TOM RUSH, this week's Riverboat performer, is recording the Urge for Going, a tune written by Joni Mitchell.

Miss Mitchell, who was here at the 7 of Clubs last week, has been doing a lot of important writing in the last few months. Important writing because many of her songs contain Canadian Images, especially of the western part of the country. She is from Alberta.

Joni is one of few Canadians writing about our country, and the irony of the situation is that it takes an American performer to recognize the quality of her work.

She has written four or five new tunes since her successful appearance at the Mariposa Folk Festival back in August. Night in the City, although having nothing to do with it, was inspired by Yorkville, according to Miss Mitchell. Carnival in Kenora and Just Like Me are other tunes she has composed recently.

Keep an eye on this young girl. She'll be doing big things in the future. You can catch her Saturday at Four on Channel 9 with Gord Lightfoot on After Four.