"Buddy Holly and the early rock 'n' roll was no lighter than the way I play. It's very minimal"

Joni Mitchell is describing her own design of playing music in this quote. She is comparing her own design to that of Buddy Holly and early rock 'n' roll. She is stating that her style is just as minimal as the early rock 'n' roll. This suggests that she is not attempting to overcomplicate her music, but rather keep it simple and minimal. This is likely a reflection of her own musical choices, as she is known for her folk-style music. She is also likely attempting to emphasize the value of simpleness in music, and how it can be simply as effective as more intricate music. By comparing her own design to that of Buddy Holly and early rock 'n' roll, she is showing that her music is just as legitimate and important as the music of the past.