The Joni Mitchell Archives is an ongoing project to release previously unreleased recorded material by Canadian singer-songwriter

Joni Mitchell Roberta Joan Mitchell (née Anderson; born November 7, 1943) is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and painter. As one of the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music circuit, Mitch ...

. 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 A rhinoceros ( ; ; ; : rhinoceros or rhinoceroses), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant taxon, extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates (perissodactyls) in the family (biology), famil ...

, the label through which the project's offerings are being released. The first release also received input from

Neil Young Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, forming the folk rock group Buffalo Springfield. Since the begi ...

, who had experience with the release of his own extensive archival series, and Mitchell and Young's late manager

Elliot Roberts Elliot Roberts (born Elliot Rabinowitz,Tom King, ''The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood'', p. 54, Broadway Books (New York 2001). February 25, 1943 – June 21, 2019)''The Guardian'' article:Lady of the Canyon ...

, who died during the process of planning the first box set, and to whom the release is dedicated. The project's logo prominently features a polar bear, a visual allusion to the traditional

Saulteaux The Saulteaux (pronounced , or in imitation of the French pronunciation , also written Salteaux, Saulteau and Ojibwa ethnonyms, other variants), otherwise known as the Plains Ojibwe, are a First Nations in Canada, First Nations band governm ...

name bestowed upon Mitchell by a childhood friend at her seventy-fifth birthday party. Kāwāsapizit-Wābiski-Makawko-Ikwē – the name granted and recognized by the

Yellow Quill First Nation Yellow Quill First Nation () (formerly Nut Lake Band of Saulteaux) is a Saulteaux First Nation band government in Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserve is twenty kilometres northwest of Kelvington. The Yellow Quill First Nation is a signatory of ...

– translates to 'Sparkling White Bear Woman' in English.

Box sets

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. 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 ''Song to a Seagull'' (also known as ''Joni Mitchell'') is the debut studio album by the Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Produced by David Crosby, the album was recorded in early 1968 at Sunset Sound and released in March 1968 by Re ...

'' (1968). The box set also includes a booklet with liner notes featuring conversations about the time period between writer/filmmaker

Cameron Crowe Cameron Bruce Crowe (born July 13, 1957) is an American filmmaker and journalist. He has received numerous accolades including an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Grammy Award as well as a nomination for a Tony Award. Crowe started his career a ...

and Mitchell.

''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. The box set consists of the archived material that was recorded during Mitchell's tenure at

Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operates through Warner Records, one of its flagship labels. Artists currently signed to Reprise Records include Green Day, En ...

, which includes the years between the release of her debut studio album, ''

'' (1968) and her fourth studio album, ''

Blue Blue is one of the three primary colours in the RYB color model, RYB colour model (traditional colour theory), as well as in the RGB color model, RGB (additive) colour model. It lies between Violet (color), violet and cyan on the optical spe ...

'' (1971). 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. 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.

''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 Asylum Records is an American record label, founded in 1971 by David Geffen and partner Elliot Roberts. It was taken over by Warner Communications (now the Warner Music Group) in 1972, and later merged with Elektra Records to become Elektra/As ...

, which includes the years between the release of her fifth studio album, ''

For the Roses ''For the Roses'' is the fifth studio album by the Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. It was released in November 1972, between her two biggest commercial and critical successes—''Blue'' and ''Court and Spark''. In 2007 it was one of 25 ...

'' (1972) and her seventh studio album, '' The Hissing of Summer Lawns'' (1975).

''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.

Album remasters

''The Reprise Albums (1968–1971)''

The first volume of album remasters, ''

The Reprise Albums (1968–1971) ''The Reprise Albums (1968–1971)'' is a four-disc box set by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, that was released on June 25, 2021, by Rhino Records. The set is the sixth overall release and first box set of remastered albums from the Jo ...

'', was released on July 2, 2021, by

. The box set includes Mitchell's first four albums, all of which were released on

: ''

'' (1968), ''

Clouds In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of miniature liquid droplets, frozen crystals, or other particles, suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water or various other chemicals may c ...

'' (1969), '' Ladies of the Canyon'' (1970), and ''

'' (1971). 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 Brandi Marie Carlile (born June 1, 1981) is an American singer-songwriter and producer. Her music spans different genres, including folk rock, alternative country, Americana, and classic rock. Throughout her career, she has received eleven Gramm ...

''The Asylum Albums (1972–1975)''

The second volume of album remasters, ''

The Asylum Albums (1972–1975) ''The Asylum Albums (1972–1975)'' is a four-disc box set by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released on September 23, 2022, by Rhino Records. The set is the tenth overall release and second box set of remastered albums from the Joni Mi ...

'', was released on September 23, 2022, by

. The box set includes Mitchell's first four albums released on

: ''

'' (1972), ''

Court and Spark ''Court and Spark'' is the sixth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Released by A&M in January 1974, it infuses the folk rock style of her previous albums with jazz elements. It was an immediate commercial and critical su ...

'' (1974), ''

Miles of Aisles ''Miles of Aisles'' is the first live album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released in 1974 on Asylum Records. It is a double album documenting her concerts in support of the ''Court and Spark'' album with her backing band for the ...

'' (1974), and '' The Hissing of Summer Lawns'' (1975).

''The Asylum Albums (1976–1980)''

The third volume of album remasters, '' The Asylum Albums (1976–1980)'', was released on June 21, 2024, by

. The box set includes the latter half of Mitchell's albums released on

: ''

Hejira The Hijrah, () also Hegira (from Medieval Latin), was the journey the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers took from Mecca to Medina. The year in which the Hijrah took place is also identified as the epoch of the Lunar Hijri and Sola ...

'' (1976), ''

Don Juan's Reckless Daughter ''Don Juan's Reckless Daughter'' is a 1977 double album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Her ninth album, it is unusual for its experimental style, expanding even further on the jazz-influenced sound of Mitchell's previous recordings. ...

'' (1977), '' Mingus'' (1979), and '' Shadows and Light'' (1980).

Auxiliary releases

''Early Joni – 1963''

The first auxiliary release in the series, '' Early Joni – 1963'', was released on October 30, 2020, by

. The album features one of Mitchell's first live performances, a broadcast set on

Saskatoon Saskatoon () is the largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Saskatchewan. It straddles a bend in the South Saskatchewan River in the central region of the province. It is located along the Trans-Canada Hig ...

radio station CFQC AM. The cover art for the release features a self portrait drawn by Mitchell that is based on an early photo in her personal archive, and marks the first visual artwork that she had completed in several years.

''Volume 1: The Early Years (1963–1967): Highlights''

The second auxiliary release in the series, a condensed version of ''Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963–1967)'', subtitled ''Highlights'', was released on June 12, 2021, by Rhino Records. The truncated version of the ''Archives – Volume 1: The Early Years (1963–1967)'' compilation was released exclusively as a

vinyl LP The LP (from long playing or long play) is an analog sound storage medium, specifically a phonograph record format characterized by: a speed of rpm; a 12- or 10-inch (30- or 25-cm) diameter; use of the "microgroove" groove specificati ...

for Record Store Day 2021 Drop 1. ''Highlights'' features a track listing that is in chronological order. The 180 gram vinyl was limited to 5,500 copies in the United States and 15,000 copies worldwide.

''Blue 50 (Demos & Outtakes)''

The third auxiliary release in the series, ''Blue 50 (Demos & Outtakes)'', was released by

on June 21, 2021, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ''Blue''s release. The digital-only EP release consists of five unreleased demos recorded during the making of ''Blue''.

''Blue Highlights''

The fourth auxiliary release in the series, a condensed version of ''Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968–1971)'', titled ''Blue Highlights'', was released on April 23, 2022, by Rhino Records. The sampler album was released exclusively as a

for Record Store Day 2022, and was made with "Joni’s insight, cooperation and creative input". ''Blue Highlights'' is the ninth overall release and fourth auxiliary release of the Joni Mitchell Archives, and like the album its material is derived from, features a track listing that is in chronological order. The vinyl release is limited to 9,000 copies in the United States and 16,000 copies worldwide. It debuted at number 150 on the ''Billboard'' 200, making it the first release from the archive series to appear on the chart.

''Court and Spark Demos''

A compilation of six demo recordings from the ''Court and Spark'' sessions were released for

Record Store Day Record Store Day is a semi-annual event established in 2008 to "celebrate the culture of the independently owned record store". Held on one Saturday (typically the third) every April and every Black Friday in November, the day brings together f ...

on November 24, 2023.

Live albums

''Live at Canterbury House – 1967''

The first live album of the series, '' Live at Canterbury House – 1967'', was released on October 30, 2020. The expansive, three-set recording was captured at the Canterbury House student missionary in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1967. The live album was pressed exclusively on vinyl.

''Live at Carnegie Hall – 1969''

The second live album of the series, '' Live at Carnegie Hall – 1969'', was released on November 12, 2021. The two-set recording was captured at

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhattan), 57t ...

in New York City, New York on February 1, 1969. The live album was pressed exclusively on vinyl.

References

{{DISPLAYTITLE:Joni Mitchell Archives, noerror Joni Mitchell Joni Mitchell compilation albums Live album series Compilation album series 2020s live albums 2020s compilation albums