The song will appear on the fourth installment of her Archives series
A demo of Joni Mitchell’s “Traveling (Hejira)” is available digitally ahead of the release of Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980), due out October 4th via Rhino Records.
Vol. 4 culls the previously unissued material from original stereo reels, cassette tapes, CD-Rs, and a radio broadcast. Newly mixed tracks came from multi-track tapes, while a handful of hi-res digital tracks have been sourced from the Bob Dylan Archives.
It stands out as the 12th release by the Joni Mitchell Archives and extends Rhino’s ongoing, Grammy-winning series exploring the vast untapped archives of rare Joni Mitchell recordings — a project guided intimately by Mitchell’s own vision and personal touch. Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) arrives in multiple configurations. It will be available as either a 6 CD/digital version or a 4 LP version, Joni Mitchell Archives – Volume 4 Highlights: The Asylum Years (1976-1980). The 4 LP set also specifically consists of Joni’s personal favorites from the 6 CD version. Each version includes a book with never-before-seen photos and liner notes comprising a deep dive discussion between Mitchell and longtime friend Cameron Crowe. As part of their candid conversation, she shares intimate anecdotes, memories, and stories from that five-year creative run.
This comprehensive and essential set spans one of the most prolific periods of her storied career. It boasts powerful live tracks from her time in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue during the 1975 and 1976 Tour of the United States. It pulls back the curtain on the music by showcasing early recordings and alternate takes from the respective sessions for Hejira, Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, and Mingus. It covers the Bread & Roses Festival as well as the Anti-Nuclear Rally. Finally, Vol. 4 chronicles her 1979 tour, even showcasing two tracks from that year’s Tour Rehearsals. Not to mention, it showcases her versatility and adaptability, housing collaborations with everyone from Herbie Hancock and Jaco Pastorious to Wayne Shorter and Pat Metheny.
