SPECIAL SUMMER EPISODE: A Conversation w/ Ann Powers, author of Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell

For Part Two of our celebration of Joni Mitchell, the great ANN POWERS, esteemed rock writer and NPR music critic, joins Mark for a conversation about her brilliant new book Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell.  Topics include: the question of critical enthusiasm, Ann Beattie, Don DeLillo & Don Henley, Joni’s plug into the pulse of the culture, Joan Didion and Play It As It Lays, Roberta Flack, Miles Davis, Art Nouveau and Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, Joni’s evolving obsession with rhythm (and percussionists), Los Lobos, Chaka Khan, Prince’s song for Joni, the Jazz Fusion scene of the mid-1970s, Jaco Pastorius, Brandi Carlisle and the Joni Jams, Taylor Swift and a celebration of the studio nerd, the underrated Larry Klein, Joni’s relationship with the press, Joni’s live performances, Michelle Mercer, and what moment in music Ann would travel in a time machine.  Plus, a passionate reappraisal of Joni’s four 1980s albums on Geffen Records and the value of meeting (and not!) your musical heroes.  Special thank you to Dey Street Books and Mr. Brian Ulicky for his assistance with this conversation.

Order Ann’s book at your local independent bookstore here!