Joni Mitchell In Concert, from 1971

BBC Four TV’s intermittently interesting California season reached its pinnacle last night, with a repeat of Joni Mitchell In Concert, from 1971.

Seeing it again after all these years was a telling reminder of the potency of the writing of the fast-maturing Mitchell – she’d left behind the vapid folkie stuff and was writing more mature, more accessible songs – such as those here from Blue - for her contemporaries. And the occasionally unruly youthful voice had been transformed into a fine, subtle, controlled soprano instrument.

If only she’d had a more assertive hairdresser! The shoulder-length thin mane, dragged tightly across the scalp, did her few favours, and probably marginalized her by leading potential listeners to dismiss her great musicianship as the warbling of a hippy.



Gerry Smith