[2021-07-02] Joni Mitchell "The Reprise Albums: 1968-1971" 4CD box set (Reprise/Rhino)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:23 am

Description
On June 22, 1971, Joni Mitchell released Blue, concluding her prolific four album run for Reprise Records with an album considered by many to be one of the greatest of all time. Its stirring, confessional songs have been celebrated by music lovers and critics alike for decades while inspiring a wide variety of artists as diverse as Prince and Taylor Swift. Even today, its stature as a masterpiece continues to grow. Just last year, the album was named #3 on Rolling Stone’s list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”

To celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary, Rhino is releasing THE REPRISE ALBUMS (1968-1971), the next installment of the Joni Mitchell Archives series, featuring newly remastered versions of Blue (1971) and the three albums that came before it: Song To A Seagull (1968), Clouds (1969), and Ladies Of The Canyon (1970). In the case of Song To A Seagull, the original mix has been recently updated by Mitchell and mixer Matt Lee. “The original mix was atrocious,” says Mitchell. “It sounded like it was recorded under a jello bowl, so I fixed it!”

The cover art for THE REPRISE ALBUMS (1968-1971) features a previously unseen self-portrait Mitchell sketched during the time period. The collection also includes an essay by Grammy® winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, another artist who’s been influenced greatly by Mitchell. She writes: “In my opinion Blue is the greatest album ever made. Blue didn’t make me a better songwriter. Blue made me a better woman… No matter what we are dealing with in these times we can rejoice and know that of all the ages we could have lived through, we lived in the time of Joni Mitchell.”

THE REPRISE ALBUMS (1968-1971) brings together the albums that helped establish Mitchell as one of the most-talented songwriters of her generation. It includes essential tracks like “River,” “Chelsea Morning,” “Both Sides, Now,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” “Woodstock,” and “The Circle Game.” Clouds, her second album, was certified gold and won the 1969 Grammy® (her first of nine) for Best Folk Performance. Ladies Of The Canyon and Blue were both certified platinum, while the latter was inducted into the Grammy® Hall of Fame in 1999.

THE REPRISE ALBUMS (1968-1971) will be followed later this year by JONI MITCHELL ARCHIVES VOL. 2, the second installment in the extensive archival series that began last year. Each one promises a deep dive into unreleased studio and live recordings from different eras of Mitchell’s storied career. VOL. 2 will focus on the timeframe when she recorded the albums included in THE REPRISE ALBUMS (1968-1971). Mitchell continues to be intimately involved in producing these collections, lending her vision and personal touch to every element of the projects. Future releases in the archive series will arrive in a similar manner, with a boxed set focused on studio albums from a specific era, followed by an official “Archives” release looking at unreleased audio from the same period.

Tracklist
[CD1: Song To A Seagull (1968) – New Mix (Produced By Joni Mitchell, Mixed By Matt Lee)]
I Came To The City:
1. I Had A King
2. Michael From Mountains
3. Night In The City
4. Marcie
5. Nathan La Franeer
Out Of The City And Down The Seaside:
6. Sisotowbell Lane
7. The Dawntreader
8. The Pirate Of Penance
9. Song To A Seagull
10. Cactus Tree

[CD2: Clouds (1969)]
1. Tin Angel
2. Chelsea Morning
3. I Don’t Know Where I Stand
4. That Song About The Midway
5. Roses Blue
6. The Gallery
7. I Think I Understand
8. Songs To Aging Children Come
9. The Fiddle And The Drum
10. Both Sides, Now

[CD3: Ladies Of The Canyon (1970)]
1. Morning Morgantown
2. For Free
3. Conversation
4. Ladies Of The Canyon
5. Willy
6. The Arrangement
7. Rainy Night House
8. The Priest
9. Blue Boy
10. Big Yellow Taxi
11. Woodstock
12. The Circle Game

[CD4: Blue (1971)]
1. All I Want
2. My Old Man
3. Little Green
4. Carey
5. Blue
6. California
7. This Flight Tonight
8. River
9. A Case Of You
10. The Last Time I Saw Richard

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091WCGFMJ/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon Canada
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B091WCGFMJ/?tag=imwanca-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B091WCGFMJ/?tag=imwan-21

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

my god, they just keep re-re-re-re-re-re-packaging joni mitchell music into different configurations.

this is the 5th release for these 4 albums: (not counting cassette and 8-track)

the original vinyl

the original CD's

the re-issued HDCD CD's

the box set: joni mitchell studio albums 1968 - 1969

this box set.

and i have no idea how many of the tunes on these four albums made it onto those other aberrations they released when they re-assembled songs on a CD and gave them a name other than 'best of"

and let's not forget 'hits' and 'misses' - some of these songs showed up on those too.

Larry · **Joined:** 10 Feb 2008 **Posts:** 5097

Thank goodness someone is putting out this collection for anyone who may want to buy it.

Spiderboy · 31 Jul 2006

... allegedly they're "debuting a new mix for Song to a Seagull". That album, her first, has always seemed sub-par to me soundwise, so maybe this set will actually be worth getting.

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Apr 08, 2021 12:55 pm

From the box, here's the newly remastered "A Case Of You":

stanner · **Joined:** 26 Aug 2014 **Posts:** 119

I will buy the second archives set without any hesitation, but this collection seems pointless.

Greg Carrier · 25 Nov 2006

I'm in if they were able to improve the sub-par sound of her first album. It's one of my favorites of hers.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

Renny wrote:

my god, they just keep re-re-re-re-re-re-packaging joni mitchell music into different configurations.

this is the 5th release for these 4 albums: (not counting cassette and 8-track)

the original vinyl

the original CD's

the re-issued HDCD CD's

the box set: joni mitchell studio albums 1968 - 1969

this box set.

and i have no idea how many of the tunes on these four albums made it onto those other aberrations they released when they re-assembled songs on a CD and gave them a name other than 'best of"

and let's not forget 'hits' and 'misses' - some of these songs showed up on those too.

Much ado about nothin'! Five releases over 53 years. You slay me, Renny!!!!

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

Jason Michael wrote:

Renny wrote:

my god, they just keep re-re-re-re-re-re-packaging joni mitchell music into different configurations.

this is the 5th release for these 4 albums: (not counting cassette and 8-track)

the original vinyl

the original CD's

the re-issued HDCD CD's

the box set: joni mitchell studio albums 1968 - 1969

this box set.

and i have no idea how many of the tunes on these four albums made it onto those other aberrations they released when they re-assembled songs on a CD and gave them a name other than 'best of"

and let's not forget 'hits' and 'misses' - some of these songs showed up on those too.

Much ado about nothin'! Five releases over 53 years. You slay me, Renny!!!!

i try....

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

Spiderboy wrote:

... allegedly they're "debuting a new mix for Song to a Seagull". That album, her first, has always seemed sub-par to me soundwise, so maybe this set will actually be worth getting.

in the epix series 'laurel canyon' david crosby, who produced her first album, talks about how he really didn't do anything with it, he just wanted people to just hear raw joni mitchell, he thought she was THAT good.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

Renny wrote:

Jason Michael wrote:

Renny wrote:

my god, they just keep re-re-re-re-re-re-packaging joni mitchell music into different configurations.

this is the 5th release for these 4 albums: (not counting cassette and 8-track)

the original vinyl

the original CD's

the re-issued HDCD CD's

the box set: joni mitchell studio albums 1968 - 1969

this box set.

and i have no idea how many of the tunes on these four albums made it onto those other aberrations they released when they re-assembled songs on a CD and gave them a name other than 'best of"

and let's not forget 'hits' and 'misses' - some of these songs showed up on those too.

Much ado about nothin'! Five releases over 53 years. You slay me, Renny!!!!

i try....

I will pick this set up. I've been enjoying the archive box, and I don't own "Song For A Seagull" or "Clouds" on LP or CD.

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

Jason Michael wrote:

Renny wrote:

Jason Michael wrote:

Renny wrote:

my god, they just keep re-re-re-re-re-re-packaging joni mitchell music into different configurations.

this is the 5th release for these 4 albums: (not counting cassette and 8-track)

the original vinyl

the original CD's

the re-issued HDCD CD's

the box set: joni mitchell studio albums 1968 - 1969

this box set.

and i have no idea how many of the tunes on these four albums made it onto those other aberrations they released when they re-assembled songs on a CD and gave them a name other than 'best of"

and let's not forget 'hits' and 'misses' - some of these songs showed up on those too.

Much ado about nothin'! Five releases over 53 years. You slay me, Renny!!!!

i try....

I will pick this set up. I've been enjoying the archive box, and I don't own "Song For A Seagull" or "Clouds" on LP or CD.

the HDCD versions do sound better than the originals.

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

Renny wrote:

my god, they just keep re-re-re-re-re-re-packaging joni mitchell music into different configurations.

this is the 5th release for these 4 albums: (not counting cassette and 8-track)

the original vinyl

the original CD's

the re-issued HDCD CD's

the box set: joni mitchell studio albums 1968 - 1969

this box set.

and i have no idea how many of the tunes on these four albums made it onto those other aberrations they released when they re-assembled songs on a CD and gave them a name other than 'best of"

and let's not forget 'hits' and 'misses' - some of these songs showed up on those too.

For Blue, DCC did a fantastic gold CD and audiophile LP.

Linda · **Posted:** Fri Apr 23, 2021 12:33 pm

The remastered "Big Yellow Taxi":

Spiderboy · 31 Jul 2006

Linda wrote:

The remastered "Big Yellow Taxi":

YES!!

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Jun 17, 2021 11:34 am

This has been pushed back to July 2nd. However, the USA pre-order price has been reduced by $6, down to $43.99:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091WCGFMJ/?tag=imwan-20

RackleNut · **Joined:** 07 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1356

years ago, I put together my own mix-disc with 11 elusive/rare(?) studio tracks not found on JM's full-length albums.
a commercial release of such a project is the only thing her catalog needs at this time...
THAT, and a final and GOOD studio album. I hate it when artists end their careers on a shit-note!

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

RackleNut wrote:

years ago, I put together my own mix-disc with 11 elusive/rare(?) studio tracks not found on JM's full-length albums.
a commercial release of such a project is the only thing her catalog needs at this time...
THAT, and a final and GOOD studio album. I hate it when artists end their careers on a shit-note!

Do you recall what the songs were, and where they could be found?

RackleNut · **Joined:** 07 Nov 2006 **Posts:** 1356

Jason Michael wrote:

RackleNut wrote:

years ago, I put together my own mix-disc with 11 elusive/rare(?) studio tracks not found on JM's full-length albums.
a commercial release of such a project is the only thing her catalog needs at this time...
THAT, and a final and GOOD studio album. I hate it when artists end their careers on a shit-note!

Do you recall what the songs were, and where they could be found?

hopefully you'll find some tidbit here interesting and worthwhile -
cut me a little slack in how I described these tracks in my previous comment - but they are NOT found on her standard albums and are NOT live with an audience:
1- good friends (demo)
2- the man I love (w/Herbie Hancock)
3- the Magdalene laundries (w/The Chieftains)
4- trouble man (w/Kyle Eastwood)
5- just like this train (live in studio on KCRW)
6- summertime (w/Herbie Hancock)
7- man from mars (o.s.t. version - cd with joni-vocal/piano version recalled just prior to release - NOT the Taming The Tiger version)
8- it's all over now baby blue (demo)
9- tea leaf prophecy (w/Herbie Hancock)
10- two grey rooms (demo - quasi-instrumental)
11- paprika plains (remix)

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

RackleNut wrote:

Jason Michael wrote:

RackleNut wrote:

years ago, I put together my own mix-disc with 11 elusive/rare(?) studio tracks not found on JM's full-length albums.
a commercial release of such a project is the only thing her catalog needs at this time...
THAT, and a final and GOOD studio album. I hate it when artists end their careers on a shit-note!

Do you recall what the songs were, and where they could be found?

hopefully you'll find some tidbit here interesting and worthwhile -
cut me a little slack in how I described these tracks in my previous comment - but they are NOT found on her standard albums and are NOT live with an audience:
1- good friends (demo)
2- the man I love (w/Herbie Hancock)
3- the Magdalene laundries (w/The Chieftains)
4- trouble man (w/Kyle Eastwood)
5- just like this train (live in studio on KCRW)
6- summertime (w/Herbie Hancock)
7- man from mars (o.s.t. version - cd with joni-vocal version recalled just prior to release)
8- it's all over now baby blue (demo)
9- tea leaf prophecy (w/Herbie Hancock)
10- two grey rooms (demo - quasi-instrumental)
11- paprika plains (remix)

Thanks for posting. I have a few of those.

Renny · 26 Jun 2006

RackleNut wrote:

Jason Michael wrote:

RackleNut wrote:

years ago, I put together my own mix-disc with 11 elusive/rare(?) studio tracks not found on JM's full-length albums.
a commercial release of such a project is the only thing her catalog needs at this time...
THAT, and a final and GOOD studio album. I hate it when artists end their careers on a shit-note!

Do you recall what the songs were, and where they could be found?

hopefully you'll find some tidbit here interesting and worthwhile -
cut me a little slack in how I described these tracks in my previous comment - but they are NOT found on her standard albums and are NOT live with an audience:
1- good friends (demo)
2- the man I love (w/Herbie Hancock)
3- the Magdalene laundries (w/The Chieftains)
4- trouble man (w/Kyle Eastwood)
5- just like this train (live in studio on KCRW)
6- summertime (w/Herbie Hancock)
7- man from mars (o.s.t. version - cd with joni-vocal/piano version recalled just prior to release - NOT the Taming The Tiger version)
8- it's all over now baby blue (demo)
9- tea leaf prophecy (w/Herbie Hancock)
10- two grey rooms (demo - quasi-instrumental)
11- paprika plains (remix)

that 'man from mars' was a bitch to to find back when it first came out, it can't be any easier to find now. (i never did get a copy of it)

also out there:

urge for going - on 'hits'
big yellow taxi & woodstock - isle of wight soundtrack
love poem - with the l.a. express
coyote & shadows and light & furry sings the blues - on 'the last waltz
goodbye blue sky - roger waters 'the wall' live
big yellow taxi - friends soundtrack
big yellow taxi - radio edit
stormy weather - AT&T promo only CD ( i highly recommend this one if you can find it)
come in from the cold - radio edit.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

Received this set today, I am looking forward to diving in. Remastered by Bernie Grundman, so I expect this will be the definitive CD versions of these albums.

[2021-07-02] Joni Mitchell "The Reprise Albums: 1968-1971" 4CD box set (Reprise/Rhino)

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