In “Traveling,” Ann Powers explores the romantic ennui, class consciousness, spiritual striving and occasional narcissism that characterize the music legend’s work.
When the legendary singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell made her surprise return to live performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 2022, it represented the culmination of a long and cyclical journey from her initial appearance there in 1967. The circumstances surrounding the triumphant 2022 set and its rhapsodic reception could scarcely have been more unlikely.
comes from the opening lines of “All I Want,” the first song on Mitchell’s masterpiece “Blue” , which depicts the joys and terrors of a generation whose postwar prosperity engendered unprecedented freedom of social and geographic mobility. Mitchell is perhaps the finest chronicler of what was gained and what was lost on those endless highway runs, and of the quivering tension between the discovery of oneself at the expense of deeper roots. Freedom’s just another word, when everything is lost.
Keeping a distance pays great dividends here. Powers proves an adroit codebreaker for the uniquely complex cross-pollination of romantic ennui, class consciousness, spiritual striving and occasional narcissism that characterizes the full sweep of the Joni Mitchell enterprise.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Anti-Luck, Decision Making Framework: Mastering the Art of Making Smart ChoicesThe next time you're faced with a difficult choice, don't just go with your gut. Take a deep breath, apply the Anti-Luck framework, and make a decision
Read more »
How making others matter starts with ourselves.By making ourselves matter, we are making others matter.
Read more »
Understanding Joni Mitchell's genius from both sides nowIn 'Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell,' critic Ann Powers shows us a far more interesting way to regard Mitchell than the fan’s 'smothering hug.'
Read more »
Joni Mitchell made music with the boys, but remained her own womanMusic critic Ann Powers’s new Joni Mitchell biography is a bracingly unsentimental appraisal of the revered singer-songwriter whose career spans six decades — and counting.
Read more »
Joni Ernst vows to oppose Democratic bills, Biden nominees following Trump verdictSen. Joni Ernst joined a group of Senate Republicans vowing to oppose President Joe Biden's nominees and Democratic bills following the guilty verdict of former
Read more »
Exclusive — Joni Ernst: I’d Be ‘Extremely Honored’ to Be Trump’s VPSource of breaking news and analysis, insightful commentary and original reporting, curated and written specifically for the new generation of independent and conservative thinkers.
Read more »