密歇根新闻广播 琼尼·米切尔的音乐人生

Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential¹ singer-songwriters in music history. But earning that title was no simple feat².

Susan Whitall, former writer and editor for the magazine Creem, has edited a new book about Mitchell's life and career called Joni on Joni: Interviews and Encounters with Joni Mitchell. The book is an anthology of interviews with Mitchell that took place between 1966 and 2014.

On Monday December 3rd, Whitall will be joined by the singer's first husband Chuck Mitchell at Baldwin Library in Birmingham to talk about Detroit's 1960s folk scene, Joni Mitchell's career, and more.

Despite her current recognition as a musical icon³, Whitall says Mitchell didn't always get the respect and attention that she deserved. Many of her early interviews were conducted alongside her first husband, folk singer Chuck Mitchell.

Whithall says that during those conversations, interviewers treated Joni more like Chuck's missus than as an independent musician.

There was just a sexism to it, and she was a cute chick. And guys would always say to her, Why don't you be a model? Why do you want to be a folk singer? It'd be so much easier. But in the same breath, they would ask if they could use one of her songs, Whitall explained.

Mitchell grew up in Saskatchewan, but her relationship with Chuck Mitchell eventually brought her to Detroit. There, the musical duo became a kind of bohemian it couple on the local folk scene until their separation in 1967.

Joni Mitchell, who wrote many of her own songs, went on to pursue a solo career. When she did, Whitall says, Mitchell faced a great deal of sexism from major figures in the music industry.

They were treating her like a commodity, and she just hated that. She was constantly complaining that the record executives wanted her to look pretty, they wanted a certain demure⁴ attitude, Whitall said.

But those obstacles didn't stop Mitchell from becoming a star. With nine Grammys and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she has secured her title as a female artist whose work will continue to shape music for generations to come.

Listen to Stateside's full conversation with Whitall to hear more about how Joni Mitchell got her start in music, her marriage to Chuck, and the artists that most influenced her work.

1 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

2 feat   

n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的

参考例句：

• Man's first landing on the moon was a feat of great daring.人类首次登月是一个勇敢的壮举。
• He received a medal for his heroic feat.他因其英雄业绩而获得一枚勋章。

3 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

4 demure   

adj.严肃的；端庄的

参考例句：

• She's very demure and sweet.她非常娴静可爱。
• The luscious Miss Wharton gave me a demure but knowing smile.性感迷人的沃顿小姐对我羞涩地会心一笑。