Joan Baez spawned other folkies, who sang in a similar vein, but focused on decidedly less controversial material. The most popular of these singers is, of course, Joni Mitchell, who, to this day, is symbolic of the artistically progressive female singer songwriter. Mitchell has constantly shown on ability to change with the day, while never succumbing to trends. Her unique voice is heaven to some and disturbing to others. And her lyrics, while sometimes seeming oblique to the uninitiated, always offer a challenge and are undisputedly crafted with a sense of poetic colour, as much as to weave a story or picture. Mitchell has probably influenced more women to pick up a guitar and write songs than any other, but her music has tuned in recent years toward complex arrangements (she reportedly recorded an LP with jazz great Charles Mingus before he died). She has worked with some of the finest musicians in LA and has displayed an unmatched ability to take some of these musicians to areas where other performers have not been able to. Although she began as a pure and simple folk singer, Mitchell's albums since the mid-70s have reflected her increased involvement with rock and jazz forms, and her use of these idioms has displayed her sophistication as a musician and writer.
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