Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Monday 9 September 1974, page 15 ROCK MUSIC by GARRY RAFFAELE JONI MITCHELL HAS HUMANITY

I HAVE, as you may know, a radio program with that beloved of stations, 2CA.

As a result of that I often find myself the target of comment about how bad it is, how good it is, how mediocre it is and how everybody or nobody ever listens to it.

Sometimes even requests. And last week, perhaps one of the most rewarding, from a lady I hardly know but who has a smile to charm your soul. What she asked was a program completely involved with Joni Mitchell.

Now that may not seem much to you, especially if you have not the good taste to see that Miss Mitchell is currently the major modern solo performer. But to those of us who have held her in deepest respect for almost five years now, such a demand was a joy.

What it showed, I think, is that the work of Joni Mitchell, complex and poetic in its application, has about it the touch of humanity of realism, of tangibles even though her melody is often twisting and strange.

Her brief appearances in the hit parades have been rewarding, if only because that brought a sparkle to an area of music overladen with crud.

We discussed the scheme again, that lady and I, and it appears possible, what with the work Mitchell has done with James Taylor, David Crosby and others. It may just get off the ground.

I quite realise this is impinging on other spheres of influence but...