Joni Mitchell - Little Green (Live NYC 1967)

written & produced by Joni Mitchell | from the album Blue (1970) | live performance from Café Au Go Go, NYC (1967)

[glennmorris]

Only Joni could write a song about mother's pain for the child she never raised. A very personal song into a masterpiece.

[fredceely]

I wasn't expecting this, but when I saw the entrance to the Cafe au Go Go, and then the silk blouse, I almost fainted. I was at this show, and it's the last thing that I ever expected to see again. It was a Monday night, which was jam night, catch-as-catch-can, let's see who's in town. They put a couple of names in the usual publications to draw an audience. Part of one band playing with a well known musician from another band, things like that. My friends and I knew the trick for getting good seats, so we were against the wall directly opposite the stage. They announced a "new sensation" or something, and Joni walked in with the guitar, in a silk outfit. She was charisma-central. She played a few songs and they moved on. We were mightily impressed. It was definitely a highlight moment, and I was a Joni fan immediately.

[darsupergirl]

Joni's been my fave since I was 17, I'm 72 now, & it's the 1st time I found out the story behind Green!
I met her in a men's store, "Z", in L.A. maybe 10/15 years ago. I told her what a huge fan I'd been all those years, how she so completely influenced me as a person & as a singer & thanked her profusely. She was SO sweet, kind, gracious & genuine & when I was leaving this small store, she called out to me to say Goodbye. One of my favorite experiences ever! Thank you Joni!! You have blessed us all! ❤

[arnieus]

All people are clearly not created equal. Joni has no equal. 50 years later her music still touches like no other for me. And she considers herself a painter first and musician second. One of the greatest creative minds of all time.

[bigkozlov]

Blue. One of the best albums is music history. unparalleled expression of raw emotions...what talent!

[lindahuff]

The album "Blue" should be heard by everyone alive today.

[edwinrex]

If you listen to any Joni song with your eyes closed you can see it all . she's a genius.

[jpduncan]

This particular song resonates with me still since I had my “Little Green” in 1968.

[chadbennett]

When all is said and done, she will always be known as one of the best singer-songwriters of our generation. Genius like hers is once in a lifetime and I, for one, am grateful to have lived in her time.

[prussianblue]

I love this kind of crowd unlike today, no cameras, no distractions, just the moment. The experience is preserved through your senses. I think that is such a rare and pure thing to have...

[thelex]

Achingly beautiful and straightforward. Impeccable phrasing. God, she had it all.

[karenmeloche]

I was very lucky young girl. I grew up in the pacific northwest. I was going into 7th grade in 1968, and when other kids were listening to the teen music i met a group of people who lived in what at one time were old rum runners cabins on a place called salmon beach. It was close to the narrows bridge. They were hippies and much older, but i became friends with them. They turned me on to Joni, Jessie colin young, CSN, Jimmie, and all of the beautiful, music that was happening at the time. I inturn turned my friends on to the great music that was going on in the 60's. I will always be grateful that this community of really as they said then"far out"people took me in as a friend, little sis kind. They got me and so many others into the hippie thing that was going on. I got started early on a life long journey listening to the sounds of such talented and gifted story tellers and vocal wonders like Joni and many others. I will be forever grateful.

[jegog.]

This version of "Little Green" was performed about 4 years BEFORE "Blue" was released. This song was part of Joni's early repertoire, but did not make it onto an album much later. The section with the melody that is different from blue is much more like her earliest songs -- for example "Urge for Going".

[batmanjones]

I fell in love with her at age 17. Still in love at 60. She is a timeless talent.

[markoblazney]

Joni was a perfectionist, to our eternal benefit.  Hail Joni  Thou art the best, way over the rest.  Genius.  Genius.

[tessitoretesse]

I'm from Italy, and this song, and the full album "Blue", and Joni are and always will be in my personal pantheon of music. I have a reprint of "Blue" on CD bought in New York some years ago. The first edition I bought, in Italy - when I was very young, was on tape. Thus my infinite passion for the USA began. Love & Respect for All of You.

[mariabelenmiguel]

I love how she sings "be a non-conformer" and not the line that appears on the cd version, "he's a non-conformer"

[pattisteely]

Beautiful Joni!
What a beautiful song, when through so much pain, regarding her daughter's birth.
Happy Mother's Day Joni❤

[QGab]

Wow little green a mothers cry for a daughter she couldn't raise but always thought off, so beautiful...so heartwrenching😢💞love you joni

[RalphDratman]

Many years ago I first heard this song and it was immediately my secret favorite. In this version I hear more, and differently, and I really like it