JONI MITCHELL : AN INTIMATE PERFORMANCE

1. Chelsea Morning
2. Cactus Tree
3. My Old Man
4. For Free
5. California
6. Big Yellow Taxi
7. Both Sides Now

Label : Immortal

Released : 2009

Venue : BBC Television Theatre, London, UK

Date : September 9, 1970

Length : 25 minutes

Ratio : 16:9

Review (JoniMitchell.com) : Unauthorized bootleg release. This program was titled Joni Mitchell Sings Joni Mitchell. Joni was featured on guitar, piano and dulcimer in the premier show of the BBC 'In Concert' series. Broadcast on Oct. 9, 1970.

Review (Amazon) : Clearly any musician with a talent like Joni Mitchell's could have performed all night. Apart for the fact she's been the most prolific writer of some of the best songs ever written (even at the time of this early concert) we are treated to too few of her gems. Opening with such a classic as Chelsea Morning sets a high expectation that in the end was not met by way only of duration. Her dulcimer on California has to be seen to be believed. Naturally her guitar work, so unique, is to kill for and her My Old Man on the piano just proves her undeniable genius. But then there is "the" voice. God sent. Both Sides now is the perfect closer. Wish it was ten time as long. Quality is great.

Review (Tempo Music) : The astonishing Joni Mitchell in a 1970 concert recorded for a small, devoted British audience at the height for her first phase of stardom. Accompeanied only by her own guitar, piano, and dulcimer, Joni shows all the extraordinary confidence and musicality that had quickly made her an international star of sining and songwriting. Many songs that had already established Joni's reputation are heard here: "Chelsea Morning," "Both Sides Now," "For Free," and "Big Yellow Taxi" among them. She also presents "My Old Man" in an unfinished version, and "California" with beautiful dulcimer accompaniment - both would grace her next album, the benchmark "Blue," which would take Joni's career in a new direction. A beautiful program that brings back a bygone musical moment.