Published 2024-09-15 06:00
Throughout the latter half of the 70's, Joni Mitchell continued to creatively break ground with her fearless and fluid exploration of jazz. Rather than tread the same path, she challenged and reinvented her style with a folk fusion like no other. Ascending to an unrivaled sonic peak, this innovative sound took shape across "Hejira" in 1976, the double album "Don Juan's Reckless Daughter" in 1977, her collaboration with Charles Mingus entitled "Mingus" in 1979, and live double album "Shadows & Light" in 1980.
Channeling the thrill and excitement of these records, she delves even further into this season on "The Joni Mitchell Archives Volume 4 : The Asylum Years 1976-1980", due October 4th, 2024. Available as a 6 CD set, 4 LP set, featuring Joni's personal favorites from the 6 CD set, and digitally, this comprehensive and essential set spans one of the most prolific periods of her storied career. It boasts powerful live tracks from her time in Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue during 1975 and 1976 tour of the US. It pulls back the curtain on the music by showcasing early recordings and alternate takes from the respective sessions for the 3 studio albums. It covers the Bread & Roses Festival, as well as the Anti Nuclear Rally. Finally, the new volume chronicles her 1979 tour, even showcasing 2 tracks from that year’s tour rehearsals. Not to mention, it showcases her versatility and adaptability, housing collaborations with everyone from Herbie Hancock and Jaco Pastorious to Wayne Shorter and Pat Metheny.
"Volume 4" culls the previously unissued material from original stereo reels, cassette tapes, CDR's, and even a radio broadcast. Newly mixed tracks came from multi track tapes, while a handful of hi-res digital tracks have been sourced from the Bob Dylan Archives.
Each version includes a book with never before seen photos and liner notes comprising a deep dive discussion between Mitchell and longtime friend Cameron Crowe. As part of their candid conversation, she shares intimate anecdotes, memories, and stories from that 5 year creative run.