SAINT JONI

JONESIN' FOR JONI: Just how admired is Joni Mitchell by her contemporaries? Ever since word got out that Reprise was planning a Mitchell tribute album, swarms of the singer-songwriter's superstar fans have been pleading to be included on the project. "It's been so difficult," says producer Julie Larson. "I've had to turn away some really high-profile artists." Among those who made the cut: Elvis Costello, Chaka Khan, Sarah McLachlan, Etta James, Annie Lennox, k.d. lang, and Janet Jackson. The tribute probably won't be released until fall 1998 so as not to conflict with Mitchell's as-yet-untitled next album (due in February), which Larson describes as "very orchestral sounding."