Legendary singer-songwriter delivers “Shine,” “Ladies of the Canyon” and “Circle Game” to close out Carlile & Friends’ concert
Four months after Joni Mitchell’s long-awaited official return to the stage, the legendary singer-songwriter made another surprise live appearance Saturday to perform three songs alongside Brandi Carlile and friends at the Hollywood Bowl.
With the stage arranged with the living room vibes of the famed “Joni Jams,” Mitchell took her seat centerstage between Carlile and fellow guest Annie Lennox. The road crew’s tinkering with wires allowed for about five minutes of banter between Carlile and Mitchell, with the two talking about a recent trip to Canada, Mitchell’s first time back in her native country since she suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015.
“Joni, it’s such a joy to be sitting here with you, thank you for doing this with me. You make me feel so cool,” Carlile told Mitchell. “I really owe you one, and I promise not to get to used to asking for favors.”
Mitchell, Carlile and friends first performed “Shine” — Carlile’s favorite Joni track — before playing “Ladies of the Canyon” and a concert-ending “Circle Game.”
Even before Mitchell — Number Nine on Rolling Stone’s 250 Greatest Guitarists list — took the stage, her presence was felt at the Hollywood Bowl when Carlile delivered a cover of her “Woodstock” to close out the main portion of the show, which also featured appearances by Wendy & Lisa, Blake Mills, Lucius, Allison Russell and more.
Mitchell’s performance Saturday marked her first since her set at this summer’s Echoes Through the Canyon festival at Washington’s the Gorge Amphitheatre. Her appearance also came just days after the release of her Archives — Volume 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975) collection.