It was 1967 when Joni Mitchell would put pen to paper and sign what would be her first contract with Reprise Records, a label she’d stay with until 1972. Photos have circulated of Joni sitting confidently, slightly slouching a little in a deluxe swivel chair, with three men circling around her. Those three men were Elliot Roberts, her manager, David Crosby, her then-boyfriend and Mo Ostin, a Reprise executive. The photo itself is striking and a foreshadowing of how Joni would wheel and deal for the rest of her career. She looks self-assured, she knows exactly what she’s doing and she also has the guys wrapped around her finger as they gaze lovingly with smiles on their faces toward Joni. If there’s anything Joni Mitchell was, it was in charge. Both with her business as well as her creativity. Joni signing her contract with Reprise Records in 1967 with Elliot, David and Mo standing by. Even on her debut album, there was a sense that she knew the direction she wanted to go into. A much