In 1968 the clutter and cacophony of acid rock was gently shattered by a voice that poetically sang of love and love-ache, friendship, and subtle retribution.

That voice belonged to a successful songwriter named Joni Mitchell who, after composing things like "The Circle Game" and "Michael from Mountains" for people like Judy Collins and Buffy Sainte-Marie, decided to do some recording of her own.

Joni originally started out to be a painter. Singing in clubs around her native Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, was just a way to help pay art school expenses.

But after her successful 1968 debut at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, Joni packed up her old Martin D-28 guitar (purchased from an Army officer who was on his way to Vietnam) and moved to Laurel Canyon where she spent her time filling sketchbooks with paintings and poetry.

The poems became songs: "Both Sides Now," "Chelsea Morning," and "Turn Me On, I'm a Radio."

The songs became albums: "Ladies of the Canyon," "Blue" and "For the Roses."

Joni did a lot of writing, some of which, her manager says, she herself admits wasn't that good.

With "Ladies of the Canyon" she broke her dependence on the guitar and began recording songs she had composed on the piano.

People like Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Jose Feliciano, and Robbie Robertson started helping her put out her albums.

And as Joni matured as a writer and performer, her circle of friends continued to grow.

Joni has just come out with another album, this one called "Court and Spark" (see Review, 10C).

She's also making her first tour in what promoters guess to be about a year.

Thursday night she'll be in Rochester for an 8 p.m. concert at the Dome Arena.

All tickets are priced at $5.50 and $6.50.

It promises to be a beautiful evening.