Trans Review

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(More customer reviews)One of the things you've got to admire about Neil Young is that the man does not stand still. Basically a metal-rocker at heart, if his concerts are to be relied on--he nevertheless is comfortable working in a wide array of musical genres, as is amply demonstrated by a spin though his retrospective Decade CD.
Trans marks a foray--with a vengeance-- into electronic music. Admittedly, if this is not your sound, this will not be one of your favorite albums. It is, however, one of those experimental efforts that works. It was, at the time of its release, well ahead of the power curve insofar as this genre was concerned. Moreover, it clearly stands as an experiment with a different sound and technology. Not only did Neil write material specifically for this album, but he also took to trying the sound out on some of his old standards. So, not only do we have the commercially successful written pieces, such as Transformer Man and Sample and Hold, but also electronically rendered pieces such as Mr. Soul and Hold on to Your Love.
What has made Young such a viable artist for so long-his awesome talent aside-is his willingness and ability to experiment, to evolve, to grow. Everybody knows some growth spurts can leave one awkward in the short run, but better off in the long run. It is precisely because of efforts such as this that Young remains the vital musical force and influence he is.
So, treat yourself to a bit of musical and personal history and give Trans a spin.

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Unavailable on CD in the U.S., this is Neil's 1982 electronic album for Geffen. Nine tracks, including 'Computer Age', 'Transformer Man' and a drastically different version of his Buffalo Springfield classic 'Mr. Soul'.

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Landing on Water Review

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(More customer reviews)How can you not like this album? This is experimental Neil at his best, trying to tackle something new and infuse it with his own Neilness.
So, you think of the 80s, and you think of synthesizers. New Wave? Synth pop?
Neil puts together this album that is largely synthesizer-driven. Actually, that's not true. This album is primarily driven by Steve Jordan's drums, mic'd in such a way that it sounds like you're in a closet with them. Keyboards are layered on top of the drums, and last... BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST... Neil's trademark tortured distorted guitar periodically cuts through and slaps you senseless.
This album has a LOT of charm to it.
Lyrically:
"Take my advice, don't listen to me..."
"The wooden ships were just a hippie dream..."
An angelic-voiced boys choir singing "Got to fight to control the violent side..."
Samples & sound effects:
Breaking glass as percussion.
Screams punctuating that song "Pressure".
...and DAMN I don't know what they did to those drums throughout the album to make 'em sound so in-your-face, but... DAMN...
DAMN.

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Road Rock Vol. 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)This album has received a lot of negative criticism, and unfortunately much of that (though not all of it) is warranted. Indeed, the sound is awful, and like others, I don't understand why an album has to sound this bad. We all know Young is a fantastic guitar player, and he must know that himself, so why does the guitar get drowned in a vague, hazy, echoy mist?
However, there are redeeming qualities. The version of "Cowgirl in the Sand" is good, but especially the bass (drum and guitar) sound terrible, as if they were recorded in cardboard box. Don't knock "Walk On" too quickly--it's meant to be a slightly happy tune, and I like this one. I am also very happy to now have a live version of "Peace of Mind"--it's a beautiful tune and it's well played. Crazy Horse couldn't have pulled this off: Keith and Oldham know where it's at. Neither old nor decrepit, the guys backing Young up know that there is more to rock 'n' roll than loud and fast.
Both the good and the bad on this album are evident on "All Along the Watchtower." Young pays his dues to Hendrix and Dylan on this one (he's played this before--I have a CD single at home somewhere with this song live) and his guitarplaying is brilliant. That is, I think it is, because it's hard to make out in the mix. I hope those who saw the tour heard it better; it must have been awesome.
In all, I have very mixed feelings about this album. It's by the man, so I got to buy it, and I must respect what he was trying to do, but I can't say I understand how this album came to sound the way it does. Perhaps Young can enlighten us.

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Oh Yes I Can Review

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(More customer reviews)I dusted this one off this morning and was amazed how many GOOD songs are here! I gave it four stars because there are two songs (in my opinion) that keep it from being a true 5 star effort. But that leaves 9 wonderful David Crosby songs...particularly Melody and Tracks in the Dust. Wow! Bonnie Raitt's voice soars up on Lady of the Harbour and other guest voices you will hear here are James Taylor, Graham Nash, and Jackson Browne. I'm glad I own this CD and I'll be playing it much more frequently. Give this one a try!

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Remastered reissue of David's 1989 release which featuresGraham Nash, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne,Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, David Lindley and MichaelHedges. One Way. 2003.

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CSNY/Deja Vu Live Review

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(More customer reviews)I'll ignore the politics of previous reviews, though the tour had strong (and for me postitive) political impetus.
The music overall is very good, clearly Neil's driving and the boys respond. The mix at some points seems a little muddy both for the guitars and harmonies; other times not. And most of Neil's songs are straight up from "Living with War"; no reworks or extended jams a la Crazy Horse or 4 way street.
But what is here is good. Military Madness rocks and has two awesome (but short) Neil distortion workouts. I love Let's Impeach the Prez even if no different from studio. Deja Vu and Wooden Ships are resurrected magnificently. Crosby and Nash still sound great together! Ships also has some great guitar interplay. For What It's Worth does get an overhaul, kind of bluesy and heavier,which I like. My favorite from "Living with war" is Roger and Out and it is faithfully recreated here. Freedom and Children are both excellent; vocals very strong.
I would love some more guitar workouts (Wooden ships is great but brief), but overall this is a solid release. CSNY might have lost 1/2 a notch, it ain't 1969, but they still deliver. PS - check out photos! Stills looks like holy Hell!!!

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In 2006, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young reunited for the Freedom Of Speech Tour. In 2008, they premiere CSNY/D‚j… Vu, a feature-length documentary based on that controversial tour. But the only place to hear in their entirety the impassioned performances in the film is on CSNY/D‚j… Vu Live. A mix of CSNY classics and more recent antiwar material from Neil Young, CSNY/D‚j… Vu Live marks the return to the socio-political stage of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash and Neil Young in a musical d‚j… vu. 16 tracks.

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Year of the Horse Review

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(More customer reviews)No one has kept the eternal flame of psychedelic rock alive with more sincerity, or longer than Neil Young. Perhaps the artist says it best himself on 'Big Time': "I'm still living the dream we had... for me it's not over". Even if you snicker a bit at the concept, it's obvious that Young still believes in love, peace and understanding, and it's certainly a noble ralling cry to cling to. Those who have abandoned the concept have frequently aspired to much less.
'Year of the Horse' is an underrated live set from Young, panned as lacking enthusiasm (those not familiar with Young may not realize that not every song he writes was intended as an 'ace-in-the-hole' for American Idol), or for retreading old territory by asking, "Do we really need another live version of 'When You Dance', 'Mr. Soul', 'Pocahontas', or 'Sedan Delivery'"? To even modestly addicted Neil fans, the immediate and immutable response is, "YES!". Consider that popular among the more rabid of us are web sites that attempt, with some precision, to detail every song ever performed at every concert by Young (check out the Sugar Mountain web site). Now, that's rabid. The appeal of alternate takes on any Young song becomes especially pertinent since Neil, like his chosen mentors Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix, so frequently reinvents his compositions. On this disc, 'Mr. Soul' is a case in point. Here we have a mid-60's souped up, fuel injected hot rod from Buffalo Springfield that has morphed into an acoustic blues romp, with Neil's 6 strings sounding loose enough to be falling off the guitar with each strum. Young's ode to Hendrix appears at the end of a high octane 'Prisoners Of Rock n' Roll', as he breaks into a psychedelic 'Star Spangled Banner'.
The set list for 'Horse' is remarkably diverse as Neil highlights such gems as 'When You Dance' from 'After the Goldrush', to 'Human Highway' from 'Comes A Time', to 'Sedan Delivery' from 'Rust Never Sleeps', to 'Big Time' and 'Slip Away' from 'Broken Arrow'. In nearly every way Young is "a little bit here and a little bit there", as he sings on 'Scattered'. He wears as many artistic hats as he does real hats these days. In giving Neil a double-disc, Time-Warner invited Young to surely make it seem like four, offering 12 songs from 8 different venues, with textures ranging from the haunting echos of 'When Your Lonely Heart Breaks' to the relentless jackhammer that is 'Sedan Delivery'.
Yet the best number on tap here is the seemingly innocuous 'Barstool Blues' from 1975's 'Zuma' album. This song sits innocently in the setlist until Neil uses it to ambush us like a Viet Cong guerilla, pulling the trigger with ferocity on 'Old Black'. Young has never been a finesse guitarist in the mold of Eric Clapton, or even Stephen Stills (making comparisons between the two rather meaningless). Instead, Neil sculpts sound from his instrument, and he's chiselin' up a storm on 'Barstool Blues'.
The only song I could have lived without is another selection from 'Zuma', 'Dangerbird'. I don't mind the song being heavy, but it's about as deep into depression as Neil goes (which is DEEP), and it's a few fathoms below my own tolerance. But everything else works, and works well, and should be pleasing to Neil fans ranging all the way from novice to completist. In fact, since Neil and the Horse are more consumable coming from the stage than the studio, a specially priced double-disc such as this is a nice way to get a representative sampling of Young's remarkable career.
I suppose if most Young fans had their pick of songs performed on the 1996 US tour, they might want to supplant the retreads with even more diverse selections, such as 'Long May You Run', 'Bite the Bullet', or 'Don't Cry No Tears', but I'm content with leaving Neil in charge and trusting his deejaying. Over the years, he's certainly earned that trust and respect.

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: YOUNG,NEIL & CRAZY HORSETitle: YEAR OF THE HORSEStreet Release Date: 06/17/1997

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This Note's for You Review

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(More customer reviews)"This Notes for you" was largely overlooked when it was released. Much was the same for other releases from this period in Neil's career; such as "Life", "Landing on Water",and "Everybody's Rockin'. For these three records Neil was in the process of getting out of his creatively constricting contract with Geffen Records. "This Notes For you" was his return to his original label "Reprise". Many had written him off; but for those of us who knew Neil; this was a triumph. Never one to become stuck in a rut, Neil came in screemin'. "Ten Men Workiin'" opens with a vengeance. A heavey guitar and blasting horns prepare the listener for what awaits. The title cut is one of Neil's many "ANTHEM" songs, and was accompanied by a music video that was quickly banned from MTV. It portrayed many famous look-a-likes, selling their souls for various products. "Coupe de Ville" must be one of Neil's finest moments. Smooth as silk; this song transports you. He creates an audio painting of love and pathos rare in modern music. This song contains an absolutely beautiful guitar solo. Neil shows how LESS is so much MORE. It may be what he doesn't play that makes this perticular solo so completely satisfying. "Life in the City" is brass infused rock at it's finest. Big, brash, and makes your feet dance. "Twilight" is another brilliant ballad which puts guitar and horns together in a way that I've never heard before, and with amazing results. This disc has some of Neil's most adventures work to date. Check out "Lucky Thirteen" to hear some "Live" work from this "BIG" band. If you like "BIG" music, you'll love "This Notes for You". Neil's only record with that "Big Band" sound, and one where the whole band shines. Think of it as a quick bend in the road towrads "Ragged Glory". Enjoy the ride!

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: YOUNG,NEILTitle: THIS NOTE'S FOR YOUStreet Release Date: 04/12/1988

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Long May You Run Review

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(More customer reviews)From reading the reviews here one would think we're looking at a release by Stephen Hatfield and Neil McCoy. I suppose it's not surprising that Stephen and Neil's on and off-again relationship, their head-butting over who would get to play lead guitar, and the tension that would eventually dissolve the tour supporting this album would spill over into the reviews. It's too bad that those circumstances influence people's perceptions of the music though, because this is a thoroughly enjoyable album. As a fan of both artist's work, I find these tracks to be highly representative of everything else they were producing around this time... certainly not their best compositions or their most inspired recordings, but worthy additions to their catalogs.
I count myself fortunate to have been seated in the pavilion of the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan in June, 1976 when the Stills-Young Band kicked off their tour, even if the sound turned out to be rather muddled and the two stars weren't frequently on stage together. While most of the setlist was dedicated to past hits, the evening did produce three of the finer selections from this CD: Still's staple from this tour, 'Make Love To You'; a song Neil first began performing with Crazy Horse while on tour in Japan earlier in the same year, 'Let It Shine'; and the title song, 'Long May You Run', which Neil first began performing in 1974. Only two other songs from the album, Neil's 'Midnight On the Bay' and 'Ocean Girl' would be offered on the truncated (17 concert) tour.
This collection boasts one classic tune, the title track, which rivals any of Young's best compositions. Another exceptional contribution from Neil is 'Fontainebleau', which is cast from the same mold as 'Cortez the Killer' with its loping beat and trademark guitar squelch and distortion. 'Midnight On the Bay', 'Ocean Girl' and 'Let It Shine' are pleasant-sounding, but unchallenging tracks by Young's standards.
Still's offers four tracks to Neil's five, but more total minutes on the disc. His best offerings are the blatantly seductive ode to one-night stands, 'Make Love To You' (with a tempo reminisient of Still's first hit, 'For What It's Worth'), and the bouncy, spiritual closer, 'Guardian Angel'. 'Black Coral' features it's own spiritual bent, as well as an intriguing melody. '12/8 Blues' is perhaps the weakest song on the disc, but like 'Black Coral' has an interesting, unusual musical structure, and together with 'Fontainebleau' adds some needed grit to the mix.
This album was recorded in Miami and the song selection suggests Stills and Young were hinting at a nautical theme for the disc. Obvious selections such as 'Midnight On the Bay', 'Ocean Girl' and 'Black Coral' wash together with lyrics from 'Long May You Run' ("Rollin' down that empty ocean road, get into the surf on time") and 'Fontainebleau' (...where the surfer works, till the break of day, cause it takes a shark, to catch a wave...) to carry the impression, inadvertent or not.
So despite the heavy critiques and unfortunate circumstances this reunion disc generated, I'm pleased two of my favorite artists, the dual backbones of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, saw fit to give this a shot. I consider it one of the most unique collaborations of their careers, and the music a tribute to their talents. Oh... one other plus: lyrics are included.

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Time the Conqueror Review

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(More customer reviews)TIME THE CONQUEROR is a mixed-bag of delights; I won't sugarcoat it. The album is heavy on the political, a knack that I wish Browne had left back in the 80s. Granted, if anyone is going to do political music, let it be rock's poet laureate...but still...when he cries "Why is impeachment not on the table/We better stop them while we are able," we can't help but wince. I mean, Jackson, there are just four months left...it's almost over...
The political tunes (with one exception) aside, the rest of the album borders, occasionally, on brilliance. Take "Just Say Yeah," perhaps one of the best tunes to capture the innocence of young, unexpected love since...well...since Browne wrote about it a few decades ago. "You would think you would see love coming," he croons, "but of course you don't." Or the stellar "Live Nude Cabaret," a journey into one man's troubled desire that has an in-your-face opening that betrays the narrator's struggle: "I went to the Live Nude Cabaret/To see what I could see/And I saw the ladies dancing/And I guess that they saw me." "Giving That Heaven Away" is a tale of love and rock 'n roll, while "Going Down to Cuba" melds politics and the beach into a melodic, relaxing number, the ocasionally harsh political lyrics ("They might not know all the freedoms you and I know/But they do know what to do in a hurricane") sung with his tongue a little bit closer to his cheek.
Considering the beauty and brilliance to be found in these tunes, it's disappointing that so much of the album is political. It's all VERY well written--don't get me wrong. Jackson Browne has long been the songwriter's songwriter; I think everyone reading this review knows and appreciates that fact. But even the greatest songwriter can get lost within his lyric every now and then..."Off of Wonderland," for example, an otherwise stellar tune, idolizes the 60s just a bit too much ("If we could just believe in one another/As much as we believed in John"), and "Where Were You" gets lost within its groove, so much so that you forget the lyrics are about the devestation caused by Hurricane Katrina, and Browne is bemoaning "How strong will we ever really be? How long do we imagine we'll be free?"
TIME THE CONQUERER is a welcome return from Jackson Browne; it's nice to hear some new material again (though, personally, I hope he will continue with his SOLO ACOUSTIC series as well). There is a lot wrong with the world today, and it is natural for a songwriter as talented as Browne to write and sing about it. We just wish he wouldn't do it SO MUCH. When he's singing about the woes of our nation, he's good...but when he's singing about the woes of our hearts, he's brilliant. That's what makes TIME THE CONQUEROR so frustrating--there are moments of brilliance (and we know he's capable of whole albums of brilliance) obscured by something just this side of mediocrity. Jackson Browne is a true poet, and this is an album worth being added to your JB collection...but, if you are a beginner, then start elsewhere. Start, perhaps, at the beginning. It's as good a place as any, and better than some.

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Browne's first studio release in six years. Recorded with his longtime band Kevin McCormick, Mark Goldenberg, Mauricio "Fritz" Lewak, and Jeff Young, along with two additional members, Chavonne Morris and Alethea Mills. Look for them on tour this fall.

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Neil Young In Berlin (1983) Review

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(More customer reviews)For a variety of reasons, this video is a must-own for avid fans of Neil Young. The setting is the final show of Young's 1982 European tour preceding the December 1982 release of 'Trans'. In contrast to other Neil Young video recordings, the European venue offers a minimum of crowd noise (unlike Red Rocks Live) as well as an opportunity to watch Neil and Nils Lofgren work the runway jutting into the audience. And, thankfully, we have only a few shots of audience members, often an editing nightmare threatening to destroy the integrity and impact of the performances (see 'Weld'). One also wonders if Young ever wore a tie on stage again, after watching him competing with it to pillage the six strings of Old Black on 'Like a Hurricane'.
The sound quality is excellent, while the film quality is very good... spoiled by today's standard, you will notice times when the filming blurs a bit, or the camera moves too fast to manage the light. Nevertheless, there are several stunning images captured that more than make up for the deficiencies of 1980's technology. In particular is a hypnotic 'drummers-eye-view' scene during 'Hey Hey My My', looking out over Neil's back as the audience throbs to the numbers incessant driving beat. Neil's personal appearance is as 'clean-cut' as you will ever see him... quite a contrast to his overriding 'Grandfather of Grunge' image.
The personnel surrounding Young, and the song selection make this video quite unique. Nils Lofgren brings an unbridled energy to the visual performance that is simply priceless. Ralph Molina, Bruce Palmer and Joe Lala are an unassuming, solid backbone of rhythm for Lofgren, Ben Keith and Neil as they trade places on a variety of instruments. Larry Cragg offers an understated banjo on 'Old Man', while Joel Bernstein adeptly manages the vocoder and synthesizer.
The hard rock numbers, 'Cinnamon Girl', 'Like a Hurricane', and 'Hey Hey My My' manage to sound simultaneously clean n' dirty in classic Young style. If there is any weakness in the show, it would have to be the acoustic renditions of Needle and the Damage Done and After the Goldrush, which feel a bit strained and plodding. The cuts taken from Trans, 'Computer Age', 'Transformer Man', and 'Sample and Hold', produce a compelling flashback as we witness Young perceptively addressing the embryonic advance of digital technology into Western culture which is rapidly becoming our second nature. 'Computer Age' and 'Sample and Hold' rock out, while 'Tranformer Man' is thoughtful, and features some theatrical miming from both Young and Lofgren. Another Trans cut, 'A Little Thing Called Love', is a bouncy, effortless foray that seems out of character for the Trans LP, but nicely supplements the overall song selection for this video.
The concert, and the tour, is capped off with the completely appropriate 'After Berlin', seemingly written for the moment of its performance, and not performed since. It's the only blues-rock number in the set, and Young's guitar is crisp and wailing throughout. Seeing this rare performance was worth the price of admission for the fortunate few in Berlin, and owning it is well worth the price of the video or DVD for the rest of us.

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Greendale (Bonus Dvd) Review

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(More customer reviews)As 57 year old "child of the 60's" and former 70's and early 80's FM Radio Rock DJ, and guitarist, I've been a fan and close follower of Neil's music, and politics (the two are often inseperable) from the beginning, and own a fairly complete library of his works. I haven't always liked everything Neil has done and I can be critical of his music (and politics). I've also never felt compelled to write a review before, so believe me when I say that Greendale really grabbed me. This is Neil Young from the very bottom of his soul and at his very best! Neil has gone back to the classic Concept (album) format to tell an ingeniously entertaining tale and deliver his message of peace, love and respect for planet Earth. Characters that captivate the imagination, tongue in cheek humor, some directed at Neil himself, tragedy, death and serious message intertwine throughout. The electric music on the CD is simply great basic from the gut blues based Rock-n-Roll, including great guitar chops, Neil, not trying to be dazzling or fancy, just delivering solid riffs and solos that have me listening time and again. To top it all off the Bonus DVD solo acoustic performance recorded in a small club in Ireland is more than worth the price alone. Thousands of words will be written about Greendale but in my estimation one word says it all, BRILLIANT! Unfortunately, in today's sad narrow minded rock and roll radio market the general public isn't likely to hear much, if any, of Greendale. As previously mentioned I've never felt compelled to write an online review before but listen to Greendale and you too will likely be driven to spread the word. Collectively, we owe that to Neil for coming up with such a great work absoultely worthy of multi-Platinum sales status. Thanks, Neil Young, for more great music I will enjoy for the rest of my life.

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Japanese version featuring a bonus DVD.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Mirror Ball Review

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(More customer reviews)Neil Young and Pearl Jam's impressive musical collaboration has a live sound, with thick, unpolished guitars, heavy drums and crashing drums everywhere, as if in rehearsal mode. Though these songs completely rock out, there's an old-fashioned sense to them, a sort of archaic vibe for the respect of rock and roll music. The comraderie and naturalness between Pearl Jam and Young is unmistakable -- the combination fits like well-worn slippers. The heavy guitar chops on such songs as "Song X," "Act of Love" and the epic "I'm the Ocean" are all as intense and rocking as any Pearl Jam or Neil Young album out there.
The bold repetativeness of "I'm the Ocean" -- one of the best songs on the album -- is proof that none of these guys need to prop up their songs with hokey, unneeded sonic effects from the studio. It's one of those songs that could go on forever without getting old, and it practically does. The drum beat alone is mesmerizing, but Young's observational lyrics are also impressive. The fact that it sounds like a raw rehersal take in the studio makes it even better. "Big Green Country" is a rolling, high-energy song that clicks on all cylinders, a countryman's version of mosh. Only at "Truth Be Told" does the pace and volume on "Mirror Ball" come down considerably. The raunchier "Downtown" was released as a single, and with its references to Led Zeppelin, hippies and a huge Jimmy Page-like riff, it delivered the goods.
Two portions of "Mirror Ball" -- the middle and very end -- feature a hymnallike organ, the heartwrenching backdrop for Young's short lyrical spot that is aching in its tenderness.
Both Pearl Jam and Neil Young share the same integrity and ideals, lyrically and musically, especially on such classic rock-sounding monsters like "Peace and Love" and "Throw Your Hatred Down." Eddie Vedder's lone vocal contribution on "Peace and Love" is hearfelt and well-placed, an unforgettable moment, like a star in the gloriously murky haze of guitars.
And listen for Young's own beautiful closer, "Fallen Angel," perhaps one of the sweetest, most emotional endings to any album ever. "Mirror Ball" may be a somewhat obscure release now, but it was one of the best albums made in the 1990s, and a dynamite collaboration of sounds.


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Neil Young's eagerly-awaited follow-up to the Grammy-nominated will include the epic \Act of Love

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Weld (2 disc set) Review

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(More customer reviews)Well, obviously the tour resulting in this CD is long over, but this is your best shot at going to this particular Neil Young concert. He blows you away right from the start (as does the band) but by the time the Dylan classic 'Blowin' in the wind' is played inside out in a truly amazing rendering of this song, he grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go anymore. This is a CLASSIC rock album, although Live Rust is more famous. Trust me, this is Live Rust tenfold. Cortez the Killer, Crime in the City, Powderfinger... it's all here. But you will be coming back to Blowin' in the Wind, just like me. Recorded on the verge of the Gulfwar, Young gets angry and gets the song done in just the right way. Think about what could have happened in the Gulf War, close your eyes and set the volume to 12. This is not a song, this is a work of Art, deserving to belong in every self respecting rock collection. Impressive.

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Crank it up! This double live set was recorded during Neil Young's 1991 tour.No Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: YOUNG,NEIL & CRAZY HORSETitle: WELDStreet Release Date: 10/22/1991

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Tonight's the Night Review

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(More customer reviews)In my senior year in high school (1975) I was a huge Neil Young fan. I had all his solo albums, had seen him in concert several times, knew virtually every one of his tunes by heart, and I even looked like the guy. When I heard that he had released a new album, "Tonight's the Night", I hustled down to the local Tower Records, forked over my ...,and rushed home to give it listen. I hated it. "What," I asked no one in particular, "is this mess?" Neil's lack of polish and affectation were always part of his appeal, but "Tonight's the Night" was too much. Neil and his band were so loaded they could hardly play, Neil singing was so bad it was laughable, and the whole record sounded like it had been recorded in a barn. I dismissed the thing as some kind of joke and filed "Tonight's the Night" away on the shelf. I then put on "After the Gold Rush" and thought about what I could have bought with that ... I wasted on "Tonight's the Night".
A few weeks later I was telling a friend how bad "Tonight's the Night" was and pulled it off the shelf to play for him. But, on second listen the album didn't sound as bad as I had remembered. "Come Baby, Let's Go Downtown" was a nice rockin' tune, "Roll Another Number" was an amusing druggie tale, and "Tired Eyes" seemed like an sad, even pretty, ballad. "Hmmm," I thought "Maybe this isn't a joke after all." I still didn't think it was a good album, it sure wasn't "Harvest", but I decided to give it a few more listens before I wrote it off for good.
So over the next few weeks I listened to "Tonight's the Night" again. And again. And again. And again. I listened to it drunk and I listened to it sober. I listened to during the day and I listened to it at night. I listened to it loud and I listened to it soft. I just couldn't stop listening to it. It replaced "Live at Fillmore East" as the album that was constantly on my turntable. It was absolutely hypnotic. "Tonight's the Night" sure wasn't "Harvest"; it was far better. It was some strange kind of Canadian, whiteboy, folk blues that reached right inside you, in the same way that Robert Johnson did, or Roscoe Holcomb did. It was the real thing, and it didn't matter if Neil couldn't carry a tune to save his life, or that the steel guitar was out of tune; it was pure, unaffected emotion that could send chills down your spine. And the songs! Each one was gem and I soon knew them all by heart (and I still do). Needless to say, my initial impression of "Tonight's the Night" underwent a complete revision. I now thought it was a bloody masterpiece and I've had no reason to change my mind since then. Although I no longer listen to "Tonight's the Night" obsessively, or even frequently, every time I put it in the changer it still sounds . . . "fresh"? "unique"? "original"? "raw"? All that and more. It always sounds like "Tonight's the Night". It's still the real thing.

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No Description Available.Genre: Popular MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 20-JAN-1989

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Neil Young - Red Rocks Live / Friends + Relatives (DVD) (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)After reading somewhat mixed reviews here, I came close to passing this dvd by. But now, having had my walls rocked by this performance, the negative words in some reviews don't hold rain water with me. What you have is the best seat in the house to an ultimately impassioned concert taking place at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Young is amazing as he leads the troups through a set that covers much of his career and hits a cressendo with World on a String, Tonight's the Night and an incredible performance of Cowgirl in the Sand. You truly get a concert experience with the 5.1 surround sound and feel you're part of a crowd that is not fazed by pounding rain. This concert is so much better than the cd of the same name. Don't expect Crazy Horse-like energy from the backup musicians, they mostly provide the canvas for Neil to paint his artwork on. Bassist Donald "Duck" Dunn was statue-like the entire show but as Neil blew the sky's roof off the outdoor setting, even Dunn was moved to blinking to the beat.
Fans of Neil Young won't be disappointed unless they're expecting some sort of MTV Video, this is a rock concert.

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Recorded live at Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison, Colorodo on September 19-20, 2000. Songs include: Motorcycle Mama, Powderfinger, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, I Believe In You, Unknown Legend, Fool For Your Love, Buffalo Springfield Again, Razor Love, Daddy Went Walkin', Peace Of Mind, Walk On, Winterlong, Bad Fog of Loneliness, Words, Harvest Moon, World On A String, Tonight's The Night, Cowgirl In The Sand, Mellow My Mind.

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Freedom Review

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(More customer reviews)After spending most of the 80's changing musical styles from album to album, Neil Young closed out the decade with his best album in ten years and a truly inspired released. Just as he did on Rust Never Sleeps, Freedom opens and closes with acoustic and electric versions of the same song. That song is "Rockin' In The Free World", which is one of the most powerful and thought-provoking songs of his career. In the acoustic version, the song takes on a stark and harrowing feeling that conveys a pleading tone. In its electric version, the song becomes a full frontal assault in which Mr. Young spews out the lyrics in a venomous tone. "Crime In The City" is a lengthy tale that contains some vivid writing. "Eldorado" is a powerful song that has some fine backup vocal from old friend Linda Ronstadt. "Wrecking Ball" is a fiery number and his cover of "On Broadway" is drenched in fuzz toned guitars. Freedom is a ringing declaration, a call to arms and a classic.

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No Description Available.Genre: Popular MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 30-MAR-1989

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Ragged Glory Review

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(More customer reviews)With Neil Young's 1989 solo effort Freedom, I like many others was warming up to his music again, after the numerous and sometimes alienating stylistic changes he was making in the 1980's. On Freedom, I tended to favor the harder cuts on the album such as "Don't Cry" "Rocking In The Free World" his driving cover of "On Broadway". At the same time I was heavily listening to some of his work with Crazy Horse; Live Rust and Rust Never Sleeps. All though this I was thinking, "Why doesn't he just make another kick-a**, all electric album from beginning to end?" "And at the same time why not just get back together With Crazy Horse?"
Well less than a year later in 1990, both prayers were answered. Neil Young finally reunited With Crazy horse for Ragged Glory. And the music matched my expectations and anticipation. I was totally blown away with their resulting effort. Raw, honest, intense and most importantly, excellent songs. Truckloads of guitars and solos. Short, terse rockers are mixed with their trademark eight to ten minute jams and loads of feedback in the right places. Most importantly this album matches all of his 70's work, with and without Crazy Horse.
Ragged Glory is also the essential album to listen to on a long country drive, disturbing the cattle and the small towns on the way! The leadoff track on the CD "Country Home" is obviously well-suited for the aforementioned type of drive. "White Line" has an excellent driving riff and is a very concise song, almost ending prematurely, kind of like Stone Temple Pilots "Interstate Love Song" four years later.

"F*!#in' UP" is my favorite track on Ragged Glory. It is the most aggressive song on the album lyrically and musically. It's an understatement, but this song kicks serious a**. The title itself prevented it from major airplay, but changing or editing that would be a grave injustice. "Over And Over" has a killer melody, a great chorus and the guitars keep on rocking.
"Love to Burn" is a ten-minute long opus that seriously rocks. It will hold your attention the entire duration and at the same time may cause to you look deep inside yourself on what you want and need out of love and out of life.
The bouncy "Farmer John" snaps you out of that, I think of a comely, natural, well built county girl almost every time I listen to it. "Mansion on the Hill" is the track that garnered the most radio airplay at the time. The second ten-minute opus is "Love And Only Love".
The only downer is "Mother Earth" I respect the message Neil is trying to make with this track, but it is completely subpar and totally out of place on the CD, unfortunately, it practically rescues the CD from near perfection. It is a totally expendible track.
This album may have prepared me somewhat for 1991-92 grunge explosion. I was beginning to gravitate towards rawer, grungier rock at the time, not to replace the more polished hard rock or progressive rock that I was listening to but to compliment it. While Neil Young's "Godfather Of Grunge" title is obvious and a little overused now, Ragged Glory helped me welcome the sounds of Nirvana, Soundgarden & Pearl Jam with open arms.


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No Description Available.Genre: Popular MusicMedia Format: Compact DiskRating: Release Date: 11-SEP-1990

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