koolpfanski]

Mary, I wanna tell you something important. [Because: I'm sure of it, now.] * You, can preform the deal. You can keep it s secret. [I'm sure, one of you goals: Is "The Gloves; with the riffs". ..part.] In the future. That will, come to pass. And what ever: at your Liberty. * Now something else... [It's not to be rude.] These talk videos. [Done] It's the song Mary... And You are in kind of a marriage with Robert. [Not really that intense though; on your daily life.] It's the song; with Robert Forever. Every Day... Somehow. (i,e,) Not a video about; this stuff. * You have to keep running your business though, [Correct?] Your gonna listen to him. Every day. But maybe not... Every day. But the song and Robert. Will be every day. [They get , like leaches.] But they will let up on the pulling. Just ask. And they; will give you a break... But leavening is not. And, You know these songs and guitars... And all of that. They're not even mine any more... But the song is coming. And, again, and again. The most important for you is this: Never go back to prove you can rip; and do a better show: to "Get-back"; at another Musician... Ever... Remember, Robert did... So avoid that, experience. It took 3 very small seconds... To hear; you difference. Wow... that

[@thefrancis742]

@@koolpfanski wat the gotdam hell are u talkin about

[@koolpfanski]

@@thefrancis742Using the spirit: Psycic music...

[@danbgt]

I’m 72 years old. Have been a music lover ever since I first listened to my older brother’s 45rpm records in the mid 1950’s. Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis. Then the Beatles, Rolling Stones. As the 1960’s evolved I got more into folk and Joni was always amount my favorites. When I started playing guitar in my 60’s after retirement, I became interested in alternate tuning and discovered that she was the queen of alternate tunings. I also had polio. Contracted it in 1952. So she is a kindred spirit. Love her now. Always have. I like your stuff too.

[@greggr1591]

Joni is one of the most evocative songwriters ever. Just the first few bars of Just Like This Train, Coyote, Song for Sharon, or Chinese Cafe immediately bring back the time & place when first I heard them, and each new hearing offers something new.

[@goodun2974]

Although I found myself unable to follow Joni when she went off into jazz, I love Blue, Ladies of the Canyon, and Court and Spark. The Hissing of Summer Lawns had some good moments as well, but that was the last record that made any sense to me. And yet, those 4 records changed how and what I thought about music.

[@georgesonm1774]

to me, Court and Spark and Hissing are her masterpieces. Hejira is amazing too, and I'm yet to take in the later 70s albums, but the intersection of jazz and folk (putting it in wayyy simplistic terms) is, to me, where it's at when it comes to Joni. Like, she was a fantastic songwriter before, but musically she really spread her wings on Court and further on

[@sumnerhayes3411]

Trying to name one person as the greatest songwriter of all time is a fool's errand (how do you compare Bach, Cole Porter, Bob Dylan, and Dolly Parton?), but Joni is definitely in that top tier of people you'd consider if you were chasing that fool's errand.

[@AzaleaMusic]

So wonderful to see this iconic figure finally get receive praise and recognition she deserves. And so eloquently presented, Mary. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏

[@loujetlag]

Thank you, Mary, for this very moving tribute. I discovered Joni in my late teens, and have been a fan since the early 70’s. I saw her live at the Hollywood Bowl one beautiful summer night. I’d broken up with my girlfriend, and I’d bought two tickets, that I didn’t want to go to waste, so I invited my mom. She’s an artist and had been a musician, and was really able to appreciate the magic that is Joni on that beautiful summer night in LA. Wonderful, as is what you’ve shared, which revealed some things about Joni’s life that I didn’t know. Thanks again. Blessings. Lou

[@andypeacockmusic]

Both sides now and ‘A case of you’ are personally the most moving songs of my life.

[@danmayberry1185]

Glad you said that. I was mainly a Purple-Sabbath guy, but have yet to escape A Case Of You in one piece.

[@mairnealachcaillte771]

"Oh I am a lonely painter, I live in a box of paints" Joni was an art student, who played music as a student, because it paid. At one point in her life her brush was a guitar, her voice, a pen... her canvas a stage, a diner , club , wherever she could "paint". Her music is poetry, her thoughts, her feelings, her life, her biography... and her paintings, that is her music told vivid stories of her life in the same way a artist paints. I have listened to her work for decades, she is truly an artist, we are honored to have had her paint in our ears.🎶🖌💚💙❤‍🩹 (and yes , she paints on canvas too, )

[@sirfultonbishop]

Thanks for a glimpse into this musical icon’s life. I have never heard most of this.

[@carolmartin4413]

We finally saw her show in 1974...long past our young hippie years but well aware of her songs. It was magical...her voice, her music, a little nostalgia, a little rebellion. We were home in our youth again. She remains one of our all time favorite singer/songwriters...and that's saying a lot when you come from the years of Dylan, Lightfoot, Beatles, Cohen, etc. Happy Birthday, Mary. Hope you have a fun, enjoyable, warm and wonderful day. Cheers 🍻

[@rkoblues24]

I've loved Joni Mitchell from the moment I first heard Clouds. I was a Senior in high school when that album was released and I remember purchasing it at my favorite record store in late 1969. I believe she is a musical genius. Thank you for this video.

[@johngraydon506]

Same here ❤

[@trioofone8911]

I was in tears more than once through this video. I am almost 60. In truth, I was a mite TOO young to have been able to appreciate Joni Mitchell in her early years in real time, and when my own musical tastes began to coalesce I was much more interested in Tull, Yes, and Rush--Joni Mitchell sounded entirely 10 years too old to my young ears. Lol. I have progressed from a classical musician to a rock musician to a trad/folk musician to a singer songwriter, and all that time Joni has floated in the background, and my regard for her songwriting, singing, and her personal strength have just continued to grow. Thank you for this bio: it's a treasure

[@msspi764]

I was in my late teens as she was putting out her early stuff. It was so different and struck the heart of teenage angst we were living during that time. Of course we weren’t having complicated relationships in the hippie caves in Crete but we were exploring the complexities of young love and maturing with each experience, good and bad. Unlike so many artists her music stayed relevant even as our maturity broadened and deepened our understanding of life. Seeing her now, seeing the tribute to her with Graham Nash singing Case of You for her, seeing the old movies of her being loving with Graham while having the early lyrics of River on her lap, all that is so touching and personally relevant. Those of us who have a lifetime of experiences in our rear view mirror understand those flash fire relationships like theirs can’t last, and you know that as you live them. You can see that it will end but you treasure those experiences of love and infatuation while you can. Now, decades later, they’re treasures that you feel blessed to have experienced. But she must have been aware of that in the moment and knew to live that moment as fully as she could. Lessons

[@terrywoodyyc]

Thank you Mary for such a wonderful video. You captured so much, and so beautifully, in only 10 minutes. I fell in love with Joni when a friend brought over a copy of her then just released debut album, Song to a Seagull, in 1968. A bunch of us sat in front of the speakers and were absolutely mesmorized. I have been a Joni fan ever since.

[@Iconoplastt]

Joni's one of the greatest artists of the last century no doubt. Great vid Mary!

[@christopherhidalgo6696]

Neil Young, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, are better

[@RyanMcKennaGosling]

@@christopherhidalgo6696 I also love George Harrison too especially his guitar solos on "My Sweet Lord" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" (go check out the live performance from the 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony with Tom Petty, Prince and Jeff Lynne if you haven't). "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp" is my favourite off from ATMP (if you have seen HIMYM, that's a perfect song choice). And lastly, Harrison's work with Jeff Lynne and his supergroup The Traveling Wilburys are great!

[@jerrypruden887]

This flight tonight is often overlooked but really one of her best songs.

[@amethystanne4586]

Thank you, Mary, for this so-lovely tribute to a legendary painter-of-words&music. Joni is such an amazing artist. Of anybody, you are the appropriate person to be telling Joni’s story. You are a musician and composer. I only knew of her from listening to “Both Sides Now” on my small AM transistor radio, back in the day. [DJ’ed by ”Cousin Brucie” out of NYC on WABC]

[@Graffitiworkrob]

My Dad was her neighbor when she lived in Detroit in the Verona Apartments in the Cass Corridor, he was fairly well known musician in the scene himself playing drums with the likes of Bob Seger, Mitch Ryder, and pretty much every Blues musician in the Cass Corridor, and being one of the first employees of Creem Magazine, he actually ended up turning down some bigger gigs like Ike & Tina Turner and few others as well. The Cass Corridor was a pretty insane scene itself, it was a blend of some incredible musicians like the MC5, The Stooges, a yet unknown Alice Cooper, artists like Gilda Snowden, and Brian and Wendy Froud and poets like John Sinclair, even Gilda Radner was a regular in the scene. The Cass Corridor was featured a bit in the Creem documentary, but it’s something I don’t think gets enough attention for it’s contributions to the arts.

[@gregpastic6910]

I had the pleasure of hearing Joni in November of 1966 at the River Boat coffee house in Yorkville, Toronto, and again at the same place in April the following year. I was fortunate to have been able to hang out there even though I was twelve years old because my father George Pastic had a studio in Yorkville. Then he bought an old home on Davenport at Avenue Rd. which he renovated and turned into a fabulous top floor studio, and rented the two lower floors to an antique shop and a hair salon. I heard so many emerging artists in Yorkville during the 60's and early 70's that I couldn't possibly name (or remember...hahaha) them all. My dad became friends with Bruce Cockburn and did the photography and art design for Bruce's first album "High Winds White Sky" which is still one of my favorites. As for Joni, I've loved and admired her ever since then, both for her art and for who she is as a person.

[@Marcus_C51]

Mary-Thanks so much for this wonderful documentary. what a nice way to start the day! Huge Joni fan here, but I'd never known that "Both Sides Now" was inspired by Saul Bellow's "Henderson The Rain King"-wow! ("Humboldt's Gift" is a favorite) Also that Al Kooper was the conduit to getting the song to Judy Collins was something I hadn't known--obviously your knowledge of her career and research is extensive. Is he the Forest Gump of music or what? Got a good laugh on the "go sit on a tack" response to her continuing to deal with all of her retuning on acoustic! What a badass indeed.

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

Great story, Mary. So many of us love Joni, and have grown up and old with her. Thank You.

[@Deliquescentinsight]

Well said!

[@MaguireGuitar]

I cannot agree more. She is at the top along with Gershwin, Paul Simon and other immortals. Thank you for your thorough analysis.

[@DKaschak1]

Nothing gives old fogies like me more pride than seeing later generations appreciate Joni's work as I did when it was first released so many years ago. I heard Joni's first album when I was nine, and am sixty-five now. So much of pop music is exposable, but not Joni's. It has an authentic and genuine quality that cannot be faked.

[@howardowens721]

I’d didn’t expect watching this video to make me cry but Joni always reminds me of my late wife. And I hope you don’t mind me saying, lovely blouse. Very smart and classically styled and arty.

[@lifelongfan07]

I was blown away when I heard a cover of Joni Mitchell’s “Big yellow taxi” in a Trader Joes…I don’t know the words to her songs but I know that line, “Don’t it always seem to go?, that you don’t know what you got til it’s gone, They paved paradise, put up a Parking lot” I was a child who grew up on her music because of my Mom. She’s an amazing guitarist as well that has tons of alternative tunings.

[@PeteRosendorf]

Beautiful. Hearing someone describe an artist in a new and exciting way is like unwrapping a precious gift, where each word becomes a brushstroke that paints a vibrant and vivid portrait in our minds. Thank you!

[@davidmarsh9897]

I like all the classic albums by Joni. I think one of favourite albums is Hejira, it has a really chilled, laid back vibe to it. My all time favourite though must ne Court and Spark.

[@MaguireGuitar]

Two GREAT albums! I wore them out In the 70s!

[@henram36]

Thank-you, Mary for reminding me of this lovely lady and gifted song-writer. She's truly an inspiration for any aspiring artist!

[@Rjhs001]

I came to Joni Mitchell's music quite late. It was 1983, I was 23 and the girl who became my wife introduced me to Court and Spark. I was smitten (with the girl and the music) and I've been listening to Joni's music ever since, sometimes with tears in my eyes. Fyi, that girl and I are still married 😁

[@heididovefretless8242]

I was just sitting down to play my guitar and work on Joni Mitchell’s coyote. I have been trying to perfect that for at least three weeks now and still find it very challenging and I’ve been playing the guitar Over 50 years. And since I subscribe to you and your headline was greatest songwriter of all time I had this premonition that it might be about Joni I just flew 2700 miles to see her at The Gorge in Washington with Brandi Carlile, The likes of Annie, Lennox, Sarah McLaughlin, Lucius, Marcus Mumford, Allison Russell and many others. She is finally getting the mountainous recognition she deserves. It was a magical night, one that I had waited for since I picked up a guitar in 1971. Thank you Mary for your wonderful tribute to Joni. There is a great Rolling Stone article about Bob Dylan and Sam Shepard about the rolling thunder review. Joni wrote coyote while on the tour. It’s another one of my favorites and could use more recognition.

[@rward54]

Certainly one of the greatest. I’ve owned copies (Vinyl, CD and digital) of ‘Blue’ since it was released. Joni is treasured here in Canada as one of the stars in our musical constellation Thank you Mary

[@leehinda]

Mary that was the best story about Joni Mitchel’s life I’ve seen or read. Your journalistic talent is impressive. Really enjoyed it.

[@jamesbeutler4430]

Wonderful lyricist and singer -- and an innovative guitarist.

[@charlescdt6509]

Your voice on these essays is like smooth caramel with a hint of smoke. These are the best part of what you do. I hope you get to interview people. Well done Ms Spender, well done.

[@urbangrouse]

I've loved Joni's music since I was a teenager in the 70s... even Mingus, and her "wilderness years" records... Thank you Mary, for this lovely tribute!

[@mitcht2717]

Thanks for this! I'm 69, and after listening to this, I found the 2000 orchestral arrangement and Joni singing "Both Sides Now" on You tube - awesome and enchanting - the muted trumpet, especially toward the end was powerful. After that, I took out Joni Mitchell's 'Hejira' album - it's on my shelf with 'Bridge Over Troubled Water', many Gordon Lightfoot albums, Leonard Cohen is in my cassette collection - CSN&Y (Deja vu), is in with Joni, many others I haven't listened to in a long time, and one quirky one I really liked, Leon Redbone's "Leon Redbone" [ON THE TRACK]. I lived in Saskatchewan, 65 miles from Saskatoon where she started singing - but I haven't heard her live - I wished I could. P.S. I grew up ON the border in N. MN with only CBC television - Canada has many great artists, as you know. One who I didn't hear about until around 1975 was Bruce Cockburn - he's another great singer/songwriter. But Joni Mitchell is uniquely great - thank you for directing me to this 2000 concert. Oh, Neil Young's 'Harvest' is right here, too - we have about the same range, so I loved fantasizing and singing "Heart of Gold", "Old Man" etc.

[@derekdenton8689]

I’m just old enough to remember being a small boy hearing “Help Me” on the car radio and that voice sliding permanently into my little brain.🥹 Joni is one of those perennial artists that I can go back to after a long while, and be struck even harder by just how great she is. (AND how underrated she is for sheer musicianship!)🤯🎸💖

[@markriffey8899]

We are so lucky to have Mary as both a brilliant historian and a talented musician. I've said it before but you can see the sparks flying off of her brain.

[@dbmay1975]

I listen to a lot of different music, but Hejira is my favorite album by a female artist ever. Joni is nothing short of amazing.

[@kdavis63]

Since I've been a little kid (born in 63), she has been a part of my listening life. One of my goto artist and all time fav.

[@natalievelasquez2664]

She really is the epitome and inspiration for artists past, present, and future. What a badass is right 🤘

[@effbee56]

Listened to Joni since the late sixties. Greatest female singer/ songwriter. Best Canadian songwriter alongside Neil Young. I wonder what she and Graham Nash might have done if they stayed together.

[@trackie1957]

Being Canadian, she first wrote “I could drink a two four of you “, but it just didn’t work… Seriously, Joni is hands down my favorite musician. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@nalusan]

I remember her as I was only 8 when "Woodstock " happened. The song still gives me goosebumps. well, a very early so valid analysis in the line " they paved paradise, made up a parking lot" and so on. Absolutely underrated artist and a word so many other do not deserve to be called. thanks for the memories....

[@JackBond-in3og]

Joni was indeed a great writer, wise beyond her years! But you, Mary, also possess that maturity and clarity. It comes out in your analyses, your sparkling finger picking on the OM, your understated bluesy voice etc. I’ve been playing guitar for 67 years, and appreciate originality - I’m expecting Great things from you! 😎🎶 ~ Jack Bond

[@jimchi49]

i have loved joni for about 54 years. i`ve discovered , and become fond of you recently........

[@marvinmartin4692]

When she matured into jazz I followed her there. Opening my ears to so much more music! She’s an old soul.

[@jlionz]

Mary,, simply a terrific presentation and recap of Joni’s work; crisp, to the point, evocative. I saw Joni open for CS&N in 1968, it was my first ever concert; her music lives in my DNA.

[@dr.davidgerstenaminoacidth2421]

After watching your video, I had to track down and listen to Joni’s 2020 version of Both Sides Now, which brought me to tears. Joni and I are about the same age. In listening to the recent version it struck me that she had to make major adjustments, due to the brain aneurysm, to resume singing. It’s a moving rendition in which she fills each word with emotion. “People say I’m acting strange...they shake their heads and say I’ve changed.” It’s similar to the question,,”How did a young Paul Simon write “Sound of Silence?” Joni’s words transcend age and time, the truth resonating decade after decade, touching generation after generation.

[@joselocsin2487]

Thank you for a trip down memory lane. I first heard "both sides now" during the early 70s , my favorite Joni song would be " help me" 👍❤️🇵🇭🙏

[@surfingasongwave]

_Sometimes voices in the night will call me back again_ _Back along the pathway of a troubled mind_ _When forests rise to block the light that keeps a traveler sane_ _I'll challenge them with flashes from a brighter time_ _Oh, I think I understand_ _Fear is like a wilderland_ _Stepping stones or sinking sand_

[@LoveMyHoodie]

Mary, your lovely and knowledgeable narrative brings tears of love and joy. Thanks for all you share with us. ❤

[@spacep0d]

Mary your voice and delivery are sublime here. You have many careers, but one of them could easily be as a voice-over artist or host. Awesome bio about Joni! I never got into her music by my singer/songwriter cousin is very much inspired by her.

[@glenncbjones]

Mary, Being so wonderfully human, you must occasionally have, “a swing and a miss” when at bat, but your “Home Run Stats” are astounding, and speak for themselves! Joni’s 2000 rendition of “Both Sides Now” is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard! Thanks so much for so wonderfully and lovingly supplying this laudatory post! And “River,” off “Blue,” is one of the greatest “Christmas” songs ever, especially if you happen to be facing the day solo… How you managed to deliver all this without tears is beyond me (as I was not nearly so successful!)… All the best always… - Glenn PS: Love the blouse!

[@jamesscully529]

Saw Joni in 1983 with a friend, who was the AV tech when I was in high school in the 70s and he had seen her at the Riverboat in Toronto, a historic venue in Yorkville were the icons of the 60s and 70s played. There is very little of her catalogue that I don't consider must haves, essential for anyone who loves music to have in their collection. For guitarists, just listening to Amelia and how she played still gets me,

[@oceania68]

Legendary, iconic performer.

[@MichaelColombo]

Great vid, though I'm surprised you didn't mention David Crosby, who was seminal in advocating and producing her debut album.

[@DavidLee-ki9ty]

Made me cry.

[@ruthdueck-mbeba706]

Love, love, love Joni from the prairies of 🍁 🇨🇦 🇨🇦

[@sirwinston2368]

I'm 62. I remember Woodstock by Matthews Southern Comfort (1970 - I was 9) before I heard Joni (though I probably heard Judy Collins with Both Sides Now prior). Then Big Yellow Taxi... actually before Matthews Southern Comfort (it all fades after 50 years!). Then Help Me and Free Man in Paris... in 1974. You know when I heard Blue (song and album)? I was on a huge Joni binge during the pandemic in 2020. Shame on me! I love Joni. Thank you Mary. Nice tribute.

[@NeonRadarMusic]

I feel that even people who don't like Joni's music have to admire her at the very least. Personally, I went through a phase of studying her music intensely but found relatively little that I personally connected with. Even with that, in my opinion, every songwriter HAS to have a Joni listening phase, even if it's just to learn how many possibilities there are in songwriting. She's an artistic genius and there's no two ways about it.

[@Susanna-ti2pv]

Not haviing ever been to canada she was one of a few artists that took us there. Such a beatiful tranquil backdrop for expressing her life experience. Heard leonard cohen recordings before but i never pieced them two together. Thank you. Makes sense now. I got the same woodsy feeling from gordon lightfoot ,another canadian. I did enjoy hiking in our mountains in california and i did so relate. I couldnt help but reflect that the title court and spark sounded a lot like quartz and ? (Composition of sand). I favored her early works for the breath of fresh air that they are.

[@kenswanson1093]

Mitchell's "Court & Spark" .. I played it alot, .. and just never tired of it. Gorgeous singing (and playing) .. "People's Parties" standing pretty tall, in this song collection.

[@jerrypruden887]

Joni has always been one of my favourite song writers. I grew up to all of her hits. 🇨🇦

[@danfarmer5613]

Thank you Mary, I'm only a few years younger than Joni and has loved her music basically my whole life. I was unaware of some the issues she has suffered through. Thanks again.

[@cvicovaro]

thank you for your wonderful story about Joni Mitchell..Mary you are a lovely woman and artist...thank you so much

[@stephen25uk]

Super presentation Mary. Joni is worthy of the video title, she is more than a singer songwriter, she is the greatest muse of our times, a creative force of nature. We are so lucky to have her.

[@nickk8416]

Amazing comments Mary. Delivered with confidence, gentle forcefulness, In a sincere way. Well done. Keep up the great work Mary!

[@scottcanfield9048]

I love the way you write, I love the way you narrate, and I love how your disarming sincerity and your unique and dreamy speaking voice all come together to make a perfectly captivating video. Honestly, I've never heard you play the guitar -- but I don't need to right now because I'm enthralled enough just to experience you in your element. No one does this like you do, Mary, just like no one could ever really carry "Both Sides Now" the way Joni does (though recently I was emotionally dismantled by the tear-jerking Emilia Jones "CODA" movie version). And -- you really "get" Joni... you really, really do. That's the sweetest icing on the cake.

[@MultiCappie]

I don't know how you got though that without crying yourself, Mary. Thank you.

[@JR-ho5qm]

Saskatchewan Canada proud! 🇨🇦

[@Lehmannaudioamplifiers]

Thank you so much for this video. YESSSS! Joni for me definitely is the Greatest Songwriter of All Time. You brilliantly condensed a a very complex career and life in this short video. Wonderful!

[@thoughtprovoking001]

Beautiful tribute Mary! Being the best is irrelevant. The ability to touch someone's soul with words and music is such a priceless gift. Joni has changed a lot of lives in her time.

[@robertgrenader858]

When Joni Mitchel passes, I will cry. Her music means so much to me. Oh, by the way, nice blouse.

[@fr0d0scious]

Well that brought me to tears, and it was all new to me. Thank you.

[@m1nn1s]

Thank you Mary,your diction is perfect ,and your words on Joni are as moving as the subject is..keeping playing clear and strong ,.Mary 💖🎶🤗

[@colinmendelowitz249]

I agree completely with your title ☺️🎶🎸 but you missed mentioning the Shadows and Light concert, which for me, was the pinnacle of her music.

[@scottreynolds6317]

Incredible video of the ultimate artist!!! Thank you so much for reminding me of Joni’s genius.

[@alanclayton9277]

There's been some lovely content on the channel this year, this episode as lovely any. Now we know more about one of the great inspirations that led you to being a singer songwriter?

[@heidih2887]

Another great video/content Mary! :D You've got such a lovely way with words! :D Your appreciation and respect for other musicians/artists is so apparent! :D As someone that connected with Joni's lyrics from the very beginning of her recording career (and earlier, thanks to other artists recording some of her songs) I was certainly interested to learn what your "take" was on her songwriting! :D And you brought a grin to my face re: your observation/comment that she was a real badass! :D For younger folks it's probably hard to imagine, but consider this: Joni started her musical journey and eventual career in an era when female artists of all kinds (musicians, songwriters, actors, authors, painters etc), were often actively "pushed to the background", objectified and treated as vastly inferior, insulted and even assaulted, their artistic rights/ownership and $ from their work often stolen from them, (remember, women weren't even allowed to open a checking account on their own in most states of the USA until sometime in the 1970's... they had to have a father, brother, husband, manager, agent, or some other male figure sign up for then "allow" them on their own account while the male had complete control.) Joni faced those kinds of challenges and MANY MORE head-on, and was able to set precedents that benefited not only women, but men as well. A pioneer, and a true musician for the sake of the music, vs. "entertainer" or "pop star"! :D Thanks for so beautifully addressing the amazing songwriting of Joni Mitchell! :D (not to take anything away from other fantastic songwriters, both male and female)

[@jimf2084]

Joni is a true musical treasure. I've been hooked since Hejira first came out. She's the best at blending the personal with the universal with a style all her own. It's to your credit to feature her in this video.

[@trioofone8911]

So many great musical artists spent the 80s out in the wilderness

[@tylerhackner9731]

Wonderful tribute to a legend

[@thedave2429]

Wonderful tribute, Mary. Very moving.

[@frederickherring2284]

Both sides now, Blew me away the first time I heard it. Done by an Irish band. Certainly one of the greatest I've ever heard..

[@MAMDAVEM]

Went straight to listen to Joni's Newport performance after watching your video. I'd never heard this performance before.....you can always tell when music is special when it moves you to tears.

[@CarlMattick]

Spot-on, Mary!

[@safeguardsc]

Your insight into these older musicians and their music is impressive. Take it from and old guy, I know.

[@MattyK-USA]

What a wonderful essay. I am going into my 62nd year, and from this time I remember Joni's music when it was on the radio as a beautiful, faded, but poignant experience. As a lifelong guitar player, I also remember Joni as a juggernaut in terms of her influence for those of us sporting those old Martin 00-18's. I am grateful for your remembrance of a simpler, and maybe more graceful, era in music. Cheers, Mary -

[@mikeralff8238]

How you were able to deliver all that and keep it together... mad props to you. I got teary-eyed, just thinking about that Newport video... Thanks for another great presentation.

[@gnukev]

This is a beautiful and well-researched analysis of one if the most influential musicians in my life and in the unique eclectic genre she occupies.

[@curtishatem6739]

Beautiful tribute to an amazing artist.

[@NicolaLarosa]

What a lovely tribute: the greatest indeed. Thank you so much. ❤

[@kenhall5551]

Well done, Mary. A great tribute to our Joni

[@timelwell7002]

Great video, Mary - many thanks. Like most people, I'm a huge Joni Mitchell fan. But as to her being the greatest songwriter... There is no 'greatest' songwriter. For sure, Joni Mitchell is among the greatest, but this desire to rank songs and songwriters in terms of subjective liking is something of a misnomer. But talking about what makes a song or a songwriter great, by analysing both the music and the lyrics, is of far more value. Without delving into this vast subject, I will give a list of some of the songwriters I consider great - largely from my perspective as a musician. In no particular order, becuase they are all great songwriters: * Judee Sill * Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan) * Don McClean * Joni Mitchell * Jimmy Webb * Stevei Wonder * Billy Joel * Michel Legrand * Burt Bacharach/Hal David * Hoagy Charmichael/Jonny Mercer * Victor Young * Leonard Bernstein * Stephen Sondheim * Paul Simon

[@613steven]

Bravo and many thanks for this incredible video! A perfect mix of insight and inspiration, documentary and tribute. Informative, tight, yet also deeply personal and connecting. I know you are a singer songwriter at core, but wow you are also so talented at creating special content like this on artist and music appreciation.

[@t.vanoosterhout233]

In the 1970s my parents bought their first stereo, a Philips. It came with a choice of a number of LPs. One of them, "greatest hits of Euson". Most beautiful song: a cover of 'both sides now'. Give it a listen!

[@andsoistopped]

😮😮😮😮😮 I had no idea she premiered that here! Amazing.

[@frankboyd.]

Bought Joni's Song To A Seagull vinyl before she was a hit. I've felt a deep connection with all her music ever since. Her paintings are amazing. There is only one Joni 🇨🇦❤

[@bernardausterberry9795]

And thank you for this wonderful report on the life and times of Jodi Mitchell. As a Canadian I'm a long time fan of her music. However I , was unaware of much of her past. It's amazing what life can put in our way. How some deal with it and some don't, or can't. I think it was John Lennon who said life is what happens between planed events. It appears some of us have will have a lot of life. Tks again.

[@alessandrastievano4823]

Thank you Mary for this video about Joni. She was and she is an example of an exceptional person for many of us