Joni Mitchell smooth

by Lin Orrin
Livingston County Daily Press and Argus
August 14, 1974

She tells you about the beautiful arbutus tree in Saskatchewan that makes a noise like a thousand, tiny clapping hands, as she tunes her guitar. And she rocks smoothly in time to the music, her long blond hair hanging and her white pant suit flowing along with her many-worded songs.

She's folk-singer Joni Mitchell and she performed at Pine Knob in Clarkston on August 8 and 9. There was a sell-out crowd Thursday night. They gave her a warm welcome.

Joni sang selections from her three most recent albums: "Court and Spark," "For the Roses" and "Blue." The few older songs she presented were done in her newer style: a highly controlled, modulating voice with complex lyrics and a very smooth sound.

The music ranged from jazz to folk to rock as Tom Scott and the L.A. Express backed her up. Joni played the guitar, piano and dulcimer.

During most of the second half of the performance, Joni played and sang alone. "A Case of You" came across with striking beauty as only her voice and the sound of her dulcimer filled the outdoor theater. "Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling, and I would still be on my feet," she sang.

It was a very good concert despite the dampness left from a sudden downpour before the show. The thousands of young attendees made the best of it as they playfully slid down the muddy hillside.

She concluded her performance by stating that everyone's looney, to some degree. "It's healthy!" she insists.


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