New Joni Mitchell 'Archives' Release

Aug 17, 2023

Greg Mitchell is the author of a dozen books, writer/director of three films since 2021 (all airing on PBS), and longtime executive editor of the legendary Crawdaddy, 1971-1979.

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It seems like just yesterday that I previewed Joni Mitchell’s live-at-Newport set, and already she (or her biz folks) are out with the latest edition of music from her “archives.” We’re not past Blue and on to the demos and outtakes and alt-versions (and live cuts from the period) for the three albums that followed, including commercial breakthrough Court and Spark.

It’s titled Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975), which is out October 6 via Rhino. In 5 CD and 4 vinyl versions. Includes full 1972 concert at Carnegie Hall, which I attended. From the publicist’s email to me this morning:

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.