Monday Roundup Mix
featuring Joni Mitchell, Beyoncé, HAIM, and more!
If you follow Made You a Mix on Instagram, you know I’ve been thinking a lot about (obsessing over?) Joni Mitchell’s surprise set at Newport Folk Festival last weekend. Brandi Carlile, friend and enormous fan of Joni Mitchell, was scheduled for a set billed as “Brandi Carlile and Friends,” when she announced that Joni would be joining. The set turned into a “Joni Jam,” with Joni singing and even playing guitar on some of her biggest songs including “Both Sides Now,” “A Case of You,” “The Circle Game,” and my personal favorite, “Carey.” This whole event was historic because it was Joni’s first public performance since her aneurism in 2015, her first full set since 2000, and her first time at Newport Folk since 1969.
I have watched several videos of the set and they are incredibly moving. You can tell how much the other artists on-stage with Joni and Brandi, including Marcus Mumford, Wynonna Judd, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, and Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius, are in awe of Joni. You can sense the reverence of the crowd. You can also tell how happy Joni is to be there and to be able to play. I have not been able to get through a video without more-or-less weeping.
Between this set and Taylor Swift’s recent cameo at HAIM’s London show, I’ve been reflecting on my love for a live music surprise. When I saw Jenny Lewis in Nashville in 2016, she brought out special guest Jimmy Buffet to play on her cover of “Handle With Care” by the Traveling Wilburys. When I saw Ariana Grande in Boston in 2019, 2 Chainz joined her on stage for their song, “Rule the World.” In both cases, there was such a palpable sense of excitement. That’s one of the things I love most about concerts: the collective energy of a crowd gathered for a shared experience. It’s also just cool to Be There when something special happens.
I’ve been listening to Joni a lot this past week, but as you likely know, her discography is not available on Spotify. (I’ve had to resurrect my purchased iTunes library and turn to YouTube for anything else.) So unfortunately no Joni on this mix, but do yourself a favor and find a way to listen to her today.
The rest of today’s mix includes the songs referenced above and other things I’ve enjoyed over the last few weeks.
You and Me On The Rock, Brandi Carlile ft. Lucius [this song is an obvious homage to Joni, so we’ll set this as a placeholder]
Gasoline, HAIM ft. Taylor Swift
Handle With Care, Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins
Rule the World, 2 Chainz ft. Ariana Grande
CUFF IT, Beyoncé [If you haven’t yet, you need to listen to the Beyoncé’s latest album, Renaissance, in-full and (most importantly) in order because it is seamless]
Shatter, Maggie Rogers
10:36, beabadoobee
She Can Dance, Betty Who
Expectations, Katie Pruitt
Believe, Lucy Dacus
Probabilities, Maude Latour
Chemicals React (A&A Version), Aly & AJ
I’ve Got You Surrounded (With My Love), Jack White
Problem With It, Plains
Hot Girl (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Charli XCX
If you’ve made it this far, let me know in the comments if you’ve ever been to a show with a great surprise guest or who your dream guest would be! I have my own fingers crossed for a Phoebe Bridgers cameo when I see MUNA in September.
Thanks for reading and listening- please share with someone you think would enjoy!