“Records can be a bad trip. The audiÂence can play your misÂtakes over and over. In a teleÂviÂsion speÂcial they see you once and you work hard to make sure they’re seeÂing you at your best.”
It’s hard to imagÂine anyÂone blessed with Mama Cass’ goldÂen pipes being embarÂrassed by a recordÂed perÂforÂmance. A live gig, yes, though, celebriÂties of her era were subÂjectÂed to far fewÂer witÂnessÂes.
The InterÂnet was an undreamÂable litÂtle dream in 1969, when the sole episode of The Mama Cass TeleÂviÂsion Show aired. The forÂmer singer of the Mamas and the Papas died five years latÂer, preÂsumÂably unaware that future genÂerÂaÂtions would have knowlÂedge of, let alone access to, her failed pilot.
She may have described her variÂety show as “low key” to the FreÂmont, CalÂiÂforÂnia Argus, but the guest list was padded with high wattage friends, includÂing comeÂdiÂan BudÂdy HackÂett, and singers Mary TraÂvers and John SebasÂtÂian. Joni Mitchell, above, delivÂered an above-reproach perÂforÂmance of “Both Sides Now.”
LatÂer, Mitchell and TraÂvers joined their hostÂess for the heartÂfelt renÂdiÂtion of “I Shall Be Released” below, a perÂforÂmance that is only slightÂly marred by Elliot’s insane cosÂtume and an unnecÂesÂsarÂiÂly syrupy backÂing arrangeÂment of strings and reeds.
Those who can’t live withÂout seeÂing the comÂplete show can purÂchase DVDs online.
RelatÂed ConÂtent:
VinÂtage Video of Joni Mitchell PerÂformÂing in 1965 — Before She Was Even Named Joni Mitchell
James TayÂlor and Joni Mitchell, Live and TogethÂer (1970)
Ayun HalÂlÂiÂday is an author, illusÂtraÂtor, theÂater makÂer and Chief PriÂmaÂtolÂoÂgist of the East VilÂlage Inky zine. She’ll is appearÂing onstage in New York City through June 26 in Paul David Young’s politÂiÂcal satire, Faust 3. FolÂlow her @AyunHalliday.
