Joni Mitchell releases first known recording to launch new archival series

11 September 2020, 12:48 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Joni Mitchell)

Joni Mitchell has announced the first instalment of her archival series, Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963 – 1967), and has released her first known recording, a cover of The Animals' "House of the Rising Sun".

Mitchell's version of "House of the Rising Sun" will feature on the album alongside material recorded before her 1968 debut album Song to a Seagull.

Her cover of The Animals' classic track is the earliest known recording of Mitchell, and was performed for CFQC AM Radio Station in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1963.

The five CD boxset includes nearly six hours of unreleased, rare material recorded at home, live, and on radio. Among those unheard songs are 29 tracks that have never been released with her vocals before.

Mitchell's archival set will also feature a 40-page booklet of unseen photos, linear notes and more.

Joni Mitchell's cover of "House of the Rising Sun" is out now. Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963 – 1967) is out 30 October, and can be pre-ordered now.