Joni Mitchell confirms live album release of surprise Newport Folk Festival show

Virgin Radio

14 Nov 2022, 14:07

Iconic folk singer Joni Mitchell has revealed she’s working on a live album based on her surprise performance at the Newport Folk Festival. 

Back in July, Joni joined Brandi Carlile on stage to perform a number of her classic hits, including Both Sides Now and A Case Of You. 

The live set was the first time in over 20 years that the Big Yellow Taxi singer had performed live. She had taken a step back from performing after suffering from a brain aneurysm in 2015. 

Now, in a rare interview on Elton John’s Rocket Hour Apple Music show, Joni shared she was working on releasing her musical comeback as a new live album. 

Elton said: "People out there, you haven't heard things from the Newport Folk Festival yet, but I think there's going to be an album coming out of that one?,” to which Joni replied: "Yeah, we're trying to put that out."

When asked about the tight turnaround for the Newport Folk Festival, and prepping for her guitar solo for Just Like This Train, the legendary musician explained: “[We] didn’t have any [rehearsal]. 

“I couldn’t sing the key, I’ve become an alto, I’m not a soprano anymore, so I couldn’t sing the song. And I thought people might feel slighted that if I just played the guitar part, but I like the guitar part to that song. So anyway, it was very well received, much to my delight.”

Despite feeling slightly rusty, Joni blew the audience away with her incredible return, and has since confirmed she will join Brandi on stage once again for her first headline concert in two decades. 

The Circle Game singer will perform at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Washington in 10th June 2023 with her long-time collaborator. 

Brandi made the huge announcement while on The Daily Show on Wednesday (19th October),and told host Trever Noah: “I can't believe it's happening, but it's happening, and she is going to crush it.”

Back in July, Joni opened up about learning how to play the guitar again after suffering from her brain aneurysm. 

While speaking on CBS Mornings, reporter Anthony Mason asked what it was like to be behind the chords again, and she said: “I’m learning.

“I’m looking at videos that are on the net, to see where to put my fingers. It’s amazing…when you have an aneurysm, you don’t know how to get into a chair. You don’t know how to get out of bed. You have to learn all these things again. You’re going back to infancy, almost.”