Rating: 
Summary: out of this world talent
Review:
i can't rave enough about thid dvd.
it told me all I needed to know.joni
is a free spirit,and a rebel.maybe
a little bit too girly, girl.
But she stands shoulder to shoulder with all the
other artistic geniuses of the
past centuries.
t
Rating:
Summary: A woman with her own Mind
Review: Few artists have been as hard to catagorize as Joni Mitchell. Emerging initially as a sensitive introspective folk singer from Canada to becoming a singer songwriter whose musical style crosses so many boarders as to becoming nearly unclassifiable, Mitchell has stubbornly followed her own creative path undeterred by trends or fashion. What sets her apart from so many of her contemporaries is her ability to expand, grow and remain viable in an industry not known for career longevity. When you consider the fate of so many of her contemporaries, drug addiction. creative sloth, death, rehab or becoming irrelevant oldies acts in far flung Casinos in the Southwest, Mitchell has overcome most, if not all, of those land mines. She, unlike so many who were there when she started, is still here and still making music.For those who have wondered when Mitchell would get her just due, it seems that all of those years of stubbornly refusing to be completely controlled by the "Music Biz" have paid off in terms of honors, awards and now a DVD that chronicles her life. Joni Mitchell A life Story: Woman of Heart and Mind from Eagle Vision gives her the royal treatment. Directed by Susan Lacy, the entire 120 minute documentary is much like Mitchell's work, personal, revealing, but decidedly artistic in it's aims. This is a point not lost on Lacy who allows Mitchell to tell her amazing story from her roots in a small town in Canada to being the consort, muse and inspiration for Crosby Stills Nash, and sometimes Young. Told in chronological order, we learn of Mitchell's childhood bout with Polio and marriage to fellow singer Chuck Mitchell, who informed her shortly after their marriage he was not willing to be the father of "another man's child." Subsequently Mitchell's out of wed lock daughter by another man was given up for adoption and relocated many years later. Such personal revelations are not treated as "nasty gossip," but like Mitchells' own music, which treats life's difficulties directly and with a minimum of sentiment or self pity, told in a matter of fact tone without being self pitying. The documentary spends little time detailing Mitchell's love life and her many entanglements, but it does not completely shy away from the fact that she was leading life on her own terms and in her own way irrespective of "conventions." The heart of Woman of Heart in Mind are the archival footage of Mitchell performing that give this film resonance. Liberally sprinkled throughout the bio are shots of Mitchell in concert and on television accompanied by herself on guitar. It is in concert giving such personal performances that one sees the real intimacy of her art form, and how well she is able to bring such personal songs to an audience without loss of potency or power. She truly emerges as mesmerizing on stage. That is a point not lost on David Crosby, who is largely credited for discovering her. Crosby briefly, but pointedly says," I had no idea there was anyone that good." The truth of Mitchell's rise is more complex, and far more detailed. As part of a duo with her first husband, Chuck Mitchell, they leave Canada for Detroit Michigan. Once there, they become the gold couple of the Folk singer circle, with Mitchell emerging early as the more original of the two. As performers coming to the Motor City came and went, Mitchell's compositions were gaining the attention of the likes of Tom Rush and Buffy Saint Marie. As her reputation grew, her strained marriage fell apart and Mitchell relocated to New York. It is a point in her life told in the first song from her self titled debut release, Joni Mitchell. Going on the road, literally alone, she booked her own shows and acted as her own agent. Such little known facts of her early career, and the enormous difficulties she faced, are carefully detailed, but without a note of self pity. After years of performing, Mitchell acquires an agent, supportive management and David Crosby's help in insuring that her music not be retrofitted to fit current styles when she hits the studios. From that point onward, Mitchell was in total and complete control of her musical odyssey. While she was closely associated with Crosby Stills Nash and Young, it is not long before Mitchell creatively moves towards a hybrid of Folk, Jazz, Rock and Roll and Country and Western that sends her up the charts with such anthems as "Woodstock." Contrary to the myth that Mitchell attended that ultimate 60's concert in New York State, she was slated to appear, but was told not to for fear of losing an important television appearance on David Cavot's talk show. Lacy includes Mitchell on the show listening and putting on a convincing stiff upper lip as the CSN and Y excitedly talk about the atmosphere of Woodstock as Mitchell stoically listens. To hear Mitchell comment on the footage adds yet another personal layer to a life that is already rich and enduring. The documentary contains vintage photos of Mitchell as a young girl and continues in chronological order as she started to work with such jazz titans as Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, Herby Hancock and Pat Metheny. While she maintained close ties to CSN and Y throughout her career, her musical identity was decidedly separate from theirs. So much so that when she hit the road to support the chart topping "Court and Spark," she toured with Tom Scott's L.A. Express. The resulting in concert release, Miles of Aisles, had a decidedly jazz feel. Offering up a great deal of personal information, and some informative revelations from Mitchell herself, Woman of Heart and Mind is a compelling, exciting voyage through a life filled with amazing highs, terrifying lows and exhilarating inventive music. For Mitchell fans, this maybe an essential collectible. For those new to Mitchell, and those who are creative, this bio picture serves as an excellent primer on how to maintain artistic integrity without compromising your creativity in an essentially crass overly commercialized industry. Kudos to Director Lacy for preserving the legacy of Joni Mitchell without turning it into a lurid "Inside the Music" gossip fest. Told with attention to detail and her artisty, the DVD also includes extras, promos and out takes that are just as solid as the 120 documentary.
Rating:
Summary: Joni Mitchell, "The Diva of all divas"
Review: I became a Joni Mitchell fan from her album "Night Ride Home",
that was the first time I heard of her and since 1990 I have
become a huge fan. Of course when I stumbled upon "Woman of
Heart and Mind" DVD, I bought it right away. The minute it started playing, I knew I was in for a rollercoaster ride of
great music, great writing and the best of all, the story of the
most influental person in music of the 20th century and 21st century for that matter. I enjoyed this so so much. What I enjoyed most were the layering of photos,interviews and Joni herself speaking about the turbulant times in her life. The DVD was a feast for the eyes with such an artistic touch it brought
tears to my eyes. When you learn intimate things about your favorite artist/singer/songwriter, like a friend you begin to understand different aspects of their lives in ways of my own.
Not too many artists out their "reveal themselves" as Joni has with her music, that I have understood. When Joni speaks, I honesty think she is a friend speaking to me, in a way I understand the pain of "life" and hapiness of "life" she has gone
through. I hope Joni Mitchell has touched many, many lives as she has touched mine. What a gift to be a fan of Joni!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Joni Mitchell, "The Diva of all divas"
Review: I became a Joni Mitchell fan from her album "Night Ride Home",
that was the first time I heard of her and since 1990 I have
become a huge fan. Of course when I stumbled upon "Woman of
Heart and Mind" DVD, I bought it right away. The minute it started playing, I knew I was in for a rollercoaster ride of
great music, great writing and the best of all, the story of the
most influental person in music of the 20th century and 21st century for that matter. I enjoyed this so so much. What I enjoyed most were the layering of photos,interviews and Joni herself speaking about the turbulant times in her life. The DVD was a feast for the eyes with such an artistic touch it brought
tears to my eyes. When you learn intimate things about your favorite artist/singer/songwriter, like a friend you begin to understand different aspects of their lives in ways of my own.
Not too many artists out their "reveal themselves" as Joni has with her music, that I have understood. When Joni speaks, I honesty think she is a friend speaking to me, in a way I understand the pain of "life" and hapiness of "life" she has gone
through. I hope Joni Mitchell has touched many, many lives as she has touched mine. What a gift to be a fan of Joni!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Joni deserves 100 STARS!!!
Review: I fully agree with all the five star comments before me. It will be 400 to 500 years before we get song writing of Joni's quality again, if ever. Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Van Morrison are the premiere song poets of the 20th Century. This documentary about Joni is an absolute MUST SEE!!!
Rating:
Summary: A must-have for any fan of the human spirit.
Review: I never knew the "whole story" behind Joni Mitchell and seeing it here has made me want to sing her praises from every rooftop! While I own just a few Joni Mitchell recordings, I have always felt connected to the artist. This DVD explains why.
This is the story of an independent spirit, heartfelt mind and courageous idealist. This reveals what lies behind the most artistically diverse female to date. Her willingness to share her soul so that we might share our own is beyond commendable. Her passion to be true to herself and to her fans makes her an artist beyond others.
Once you see the DVD you will understand her PROCESS like never before. You will also hear the most adulated artists admit that her self-taught writing, singing and musical abilities put them all to shame. Joni Mitchell shared her gift, in it's entirety, with the world. She was honest and steadfast in her pursuit and never sold out to marketing nor crumbled under mainstream critique.
Kudos to all involved with this DVD as the documentary is masterfully interwoven with the artist's discography. By the time it ends you will know her inside and out. I very much disagree with the writer who claims the songs are never complete, in fact, I would say that this DVD makes the songs even more complete.
A must-have for any Joni Mitchell fan and a must have for any fan of the musician-documentary genre as this is the finest I have seen. Add to that a must-have for fans of the human spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Joni deserves 100 STARS!!!
Review: I was tempted to rate this lower, except this is as advertised a very fine documentary of a unique and superb talent. What seemed so frustrating is that this format requires voice over and cutting of a remarkable group of historic live performances. Yes, four uninterrupted songs from a latter day performance are added as a bonus, but I really wanted to see more of the rare and vintage performances that were assembled for this DVD. (It's a little like sitting through Dylan's EAT THE DOCUMENT when you know that Pennebaker has the complete performances laying around someplace.) No doubt, most who watch this documentary will find themselves all the more impressed with this indespensable artist, and likely to latch onto any one of her great albums. But if they had given the complete performances, this DVD would be a frequent flyer. This is the rare case where we really did need the bonus disc.
Rating: 
Summary: You could have been more!
Review: I was tempted to rate this lower, except this is as advertised a very fine documentary of a unique and superb talent. What seemed so frustrating is that this format requires voice over and cutting of a remarkable group of historic live performances. Yes, four uninterrupted songs from a latter day performance are added as a bonus, but I really wanted to see more of the rare and vintage performances that were assembled for this DVD. (It's a little like sitting through Dylan's EAT THE DOCUMENT when you know that Pennebaker has the complete performances laying around someplace.) No doubt, most who watch this documentary will find themselves all the more impressed with this indespensable artist, and likely to latch onto any one of her great albums. But if they had given the complete performances, this DVD would be a frequent flyer. This is the rare case where we really did need the bonus disc.
Rating:
Summary: A stunning and well-deserved tribute
Review: I'd give this documentary ten stars if I could!! A stunning and well-deserved documentary of the life of one of the true artists to emerge from the baby-boom generation. Joni has always seemed kind of like the Rock of Gibraltor; always was there, and always will be there. But this documentay is a fantastic reminder of how much Joni had to overcome in her initial climb to stardom, and of her staying power as a musical legend -- and maverick -- for the last 30 (or so) years. It also underscores how much Joni and her work mean to so many people. By the way, her reunion with her daughter (and grandchildren) is a tear-jerker. A beautifully produced documentary by people who obviously love and care deeply about Joni as an artist and a person. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: A Documentary of Substance
Review: If you are a Joni Mitchell fan, or like me, a fanatic, this DVD is a must own. Stuffed with footage from her concerts, still photos, and interviews with those in the industry who know her best(Graham Nash, David Crosby, James Taylor to name a few), I found it to be very informative and it provided inside information that I had not read or heard anywhere else. Her music provides the backgdrop for the DVD and there was even some brief information about her adopted daughter and her painting. The grand dame is interviewed as well. I was mesmerized from start to finish.
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