Archives Vol. 3 – The Asylum Years (1972-1975): Limited 4LP Box Set Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975) is 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 as a 4 LP with an accompanying book featuring photos and a conversation about this period between Joni Mitchell and longtime friend Cameron Crowe.

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.

Tracklist

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)