Joni Mitchell has unveiled a brand new official music video for her classic 1971 song River, originally released on her masterpiece album from the same year, Blue.
"River expresses regret at the end of a relationship," Mitchell said. "But it’s also about being lonely at Christmas time. … A Christmas song for people who are lonely at Christmas! We need a song like that.” Watch the new video below.
Joni Mitchell | ‘River’
The 2021 Kennedy Centre Honors saw Mitchell bestowed with a lifetime-achievement award, and many artists paying tribute to her influence with covers of some of her most beloved hits. Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, who shares a close bond with Mitchell, performed River at the ceremony.
Last month, Carlile played the Blue album in full at a special Carnegie Hall show, during which she reflected on her resonance with River in particular, saying that the song "redefined the way people look at Christmas music. There needed to be a song that embraces the sorrow of Christmas."
Even President Joe Biden was candid in his fondness for Mitchell’s music during his speech at the Honors awards, saying: "Joni, your words and melodies touch the deepest parts of our soul. Her gift — she touches the range of human nature and the sense of struggle and how we overcome and how we love."
Joni’s fourth studio album Blue isn’t just one of her best, it’s widely considered one of the best albums of all time. Earlier this year, the reclusive star offered up some rare insight into the impact her deeply personal, introspective writing style had on the formulaic pop themes of her peers; in particular the high-profile male artists Mitchell famously held court with.
And it’s not hard to see why. Blue proved Joni a force of fearless honesty that is wonderfully personified by A Case Of You; a candid story of desire that may as well serve as an open door to Joni’s heart. Captivating in every way.
Joni Mitchell | ‘A Case Of You’
Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968-1971) arrived on vinyl last month. The extensive release features a number of live performances from the era, including a live album from Carnegie Hall in 1969, a recording of her The Dick Cavett Show appearance in 1969, two BBC sessions from 1970 and more. Get Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968-1971), here.
GET JONI MITCHELL ALBUMS ON VINYL, HERE.
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