This came out when I was a young teenager. Back then she was mesmerizing to me. I think in this song's lyrics, she has the heart of a child and the mind of a philosopher. It felt like she understood what it meant to be a kid facing the prospect of becoming an adult.
Yes. My experience of Joni came at the same age. I too felt as you say, "... she has the heart of a child and the mind of a philosopher. It felt like she understood what it meant to be a kid facing the prospect of becoming an adult." Thanks for putting into words that feeling I've carried for more than a half century. Back then I was also mesmerized , decades later my feelings have matured to admiration and love.
She was and is so brilliant. She knew what she wanted and experimented and adjusted the guitar tuning and her voice to accomplish whatever she wanted. And she was having so much fun! What an inspiration. As a songwriter, I hear regularly that this sort of sophisticated storytelling is 'out'; 'people' want strong, short hooks, short memorable choruses... and not much else. Oh, yeah, and auto-tuned everything. BS. People are still discovering, rediscovering, loving her songs over and over again.
Joni had some of the most insane tunings for her songs. She didn't just play the guitar as an accompaniment to her voice when she sang. She altered it to make it part of the canvas of her music in ways that no other musician has done before or since. She would often re-tune her guitar between songs to get it ready for the next song. And she did it effortlessly. Her musicianship was next level.
The main reason she started to use tunings was because she had polio as a child. She didn’t have the physical strength to use normal tuning hand positions. What a golden voice that is sadly being silenced by a relapse of her polio.
@@jonathanhorne6503 Yes, but she also suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 2015. For someone who'd been through all that, she's a better singer, songwriter, musician than most out there.
It's so cool to see an artist so relaxed and just having fun during a performance. She is just herself, nothing contrived. I enjoyed this analysis and would be happy to see more Joni!
Big Yellow Taxi is such an iconic song. Years ago I downloaded the lyrics and shared them with my grandkids. My grandson's guitar teacher taught him to play this. Joni is such an icon! Thank you so much for your wonderful analysis of dear Joni! We are so lucky to still have her.
Also, I love this video because most of us here only hear the great vocals and lyrics and take the guitar for granted. And we get a great vocal breakdown too. Great work, Phil!
Her Court and Spark record was not only a truly magical album, it was a massive worldwide hit. So were Blue and Clouds. She was essential listening and everyone I knew at the time had her albums in their record collection. Yeah, I'm that old.
This whole BBC concert (30 min) is here on YT, and you can see Joni move effortlessly from guitar, to piano, to dulcimer (which she had just picked up) playing songs she was still working on at the time... Even some storytelling about various interesting things, like the woman who made her dulcimer for her. imo, Joni is by far the greatest singer/songwriter/musician combo of the last 60 yrs of either gender! Thanx for this great reaction Fil!!!
I saw Joni in concert in 1974 which I still consider the best concert I've ever attended. She had an emotional breakdown on stage but the audience started chanting "we love you, Joni" and she rallied, spent about 20 minutes composing herself by tuning her guitar and just talking to the audience before she recovered sufficiently to continue the concert. She put so much of herself into every performance. It always feels intimate.
@@123RockchildI was friends with the lighting guys and they said she was clearly upset at rehearsal. I didn't want to pry but I'm sure being on the road takes its toll. Decades later, I used to see her regularly at my local family restaurant but never bothered her. Was just happy to see her. Was so impressed at her performance post-stroke.
Thank you Phil, for reviewing Joni Mitchell my favorite female Rock/folk soloist. Big yellow bus happened to be one of my favorites tunes she performed. Thanks.
This was cool! Joni Mitchell is another singer songwriter and musician. that has left her mark in the music industry and with her fans. thanks, Fil, for taking another look at Joni Mitchell in detail. 😊🎸🎤🎶
Another Canadian musical ikon. I have enjoyed her music all along. She has music and talent just bubbling out of her. I did enjoy how you brought out her guitar ,and your, skills. Great analysis. Thank you for this trip down my memory lane again.
So talented. I enjoyed this so much. She has such a musical way with words and such an intellectual way with voice and melody. I wouldn’t say no to another Joni video. Thank you Fil ❤
Hi Fil, I love Joni , she is an amazing singer and musician! I remember "Big Yellow Taxi", it's a great and fun song to listen to. I enjoyed this analysis and the guitar demonstrations as well. Excellent job! 😉👍
This is great Fil. Very good tutorial. I've always loved this song and Joni is amazing and such a good artist and professional musician. Her ability to switch back and forth from her upper voice and lower voice is beautiful. One thought about the line about charging people a "dollar and a half just to see 'em". In 1970 the minimum wage was around $1.65 so $1.50 to see some trees is quite a lot if we talk about percentages. Compare that to today's dollars and we can see what that means.
Thanks for your analysis! Always enjoyed Joni Mitchell's singing & songwriting. She covers a lot of genres of music including folk, pop, rock, classical & jazz. She has had so many hits especially in the 60's-80's such as "Chelsea Morning", "Help Me", "The Circle Game", "Both Sides Now", "Woodstock", "Raised On Robbery", "Free Man In Paris" etc.
This video has it all - great analysis of Joni"s voice and her guitar tuning! Love it! Who else is using the phrase "On the agenda tonight.." on a daily basis? Thank you Fil ❤
Love this song, and love Joni Mitchell's voice. She manages to be light and soaring while the song is still very grounded. Would enjoy seeing an analysis of another one. :)
Vaše výklady a rozbory jsou pro mě skvělé. Jsem technik víceméně bez hudebního sluchu. Ale slyším všemožné diference tónů. Vaše vysvětlivky nuancí mi moc pomáhají. Díky.
Hi Fil, This is such a great classic Folk Rock song. Love Joni’s voice and her guitar playing. Love how she changes up the melody a little just to give the song a bit of a different twist. And fun to hear her use her high and low range within the scope of this one song. A very talented lady and performer, always a pleasure to hear one of her songs. Nice job on this analysis and guitar demonstration. ROCK, Debbie ☮️
Great job as always Fil. As an old Candian I"ve been wowed by Joni's musical genius most of my life. No doubt you've see her "Let's Sing Out" recordings from back in the mid 60's as Joni Anderson then Mitchell. She was obviously beginning to add something rare and special to the world even way back then. Thanks Joni.
Lovely analysis, Fil. I’ve always loved Joni’s music and her powerful, thoughtful and compassionate lyrics. Thanks for the exploration of her guitar technique. Since I’m not a musician, I didn’t know how unusual it was. That was really interesting. 👍 Yes! Please do an analysis of her performance of “Both Sides, Now” from that live performance. It’s a good example of how much more emotional, subtle and nuanced a live performance can be, compared to the original recording. “A Case of You” …. Still one of my all-time favorite songs. ❤️❤️❤️ Thanks, Fil! Love ya! 😘
I've always loved this BBC TV performance as much as the Isle of Wight. 1970's Joni Mitchell is my dream girl. Talented and naturally beautiful. Her softness in speaking contrasting with her powerful and confident performances. And the slight yodeling is icing on the cake!
I do absolutely love this fantastic song. It was the first song I heard from Joni Mitchell somewhen in the 70s and fell instantly in love with this voice.
That was good. Your analysis surprises me every time! You're a great educator on the nuts and bolts of a song. Joni just had that gift of a story much like Gordon Lightfoot.
Thanks for this fantastic music analysis video of Joni Mitchell performing live! Definitely YES to you doing more analysis videos of her performances from this show.
I can remember the first time I heard this song. It was after school and I was waiting for my brother and sister to finish their last classes so that I could drive them home. In the senior quad, they had music playing that came out over really loud speakers. When I think back on it now, I wonder why they were playing music that loud when classes were still in session. I was on an advanced track and actually didn't have to go to class as long as I maintained a certain GPA. Anyway, this song came on and I can remember stopping what I was doing to listen to the lyrics. We were in a time of change, protest and everything felt very volatile. I can remember feeling like she could touch your soul with her lyric, her voice and presentation style and one didn't have to be in your face to have an impact. She got her point across without the need to bash it into your face. Her voice always has had a certain vulnerability, fragility to it that speaks without screaming. I always felt like she was prescient and that we would likely wake up one morning to a sterile landscape where everything we valued would be put away in a museum. Great review, Fil.
I just loved her laugh at her 'mistake' and the expression where you froze after the final note - she's playing with us. I loved her voice from the first time I heard her, but was interesting to hear you take on her guitar playing too. 🙂🙃
Love your analysis, as usual. Love Joni! The isolated voice and the isolated guitar is something I have not heard in this song and it is so interesting! Thanks Fil. Glad I'm subscribed.
Fil, the two-man group that I was in was from 1970 -73 during my high school years. We did popular music that you could play on acoustic guitars with electric guitar accompaniment for the lead instrument. My friend and I learned how to Harmonize from listening to The Beatles. We sang mostly folk inspired songs with some popular FM arrangements. IE the turtles, Elton John, cat Stevens. Beatles, so I would say that my first professional gigs were as a quasi folk singer. And then I just play top 40 music during the 70s. And then I became a blues musician. Joni mitchell, Crosby stills Nash & young, Neil young, and America were probably my influences along with the Beatles. At the time! Thanks again for another wonderful video!!
Given her incredible songbook, this has always been my favorite Joni Mitchell song. Such prophetic lyrics. This song came out my senior year in high school and has stood the test of time, as have all her songs. She is also one hell of a great jazz singer. What a set of pipes!
What an immense talent. Oh look; another Canadian too! As far as I'm concerned you can cover her again and again. I'm there for it. I guess I'm more than about Power Pop and Hard Rock because I've got 4 of her albums on vinyl. She wrote about so many personal things and relationships like James Taylor (Blue), Graham Nash (A Case of You), David Geffen (A Free Man in Paris). A Case of You lyrics are just incredible. I believe that's the song that Prince was so enamored of he wrote her letters constantly gushing over it, and because of the way he wrote with hearts and single letters for words - U for you and so on - they were considered just more typical fan mail and got thrown out. In any case, this was a magnificent video of a magnificent talent. Thank you Fil! :)
This performance brought tears to my eyes. Such pure enjoyment and humour but the grace and perfect control of vocals and guitar. Mesmerising stuff. Your breakdown highlighted the seemingly effortless technical wizardry and there she is just having a blast. Wish I'd been in the audience. 👍
Joni-one of a kind! A real force of nature. I know she's not been well lately but we are so blessed with her talent she shared with us. Thanks, 'Sir Fil' so, so much! 4:13
I have not heard Joni before but I liked her instantly. Such a sweet and unique voice with great delivery and a pleasure to listen to. Playing the guitar too was superb. Your analysis was great and I loved her flips. She is very talented. Thanks fil you always bring out the best of great singers
If you haven't heard Joni before, you must hear more. One of the most emotionally evocative and talented singer-songwriters I've ever known of. And, that is not even the main genre I listen to at all. Songs from Court and Spark and from Blue specifically are recommended!
For me, one of the finest musicians to have ever lived. Stunning songs, playing and her voice is other-worldly. All with grace, truth and humility. An amazing human being. ❤
Playing a song by ear is a special talent. I mean I can't play guitar or anything because I have all thumbs on both hands lol, but even some of the most accomplished musicians can't do it. Impressive.
Fil Your vids just keep getting better. I've been turned on to so many people I thought I knew but didn't. ( Kenny Vaughn, Gene Vincent....etc) I really enjoyed your analysis of Joni's guitar work and thanks for showing me another open tuning I don't want to ever use. It just shows what kind of special musician she was. Linked up with Keith's recent interview where he hypes 5 string open tuning with g chord. I consider myself an accompanist type player, but one who's spent too much time on scales and chords to want to learn new ones, but the groove she lays down while singing ( Keith hardly does back up vocals anymore) gives something for singers to think on?
This video reminds me of a great experience I had back in the 60s. Back around 1968 you could sneak over a fence at the Greek theater in Los Angeles and get to the back wall of the theater. Joni opened for Crosby Still and Nash. We went 4 nights in a row. They were warm still summer nights and she sounded like an angel on stage. After her performance we were let into the seating area for CSN. Amazing memory. We were so lucky then to be able to have that kind of experience.
Great live performance by Joni Mitchell. I enjoyed your break down of the song on the Tanglewood, (btw nice guitar) and great vocal ending to the song by Joni. 😊🎸🎵
My husband and I got married in 1970 (still married 😊) and I remember frequently hearing her songs on the radio. We’re Canadian and this particular song was so meaningful because Canada, like the USA, destroyed historic buildings, some of our best farmland, and forests, all for new development. My husband was from the Netherlands and like much of Europe, respects all of those and don’t allow rampant, unregulated development. His hometown was built in the 1300s and it still has most of its original architecture and lovely city parks. Listening to this song still affects me because politicians do whatever the wealthy and corporations want and don’t care about posterity or preserving farmland, trees in city parks, and forests.
I watched the first video of Joni and of course I had to watch this one. Curious to know your opinion/analysis. I listened to Joni throughout the 70’s and continue to do so. She’s amazing! Thank you for posting this! ❤
She had a bout with polio which weakened her left hand hence the guitar approach she had to invent. Pure soul, love and determination. I saw her live in ‘72 or so. What a performance!
I appreciated the great analysis you provided on Joni Mitchell's performance. I watched her performance video prior to your analysis. I especially was engaged in her storytelling. I was glad that you spoke about how Joni dealt with her mistake professionally. When I took formal lessons, I was told that if I made a mistake in a recital/performance, it was best to continue as if the mistake didn't happen. Of course, you don't want to make a habit of that! Thanks for all you do, Fil!
Not heard this for a while, so great to be reminded of it! Interesting you used 'conversational' and 'story telling' as I have always thought that way she sung/phrased/enunciated certain portions of the lyrics made it seem like she was in the middle of telling a story and (almost) pausing to consider the correct next word/phrase to use.
One other thing Fil, when you are supposed to be pointing at the F#'s at 21:35 you are actually pointing at the G#'s ... It's no big deal but I do get the impression that you are a guitarist and not really a keyboardist. I love your videos Fil. You did a great job on this one. Hal
Loved this! I still have her on vinyl from "Song To A Seagull" through "Hissing of Summer Lawns", and everything else on CD! She's incredible! One of my favorite albums is "For the Roses"...so many wonderful songs on that one! She's used that "yodel" in other songs as well...just part of her singing style back then. Thank you for this one...feel free to always feature Joni any time! ❤🎶❤
Just listen and as always, i had to watch, what a voice, i did not now her, this song i heard the Counting Crows sing, then the guitar playing she did and you start playing and explaining, love that, pushed my easel away and had a little break, thanks Fil, love the video's you make, love Art.👍
Great video and analysis, it opened my eyes (and ears) to see a beautiful performance. It also tagged on. my heart, was still in high school then. Thank you. Would be great to see another of her songs. It is so cool how you can isolate a voice, that eas great. Keep going, God bless for helping me see and hear!!
At 6:30 , I enjoyed how Fil picked up on the extra loop that Joni did and explained how she was so professional that she did that to keep control of the performance. I also enjoyed the explanation of the guitar tuning.
Hey Fil, great choice. I just want to add how groundbreaking it was in 1970 to see a woman pick up a guitar at all, let alone play it at such a level. But I'm actually happy that we can almost take it for granted these days.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s groundbreaking guitar playing occurred much earlier than Joni Mitchell’s. Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Wilson (of Heart), Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Teena Marie are also women singers/guitarists of Joni Mitchell’s era.
@@RaineW Joni's playing was unique. Bonnie too, but I didn't become aware of her until 1972 when she played in Syracuse NY, with Jackson Browne, in a church basement. Believe it or not! I still remember her playing "Blender Blues." And the other illustrious musicians on your list came to me even later.
You might have mentioned this and I missed it but I think this performance was on your side of the pond. London I think. Great video analysis as always! I grew up during that time and every young woman I knew loved her dearly. There weren’t many female singer songwriters then.
I love all of Joni Mitchell's music and "Hejira" is one of my top 3 albums of all time and genres! Not only an accomplished painter on canvas, but she also painted pictures in the minds of listeners with her lyrics!
Thx Fil. I cannot really add anything new, after reading the first 12 or so comments below mine, except that I agree wholeheartedly. She leaves me at a loss for words. ☮
" I'll light the fire, you place the flowers in the vase that you bought today"...from "Our House" too Joni from Graham Nash. What a great time for music!
This came out when I was a young teenager. Back then she was mesmerizing to me. I think in this song's lyrics, she has the heart of a child and the mind of a philosopher. It felt like she understood what it meant to be a kid facing the prospect of becoming an adult.
Great line :) she has the heart of a child and the mind of a philosopher... could be the line of a song... x Davey P.. UK
Yes. My experience of Joni came at the same age. I too felt as you say, "... she has the heart of a child and the mind of a philosopher. It felt like she understood what it meant to be a kid facing the prospect of becoming an adult."
Thanks for putting into words that feeling I've carried for more than a half century.
Back then I was also mesmerized , decades later my feelings have matured to admiration and love.
Joni Mitchell's voice is pure, elastic & crystalline. Her message was prescient. Thank you for helping me to appreciate her guitar skills as well.
She was and is so brilliant. She knew what she wanted and experimented and adjusted the guitar tuning and her voice to accomplish whatever she wanted. And she was having so much fun! What an inspiration. As a songwriter, I hear regularly that this sort of sophisticated storytelling is 'out'; 'people' want strong, short hooks, short memorable choruses... and not much else. Oh, yeah, and auto-tuned everything. BS. People are still discovering, rediscovering, loving her songs over and over again.
She’s the musical landscape of my life. Evolving, ever changing…a musical/artistic genius.
Joni's lilting voice, musicianship & poetry have kept me entranced for 50 years.
Joni had some of the most insane tunings for her songs. She didn't just play the guitar as an accompaniment to her voice when she sang. She altered it to make it part of the canvas of her music in ways that no other musician has done before or since. She would often re-tune her guitar between songs to get it ready for the next song. And she did it effortlessly. Her musicianship was next level.
Indeed 👌🥂
What a beautiful way to put it. And spot on.
The main reason she started to use tunings was because she had polio as a child. She didn’t have the physical strength to use normal tuning hand positions. What a golden voice that is sadly being silenced by a relapse of her polio.
@@jonathanhorne6503 Yes, but she also suffered a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 2015. For someone who'd been through all that, she's a better singer, songwriter, musician than most out there.
It's so cool to see an artist so relaxed and just having fun during a performance. She is just herself, nothing contrived. I enjoyed this analysis and would be happy to see more Joni!
Big Yellow Taxi is such an iconic song. Years ago I downloaded the lyrics and shared them with my grandkids. My grandson's guitar teacher taught him to play this. Joni is such an icon! Thank you so much for your wonderful analysis of dear Joni! We are so lucky to still have her.
Much appreciation from a Mitchel devotee for more than 50 years. You have an uncanny gift in making the music more accessible and remarkable.
Also, I love this video because most of us here only hear the great vocals and lyrics and take the guitar for granted. And we get a great vocal breakdown too. Great work, Phil!
She is the soundtrack to my life. Her talent was also hugely respected by her contemporaries James Taylor, CSNY, Carol King, beautiful soul ❤
I was 15 when she did this. Reactions to older videos is greatly appreciated! ❤
Her Court and Spark record was not only a truly magical album, it was a massive worldwide hit. So were Blue and Clouds. She was essential listening and everyone I knew at the time had her albums in their record collection. Yeah, I'm that old.
No, you are eternally young if you love this music!
I'm only 40 and I have 4 of her albums on vinyl!
And I too am an oldster and was absolutely in love with Joni Mitchell. Court and Spark is still one of my all-time favorite albums.!
As an 'oldster', I well remember the first time I heard 'Blue'. It was a life- changing experience! From then onwards, I have been hooked on Joni.
This whole BBC concert (30 min) is here on YT, and you can see Joni move effortlessly from guitar, to piano, to dulcimer (which she had just picked up) playing songs she was still working on at the time... Even some storytelling about various interesting things, like the woman who made her dulcimer for her.
imo, Joni is by far the greatest singer/songwriter/musician combo of the last 60 yrs of either gender!
Thanx for this great reaction Fil!!!
I saw Joni in concert in 1974 which I still consider the best concert I've ever attended. She had an emotional breakdown on stage but the audience started chanting "we love you, Joni" and she rallied, spent about 20 minutes composing herself by tuning her guitar and just talking to the audience before she recovered sufficiently to continue the concert. She put so much of herself into every performance. It always feels intimate.
Do you know what the “emotional breakdown” was all about?
@@123RockchildI was friends with the lighting guys and they said she was clearly upset at rehearsal. I didn't want to pry but I'm sure being on the road takes its toll. Decades later, I used to see her regularly at my local family restaurant but never bothered her. Was just happy to see her. Was so impressed at her performance post-stroke.
Singer, songwriter, guitarist. As the complete package I think she stood alone. There were many great performers around this time, and there was Joni.
... and Neil Young and Stephen Stills and Paul Simon and ...
@@bobbynoe1 Yes they were all great.
Thank you Phil, for reviewing Joni Mitchell my favorite female Rock/folk soloist. Big yellow bus happened to be one of my favorites tunes she performed. Thanks.
This was cool! Joni Mitchell is another singer songwriter and musician. that has left her mark in the music industry and with her fans. thanks, Fil, for taking another look at Joni Mitchell in detail. 😊🎸🎤🎶
Anytime you want to comment on Joni Mitchell, I'm up for it. Thanks Fil !!!
Another Canadian musical ikon. I have enjoyed her music all along. She has music and talent just bubbling out of her. I did enjoy how you brought out her guitar ,and your, skills. Great analysis. Thank you for this trip down my memory lane again.
I love how you, unlike some other music RUclipsrs, cover so many women artists. A heartfelt thanks!
Yes, please do more on Joni!
So talented. I enjoyed this so much. She has such a musical way with words and such an intellectual way with voice and melody. I wouldn’t say no to another Joni video. Thank you Fil ❤
Hi Fil, I love Joni , she is an amazing singer and musician! I remember "Big Yellow Taxi", it's a great and fun song to listen to. I enjoyed this analysis and the guitar demonstrations as well. Excellent job! 😉👍
This is great Fil. Very good tutorial. I've always loved this song and Joni is amazing and such a good artist and professional musician. Her ability to switch back and forth from her upper voice and lower voice is beautiful. One thought about the line about charging people a "dollar and a half just to see 'em". In 1970 the minimum wage was around $1.65 so $1.50 to see some trees is quite a lot if we talk about percentages. Compare that to today's dollars and we can see what that means.
Thanks for your analysis! Always enjoyed Joni Mitchell's singing & songwriting. She covers a lot of genres of music including folk, pop, rock, classical & jazz. She has had so many hits especially in the 60's-80's such as "Chelsea Morning", "Help Me", "The Circle Game", "Both Sides Now", "Woodstock", "Raised On Robbery", "Free Man In Paris" etc.
Always as much Joni that you want to show us, bring it on! Love your expert commentary ❤
This video has it all - great analysis of Joni"s voice and her guitar tuning! Love it!
Who else is using the phrase "On the agenda tonight.." on a daily basis? Thank you Fil ❤
Love this song, and love Joni Mitchell's voice. She manages to be light and soaring while the song is still very grounded. Would enjoy seeing an analysis of another one. :)
Vaše výklady a rozbory jsou pro mě skvělé. Jsem technik víceméně bez hudebního sluchu. Ale slyším všemožné diference tónů. Vaše vysvětlivky nuancí mi moc pomáhají. Díky.
Her "Urge for Goin" live from Canada can not be topped by anything I`ve ever heard. She`s unbelievable.
Tom Rush did a great cover of it. I don’t usually think people do her songs justice, but his version is incredible.
Yes, he is a local where I am and does a great job also.@@M0odyBlue
Love every version.....Tony Rice did it too. Being from Michigan it really hits home.
Wow!!❤❤❤❤ Peace, love and Joni!! Much gratitude, Fil and excellent choice to put this in the spotlight again!!!!!
This is my favorite installment of your show. ❤
Hi Fil,
This is such a great classic Folk Rock song. Love Joni’s voice and her guitar playing. Love how she changes up the melody a little just to give the song a bit of a different twist. And fun to hear her use her high and low range within the scope of this one song. A very talented lady and performer, always a pleasure to hear one of her songs. Nice job on this analysis and guitar demonstration. ROCK, Debbie ☮️
My youth ❤❤❤
Great job as always Fil. As an old Candian I"ve been wowed by Joni's musical genius most of my life. No doubt you've see her "Let's Sing Out" recordings from back in the mid 60's as Joni Anderson then Mitchell. She was obviously beginning to add something rare and special to the world even way back then. Thanks Joni.
Lovely analysis, Fil. I’ve always loved Joni’s music and her powerful, thoughtful and compassionate lyrics. Thanks for the exploration of her guitar technique. Since I’m not a musician, I didn’t know how unusual it was. That was really interesting. 👍
Yes! Please do an analysis of her performance of “Both Sides, Now” from that live performance. It’s a good example of how much more emotional, subtle and nuanced a live performance can be, compared to the original recording.
“A Case of You” …. Still one of my all-time favorite songs. ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks, Fil! Love ya! 😘
She had a wonderful use of the yodel which suited her ethereal, angelic-like voice.
I've always loved this BBC TV performance as much as the Isle of Wight. 1970's Joni Mitchell is my dream girl. Talented and naturally beautiful. Her softness in speaking contrasting with her powerful and confident performances. And the slight yodeling is icing on the cake!
I do absolutely love this fantastic song. It was the first song I heard from Joni Mitchell somewhen in the 70s and fell instantly in love with this voice.
Great analysis once again Fil
That was good. Your analysis surprises me every time! You're a great educator on the nuts and bolts of a song. Joni just had that gift of a story much like Gordon Lightfoot.
Thanks for this fantastic music analysis video of Joni Mitchell performing live! Definitely YES to you doing more analysis videos of her performances from this show.
I can remember the first time I heard this song. It was after school and I was waiting for my brother and sister to finish their last classes so that I could drive them home. In the senior quad, they had music playing that came out over really loud speakers. When I think back on it now, I wonder why they were playing music that loud when classes were still in session. I was on an advanced track and actually didn't have to go to class as long as I maintained a certain GPA. Anyway, this song came on and I can remember stopping what I was doing to listen to the lyrics. We were in a time of change, protest and everything felt very volatile. I can remember feeling like she could touch your soul with her lyric, her voice and presentation style and one didn't have to be in your face to have an impact. She got her point across without the need to bash it into your face. Her voice always has had a certain vulnerability, fragility to it that speaks without screaming. I always felt like she was prescient and that we would likely wake up one morning to a sterile landscape where everything we valued would be put away in a museum.
Great review, Fil.
This is the channel that introduced me to Billy Strings a few years ago. Thank you Wings of Pegasus!
No problem! 👍
I just loved her laugh at her 'mistake' and the expression where you froze after the final note - she's playing with us.
I loved her voice from the first time I heard her, but was interesting to hear you take on her guitar playing too. 🙂🙃
Love your analysis, as usual. Love Joni! The isolated voice and the isolated guitar is something I have not heard in this song and it is so interesting! Thanks Fil. Glad I'm subscribed.
I have a sincere appreciation for your music appreciation. It’s a rad channel. Love it!
Fil, the two-man group that I was in was from 1970 -73 during my high school years. We did popular music that you could play on acoustic guitars with electric guitar accompaniment for the lead instrument. My friend and I learned how to Harmonize from listening to The Beatles. We sang mostly folk inspired songs with some popular FM arrangements. IE the turtles, Elton John, cat Stevens. Beatles, so I would say that my first professional gigs were as a quasi folk singer. And then I just play top 40 music during the 70s. And then I became a blues musician. Joni mitchell, Crosby stills Nash & young, Neil young, and America were probably my influences along with the Beatles. At the time! Thanks again for another wonderful video!!
Love it! Thank you. Yes, more Joni
I saw her open for Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles in 1969. She is an amazing performer.
Given her incredible songbook, this has always been my favorite Joni Mitchell song. Such prophetic lyrics. This song came out my senior year in high school and has stood the test of time, as have all her songs. She is also one hell of a great jazz singer. What a set of pipes!
Oh, love your videos. You hit the nail on the head, she sings to express not to impress. Great recap.
Your a gem. Sharing how your genuinely stoked with the artists talent you share with us. It is delightful to watch and experience your reactions.
I had a young choir teacher, we sang many current songs in the 70s, including this one. Love her ❤
What an immense talent. Oh look; another Canadian too! As far as I'm concerned you can cover her again and again. I'm there for it. I guess I'm more than about Power Pop and Hard Rock because I've got 4 of her albums on vinyl. She wrote about so many personal things and relationships like James Taylor (Blue), Graham Nash (A Case of You), David Geffen (A Free Man in Paris). A Case of You lyrics are just incredible. I believe that's the song that Prince was so enamored of he wrote her letters constantly gushing over it, and because of the way he wrote with hearts and single letters for words - U for you and so on - they were considered just more typical fan mail and got thrown out.
In any case, this was a magnificent video of a magnificent talent. Thank you Fil! :)
Please more Joni!
This performance brought tears to my eyes. Such pure enjoyment and humour but the grace and perfect control of vocals and guitar. Mesmerising stuff. Your breakdown highlighted the seemingly effortless technical wizardry and there she is just having a blast. Wish I'd been in the audience. 👍
Joni-one of a kind! A real force of nature. I know she's not been well lately but we are so blessed with her talent she shared with us.
Thanks, 'Sir Fil' so, so much! 4:13
Have you seen her recent live performance? She’s actually getting better. She had to completely relearn how to play the guitar.
@@M0odyBlue Why did she have to completely relearn it?
@@M0odyBlue No, I haven’t. I will definitely be checking that out. Thanks so much-there’s no one like her. 🎸❤️🎶
@@lauraallen55 She had a stroke a few years ago. I’m so grateful she’s playing again. ❤️🤗
@@lauraallen55 She had a brain aneurysm.
I have not heard Joni before but I liked her instantly. Such a sweet and unique voice with great delivery and a pleasure to listen to. Playing the guitar too was superb. Your analysis was great and I loved her flips. She is very talented. Thanks fil you always bring out the best of great singers
If you haven't heard Joni before, you must hear more. One of the most emotionally evocative and talented singer-songwriters I've ever known of. And, that is not even the main genre I listen to at all. Songs from Court and Spark and from Blue specifically are recommended!
@@lauraallen55 thank you, I will
@@lydiabentley3413 You won't be sorry. :)
If I had a chance to go back in time I would chose the 70's to catch one of Joni's live shows. I love her!
For me, one of the finest musicians to have ever lived. Stunning songs, playing and her voice is other-worldly. All with grace, truth and humility. An amazing human being. ❤
Playing a song by ear is a special talent. I mean I can't play guitar or anything because I have all thumbs on both hands lol, but even some of the most accomplished musicians can't do it. Impressive.
Fil has got talent. I love listening to him!!
I could listen to you talk about Joni all night,too! An astonishing artist in so many ways. Thank you!
Me encanta muchisimo colega! Gracias!
Always more to appreciate with the genius of Joni.
It blows my mind how young she was when she wrote it and how relevant some of the lyrics are today.
Fil Your vids just keep getting better. I've been turned on to so many people I thought I knew but didn't. ( Kenny Vaughn, Gene Vincent....etc) I really enjoyed your analysis of Joni's guitar work and thanks for showing me another open tuning I don't want to ever use. It just shows what kind of special musician she was. Linked up with Keith's recent interview where he hypes 5 string open tuning with g chord. I consider myself an accompanist type player, but one who's spent too much time on scales and chords to want to learn new ones, but the groove she lays down while singing ( Keith hardly does back up vocals anymore) gives something for singers to think on?
Great analysis and demo as usual Fil. Many thanks. Joni had an amazing talent
Great job Fil. Thank you.
Interesting analysis! I'd welcome another - can't get enough Joni.
This video reminds me of a great experience I had back in the 60s. Back around 1968 you could sneak over a fence at the Greek theater in Los Angeles and get to the back wall of the theater. Joni opened for Crosby Still and Nash. We went 4 nights in a row. They were warm still summer nights and she sounded like an angel on stage. After her performance we were let into the seating area for CSN. Amazing memory. We were so lucky then to be able to have that kind of experience.
Great live performance by Joni Mitchell. I enjoyed your break down of the song on the Tanglewood, (btw nice guitar) and great vocal ending to the song by Joni. 😊🎸🎵
My husband and I got married in 1970 (still married 😊) and I remember frequently hearing her songs on the radio. We’re Canadian and this particular song was so meaningful because Canada, like the USA, destroyed historic buildings, some of our best farmland, and forests, all for new development. My husband was from the Netherlands and like much of Europe, respects all of those and don’t allow rampant, unregulated development. His hometown was built in the 1300s and it still has most of its original architecture and lovely city parks. Listening to this song still affects me because politicians do whatever the wealthy and corporations want and don’t care about posterity or preserving farmland, trees in city parks, and forests.
Excellent video, Fil. And I agree with you that the audience should have recognized the song from the guitar intro.
I watched the first video of Joni and of course I had to watch this one. Curious to know your opinion/analysis. I listened to Joni throughout the 70’s and continue to do so. She’s amazing! Thank you for posting this! ❤
Loving your analysis of these great artists Fil........it makes you appreciate their music even more 👍😎
Love this song... I remember hearing this on the radio, AM :) in the car, back in the 70'S// loved it then love it now...
She had a bout with polio which weakened her left hand hence the guitar approach she had to invent. Pure soul, love and determination. I saw her live in ‘72 or so. What a performance!
I appreciated the great analysis you provided on Joni Mitchell's performance. I watched her performance video prior to your analysis. I especially was engaged in her storytelling. I was glad that you spoke about how Joni dealt with her mistake professionally. When I took formal lessons, I was told that if I made a mistake in a recital/performance, it was best to continue as if the mistake didn't happen. Of course, you don't want to make a habit of that! Thanks for all you do, Fil!
Not heard this for a while, so great to be reminded of it! Interesting you used 'conversational' and 'story telling' as I have always thought that way she sung/phrased/enunciated certain portions of the lyrics made it seem like she was in the middle of telling a story and (almost) pausing to consider the correct next word/phrase to use.
One other thing Fil, when you are supposed to be pointing at the F#'s at 21:35 you are actually pointing at the G#'s ... It's no big deal but I do get the impression that you are a guitarist and not really a keyboardist. I love your videos Fil. You did a great job on this one.
Hal
She was an amazing performer. I loved the way she used her voice to go to higher and lower registers. Thank you for this analysis, Fil. Well done.
Love your show. You really help us appreciate the art.
We lived in the time of Joni!🎉 All time favorite. Have been loving and playing her songs all these years. She's in a class all by herself. ❤
Loved this! I still have her on vinyl from "Song To A Seagull" through "Hissing of Summer Lawns", and everything else on CD! She's incredible! One of my favorite albums is "For the Roses"...so many wonderful songs on that one! She's used that "yodel" in other songs as well...just part of her singing style back then. Thank you for this one...feel free to always feature Joni any time! ❤🎶❤
Loved Joni Mitchell. Big Yellow Taxi was my favorite. Great guitar skills and voice to match. Talent in abundance.
Just listen and as always, i had to watch, what a voice, i did not now her, this song i heard the Counting Crows sing, then the guitar playing she did and you start playing and explaining, love that, pushed my easel away and had a little break, thanks Fil, love the video's you make, love Art.👍
Joni embraces open tunings because she had polio as a child, and had difficulty playing a guitar tuned traditionally. I’d say it works well for her.
Man, Watching your videos is like taking a master class in rock performance (not an exagerration). Thanks so much!
Great video and analysis, it opened my eyes (and ears) to see a beautiful performance. It also tagged on. my heart, was still in high school then. Thank you. Would be great to see another of her songs. It is so cool how you can isolate a voice, that eas great. Keep going, God bless for helping me see and hear!!
Like the colors on the body of that guitar, very cool. 🤘🏼
At 6:30 , I enjoyed how Fil picked up on the extra loop that Joni did and explained how she was so professional that she did that to keep control of the performance. I also enjoyed the explanation of the guitar tuning.
Hey Fil, great choice. I just want to add how groundbreaking it was in 1970 to see a woman pick up a guitar at all, let alone play it at such a level. But I'm actually happy that we can almost take it for granted these days.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s groundbreaking guitar playing occurred much earlier than Joni Mitchell’s. Bonnie Raitt, Nancy Wilson (of Heart), Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Teena Marie are also women singers/guitarists of Joni Mitchell’s era.
Check out Les Pauls and Mary Ford.
@@RaineW Joni's playing was unique. Bonnie too, but I didn't become aware of her until 1972 when she played in Syracuse NY, with Jackson Browne, in a church basement. Believe it or not! I still remember her playing "Blender Blues." And the other illustrious musicians on your list came to me even later.
@@davidrachubka5300 Yes I saw a video of them just recently. I never knew about them before this year!
You might have mentioned this and I missed it but I think this performance was on your side of the pond. London I think. Great video analysis as always! I grew up during that time and every young woman I knew loved her dearly. There weren’t many female singer songwriters then.
I love all of Joni Mitchell's music and "Hejira" is one of my top 3 albums of all time and genres! Not only an accomplished painter on canvas, but she also painted pictures in the minds of listeners with her lyrics!
I love the mischievous (showing off) in her performance. What a legend she is.
Would love to see you review Joni’s “Help Me.” Such an amazing tour de force.
Thx Fil. I cannot really add anything new, after reading the first 12 or so comments below mine, except that I agree wholeheartedly. She leaves me at a loss for words. ☮
" I'll light the fire, you place the flowers in the vase that you bought today"...from "Our House" too Joni from Graham Nash. What a great time for music!