Recap of Joni Mitchell's 75th Anniversary Celebration: Seal, Graham Nash, James Taylor, Emmylou Harris Tribute



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The legend has joined the artists on the stage for a birthday cake and wishes

Halfway Joni 75: Celebrating a birthday live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, a concert celebrating Joni Mitchell's birthday in Los Angeles Wednesday night (November 7), Peter Gabriel appeared in a video to wish Mitchell the happiest of birthdays – but also to express his condolences to the "poor bastards" who had to sing Mitchell's songs in front of the legend.

His concern was understandable: Mitchell, one of the greatest songwriters and live musicians, is known – and loved – for his notoriously complex song structures. The material of the Canadian artist presents a high degree of difficulty, often changing shape on a glorious whim in the sophisticated setting of jazz, pop, blues and rock.

Fortunately for the musicians and the enthusiastic audience, most came with the skills required to meet such challenges. Norah Jones opened the evening with a nice version of "Court and Spark," followed by Glen Hansard's clever reading of "Coyote," one of Mitchell's deeply humorous works about a lascivious man of women.

The evening rose higher as Diana Krall sang "Pour les roses" with assured and confident grace that sometimes resembled a meditation. She returned in the second period for a "Amelia" totally mesmerizing.

Rufus Wainwright – who proudly declared that her husband, Jorn Weisbrodt – was the artistic producer of the evening – presented a burgeoning version of the 1971 title song "Blue" as a sacrifice. His voice slid up and down the melody, caressing the lyrics. Although all the performers clearly felt a connection with Mitchell, it was Wainwright who channeled the best of Mitchell's mind, as if she had temporarily taken possession of her body during "Blue" and her second number, "All I Want.

Los Lobos added even more rhythms to "Dreamland," with La Marisoul, the singer of The Santa Cecilia, performing a resounding vocals under the name of the propulsive beat – and Chaka Khan, who joined the song – revolved around the 39; it. Seal closed the first part with a brilliant version of one of Mitchell's best-known compositions, "Both Sides Now". With minimal accompaniment, his voice seems to reach every corner of the theater.

Although much of the series features artists belonging to a distant generation of Mitchell, some of his contemporaries have provided the best moments. Emmylou Harris performed "Cold Blue Steel," a song about heroin addiction, and said, "Joni is an inspiration to all girls who have always wanted to acquire a guitar." (Harris also noted that " Steel "had" too much agreement "in it then grabbed her guitar for the horribly sad film" The Magdalene Laundries "on a young incarcerated nun.

Mitchell's former lover, Graham Nash, performed the only song of the evening that was not written by the artist herself, when he released Crosby, Stills, "Our House" from Nash & Young, a classic written radio for Mitchell by Nash when they lived together. He was 27 years old and she was 26 years old, he explained, while a picture of the incredibly young and amorous looking couple appeared on the screen. James Taylor, another of the ex-Mitchell, played a melancholy "River," now looking seasonal that he began playing several decades ago. He returned for an almost mystical rendition of "Woodstock," with Seal providing choruses from another world.

Kris Kristofferson tackled one of Mitchell's most romantic songs, "A Case of You", with the kind help of Brandi Carlile, who guided Kristofferson across the track while exchanging verses. "Kris told me behind the scenes," You know, I do not remember that very well, "and I asked," What do you remember about Joni? Carlile said, "Just everything and she's perfect in every way." After her duet with Kristofferson, Carlile sang "Down to You," her virgin upper register reminiscent of young Mitchell.

The artists were supported by an exceptionally talented band including drummer Brian Blade, pianist Jon Cowherd, guitarist Greg Leisz, percussionist Jeff Haynes, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and saxophonist Bob Sheppard.

The evening, which attracted a host of personalities such as Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Angelica Houston, Jon Hamm, Angela Bassett, Cameron Crowe and David Geffen (ex-brand manager and former label, which was themed "Free Man in Paris," was uninterpreted), and the artists came together for a delightfully disheveled "Big Yellow Taxi" – which had originally stalled at number 67 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970, before finally become one of Mitchell's best known successes. After a long pause, he stood up to reveal Mitchell's position on the stage. It was a moving sight, considering that she had rarely been seen since a cerebral aneurysm in 2015. When the group took over the title of "Big Yellow Taxi," Mitchell smiled. from time to time the words and receive visitors – including Nash, who bowed and kissed her on the hand – while bathing in the love of fellow artists and adore the fans.

Wednesday's performance was followed by a gala dinner that served as a fundraiser for the Music Center, which houses the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and several other theaters. A similar performance look up Tuesday with the same performers.

JONI MITCHELL at 75 setlist:

1. Court and Spark – Norah Jones
2. Coyote – Glen Hansard
3. For roses – Diana Krall
4. Blue – Rufus Wainwright
5. Cold Blue Steel – Emmylou Harris
6. Madeleine – Emmylou Harris Laundries
7. Help me – Chaka Khan
8. Dreamland – Los Lobos
9. Nothing can be done – Los Lobos
10. River – James Taylor
11. Both sides now – Seal

INTERMISSION

1. Our house – Graham Nash
2. A strange boy – Seal
3. All I want – Rufus Wainwright
4. Borderline – Norah Jones
5. Amelia – Diana Krall
6. The boho dance – Glen Hansard
7. A case of you – Kris Kristofferson and Brandi Carlile
8. Down To You – Brandi Carlile
9. Two gray rooms – Chaka Khan
10. Woodstock – James Taylor

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