MITCHELL,JONI - ASYLUM ALBUMS (1972-1975) Vinyl LP

Joni Mitchell was at a turning point 50 years ago. After making four acclaimed albums with Reprise Records, including her 1971 masterpiece Blue, she left the label to join the brand-new Asylum Records in 1972. Over the next seven years, Mitchell would record some of the most acclaimed music of her career while changing her musical direction by adding more jazz elements into her songwriting. The evolution culminated in 1979 with Mingus, her collaboration with jazz titan Charles Mingus, and her studio last album for Asylum.

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 a previously unseen 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)

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

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 GrammyO Awards, including Album of the Year, and won Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist for Down To You.

MILES OF AISLES

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.

The ASYLUM ALBUMS (1972-1975)

Tracks:

LP1

• 1* for the Roses (1972)
• 2Banquet
• 3Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire
• 4Barangrill
• 5Lesson in Survival
• 6Let the Wind Carry Me
• 7For the Roses
• 8See You Sometime
• 9Electricity
• 10You Turn Me on I'm a Radio
• 11Blonde in the Bleachers
• 12Woman of Heart and Mind
• 13Judgement of the Moon and Stars (Ludwig's Tune)

LP2

• 1* Court and Spark (1974)
• 2Court and Spark
• 3Help Me
• 4Free Man in Paris
• 5People's Parties
• 6Same Situation
• 7Car on a Hill
• 8Down to You
• 9Just Like This Train
• 10Raised on Robbery
• 11Trouble Child
• 12Twisted

LP3

• 1* Miles of Aisles (1974)
• 2You Turn Me on I'm a Radio
• 3Big Yellow Taxi
• 4Rainy Night House
• 5Woodstock
• 6Cactus Tree
• 7Cold Blue Steel and Sweet Fire
• 8Woman of Heart and Mind
• 9A Case of You
• 10Blue
• 11Circle Game
• 12People's Parties
• 13All I Want
• 14Real Good for Free
• 15Both Sides Now
• 16Carey
• 17The Last Time I Saw Richard
• 18Jericho
• 19Love or Money

LP4

• 1* the Hissing of Summer Lawns (1975)
• 2In France They Kiss on Main Street
• 3The Jungle Line
• 4Edith and the Kingpin
• 5Don't Interrupt the Sorrow
• 6Shades of Scarlett Conquering
• 7The Hissing of Summer Lawns
• 8The Boho Dance
• 9Harry's House/Centerpiece
• 10Sweet Bird
• 11Shadows and Light

Label: Elektra / WEA