Joni 75: A Birthday Celebration: All-star artists gather in Los Angeles to say I Love You, Joni, right out loud

by Aimsel Ponti
AimselOnTheRecord.com
November 14, 2018

This article is best read on Aimsel's website

There aren't enough deep breaths in the world to settle me down enough so that I can be calm and properly centered to be able to write this review.

Why?

Because in one of the most unexpected concert experiences of my life I saw these artists pay tribute to Joni Mitchell in honor of her 75th birthday by performing her songs live:

Brandi Carlile, Glen Hansard, Emmylou Harris, Norah Jones, Chaka Khan, Diana Krall, Kris Kristofferson, Los Lobos with La Marisoul, Cesar Castro & Xochi Flores, Graham Nash, SEAL, James Taylor and Rufus Wainwright.

For real.

How can I begin to wrap my head around this? A handful of days ago (Tuesday, 11/6/18 to be exact) I sat in the fourth row of the balcony at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles and watched and listened as, one by one, all of these artists were introduced and backed by a STELLAR band under the direction of co-musical directors Brian Blade (drums) and Jon Cowherd (piano) performed an eclectic collection of career-spanning Joni Mitchell songs.

It was nothing short of a miracle that I was even at this show to begin with. A California trip with another agenda was already booked when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a Tweet telling me that Brandi Carlile and James Taylor had been added to the already stacked lineup and more importantly, a handful of tickets had been released. With my calendar in one hand and my credit card in the other I snagged two tickets in a state of delirium and for the next month leading up the show had to pinch myself because I felt like Charlie Bucket holding the golden ticket.

The stage at the gorgeous Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was adorned with an old canoe, wooden skis and other retro, rustic props that gave it a cabin in the woods kind of feel. Couches were on either side and were both put to good use throughout the evening. Nothing quite like seeing Emmylou Harris perched on one watching other artists. I digress.

Throughout the entire show images of Joni were projected on a giant screen behind the stage and we'd also see occasional clips of interviews with her as well as well wishes from Elton John and Peter Gabriel.

And so it began, just after 7:30 p.m. on election night no less.

A voice welcomed us and the first artist was announced. With said announcement came the first of several heart-stopping moments. It was Norah Jones who stood center stage and opened the show with a lovely version of "Court and Spark." Jones would return to the stage during the second half of the show, this time at the piano where she played "Borderline," a track from Mitchell's 1994 Turbulent Indigo album.

When Jones finished with "Court and Spark" I realized that I had an entire evening of moments ahead of me when time would stand still for a few seconds before the next name was announced. If only this kind of exquisite anticipation could be bottled.

Glen Hansard was next with "Coyote" and the dude nailed it, which came as no surprise. With vocals that made me think of Cat Stevens it was a joyous thing to watch Hansard shine with his acoustic guitar.

While I could say something about every single song that was played during the 22 song show, I know you have to get back to your life at some point so instead, I'm referring to my scribbled notes and will share what were my favorite moments of the night. But let me a thousand percent clear before I do. EVERY SINGLE PERFORMER WAS EPIC and it can't be stated enough how spectacular the band was.

That said, I'm gonna jump to the seventh song of the evening. It was "Help Me" from "Court and Spark" and OMG, Chaka Khan owned it. Immensely. I don't even know what to say about it so here's this...

Two songs later came Los Lobos with Marisoul playing "Nothing Can Be Done," a favorite of mine from 1991's "Night Ride Home." Spectacular.

Truly nothing could have prepared me for the song that closed out the first set. I've since read that Joni specifically asked SEAL to perform it. I have the chills even thinking about how incredible and vocally tremendous he was on "Both Sides Now."

Put on some headphones and be prepared to lose your shit. Ready?

As you can imagine, we all went insane at the end of the song and SEAL got a much-deserved standing ovation. The house lights came back on and I sat there in a daze because I couldn't believe there was still a second set to come.

And so it was that Graham Nash opened the second set of the show by sitting at the grand piano where he said "I'm honored to be here. Most of the songs you'll hear tonight will have been written by Joan except this one. I wrote this song for Joni almost 50 years ago." With that, Nash played "Our House" and I got full-on teary. Halfway through the song he invited us all too sing along. Most did. I was too overwhelmed with emotion to pull it together but everyone else sounded great. I did manage one "la la la la la" out but barely. And damn it, I'm getting teary again watching the YouTube clip of it even now.

Quick but supreme shout-outs to Diana Krall for "Amelia" and Rufus Waingwright for "All I Want." Both were exceptional and I have huge love for both artists. My god...

If you've ever read any of my other posts here (and I sure hope you have or will) you likely know that I am a MASSIVE BRANDI CARLILE FAN. HUGE. RABID. HARDCORE. She was indeed the artist I was most excited to see and along with SEAL, Carlile was the highlight of the night for me.

First came "A Case Of You" from 1971's "Blue" which she sang with Kris Kristofferson who also played an acoustic guitar. Kristofferson is a living legend. He's 82 years young. Look, I'll level with you and you'll hear it for yourself below, his vocals weren't so hot but I say this with reverence and respect. The man can do no wrong. Carlile clearly holds him in the same regard as the rest of us and the smile on her face, one of adoration and of realizing the significance of the moment was one of the most genuine goddamn things I've ever had the honor to bear witness to. She deferred to him for much of the song but when she sang, and I'm sorry but I HAVE to use profanity, it brought the fucking house down.

Then it was time for Carlile to shine on her own as she sang "Down To You," another track from Court and Spark. Her performance of that song has been absorbed by my very cells.

Here's a clip of "Both Sides Now" and "Down To You." Take note of (and you really don't need me to say this, it will be quite evident) how tremendous the band is during "Down To You). When "Down To You" ended I clapped and cheered with everything I had. Part of me is still in Los Angeles in that balcony and I'm still cheering.

Time for another shout-out. This time to James Taylor for "Woodstock." It didn't hurt ONE BIT that SEAL lent some backing vocals to it.

The time had come to land the Joni love plane and I'm awarding high marks to all those involved in the decision of what song to end with. It had to be one that would work with several singers. And it had to be iconic. And upbeat also wouldn't hurt.

"Big Yellow Taxi" got it done.

I was at the first night of two shows. This clip below is from the second night which fell on the official date of Joni's 75th birthday. Joni Mitchell was out on the stage for it and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. A cake was brought out and she's beaming. Although I wish I had been there on that night, I will always be thankful for being at night one. I had tickets to see Mitchell in the mid 90s but the show ended up being cancelled (I can't remember why) so I've never seen her live. But that's OK for obvious reasons: Joni Mitchell's contribution to music can't be measured. Her songwriting is something that I'll always be in awe of. Same goes for her vocals. And if you'll pardon the tired cliche I'll say this: the world is very much a better place with Joni Mitchell and her music in it. I don't know what else to say about it so I'll leave it there.

Years from now as I look back on the night of November 6, 2018, I am certain those same feelings will come over me that did as I sat there and took it all in: Ones of sincere wonder and awe. Ones of immense gratitude. And ones of love for all of the artists who performed that night all because of a shared sentiment: Love for Joni Mitchell.

Lastly, I for sure would like to thank my spouse Tracy for dealing with my hysteria over this entire show and for going with me to it. You're the best!

Here's the set-list:

1. Court and Spark - Norah Jones
2. Coyote - Glen Hansard
3. For the Roses - Diana Krall
4. Blue - Rufus Wainwright
5. Cold Blue Steel - Emmylou Harris
6. The Magdalene Laundries - Emmylou Harris
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

12. Our House - Graham Nash
13. A Strange Boy - Seal
14. All I Want - Rufus Wainwright
15. Borderline - Norah Jones
16. Amelia - Diana Krall
17. The Boho Dance - Glen Hansard
18 A Case of You - Kris Kristofferson and Brandi Carlile
19. Down To You - Brandi Carlile
20. Two Grey Rooms - Chaka Khan
21. Woodstock - James Taylor
22. Big Yellow Taxi - Everyone (!)

Ponti out.


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