Words by Amar Gera December 8, 2021

In an age where electronics and bass are the mainstream, we still have artists like Gretta Ray paying tribute to the pioneers who came before…

And today she’s paying tribute to no-one other than songwriting legend Joni Mitchell, releasing a special live performance of ‘River’ today, along with an acoustic rendition of Begin To Look Around standout ‘It’s Almost Christmas In Philly.’

Landing as the year draws to a close and festive season is in full swing, the Melbourne muso admits she’s got the Christmas cheer on her mind, explaining “Christmas is right around the corner, so I wanted to give a nod to the Christmas-themed song on my album, ‘It’s Almost Christmas In Philly’, by recording a stripped back rendition” while adding in regards to her ‘River’ cover “Joni Mitchell has always been one of my biggest inspirations.

“With this cover of her song ‘River’, I wanted to acknowledge how much her song writing means to me.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmDvaWmBMy0

And so, we caught up with Gretta ahead elf the double drop to chat with her about her five favourite Joni Mitchell songs along with a quick photoshoot in the LWA office. Check it below.

A Case Of You

“This is my favourite song of Joni’s, and unsurprisingly, Blue is my favourite record of hers. It is so deeply nostalgic to me; I hear it and immediately think of my Mum singing along to it in the kitchen. However, it is also in every playlist that my girlfriends and I listen to when we’re hanging out, so there’s that childhood association but it has also crossed over into my womanhood, which I love.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YuaZcylk_o

Conversation

“Whenever I talk about my obsession with Joni’s songwriting, I always find myself quoting the lyric from Conversation “she removes him like a ring to wash her hands; she only brings him out to show her friends”. For me, this line captures the sheer brilliance of this artist. You immediately want to hear the remainder of the story she’s telling. It’s so clever and enticing.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCD_Q2624d0

You Turn Me On, I’m A Radio

“I’ve only become hooked on this song recently. I love how tender and open the lyrics are, while simultaneously being quite sassy and a bit tongue in cheek. “I know you don’t like weak women, you get bored so quick. And you don’t like strong women ‘cause they’re hip to your tricks.” Joni’s songwriting celebrates romantic love in a way that never overshadows the importance of a woman knowing her worth and sense of self.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YVroYzNz60

Chelsea Morning

“Many of my favourite songs of all time are songs where the overall tone is: “man, how good is life?!” Chelsea Morning is one of those songs, as it sings of the importance of the little things – “milk and toast and honey and a bowl of oranges too”. It oozes gratitude, and is sonically uplifting too. The message of the song is simple yet so important, and has always been one of hers that I’ve come back to.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWDyA4S-geg

Hejira

“Production-wise, this song is a little different to my other Joni favourites, but I think that’s why I’m so attached to it. It paints her in a different light – a darker, more mysterious light, but still with the same vulnerability and intuitiveness. I adore how this song is just verses, rather than being structured around an impending chorus. I will be forever struck by the line ’there’s comfort in melancholy’. Oh how lucky we are to admire and learn from the greatest songwriter of all time.”