Photo Credit: Nina Westervelt
In 1976, Joni Mitchell extended her talents on the road, delivering her The Hissing Of Summer Lawns tour to support her album released under the same name one year prior. Upon completing the run for her seventh studio set, the artist retreated to Neil Young’s beach house, seeking solace. With downtime in her favor, Mitchell took the opportunity to partake in road trips, 1975-‘76, birthing a period of the expedition, reflected in her music and captured via The Asylum Albums (1976-1980), the next chapter of her archival series, due on June 21 via Rhino.
The impending collection presents Mitchell at her most audacious, as reflected on Hejira (1976), Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter (1977), Mingus (1979), and the live album Shadows and Light (1980). The aforementioned sets have been remastered by renowned audio engineer Bernie Grundman from the original flat analog master tapes: A 5-CD set, limited edition (5,000 copies) 6-LP version pressed on 180-gram vinyl, and digitally, previewed today with newly remastered cut, “Coyote.”
Notable, Mitchell’s prolific period demonstrates her so-called move from “hit department” to “art department,” according to the official press release, marking the shift from work with known session cats to jazz virtuosos like Larry Carlton and Pat Metheny (guitar), Michael Brecker (saxophone), Herbie Hancock (keyboard), and Don Alias (percussion), and members of Weather Report, including Jaco Pastorius (bass) and Wayne Shorter (saxophone).
Adding to the personalness, Mitchell’s art adorns the cover, with a reprinted portion of her original painting wrapping the set’s casing. A full version of the wanderlust abstract landscape will be included as an accompanying insert in the album packaging for both the CD and LP formats. Also included is an essay penned by Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep, a lifelong fan of Mitchell, who writes, “It’s not just the artifact – music and lyrics – that Joni gives us. Her artistry leaves us, ourselves, changed. She has shifted things around inside us. And that’s how artists change the world.”
Impending archive material will arrive prior to Mitchell’s return to the stage at Hollywood Bowl on October 19 and 20 for two highly anticipated sold-out shows. The concerts represent Mitchell’s first Los Angeles headlining appearances in over two decades. Notably, on both evenings, the Joni Jam ensemble will accompany the songstress.
Scroll down to view the tracking lists. Pre-order The Asylum Albums (1976-1980) now.
The Asylum Albums (1976-1980) LP Track Listing
Hejira
LP One, Side One
1. “Coyote”
2. “Amelia”
3. “Furry Sings The Blues”
4. “A Strange Boy”
5. “Hejira
Side Two
1. “Song For Sharon”
2. “Black Crow”
3. “Blue Motel Room”
4. “Refuge Of The Road”
Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter
LP One, Side One
1. “Overture – Cotton Avenue”
2. “Talk To Me”
3. “Jericho”
Side Two
1. “Paprika Plains”
LP Two, Side One
1. “Otis And Marlena”
2. “The Tenth World”
3. “Dreamland”
Side Two
1. “Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter”
2. “Off Night Backstreet”
3. “The Silky Veils Of Ardor”
Mingus
LP One, Side One
1. “Happy Birthday 1975”
2. “God Must Be A Boogie Man”
3. “Funeral” (Rap)
4. “A Chair In The Sky”
5. “The Wolf That Lives In Lindsey”
Side Two
1. “I’s A Muggin” (Rap)
2. “Sweet Sucker Dance”
3. “Coin In The Pocket” (Rap)
4. “The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines”
5. “Lucky” (Rap)
6. “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”
Shadows And Light
LP One, Side One
1. Introduction
2. “In France They Kiss On Main Street”
3. “Edith And The Kingpin”
4. “Coyote”
5. “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”
Side Two
1. “The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines”
2. “Amelia”
3. Pat’s Solo
4. “Hejira”
LP Two, Side One
1. “Black Crow”
2. Don’s Solo
3. “Dreamland”
4. “Free Man In Paris”
5. Band Introduction
6. “Furry Sings The Blues”
Side Two
1. “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”
2. “Shadows And Light”
3. “God Must Be A Boogie Man”
4. “Woodstock”