Maynard James Keenan thinks people have misunderstood Joni Mitchell for decades. He has a very different view of her
Maynard James Keenan says Joni Mitchell has been misunderstood as a flower-wearing hippie, arguing that her songwriting, musicianship and artistic range make her one of her era’s most significant creative forces. His admiration matters because Mitchell’s work inspired the Tool vocalist, whose own music is far removed from her folk beginnings.
In a 2017 interview, Keenan praised Mitchell for writing her own songs and engineering some of her records at a time when men dominated the music industry. He also admired her work across different art forms and her commitment to creative freedom. Mitchell’s use of alternate guitar tunings, which developed after polio weakened her left hand, helped shape her distinctive songs, including those on the influential albums *Blue* and *Court and Spark*.
In short
- Keenan says Mitchell’s artistry is often underestimated.
- Her songwriting and engineering impressed him.
- Mitchell’s creative freedom inspired the Tool singer.
Explained simply
Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose work spans folk, pop and jazz. Her albums Blue and Court and Spark are widely regarded as landmarks, and her songs are known for unusual guitar tunings that grew partly from changes in her playing after she had polio as a child.
Mitchell wrote her own songs and took an active role in recording them, including engineering some records when the music industry was largely run by men. She has also worked in painting and other visual arts, and has often pursued new musical directions rather than sticking to one style.
Maynard James Keenan, the singer in the rock band Tool, has said Mitchell’s public image as a flower-wearing hippie overlooks the ambition and range of her work. Her influence on a musician whose sound is very different shows how her songwriting has reached beyond folk music.