Brandi Carlile Breaks Out Mesmerizing Joni Mitchell Cover In Washington D.C.

Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile has made clear her admiration for legendary singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell on numerous occasions during her career. Carlile took time during her performance last night at The Anthem in Washington D.C. to again pay tribute to Mitchell by performing a rare cover of “Carey.”

Thursday’s concert in D.C. followed Wednesday’s ceremony at the nearby DAR Constitution Hall honoring Elton John and Bernie Taupin who were given the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Carlile and Mitchell, a previous Gershwin Prize winner, performed at the event, with Mitchell delivering a memorable rendition of “I’m Still Standing.” Carlile offered takes on “Madman Across The Water” and “Skyline Pigeon.”

Carlile also played the same pair of Elton John covers during her concert at The Anthem. The tribute to Mitchell came in the middle of the main set, following a performance of Carlile’s original “You And Me On The Rock.” The song, which appeared on Carlile’s 2021 album In These Silent Days, is perhaps the most overtly Mitchell-influenced song written by Carlie.

After playing “You And Me On The Rock,” Carlile addressed the audience at The Anthem, telling those in attendance:

“I don’t if you can hear, but that song is so inspired by our girl Joni, right? In fact, when we first wrote it, we wrote it on a dulcimer. [Tim Hanseroth mimics Mitchell’s dulcimer playing]. Don’t give it away!

“I drove straight up to that house with ‘You And Me On The Rock.’ And I said, ‘Joni, full disclosure: you’ve had such an influence on me these past few years that if I didn’t just go all the way in on one song, I would do it on every song a little bit. So I just wanted to do one very derivative Joni Mitchell song.’ And she goes, ‘OK, kiddo.’

“I played it for [her]. I’ve got like restless leg syndrome. I’m just like legs shaking. I’m watching Joni Mitchell listen to ‘You And Me On The Rock’ and it ends and I don’t know what she’s gonna say, and she just looks at me and she goes, ‘Sounds like a hit!’

“Anyway, I wanted to play these songs back- to-back so you can hear just what an amazing influence powerful Joan has been on this band. And man, she kicked ass last night guys. It was really fun.”

Accompanied by Tim Hanseroth on dulcimer, his twin brother Phil Hanseroth on bass and backing vocals by SistaStrings, watch Brandi Carlile’s performance of “Carey” from Joni Mitchell’s landmark 1971 album, Blue below: