JONI - Get Well Soon

I switched on my computer in the office this morning to learn that HMV have just reordered 400 copies of Both Sides Now: Conversations With Joni Mitchell, published by Omnibus Press last year, an extract from which I posted here in December. It didn’t take me long to find out why: overnight news reports that Joni had been rushed to hospital with an as yet undiagnosed condition.

         Evidently Joni is being treated in intensive care in hospital in Los Angeles.

         The most recent report on her official website jonimitchell.com states: “Joni has been hospitalised. We are awaiting official word on her condition and will post it here as soon as we know.”

         An earlier report stated: “Joni was found unconscious in her home this afternoon. She regained consciousness on the ambulance ride to an LA area hospital. She is currently in intensive care undergoing tests and is awake and in good spirits. More updates to come as we hear them. Light a candle and sing a song, let’s all send good wishes her way.”

         Earlier the celebrity gossip site TMZ said Mitchell, 71, was found by paramedics around 2.30pm on Tuesday after an emergency call from her house.

         It’s no secret that Joni was a heavy smoker for most of her life, having puffed away since she was in her early teens, but as a fan since I first heard, and tried to play, ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ back in 1970, I would urge all Just Backdated readers do as her website suggests.

         Get well soon, Joni.