Watch Joni Mitchell - Painting with Words & Music

Joni Mitchell - Painting with Words & Music is a 1998 documentary film that explores the life and music of the iconic Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Directed by Joel Gallen, this film features live footage from Mitchell's 1998 "Taming the Tiger" tour, as well as interviews with Mitchell, her band members, and some of her famous musical peers.

The film opens with footage from Mitchell's childhood in Alberta, Canada, where she was born in 1943. We see photos and home movies of Mitchell as a young girl, and we hear her talk about her love of music from an early age. Mitchell explains how she taught herself to play guitar, and how she started writing songs when she was a teenager.

From there, the film jumps forward to the 1960s, when Mitchell moved to the United States and began to make a name for herself as a folk singer. We see footage from her performances at the Newport Folk Festival and other venues, and we hear her talk about how she experimented with different sounds and styles during this time.

The film then focuses on Mitchell's groundbreaking album Blue, which was released in 1971. We hear Mitchell talk about the personal experiences that inspired the songs on this album, and we see footage of her performing some of these songs in concert. We also hear from musicians like Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, who talk about how Mitchell's music influenced them and helped to define the sound of the 1970s.

The film also covers Mitchell's collaborations with other musicians, including Herbie Hancock, Jaco Pastorius, and Charles Mingus. We see footage from their performances together, and we hear Mitchell and her peers discuss the creative process behind these collaborations.

Throughout the film, Mitchell's music is the star of the show. We hear live performances of some of her best-known songs, including "Hejira," "Big Yellow Taxi," and "Help Me." We also see footage of Mitchell rehearsing with her band, and we hear her talk about how she crafts her songs and her lyrics.

One of the most striking things about this film is Mitchell's honesty and self-awareness. She talks openly about the ups and downs of her career, and she doesn't shy away from discussing the personal struggles that have influenced her music. We hear her talk about the challenges of fame, the difficulty of finding her own voice, and the pain of failed relationships.

At the same time, this film is also a celebration of Mitchell's incredible talent and influence. We hear from musicians like James Taylor, Shawn Colvin, and Annie Lennox, who talk about how Mitchell's music has inspired them and shaped their own work. And we see footage of Mitchell performing with a range of talented musicians, including drummer Brian Blade, guitarist Greg Leisz, and trumpeter Mark Isham.

In the end, Joni Mitchell - Painting with Words & Music is a must-see for any fan of this legendary artist. Whether you're a long-time devotee or just discovering her music for the first time, this film offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of one of the greatest songwriters of all time.

Joni Mitchell - Painting with Words & Music is a 1999 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.3.