JONI MITCHELL, "COURT & SPARK" recording, A&M Studios, Hollywood, 1973. Photo and story by Sherry Rayn Barnett
I had just recently moved to Los Angeles from NYC, to continue my career as a young music photographer and photojournalist. I became acquainted with a concert promoter and activist named Jennie Baughman who was friends with the famed engineer/producer, Henry Lewy. Henry had been at A&M Recording Studios on La Brea Ave. in Hollywood since 1967, and was already responsible for a number of A&M's most legendary albums. Henry had become acquainted Joni Mitchell during his recordings of Crosby, Stills and Nash in the 60's. This led to his collaboration with Joni on a remarkable 13 (!) albums of hers ... including her historic LP, "Court & Spark" in 1973. I had been fortunate to be invited with my camera to several iconic sessions of Henry Lewy's during that era, including those of Joan Baez ("Gracias A La Vida"), Graham Nash and Leah Kunkel as well as photographing Almo Irving singer/songwriters Ronee Blakley and Renee Armand on the A&M lot. But the invite to the "Court & Spark" session was definitely the highlight. I had photographed early Joni back in NYC in concert with James Taylor and also solo. I knew this was going to be a rare opportunity. Henry Lewy only worked with the best. When I got to the session however, it was clear that this session was intimate and private. There was not going to be a photo shoot. In a moment that proved too irresistible however, I pulled out my Nikon and shot a handful of quick, discreet shots ... one of which is the iconic shot seen here. Who knew how "legendary" this session was to become?Printed from the official Joni Mitchell website. Permanent link: https://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=4593
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