A Conversation with Ann Powers, author of Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell

With a bunch of ground-breaking albums (including my personal favorite Hejira) being reissued on vinyl later this month , it truly is a celebratory month for Joni Mitchell fans.? Let’s call it Joni June!

As a follow-up to my February essay on Joni Mitchell and fandom , I wanted to share this new conversation with the fantastic Ann Powers, esteemed rock writer and NPR music critic and author of the new book Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell.?

Ann and I dig deep into a myriad of topics including the question of critical enthusiasm, Joni’s plug into the pulse of the culture, her evolving obsession with rhythm (and percussionists), the Jazz Fusion scene of the mid-1970s, a celebration of the studio nerd, Prince’s lost song for Joni, and a passionate reappraisal of Joni’s four 1980s albums on Geffen Records and the value of meeting (and not!) your musical heroes.

Our conversation can be found here and here .

Please consider ordering Ann’s book from your local independent bookstore here .

Happy Listening and Happy Summer!