After a very long hiatus of 53 years, Joni Mitchell returned to perform at the Newport Folk Festival on Sunday (July 24). But not all alone. She was supported by artists such as Brandi Carlile, Marcus Mumford and country singer Wynonna. Mitchell told stories, played the guitar and sang a total of 13 songs.
“I’m just realizing that out of all the people here, Joni is the least nervous,” joked Brandi Carlile, herself a huge Mitchell fan, during the performance. She sang “Both Sides Now” from the 1969 album “Clouds” with her idol.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aqGjaFDTxQ
Mitchell settled into her “throne,” only occasionally singing along to her songs early in the set. But the 78-year-old didn’t want to leave it at that. Towards the end of the show, she got up and played a guitar solo during her song “Just Like This Train.”
“Joni Jams”
In 2000 Joni Mitchell gave her last concert. Since then, the singer has struggled with serious health problems. The idea behind the performance at the Newport Folk Festival goes back to the “Joni Jams”. Since Mitchell’s aneurysm, musicians have regularly gathered in the singer’s apartment to play songs. Guests have included Elton John, Herbie Hancock and Brandi Carlile.
Carlile organized the performance in Newport and found the right words to say goodbye: “Joni Mitchell is back,” she said after the set.
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