This was a case of two music giants.
That was the awe-inspiring scenario when Elton John joined Joni Mitchell on “I’m Still Standing” during her “Joni Jam” concert at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday night.
Mitchell put a jazzy, witty spin on John’s 1983 hit, while Sir Elton provided background vocals on “Yeah Yeah Yeahs.”
But the two true survivors — 80-year-old Michelle made her debut with 1968’s “Songs to a Seagull,” while 77-year-old John made his debut with 1969’s “Empty Sky” — were both sitting rather than standing.
“It is said ‘I’m still standing,’Mitchell told the crowd. “But I guess I have to sing, ‘After all these years I’m still sitting.'”
As if that wasn’t enough, brandy carlisleAnnie Lennox and Meryl Streep – Yes, Meryl Streep – also joined in the fun with an all-star rendition of “I’m Still Standing” that drew cheers from the crowd of 17,000 at the amphitheater.
It was a delightful highlight of Michelle’s two-night stand at the Hollywood Bowl – her first major concert In Los Angeles over 24 years. And a group of musicians – from marcus mumford And everyone from Jacob Collier to Jon Batiste — came out to jam with the “Big Yellow Taxi” singer.
Mitchell – who released his “The Asylum Years (1976-1980)” box set earlier this month – played three songs for the first time in his distinguished career: “Harlem in Havana,” “The Sire of Sorrow (Job’s Sad Song))” and “If I Had a Heart.”
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Also featured rare live performances of “Hejira,” “God Must Be a Boogie Man” and “Dog Eat Dog.”
after Suffered from brain aneurysm in 2015 This left her unable to speak or walk, Michelle has since made a surprise return to the stage at the Newport Folk Festival In 2022.
After this, in 2023 he Major concerts at the Gorge Amphitheater In Quincy, Washington.
And then — after winning Best Folk Album for her 2023 LP “Joni Mitchell” in Newport [Live]” – the singer-songwriter who made her long-awaited grammy debut in February with a soulful rendition of “Both Sides, Now”.
Earlier this year, Mitchell also saluted John and his songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin, when he received the Gershwin Award for Popular Song in Washington, DC. During that tribute, she also performed “I’m Still Standing” in her swing style.
