Song Review: Joni Mitchell - “Summertime” (Live, July 24, 2022)
Accompanied by Ben Lusher’s jazz-lounge piano, Celisse’s blues-club electric guitar and a cast of singers including Lucius, Allison Russell, Brandi Carlile and others, Joni Mitchell declared: the livin’ is easy at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.
That Mitchell delivered the line from “Summertime” without irony was itself ironic. Then 78, seated and surrounded by a huge supporting cast, Mitchell was performing in public for the first time in two decades.
And she pulled it off. The voice isn’t anywhere near familiar. But Mitchell’s ability as a singer is intact. And she managed to use what’s left of her instrument for all it was worth.
No one can blame her friends and collaborators for being overly enthused; however, their attempts to inject themselves detract from, rather than enhance, the performance. For while Mitchell may be diminished, she is not derelict.
“Summertime” follows “Both Sides Now” from the forthcoming (July 28) release of At Newport, which presents Mitchell’s surprise, July 24, 2022, appearance in its entirety.
Grade card: Joni Mitchell - “Summertime” (Live 7/24/22) - B-
7/24/23
