"Woodstock" Joni Mitchell

[billhuston]

Thanks for posting this. This is, without a doubt, my favorite version of this song. Love the jazzed-out chords... Performed by Joni, who wrote it. Love the archival footage of woodstock... we even see an airplane when she sings about bombers in the air... superb...

[rory8585]

This is Joni's best version of this song, in my opinion, one she sings at every concert, seems like, in deference to Graham and her friends at CSNY, no doubt. Her voice sounds good on it, and I love the guitar work. Does everybody agree?

[sandinyourshoes]

@rory8585, I certainly do. The strumming on the guitar is very hypnotic.

[hocuspocusfocusable]

@rory8585 I think it's one of the best too...

The version on 'Miles of Aisles' w/ The L.A. Express is really nice too. She reinvents herself all the time, I guess that's what being 'original' is.

She's amazing. I think it was Larry Klein's influence on her, with the addition of that spatial quality that she incorporates into the folk, rock, and jazz , and what she evolved to.

[NazarSu]

I love the sound of this version. Dropped c tuning on the guitar gives it such a dark sound in contrast to the very optimistic lyrics. I love it.

[saintpistolsburg]

SUCH a beautiful rendition. If you don't like Joni Mitchell, leave this Earth right now.

[auntiezanne]

I was just a little young to go to New York from LA-- what a pity!! But I have listened to lots of great music, took LOTS of good drugs, and played in mud to my heart's desire. But this version (original) really tells me the story. I love CSN version, but this one paints the picture!! ...turning into butterflies... She sure can write unbelievable feelings that even in 2011 make me shiver!!

[cooperdogable]

Joni is one of the greatest singer songwriters not only of her generation but of all time. Few people can cover her songs as well as she sings them. This is a masterpiece in every respect!

[phillrecovery]

that comment about this song cutting to the bone thsts what todays music misses

[wampet46]

This song brings a flood of memories into my soul. Thank You Mom for exposing me too this music when I was young. Wish my kids could understand the 60's and 70's. Guess you had to live it. Thanks for this post.

[bagoona]

VERY KOOL!

[madsketcher]

This reworking would have fit perfectly on Hejira

[TheBgcheez]

This performance cuts to the bone like few songs do these days.

[jarretove]

Joni I lived by your music. I miss those days. It's so sad the young don'nt care anymore. Peace

[jusomeguy]

Ah, man. Caught Joni at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles back in the 70s. They took some of that tour for the Miles of Aisles album.

For a die-hard Joni fan, it was like seeing Jesus live. Still one of my enduring memories from all the years of concerts.

[nirvanaandthebeatles]

idk, the crosby stills nash ad young cover is better

[SpotNFlo]

@nirvanaandthebeatles .....Naa

[theatlantisrise]

Joni is without doubt one of the greatest songwriters, performers, personalities, and singers of all time, but so many people don't appreciate her guitar skills. Brilliant. This version is super passionate I love it!

[mcmorrison]

Very tasty version of this song. Thanks, Joni.

[bubbleshaus13]

mannn she has a wonderful voice....its so peaceful and relaxing......its something i would listen to when i get high man......i wish i live back then for wood stock.......when you could listen to janis joplin, jimi hendrixs, and joni mitchell, and every other amazing singer out there.......what we need is a big festival like this with relaxing music like this.......PEACE <3

[rxqueen611]

her voice is different from when she was young, but it's still uniquely beautiful and touching. wonderful, wonderful joni mitchell

[jimmymcmenamin]

GENIUS AT WORK

[18girl1969]

woodstock lives

[FuzztoneProductions]

Woodstock Jimi Hendrix Janis Joplin Live 1969 Fuzztoneproductions

[peetolator]

Get your soul free. Even if it costs ya.

[steelyman08]

Damn straight ! The cost of not doing so is infinitely worse.

[billhuston]

I wish I could rate this 1,000 stars.

Thanks for sharing, thank you Joni!

[ben909ben]

love is all you need

fellow million year old carbon

with you

little white boy in Canada

Joni was born in this tiny little town lost in the middle of the Canadian prairie

waving stalks of grass

died up sloughs in the summer

flies, and farmers

she made it back to the garden

[SirMaskMusic]

Let's bring back Woodstock vibe. From a Black/Brown brother in America. Power To The People, let's unite and crush the man/system/evil/..... Love is all we need, and a hard big fist.. Peace out

[SSMONT3CARLO]

@SirMaskMusic AND LSD WITH ALOTTA WEED

[tommerrigan1956]

@SSMONT3CARLO AND CRACK AND METHAMPHETAMINES

[tommerrigan1956]

@SSMONT3CARLO Not sure how old you are, but "weed" went out a long time ago. Maybe still popular in your generation.

[SSMONT3CARLO]

@tommerrigan1956 go find a real hobby loser no response needed

[mocus1]

@SirMaskMusic typical left wing moron.....preaches peace, love and tolerance, then says we must crush the man with a hard big fist. No wonder you idiots either end up on welfare, in jail, or dead.

[rikoshayrabbit]

Joni's agent, David Geffin, told her to not risk her appearance on Cavett by possibly getting stranded at Woodstock. The Cavett show was really big, and nobody understood the enormity of Woodstock as it was happening. Joni was devastated not to be there, regardless, and wrote the song before the festival ended. Too bad she didn't hitch a helicopter ride with CS&N because those guys ended up flying in and out and crashed Joni's Cavett appearance the next day.

[doowoprichie]

joni was the best

[weaverje1]

I would still fuck her!

[luckycharmsyummy]

little known fact about joni, her dad was a POW during the Korean war

[donnaaustin]

not hardly

[FOXdevelopmentSux]

joni looks like an extra terrestrial as she got older into her 50's..then in her 60's she looks like Dr. Zayer from the film Planet of The Apes...she has a simian kind of thing going on these day...probably from toking on to many cigars, cigarettes and pink cigars...

[DebraAnnPendleton]

Yeah, like a regular girl

[phistickie]

Idiot.

[insaneterrain]

is that an ibanez she's playing?

[GalaxyHorse]

Yes it is-semi-acoustic

[peleka]

Looks like an Ibanez GB-10 George Benson. It's my main guitar. Played it 25 years + counting. Great instrument.

[lancitos]

Joni herself said that she did not go to Woodstock,because David Crosby and Graham

Nash told her that it was no place for a woman.

[alexandrialeaving]

Oh please.

Apparently she had a TV appearance to do in New York and chose what she thought would be best for her career at that moment.

[Stardust2Man]

Joni does it again! She just keeps getting better.

Does anyone kbow where to get a file of this performance?

[zyrgle]

install RealPlayer 11 and use it to download it from this page...its easy!

[Bewmkin]

This song really captured the generation. She wasn't even at Woodstock, yet she captured that time in history. God must have chose her to capture where we were on his timeline in our progress of spiritual needs.

[spvbdad]

She indeed was there- however her manager made her leave before she had the chance to perform so she would not miss a date on Dick Cavett in New York -

[nblumer]

Are you sure she was there and left? My understanding (I could be wrong) is that she did not even go in because she was told that it would be too hard to get back for the Dick Cavett concert. How do you know she was there (I just mean can you give me the web link?)

[Greystarr1958]

To Joni,

Thank you for blessing my life with your words and music. My soul will soon be set free. The memories of Woodstock will always be with me. See you in the Garden. <3

[festiefairy]

May you be blessed on your journey....S

[GalaxyHorse]

1958 was a great year for people...we worry about the world-according to the astrologers;devil's bargain indeed. We are stardust.

[ramsenisaac]

wow, such a different version, really badass, kind of creepy... I love it.

[shantidw]

Thank you for this post :)

[sherrylynn70]

What a most beautiFul tribute to our celebration of forty years of PeAcE and LoVe...may the dream live on in the hearts of all of us who believe and have aLL these years..thank you, Joni...and many staRs to ~SpotnFlo~ for this beautiFul post and thank you YouTube that this moment is possible..PEACE♥

[wincliff]

Hi Sherry :-) Thank you so much for sending me this video. I never heard this version of "Woodstock". What a rendition! Such soulful singing!

And thank you SpotNFlo for this beautiful video!

Cheers!

[KevingBound]

This ain't no rendition, Joni Mitchell wrote it herself.

[wincliff]

Sorry for using that word "rendition" :-) I know she wrote it herself, even though she was not there in Woodstock. She saw the Woodstock "news" on TV and she cried and then she wrote this track. When I said "rendition" I was referring to her other versions of this same song. :-)

Cheers!

[lancitos]

I think they mean that this is a good version,or rendition of the song.Joni herself has done it about 10 different ways,including funky.

Then there's the CSNY ,and Matthews SC.

When I saw Joni sing this in concert,she walked offstage playing it,playing long after she'd left the stage,very haunting!

[rodrico50]

jethro tull

[schlicker20]

Amazing!!!

[dennyandpennie]

Hey Pennie, isn't it incredible how Joni only looks better and better the older she gets - a true beauty she is my dear. I agree Denny - I love her too. But...I like Ian's version of this song so much more baby. Agreed.

[sharbohemia]

Pure, natural, beautiful... Joni is all that..

I love her music!!

~Shaz.

[MURRA1]

Weve got to get back to the garden !

[Jasminestarling]

you are beautiful

[shadyshadyyyyyyy]

no not wrong at all....this music is peace and pure now we get to listen to flo rida and lady gaga <3 cool...not ..if you wanna hear good music its dave matthews, coldplay,damien rice,dallas green,ingrid michaelson music that isn't tainted by machines its raw music. its too hard to sell because noone has any depth to them anymore everything is about what everyone else likes and its disgusting.

[shadyshadyyyyyyy]

its honestly so breathtaking when listening to any of joni mitchells beautifully haunting songs. music like this and janis and jimi just do not and will never exist again which is the truest devastation to mankind. when she sings its like she is playing and singing to us her heart and giving pieces of her soul to everyone who listens. simply put a musical goddess

[fingerspear]

You're wrong about this music never being exhibited again. You just have to look for it. It's not in popular music, because it's too hard to sell (at least to the most popular markets (whimsical teenie poppers)).

Although it may not be the same style, there is certainly the same level of musicianship out there. Even if you have to go to Jazz, you'll find it.

[hdmk5]

We are getting old, but we never forget these ultimate times of Spirit and soal!!!!!

[Smackdaddy9]

soal?

Take much DSL?

[taggline]

never heard of "Goin' A' Soalin' ???

[Smackdaddy9]

No, I actually have not.

Perhaps that's because 'soal' and 'soalin' are not words in the English language.

[gypsycristina]

Brilliant, just brilliant!

[abk245]

For me, this is the most beautiful version of the song I have heard. It's so full of melancholy. Culturally, America had transformed so much when she sung this in the 1980s, and the retrospective approach she takes is beautiful.

[henricodasvezia]

Totally agree. This is the best version ever. I don't know how many times I've listened to it on the Shadows and Light CD and everytime I get goose bumps after the pause she makes at the end of the song. The audience starts to applaud and she then goes on vamping away with applause and whistling accompanying her until they fade it out on the recording. Artwork.

[Smackdaddy9]

henri,

If that's art, I'll shit you a masterpiece.

BEGONE! Go back to the 60's, you smelly scumbag.

[davidtheguitarman]

can't be disagree

[hzisasson]

I steel haven't desided if she's better in her early days or in her later days....

[madsketcher]

@hzisasson how about... both?

[db1coop]

wonderful,KD lang does an excellent version of helpless, 2 awesome Canadian talents

[HeavensGremlin]

The best of the best; the real deal. Pure magic.

[clearfenix]

mae oos sta tir ba haz ula fa tos trek roz

[CCLwoodstock]

Danke fürs hochladen - ich liebe Joni Mitchell

[prfctday]

Thank god for matthews southern comfort. I love Joni and the fact that she wrote this and Both Sides etc. I hardly recognise this and don't feel it but I get the song and it makes me feel like I'm part of the natural human race... when it's sung in matthews southern comfort style, like it should be.

[BryanEddy09]

that was freakin awesome .such an amazing artist .the guitar sounded a bit like something

the POLICE might have done.i just did a remake of this song my self thats so rockin if you'd like to hear it .great songs lend themselves to re-interpretation!

[Goldfishclown]

Funny you should say that. I was immediately reminded of Sting's guitar sound on his Live Aid rendition of Roxanne. Check it out!

[rjbaker422]

WoW!!

[mocus1]

Joni's unreal

[slickvguy]

Best version of the MANY I have ever heard of this song.

What can I say? Words are too small.

[pitasoublaki]

So mellow and authentic that hits your soul from first note already!!

You always give me the chills Joni everytime I listen to you..! I'm so in love with your voice for years now,n'always will be!!!

Big big love from Athens Greece..

[blacqwolff]

joni has been the reason why i love to sing.and she is also one hell of an artist.she is one of the greats.love ya joni!

[lebomatseke]

i love you joni. You speak to my soul! I love how her voice gets richer as she grows older.

[kentrucker1]

One of the greatest songwriters and performers ever! So unique and pure vocals

[SmokePole59]

An illustration of why so many jazz greats are covering Joni Mitchell tunes. What an incredible talent!

[sammiejay1]

sometimes i forgot what it felt like back then. it was the best of times it was the worst of times. almost 18 and about to register for the draft. chances were i'd be walking point in nam within the next two years. we all new black guys walked point by no choice of their own.but they missed me. and i miss these songs.

[StillMeHereThe1]

@sammiejay1 not all those who walked point or rear guard were black by a far cry...my granddad's best buddy walked point for almost 9 months before he bought a farm there after which my granddad walked it for his last 4 months there...as I am here you know he came out alive but still has a fragment in his upper back from a mine that killed more than half of his squad & sent him home in bandages & minus one leg....please remember that those who were there were simply put "all loyal Americans"

[nonameisavailable13]

her poetry is AMAZING! I saw the ballet based on her music and it was so touching...

[wellardbr]

I wish we would be banned "to" the Garden... Ganei Eden sounds thru Joni's voice. Absolutely love this song and this artist.

[brownstoned74]

yes it is a different take on her own versions. it's got soul, hippie and it rocks.

[gethabeat]

I ment from HER versions!

[gethabeat]

One of the best version if not the best!!

LOVE from Greece!!

[pitasoublaki]

..Eutuxws den eimai o monos sthn Ellada pou akouei kai latreuei th Joni!! :-))

Big LOVE from Greece too Joni !!!

[yorgos78]

Oute egw eimai o monos!! :-)

[duncanengler]

Honey, it IS the best version...It's HER'S!

[pitasoublaki]

I LOVE you baby!!!!

[fergusof]

Wow! Joni the poet, the artist, the musician. Her music speaks in a language beyond words and goes right to your soul.

[lucyintheskyoh]

This vid is just amazing!

[MartinGuitarLover1]

Jeez what a great video!!! thx for sharing this one

[minty448]

Still A Great sound from a great looking woman. take care from minty

[gatsbygirl20]

Maybe it's the time of year

Or maybe it's the time of man

And I don't know who I am

But life's for learning.

What a time it was, Joni. Thank you for every minute of it, with your sensuous, poetic lyrics, your great chords, your voice like silk in the wind. So many critics tried to simplify you, stereotype you. You flew free from that cage, like a bird of summer

[hejira7]

sorry, i clicked the wrong thumb..;-s It has to be thumb UP!

[honaunauqueen]

joni epitomizes what the 60's were all about for me. love her

[zippychip2005]

This version is so artistic it has become my favorite (over the original).

[ckyricos]

Most 'beautiful' woman that ever lived; Measured by how much she gived,

with more insight about life

to be wiser through the night

Joni gave me flight.

[crazyrob111]

what?

[ckyricos]

This is the very best performance I have ever seen by anyone. It is Off the charts on every level. There is a large gap of creative excellence between this woman and where the best of the other musicians are.

[gunneralquist]

ckyricos - I can't express any better the sentiments that you posted. Your comment about the "large gap of creative excellence" just about says it all. 

Also, I am so damn glad that YouTube exists so we all can see and hear performances like this.

[ckyricos]

How very kind of you to say that. Your humility happens to be a quality shared among the greatest artists and scientists i have ever known. And yes, You Tube is truly a cultural revolution, just like Woodstock. God bless you.

[samuelshepard]

watch led zeppelin. dazed and confused 1975. video number 2. robert plant would have agreed with you.

[bearfreeman]

Does anyone know if Joni's late 70's BBC 'Sight & Sound In Concert' version of Woodstock is avaiable? She plays a kind of 'jangling guitar' as she does here, but wanders off screen, round the back at the end - still playing. I had the audio on reel to reel tape but it got left in the loft and the oxide has decayed.....

[aztlanblues]

I know you put effort into editing this--it is a video website, after all. But this is an exceptional arrangement of a timeless anthem. Could you kindly repost it, *each note intact*, including the non-concert snippet at the beginning, and let the audio run through to the very end of the film credits? The long fade-out is exquisite, and misses only the harmonics she touches on the Shadows & Light version. Thank you!

[WunderMaus]

The voice and spirit of our generation... and billion year old carbon...

[DaveSquarey08]

I really like this alternative version of the song...as with many of her songs,such profound logic in the lyrics...just great!

[takesi45]

涙が出そうなくらい、好きな曲です。　物凄く安らぎます。

[tjmacjee]

Thank the world for Joni Mitchell

[qdos10]

Beautiful. Thank you.

[bogey3000]

This song is just plain beautiful. Thanks for this post, man. Got the DVD at home but i'm just itching to hear this song right now at work. Peace.