Joni Mitchell Details ARCHIVES VOL. 3: THE ASYLUM YEARS (1972-1975)
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 6, 2023 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 5CD / digital version and a 4LP cut-down version, both with an accompanying book featuring photos and a conversation about this period between Joni Mitchell and longtime friend Cameron Crowe.
Pre-orders are available at jonimitchell.com and here: https://JM.lnk.to/JMAVol3
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 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 L.A. Express; and tracks from sessions cut alongside James Taylor, Graham Nash, and Neil Young.
Alongside today’s 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.
Listen to “Help Me” (demo) here.
As she approaches her 80th birthday later this year, Joni 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. Pitchfork described it as “a joyous surprise, a moment of wonder,” while NPR Music says it “[shows] Mitchell's legacy in action and how younger generations of musicians carry forth her spirit of imagination and fearless reconfiguration.”
Back in June, Mitchell held her first ticketed performance in over 20 years at a sold-out Gorge Amphitheatre in Quincy, WA. Rolling Stone called it “The triumph of the human spirit we all desperately craved…a powerful celebration of Mitchell’s life and resiliency."
Released on Sept 29: Four studio albums on 180 gram black vinyl, available now at jonimitchell.com.
From The Reprise Albums:
Ladies Of The Canyon (1970)
From The Asylum Albums:
Court and Spark (1974)
Miles Of Aisles (1974) (2LP Live)
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (1975)
JONI MITCHELL ARCHIVES VOL. 3: THE ASYLUM YEARS (1972 TO 1975)
Full Track Listing
CD One:
Graham Nash David Crosby Session
Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Dec. 13, 1971
1. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire
2. For The Roses
For The Roses Demos
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, late 1971 / early 1972
3. Banquet
4. Lesson In Survival
5. Like Veils Said Lorraine
6. See You Sometime
Live at Carnegie Hall
New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972
7. This Flight Tonight
8. Electricity
9. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire
10. Big Yellow Taxi
11. Blue
12. For Free
13. Banquet
14. All I Want
15. Intro to A Case Of You
16. A Case Of You
17. Intro to Carey
18. Carey
19. Lesson In Survival
20. Woodstock
21. Intro to You Turn Me On I’m A Radio
22. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio
23. Intro to For The Roses
24. For The Roses
CD Two:
Live at Carnegie Hall [cont.]
New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972
1. Both Sides Now
2. My Old Man
3. Intro to The Circle Game
4. The Circle Game
For The Roses Early Sessions
Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Apr. 16-21, 1972
5. Medley: Bony Moronie/Summertime Blues/You Never Can Tell - with James Taylor
6. Electricity - with James Taylor
7. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio - with Neil Young & The Stray Gators
8. See You Sometime (early version with bass & drums)
9. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio (early version with bass & drums)
Live at Royal Festival Hall
London, England, May 5, 1972
10. Intro to Judgement Of The Moon And Stars (Ludwig’s Tune)
11. Judgement Of The Moon And Stars (Ludwig’s Tune)
For The Roses Sessions
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972
12. Blonde In The Bleachers (alternate guitar mix)
13. Let The Wind Carry Me (piano/vocal mix)
14. Barangrill (guitar/vocal mix)
15. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire (sax guide vocal)
16. Sunrise Raga
17. Twisted (early alternate version)
James Bay Benefit Concert
Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Apr. 15, 1973
18. Intro to Big Yellow Taxi
19. Big Yellow Taxi
CD Three:
Court And Spark Demos
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973
1. Piano Suite:
a. Down To You
b. Court And Spark
c. Car On A Hill
d. Down To You
2. People’s Parties
3. Help Me
4. Just LIke This Train
5. Raised On Robbery
6. Trouble Child
Wild Tales [Graham Nash] Session
Rudy Records Studios, San Francisco, CA, Aug. 25, 1973
7. Raised On Robbery (early working version)
8. Raised On Robbery – with Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers
Court And Spark Sessions
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973
9. People’s Parties (early alternate take)
10. Trouble Child (early alternate take)
11. Car On A Hill (early alternate take)
12. Down To You (alternate version)
13. The Same Situation (alt vocal/piano mix)
14. Bonderia
Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974
15. Introduction
16. This Flight Tonight – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
17. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
18. Free Man In Paris – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
19. The Same Situation – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
20. Just Like This Train – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
CD Four:
Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion [cont.]
Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974
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 Five:
Live at New Victoria Theatre
London, England, Apr. 22, 1974
1. Intro to Jericho
2. Jericho
Live at Wembley Stadium
London, England, Sep. 14, 1974
3. Woman Of Heart And Mind
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975
4. In France They Kiss On Main Street
5. Edith And The Kingpin
6. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow
7. Shades Of Scarlet Conquering
8. The Boho Dance
9. Harry’s House
10. Dreamland
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975
11. In France They Kiss On Main Street (alternate version)
12. The Jungle Line (guitar/alternate vocal)
13. Edith And The Kingpin (alternate version)
14. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow (alternate version)
15. Shades Of Scarlet Conquering (alternate version)
16. The Boho Dance (alternate version)
17. Dreamland (early alternate band version)
JONI MITCHELL ARCHIVES VOL. 3: THE ASYLUM YEARS (1972 TO 1975)
4LP Track Listing
Side One:
Graham Nash David Crosby Session
Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Dec. 13, 1971
1. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire
For The Roses Demos
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, late 1971/early 1972
2. Like Veils Said Lorraine
For The Roses Early Sessions
Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Apr. 16-21, 1972
3. Medley: Bony Moronie/Summertime Blues/You Never Can Tell - with James Taylor
4. You Turn Me On I’m A Radio - with Neil Young & The Stray Gators
5. See You Sometime (early version with bass & drums)
Side Two:
Live at Carnegie Hall
New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972
1. This Flight Tonight
2. Electricity
3. Lesson In Survival
4. Blue
5. Banquet
6. Intro to For The Roses
7. For The Roses
Side Three:
Live at Royal Festival Hall
London, England, May 5, 1972
1. Intro to Judgement Of The Moon And Stars (Ludwig’s Tune)
2. Judgement Of The Moon And Stars (Ludwig’s Tune)
For The Roses Sessions
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug, 1972
3. Blonde In The Bleachers (alternate guitar mix)
4. Barangrill (guitar/vocal mix)
5. Sunrise Raga [3:41]
6. Twisted (early alternate version)
Side Four:
Court And Spark Demos
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973
1. Piano Suite:
a. Down To You
b. Court And Spark
c. Car On A Hill
d. Down To You
2. Help Me
Side Five:
Tonight’s The Night [Neil Young] Session
S.I.R., Hollywood, CA, Aug. 26, 1973
1. Raised On Robbery – with Neil Young & The Santa Monica Flyers
Court And Spark Sessions
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sep.-Oct., 1973
2. People’s Parties (early alternate take)
3. Trouble child (early alternate take)
4. Car On A Hill (early alternate take)
5. Bonderia
Side Six:
Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Los Angeles, CA, Mar. 3, 1974
1. Introduction
2. Free Man In Paris – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
3. The Same Situation – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
4. Just Like This Train – with Tom Scott & The L.A. Express
Live at New Victoria Theatre
London, England, Apr. 22, 1974
5. Intro to Jericho
6. Jericho
Live at Wembley Stadium
London, England, Sep. 14, 1974
7. Woman Of Heart And Mind
Side Seven:
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Demos
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975
1. In France They Kiss On Main Street
2. Edith And The Kingpin
3. Don’t Interrupt The Sorrow
4. Harry’s House
Side Eight:
The Hissing Of Summer Lawns Sessions
A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975
1. The Jungle Line (guitar/alternate vocal)
2. Shades Of Scarlet Conquering (alternate version)
3. The Boho Dance (alternate version)
4. Dreamland (early alternate band version)
