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Joni Mitchell

A Reason To Smile

Dan Rather and Team Steady Feb 8

Credit: Getty Images

Joni Mitchell, the Canadian-American singer-songwriter, is considered one of the all-time greats, and I agree. She effortlessly mixes folk, pop, jazz, and rock, blending them with her ethereal voice. She has been praised for her intimate lyrics and distinctive compositions. Mitchell is our reason to smile.

Twenty-six years ago today, she released the album “Both Sides Now.” It included beautifully orchestrated covers of jazz standards and reimagined versions of two of her biggest hits, “A Case of You” and “Both Sides Now.”

More than 30 years after releasing “Both Sides Now” on her “Clouds” album, she re-recorded the song with a full orchestra, but brought the key down to suit her new alto range.

I am partial to her original, stripped-down version of the song, in her clear soprano, accompanied by only a guitar. This version was recorded in 1970 at the Isle of Wight Festival.

Let us know which you prefer.

The multiple Grammy winner said she was inspired to write the song by a passage in a Saul Bellow novel, which she was reading during a flight.

“I put down the book, looked out the window and saw clouds too, and I immediately started writing the song. I had no idea that the song would become as popular as it did.”

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Stay Steady,

Dan