Joni Mitchell At Newport＜Clear Vinyl＞

On July 24, 2022, songwriting legend Joni Mitchell returned to the stage for the first time since suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015. Mitchells surprise appearance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival was not just her first show since recovering from her aneurysm but her first full-length concert since the early 2000s as well as her first time back to the festival since she played it in 1969. These circumstances alone set the night up for an emotional, triumphant tone, but a cast of high-profile musicians and vocalists like Brandi Carlile, Wynonna Judd, Shooter Jennings, Blake Mills, and many others assisting in the "Joni Jam" added a celebratory flair to the already joyous night. Live album Joni Mitchell at Newport captures the majority of that set (omitting a few cover tunes), charging out of the gates with an ecstatic version of "Big Yellow Taxi" and conveying tenderness, curiosity, and communion for 11 selections from across Mitchells vast discography. Full-ensemble numbers like "Carey" and a sing-along version of "The Circle Game" are balanced out by more subdued moments such as a shiveringly beautiful rendition of Hejira tune "Amelia" and Mitchell stepping out solo on guitar on the fully instrumental "Just Like This Train." The mood throughout is casual and conversational, with various guest singers taking the lead or swooping in to accompany Mitchell and their fellow Joni Jammers. With a catalog like the one Joni Mitchell has under her belt, every set list is bound to be full of hits or at least fan favorites, and the Newport concert was heavy on highlights from Blue to Court and Spark to 2007s Shine. Its a wonderful document of an unparalleled artist still radiating creativity, thoughtfulness, and power well into her late seventies. Like most everything else Mitchell has touched in her storied career, At Newport is inspiring, moving, and manages to also be a lot of fun. ~ Fred Thomas

説明不要な孤高の存在にして最上級の敬意を集めるシンガー・ソングライターの最高峰、ジョニ・ミッチェル。長らく病床にあった彼女が歓喜の復活を果たした2022年の〈ニューポート・フォーク・フェスティヴァル〉出演時の模様を収めたライヴ・アルバムがリリースだ。ジョニの自宅リビングのようなステージセットが用意され、冒頭のMCも務めたブランディ・カーライルが指揮する〈ジョニ・ジャム〉の演奏をバックに従えたパフォーマンスは独特のリラックス感に溢れたもの。オーディエンスの前で彼女が歌うのは2000年以来(!)というありがたみもあるが、それ以上の何とも言い難い感動が込み上げてくる。
bounce (C)轟ひろみ