Joni Mitchell

Book excerpt: In her long career, Canadian songstress Joni Mitchell has been hailed as everything from a 1960s folk icon to 20th century cultural figure, artistic iconoclast to musical heroine, extreme romantic confessor to both outspoken commentator and lyrical painter. Eschewing commercial considerations, she simply viewed her trajectory as that of any artist serious about the integrity of their work. But whatever musical position she took, she was always one step ahead of the game, making eclectic and innovative music. Albums like The Ladies Of The Canyon, Blue, Hejira and Mingus helped define each era of the 1970s, as she moved from exquisitely pitched singer-songwriter material towards jazz. By the 1980s, her influence was really beginning to show via a host of imitators, many of them big names in their own right. He profound influence continues in popular music to this day. This book revisits her studio albums in detail from 1968’s Song to a Seagull to 2007’s Shine, providing anecdote and insight into the recording sessions. It also includes an in-depth analysis both of her lyrics and the way her music developed stylistically over such a lengthy career, making this the most comprehensive book on this remarkable artist yet written. Peter Kearns is an independent recording artist and writer. Since the ‘80s he has performed live as keyboardist or recorded with acts including New Zealand’s Shona Laing, the UK’s Judie Tzuke, and New Yorker John Tabacco, being half of the duo Tabacco & Kearns. He has released two solo albums. As a writer he’s contributed to Witchdoctor.co.nz - New Zealand’s technology and music website for grownups, and New Zealand Musician magazine. Joni Mitchell On Track is his third book for Sonicbond Publishing after books on Elton John and 10cc and Godley and Creme. He lives in Amberley, New Zealand.