To singer Brandi Carlile, Joni Mitchell is the most revolutionary songwriter alive.
On top of all of her other talents, the musicianship in her songs is extraordinary, she says.
Since that time, Mitchell has been progressing slowly, but with steady fortitude, friends say.
Credit: GAB Archive/Redferns
Such forthright speech mirrors a history of bracing candor in Mitchells lyrics.
Her most accusatory words presage todays call out culture by some five decades.
It just felt so submissive, andthe voiceshe sang it in seemed frail and feminine to me.
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I was more drawn to women with loud voices and tough stances, like Joan Jett or Tanya Tucker.
So, I took a deep dive intoBlueand it hit me like a ton of bricks.
Carlile says her immersion into Mitchells world didnt just change me musically, it changed me fundamentally.
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Joni is a true bad ass.
(Weisbrodt was also the musical director for the 75th birthday concert.)
When some people come in contact with her music, it totally alters their life, Wainwright says.
That happened to my husband.
Wainwrights own passion was stoked by Mitchells unparalleled verbal skills.
I love her melodies but her words are what really struck me, he says.
To me, lyrics are the key to great songs.
I was totally in love with Joni Mitchell, Nash says.
So, of course, it would be emotional.
We spent a couple of years together and I was on cloud nine.
The end of our romance left a little to be desired, but I loved Joan so.
She has done so despite the harsh nature of some of the songs she has written about them.
Nash says one reason the men have been so forgiving is because you cant argue with the truth.
And the truth is often not very flattering, he says.
Most people would be thrilled to even be mentioned, or know that Jonis music is about them.
Thats especially true, given her songs erudition.
Nash has compared her work to Shakespeare.
I believe she will be seen in that light, he says.
Krall also likens Mitchells songs to drama.
There are so many ways to interpret them.
Many of the artists involved maintain a deep friendship with Mitchell.
Old, and new, friends whove seen her lately say she is improving dramatically.
Shes laughing it off, saying Ive overcome worse than this, Carlile reports.
Its astonishing, and great, that she has forgotten that she smoked!, he says.
That three-letter word yet speaks volumes, he says.
Because you know damn well that shes looking and experiencing 360 degrees.
For a list of theaters playing Joni 75: A BirthdayCelebrationhead here.
