Joni Mitchell – Songs of a Prairie Girl

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Joni Mitchell brought the world classic hits from ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ to ‘Help Me’, and she brought the people of Saskatchewan ‘Songs of a Prairie Girl‘ a whole album of songs with references to Saskatchewan to help celebrate their centennial in 2005.

Legendary Grammy Award-winning folk/pop artist Joni Mitchell was born in Fort McCloud Alberta, but raised in Saskatoon, where her family moved when she was nine years old. As a teen she preformed with a ukelele she bought for $36 (she couldn’t afford a guitar) for friends up at northern lakes, like Lake Waskesiu. Her first paid performance was at a local Sasktoon coffee house called the Luis Real.  The coffee house was at 725 Broadway in Saskatoon. It’s now a restaurant called Calories.

Getting experience in Saskatchewan even had her filling in as a replacement for a late-night moose-hunting show once in Prince Alberta. Her roots are reflected in many of her songs. She told Canada AM: “You carry your childhood with you regardless of who you are…Saskatchewan is in my veins.” To check out up-and-coming prairie talent, take in the annual Regina Folk Festival, featuring music, art, workshops, and children’s art’s and crafts.