Joni Mitchell – The Asylum Albums (1972-1975) 4CD

Joni Mitchell – The Asylum Albums (1972-1975) 

Explore the beginning of that prolific era with THE ASYLUM ALBUMS (1972-1975), the next installment in the Joni Mitchell Archives series. The collection features newly remastered versions of FOR THE ROSES (1972), COURT AND SPARK (1974), the double live album MILES OF AISLES (1974), and THE HISSING OF SUMMER LAWNS (1975). All four were recently remastered by Bernie Grundman.

The cover art for THE ASYLUM ALBUMS (1972-1975) features an original painting by Mitchell. The set also includes an essay by friend and fellow Canadian Neil Young. He writes: “Joni’s music is so deep and transporting. She comes right from the source. There is no mistaking it…For The Roses, Court And Spark, Miles Of Aisles, and The Hissing Of Summer Lawns…are all classics in my book. I listened to every album as it came out. The musicians she played with were always above my abilities. She had grown from folk to jazz and in between, creating a unique kind of sound that I loved to listen to over and over.”

THE ASYLUM ALBUMS (1972-1975) follows Mitchell’s musical evolution over four albums as she embraced more jazz-inspired pieces and moved away from the folk and pop of her early years. It includes essential tracks like her first Top 40 hit, “You Turn Me On, I’m A Radio” and her highest-charting (#7) single “Help Me,” plus favorites like “Free Man In Paris,” “Raised On Robbery” and “In France They Kiss On Main Street.”

FOR THE ROSES, which was released 50 years ago this November, was certified gold and added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2007. Court And Spark topped the U.S. album chart and was certified double platinum, making it the best-selling album of Mitchell’s career. It was nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and won Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist for “Down To You.”

MILES OF AISLES is a double live album that spotlights the tour for Court And Spark. It reached #2 on the album chart and was certified gold. The Hissing Of Summer Lawns was certified gold as well, peaking at #4 on the album chart and earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Tracklist:
CD1 For The Roses (1972) 
1. Banquet
2. Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire
3. Barangrill
4. Lesson In Survival
5. Let the Wind Carry Me
6. For the Roses
7. See You Sometime
8. Electricity
9. You Turn Me On I'm a Radio
10. Blonde In the Bleachers
11. Woman of Heart and Mind
12. Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)

CD2 Court And Spark (1974) 
1. Court and Spark
2. Help Me
3. Free Man In Paris
4. People's Parties
5. Same Situation
6. Car On a Hill
7. Down To You
8. Just Like This Train
9. Raised On Robbery
10. Trouble Child
11. Twisted

CD3 Miles Of Aisles (1974)
1. You Turn Me On I'm a Radio
2. Big Yellow Taxi
3. Rainy Night House
4. Woodstock
5. Cactus Tree
6. Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire
7. Woman of Heart and Mind
8. A Case of You
9. Blue
10. Circle Game
11. People's Parties
12. All I Want
13. Real Good For Free
14. Both Sides Now
15. Carey
16. The Last Time I Saw Richard
17. Jericho
18. Love or Money

CD4 The Hissing Of Summer Lawns (1975)
1. In France They Kiss On Main Street
2. The Jungle Line
3. Edith and the Kingpin
4. Don't Interrupt the Sorrow
5. Shades of Scarlett Conquering
6. The Hissing of Summer Lawns
7. The Boho Dance
8. Harry's House/Centerpiece
9. Sweet Bird
10. Shadows and Light

Label: Rhino Records
Released: 2022