LOS ANGELES - Joni Mitchell will begin the first leg of a world concert tour this week. Following initial dates set for major and minor markets in the midwest, south, east and New England, Mitchell will continue along a tour route scheduled to reach Asia, Australia, Great Britain and Europe before returning to North America for additional U.S. and Canadian performances.

Joni Mitchell's current tour, which begins in Minneapolis, will focus on many colleges and minor market locations generally outside tour routes for performers of her stature. For these dates, and for the remainder of the World Tour, Mitchell will appear with members of the L.A. Express, the featured band for both her 1974 tours and her current Asylum album, "The Hissing Of Summer Lawns."

Following dates in this country, Joni Mitchell will then journey to Great Britain, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Additional world dates are being set now.

The tour is being coordinated by Elliot Roberts of Lookout Management and Jeff Franklin of ATI.