Next, the three performers introduced b The Mitchell Effect.b Noting that Joni has been covered by more recording artists than any singlecomposer, with the exception of Mozart, we were treated to impromptub interviewsb of people on the street, including song clips of everyday peoplesinging the lyrics to Jonibs songs. It was really fun and good placing in theprogram. That was segued into Rebecca Jenkins singing Blue, with an honest andheartfelt interpretation of the song.
Next we looked again to the monitors where Angelica Hustonand Jonibs best friend, Charles Valentino, were expounding on Jonibs virtues.Angelica said that she is b one of those people who makes you happy to be alivebecause you feel like shebs always taking a big bite out of life.b Charles saidto Joni how much she deserved this honor, and that he and Angelica were goingto have a dance in her honor. In the introduction to his next song, Brent says,b Michaelb&Willyb&Richardb&Careyb& Beautiful, beautiful Marcieb&Cherokee Louiseb&Ronb&Chikieb&LeadFoot Melvin. With every one of these people, Joni Mitchell seems to havereintroduced us to some part of ourselves. And in the brevity of one song, shepaints an entire life...like that.b As he sang Shadows and Light, Hejira wassomehow sandwiched between the beginning and end in a fluid, mellifluous way. Moving forward in Jonibs career, the next subject was aboutcharting new territories. Herbie Hancock was now on the monitor, talking abouthow he b happenedb onto the Mingus album. He wasnbt originally scheduled to beon it, but His friend, Jaco Pastorius, called him and said they were in thestudio, and invited him to play. From that point on, he and Joni becamefriends. He says about Joni, b Her normal mode of conversation is so graphicand full of symbolism, just like her poetry. She speaks poetically.b WayneShorter was on the monitor next, saying that she is a person who was willing totake chances, one of the few who were willing to put her career on the line.And by doing so, she proceeded to b break sound barriers.b Rebecca Jenkins came forward to sing a really lovely versionof b Two Grey Rooms.b Following that were humorous anecdotes, including the factthat Joni Mitchell has been the answer to 42 Across in the New York TimesCrossword Puzzle, and her lyrics have stumped a contestant on Who Wants to be aMillionaire. Stating that Joni Mitchell is an b icon,b our eyes went back to themonitor for video clips of Joni references, including Chicago Hope, Youbve GotMail, Down to You, and Robert Downey singing River on Ally McBeal. Another sandwich follows of Brent singing Sunny Sunday,pausing long enough for Anne Marie to powerfully recite the lyrics to TheMagdalene Laundries, and Brent finishing with the remainder of Sunny Sunday. Itwas a very powerful combination, with perfect timing. Finally. We are introduced to the Lady of the Hour, JoniMitchell. She approaches the stage radiant in a two-piece Issy Miyake green andblue outfit. She is joined by Denise Donlan, the president of Sony Music,Canada. Before Joni can even sit down, she is rushed by Brent, Ann Marie andRebecca, each offering a pack of her favorite cigarettes, American Spirits. Allthat is left is a light from an audience member, and she comfortably settlesinto her chair next to Denise. When asked about her b creative genius,b Jonisays she collects all kinds of ideas and stores them away, including a lot ofcinematic ideas and short stories. She added that they always seem to b sortthemselves out.b She said as a child, she wrote in rhyme. When she was upset, itgave her a structure to work things out. As far as painting, she says, b I used to carry a sketchbookeverywhere. Every time I sat down, I used to draw what was in front of me. Iused to sketch everything.b She did this while b getting her craft together in acertain way.b Joni continues, b I would draw the people at my concert before Iwent on. They would have to take the pen away from me.b (So she could go onstage.) She says she has been approached several times to write asong for a movie, but she always ends up telling the whole movie, so they neveruse it. She calls herself a b musical illiterate,b not knowing the b language,but she adds, b a sophisticated musical illiterate, kind of like an idiot savantof sorts.b She says she like to move around in keys, and gives b metaphoricalinstructionb to her players. She gives an example: b For instance, in TroubleChild, the piano player was just playing notes, and I told him to play aJapanese wave- it arcs up and then sucks down on itself. Whereas Wayne (Shorter)came to me the first time I played with him in London, he said, bItbs likeyoubre in Hyde Park, and therebs a nanny and a baby, and the baby has a boat,and the wind is nudging it- (she makes a sound-do, do, do), itbs nudging it,(do, do, do) Ibm going to play it like that.b (do, do, do.) and I just thought,bOh, I love this guy!bb
