June 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell’s self-produced Blue album. Recently ranked third in Rolling Stone’s list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time this 1971 acoustic classic is well-regarded for its use of alternative guitar tunings and was inspired by the Canadian star’s troubled relationships with fellow singer-songwriters Graham Nash and James Taylor.
In order to celebrate 50 years since the album’s original release Rhino has unveiled a digital EP entitled Blue 50 (Demos & Outtakes). It contains five previously unreleased recordings that are due to feature on Mitchell’s forthcoming compilation, Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 2: The Reprise Years (1968-1971). These rare tracks - comprising of alternative versions of A Case Of You, California, Hunter, River, and Urge For Going - are a small taster of the Archives box-set of five CDs due for release on October 29th.
The same compilation will be available exclusively from Joni Mitchell's website as a limited edition ten-LP vinyl set and is intended to compliment The Reprise Albums (1968-1971). This four-CD set of definitively remastered albums due for release on July 2nd includes Blue as well as 1968’s Song To A Seagull, 1969’s Clouds, and 1970’s Ladies Of The Canyon.
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