The River by Joni Mitchell, Sung by Martin Tielli

From my show FRIDAY NIGHT on the CBC in Canada this wonderful cover of Joni Mitchell's The River performed by lead singer Martin Tielli, violinist Hugh Marsh, and Jonathan Goldsmith on piano. One of the most amazing Christmas show performances ever.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• music
• Joe
• Bodolai
• CBC
• Canada
• joni
• mitchell
• rheostatics
• River
• Martin
• Tielli
• Hugh
• Marsh
• Ralph
• Benmergui
• Friday
• Night
• jazz
• acoustic
• ballad
• vocal
• soul

[qualityshows]

Martin, you and the guys made this one of my most favourite moments of the show! Awesome and truly powerful.

Joe

[qualityshows]

hugh's violin amazingly portrays the agony and conflict.

[qualityshows]

I keep commenting on my own video because I am only now feeling the depth of the emotion. I live in Santa Monica, which is great, but Canada... I wish I had river too.... Hugh Marsh's adlibbing on violin creates the conflict and then Martin hit the melody on the money. Back to sanity, longing, melancholy. This is brilliant. I am in tears

[qualityshows]

By the way, this is so Canadian. Joni's lyrics are all about longing to be back in the wonder and comfort of Canada. The imagination of a thousand mile river to skate on is a dream. Hugh Marsh on violn, combined with Martin's phrasing has so much emotion in it. A bit of frustration, if not anger, that the story contains. I love this song. God, we did great work on that show! Hugh plays like a Hungarian master and Martin takes off on that but still controls the emotion... I wish I had a river....

[qualityshows]

This version of Joni Mitchell's song of longing for her home in Canada by Martin Tielli and the guys is actually more melancholy than Joni's. What do you think?

Joe

[TheMehlen1]

@Discordiaist Love that CD. Just because I'm Nick the Buzz.

[athene2112]

That was RIDICULOUS!! oh man, thank you so much for posting this!

[athene2112]

That was RIDICULOUS!! oh man, thank you so much for posting this!

[Discordiaist]

I love Martin's poetic reworking of the melody and words. Weird and wonderful.

This is on 'Nick Buzz' which is totally worth checking out if you haven't yet.

[FOWLMUSIC]

@qualityshows

Thank you for broadcasting this Joe! I'm sure you know the significance of this beyond how beautiful this song is. This is actually the impetus for the band Nick Buzz. We see here a completely unique and untterly awe inspiring band putting on their first performance. Amazing. Thank you for posting this, always wanted to see this footage!

[Giostevo]

I have looked and looked and waited and waited for this, for ever. Can't believe I finally stumbled across it. Years ago I flew to Ottawa from BC where I now live and I took a discman, and one disc, with one song to listen to while I skated down the Rideau Canal. Thank you for uploading!!!!

[toonswap]

I remember seeing this for the first time on TV many years back. I accidentally recorded it while trying to tape something else and couldn't believe how moving it was. I must have watched it at least 50 times. An absolute gem

[shue3303]

beautiful violin works

[goozervanpancake]

I saw this so many years ago and remember it is one of the most awe inspiring moments of television. Thanks for posting it so that I can relive a beauteous time and share it with others.

[happeningfish77]

OMG THANK YOU for posting this. only had an audio version before, and this version brings me to my knees!