Joni Mitchell: A Life Story is a lovingly compiled account of the life of one of America's most acclaimed songwriters and performers.

Her story is told from her early years in Canada, through her first failed marriage, through her various friendships and loves, but most of all through her songs.

The documentary spells out the personal sacrifices she felt she had to make for her music - including the early fostering-out of her child. The list of people telling her life's story includes David Crosby, James Taylor and Graham Nash - the most impressive point of the documentary is the absolute high regard she is held in by her peers.

I've never been a Joni Mitchell fan. But this documentary shows that whether I like her or not is beside the point. She is an extraordinary artist. It is fascinating too to see that her music is only one part of her artistic life - her paintings have always been an essential way for her to get to grips with her inner life. And she's a damn good painter at that!

This is a first-rate transfer in widescreen anamorphic format, and the extras augment an already solid package. Here are four songs presented in bonus concert format - Big Yellow Taxi, Amelia, Hejira and Woodstock, along with a photo gallery and discography.

There are nine sound-bites (despite the name, with full vision), where Joni expounds at greater length on topics brought up in the documentary. Finally, there is a promotion for a compendium CD, Travelogue.

All-up, this is a model documentary of its kind, with no faults at all. And a fine audio track of full musical worth supports a great package.