Archives - Volume 4 : The Asylum Years (1976-1980) (2024)

"This 4th "Arcihves"- box set shows that Mitchell was in constant transit during this phase of her life. This latest dive into her past is arranged across six CDs and spans the boldly experimental, jazz-directed period that includes 1976’s "Hejira", 1977’s "Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter" and 1979’s "Mingus", as well as 1980 live album "Shadows And Light". A sense of what Mitchell’s changing music meant to her place in the world comes from a recording from September 1978. “I’ve been working on a different kind of project for me,” she says to the audience. “I’ve been writing words to Charlie Mingus’s music.” She then launches into a gleeful caper through "The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines". “Rock’n’roll, Joni!” shouts an excitable fan. “That ain’t rock’n’roll, man,” calls back a clearly amused Mitchell, “that’s bebop!” She keeps drawing those impulses together during the complete "Shadows And Light"-era live set from 1979, with bassist Jaco Pastorius, saxophonist Michael Brecker and guitarist Pat Metheny." (Mojo)