Joni Mitchell's Debut at Carnegie Hall Receives First Commercial Release

In February 1969, the 25-year-old singer-songwriter took the stage in New York City

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Aug 26, 2021

One year after the release of her debut album Song to a Seagull, the legendary Joni Mitchell took to the stage at New York City's premier concert venue. The likes of Bob Dylan, Graham Nash and Mitchell's own parents Bill and Myrtle were among the sold-out attendance. Naturally, magic ensued, and it was captured, but went unreleased for many years — until now.

The recorded performance from February 1, 1969, Joni Mitchell Live at Carnegie Hall, 1969 is slated for its first-ever commercial release on November 12 as a standalone LP and part of the upcoming boxset Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968-1971).

Mitchell was 25 years old when she made her debut at the iconic venue, performing several tracks destined for future albums — like "Chelsea Morning" about her apartment in the city on West 16th, "The Song About the Midway," "Little Green" and "Boy Blue."

The Joni Mitchell Live at Carnegie Hall, 1969 3-LP vinyl issue comes on both black and white wax — the former limited to 15,000 copies and just 3,000 for the latter. It also includes an essay penned by Nash, who was Mitchell's partner at the time.

Find Mitchell's opening rendition of "Chelsea Morning" below, along with the LP's tracklist.

It was recently announced that the Canadian legend was named MusiCounts Person of the Year. She also owns a KISS pinball machine.


Joni Mitchell Live at Carnegie Hall, 1969: 

Side A
1. Chelsea Morning
2. A Valentine for Joni
3. Cactus Tree
4. Night in the City
5. I Had a King

Side B
1. Blue Boy
2. My American Skirt
3. The Fiddle and the Drum
4. Spoony's Wonderful Adventure
5. That Song About the Midway
6. Both Sides Now

Side C
1. Marcie
2. Nathan La Franeer
3. Intro to The Gallery
4. The Gallery
5. Hunter
6. Morning Morgantown

Side D
1. Intro to Get Together
2. Get Together
3. Intro to The Circle Game/Little Green
4. The Circle Game/Little Green

Encore
1. Michael from Mountains
2. Intro to Urge for Going
3. Urge for Going 

Pre-order Joni Mitchell Live at Carnegie Hall, 1969.

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