Editorial Content for I Dream of Joni: A Portrait of Joni Mitchell in 53 Snapshots

Journalist and humorist Henry Alford compiles vignettes of one of the 20th century’s most acutely aware songwriters in I DREAM OF JONI. Joni Mitchell’s lyrics literally moved a generation of unconventional seekers toward a greater understanding of, and pride in, themselves.

In this creative biography, Alford interviews Mitchell’s many admirers, observers and family members, along with fellow artists. Perhaps her musical journey began when she contracted polio at the age of nine and was confined to the hospital in her Canadian homeland. Her mother and father visited her only once during that time, and she was released by her own spunk, determinedly proving to skeptical medical staff that she could walk. She discovered cigarettes not long afterwards, sneaking out to smoke and enjoy natural surroundings.

"Providing readers with a kaleidoscope of sources, interviews and insights, Alford honors Mitchell by revealing her grit, her frankness, and her ability to sway with the winds of change and record their subtleties in sound and verse."

Mitchell’s college years were spent studying art and singing folk songs at various venues, tuning her guitar in an unconventional manner after polio left weakness in one hand. After being abandoned by a lover, birthing a child, giving her up for adoption, marrying and divorcing, she settled in New York City. She was soon able to sell songs like “Clouds” and “Both Sides Now” to well-known artists. And with her spontaneous, intellectual and entirely unconventional aura, she gradually would rise to the top of the music ladder.

Alford brings to life Mitchell’s many remarkable encounters and collaborations with such notables as Warren Beatty, Graham Nash, David Crosby, James Taylor and even Georgia O’Keeffe. He also highlights some of her “blasts of vitriol,” including a stab at Shakespeare; she claimed she could “smell the commerce” in his sonnets. Her increasing stream of hits, like “Big Yellow Taxi” and “Woodstock,” spoke volumes to a wild, awaiting fan base. Asked by Charlie Rose in a 2007 interview if she had missed anything in her long, adventurous life, she declared, “Anything I missed I wasn’t supposed to have.”

With these 53 “snapshots,” Henry Alford brings Joni Mitchell to mind for those old enough to recall her heyday, while introducing her wisdom, wit and talent to a new generation. She was a woman who did what she wanted, proudly declared her independence, and offered to fans what Alford styles as both a “seedbed for contemplation” and a “warning” regarding the construction and maintenance of basic human relationships.

Providing readers with a kaleidoscope of sources, interviews and insights, Alford honors Mitchell by revealing her grit, her frankness, and her ability to sway with the winds of change and record their subtleties in sound and verse.