According to Joni Mitchell, sexism in the music business prevented her music from receiving the acclaim it deserved in the 1970s.
The singer-songwriter, whose contemplative, confessional songs helped define the genre, admitted that she “got a lot of heat” at the time.
In a rare interview with Sir Elton John, the 79-year-old commented, “People thought that it was too intimate.”
“I believe that the male singer-songwriters were upset. Oh no, they would say. Do we need to be that vulnerable right now?
“I think it made people nervous,” she continued.
The celebrity expressed her satisfaction that modern musicians appeared more able to convey the emotions of loss and sadness that she explored in seminal albums like Ladies of the Canyon (1970) and Blue (1971).
In an interview with Sir Elton for his Rocket Hour radio show on Apple Music, she said, “It took to this generation, they seem to be able to handle those feelings more easily than my generation.”
One of the singer’s first in-depth interviews after making a full recovery from a brain aneurysm in 2015 temporarily prevented her from walking and speaking.
The two grew close when Mitchell was receiving treatment and hosting “Joni Jams” in her California living room with other musicians.
She has made an “amazing” recovery, according to Sir Elton, who added, “Music has helped you so much.”
A critic reportedly referred to Mitchell as the “Yang to Bob Dylan’s Yin, equaling him in richness and profusion of imagery,” making her one of the best singer-songwriters of her time.
Her talent lay in crafting intensely intimate, folk-inspired song-poems that examined the darker aspects of life and love. Standards include songs like Both Sides Now, A Case Of You, and River.
She had to rediscover how to sing and play the guitar after having an aneurysm, studying old footage of herself “to see where I put my fingers.”
She earlier told CBS News, “It’s amazing what an aneurysm knocks out.” You don’t know how to get out of a chair or a bed, I said. All of these topics must be retaught by rote.
The singer has recently participated in events honoring her songs and was awarded the coveted Kennedy Center Honor in December.
“Her skill touches the gamut of human nature and the sense of struggle, how we conquer, and how we love,” US President Joe Biden said in a tribute to the celebrity at the event.
This summer, Mitchell made a surprise appearance at the Newport Folk Festival, where she had previously performed back in 1969.
The tribute event and liner notes for Mitchell’s archive box sets were organized by country artist Brandi Carlile, who has worked hard to raise awareness of Mitchell’s legacy and has grown into a devoted friend.
Mitchell sang songs including Circle Game, Both Sides Now, and Big Yellow Taxi during the performance while surrounded by friends on a set that resembled her California living room.
The performer said during a conversation with Sir Elton that there was no practice for the entire event. She chuckled, “Didn’t have any.” “We just guessed,”
The singer also discussed how smoking and poor health had altered her voice over the years, saying that during her Newport performance, she chose to play guitar on Just Like This Train rather than attempt to imitate the original’s soaring screams.
She said,
“I couldn’t sing the key.” “I’ve turned into an alto. I was unable to sing the song because I am no longer a soprano.
“I feared that if I only played the guitar section, people could feel lighted [betrayed], yet I prefer the guitar part to that song. In any case, to my delight, it was well received.
Sir Elton suggested that an official release of the Newport Folk Festival performance was in the works.
Mitchell said,
“Yeah, we’re trying to get that out.
Since then, she has made plans to perform once more live, in Washington state in June of next year. This will be her first headlining show in 23 years.
To lure Joni back into the recording studio, Sir Elton also had an idea. “Make an album in this room, please,” I told you. He said, “As Johnny Cash did with Hurt.
“Joni is in every crevice of this space. Even though I’ve visited many places in my life, this room is one of the most memorable ones.
Joni Mitchell graciously accepted the compliment but refrained from commenting on whether or not she will resume creating music.
We once performed some backing vocals from the balcony, she recalled. We’ve only ever recorded in this space once, I believe.
On Saturday, November 12, at 17:00 GMT, you may listen to the entire interview on Sir Elton’s radio show on Apple Music.
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