I first saw Joni perform live at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Toronto in early summer 1968. This marked the beginning of my obsession. I saw her again in Montreal at Place des Arts in 1969, Toronto's Massey Hall in 1969, and the Mariposa Festival again in 1969 -- that was her 'green gown year.' Saw her again at Mariposa in 1970 (her 'golden gown year'), which I believe was where she met James Taylor. That year marked the final year she would officially appear at Mariposa (it was believed the stars were ruining the festival). She did an impromptu concert there in 1971 (I caught the last part of BYT as I entered the festival grounds). ... My story is interrupted by about 8 years, during which time I didn't listen to any pop music at all. ... I rediscovered Joni in 1979 with 'Mingus.' Unfortunately, she didn't come to Toronto for her S&L tour. She finally made it back to Toronto in 1983, when she appeared at the CNE Bandshell (not a great concert). Then it was a 15-year wait to see her again. I flew to Vancouver to see her first gig with Dylan/Morrison (and got to meet Wally Breese and Simon Montgomery). Then I saw her again at the Gardens here in Toronto later that year.
To tell the truth, none of these concerts matched the first one I saw in 1968 for sheer magic and beauty. Jim NP: I finally bought Nick Drake's Pink Moon CD. Have yet to listen to it.
