Average Reviews:
(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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