"History Of Rhythm And Blues 1952-1957, The" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 109 Tracks Across 4 CDs including Little Junior Parker, Elvis Presley, Billy 'The Kid' Emerson, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Sonny Boy Williamson, Ray Charles, Etta James, The Drifters, Muddy Waters, Little Esther, The Moonglows, The Spaniels, Little Willie John, Otis Blackwell, Mahalia Jackson, Lloyd Price, Fats Domino, Slim Harpo, Carl Perkins, Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, Smiley Lewis, Professor Longhair, The Coasters, Rufus Thomas, Little Walter, Ruth Brown, Soul Stirrers, Big Maybelle, Clarence 'Frogman' Henry and more (June 2010 UK Rhythm And Blues Records 4CD Card Digibook Box Set – Volume 3 of 4) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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"MANNISH BOY" 

BLUES, VOCAL GROUPS, DOO WOP, ROOTS

RHYTHM 'n' BLUES and ROCK 'n' ROLL ON CD 

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 *****

 

"...Baby Let's Play House... "

 

Released in June 2010 - this 4CD box set is the 3rd issue in a series of 4 releases from Rhythm And Blues Records - a new label out of the UK specializing in quality compilations from the golden eras of American race music.

 

The first and second volumes of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1925-1942" and "...1942-1952" were issued in March 2008 (Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB001 – Barcode 5065001126000) and May 2009 respectively (Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB003 (Barcode 5065001126024) and are reviewed separately. They are also 4CD sets – the first with 97 Remastered Tracks and a 32-Page Booklet while the second has 101 Remastered Tracks and a 64-page booklet. Volume 4 covered 1957-1962 (released November 2013 on Rhythm and Blues Records R010 - Barcode 5060331750185) and offered 124 songs and another 64-page booklet. It was received with much industry and punter praise and as recent as 22 October 2021 - Rhythm and Blues Records of the UK have reissued it as a second version in DVD packaging. But to the 4CD Digibook splurge at hand...

 

Volume 3 follows the path of Volume 2 – a huge improvement visually on Volume 1 – and audio-wise - boasting the same good quality remastering. Like Volume 2, Volume 3 is both a fantastic thing to look at and a joyous listen – a properly great combo of clever track-choices and aesthetically pleasing visuals. Each disc is themed, titled and smartly so too (see italics). This set alone encompasses Fifties Blues, Rhythm and Blues, Gospel, Vocal Groups, Rock & Roll and even Early Soul. Here are the details on the Hoochie Coochie Men and Women that made it happen...

 

UK released June 2010 - "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1952-1957" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Rhythm And Blues Records RANDB011 (Barcode 5065001126116) is a 4CD Card Digibook compilation (Volume 3 of 4) with a 68-Page Booklet that breaks down as follows:

 

Disc 1 (72:45 minutes):

"Blues In The City – Downhome Southern Blues From Memphis To Chicago"

1. Feelin' Good – LITTLE JUNIOR PARKER (1953, Sun 187)

2. Mystery Train – ELVIS PRESLEY (1955, Sun 223)

3. Red Hot – BILLY 'THE KID' EMERSON (1955, Sun 219)

4. Baby Let's Play House – ARTHUR GUNTER (1954, Excello 2047)

5. Tiger Man – RUFUS THOMAS (1953, Sun 188)

6. Honey Don't – CARL PERKINS (1956, Sun 234)

7. If Lovin' Is Believin' - BILLY 'THE KID' EMERSON (1954, Sun 195)

8. 3 O'Clock Blues – B.B. KING (1951, RPM 339)

9. Sad Hours – LITTLE WALTER & HIS NIGHT CAPS (1952, Checker 764)

10. Evil – HOWLIN' WOLF (1954, Chess 1575)

11. Just Can't Stay – WILLIE NIX (1953, Sabre 104)

12. Five Long Years – EDDIE BOYD (1953, Job 1007)

13. I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man – MUDDY WATERS (1954, Chess 1560)
14. Reconsider Baby – LOWELL FULSON (1954, Checker 804)

15. I Don't Know – WILLIE MABON (1952, Parrot 1050)

16. She's Fine, She's Mine – BO DIDDLEY (1955, Checker 819)

17. I Ain't Got You – BILLY BOY ARNOLD (1956, Vee-Jay 171)

18. Dimples – JOHN LEE HOOKER (1956, Vee-Jay 205)

19. Don't Start Me Talkin' – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1955, Checker 824)

20. Pretty Thing – BO DIDDLEY (1955, Checker 827)

21. Smoke Stack Lightning (1956,Chess 1632)

22. Got My Mojo Working – ANN COLE (1957, Baton 237)

23. Walking By Myself – JIMMIE ROGERS (1957, Chess 1643)

24. I Got Love If You Want It – SLIM HARPO (1957, Excello 2113)

25. The Sun Is Shining – JIMMY REED (1957, vee-Jay 248)

26. No More Lonely Nights – SONNY BOY WILLIAMSON (1955, Ace 511)

 

Disc 2 (73:54 minutes):

"Rockin’ The House – The Jukebox's Blowin' A Fuse"

1. K.C. Loving – LITTLE WILLIE LITTLEFIELD (1953, Federal 12110)

2. Easy, Easy Baby – VARETTA DILLARD (1952, Savoy 847)

3. Rock The Joint – BILL HALEY with THE SADDLEMEN (1952, Essex 303)

4. (Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean – RUTH BROWN (1953, Atlantic 986)

5. Hound Dog – BIG MAMA THORTON – (1953, Peacock 5-1612)

6. Whole Lotta Shakin' - BIG MAYBELLE (1955, Okeh 7060)

7. Shake, Baby, Shake – CHAMPION JACK DUPREE (1952, Red Robin 112)

8. Shake, Rattle And Roll – BIG JOE TURNER (1954, Atlantic 1026)

9. You Know Yeah – PEE WEE CRAYTON (1955, Imperial 5321)

10. Space Guitar – JOHNNY "GUITAR" WATSON (1954, Federal 12175)

11. Crazy Lover – RICHARD BERRY (1955, Flair 1071)

12. Tipitina – PROFESSOR LONGHAIR & HIS BLUES SCHOLARS (1954, Atlantic 1020)

13. Ain't It A Shame – FATS DOMINO (1955, Imperial 5348)

14. I Hear You Knocking – SMILEY LEWIS (1955, Imperial 5356)

15. I'm Wise – EDDIE BO (1956, Apollo 486)

16. Tutti Frutti – LITTLE RICHARD (1955, Specialty 561)

17. See You Later, Alligator – BOBBY CHARLES (1955, Chess 1609)

18. (Every Time I Hear That) Mellow Saxophone – ROY MONTRELL (1956, Specialty 583)

19. Lucille – LITTLE RICHARD (1957, Specialty 598)

20. Blue Monday – FATS DOMINO (1956, Imperial 5417)

21. Ain't Got No Home – CLARENCE 'Frogman' HENRY (1956, Argo 5259)

22. Maybelline – CHUCK BERRY (1955, Chess 1604)

23. Honky Tonk – BILL DOGGETT (1956, King 4950)

24. I Put A Spell On You – SCREAMIN' JAY HAWKINS (1956, Okeh 7072)

25. No Good Lover – MICKEY & SYLVIA (1956, Groove 0164)

26. Brown-Eyed Handsome Man – CHUCK BERRY (1956, Chess 1635)

27. Little Bitty Pretty One – BOBBY DAY & THE SATELLITES (1957, Class 211)

28. King Kong – BIG T. TYLER (1957, Aladdin 3384)

29. Susie Q – DALE HAWKINS (1957, Checker 863)

 

Disc 3 (73:03 minutes):

"Street Corner Sounds – Blues Ballads To Vocal Groups"

1. One Mint Julep – THE CLOVERS (1952, Atlantic 963)

2. Have Mercy Baby – THE DOMINOES (1952, Federal 12068)

3. Money Honey – DRIFTERS (1953, Atlantic 1006)

4. Baby Please – THE MOONGLOWS (1953, Chance 1147)

5. Your Cash Ain't Nothin' But Trash – BIG JOHN & THE BUZZARDS (1954, Okeh 7045)

6. Can't Do Sixty No More – THE DU-DROPPERS (1952, Red Robin 108)

7. Work With Me Annie – THE ROYALS (MIDNIGHTERS) (1954, Federal 12169)

8. Baby Don't Do It – THE "5" ROYALS (1953, Apollo 443)

9. Straight Street – PILGRIM TRAVELLERS (1955, Specialty 877)

10. Ruby Baby – THE DRIFTERS (1956, Atlantic 1089)

11. Play It Cool – THE SPANIELS (1954, Vee-Jay 116)

12. W-P-L-J – FOUR DEUCES (1955, Music City 790)

13. Be Bop Baby – THE PEACHEROOS (1954, Excello 2044)

14. Choo Choo – CARDINALS (1954, Atlantic 1090)

15. Rollin' Stone – THE MARIGOLDS (1955, Excello 2057)

16. Oop Shoop – SHIRLEY GUNTER & "THE QUEENS" (1954, Flair 1050)

17. Hearts Of Stone – THE JEWELS (1954, R and B 1301)

18. Buick 59 – MEDALLIONS (1954, Dootone 347)

19. Mardi Gras Mambo – HAWKETTES (1955, Chess 1591)

20. Nite Owl – TONY ALLEN & THE CHAMPS (1955, Specialty 560)

21. Goodnight My Love – JESSE BELVIN (1956, Modern 1005)

22. The Way You Dog Me – THE DIABLOS (1955, Fortune 518)

23. The Woo Woo Train – THE VALENTINES (1956, Rama 196)

24. Riot In Cell Block No. 9 – THE ROBINS (1954, Spark 103)

25. Down In Mexico – THE COASTERS (1956, Atco 6064)

26. Gee – THE CROWS (1954, Roma 5)

27. Sh-Boom – THE CHORDS (1954, Cat 104)

 

Disc 4 (73:55 minutes):

"This Soul's On Fire – Gospel And Late Night Soulful Blues"

1. Blackjack – RAY CHARLES (1955, Atlantic 1076)

2. Daddy Rollin' Stone – OTIS BLACKWELL (1953, Jay-Dee 784)

3. Need Your Love So Bad – LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (1956, King 4841)

4. W-O-M-A-N – ETTA JAMES (1955, Modern 972)

5. Is It Really You? – NAPPY BROWN (1955, Savoy 1155)

6. Candy – BIG MAYBELLE (1956, Savoy 1195)

7. I'll Drown In My Tears – LULA REED & SONNY THOMPSON (1952, King 4527)

8. One Room Country Shack – MERCY DEE (WALTON) (1952, Specialty 458)

9. After Hour Joint – JIMMY COE and HIS GAY CATS OF RHYTHM (1953, States 118)

10. Night Train – JIMMY FORREST (1952, United 110)

11. Aged And Mellow – LITTLE ESTHER (with Johnnie Otis Orchestra) (1952, Federal 12078)

12. Whiskey And Gin – JOHNNIE RAY (1951, Okeh 6809)

13. Feelin' Sad – GUITAR SLIM (1952, J-B 603)

14. Oh Lord – Stand By Me – ORIGINAL FIVE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA (1953, Specialty 842)

15. It Must Be Jesus – SOUTHERN TONES (1954, Duke 205)

16. I've Got A Woman – RAY CHARLES (1954, Atlantic 1050)

17. Too Close To Heaven – PROFESSOR ALEX BRADFORD and The Bradford Specials (1953, Specialty 852)

18. It Won't Be Very Long – SOUL STIRRERS (1952, Specialty 824)

19. Consider Me – MAHALIA JACKSON (1953, Lloyds 103)

20. When I'm All Alone – SOLOMON BURKE (1955, Apollo 485)

21. Soul On Fire – LaVERN BAKER (1953, Atlantic 1004)

22. Don't Cry Baby – LITTLE JIMMY SCOTT (1955, Savoy 1163)

23. Pledging My Love – JOHNNY ACE (Johnnie Otis Orchestra) (1955, Duke 136)

24. Fever – LITTLE WILLIE JOHN (1956, King 4935)

25. Just Because – LLOYD PRICE (1957, ABC-Paramount 9792)

26. Hallelujah I Love Her So – RAY CHARLES (1956, Atlantic 1096)

27. Please, Please, Please – JAMES BROWN with The Famous Flames (1956, Federal 12258)

 

Like Volume 2 – there's a three-way foldout card folder with two plastic clip-trays on the inner flaps – but Volume 3 ups the game on the presentation front over the equally lovely Volume 2. First thing you notice are the repro-posters from the period plastered all over the inner flaps – and in colour too. With names like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Louis Jordan, Howlin' Wolf, Ray Charles, LaVern Baker and Fats Domino – as you can imagine they're visually wonderful and so evocative of the excitement of the Fifties and its dynamite musical landscape. 

 

The 66-page detached booklet is gorgeous to look at too with Nick Duckett (the compiler) spreading out on each entry - every smartly-chosen tune packed with detailed analysis - when it was recorded, players if known, USA catalogue numbers, chart positions etc. Between the prettily placed texts are trade adverts, artist publicity photos and small colour pictures of those beautiful and evocative 78" and 7" labels – Checker, Federal, Atlantic, Chance, Vee-Jay, Excello, King, Argo, Robin, Imperial, Rama, Okeh, Savoy, Essex, Specialty, Chess and many more. There's even paragraphs of fill-in discussion on each themed CD before the Disc entries begin – care and effort went into this - it's superbly done. If you want a full printed out version, the same detailed text is available from their website in colour. And expertly and lovingly compiled by NICK DUCKETT – Volume 3 is one again remastered by CheekyPaul.com with uniformly great sound throughout.

 

For long-time collectors there is of course the problem of duplication – especially when it comes to the Chess and Atlantic entries. But even for a voracious fan like me there's those fabulous tunes inbetween the cracks like "Aged And Mellow" by Little Esther and "Easy, Easy Baby" by Varetta Dillard – cool and sexy R 'n' B tunes I've wanted to own for ages. For those new to the genre – Volume 3 is a brilliant and affordable introduction to the genre – chockers with classics you'd heard in adverts, films and hip radio shows. There's even a 23 x 33-inch wall poster on sale via the Website (and Box Set) of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues 1900-1964" that is in itself a peach of a thing to look at.

 

Just chuck on Disc 2 and start with Little Willie Littlefield telling us of his love for Kansas City – joyous stuff. Shame that the Ruth Brown track is awful sounding, but no such problem with Big Mama Thornton or Big Maybelle giving it versions that Rock & Rollers Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis would smelt into a revolution - "Hound Dog" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On". You can hear the salaciousness in "Shake, Baby, Shake" as Champion Jack Dupree promises his baby a diamond ring if she would only shake those moneymakers. And what person can resist the joy of Big Joe Turner on Atlantic – his gal wearing those dresses with the sun shining through – the Devil in Nylon Hose (the harder he works, the faster his money goes). Discoveries too - "You Know Yeah" by Pee Wee Crayton being a cool shuffler that most will not know (dig that fantastic guitar solo – first Fender Strat). Speaking of crazy-string-bending – Johnny "Guitar" Watson does just that on the fantastic instrumental stomper "Space Guitar" where he goes all Jimmy Page on his axe – unbelievably ahead of his time. And it goes like that...

 

Retailing at just under twenty-three pounds from some online retailers - this box set of 101 remastered hits and obscurities - is both revelatory and great value for money. And it's music you'll find yourself loving and wanting more of. Like its predecessor - Volume Two of "The History Of Rhythm And Blues" is another 4CD Box Set corker and comes recommended the most...

 

"Joni Mitchell Archives Volume 2: The Reprise Years 1968–1971" by JONI MITCHELL – Including Previously Unreleased Demos, Outtakes, Never-Before-Heard Songs, Live Recordings with James Taylor, The John Cameron Group and Other Archival Material - featuring David Crosby, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Live Set Produced by Jimi Hendrix and more (November 2021 UK Joni Mitchell Archives (JMA)/Rhino 5CD Box Set Of Previously Unreleased Material, 40-Page Booklet, Five Newly Formed Mini LP Artwork Card Sleeves and Bernie Grundman Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

 

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****

"…A Considerable Treat…"

 

I suspect there were many lifelong Joni-o-Philes that proffered a mild heart palpitation to the heroically proportioned non-binary post-person when this long awaited and long-promised 5CD vaults-trawl arrived on their doorsteps first week of November 2021 (there you go, you old hippie).

 

The first Volume in the Joni Mitchell Archive Series (JMA) set the scene from her mid Sixties emergence to the beginning of prep for the debut album in March 1968 on Reprise Records (Produced by David Crosby). Like that first oversized Box Set, however, Volume 2 is a mixed bag of the sublime, the understandably historically important and the downright unlistenable. For me it's a 4-star set when your heart was hustling for 6. So what do you get?

 

This second box revisits the "Song To A Seagull" debut, then "Clouds" from May 1969, "Ladies Of The Canyon" from April 1970 and the shimmering "Blue" from June 1971. Admittedly, it will probably be something of a fan-sting to find only 17 are actual outtakes from four albums in her early primo period. But the live stuff is (at times) thrilling and tearfully beautiful (Disc Five with James Taylor especially, expertly taped by good folk at the BBC in the UK like Jeff Griffin). So some may be disappointed by that - but for me - to have anything new by this era defining lady of the canyons (and officially sanctioned too) is the business in my books. To the minute details and drinking cases of you...

 

UK and WORLDWIDE released 5 November 2021 - "Joni Mitchell Archives Volume 2: The Reprise Years 1968 – 1971" by JONI MITCHELL on Joni Mitchell Archives (JMA)/Rhino Records R2 653989 / 603497844524 (Barcode 603497844524) is a 5CD Box Set of Previously Unreleased Material that breaks down as follows:

 

Disc 1 (60:21 minutes Total Playing Time)

Joni’s Home Demos, Late 1967/Early 1968

1. Midnight Cowboy (Version 1)

2. The Dawntreader (Demo with Vocal Overdubs)

3. Song To A Seagull

4. Midnight Cowboy (Version 2)

 

Jane Lurie's Apartment, Late 1967/Early 1968

5. The Way It Is

6. Turn Around (Incomplete)

 

Joni's Home Demos, Late 1967/Early 1968

7. I Had A King (Demo With Piano Overdub)

8. The Fiddle And The Drum (Piano Demo)

9. Rose's Blue (Demo with Peacock Harp Overdub)

 

Song To A Seagull Session, 24 January 1968

10. Jeremy

11. Conversation

12. Both Sides Now

13. The Gift Of The Magi

 

Jane Lurie's Apartment, Early 1968

14. It’s Easy

15. Another Melody

 

Live at Canterbury House, 10 March 1968

16. Introduction

17. Jeremy

18. Songs To Aging Children Come

 

Disc 2 (79:53 minutes):

Live at Le Hibou Coffee House, 19 March 1968

1. Night In The City

2. Come To The Sunshine

3. Intro to The Pirate of Penance

4. The Pirate Of Penance

5. Intro to Conversation

6. Conversation

7. The Way It Is

8. Intro to The Dawntreader

9. The Dawntreader

10. Marcie

11. Intro to Nathan La Franeer

12. Nathan La Franeer

13. Intro to Dr. Funk

14. Dr. Junk

15. Intro to Michael From Mountains

16. Michael From Mountains

17. Go Tell The Drummer Man

18. Intro to I Don’t Know Where I Stand

19. I Don’t Know Where I Stand

20. Intro to Sisotowbell Lane

21. Sisotowbell Lane

22. Intro to Ladies Of The Canyon

23. Ladies Of The Canyon

 

Studio Session, 31 May 1968

24. Come To The Sunshine

 

Jane Lurie's Apartment, Early 1968

25. "My Second Album"

26. "Lambert, Hendricks & Ross"

27. The Pirate Of Penance

 

Top Gear BBC Radio Broadcast, 23 September 1968

28. Intro to Chelsea Morning

29. Chelsea Morning – with The John Cameron Group

30. Intro to The Gallery

31. The Gallery

32. Intro to Night In The City

33. Night In The City – with The John Cameron Group

 

Disc 3 (77:02 minutes):

Live at Carnegie Hall, 1 February 1969

1. Chelsea Morning

2. A Valentine For Joni

3. Cactus Tree

4. Night In The City

5. I Had A King

6. Blue Boy

7. My American Skirt

8. The Fiddle And The Drum

9. Spoony’s Wonderful Adventure

10. That Song About The Midway

11. Both Sides Now

12. Marcie

13. Nathan La Franeer

14. Intro to The Gallery

15. The Gallery

16. Hunter

17. Morning Morgantown

18. Intro to Get Together

19. Get Together

20. Intro to The Circle Game/Little Green

21. Medley: The Circle Game/Little Green

22. Michael From Mountains

 

Disc 4 (77:41 minutes):

Live at Carnegie Hall, 1 February 1969 (continued)

1. Intro to Urge For Going

2. Urge For Going

 

Clouds Sessions, 20 March 1969

3. Conversation

4. Blue Boy

5. The Priest

 

Jane Lurie’s Apartment, Mid 1969

6. Jesus

7. Playing Piano and Vocalizing

 

The Dick Cavatt Show ABC-TV Broadcast, 18 August 1969

8. Chelsea Morning

9. Willy

10. For Free

11. Interview

12. The Fiddle And The Drum

 

Ladies Of The Canyon Demo Sessions, late 1969

13. Woodstock

 

Live at Centennial Auditorium, 1 November 1969

14. "As I Lie In My Backyard Thinking On August 2^nd..." (a poem)

15. Rose’s Blue

16. Rainy Night House

 

Ladies Of The Canyon Session, 30 January 1970

17. Ladies Of The Canyon (with Cellos)

 

Ladies Of The Canyon Session, 2 February 1970

18. Blue Boy (with Recorder Coda)

 

In Concert BBC TV Broadcast, 3 September 1970

19. All I Want

 

Blue Demo Sessions, Summer 1970

20. A Case Of You

21. California

 

Greenpeace Benefit Concert for Amchitka, 16 October 1970

22. Introduction by James Taylor

23. Medley: Big Yellow Taxi/Bony Maronie

 

Disc 5 (79:19 minutes):

In Concert BBC Radio Broadcast, 29 October 1970

1. Introduction (by British DJ, John Peel)

2. That Song About Midway

3. Intro to The Gallery

4. The Gallery

5. Hunter

6. Intro to River

7. River

8. My Old Man

9. The Priest

10. "This is a mountain dulcimer..."

11. Carey

12. A Case Of You (with James Taylor)

13. Intro to California (with James Taylor)

14. California (with James Taylor)

15. Intro to For Free (with James Taylor)

16. For Free (with James Taylor)

17. Intro to The Circle Game (with James Taylor)

18. The Circle Game

19. Intro to You Can Close Your Eyes (with James Taylor)

20. You Can Close Your Eyes (with James Taylor)

21. Both Sides Now

22. Intro to Big Yellow Taxi

23. Big Yellow Taxi

 

Blue Sessions, late 1970

24. Hunter

25. River (with French Horns)

26. Urge For Going (with Strings)

 

This is a classy looking release (as was the first Volume) – a hard-card book flap lid (photo taken by Graham Nash) opens to an inner tray of five card sleeves held in place by a ribbon. Atop that is a 40-page booklet – the centrepiece of which is a new interview with JM conducted by filmmaker and fan CAMERON CROWE (about the time of the 50^th Anniversary reissue of "Blue"). As you can see from the photos supplied, the five Mini LP Sized Card Sleeves are superbly rendered black and whites from the period with mastertape details superimposed at the bottom – number five being especially pretty with Joni and James Taylor sharing a stage and clearly enjoying it. The JMA Logo (Joni Mitchell Archives) is printed on everything. The booklet has some truly gorgeous photos of our hero – ticket stubs – gig adverts (Main Point, The Bitter End with Neil Young just out of Buffalo Springfield) – passes for The Dick Cavett Show – lyrics to songs on all sorts of bits of paper including hotel stationery (you can see how she lists words that will rhyme better with what she's got) – diary notes – set list pages – tape box listings where we see that both "Hunter" and "Urge For Going" have been recorded but are clearly marked as not to be released).

 

And then of course are key players in her early career like Elliot Roberts the Manager of Neil Young and CSNY who believed in her and steered her to Reprise Records (the Box is dedicated to him), Record Exec Mo Ostin (a photo of Joni signing to Reprise as Mo and Elliot watch) and one of two intimate snaps of ex Hollies man and lover Graham Nash (the best baby I ever had). There is even a photo of Graham sat on a sofa with Joni at the piano while her bemused and confused and ever so slightly uncomfortable parents Bill and Myrtle Anderson watch (it was taken just before she went on stage in May 1969 as an industry showcase concert in front of every Folk peer in the game including Dylan). But the most astonishing thing is on Page 14 where the March 19, 1968 diary page of Jimi Hendrix is repro'd (courtesy of his estate) – his handwritten praise of Joni whom he describes as "...fantastic girl with Heaven words..." Even then – genius could recognize other genius. March 19^th was the day he professionally taped Joni at Le Hibou Coffee House (Disc 2) and the results are amazingly clear – audio-wise.

 

Speaking of Audio – MICHAEL GRAVES did the Audio Restoration and the world-famous BERNIE GRUNDMAN did the Mastering – and when it goes into Take 1 of the unreleased "Jeremy" – the audio is lovely – and as its only her and an acoustic – thrilling intimate. Any version of the majestic "Both Sides Now" has got to be on top of most bucket-lists – so to hear this dizzy-dancing song in this lovely session form (January 1968) – is more than a treat.

 

The debut album "Song To A Seagull" aka "Joni Mitchell" was released March 1968 in the USA (June 1968 in the UK) on Reprise RSLP 6293 and featured Stephen Stills on Bass with David Crosby Producing – Mitchell playing all other instruments. Every one of its ten tracks is represented here in one form or another and alongside newbees – two versions of "Midnight Cowboy" (not a cover of the Fred Neil song that was done by Nilsson for the John Schlesinger film of the same name) and the outtakes "Jeremy" and "The Gift Of The Magi".

 

The second album "Clouds" was released May 1969 LP in the USA (October 1969 in the UK) on Reprise RSLP 6341. Apart from "Tin Angel" (Produced by Paul A. Rothchild) – she self-produced the rest with old pal Stephen Stills adding some guitar parts (most were done by herself). All 10 of its tracks are here in varying forms except for the Side One opener - "Tin Angel". New songs include live versions of "The Pirate Of Penance" and "Dr. Junk" beside an outtake called "Come To The Sunshine".

 

Album number three is "Ladies Of The Canyon" – released April 1970 in the USA (May 1970 in the UK) on Reprise RSLP 6376. Again all but one song "The Arrangement" that ended Side One – are here in live or demo form. The Cellos version (from Sessions) of the "Ladies Of The Canyon" song is particularly lovely – and beautifully recorded/remastered. But for me the very best song here is "Hunter" – given to us in two variants – live at the industry introducing concert at Carnegie Hall (1 February 1969 with Bob Dylan in attendance) and a stunning studio outtake done for the "Blue" sessions in late 1970. Recorded by the fondly remembered Bernie Andrews at the BBC for John Peel, surprisingly nice too is the John Cameron Group doing a flute version of "Chelsea Morning" with John Cameron on Keyboards, Harold McNair on Flute, and Dave Cousins (of The Strawbs) on Guitar. She also doubles her vocals to great effect on an accomplished version of "The Gallery" (the ones of ladies). Cameron does nice piano playing on "Night In The City".

 

"Blue" – released June 1971 in the USA on Reprise MS 2038 and July 1971 in the UK on Reprise K 44128 – was celebrating a 50^th Anniversary Album reintroduction as Filmmaker and Music Lover Cameron Crowe conducted his interview. It saw Joni get her first number one LP! All but two of the 10-tracks from the "Blue" album are represented here (mostly in live versions) – the two missing songs being "This Flight Tonight" and "The Last Time I Saw Richard". It is fascinating to hear her debut "All I Want" as a work-in-progress in front of an audience in September 1970 in the UK (an excellent BBC recording) – the Side 1 opener from one of her most beloved albums. The two "Blue" demos are her unaccompanied but are a tad disappointing – audio quality wise. A hoot though to hear Joni segue the Larry Williams classic "Boney Maronie" into her own "Big Yellow Taxi" and delighting the audience. But the Big Daddy find for me is a stunning "Hunter" over on CD5, a full studio song outtake where she doubles up acoustics and Russ Kunkle provides Drums and Percussion. It was recorded for "Blue" but stayed off the record at her insistence and is properly brill. "River" is a being-lonely-at-Christmas song that is so drummed into our consciousness that to hear it suddenly sprout French Horns towards the end is actually jarring (I can hear why she left them out, too cheesy, seasonal sentimentality). "Urge For Going" would have to wait until October 1972 before it appeared as a Non-LP B-side to the 45-single for "You Turn Me On, I'm A Radio" (Asylum AS-11011 in the USA, November 1972 UK on Asylum AYM 511).

 

Big disappointment has to be the Apartment recordings – even if they are new stuff – most are barely above bootleg standard and I would have left them off. For me you have to wait until Track 10 on Disc One ("Song To A Seagull" sessions recorded 24 January 1968) where she does Take 1 of a lovely song called "Jeremy". Early versions of "Conversation" and "Both Sides Now" (from the same sessions) are fabulous peeps into her evolving songwriting prowess growing as you listen (the dizzy dancing way you feel). A gem on Disc Two is "Come To The Sunshine" showing up as a touching beautifully sung live version (recorded unbelievably by Jimi Hendrix in Canada on his portable tape recorder and in shockingly good audio), but even better is the Studio Session version of "Come To The Sunshine" done in May 1968 (touches of 'Hejira' to come) – tip-top audio and a genuinely great find.

 

The dentist song "Dr. Junk" is a bit of eccentric fun, but better live cuts follow like "Go Tell The Drummer Boy" and a lovely looking for laughter "I Don't Where I Stand" – a song that should be just as famous as "Both Sides Now" with its nerve-raw insight into young love. "Michael From Mountains" has unfortunate tape distortion and a misstep in her vocals. But stunning is the only way to describe Disc Five – Jeff Griffin the Producer for the BBC with John Etchells recording. Her In Concert Broadcast is in gorgeous audio and captures Joni in toppermost form. When James Taylor joins her (they were dating at the time) – its magic - a double lightning in a bottle moment – the acoustic JT proficient too.

 

In a lyrical warning to her more naïve self, Joni sang "...don't give yourself away..." – but then in the same song she goes on to all guns blazing when she sings "...to say I love you right out loud..." The song was/is of course the gorgeous loss & gain "Both Sides Now". And isn't that duality surely what so many loved about her – beauty and naked honesty in the same place with an Acoustic Guitar or Dulcimer in Hand.

 

I know there are those who will have wanted so much more – but as I play the outtakes "Come To The Sunshine", "Urge For Going" and "Hunter" – I am in tears. Joni Mitchell has always been special and proof positive lies within...