Joni Mitchell - Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975) (2023) (CD-Rip)

Joni Mitchell's ongoing Archives series has been an overwhelming success and the third volume somehow manages to outdo its predecessors. Where Volume 1 gave a raw, warts-and-all look at a developing talent wrestling with her creative identity and Volume 2 showed that talent operating at an astonishingly high level, Volume 3 documents Mitchell's transition from a truly gifted artist pushing the boundaries of the rock-culture zeitgeist into a mad genius staking her own sonic territories. This set, probably more than any other that has been or will be part of this series, is dynamic and revelatory, like pulling back the curtain on the Wizard of Oz and finding an actual wizard doing real wizardry. While Vol. 3 falls short of giving blow-by-blow documentation of the incredible studio-as-an-instrument work Mitchell did to transform For the Roses, Court and Spark, and—most triumphantly—The Hissing of Summer Lawns from jazz-inflected pop-folk records into towering artistic statements (most of the songs here are presented in either spare embryonic versions or funky, recalibrated live takes, with little middle ground).

This volume repeatedly demonstrates Mitchell's unerring gift for songwriting that is singular and superlative, as well as her willingness to build sonic scaffolding for those songs that is as complementary as it is challenging. The results are often just as impactful in their simplest renditions (a live acoustic version of "This Flight Tonight" loses the electric filigree and multi-tracked harmony vocals but still can stop traffic), and there are real revelations in the early and alternate versions of these well-known album tracks. In fact, most of these early versions would have made excellent album tracks. "See You Sometime" especially benefits from a loose, swinging airiness that's replaced with a denser arrangement on For the Roses, a streamlined, acoustic demo of "Raised on Robbery" is missing the full-band energy of the final version, but employs some wild background vocals that give the number an entirely different vibe, and a demo of "Help Me"—just Mitchell and a guitar—is breathtaking in its elegance. Despite the strengths of these more straight-ahead versions, Mitchell was clearly going to be dissatisfied with releasing them in forms that were merely "really good," when—with more work in the studio and the multi-track editing suite—they would be transformed into work that was "truly great." © Jason Ferguson/Qobuz

Tracklist
Disc: 1
1 Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire (Graham Nash David Crosby Session, Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Dec. 13, 1971)
2 For the Roses (Graham Nash David Crosby Session, Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Dec. 13, 1971)
3 Banquet (For the Roses Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Late 1971/1972)
4 Lesson in Survival (For the Roses Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Late 1971/1972)
5 Like Veils Said Lorraine (For the Roses Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Late 1971/1972)
6 See You Sometime (For the Roses Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Late 1971/1972)
7 This Flight Tonight (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
8 Electricity (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
9 Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
10 Big Yellow Taxi (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
11 Blue (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
12 For Free (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
13 Banquet (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
14 All I Want (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
15 Intro to a Case of You (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
16 A Case of You (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
17 Intro to Carey (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
18 Carey (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
19 Lesson in Survival (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
20 Woodstock (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
21 Intro to You Turn Me On I'm a Radio (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
22 You Turn Me On I'm a Radio (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
23 Intro to for the Roses (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
24 For the Roses (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)

Disc: 2
1 Both Sides Now (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
2 My Old Man (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
3 Intro to the Circle Game (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
4 The Circle Game (Live at Carnegie Hall, New York City, NY, Feb. 23, 1972)
5 Medley: Bony Moronie/Summetime Blues/You Never Can Tell (Feat. James Taylor)[For the Roses Early Sessions, Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, Ap…
6 Electricity (Feat. James Taylor)[For the Roses Early Sessions, Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, April 16-21, 1972]
7 You Turn Me On I'm a Radio (Feat. Neil Young & the Stray Gators)[For the Roses Early Sessions, Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, April 16-21, 1…
8 See You Sometime (Early Version With Bass & Drums)[For the Roses Early Sessions, Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, April 16-21, 1972]
9 You Turn Me On I'm a Radio (Early Version With Bass & Drums)[For the Roses Early Sessions, Wally Heider Studios, Hollywood, CA, April 16-21, 1972]
10 Intro to Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)[live at Royal Festival Hall, London, England, May 5, 1972]
11 Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)[live at Royal Festival Hall, London, England, May 5, 1972]
12 Blonde in the Bleachers (Alternate Guitar Mix)[For the Roses Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug 1972]
13 Let the Wind Carry Me (Piano/vocal Mix)[For the Roses Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug 1972]
14 Barangill (Guitar/vocal Mix)[For the Roses Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug 1972]
15 Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire (Sax Guide Vocal)[For the Roses Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug 1972]
16 Sunrise Raga (For the Roses Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug 1972)
17 Twisted (Early Alternate Version)[For the Roses Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Jul-Aug 1972]
18 Intro to Big Yellow Taxi (James Bay Benefit Concert, Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, April 15, 1973)
19 Big Yellow Taxi (James Bay Benefit Concert, Paul Sauvé Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, April 15, 1973)

Disc: 3
1 Piano Suite: Down to You/Court and Spark/Car On a Hill/Down to You (Court and Spark Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973)
2 People's Parties (Court and Spark Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973)
3 Help Me (Court and Spark Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973)
4 Just Like This Train (Court and Spark Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973)
5 Raised On Robbery (Court and Spark Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973)
6 Trouble Child (Court and Spark Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Summer 1973)
7 Raised On Robbery (Early Working Version)[Wild Tales (Graham Nash) Session, Rudy Records Studios, San Francisco, CA, August 25, 1973]
8 Raised On Robbery (Feat. Neil Young & the Santa Monica Flyers)[Wild Tales (Graham Nash) Session, Rudy Records Studios, San Francisco, CA, August…
9 People's Parties (Early Alternate Take)[Court and Spark Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sept-Oct, 1973]
10 Trouble Child (Early Alternate Take)[Court and Spark Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sept-Oct, 1973]
11 Car On a Hill (Early Alternate Take)[Court and Spark Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sept-Oct, 1973]
12 Down to You (Alternate Version)[Court and Spark Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sept-Oct, 1973]
13 The Same Situation (Alt Vocal/piano Mix)[Court and Spark Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sept-Oct, 1973]
14 Bonderia (Court and Spark Sessions, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, Sept-Oct, 1973)
15 Introduction (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
16 This Flight Tonight (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
17 You Turn Me On I'm a Radio (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
18 Free Man in Paris (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
19 The Same Situation (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
20 Just Like This Train (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]

Disc: 4
1 Rainy Night House (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
2 Woodstock (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
3 Cactus Tree (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
4 Big Yellow Taxi (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
5 Intro to People's Parties (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
6 People's Parties (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
7 All I Want (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
8 A Case of You (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
9 Intro to for the Roses (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
10 For the Roses (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
11 Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire (Feat. Tom Scott)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
12 Blue (Live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974)
13 For Free (Feat. Tom Scott)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
14 Trouble Child (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
15 Help Me (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]
16 Car On a Hill (Feat. Tom Scott & the L.A. Express)[live at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 1974]

Disc: 5
1 Intro to Jericho (Live at New Victoria Theatre, London, England, April 22, 1974)
2 Jericho (Live at New Victoria Theatre, London, England, April 22, 1974)
3 Woman of Heart and Mind (Live at New Victoria Theatre, London, England, September 14, 1974)
4 In France They Kiss On Main Street (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
5 Edith and the Kingpin (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
6 Don't Interrupt the Sorrow (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
7 Shades of Scarlet Conquering (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
8 The Boho Dance (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
9 Harry's House (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
10 Dreamland (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
11 In France They Kiss On Main Street (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
12 The Jungle Line (Guitar/alternate Vocal)[The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975]
13 Edith and the Kingpin (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
14 Don't Interrupt the Sorrow (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
15 Shades of Scarlet Conquering (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
16 The Boho Dance (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)
17 Dreamland (The Hissing of Summer Lawns Demos, A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA, 1975)