The Joy Of Joni Mitchell

No one has a laugh quite like Joni Mitchell. At the Hollywood Bowl, during the first of her two sold-out Joni Jam performances, the joy of her laughter filled the air. It was a mix of pride, amusement, gratitude, and pure pleasure, punctuating nearly every song she performed.

Occasionally, she chuckled at her own lyrics, clearly delighted by the poetic lines she crafted decades ago. Other times, she laughed at the enthusiastic reactions from fans who never thought they would hear these songs live again. The concert featured frequent standing ovations and heartfelt cheers like "we love you, Joni," which were often met with the reverent silence demanded by her music. Many times, her laughter seemed to carry secrets, adding a touch of mystery to the night.

In a playful moment at the end of "God Must Be A Boogie Man," she shared a funny line: "'God is dead' – Nietzsche, 'Nietzsche is dead' – God.” Yes, even the legendary Joni Mitchell enjoys a good dad joke.

Her close friend Brandi Carlile, an enthusiastic supporter of Joni's work, made a lively response during "Night Ride Home," nearly falling from her chair at Joni's unique delivery, which led to shared laughter between the two. This vibrant connection highlights the strong friendship they have developed over the years.

For a long time, the idea of witnessing Joni Mitchell performing live seemed nearly impossible. After retiring from touring in 2000 and facing a brain aneurysm in 2015, it felt like fans could only dream about events like this one. But then, with Carlile's encouragement, the first Joni jams were created to play her music back to her. Eventually, Joni grew comfortable joining in, leading to surprise appearances, including one at the Newport Folk Festival and an unforgettable performance of "Both Sides Now" at the Grammys. What many feared would end in sadness turned into a vibrant final act, and the 17,000 fans at the Hollywood Bowl were fully aware of the significance of the moment.

At Joni Mitchell’s concert, joy is the essence of every performance. The live debut of "The Sire Of Sorrow (Job’s Sad Song)" took on a life of its own, and despite its somber title, it didn’t diminish the crowd’s spirit—she followed it with the upbeat tune "God Must Be A Boogie Man" just to keep the good vibes flowing. The incredible band she performed with, including the likes of Blake Mills, Jacob Collier, Robin Pecknold, and many others, contributed to the cheerful atmosphere throughout the over three-hour set.

As the night drew to a close, Carlile acknowledged that for many of the artists on stage, this was a career highlight. They all played with enthusiasm and made sure Joni remained the focus even as they shone individually.

As a beautiful gesture towards the end of the concert during her song "Shine," the crowd illuminated the Bowl with their cellphone lights, creating a stunning visual of support. This act of unity is often solicited by artists but was spontaneous here, emphasizing the special bond between Joni and her audience. Joni happily urged everyone to take a moment to look around at the bright lights before bursting into her infectious laughter once again.

“Let’s never forget this moment,” Carlile exclaimed to the audience, and indeed, it was a night none would ever forget.

joy, music, concert