New project is due this fall
Come 1972, Joni Mitchell’s singular songwriting talent and poetic gifts were undeniable. Fresh off the back-to-back Platinum-certified releases of 1970’s Ladies of the Canyon and 1971’s Blue — totemic albums whose artfulness and ubiquity would influence generations of songwriters — Mitchell had grown wary of mounting media scrutiny. Everything from her style choices to romantic partners became the subject of far more gossip column inches than were ever dedicated to the lifestyle minutiae of her male counterparts.
In response, she had pulled back, announcing an early retirement from the stage in 1970 and moving to the quiet expanses of British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. It was a fruitful change of scenery. Inspired by her proximity to nature and refreshed by the peaceful seclusion, she began constructing the songs that would become For The Roses. This respite thrust Mitchell into a remarkably fertile creative period, yielding a run of albums — 1972’s For The Roses, 1974’s Court And Spark, and 1975’s The Hissing Of Summer Lawns — that would simultaneously expand and refine the scope of her music. Her adventurous, intricate arrangements and growing formidability as a bandleader injected these songs with a clarity of purpose, a potent muscularity, and a sense of possibility — it is among the most exciting eras of a near peerless career.
This era comes into even greater focus on Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975), out October 6th on Rhino Records. It’s the latest entry in 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. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975) will be available both in a 5 CD and digital version and a 4 LP cut-down version, both with an accompanying book featuring photos and a conversation about this period between Joni Mitchell and longtime friend Cameron Crowe.
As Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963-1967) — which won a 2022 Grammy Award for Best Historical Album — and Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968-1971) did, Vol. 3 boasts an embarrassment of riches. The collection begins with an early cut of “Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire,” one of two songs (along with “For The Roses”) test-driven during a visit to a Graham Nash and David Crosby recording session at Wally Heider’s in Hollywood.
From there, listeners are treated to early demos and alternate versions from sessions from For The Roses, Court & Spark, and The Hissing Of Summer Lawns; historic live show recordings, including the entirety of Mitchell’s triumphant 1972 return to Carnegie Hall and a definitive gig with her Court And Spark backing band Tom Scott & the LA Express; and tracks from sessions cut alongside James Taylor, Graham Nash, and Neil Young.
Alongside with the announcement, Rhino shares an early demo of Court And Spark’s “Help Me,” a track that would go on to be Joni Mitchell’s biggest ever chart and radio hit. While the official version is assured and sophisticated, this newly unveiled demo shows the song’s rawer, original form.
As she approaches her 80th birthday later this year, Mitchell is reaffirming the vitality and resonance of her music. Last month, she released At Newport, a live album commemorating her incredible comeback performance at the 2022 Newport Folk Festival.
Back in June, Mitchell held her first ticketed performance in over 20 years at a sold out Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, WA.
CD 1:
1. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire [Graham Nash David Crosby Session / Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Dec. 13, 1971]
2. For The Roses [Graham Nash David Crosby Session / Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Dec. 13, 1971]
3. Banquet [For The Roses Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, late 1971 / early 1972]
4. Lesson In Survival [For The Roses Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, late 1971 / early 1972]
5. Like Veils Said Lorraine [For The Roses Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, late 1971 / early 1972]
6. See You Sometime [For The Roses Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, late 1971 / early 1972]
7. This Flight Tonight [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
8. Electricity [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
9. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
10. Big Yellow Taxi [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
11. Blue [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
12. For Free [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
13. Banquet [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
14. All I Want [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
15. Intro to A Case Of You [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
16. A Case Of You [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
17. Intro to Carey [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
18. Carey [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
19. Lesson In Survival [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
20. Woodstock [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
21. Intro to You Turn Me On I’m A Radio [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
22. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
23. Intro to For The Roses [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
24. For The Roses [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
CD 2:
1. Both Sides Now [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
2. My Old Man [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
3. Intro to The Circle Game [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
4. The Circle Game [Live at Carnegie Hall / New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972]
5. Medley: Bony Moronie/Summertime Blues/You Never Can Tell – with James Taylor [For The Roses Early Sessions / Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Apr. 16-21, 1972]
6. Electricity – with James Taylor [For The Roses Early Sessions / Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Apr. 16-21, 1972]
7. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio – with Neil Young & The Stray Gators [For The Roses Early Sessions / Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Apr. 16-21, 1972]
8. See You Sometime (early version with bass & drums) [For The Roses Early Sessions / Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Apr. 16-21, 1972]
9. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio (early version with bass & drums) [For The Roses Early Sessions / Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Apr. 16-21, 1972]
10. Intro to Judgement Of The Moon And Stars (Ludwig’s Tune) [Live at Royal Festival Hall / London, England, May 5, 1972]
11. Judgement Of The Moon And Stars (Ludwig’s Tune) [Live at Royal Festival Hall / London, England, May 5, 1972]
12. Blonde In The Bleachers (alternate guitar mix) [For The Roses Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972]
13. Let The Wind Carry Me (piano/vocal mix) [For The Roses Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972]
14. Barangrill (guitar/vocal mix) [For The Roses Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972]
15. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire (sax guide vocal) [For The Roses Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972]
16. Sunrise Raga [For The Roses Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972]
17. Twisted (early alternate version) [For The Roses Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972]
18. Intro to Big Yellow Taxi [James Bay Benefit Concert / Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Apr. 15, 1973]
19. Big Yellow Taxi [James Bay Benefit Concert / Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Apr. 15, 1973]
CD 3:
1. Piano Suite: Down To You / Court And Spark / Car On A Hill / Down To You [Court And Spark Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973]
2. People’s Parties [Court And Spark Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973]
3. Help Me [Court And Spark Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973]
4. Just LIke This Train [Court And Spark Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973]
5. Raised On Robbery [Court And Spark Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973]
6. Trouble Child [Court And Spark Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973]
7. Raised On Robbery (early working version) [Wild Tales [Graham Nash] Session / Rudy Records Studios, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 25, 1973]
8. Raised On Robbery – with Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers [Wild Tales [Graham Nash] Session / Rudy Records Studios, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 25, 1973]
9. People’s Parties (early alternate take) [Court And Spark Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973]
10. Trouble Child (early alternate take) [Court And Spark Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973]
11. Car On A Hill (early alternate take) [Court And Spark Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973]
12. Down To You (alternate version) [Court And Spark Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973]
13. The Same Situation (alt vocal/piano mix) [Court And Spark Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973]
14. Bonderia [Court And Spark Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973]
15. Introduction [Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974]
16. This Flight Tonight – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express [Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974]
17. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express [Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974]
18. Free Man In Paris – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express [Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974]
19. The Same Situation – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express [Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974]
20. Just Like This Train – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express [Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974]
CD 4: Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion / Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974 continued
1. Rainy Night House – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
2. Woodstock – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
3. Cactus Tree
4. Big Yellow Taxi
5. Intro to People’s Parties
6. People’s Parties
7. All I Want
8. A Case Of You
9. Intro to For The Roses
10. For The Roses
11. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire – with Tom Scott
12. Blue
13. For Free – with Tom Scott
14. Trouble Child – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
15. Help Me – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
16. Car On A Hill – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
CD 5:
1. Intro to Jericho [Live at New Victoria Theatre / London, England, Apr. 22, 1974]
2. Jericho [Live at New Victoria Theatre / London, England, Apr. 22, 1974]
3. Woman Of Heart And Mind [Live at Wembley Stadium / London, England, Sep. 14, 1974]
4. In France They Kiss On Main Street [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
5. Edith And The Kingpin [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
6. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
7. Shades Of Scarlet Conquering [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
8. The Boho Dance [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
9. Harry’s House [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
10. Dreamland [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
11. In France They Kiss On Main Street (alternate version) [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
12. The Jungle Line (guitar/alternate vocal) [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
13. Edith And The Kingpin (alternate version) [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
14. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow (alternate version) [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
15. Shades Of Scarlet Conquering (alternate version) [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
16. The Boho Dance (alternate version) [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
17. Dreamland (early alternate band version) [The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions / A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
