Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Joni Mitchell - In Concert (live at the BBC 1970) [720p]

I didn't know what a "paradigm shift" was when I saw Joni Mitchell play during this period, but that was certainly the effect of this women's musical and poetic sense. The sense of elation I had at the natural fun she was having while singing and playing was pivotal in my own interaction with music and guitar playing and I never looked back.

This video shows the elements that had such a lasting impression, not only on my sense of music, but also on my life in general. She had the added advantage of being brilliant at being able to command a framework for publishing her music that made her lifestyle one of permanence and progressive ease, unlike most of the guitar players of our generation.  Oh, and did I mention her natural beauty emanating from an old soul with a wisdom expressed in her exceptionally fluid compositions?  I, however. lacked the brilliance that might have propelled me beyond "admirer", but I'll take that moniker.  I played at many impromptu parties around campfires and such and a wonderful time was had by all!  Playing music has been a major form of communication throughout my life, through folk, fusion, rock, jazz, both acoustic and electric.

Watching this video looks almost anachronistic, until I realized that this was the essential Joni Mitchell and she has managed to become an anachronism within her own life, if that makes any sense?  There are nuances within this recording that lead me to believe this was used as a source for some albums.

a·nach·ro·nism əˈnakrəˌnizəm/Submit noun 1. a thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, esp. a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned. "everything was as it would have appeared in centuries past apart from one anachronism, a bright yellow construction crane"

I had been experimenting with "open" tunings like the "E" tuning she used in "Chelsea Morning" here.  It's used in "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" from the original "Crosby. Stills and Nash".  I realize now there may have been some cross pollinization there because they were hanging out together during that period.  As I recall, Neal Young was from the same area in Canada as Joni.  I went to a concert at Pauley Pavilion at UCLA with some good friends where Joni was to sing with Zubin Mehta conducting after the orchestra started the show.  Joni's singing was so powerful!  When she followed the orchestra accompaniment, she appeared a bit shaken and walked off stage briefly.  When she returned, she apologized mentioning she had been so emotional about pouring out her songs with the orchestration behind she'd been a little overwhelmed.  Her emotional honesty was elating to witness, knowing she was giving it her all and then some.  It was a special moment that bonded something inside of me.  Thank you, Joni!