Joni Mitchell’s series of Archives release continue to be a masterclass in how to properly celebrate and expand an artist’s legacy. Out 4 October, Vol. 4 covers the years 1976 through 1980, which saw the Canadian singer/songwriter move even further away from her acoustic roots and into more sprawling, jazz-oriented work.

The three studio albums she released in that period – Hejira, Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, and Mingus – are all well represented here, with unheard demos, alternate takes, different studio mixes, rehearsal tapes, and live versions adding up to nearly 100 previously unreleased recordings.

Among those are nine demos recorded in Hollywood in March 1976 for Hejira, seven of which appeared on the final album. Ahead of the Vol. 4 release, Rhino Records have shared the demo version of the title track from Hejira, or “Traveling” as it was known at the time. Stripped of the clarinet, percussion, and Jaco Pastorius’s iconic fretless bass work, it’s a fascinating insight into the genesis of one of the all-time great road songs.

Listen to “Traveling” – which is also the title of Ann Powers’ recent Mitchell biography – and the final version of “Hejira” below:

“Traveling” is the second track tom be shared from Vol. 4, following last month’s share of an early live version of Hejira’s “Coyote”, recorded in Montréal in December 1975, almost a year before the album was released.

Newly remastered versions of Hejira, Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, Mingus, and Mitchell's 1980 live recording Shadows & Light have also been released.