Rating Joni Mitchell

Robert Hilburn’s Feb. 24 article “Out of the Canyon” implies that because singer Joni Mitchell’s work in the ‘80s was not “Top 20,” it was somehow disappointing or less noteworthy than her earlier work. Since when does the most important music get the most radio air time or sell the most albums?

Mitchell beat Paul Simon and Sting by a decade. If her new album is “more in sync with the times,” let’s hope it’s because the critics have finally caught up with her genius and honesty.

PAULA PONSETTO

West Hollywood