Those demoes illustrate what a singular record Blue is in her career - "Hunter" sounds like Ladies of the Canyon, and "River", when the French horns come in, is a flash-forward to some of the orchestral overdubs on For the Roses. But neither of those outtakes would fit on Blue as we know it.
Joni was wise (or lucky) that she has kept such a tight grip on these sorts of outtakes over the last 35 years. It gives a real sense of occasion to the release of these Archives boxes that wouldn't be there if the albums had already been reissued two or three times with bonus tracks, demoes, live shows etc.
It's funny that that Paul Horn recording has more down votes than likes, do people think he kidnapped her and forced her to do a wordless version with his flute?
― Halfway there but for you, Tuesday, 22 June 2021 00:22 (two years ago) link
It's so good to hear Hunter properly at last, it has always been tagged on at the end of the Hissing demos.
― Maresn3st, Tuesday, 22 June 2021 10:56 (two years ago) link
woah, never thought the second Archives box would come so fast! thats a nice surprise.
― Hmmmmm (jamiesummerz), Tuesday, 22 June 2021 11:15 (two years ago) link