Joni Mitchell is undisputedly one of the best songwriters of all time, right up there with Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder.
A unique individual, while Mitchell is historically recognized as a Folk artist, she has also blended various styles into her music through the decades, from Rock and Pop to Jazz. Also defined by a very unconventional approach, her lyrics are natural poetry, while her voice is as distinctive as any. As someone known as a multi-instrumentalist (playing both piano and guitar regularly), Mitchell not only wrote and performed countless songs but also produced or co-produced each of her nineteen studio albums and designed their artwork.
Simply an astounding talent, Mitchell has rightfully received tons of awards, is a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1997, and most recently, in 2023, was given the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. Securing her place in history, while Mitchell has unfortunately battled health issues over the last decade, she did indeed return to live performances in 2022. Exciting for fans of all ages, her special performance at the Newport Folk Festival on July 24, 2022, was even made into a 2023 released live album called Joni Mitchell at Newport. Topping charts, the album even won Mitchell the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album in 2024.
Recently turning eighty-one years old back in November, more of Mitchell’s recording history is seeing the light of day. Briefly recapping recent releases, in the summer of 2021, Rhino Records began the release of achieved Mitchell recordings in what was called Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963–1967): Highlights. From here, they put out Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968–1971) in October 2021 and Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972–1975) in October 2023. Offering listeners a massive amount of unreleased material, now we have Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980).
The latest collection, released on October 4, 2024, is available either digitally, as a six-CD set, or as a four-LP set. The perfect next step after volumes one through three; if you have heard those, you know that you can hear the changes in Mitchell’s music through the years. With that in mind, the years 1976 through 1980 also showcase further progression.
A massive seven hours of music, nearly one hundred unreleased recordings, Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) includes tons of rare live recordings, unreleased Studio Sessions, rarities, and alternate versions of songs everyone knows and loves. Giving you insight into this period in Mitchell’s creative journey, the live recordings sound marvelous, while the studio sessions make you feel like you are in the room with Mitchell as she works through concepts.
Furthermore, it is important to note that these records are all sourced from original stereo reels, Nagra Film Recordings, multi-track tapes, radio airchecks, and cassette tapes because you can feel the warmth. Packaged in a lovely box (if you purchase the CD set), you also get a 36-page book with unpublished photos, plus an interesting, in-depth conversation between Mitchell and famed Journalist/Filmmaker Cameron Crowe.
When all is said and done, Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) presents thoughtful insight into Mitchell’s world. Already a highly personal, intimate performer, the recordings included in this new set only make Joni Mitchell’s craft that much more compelling. That is why Cryptic Rock gives Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976-1980) 5 out of 5 stars.
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