Joni Mitchell Archives
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Joni Mitchell Archives is an ongoing project to release previously unreleased recorded material by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. So far, each new release schedule consists of a box set collection, a compilation with material on the box set release, and a live album. The project is being overseen by Mitchell and Patrick Milligan, director of A&R for Rhino Records, the label through which the project's offerings are being released.[1] The first release also received input from Neil Young, who had experience with the release of his own extensive archival series, and Mitchell and Young's late manager Elliot Roberts, who died during the process of planning the first box set, and to whom the release is dedicated.[2]
The project's logo prominently features a polar bear, a visual allusion to the traditional Saulteaux name bestowed upon Mitchell by a childhood friend at her seventy-fifth birthday party.[3] Kāwāsapizit-Wābiski-Makawko-Ikwē – the name granted and recognized by the Yellow Quill First Nation – translates to 'Sparkling White Bear Woman' in English.[3]
Unreleased material
Volume 1: The Early Years (1963–1967)
The first volume of unreleased archived material, Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963–1967), was released on October 30, 2020.[4] The five-disc box set includes the archived material that was recorded in the years preceding the release of Mitchell's debut studio album, Song to a Seagull (1968).[5][6] The box set also includes a booklet with liner notes featuring conversations about the time period between writer/filmmaker Cameron Crowe and Mitchell.[7]
Volume 2: The Reprise Years (1968–1971)
The second volume of unreleased archived material, Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968–1971), was released November 12, 2021.[8][9] The box set consists of the archived material that was recorded during Mitchell's tenure at Reprise Records, which includes the years between the release of her debut studio album, Song to a Seagull (1968) and her fourth studio album, Blue (1971).[10] The set is available in multiple formats, including as a five-disc CD set and, exclusive to the official Joni Mitchell web store, a limited edition 10-LP vinyl set.[9] Like the first set, the second volume also includes a booklet with liner notes featuring conversations about the time period between Cameron Crowe and Mitchell.[9]
Volume 3: The Asylum Years (1972–1975)
The third volume of unreleased material, Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972–1975), was released on October 6, 2023. The box set consists of the archived material that was recorded during the first half of Mitchell's tenure at Asylum Records, which includes the years between the release of her fifth studio album, For the Roses (1972) and her seventh studio album, The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975).[11][12]
Volume 4: The Asylum Years (1976–1980)
The fourth volume of unreleased material, Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 4: The Asylum Years (1976–1980), was released on October 4, 2024.[13] he box set consists of the archived material that was recorded during the second half of Mitchell's tenure at Asylum Records, which includes the years between the release of her eighth studio album, Hejira (1976) and her second live album, Shadows and Light (1980).
Album remasters
The Reprise Albums (1968–1971)
The first volume of album remasters, The Reprise Albums (1968–1971), was released on July 2, 2021, by Rhino Records.[14][15][16] The box set includes Mitchell's first four albums, all of which were released on Reprise Records: Song to a Seagull (1968), Clouds (1969), Ladies of the Canyon (1970), and Blue (1971).[15][16] In the case of Song To A Seagull, the original mix has been recently updated by mixer Matt Lee, overseen by Mitchell. The box includes an essay by Brandi Carlile.[14]
The Asylum Albums (1972–1975)
The second volume of album remasters, The Asylum Albums (1972–1975), was released on September 23, 2022, by Rhino Records.[17][18] The box set includes Mitchell's first four albums released on Asylum Records: For the Roses (1972), Court and Spark (1974), Miles of Aisles (1974), and The Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975).[17][18]
The Asylum Albums (1976–1980)
The third volume of album remasters, The Asylum Albums (1976–1980), was released on June 21, 2024, by Rhino Records.[19][20][21] The box set includes the latter half of Mitchell's albums released on Asylum Records: Hejira (1976), Don Juan's Reckless Daughter (1977), Mingus (1979), and Shadows and Light (1980).[19][20][21]
