I can honestly say that Joni Mitchell's songs changed my life. Hearing one of her songs made me decide that I was missing too much good new material living on the East Coast, and made me decide to move up to live in London.

Down the London Troubadour one Saturday night in 1968, Canadian singer Shelley Posen sang "Marcie" and it just plain knocked me sideways. Brilliant lyrics, an interesting melody and a guitar accompaniment in open G that opened up new harmonic possibilities. Shelley was long-suffering enough to spend time in the Troub's back room teaching me the accompaniment, including the "over the top" Bflat chord. The next Monday, back home on the Essex coast, I ordered "Song to a Seagull" as an import and waited with bated breath for it to be delivered.

When it came, it was no disappointment, except, perhaps, that some of the songs were too personal and demonstrably from a female perspective, which made it awkward for a male singer. Then I discovered Tom Rush and "Circle Game", and that was another milestone, as was Judy Collins "Both Sides Now".

I only saw Joni live twice, much to my regret, but, almost forty years on, I still sing "Marcie", "Both Sides Now" "Circle Game", "Urge for Going", "Morning Morgantown", "Amelia", "Big Yellow Taxi" and "Nathan la Franeer".

She lost me somewhat during her more avant garde period (let's face it, I couldn't get my voice and limited guitar ability round most of her songs from "Mingus" on), but I have most of her albums.

A very clever and talented lady who has given me more pleasure from her music than anyone else I can think of. I understand that she is giving up touring, which is a shame, but if she comes to the UK, I would like to think I could get to see her one last time.

Alan