Hi, everyone. Welcome to another triple edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the most talented, prolific, eloquent and beautiful singer-songwriters in this or any universe hit a milestone birthday last week. Joni Mitchell-born Roberta Joan Anderson-was born 80 years ago on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. 

Music and art were interwoven throughout her childhood and teenage years, but Mitchell began to pursue music full time by the age of 20 after she quit art school. She came to the U.S. in 1965 and a year later she played a small set at the Newport Folk Festival in Rhode Island.  By 1968 she released her first album followed by three of her most important & prolific records:  Clouds in 1969, Ladies Of The Canyon in 1970 and Blue in 1971.   

She spent the next five decades making history, art and winning every award and accolade in the industry. In 2015 she suffered a brain aneurysm but fought her way back to play at the Newport Folk Festival in July 2022 after a 53 year absence. The show was recorded and released in July 2023 with the simple but significant title, Joni Mitchell At Newport. It has been nominated for Best Folk Album at the 2024 Grammy Awards. Last month she released the compilation, Archives-Volume Three: The Asylum Years (1972-1975). Mitchell-one of the greatest women in music without question-is still thriving. What an incredible gift.

Top: Joni Mitchell circa 1968. Bottom: At the Newport Folk Festival, July 2022. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

In November 1968, Glen Campbell released his 11th studio album. It features covers of songs by Otis Redding (Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay”), The Bee Gees (“Words”) and Tim Hardin (“Reason To Believe”). But for me, the title track is the star of the show, written by the incomparable Jimmy Webb who also played organ on the tune which was produced by Al De Lory. It became Campbell’s signature tune until “Rhinestone Cowboy” came out in 1975.

Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb at their Feinstein’s at the Regency, May 2000 smash sold-out engagement. New York City © Sandra Gillard/Lightkeepers (Image found online).

In November 1973 Hall & Oates released their second album, Abandoned Luncheonette. Despite being a great tune, the first single only reached #60 on the Billboard 100 chart. But after “Sara Smile” (from their self-titled fourth album) reached the #4 spot in June 1976, today’s third featured song was re-released and hit #7 in October of the same year. Thus began Hall & Oates’ reign as music’s most successful duo of all time. And as of November 1 Hall’s show, “Live From Daryl’s House“, returned after a lengthy hiatus with Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze as the first guest. Cheers for real music again from one of the greatest blue-eyed soul singers of our time.

Top: The front & back covers of 1973’s Abandoned Luncheonette. Bottom (L-R): John Oates and Daryl Hall.

(Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Joni Mitchell: “Both Sides Now” (1969, written by Joni Mitchell).

Glen Campbell: “Wichita Lineman” (1968, written by Jimmy Webb).

Hall & Oates: “She’s Gone” (1973, written by Daryl Hall and John Oates).

Stay safe and well.