Author Topic: Life lessons we can learn from Joni Mitchell’s viral ‘Both Sides, Now’ performance  (Read 2261 times)

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Offline libertybele

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This moved me to tears.  I remember hearing this in my younger years; now after suffering a brain aneurysm, Joni Mitchell performs when of her famous classics.  (Video @ link below)

Life lessons we can learn from Joni Mitchell’s viral ‘Both Sides, Now’ performance

It took Joni Mitchell more than a half-century to deliver the definitive version of “Both Sides, Now,” her signature song from 1969 — but was it ever worth the wait.

I’m talking about Mitchell’s performance at the Newport Folk Festival last weekend, a video of which has gone viral. Seated in an ornate chair, the 78-year-old folk-rock icon and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer sings the reflective tune while joined occasionally by Brandi Carlisle, Wynonna Judd and others. The lyrics are delivered intently, almost to the point that it’s crushing to listen.

The song was always a tough pill to swallow, in a sense — it’s an exercise in realizing the follies of one’s youth. But to hear it come from Mitchell at this stage in her life — and knowing that she suffered a brain aneurysm a few years ago — is to hear it fully realized. I defy you to watch the video and not shed a few tears..............

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/life-lessons-we-can-learn-from-joni-mitchells-viral-both-sides-now-performance-11658871836
« Last Edit: July 26, 2022, 06:46:19 pm by libertybele »

Offline libertybele

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Offline libertybele

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« Last Edit: July 26, 2022, 08:10:41 pm by libertybele »

Offline roamer_1

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Brings to mind Johnny Cash and his rendition of Hurt.

... Wholly a different and more honest take that 9IN could never understand n its youth. Johnny Cash owns that song.

Offline jmyrlefuller

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Her voice has matured into a wonderful husky baritone.
New profile picture in honor of Public Domain Day 2025

Offline berdie

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Her voice has matured into a wonderful husky baritone.


It has. And one can tell that the song has more meaning to her now...as it does me.

Offline catfish1957

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Brings to mind Johnny Cash and his rendition of Hurt.

... Wholly a different and more honest take that 9IN could never understand n its youth. Johnny Cash owns that song.

Reznor has pretty much acknowledged that true.  As has Paul Simon on Disturb's version of "Sounds of Silence"
I display the Confederate Battle Flag in honor of my great great great grandfathers who spilled blood at Wilson's Creek and Shiloh.  5 others served in the WBTS with honor too.

Offline roamer_1

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[...] As has Paul Simon on Disturb's version of "Sounds of Silence"

That's right too... And I do not say that lightly. NOBODY covers Simon and Garfunkel. Except Disturbed.

Offline goatprairie

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Brings to mind Johnny Cash and his rendition of Hurt.

... Wholly a different and more honest take that 9IN could never understand n its youth. Johnny Cash owns that song.
Hurt? Mississippi John Hurt?

Offline roamer_1

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Hurt? Mississippi John Hurt?

@goatprairie

No. Nine Inch Nails - A Seattle grunge group did a song called Hurt.

A whiny, petulant, self-absorbed, drug induced song, that none the less, became a hit...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty-bLdf8Bsw


Johnny Cash covered it - I think the last song he ever did... And totally changed the tone of it... looking back over life from the poignant last thoughts of age.

Cash flatly owns the song. Undeniable,


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AHCfZTRGiI

« Last Edit: July 30, 2022, 09:45:46 pm by roamer_1 »

Offline goatprairie

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Cash was able to do a variety of styles other than country. He was an excellent interpreter of standard folk songs.
"The Ballad Of Ira Hayes" is not actually  a real folk song (more like a neo-folk song like Bob Dylan's "folk" songs), but it is many times put in that category.
Nobody can sing it like Cash who was actually part Indian.
And his rendition of "John Henry" is the best I've ever heard.

Offline roamer_1

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Cash was able to do a variety of styles other than country. He was an excellent interpreter of standard folk songs.
"The Ballad Of Ira Hayes" is not actually  a real folk song (more like a neo-folk song like Bob Dylan's "folk" songs), but it is many times put in that category.
Nobody can sing it like Cash who was actually part Indian.
And his rendition of "John Henry" is the best I've ever heard.

I know every word of both 'Ira Hayes' and 'John Henry'

You are officially preaching to the choir.  :beer:
« Last Edit: July 31, 2022, 03:43:30 pm by roamer_1 »

Offline Free Vulcan

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I will take zero 'life lessons' from Joni Mitchell.

A good part of my Gen X identity is flipping the bird at dingy hold hippie-marxists like her.
The Republic is lost.

Offline libertybele

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I will take zero 'life lessons' from Joni Mitchell.

A good part of my Gen X identity is flipping the bird at dingy hold hippie-marxists like her.

Well, whatever floats your boat.  Not that I was ever a 'Joni Mitchell' fan, but I do admire her for learning how to sing and play guitar again after a long recovery from a stroke...that's quite a lesson and takes a lot of work and a whole lot of courage to come on stage even with some obvious remaining disabilities.
« Last Edit: July 31, 2022, 04:00:42 pm by libertybele »

Offline Free Vulcan

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Well, whatever floats your boat.  Not that I was ever a 'Joni Mitchell' fan, but I do admire her for learning how to sing and play guitar again after a long recovery from a stroke...that's quite a lesson and takes a lot of work and a whole lot of courage to come on stage even with some obvious remaining disabilities.

Unfortunately Joni and her ilk filled my beaker completely full of bilge and got the 'you're done' long ago. There's just no more ear to listen left for her.
The Republic is lost.

Offline berdie

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Unfortunately Joni and her ilk filled my beaker completely full of bilge and got the 'you're done' long ago. There's just no more ear to listen left for her.


Consider the era. She was/is a very talented musician and writer. I can't say I was a huge Joni fan back in the day. But I have learned what she had.

Besides...what new musicians are any better? And possibly worse?

Offline deb

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I kinda enjoyed “Free Man in Paris”. Wasn’t too preachy.
“Now to the Lamb upon the throne
Be blessing honor glory power
For the battle You have won
Hallelujah Amen”

Christus Victor - the Gettys

Offline Fishrrman

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I used to like Roberta Joan.

Back in 1969, she was at the Fillmore East with Buddy Guy and the James Cotton Blues Band as openers.

Four shows, Saturday and Sunday nights.
I went to all four... just to see her.

Offline goatprairie

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I've bought exactly one Mitchell album ........many years ago "For The Roses." Not exactly an electrifying album....I almost fell asleep before I finished listening to it.
Mitchell wrote a lot of I guess what could be called "introspective" songs. Some people might call them soporific. At any rate most of the songs on the album sounded the same.
Never a huge fan anyway of her hits, but so what....there were a lot of other musicians worth listening to other than her. No loss.