Joni Mitchell's latest Grammy has Newport ties – how the Folk Festival factored into her win

LOS ANGELES – Joni Mitchell's return to the stage in Newport in 2022 earned her another Grammy Sunday night.

Proving that age and relevance are not mutually exclusive, Joni Mitchell made her debut Grammy performance at Sunday’s ceremony hours after winning her 10th career award.

Her Grammy was for Best Folk Album, for "Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live)." Rhode Islanders will recall that in 2022, Mitchell closed out the Newport Folk Festival – her first full-length performance since 2000 and her first appearance in Newport since 1969. She was joined by Folk Festival favorite Brandi Carlisle – and a group that included performers Allison Russell, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius, Blake Mills, Taylor Goldsmith, Marcus Mumford and Wynonna Judd – for a set that included "Carey," "Big Yellow Taxi," "Amelia," "Shine," "Come in From the Cold," "Love Potion No. 9" and "The Circle Game."

Despite her Grammys success, including a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002, the legendary folk singer, 80, had never brought her husky voice and acoustic guitar to the Grammy stage.

For her performance Sunday, Mitchell sang one of the most beloved ballads in her catalog, "Both Sides, Now," with her musical steward, Brandi Carlile, as well as Lucius, Jacob Collier, Black Mills, Allison Russell and SistaStrings accompanying her.

According to The Associated Press, Mitchell's performance Sunday was another emotional highlight. Surrounded by musical friends like Brandi Carlile, the 80-year-old Mitchell sat in an easy chair that resembled a throne, tapping her cane as she sang “Both Sides Now.” Her voice, which she had to recover after suffering a brain aneurysm, brought a richness and perspective to the song that could only be hinted at in the original. Like Chapman, she was visibly moved by the audience's reception, betrayed by laughter after she finished.

Compiled with reports from USATODAY and The Associated Press.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live)' Folk Festival album wins Grammy