Joni Mitchell followers, get your tissues prepared. On tonight’s PBS particular, Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Common Music, her contemporaries comparable to James Taylor and Herbie Hancock and followers comparable to Brandi Carlile and Diana Krall pay tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter with interpretations of a few of her classics.
Amongst them: Marcus Mumford performs “Carey,” Herbie Hancock and Ledisi carry out “River” and Angélique Kidjo sings “Assist Me.”
<script type=”text/javascript”> atOptions = { ‘key’ : ‘015c8be4e71a4865c4e9bcc7727c80de’, ‘format’ : ‘iframe’, ‘height’ : 60, ‘width’ : 468, ‘params’ : {} }; document.write(‘<scr’ + ‘ipt type=”text/javascript” src=”//animosityknockedgorgeous.com/015c8be4e71a4865c4e9bcc7727c80de/invoke.js”></scr’ + ‘ipt>’); </script><\/p>
Mitchell herself, who had largely stopped performing within the final 20 years earlier than showing finally yr’s Newport People Competition, mesmerized the viewers with a transparent and wealthy rendition of George Gershwin’s “Summertime.”
The live performance occurred on March 1 at Structure Corridor in Washington, D.C. All through the PBS particular, which paperwork the occasion, musical tributes are interspersed with images and movies from all through Mitchell’s profession. Her visible artwork offers the backdrop as her pals and collaborators take the stage.
“Joni Mitchell’s music hits you straight to your coronary heart, right down to your soul,” feedback Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden earlier than giving Mitchell the prize. “You possibly can say she has really helped all of us take a look at either side now.”
Earlier recipients of the Gershwin Prize embrace Paul Simon, Stevie Marvel, Sir Paul McCartney, the songwriting duo of the late Burt Bacharach and the late Hal David, Carole King and Smokey Robinson.
“I am a artistic particular person. I just like the artistic course of,” Mitchell mentioned in a press release. “I have been a painter all my life. I have been a musician most of my life. In the event you can paint with a brush, you’ll be able to paint with phrases. … It is an incredible honor to affix the pantheon of recipients.”
Joni Mitchell: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Common Music airs on PBS stations at 9 p.m. ET tonight. It’s going to broadcast to U.S. Division of Protection areas all over the world through the American Forces Community.