Joni Mitchell honored at Toronto tribute concert

TORONTO, June 20 (UPI) -- Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell was honored for her life and career at a special concert at Massey Hall in Toronto this week.

Rufus Wainwright, Glen Hansard and Kathleen Edwards were among the musicians who covered Mitchell's songs at Tuesday night's 3-hour-long show, "Joni: A Portrait in Song, a Birthday Celebration," the National Post said.

Mitchell, who turns 70 in November, told the crowd she was "deeply honored and very happy" and she praised the artists for their "beautiful and individuated performances of my music."

Although years of illness left her with an "instrument" she said she couldn't control and she hadn't performed in public in more than five years, Mitchell took a chance and sang "Furry Sings the Blues," "Don't Interrupt the Sorrow" and "Woodstock," the Post said.

She also read her new poem, "This Rain, This Rain."