Joni Mitchell: In Her Own Words

By: Malka Marom

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

When singer, musician, and broadcast journalist Malka Marom had the opportunity to interview Joni Mitchell in 1973, she was eager to reconnect with the performer that she'd first met late one night in 1966 at a Yorkville coffeehouse. More conversations followed over the next four decades of friendship, and it was only after Joni and Malka completed their last recorded interview, in 2012, that Malka discovered the heart of their discussions: the creative process.

In Joni Mitchell: In Her Own Words, Joni and Malka follow this thread through seven decades of life and art, discussing the influence of Joni's childhood, love and loss, playing dives and huge festivals, acclaim and criticism, poverty and affluence, glamorous triumphs and tragic mistakes.

©2014 Malka Marom (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Mitchell's story will resonate on a universal level, just as her timeless music has already done." ( Library Journal)

Gotta love Joni, man!

Somewhat disappointed with the story, too much recalling words to her songs and not enough about Mitchell herself. I could have done without the constant interruption of reciting the words to Joni's songs all the way through the book. But because of the retelling of the words to her songs I realize that the songs aren't as clever as I remember them being. But then again, it was the 60s and 70s.

Interesting but what a grind

A child of the folk hippie movement she has ended up being a part of what that crowd was shouting against. Interesting to get info on her life, the whole audio book became a grind hearing one individual “play” both sides. I would have liked actual recording of the interviewer interviewee, which should’ve happened given they were both recording artists… for crying out loud. It would’ve been supreme to actually hear a Joni and her guitar version instead of the performer just reading lyrics, but oh yeah, who gets the money? 60’s child still wants a check

One of the best artist/poet/composer ever done.

A great relevant dialogue between two women friends opening doors to each other in synchronized storytelling, with casual and relaxed tone.

This book is filled with detailed surprises, engaging about songwriting and composing music. Also understanding of an era through personal experiences of what she and the author learned.

Familiar Songs changing context and rhythm in labyrinth of circular time unfolding sequences of Poetry alive like hearing it for the first time...the bio In between flowed like music. Author achieved understanding of the length and depth of a persons insights, who has often been obscured by shallow culture.

There were passages that made me laugh and sigh, what a magnificent range. Discovered a wise & humble owl with translations of poetic perceptions, ideas, flow of images,complexity of feeling, struggling & critiquing involved in creative process, of art making.

More than a biography, a probing dialogue of sources that clarify an era and guide a large body of Original work. Splendid. Worth a second read.

I love Joni... please don't tell my wife🤣

Super great.. Real, candid Inspiring, insightful. Joni from Soup To Nuts... poet, singer, composer extraordinaire... a warrior for integrity and art. fantastic narration this was really a most enjoyable listen🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Very frank, and often humorous.

This is a perfect format for Joni...
Just frank talk. She's my favorite artist /poet/composer.

love her. love the book. Thank you !

Joni is such a gift to us. very candid without pettiness. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. she is an amazing person and it is uplifting to read listen to her story. the narrator makes me believe she is Joni.

The beloved Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is to be admired and her career is unique in music history. On the face of it a soft-spoken Canadian folksinger. But in reality a woman who was never content with being what she was expected to be. She lived in a very masculine world of rock musicians but continued to go it alone and experimented in many musical forms.

This book contains interviews between Mitchell and a Canadian journalist.performer Malka Marom over the course of many years. The interviews contain some technical musical references that may interest some more than others. Unfortunately this audio version is lifeless and stilted as you listen to each speaker's name mentioned before their quotes. But some of Mitchell's stories fill out the narrative showing how difficult it is to be unique in the music business, the difficulties of being pigeon-holed into genres that don't quite fit. Mitchell is unashamed of speaking of her own importance throughout. This is refreshing to hear from a woman. For people interested in the world of music during the 60s and 70s and for those interested in Mitchell, you will find some interesting stories here.

Joni!!!

Absolutely loved listening to this. I love it when I hear something that is truly unique and written from the heart ❤️

Artists will appreciate this

Loved this insightful series of interviews. It gave a really interesting angle on Joni’s creative process. As a singer / performer myself, it was a very inspiring read.

Mind expanding

Performance exceptional story brings the past to life. I was so often distracted by the melody and missed the words. This brings the words and circumstance alive, expanding my pleasure.