For starters, hunters should not get their hopes up about any unreleased material on this box set -- there are exactly three cuts, two are unfinished demo versions of songs already on their respective albums -- "Two Grey Rooms" and "Good Friends" -- as well as an unreleased cover version of
Dylan's "It's All Over Now Baby Blue." But that's fine, just fine. The bottom line is that these records haven't been available in some time due to the profound folly of the accountants who run the Geffen imprint who wouldn't know art if it were hanging in their living rooms. The box is stunning, gorgeous even in its earth-tone glory with a brilliant inset photograph by former husband and producer
Larry Klein. There are poignant photos, the albums in their original sleeves, a completely searing unapologetic set of liner notes from
Mitchell, reproductions of paintings, and more.
Mitchell's comments, which introduce many of the songs here, are priceless. These and the liner notes are almost worth the price of the box. The only design problem seems to be that the booklet falls apart a bit from its stitching, but that's not really a big deal.