Joni Mitchell has graced our stereos, radios, TVs and concert halls with her music since the mid-1960s. Her music has spanned multiple genres and has influenced musicians from many more. Her contralto singing voice could span three octaves until the ‘90s when it changed to a shorter ranged, but no less stunning, alto. She is a prolific songwriter and poet, with a repertoire known for including tales of love and political activism. Mitchell is also a visual artist and has designed and painted the artwork for her albums.
Mitchell is known for her innovative picking, strumming, tuning, harmony and structure techniques used in playing guitar, most notably, her open tunings. She was ranked #72 in Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists: David Fricke’s Picks” of 2003.
Mitchell has written many songs other artists have covered with great success such as “Both Sides Now,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock,” “A Case of You” and more. She has left an indelible mark with her trailblazing music career.
Mitchell was hospitalized on March 31 of this year after losing consciousness. It has not been revealed what may have led to this collapse. She suffers from Morgellons disease. Since the date of her hospitalization, few messages have been released regarding her condition, but they have been messages of encouragement stating that Mitchell is alert and responsive and is improving each day. This, until Tuesday, when a report came out from a media outlet that Mitchell was in a coma and unresponsive. Mitchell’s reps later released a statement saying the report was untrue and that Mitchell, though still in the hospital, is alert, responsive and in full possession of her senses. They asked that we keep her in our thoughts.
In wishing Ms. Mitchell a speedy recovery, I have put together a top 10 of my favorite Joni Mitchell songs. We at TheCelebrityCafe.com will keep her in our thoughts and prayers and hope to hear of her return home in the very near future.
If you’d like to add any favorites of yours that are not included here, please do so in the comments section below.
image via John White/INFGoff.com