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  • Graham Nash names the greatest Joni Mitchell song


    Joni Mitchell - Graham Nash - Split

    (Credits: Far Out / ARTE France / Alamy)

    Up on a grassy hill in Laurel Canyon, Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell made history together. The duo’s songwriting became the sound of popular music as we know it. Perhaps in hundreds of years, they’ll be mythologised like Mary Shelley and Percy Bysshe Shelley—a lauded pair whose brief romance was spent scribbling away folk classics with a morning coffee and sipping boujailles in the evening.

    Even their first meeting had a sense of poetic fate to it. As Nash writes in the book 101 Essential Rock Records: “I first met Joan in Ottawa, Canada, in 1967. The Hollies were playing a show there and Joni was playing at a local club. There was a party thrown for us after our show, and when I entered the room, I noticed a beautiful woman sitting down with what appeared to be a large bible on her knees.”

    He was instantly beguiled by her, and his only thoughts were about plucking up the courage to approach her. This endeavour was blighted by the witterings of his manager, Robin Britten. If only the heathen would stop so, Nash could gather his whirring thoughts.

    “I asked him to be quiet as I was checking Joni out,“ Nash recalls. “He said, ‘if you’d just listen to me I’m trying to tell you that she wants to meet you’. David Crosby had told me earlier that year to look out for Joni should I ever get the chance to meet her. Joni and I hit it off immediately, and I ended up in her room at the Chateau Laurier and she beguiled me with 15 or so of the most incredible songs I’d ever heard. Obviously, I fell in love right there and then. She touched my heart and soul in a way that they had never been touched before.”

    But her best songs were yet to be written. Crosby had helped Mitchell craft her debut album and was assured that she was a generational talent. However, by her own admission, she was still breaking free from the shackles of folk in the purest sense. She would soon begin to pull away from fantasy and timeless tropes and pour more of herself than pretty much any songwriter before her into her tunes.

    The song Graham Nash wrote as an ode to Joni Mitchell

    (Credit: Alamy)

    This soon led to the anthem that Nash describes as her greatest ever piece of work, ‘A Case of You‘. He told Songfacts, “There are so many brilliant songs. I tend to go towards a simple song, and one of my favourites is ‘A Case Of You‘. I think it’s an unbelievably beautifully recorded, simple folk song. It’s beautiful.“

    The timeless track towers above heart-torn imitators by means of sheer sincerity. As Mitchell once told Mojo, “I think men write very dishonestly about breakups. I wanted to be capable of being responsible for my own errors. If there was friction between me and another person, I wanted to be able to see my participation in it so I could see what could be changed and what could not.“

    She sternly added, “That is part of the pursuit of happiness. You have to pull the weeds in your soul when you are young, when they are sprouting, otherwise they will choke you.” In that sense, ‘A Case Of You‘ is an act of cathartic gardening.

    This profound and beautifully illustrated point about the need to take dominion over life’s unfurling circumstances, seasons and their effects on us as people is the sort of poignant intelligence that permeates Mitchell’s work as a songwriter.

    Not just ‘A Case of You’ but indeed a lot of the material on her beloved album Blue is centred around a break-up that the singer-songwriter was enduring with Nash himself. The song lyrics, in part, detail the fading spark of a relationship heading towards its end and the growing divide between two lovers with lines like, “Just before our love got lost you said, / I am as constant as a northern star / And I said, ‘Constantly in the darkness‘,” illuminating poetically the notion of a rift.

    What makes the track so unique and full of depth, however, is the fact that it somehow functions as both a break-up lamentation but also an ode to somebody, exemplifying the dichotomy of love and love lost. Thus there is also an argument that the idea of the song being simply about Nash is far too head-on.

    The track’s production features James Taylor on guitar and Mitchell providing the strumming on the Appalachian dulcimer. The pair would later have an intense but brief relationship, so it is easy to speculate that the flowering of a new romance from the ashes of another could be the reason behind the songs self-evident light and shade.

    This notion of star-crossed lovers and kindred souls is also reflected in the literary influences that Mitchell has referenced as inspirations behind some of the lyrics. “I am as constant as the Northern Star” alludes to Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, one of the most schismatic figures in literature, whereas “Love is touching souls” is in reference to the Rainer Maria Rilke poem ‘Love Song’, which examines the inner yearnings of two guarded souls, elucidating how Mitchell may have felt at the time.

    These little flourishes hint at the depth untold in Mitchell’s masterpiece, which Nash rightfully highlights as among her greatest.

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    In a recent interview, legendary musician Graham Nash revealed his pick for the greatest Joni Mitchell song of all time. And the winner is…

    “Both Sides, Now.”

    Nash explained that the hauntingly beautiful lyrics and melody of the song have had a profound impact on him since he first heard it. He praised Mitchell’s ability to capture the complexities of human emotions in such a simple yet powerful way.

    Fans of both Nash and Mitchell are sure to agree that “Both Sides, Now” is indeed a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with listeners for generations to come.

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    • Joni Mitchell
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  • A Look at Joni Mitchell’s Musical History with Stephen Stills & Graham Nash in Honor of the Artists’ Performances at FireAid


    Tonight (January 31), a impressive roster of music stars will take part in two FireAid benefit concerts that will be held simultaneously at Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum near Los Angeles.

    Among the many artists set to perform at the Kia Forum are Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash. It’s not known if any of these music legends will be collaborating at the concert, although if Graham and Stephen do hit the stage together, it would mark the first time they’d performed live with each other since Crosby, Stills & Nash sang at the National Tree Lighting in Washington, D.C., in December 2015.

    [RELATED: Stevie Wonder, Olivia Rodrigo, John Fogerty Among Performers Added to Lineup of Star-Studded FireAid Benefit Concert]

    Mitchell has had a musical association with Stills and Nash that dates back to early in her recording career. Of course, she also was involved in a romantic relationship with Nash from 1968 to 1970.

    In honor of their participation in FireAid, here’s a look at the shared musical history of Joni, Stephen, and Graham.

    Stills’ and Nash’s Contributions to Mitchell’s Albums

    Around 1967 and early ’68, Mitchell briefly dated David Crosby, who became an early supporter of Joni’s work. Crosby produced Mitchell’s 1968 debut album, Song to a Seagull. Stills, who would soon team up with David in CSN, played bass on one song from the album—“Night in the City.”

    Stills played a bigger role on Mitchell’s second album, Clouds (1969), playing bass and guitar on multiple tracks. Clouds featured Joni’s early classic “Chelsea Morning” and “Both Sides, Now.”

    Crosby, Stills, and Nash all appeared on a famous song from Mitchell’s third album, Ladies of the Canyon (1970). Credited as the Lookout Mountain United Downstairs Choir, the trio sang backing vocals on “The Circle Game.”

    Mitchell’s fourth album, Blue (1971), is widely considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time. Stills is featured on bass and guitar on the song “Carey.”

    Blue also featured a number of intimate songs inspired by Joni’s relationship with Graham, including “My Old Man” and “River.”

    Stills and Nash both appear on separate tracks on Mitchell’s fifth album For the Roses, which was released in 1972. Stephen played multiple instruments on “Blonde in the Bleachers,” while Graham played harmonica on “Blonde in the Bleachers.”

    Nash and Crosby contributed backing vocals to “Free Man in Paris,” a hit single from Mitchell’s sixth studio album, Court and Spark (1974).

    Graham and David also lent their vocal talents to “In France They Kiss on Main Street,” the lead track from Joni’s seventh studio album, The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975).

    Mitchell’s Other Collabs or Musical Associations with Stills and Nash

    Mitchell, of course, also wrote one of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young’s biggest hits, “Woodstock.” The song was inspired by the famous 1969 festival, although Joni did not attend or take part in the event. As for CSNY (Neil Young had joined Crosby, Stills & Nash shortly after the trio had released their self-titled debut album), Woodstock was one of their first gigs.

    CSNY’s rocking cover of “Woodstock” was heard in Oscar-winning 1970 documentary about the festival, and the song reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100.

    Another one of CSNY’s most popular tunes, the Nash-penned folk ballad “Our House,” was inspired by a romantic day Graham spent with Joni.

    Mitchell also sang backing vocals on “Another Sleep Song,” a track from Nash’s second solo album, Wild Tales (1974).

    In addition, Joni painted the cover for the chart-topping 1974 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young compilation So Far.

    More About FireAid

    As previously reported, the FireAid show will raise money for those affected by the devastating wildfires that have ravaged Southern California. The two-venue concert will be broadcast and streamed live by a wide variety of streaming platforms, radio stations, websites, and apps. The event also will be shown at select AMC Theatre locations.

    Other artists who will perform at the Kia Forum include Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Alanis Morissette, Red Hot Chili Peppers, No Doubt, The Black Crowes, Pink, Green Day, Dawes, and Anderson. Paak. In addition, Dave Matthews and John Mayer will perform together for the first time ever at the show.

    Meanwhile, the lineup for the Intuit Dome performance includes Jelly Roll, Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, Rod Stewart, Lady Gaga, Sting, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Earth, Wind & Fire, Gracie Abrams, Lil Baby, Tate McRae, and Peso Pluma. Surprise guests also are expected to appear at both venues.

    For more information about FireAid Benefit Concert, or to make a donation to the cause, visit FireAidLA.org.

    (Photo by Robert Altman/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)





    In light of the upcoming FireAid benefit concert, it is only fitting to take a look back at the musical history of the legendary Joni Mitchell with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash. These three artists have shared a long and storied history of collaboration and friendship, creating some of the most iconic music of the 1960s and 1970s.

    Joni Mitchell, known for her poetic lyrics and unique voice, first crossed paths with Stephen Stills in the mid-1960s when they were both part of the folk music scene in New York City. Stills, a talented guitarist and songwriter, was immediately drawn to Mitchell’s distinctive sound and they quickly became close friends and musical collaborators.

    In 1968, Joni Mitchell released her debut album “Song to a Seagull,” which featured backing vocals from Stills on several tracks. The following year, Mitchell released her breakthrough album “Clouds,” which included the classic song “Chelsea Morning,” a collaboration with Stills.

    Around the same time, Stills had formed the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young with David Crosby, Graham Nash, and Neil Young. Graham Nash, known for his ethereal harmonies and songwriting skills, quickly formed a close bond with Mitchell as well, leading to further collaborations between the three artists.

    One of the most famous collaborations between Mitchell, Stills, and Nash was the iconic song “Woodstock,” which was written by Mitchell and famously covered by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. The song captured the spirit of the 1969 music festival and became an anthem for a generation.

    Throughout the years, Mitchell, Stills, and Nash continued to work together on various projects, including live performances and studio recordings. Their unique blend of voices and songwriting styles created some of the most beloved music of the era, cementing their status as musical legends.

    As we look forward to seeing Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash perform at FireAid, let us take a moment to appreciate the incredible musical history that these artists have shared and the impact they have had on generations of music lovers. Their timeless songs continue to inspire and resonate with audiences around the world, making them true icons of the music industry.

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    Joni Mitchell, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, FireAid, musical history, performance, artists, collaboration, folk music, singer-songwriters

    #Joni #Mitchells #Musical #History #Stephen #Stills #Graham #Nash #Honor #Artists #Performances #FireAid

  • See wildfire benefit concert lineup information with Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell, Phish, more – Daily News


    A pair of FireAid benefit shows arrive Thursday, Jan. 30 with artists such as Billie Eilish, Joni Mitchell, Sting and Green Day as part of the star-studded lineups at Intuit Dome and the Kia Forum in Inglewood.

    FireAid was the first big benefit announced after fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades killed at least 28 and destroyed thousands of structures across wide swathes of those communities.

    They’ll likely be the biggest shows, too. But they are far from the only benefit concerts in Southern California, as almost every day another is announced in venues large and small, with artists well known or not.

    On Monday, Jan. 27, as this story was just beginning, word came of the latest. The G*VE A (Bleep) LA benefit concert and auction will bring together musicians including Jenny Lewis, Hayley Williams of Paramore, St. Vincent, Finneas, and Fred Armisen for a night hosted by actor John C. Reilly. Proceeds will go to local organizations including the Pasadena Humane Society, Altadena Girls, Friends in Deed, and One Voice.

    More shows will likely be announced. So here, in chronological order, are the benefit concerts we’ve heard about so far.

    Tuesday, Jan. 28

    A Show of Helping Hands: The lineup includes artists including Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, the Strawberry Alarm Clock, Venice, Lawrence Juber of Wings, members of the Lovin’ Spoonful, Steve Porcaro of Toto, and more. Presented by the Get Together Foundation, and hosted by longtime Los Angeles radio DJ Rita Wilde, it kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. For details see Wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com.

    For Los Angeles: A Benefit for Those Impacted by the Wildfires: Artists include Lord Huron, Stephen Sanchez, Magdalena Bay, Madi Diaz, Zinadelphia, and more. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. For details see lodgeroomhlp.com.

    Wednesday, Jan. 29

    LA Gives Back: Fire Relief: Los Angeles’ nightlife community comes together to raise funds for wildfire relief. Artists including Spank Rock, a Poolside DJ set, Lil Mariko, and Emo Nite DJs are part of the lineup. The event produced by the independent creative agency IHEARTCOMIX with independent promoters and record labels from L.A.’s club scene. A livestream runs from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m., with the first four hours live-stream only, and the live performances starting at 8 p.m. For details and to watch the livestream see LAgivesback.org.

    Thursday, Jan. 30

    FireAid: With big stars such as Lady Gaga, Pink, Alanis Morissette, and Stevie Wonder, FireAid takes place at Intuit Dome and Kia Forum almost at the same time. Produced by Irving and Shelli Azoff and family, with LiveNation and the Los Angeles Clippers as sponsors, the show begins at 6 p.m. at the Kia Forum and 7:30 p.m. at Intuit Dome. It will also be simultaneously live-streamed on many different platforms. For details see Fireaidla.org.

    Friday, Jan. 31

    Wild Records/Eaton Fire Fundraiser: Roots rockers such as Wenzdaze, the Rhythm Shakers, the Desperados, Eddie and Thee Scorpions, and more will play to raise money for both victims of the Eaton Fire in general, and the rebuilding of Wild Records, the well-known rockabilly/roots studio and store, which was destroyed in that blaze. The show starts at 8 p.m. at the Paramount in East Los Angeles. For details see Paramountla.com.

    Emo Nite Gives a (Bleep): DJs spin the best of emo music in Hollywood to raise funds for wildfire relief. Kicks off at 9 p.m. at the Avalon Hollywood. For details see Emonite.com/pages/tour.

    Saturday, Feb. 1: 

    LA Opera: The LA Opera is offering free tickets to its performance with Broadway star Kelli O’Hara. Eligible for the deal are residents directly impacted by the fires, as well as first responders who worked on them. For details see LAopera.org/lastrong.

    Saturday, Feb. 1

    ‘I Love LA’: Eaton Fire Relief: Andrew Bird, Madison Cunningham, Bright Eyes, Jim James, Milk Carton Kids, Lucius and more will perform to raise funds for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, to help musicians harmed by the fires. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Glendale Presbyterian Church. For details see Glenpres.org/events/i-love-la.

    Wednesday, Feb. 5

    G*VE A (Bleep) LA: Artists including Hayley Williams, Jenny Lewis, Finneas, Perfume Genius, St. Vincent, Courtney Barnett, Fred Armisen, Juliette Lewis, Lucy Dacus, the Linda Lindas and more perform to raise money for relief programs. Hosted by actor John C. Reilly, the show opens at 5 p.m. at the Hollywood Palladium. For details see Hollywoodpalladium.com/shows.

    Thursday, Feb. 13

    Blink-182/Alkaline Trio benefit show: Blink-182 plays a rare smaller venue show, with Alkaline Trio as their guests, to raise money for fire relief. Ticket time is 7 p.m. at the Hollywood Palladium. For details see Blink182.com/tour.

    Tuesday, Feb. 25

    Help on the Way Eaton Fire Benefit: Musicians including Eric Krasno and members of bands including the String Cheese Incident, Terrapin Family Band, and Circles Around the Sun will perform a Grateful Dead-inspired concert to raise money for wildfire relief in Altadena. Showtime is 8 p.m. at the Lodge Room in Highland Park. For details go to Lodgeroomhlp.com/shows/help-on-the-way.

    March 6:

    Rüfüs Du Sol DJ:  Australian dance music trio Rüfüs Du Sol play a DJ set at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 6 at the Hollywood Palladium. For details see Rufusdusol.com/live.

    March 22-23:

    LA Folk Festival: The previously scheduled LA Folk Festival, featuring performers such as Emmylou Harris, organizers the Milk Carton Kids, Madi Diaz, Madison Cunningham, Vera Sola, Courtney Marie Andrews and more, was converted into a fire relief benefit after the devastating Southern California wildfires in January. At the Bellwether in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday and Sunday, March 22-23. For details see Instagram.com/themilkcartonkids.

    April 25-27:

    Phish at the Hollywood Bowl. Jam band Phish plays three nights at the Hollywood Bowl and will donate $300,000 from its Water Wheel Foundation to wildfire relief and rebuilding. For details see Phish.com.

    Sept. 25:

    Billy Idol with Joan Jett at the Kia Forum: Five dollars from every ticket sold to Billy Idol concert at the Kia Forum will be donated to the American Red Cross to support the Southern California wildfire relief, and Idol has pledged to match that with his own money. For details see Billyidol.net/southern-california-wildfire-relief





    Are you ready for a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience? The See Wildfire Benefit Concert is just around the corner, and the lineup is absolutely incredible. Headlining the event is none other than the iconic Billie Eilish, who will be joined by legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, jam band Phish, and many more talented artists.

    Not only will you get to enjoy amazing music, but you’ll also be supporting a great cause. The proceeds from the concert will go towards helping those affected by wildfires, providing much-needed relief and support to communities in need.

    Don’t miss out on this unforgettable night of music and giving back. Stay tuned for more information on ticket sales and venue details. See you at the See Wildfire Benefit Concert!

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  • Joni Ernst Refused to Meet With Hegseth’s Sex Assault Accuser: Report


    On Monday, the night before hearings to confirm Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s embattled nominee for Secretary of Defense, were set to begin, The New Yorker reported that Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) — a key vote on the Armed Services Committee — had declined an offer to meet privately with the woman whom  Hegseth paid to settle a sexual assault claim. 

    The New Yorker’s Jane Mayer cites three sources familiar with the overtures to Ernst’s office; Ernst’s office, she adds, did not respond to her inquiries about the invitation.

    In a phone call and emails with Rolling Stone on Tuesday afternoon, Ernst’s office disputed The New Yorker report. Ernst’s communications director, Palmer Brigham, wrote in an email, “[Ernst] did not decline an invitation – because she did not receive or refuse one.” Brigham went on to insist that no one in Ernst’s office was approached about brokering a meeting with the woman in question. 

    Despite its protests to Rolling Stone, Ernst’s office has not disputed the facts of the story with The New Yorker.

    “The New Yorker spoke with several people with knowledge of an offer that was made to have Senator Ernst meet with Hegseth’s accuser,” a representative for the magazine told Rolling Stone. “Senator Ernst’s office did not respond to repeated questions from The New Yorker about her refusal to talk with the alleged victim and no one in her office has since requested a correction to the piece. We stand by our reporting.” 

    Ernst, a veteran and survivor of sexual assault who has built a reputation as an advocate for female servicemembers and who was a key sponsor of the 2022 Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, is seen as a critical vote on the Armed Services Committee with the power to make or break Hegseth’s confirmation. 

    Ernst initially appeared reluctant to back Hegseth, particularly in light of reports he paid a woman who accused him of rape. The former National Guardsman turned Fox News host was accused in 2017 of sexually assaulting a woman at a Republican womens’ conference in Monterey, California. The woman filed a police report after undergoing a sexual assault forensic exam at a hospital. No criminal charges were ever filed in the case. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing, but admitted to paying the woman an undisclosed sum of money out of fear that disclosure of the incident “would result in his immediate termination from Fox,” his lawyer said. (Hegseth did not disclose the accusation to the Trump transition team before his nomination became public late last year.) 

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    The New Yorker reported that Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) also declined an offer to speak with Hegseth’s accuser. Sen. Collins’ press secretary, Blake Kernen, confirmed that the senator was approached by “a third party” — a person, whom she stressed, was not a representative of the accuser, “legal or otherwise” — but who offered to broker a meeting with the woman. 

    “The senator received an inquiry from a third party about a potential meeting. There was no follow up from them after the initial discussion,” Kernen said in a statement. “Senator Collins believes when a person has allegations about a nominee that they feel are relevant, those allegations should be brought to the committee that will be considering the nomination.” (Unlike Ernst, Collins does not sit on the Armed Services Committee, which will consider whether or not to advance Hegseth’s nomination.) 

    Ernst seems to have warmed to the idea of supporting the former Fox & Friends weekend anchor to lead the largest federal agency, following multiple meetings with Hegseth as well as threats from supporters of President Trump.

    At Tuesday’s confirmation hearings, as Hegseth faced tough questions about his qualifications, his tattoos, and his relationship with alcohol, Ernst tossed him some of the mildest softballs. “As secretary of defense, will you appoint a senior-level official dedicated to sexual assault prevention and response?” she asked.

    “Senator, as we’ve discussed, yes, I will,” Hegseth replied.

    This story has been updated with comments from Ernst’s office and The New Yorker.



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