Joni Mitchell Announces ‘The Asylum Years (1972 – 1975)’ – Rare Recordings Are Here!

The third volume of Joni Mitchell’s continuing Archives series will be released, the artist has confirmed. This version will concentrate on the four-year period in which she produced the albums For The Roses, Court And Spark, and The Hissing Of Summer Lawns.

Titled Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975), this release is scheduled for October 6. It will contain numerous previously unheard recordings, including early demos and alternate versions of songs. Additionally, the collection will feature unreleased live performances and more.

Providing fans with a taste of what’s to come, Rhino, the renowned music label, has given a sneak peek into the upcoming release of Vol. 3: The Asylum Years (1972-1975). This exciting preview includes a special treat – a demo version of the beloved and widely recognized song “Help Me,” originally found on Mitchell’s Court And Spark.

This early rendition offers a unique opportunity to hear the song in its earlier stages, allowing listeners to gain insights into its creative evolution and appreciate the artistic journey that brought it to its final form.

This volume’s highlights include a couple of tracks recorded during a session in December 1971 with Graham Nash and David Crosby. Moreover, there’s a version of the song “You Turn Me On I’m A Radio” accompanied by Neil Young and the Stray Gators. The collection also boasts an entire live performance from March 1974 at Los Angeles’ Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, among other content.

Available for pre-order now, the collection is offered in both 5-CD and 4-LP sets. Accompanying the music is a 40-page book containing archival photographs and a conversation about this period between Mitchell and her long-term friend, Cameron Crowe.