Jian Ghomeshi, right, prepares to interview Joni Mitchell in her Los Angeles home. (CBC) In an exclusive interview with CBC, singer, songwriter and artist Joni Mitchell reflects on her creative life and legacy. The native of Saskatchewan who defined the folk era with songs like Big Yellow Taxi and Woodstock, is now living in retirement in Los Angeles. Famous for avoiding the press, she agreed to an interview with Jian Ghomeshi host of CBC’s Q cultural affairs show ahead of her appearance at the Luminato Festival in Toronto next week. Mitchell will be honoured at Luminato with a tribute show, Joni: A Portrait in Song at Massey Hall on June 18 and 19. The tribute, with an all-star lineup of musicians and vocalists interpreting her songs, takes place just ahead of her 70th birthday, which is Nov. 7. She will recite a new poem with musical accompaniment by her long-time drummer and collaborator, singer-songwriter Brian Blade, and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire as part of the tribute program. Her music, which progressed from folk and pop through jazz and experimental styles, is her legacy. Long considered a master songwriter, Mitchell is heralded for albums such as Hejira and Blue, which Rolling Stone ranked No. 30 on its list of 500 greatest albums. read more http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2013/06/10/joni-mitchell-interview.html
