"The Reprise Albums (1968-1971)" by JONI MITCHELL – Four Studio Album CD Box Set Including Her 1968 Debut "Song To A Seagull", 1969 second LP "Clouds", 1970 third studio LP "Ladies Of The Canyon" and Fourth Studio Album "Blue" – Guests Include David Crosby, Stephen Stills, James Taylor, Milt Holland and more - All Remastered by Bernie Grundman with "Song To A Seagull" Newly Remixed by Original Producer David Crosby (June 2021 UK Rhino/Reprise 4CD Box Set with Mini LP Gatefold Repro Artwork Sleeves – Part of the Joni Mitchell Archives Series) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall ***** (Stunning Music)

Presentation **** (Missing Lyrics)

Audio ***** (New Bernie Grundman Masters)

"…Songs To Aging Children Come…"

As a lover of this extraordinary artist and owner of more than a few CD reissues down through the decades - you notice a few things with this lovely Box Set right off the bat (part of the Joni Mitchell Archives Series and the 1st of the studio sets). 
Each Mini LP Card Repro Sleeve apes the original American artwork from 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971 on Reprise Records – so you get the four gorgeous gatefold sleeves (the first two were only single sleeves in the UK with lyric inserts) and in the case of "Ladies Of The Canyon" – the non-titled painting/clear white artwork, and for the mighty "Blue" – the Blue inner bag.

The playing times for 2021's "The Reprise Albums (1968-1971)" as opposed to the 10CD Rhino Box Set of October 2012 ("The Studio Albums 1968-1979") are all different too – they were 38:07, 37:41, 44:59 and 36:13 minutes – these new Bernie Grundman Masters are 37:55, 37:48, 45:01 and 36:15 minutes – some shorter, some ever so slightly longer. But (and this is the big butt) – they are better Audio-wise – the HDCDs and Mini LPs of old – all good – but these Archive releases have had care put into them. And I think it has been a smart idea too to separate out the peripherals, outtakes, live stuff, exclusive sets etc into stand-alone releases. Much to do, so let's have at the details on Door Number One…

Released 25 June 2021 in UK/EUROPE - "The Reprise Albums (1968-1971)" by JONI MITCHELL on Rhino/Reprise R2 653984 – 603497844548 (Barcode 0603497844548) is a Box Set and part of the Joni Mitchell Archive Series (first for Studio Albums). Four CDs contain her first four studio albums (no extras) housed in Mini LP Repro Card Sleeve Artwork (each a gatefold as per the American releases with the lyrics in tiny print) with the debut "Song To A Seagull" remixed by original producer David Crosby. All are Remastered by Bernie Grundman from original tapes. Each CD has a paper/card inner sleeve for protective purposes and the CD labels reflect original US vinyl colouring and design (Riverboat Reprise Records Logo etc). There is also a fold-out set of liner notes from American singer-songwriter BRANDI CARLISLE who has covered Mitchell songs extensively and a advert sheet for the first JMA releases. It plays out as follows…

CD1 "Song To A Seagull" (37:55 minutes):
1. I Had A King [Side 1 – I Came To The City]
2. Michael from The Mountains
3. Night In The City 
4. Marcie
5. Nathan La Franeer 
6. Sisotowbell Lane [Side 2 – Out Of The City And Down To The Seaside]
7. The Dawntreader
8. The Pirate Of Penance
9. Song To A Seagull 
10. Cactus Tree
Tracks 1 to 10 are her Debut LP "Song To A Seagull" [aka "Joni Mitchell"] – released March 1968 in the USA (June 1968 in the UK) on Reprise RSLP 6293. Produced by DAVID CROSBY – Musicians include Joni Mitchell on Guitar, Piano and Vocals with Stephen Stills (then with Buffalo Springfield) on Guitar and Bass

CD2 "Clouds" (37:48 minutes):
1. Tin Angel [Side 1]
2. Chelsea Morning
3. I Don't Know Where I Stand
4. That Song About The Midway
5. Roses Blue
6. The Gallery [Side 2]
7. I Think I Understand 
8. Songs To Aging Children Come
9. The Fiddle And The Drum
10. Both Sides, Now
Tracks 1 to 10 are her second studio LP "Clouds" – released May 1969 LP in the USA (October 1969 in the UK) on Reprise RSLP 6341. Produced by PAUL ROTHCHILD - Musicians include Joni Mitchell on Guitar, Piano and Vocals with Stephen Stills (then with Crosby, Stills & Nash) on Bass

CD3 "Ladies Of The Canyon" (45:01 minutes):
1. Morning Morgantown [Side 1]
2. For Free
3. Conversation
4. Ladies Of The Canyon
5. Willy
6. The Arrangement 
7. Rainy Night House [Side 2]
8. The Priest 
9. Blue Boy
10. Big Yellow Taxi
11. Woodstock
12. The Circle Game
Tracks 1 to 12 are her third studio LP "Ladies Of The Canyon" – released April 1970 in the USA (May 1970 in the UK) on Reprise RSLP 6376. Produced by JONI MITCHELL – Musicians include Joni Mitchell on Piano, Guitar, Lead Vocals, Saskatune Backing Vocals (multi-tracked Joni), Arrangements and Production, Jim Horn on Baritone Saxophone, Paul Horn on Clarinet and Flute, Teressa Adams on Cello with Milt Holland on Percussion

CD4 "Blue" (36:15 minutes):

1. All I Want [Side 1]
2. My Old Man
3. Little Green
4. Carey
5. Blue
6. California [Side 2]
7. This Flight Tonight
8. River 
9. A Case Of You
10. The Last Time I Saw Richard
Tracks 1 to 10 are the LP "Blue" – released June 1971 in the USA on Reprise MS 2038 and July 1971 in the UK on Reprise K 44128. Produced by JM – Musicians included James Taylor playing Guitar on Tracks "All I Want", "California" and "A Case Of You", Stephen Stills (of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) plays Guitar and Bass on "Carey", Sneaky Pete Kleinow plays Pedal Steel Guitar on "California" and "This Flight Tonight", Russ Kunkel plays Drums on "Carey", "California" and "A Case Of You"

CD1: You have to say that the card Mini LP repro sleeve for "Song To A Seagull" is beautifully rendered – hell you can almost read the lyrics. Personally, I would have had all the lyrics in a separate booklet – as her words are so important to the experience – something Rhino have not done for any of her boxes. For those of us who have grown up with these precious LPs, the clarity of the guitar and the power of her slightly echoed vocal shocks as you first encounter "Song To A Seagull". This is as lovely as it going to get – and her keys not fitting the door words now ring loud and true. Beautiful is what I would call "Michael From Mountains" – and again the clarity is unnerving. The ultra-quiet opening to "Night In The City" clear – then the Bass and Piano lift things up and her doubled-vocals there but not intrusive. The vocal on "Marcie" – the way it was recorded – still feels slightly off. No such problem with "Nathan La Franeer" – gangs and girly shows – aging cripples selling Superman balloons – her Banshee vocals suitably eerie and yet musical. Improvement on those guitar pings too for "The Dawntreader" – but again the vocals are detached somehow. We romp home on this Folky Acoustic debut album with "Song To A Seagull" and "Cactus Tree" – more words that stun and in the case of "Cactus Song"  - a melody that gets to you (busy being free). Often called "Joni Mitchell" – her debut album is an acquired hippie taste for sure – but her second blew everyone out of the water…

CD2: the sense of singer-songwriter progress between "Song To A Seagull" from March 1968 and "Clouds" - her second studio album from May 1969 (only a little over a year later) – is astonishing. You could accuse the debut of meandering and not actually having tunes you could get your teeth into – not so with "Clouds" – which feels like her real beginning. And then there is the Paul A. Rothchild production values – now squeaky clean at the hands of magician Bernie Grundman. "Tin Angel" is beautifully handled – the vocals and only a guitar – so delicate. "Chelsea Morning" smacks of joy – a soul being free to just enjoy the day – toast and milk and honey – it feels renewed (jewel light). Her first real emotional masterpiece hits you like a soft mallet "I Don't Know Where I Stand" – her tremulous I-miss-you emotions echoing every girl in the same boat (is it any wonder her work engenders such devotion). Compared to my old battered British LP – the audio here is hair-raising. Standing out like a ruby – like a devil wearing wings - "That Song About The Midway" talks of a cheater-man wondering whether the emotional gamble is worth the price. Beautiful clarity on "Roses Blue" – a tale of a lady gone too deep into Zodiac and Zen, Tarot Cards and Potions – friends must schedule meets (if the stars align). Side 2 opens with another gorgeous melodic and lyrical winner "The Gallery" – and don't you just love how JM sings that word cruel and how Josephine is now the girl who cannot do without him. Deep LP cut comes in the shape "I Think I Understand" – a searching song that wants to avoid the wilderland and sinking sands of fear. Songs to aging children come – crows and ravens whistling – and then the lone voice of "The Fiddle And The Drum" – clear and unnerving. And then "Clouds" nails her legend to every musical mast – makes every musician want to pick up an acoustic guitar and cover "Both Sides Now". Coming as it does after the solemnity of "The Fiddle And The Drum" – the strummed magic of moons and dunes and Ferris Wheels - "Both Sides Now" is a stunning song achievement – leave them laughing – then you go – life’s illusions – we recall - wow!

CD3: by 1970 Joni and her songwriting genius was hitting it dollar down - "Ladies Of The Canyon" opening with the brilliant "Morning Morgantown" – a buy your dreams song of the new decade. She also expanded the pallet of musicians too. Audio-wise both "Morning Morgantown" and the noisy-corner of "For Free" sound just beautiful – her piano playing sailing out your speakers. The trappings of fame are already hitting home – limousines and bouncers accompanying her to gigs where she plays for big bucks - while the humble non-famous clarinet player on the street plays "For Free". But I am solid gone with "Conversation" – a fantastic JM song where she talks of Mister Chinwag – a man she wants to save who does not want to be saved – a man who will speak endlessly to another woman of why he cannot leave his woman (the Sax and Flute work so well). Wampum beads and filigree waft around the swirling guitars of the title track – fat ones and skinny ones baking brownies as the "Ladies Of The Canyon" eye themselves in nearby mirrors. While you could read the lyrics on the "Clouds" album inner sleeve, because they were hand drawn on the original "Ladies Of The Canyon" cover – they are too tiny to read - which is a crime when you catch the power of the sad words of the piano-led "Willy" and "The Arrangement". 

Continuing a masterclass in classiness, Side 2 of "Ladies Of The Canyon" opens with "Rainy Night House" – another song about girls who make other girls nervous – too pretty – too talented – therefore too dangerous. Time to acoustic again, "The Priest" sitting in the airport bar with his father's tie on – his look of contradictions – asking for truth during his sermons. "Blue Boy" is another sad piano song – statues in gardens staying the same as the girl stares out the window pane in the empty-bed morning light – the promises of the her last-night man faded away again. Things jump up a notch to the fantastic paving Paradise song "Big Yellow Taxi" – farmers urged to leave their DTD spray off their apples and states urged not to put trees in museums and charge punters a buck-and-a-half to see them. The album ends with a lethal double-whammy – her song about the July 1969 3-day festival and Love, Peace and Music that she could not attend - "Woodstock" (Matthews Southern Comfort with Ian Matthews would take their cover version of Joni's song to Number 1 in the UK singles charts that same year of 1970). The bombers may not have turned into butterflies just yet – but her final offering on a hugely accomplished 1970 album is the deeply affecting "The Circle Game". Along with "A Case Of You" from 1971’s "Blue" – Joni Mitchell will be remembered for "The Circle Game" – the carousel of time never forgetting this gorgeous song. When Joni Mitchell gets it right - you get the culmination of great melody and words that burn their intellectual way into the consciousness of entire generations – you get "The Circle Game" (and here is fabulous clarity).

CD4: to the point, blunt force trauma, barefoot and soft-machine broken - all of this and matching artwork too. 1971's "Blue" had entered Joni Mitchell legend - to the point where its 50th Anniversary in 2025 was celebrated by being singled out as a stand-alone release - the only LP from her 60ts and 70ts catalogue to receive that. The audio before was good - here it sparkles - tracks like the opener "All I Want" - James Taylor's guitar contributions to both "California" and "A Case Of You" and Stephen Stills to the witty but acidic "Carey" rise just enough about subtle. I never did dig "This Flight Tonight" (Nazareth would cover it and chart too) but the majesty of the last three on Side 2 - "River", "A Case Of You" and "The Last Time I Saw Richard" is mind-blowing. I mean what with Carole's "Tapestry", The Who's "Who's Next", Marvin's "What's Going On", Don McLean's "American Pie", Faces "A Nod's As Good As A Wink...", Rod Stewart's "Every Picture Tells A Story", Yes' "Yes Album" and "Fragile", "Zep 4", Santana's "III", Cat Stevens' "Teaser And The Firecat" to name but a few - 1971 was a ludicrously good year chock with Rock Classics and future singer-songwriter touchstones. And there nestled towards the apex - is Joni's "Blue" - shimmering like a great open wound - relationship breakdown on show for all the world to see - damn the torpedoes - this is what heartache and pain feels like. It brings an extraordinary first chapter to a close with the gentle slap of an artistic glove.

If I am to be churlish - I would dock a star for the lack of a lyrics booklet for an artist who so defined the greatness of words - especially for women - but outside of that - "The Reprise Years (1968-1971)" by Joni Mitchell is gobsmacking. The following two studio set Box Sets up to 1979 (see reviews) are even better - and that really says it all. "I wish I had a river I could drift away on..." Well now we do and sounding better than ever...