Joni Mitchell's health in hospital is subject of conflicting reports

Joni Mitchell plays a guitar presented to her by guitar makers Robin and Claude Boucher (not shown) at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala in Toronto, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007. (Aaron Harris / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

LOS ANGELES -- The health of singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell has been the subject of conflicting information, with her website stating she is alert and expected to make a full recovery but a longtime friend saying in a court filing that she was unconscious and unable to care for herself.

The Grammy winner, 71, has been hospitalized since March 31 for undisclosed reasons. Her friend Leslie Morris filed a petition to become Mitchell's guardian on Tuesday, saying the singer-songwriter was unable to care for herself.

Within hours, Mitchell's official website said, "She comprehends, she's alert and she has her full senses. A full recovery is expected."

Morris' filing was accompanied by a doctor's declaration that Mitchell would be unable to attend a court hearing for four to six months, but it included no additional details on her condition or prognosis. Dr. Paul Vespa checked a box signed Saturday indicating that Mitchell was unable to participate in her medical care.

"At this time (Mitchell) remains unconscious and unable to make any responses, and is therefore unable to provide for any of her personal needs," according to the filing.

Morris sought a court order because Mitchell does not have any family who can serve as her conservator and assist with her care and medical decisions. The filing does not seek control over Mitchell's finances.

Mitchell's website says Morris' filing seeks authority to make decisions for the singer once she leaves the hospital and isn't under the 24-hour care of a doctor. A court hearing is scheduled for July 8.

Morris and her attorney, Alan Watenmaker, did not return phone messages.

Mitchell has received eight Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 2002. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

She started her career as a street musician in her native Canada before moving to Southern California, where she became part of the flourishing folk scene in the late 1960s. Her second album, "Clouds," was a breakthrough with such songs as "Both Sides Now" and "Chelsea Morning," winning Mitchell the Grammy for best folk performance.

Her 1970 album, "Ladies of the Canyon," featured the hit single "Big Yellow Taxi" and the era-defining "Woodstock." The following year, she released "Blue," which ranks 30th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."

Her musical style integrates folk and jazz elements, and she counts jazz giants Charles Mingus and Pat Metheny among her past collaborators.