Joni and James and Carole and Carly -

 Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Carole King, Carly Simon - 

All music icons who were coming into their own in the late 60s while I was coming of age -  a young teen, quickly and easily influenced by their poignant and pointed storytelling lyrics, soulful sounds, and their singer-songwriter pure talent with guitar and voice. Plus, my "hippie" older aunt and uncle and cousins were my role models; I listened to what they provided, as well as Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. 

Of any musicians who have heavily influenced my life - it is Joni, James, Carole, and Carly, along with big band music and crooners Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr. Parental influence! 

So you an imagine my pure delight when Brandi Carlile introduced Joni Mitchell at the Newport Folk Festival, July 2022. Tears, tears, tears. 

The songs of these greats have not lost their impact. Interesting how their songs are timeless, as timeless as those of the Mamas and Papas; Peter, Paul, and Mary, Pete Seeger, and the Guthries. And their more contemporaries, Nanci Griffith, John Prine, John Hartford, Iris DeMent, Williams, Thompson, and others. 

I am hopeful for the "next" generation of singer-songwriters - those who don't count on the background music to make up for what they can't provide. I am hopeful that Carlile, Batiste, Krauss, can keep the magic that filled my soul for so many decades can do similarly for another young girl, looking for music that speaks her language, speaks to her soul, and gives her room to dream. 

And this last week - so amazingly beautiful, well-worth anyone's time. Long live their music -