When I met Joni, I waited for my time to speak because she speaks so much... she was telling a story about how the Hopi people of Arizona had gifted her a particular part of her wardrobe.... she paused just long enough for me to say "Joni, I never ask people for this, but your music means so much to my family... could we take a picture?" and she said "of course, come on in..." and as I sat down she said "well, you'd better hug me because you might not get another chance..." and I put my arm around her and then she pressed her cheek up against mine and we had a moment... hard to explain, but all that so say... Joni's music kind of sacred to me, and when people cover it, mostly it's annoying because it's so inferior, but THIS... THIS IS SPECIAL. Go forth into the world and make good, as she has done.

@willstorm8331

4 жыл бұрын

Even a bad attempt when done with love joins one to another. But singing quietly might be appropriate when you just cannot hit the note.

@debmurray2734

4 жыл бұрын

@Morgan Childs What a story! What an experience! I have been a Joni worshipper for more than 40 years. For me, Madison Cunningham ushers in a new generation of Joni calibre talent. I have been gobbling up everything I can find of Madison's to listen to. She does Joni proud with this cover.

@hullaballoo9703

4 жыл бұрын

CLANG

@DaveElke

3 жыл бұрын

Beautiful story. I believe she will!

@prez90

3 жыл бұрын

And she was just waiting for your permission. Dickhead

the way you transition between vocal registers is SO Joni-esque! Absolutely perfect cover.

@mollymason9182

5 жыл бұрын

Agreed, so similar to Joni. She definitely did this song justice!!

That's not a cover, that's a remarkable facsimile.

I've never heard anyone do justice to Joni like this. Gorgeous playing and singing.

The fact that you play the entire song with your eyes closed says everything. Thank you for this version.

For me, Joni Mitchell is usually 'don't go there' territory for cover versions, but this is beautiful.

Wow. This is like a 99th percentile degree of difficulty vocal to cover, and totally nailed it. Amazing.

You were meant to cover Joni!! SO Beautiful!

Someone who can actually cover Joni Mitchell correctly is about as rare as it gets.

@cannonball666

11 ай бұрын

The guitar isn't played like a dulcimer and it doesn't sound close to the original at all.

Madison, as someone who has listened to this song hundreds of times, that was a superb performance!

I swear you were born to sing Joni Mitchell... What a beautiful cover! Especially the notes in the higher register, so lovely. Can't wait to see Madison live again (I'm seeing her in October with Lake Street Dive!).

The similarities between Maddison’s voice and Joni’s is apparent in many of her songs but this is jaw dropping.

@jamesbyrne9312

9 ай бұрын

We often model ourselves on our hero's

Joni’s music legacy is staggering. You have honored her with this cover. Splendid from beginning to end. Well done!!

Madison studied that song for sure still she brings something personal to it. Holy macaroni!

Beautiful job, Madison! *I’m a 67 yr old super “Joni purest” and you performed that with incredible respect and accuracy. ❤️💐 I hit your subscribe button. Really enjoyed your performance. Best to you, dear!!!

I am thinking that every 60 years a person comes out with a talent that equates to another talent that is fading with time. That does mean that we may see another Jimi, Janis, Michael , or such wonder of music come alive again. HOPE breeds eternal .......peace

Thank you. Your respect for this brings tears to my eyes. Wonderful what genuine talent and musicianship can do. No buzz-saw auto-tune. No sampled rip's of the original. Just pure talent.

@MrDrewseph

Жыл бұрын

Well spoken, sir

Didn’t know I needed this song 🙌 stunning

My favorite of your covers so far (and you've done a lot of really good ones)!

absolutely brilliant! ❤ love it

Absolutely Perfect!!

Saw on your story you sang this at your concert, so happy you posted it! Thank you :)

Chills!

Just beautiful!

I've goosebumps! That was quite outstanding. Bravo!

Outstanding! I just found you today and I am IN LOVE with your musical talents and passion!

Fantastic job!!!

Of course Madison does a beautiful job on this song, or, any song, because she is . . well . . Madison. A unique and inspired and gifted talent of our time.

This is so amazing. Truly grateful to have stumbled this one. 🥺✨ Mad respect to do a Joni song, and especially so well. ✌️

Goosebumps, that was fantastic.

This is by far one of the best covers of this song I've heard. You did it justice.

outstanding work! thanks

LOVE IT!

Absolutely lovely!

Lovely !

I keep returning to this fantastic cover

Beautiful !!

Omg this is amazing

Perfect!

amazing amazing amazing!

Beautiful, Madison!!

What a wonderful rendition of a great Joni tune!

I'm in awe

Such a great rendition! ...and you have and amazing voice :)

One of her songs recommended on my Amazon Music...wow, never heard of her until then, but what a talent.

BEAUTIFULLY DONE

Wow!!!! Phenomenal. Your voice is incredible

Incredible. One of the best covers I’ve ever heard. You captured Joni’s spirit beautifully.

Absolutely enchanting!

Brilliant! You’re fabulous!

that breathy falsetto... perfect

Madison, you ROCK

Perfection. WOW!

Stunning

Remarkable -- captured everything I love about the original, and added some things too! Can't wait to hear more from you!!

True talent. Keep em comin Madison. Your truly one of a kind.

you make it look so easy... you do it so naturally! Very, very good!

Wow! Perfect.

Soul! Well done!

Great cover! Surprising hits in the voice

Such a fantastic cover. Thank you for sharing!

YOU HAVE THAT JONI SOUND!!!! KEEP ON KEEPIN!!! Joni should hear this!!!

i love when you make the guitar sound like the dulcimer! so creative and pretty!! this song is so difficult to sing but it sounds like it comes naturally to you!

Beautiful! Bellisima ❤ You sound JUST like Joni! Vocals and all!

Amazing rendition!

Completely and utterly captivating. You’re a true maestro, Madison!

Outstanding 👏👏

needed this today

Sublime

Fabuloso!

Best cover of this beautiful and iconic song! Your voice is simply lovely.

Incredible rendition.

Your voice is just so beautiful.

Amazing! You are very talented. Respecting Joni in this cover!

Totally did this justice ! Bravo

Amazing cover. Great job!

Incredible.

Just perfect. truly JLG

This deserves more views!

a smile is born on my face

I really like her guitar playing, so smooth

Omg, I was not expecting that! Absolutely my favourite female composer/singer/guitarist and she did it perfectly. It sounds and feels Joni, yet fresh.

so beautiful....I love the tenor of your voice...

Amazing Madison, you bring back memories of Woodstock and a young Joni Mitchell!

the vocals are insane, brava!

Well Done A great rendition of California

This is an incredible cover of an incredible song

How could you dislike this?

Brilliant performance!

Wow beautiful cover! Sounds just her ❤❤

Really great - and that’s something I rarely say when people cover Joni Mitchell songs 👍👍

Holy Smoke! Wow!

Wow! nice acoustic guitar sounds and awesome singing too…I’m impressed! good job

lovely. absolutely.

thank you Madison!

This vocal impression is nearly perfect. As others may ask of Joni's open guitar tuning, she originally performed this on a Dulcimer, played in her lap. *[Search and see the original live version by her.] I wonder how many of the younger generations today, had never seen Joni Michel performing live, back in those days. I was like many, mezmerized, to witness her up close playing live in 1979, on her Shadows and Light tour, with The Pat Metheny Group backing her, and I photographed her up close. Some of those photo images are in my site.

Not surprised to see this; Madison reminded me of Joni from the first time I heard her :)

Madison, your singing is faithful to Joni's melody and phrasing. But the voice is yours. The voice is yours. Masterful.

Omg! I was wondering what covers of this song there would be, and just before searching i thought.. Maddison Cunningham would do a great cover of this song. Absolutely beautiful!

Pure talent. After some research I realize her guitar work and songwriting skills are exceptional. Well worth subscribing to, and watching live if you can.