NEIL

Songs: Disc 1: On The Way Home - Broken Arrow - I Am a Child - Helpless - Dance Dance Dance - Sugar Mountain - Don't Let It Bring You Down/The Old Laughing Lady - The Loner - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Disc 2: Winterlong - Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown - Wondering - It Might Have Been - Down By The River - Cinnamon Girl - Mystery Filler: It's Good to See You(?), From Hank to Hendrix, Down by the River

Tracklist: (1) Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown - Wondering - Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Down By The River- Winterlong - (2) Cinnamon Girl - Cowgirl In The Sand

Tracklist: early show: C'mon Baby Let's Go Downtown, Wonderin', Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Down by the River, Winterlong late show: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Winterlong, Wonderin', C'mon Baby Let's Go Downtown, Cinnamon Girl, Cowgirl in the Sand (bonus:) After Berlin

Ah, the wonders of bootlegs. This one fell into my lap quite by accident and, for the asking price ($12), I figured, "why not? It'll give me something to write about ..."
Famous last words, right?
After all, I already possess the material--in exact form (minus the bonus track) on Fillmore Concert and in selected highlights via Everybody Knows, not to mention the excellent "After Berlin," which can be found on Through the Continents.
Speaking of "After Berlin" ... the included liner notes rightly observe: "This track is worth the price of admission alone." If you don't have it, track it down--if you don't have access to bootlegs, head over to the Rust List, where--no doubt--some kind soul will be happy to tape it for you.
There's not much to say about the main performance here which I haven't said before. Circa 1970, Neil and the original Crazy Horse rip through two incendiary sets. Better than the Stones at their peak? Yeah. Better than anyone else at their peak? Just about--Neil and Crazy Horse themselves have matched this peak time and again through the years, both during the Danny Whitten years and the Frank "Poncho" Sampedro years. One listen to Year of the Horse proves that.
Soundwise, this is superb.

Down by the River, Cinnamon Girl, I Am a Child, Expecting to Fly, The Loner, Wondering, Helpless, Southern Man, Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing, On the Way Home, Tell Me Why, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Old Man, After the Gold Rush, Flying on the Ground Is Wrong, Don't Let It Bring You Down, Cowgirl in the Sand, Birds, Bad Fog of Loneliness, Ohio, See the Sky About to Rain, Sugar Mountain

Recorded in December 1970 by Reprise for a live album that never materialized, this intimate acoustic set features an astounding wealth of golden-hued nuggets. Take "Southern Man": Yes, it's minus the driving electric guitars. And, yes, it's excellent. Dedicated to George Wallace, the anger and bitterness are supplanted with sadness and near-resignation. "Southern change is gonna come at last …" Unlike London '71, "new" songs are few and far between-"Wondering," "Old Man," the first known performance of the still-unreleased gem "Bad Fog of Loneliness" and "See the Sky About to Rain." Don't let that sway you, however. One truly stupendous highlight: the very first "dope/acid rock song" he ever wrote-"Flying on the Ground Is Wrong." Accompanying himself at the piano, he launches into the audio equivalent of a honey-slide. It may be wrong, but you'll be flying in your living room …

Note: This is a difficult disc to recommend. First, neither of these two recordings is from Noveber, or from 1970, as the lable reads. Both are from early 1971. The second, which is reported to be from Vancouver is only four songs, none of which show up on circulating setlists of the show. If you want the BBC material I'd recommend you go with Broken Arrow, for the TTN material. If however, you're a completist, and really want some selections from the Vacouver show, here it is.

Tracklist: On The Way Home, Tell Me Why, Old Man, Journey Through The Past, Down By The River, A Man Needs A Maid -> Heart Of Gold, Don't Let It Bring You Down, Love In Mind, Bad Fog Of Loneliness, The Needle And The Damage Done

Note: First known performance of "Love In Mind". See note below from the next day's concert .

Tracklist: On The Way Home, Tell Me Why, Old Man, Journey Through The Past, Down By The River, A Man Needs A Maid, Heart Of Gold, Don't Let It Bring You Down, Love In Mind, Bad Fog Of Loneliness, The Needle And The Damage Done, Ohio, See The Sky About To Rain, Dance Dance Dance

Note: Just before "Love In Mind" Neil states, "I wrote this song yesterday... Have to write 'em some time."

SHUT UP... OR I'LL SPLIT!

Location: Boston, Music Hall, January 21, 1971, Early Show

Source: Soundboard (?)

Tracklist: On The Way Home, Tell Me Why, Old Man, Journey Through the Past, Cowgirl in the Sand, Love in Mind, A Man Needs A Maid, Don't Let it Bring You Down, Sugar Mountain, There's A World, The Needle and the Damage Done, Ohio, See The Sky About to Rain, Down By The River, Dance Dance Dance

Note: Sound is very good on this one, though Neil doesnt seem to be in the best of spirits (as compared to recordings from earlier dates on this tour), the title comes from a rant which prematurely ends "On The Way Home" which errupts because there is noise coming from the audience. He later becomes more affable and while trying to tune is guitar, states, "I think I made my guitar uptight by yelling."

Tracklist: Ohio, See The Sky About To Rain, Don't Let It Bring You Down, Dance, Dance, Dance, Sugar Mountain, Old Man, Journey Through The Past, Heart Of Gold, A Man Needs A Maid, Love In Mind, The Needle And The Damage Done,

Tracklist: Tell Me Why, Old Man, On the Way Home, A Man Needs A Maid, Heart of Gold, Journey Through the Past, Cowgirl in the Sand, Don't Let it Bring You Down, Love in Mind, Sugar Mountain, See The Sky About to Rain, I am a Child, Dance Dance Dance, Ohio, The Needle and the Damage Done; Bonus/Heidelburg, Germany 3/18/76: After the Gold Rush, Mellow My Mind, Too Far Gone

This is one of Neil Young's most frequently bootlegged concerts, showing up years ago in single and double vinyl sets (I'm Happy Ya'll Came Down and Live on Sugar Mountain are just two examples) and now on CD. It is sought after by collectors for good reason, as it shows Neil at one of his many musical peaks, preparing for the release of the album that propelled him to pop music stardom, Harvest. Coming off the success of CSNY, he took full advantage of his new popularity and delivered a set that mixed many new songs with his classic material. The result is a concert... and luckily for us, a recording... of a young artist hitting his stride on all cylinders.
The thing that immediately becomes clear in this concert is Neil's ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. Just off arena tours with CSNY, he obviously enjoys the intimacy of the smaller venues and talks with the crowd before each song, either explaining how he came to write them or encouraging sing-alongs. For the many new songs played, Neil offers fascinating insights into their development, such as the reference to his ranch caretaker on "Old Man" or the meaning of "A Man Needs A Maid." This audience interaction is part of what makes Volume II such an essential part of the Neil Young bootleg collection.
But of course, it isn't the talking that we want with Neil, it's the music, and in this area Volume II is terrific as well. Mixing old and, for that era, new songs, the performance here is unsurpassed for depth and emotion. Every song is a highlight, each creating its own mood within the three or four minutes it lasts. Unlike most concerts, there is no "peak" to this one, since every performance and song is special. If I had to pick out my favorites, they would be (1) "Sugar Mountain," where Neil adds a comedic spin to the sing-along approach without compromising the beauty of the song, (2) "Ohio," where the crowd is treated to an acoustic version a song which dealt with an event still fresh in everyone's minds, and (3) "Dance, Dance, Dance," the short still-unreleased (by Neil) encore which showed Young in a crowd pleasing, rousing mood. But these are just personal favorites. This is a collection where there isn't one song that you are tempted to program out of the CD playing sequence.
This set was recorded around the same time as London '71, which also previews Harvest material. That show has more Harvest songs, simply because Neil wrote them after the Los Angeles concert. If you can only have one, buy London because of the longer set list. Please take my advice, though, and get both. You'll be getting pieces of Neil Young history that belong in every fan's collection, even casual listeners. The sound is top quality audience for its era.
To fill out the disk, the bootleggers give us three solo acoustic songs played on the '76 Crazy Horse tour. They take nothing away from the main event and make this set an even better bargain.

Tracklist: Out on the Weekend, Old Man, Journey Through The Past, Heart of Gold, Don't Let It Bring You Down, A Man Needs a Maid, Love in Mind, Dance, Dance, Dance

Note: Only 32 minutes in length, soundboard, but with some hiss. Lots of dialog with small audience. This also appears on "Broken Arrow."

(Silver Shadow 9102) On the Way Home, Tell Me Why, Old Man, Journey Through the Past, Cowgirl in the Sand, The Bridge, The Loner, Don't Let It Bring You Down, See the Sky About to Rain, Out on the Weekend, I Am a Child, Ohio, Love in Mind, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Heart of Gold, A Man Needs a Maid, Harvest, Needle & the Damage Done, Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing, Dance, Dance, Dance

It says something about his confidence in himself that at this February 27th, 1971 solo concert Neil included 11 new songs among a 20-song set. Or is that 21-song set? According to Johnny Rogan's book The Visual Documentary, "Flying on the Ground Is Wrong" was also performed that night but, alas, it's not included here. What is here, however, is pure genius. Presenting himself in the singer-songwriter mode then in vogue, Neil shapes a delicate and incisive set for an appreciative--and quiet--audience. Compare this set to, say, later solo Neil, and what comes across most is the slow dissolve of innocence and the dwelling on the down and dour; but, of course, that "dissolve" is the domain (primarily) of the young, and here it's captured by one of the best equipped chroniclers of such stuff in the arts today. It doesn't matter, really, how rich or poor you are, whether you're a rock star or a kid just out for a good time--eventually, life catches up to you. Typical for a Neil show, highlights abound: "Journey Through the Past" and a drop-dead, beautiful "Love in Mind" are two such moments. Quite a few songs that eventually surfaced on Harvest are also presented minus that album's MOR-ish sheen. Shorn of embellishments, "Old Man," "Out on the Weekend," "Heart of Gold," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Harvest" and "The Needle & the Damage Done" come across as what they, in truth, are: songs from a young man's soul. The sound quality is stellar throughout, with a minimum of hiss and audience noise. Even the most novice fan would/should enjoy it.

One of the "Missing Six," this two-LP soundtrack to Neil's first feature film is a mish-mash of studio out-takes and live performances. Not as awful a collection as critics contended at the time, but not Neil at his finest, either. Interestingly, the song "Journey Through the Past" is not included.

Medley of: ...For What It's Worth ...Mr. Soul, Rock & Roll Woman, Find The Cost of Freedom, Ohio, Southern Man, Are You Ready For The Country, Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Alabama, Words, Relativity Invitation, Handel's Messiah, King of Kings, Soldier, Let's Go Away For A While

Another of the "Missing Six." Definitely worth seeking out on vinyl, this rough-hewn album contains the classic "Journey Through the Past" and "Don't Be Denied," as well as one of Neil's most gorgeous songs, "Love in Mind." Why it's not on CD is simply mystifying.

Tracklist: Time Fades Away, Journey Through The Past, Yonder Stands The Sinner, L.A., Love In Mind, Don't Be Denied, The Bridge, Last Dance

Filler (Unknown): Sugar Mountain, Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing, Run Around Babe, Don't Pity Me Babe, I Aint Got The Blue, The Rent Is Always Due, When It Falls It Falls All Over You, Needle And The Damage Done, Cinammon Girl, Cowgirl In The Sand

Tracklist: On the Way Home, Tell Me Why, LA, Journey Through the Past, Borrowed Tune, Out on the Weekend, Harvest, Old Man, Heart of Gold, Lonely Weekend, New Mama, Alabama, Last Dance, Don't Be Denied, Cinnamon Girl, Lookout Joe, Southern Man

In retrospect, 1973 may well be one of the most important years in Neil's artistic development. Following Danny Whitten's overdose death in November '72, which occurred after Neil sent him home from rehearsals for the upcoming tour, a shaken Neil regrouped with The Stray Gators, and launched a three-month tour that was deemed ramshackle by the rock press and many fans enchanted with the mega-hit Harvest LP. The sets were generally short--75 minutes or so--and the songs themselves were unkempt, fraying at the edges. By tour's end, with Neil's voice by then ravaged, David Crosby and Graham Nash flew in to provide assistance--the result of which can be heard on the live album which resulted from that tour, Time Fades Away. Neil has always characterized that album as an "honest" album--it documented "where he was at" at the time. It also contains stark, powerful songs that speak universal truths about the human condition.. They're plaintive, raw, the kind of material that isn't readily accessible. Time Fades Away itself is part of the three album arc that includes Tonight's the Night and On the Beach, and is an important chapter in Neil's evolution. That it hasn't been released on CD as yet is a shame. Lonely Weekend and Last Dance document two nights from what became the "Time Fades Away" tour. Six days separate Neil's maiden Maple Leaf Garden concert in Toronto (1/15/73) and the appearance at New York's Carnegie Hall, on Jan. 21st in 1973. Lonely Weekend's set-list includes "Journey Through the Past" coupled with "Borrowed Tune," and an electric set that rocks: "Alabama," "Last Dance," "Don't Be Denied," "Cinnamon Girl," "Lookout Joe" and "Southern Man" cap the night in fine form. Last Dance continues the pace unabated, adding in such live rarities as "Cripple Creek Ferry," "Here We Are in the Years" and "Soldier." The not-so-rare "The Loner" is another treat; Neil and the Stray Gators' "cook," to use an aged expression. Both boots suffer the same relative flaw, however--they're audience tapes and, as a result, the sonics are a bit flat. That said, they're actually above average as far as audience tapes go and more than listenable. One's no better than the other, but neither is worse, either. 1973 didn't end with those shows, of course. By early summer he'd regrouped with CSN to record an album tentatively named Human Highway.

The project collapsed soon thereafter due to ego conflicts (for a hint of what might have been, check out Winterland Reunion) and by August Neil was back working with the surviving members of Crazy Horse and Nils Lofgren, who sat in on guitar. Remember, too, that Bruce Berry (a CSNY roadie) died that year from smack. When Neil and the guys gathered at the recording studio, they'd drink tequila until the mood was right--and then stare into the abyss. Or something to that effect. The acetate for the Tonight's the Night Neil originally planned to release--but shelved instead--has come to light in recent years. Mine is titled Broken Arrow (not to be confused with the 1996 studio album of the same name) and comes coupled with an acoustic BBC performance from 1971. The first thing to understand is that it's not the same album as the Tonight's the Night released in 1975. Check out the lineup for starters: "Tonight's the Night," "Mellow My Mind," "Roll Another Number," "Tired Eyes," "Speakin' Out," "Walk On," "For the Turnstiles," "Bad Fog of Loneliness," "New Mama," "Winterlong," "Borrowed Tune" and "Traces." It's interesting, not necessarily weaker than the released version's but--to me--nowhere near as intense. Maybe it's the lack of "Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown" and the second "Tonight's the Night," the fact that the second half of this set, save for "Borrowed Tune," isn't really connected to the tragedies of 1973 per se. They're good songs, don't get me wrong, and Neil and the band do bring them all justice--"Bad Fog" and "Winterlong" both chug along rather nicely in the arrangements here and "Traces" is one of the best unreleased tracks in Neil's arsenal. At the same time, the songs also steal from the overall impact of the album's overt theme concerning willful and not so willfull self-destruction. As a CD recording of an 25-year-old acetate (a vinyl test-pressing), there's plenty of pops, crackles and hiss here. In other words, the sound isn't very good. Of the three CDs reviewed here, it's the one I'd least recommend to casual or new fans but the one I'd first suggest to fanatics.

Following that recording session, Neil did what he seems to do on a frequent basis: He hit the road. But if the concerts in the early part of the year were deemed "ramshackle," these shows were--well, damned weird. "Welcome to Miami Beach," he'd proclaim between songs. The songs, of course, were from the--at the time--unreleased Tonight's the Night. As Rock 'n' Roll Can Never Die, which documents the November 3rd Manchester, England show, shows, he'd launch into the new material with ... controlled abandon. It's interesting to listen to; for one, unlike the acetate, the song cycle is much more in tune with the official product, with only "Borrowed Tune," "C'mon Baby Let's Go Downtown," and "Lookout Joe" missing and the other songs, while presented in a slightly different order, having the impact that acetate does not. The show also lays doubt to Neil's alleged lack of coherence ... listened to from a distance of 24 years, and minus the visuals, he sounds in full control of both his faculties and his art--even when he's heckled from the audience! "It's great to be a rock 'n' roll star," he says leading up to an intense rendition of "Don't Be Denied." Don't be denied, indeed.

Tracklist: Cripple Creek Ferry, Here We Are In the Years, L.A., Soldier, Out on the Weekend, Old Man, Heart of Gold, The Loner, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, Time Fades Away, New Mama, Alabama, Don't Be Denied, Cinnamon Girl, Lookout Joe, Southern Man, Last Dance, Are You Ready for the Country?

Note: This captures Neil and the Stray Gators' 1973 appearance at Carnegie Hall. This show is just six days later than that of Lonely Weekend and just as good. Yes, there is some overlap, but this also includes a rare live version of "Here We Are in the Years." For a more in depth review, read the review for Lonely Weekend.

Source: (1) Scope Arena, Norfolk 73-01-29 (2) J.F.K. Centre, Washington D.C. 73-01-28 (3) Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield 73-03-20

Tracklist: (1) On The Way Home - Here We Are In The Years - After The Goldrush - Out On Weekend - Harvest - Old Man - Heart of Gold - (2) Time Fades Away - Look Out Joe - (3) Sugar Mountain - Sweet Joni - Don't Be Denied - New Mama - Last Dance - Southern Man - closing jam

Notes: Electric version of New Mama is interesting, as is the 10 minute Last Dance. Tracks have fade-ins and fade-outs between.

(Planet/Conquer 0871-22)

BBC Sessions (2/23/71): Out on the Weekend, Old Man, Journey Through the Past, Heart of Gold, Don't Let Me Bring You Down, A Man Needs a Maid, Love in Mind, Dance, Dance, Dance Tonight's the Night acetate: Tonight's the Night, Mellow My Mind, Roll Another Number, Tired Eyes, Speakin' Out, Walk On, For the Turnstiles, Bad Fog of Loneliness, New Mama, Winterlong, Borrowed Tune, Traces

Not to be confused with the legitimate (and brilliant) 1996 studio offering from Neil and Crazy Horse also titled Broken Arrow, this disc couples a 1971 BBC session with the original version of Tonight's the Night, as recorded from an acetate. Due to the fact that bootlegs of similar material are often released under numerous titles, I review that portion of this disc in a "group" review along with three other 1973 boots, Last Dance, Lonely Weekend and Rock 'n' Roll Can Never Die (see LONELY WEEKEND above).

As for the BBC sessions ... it's just Neil and his guitar in pure singer-songwriter mode. In other words, if--like me--you like acoustic Neil, you'll thoroughly enjoy this set. Be forewarned, however, that there is a major drop-off in sound quality when the Tonight's the Night acetate clicks in--and I deal with that in the group review. All in all, however. . . A+

Tracklist: Tonight's The Night, Mellow My Mind, World on a String, Speakin' Out, Albuquerque, New Mama, Roll Another Number, Tired Eyes, Tonight's the Night, Cowgirl in the Sand, The Losing End

Notes: Sound is good, though the crowd is a little talkative. However, at times it adds to the whole feel of the boot: "He's got a BIG bottle of Scotch sitting up there..." The artwork states early show, but after the opening song Neil says, "It's nice to be here, it was nice to be here earlier too." As this was the second night of a four night run it could mean yesterday or earlier tonight. This is a very "listenable" recording for those into this period. Speaking of this period, which was so heavily influenced by drugs and drug deaths, the night before the opening night (September 19 to be exact), was the day that Gram Parsons died of a herion overdose out in the Southern California desert.


	SUNSET STRIP (Rough Kut Trax) Roxy Theater, L.A, California September 22, 1973 (late show?) Source: Audience
	Tracklist: Tonight's the Night, Mellow My Mind, World on a String, Speakin' Out, Albuquerque, New Mama, Roll Another Number, Tired Eyes, Tonight's the Night, The Losing End bonus: Tell Me Why, LA, Lookout Joe, Don't Be Denied, Yonder Stands the Sinner, Last Dance
	"Don't fuck around. Get drunk.. . I'm actually staying very straight for this show because I don't want to get too loose, you know." In a nutshell, that's 1973, one of the--if not the--decisive years in Neil's career. Neil definitely had a yin-yang thang going. . . sloppy renditions of great songs, right? Maybe. Maybe not. In fact, the Old Grey Cat is of the opinion that the "sloppy" playing actually reinforces the songs. It's part of a larger whole. There's more to the picture than meets the eye, in other words, and in this instance that means "mood." Taken from what's said to be the late show on Sept. 22, 1973, the third night into a four-night, eight-show run at the then-brand spanking new Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, it presents Neil's "Miami Beach" vision in its nascence, he and the Santa Monica Flyers performing a solid and oft-inspiring set that, like Rock 'n' Roll Can Never Die, is stronger than the Tonight's the Night acetate found on the Broken Arrow boot. One high: Nils Lofgren's solo on "Speakin' Out." Another: the mellow "New Mama," which is part and parcel of the yin-yang theme that permeates the entire Tonight's the Night acetate, tour and eventual album. Life and death go hand-in-hand, you know.
	Unfortunately, as a CD, Sunset Strip does suffer from some serious flaws. First and foremost, the sound is not what most neophytes would term acceptable. At times, the music crackles and threatens to break up--well, it does break up at times but, still, it's listenable ... maybe only for someone like me who thrives on Tonight's the Night-tour sets, though. Let's put it this way: I've heard much worse recordings from that tour and enjoyed them, too. Another major flaw: You know the sound some cassette players make when you fast-forward a tape? That squeaky, squished sound that radiates from the speakers like a high-pitched wheeze? You'll hear that between some of the songs. Neil's patter isn't presented in its entirety, in other words, thus stealing from the impact of the performance. In fact, the choppy and incompetent editing is what most mars the cd. As far as the bonus material, it's taken from the Time Fades Away tour--March 17, 1973 in Seattle, to be exact, which featured the debut of "Yonder Stands the Sinner." The performance here of that classic should be familiar, as it's the same performance which was used for the Time Fades Away album. Soundwise, there is an improvement--but not a drastic one. This disc is really for those seeking to complement other boots that document the same era. Note: Sounds to me like Nils, not Neil, with the infamous line, "Get Drunk. Don't fuck around. Get drunk.. ."

Tracklist: Tonight's the Night, Mellow My Mind, World on a String, Speakin' Out, Albuquerque, New Mama, Roll Another Number, Tired Eyes, Tonight's the Night, Flying on the Ground Is Wrong, Human Highway, Helpless, Don't Be Denied

Backed by the rag-tag Santa Monica Flyers, in the fall of ’73 Neil kicked off the Tonight’s the Night tour, confounding audiences and critics alike. Dressed like a sleazy barker, he’d step to the fore and greet the audience with a rousing, "Welcome to Miami Beach, ladies and gentlemen." As represented by this Manchester gig from November, the shows were strange, incoherent affairs, with weird stage patter filling the gaps between songs. Oh, the songs. Let’s put it this way: They’re un-fucking-believable. The first eight songs were new; and the audience had heard the ninth (the second "Tonight's the Night") only once before—at the beginning of the set! (Remember, Tonight's the Night wasn't released 'til 1975.) Of the remaining songs, "Human Highway" was also unreleased and "Don’t Be Denied" was the key track on the ragged glory that is the Time Fades Away LP. Only "Helpless" would rate as a "hit." According to Johnny Rogan's The Visual Documentary, Neil & the Stray Gators also performed "Cowgirl in the Sand" that night. No doubt, that version was too long to fit onto this disc--which clocks in just under 69 minutes. But, to quote Stephen Stills, it's no matter. No distance. It's the ride. . . and, damn, this is a good 'un. In front of a faithful, if frustrated, audience, Neil eulogizes and exorcises fallen comrades Danny Whitten and Bruce Berry. Maybe that’s why "Don’t Be Denied" is so heart-palpitating—or is that chilling? Against a backdrop of death and broken dreams, Neil’s exhorting folks—and himself--to stay true to their dreams regardless of the consequences.

Tracklist: Tonight's The Night, Mellow My Mind, World On A String, Speakin' Out, Albuquerque, New Mama, Roll Another Number, Tired Eyes, Tonight's The Night, Flying On The Ground Is Wrong, Human Highway, Helpless, Don't Be Denied, Cowgirl In The Sand

Note: Very interesting rap on the second TTN, where Neil tells a story about how Bruce (Berry?) lost David (Crosby's?) guitar and Neil has to fire him.

Tracklist: Tonight's The Night, Mellow My Mind, World On A String, Speakin' Out, Albuquerque, New Mama, Roll Another Number, Tired Eyes, Tonight's The Night, I Am A Child, Flying On The Ground Is Wrong, Human Highway, Helpless, Cinnamon Girl, Southern Man, Tonight's The Night, Cowgirl In The Sand

Tracklist: Don't Be Denied, When You Dance, Band Intro, Tonight's The Night, World On A String, Tough Mama, Roll Another Number, Tired Eyes, The Needle And The Damage Done, Flying On The Ground Is Wrong, Human Highway, Helpless, I Believe In You, Cinnamon Girl, Cowgirl In The Sand, Tonight's The Night Part II

Length: 75:41 These are 2 of "The Missing Six" by Neil that never made it to CD production.

1. Walk On 2. See The Sky About To Rain 3. Revolution Blues 4. For The Turnstiles 5. Vampire Blues 6. On The Beach 7. Motion Pictures 8. Ambulance Blues 9. The Old Country Waltz 10. Saddle Up The Palomino 11. Hey Babe 12. Hold Back The Tears 13. Bite The Bullet 14. Star Of Bethlehem 15. Will To Love 16. Like A Hurricane 17. Homegrown

Notes: Source: Studio Tracks 1-8: On The Beach, 1974 . Tracks 9-17: American Stars N' Bars, 1977

On the Beach (1974): Another of "The Missing Six" and, like Time Fades Away, another necessity. Although the second entry in the TFA - OTB - TTN arc, it's actually the third, and final, chapter (TTN was recorded in '73 but shelved 'til '75). The first track, "Walk On," offers a sober insight into the crap Neil had dealt with since Danny Whitten's death in Nov. 1972. In the end, one does have to walk on. Granted, the album is far from a joyous exercise--it's more of a grim realization (or is that acceptance) of life, circa 1974. One of Neil's finest efforts.

American Stars N' Bars (1977): The LP which introduced the classic "Like a Hurricane" is a somewhat haphazard, sloppy affair, though it does contain a few memorable tunes in addition to "Like a Hurricane." "Star of Bethlehem" and "Will to Love," for example, are both gorgeous outings, while "Bite the Bullet" and "Homegrown" are quite enjoyable.

Source: (1) The Bottom Line NYC 16-5-74 (2) lost in 1973 (3) Carnegie Hall, New York 70-12-05

Tracklist: (1) Pushed It Over The End, Long May You Run, Greensleeves, Ambulance Blues, Helpless, Revolution Blues, Roll Another Number For The Road, Motion Pictures, Pardon My Heart, Dance, Dance, Dance, (2) For The Turnstiles, (3) Flying On The Ground Is Wrong

Citizen Kane Junior Blues captures Neil's 5/16/74 acoustic performance at New York's Bottom Line, along with a pair of additional tracks. In my opinion, the excellent bootleg Rock 'n' Roll Can Never Die, the commercially released Time Fades Away, and Citizen Kane Junior Blues form a trilogy of recorded works that perfectly document the live side of Neil's mid-1970s' "Dark Period" of intense introspection. As such, Citizen Kane Junior Blues (the CD's title comes from Neil's alternate title for "Pushed It Over The End") is essential. With the exception of "Helpless," all of the songs were unreleased at the time of this performance, making for some interesting first impressions by the crowd. Indeed, two songs ("Greensleeves" and "Dance, Dance, Dance," which isn't listed on the label) remain unreleased today; a third, "Pushed It Over the End," was put out as a CSNY 12-inch single in Italy. On The Beach is the backdrop for this recording, with four of its songs performed live and a fifth ("For The Turnstiles") appearing as a low quality recording of what I believe to be the actual studio version (the label doesn't say). Renditions of "Pardon My Heart," "Long May You Run," "Roll Another Number" and "Flying on the Ground Is Wrong" (recorded in a 1970 Carnegie Hall performance) round out the songs. Through the steady clanging of glasses and beer bottles, this unusual, but decent, audience recording conveys the ambiance of this intimate venue. In contrast to the heaviness of many of the song lyrics, Neil is extremely light-hearted and talkative, adding a dimension to this CD that is uncommon in Neil's live work. Ironically, if I have a criticism of Citizen Kane Junior Blues, it's that Neil is so relaxed that his performance lacks the intensity that some of these songs demand. That, however, doesn't take the sparkle off this unique gem.

BOOTS FOR BEGINNERS: Released on CD and contains filler songs of Flying On The Ground Is Wrong (`70) and For The Turnstilles (`73). This is an EXTRORDINARY recording and performance by Neil. It is an audience recording done in a small New York City club called the Bottom Line (still open) on 16 May 74 before Neil joined up with CSN for the "Reunion Tour." All songs are solo performances and some of the On The Beach songs were almost certainly debuted on this night. Neil speaks candidly with the audience and even reacts to their requests. Great story about Southern Man and some tasty marijuana sandwich called a "honey slide."

Tracklist: 1. Powderfinger 2. Captain Kennedy 3. Pocahontas 4. Will To Love 5. Sedan Delivery 6. River Of Pride 7. Too Far Gone 8. Star Of Bethlehem 9. Like A Hurricane 11. Look Out For My Love 12. Hold Back The Tears 13. Homefires 14. Ride My Llama 15. Peace Of Mind 16. Stringman

Notes: Source: Studio/Live. Tracks 9 & 14: Live, Nov 1976. Track 12: Live, 1982. Track 13: Live at the Boarding House, San Francisco, May 1978. This album never made it to release. Many tracks were released on other albums, some were not. This album features the black "Blowjob" cover.

Tracklist: 1. Pocahontas 2. Will To Love 3. Star Of Bethlehem 4. Like A Hurricane 5. Too Far Gone 6. Hold Back The Tears 7. Homegrown 8. Captain Kennedy 9. Stringman 10. Sedan Delivery 11. Powderfinger 12. Look Out My Love

Notes: Source: Studio. This album never made it to release. Many tracks were released on other albums, some were not. This album features the white "Cowboy" cover.

For those who aren't aware of the album's history, let me place it into context: In October of 1976, Neil was set to release the three-lp best-of Decade. At the last minute, however, he changed his mind and instead requested his record company, Reprise, to shelve the project for one year. He had plans for a new album, he said, that would be ready for a November release. He even proffered the title: Chrome Dreams. November came and went, of course, and no new Neil product was in sight. Fast forward to March of 1977: acetates of the proposed album are pressed, with the track listing as follows: Side one: a solo acoustic "Pocahontas," "Will to Love," "Star of Bethlehem," "Like a Hurricane," "Too Far Gone" Side two: a solo acoustic "Hold Back the Tears," "Homegrown," "Captain Kennedy," "Stringman," a less frenetic "Sedan Delivery," a solo acoustic "Powderfinger," "Look Out for My Love." Jump ahead to June, when American Stars 'n' Bars is released: five of the songs planned for Chrome Dreams make the cut. The rest? They'd surface in the years to come, some with nary a change in arrangement and others. . . refashioned for the times. The questions surrounding this album, then, are what has kept it firmly entrenched in the Neil pantheon as a "mythical" album. What if Neil had released it in instead of American Stars 'n' Bars? While ASnB is good--let's face it, it doesn't rank in the same league with this lost treasure. And what would have become of Rust Never Sleeps, which shares three tracks? And why, exactly, did Neil shelve this masterpiece? Of course, any answers are pure conjecture--which is half the fun. In short, this is a fine--nay, great--bootleg. Performances are topnotch throughout, especially the acoustic "red men run son" version of "Powderfinger" and ... all of the other songs.

In late 1976, Neil Young was putting the final touches on his personally-sequenced career retrospective 3LP set, "Decade". Scheduled for release in early November, test pressings were sent to reviewers and covers (for displays) were sent to stores. As November and then December came and went, Neil fans and retailers were left wonderin' what had become of the well- publicized "best of" package. The "Decade" displays came down and Christmas displays went up. Six months later, Neil finally did release a new record, but it would be a single disc titled "American stars 'n bars", rather than the 3LP "Decade". Unlike "Homegrown", very little is known about the fabled "Chrome Dreams" LP (later known as "Ride My Llama"). An article published in the September 9, 1976 Rolling Stone mentions a ten-date tour with Crazy Horse "...scheduled for November, just about when he'll release his next LP, planned as "Chrome Dreams".Johnny Rogan mentions the album in his book as an early version of "American stars 'n bars" that Photos of the labels "proved" that the acetate did in fact exist, and we all assumed that it was now just a matter of time before a bootleg appeared. Sure enough, a year later the bootleg CD turned up, and some months later I actually acquired the acetate itself. It's a bit noisier than the CD, but it sure sounds better. The album starts off with an "alternate" version of "Pocahontas" This solo acoustic version is in fact the same take that appears on the "Rust Never Sleeps" LP (July 1979), but without the overdubs. "Will To Love" ("American stars 'n bars"), "Star Of Bethlehem" ("Decade" - October 1977) and "Like A Hurricane" ("American stars 'n bars") follow.The closing track on side one is an unreleased studio version of "Too Far Gone". Although the lyrics and tempo are very similar to the 1989 "Freedom" take (it even times out within :07 of the released version), this sparse recording comes across hung-over and heart-felt; and it's just plain better. Side two opens with an alternate version of "Hold Back The Tears", which was apparently recorded about the same time as "Too Far Gone". Unlike the version on "American stars 'n bars", this take is considerably slower, and definitely more intense. "Homegrown" follows, and although this is the same take as the "stars 'n bars" version, the mix is noticeably different. The guitars are "pushed way up front" and have a much grittier sound. "Captain Kennedy" ("Hawks & Doves" - October 1980) is next, with the live 3/31/76 Hammersmith Odeon version of "Sringman" next. Often bootlegged but but just another famous unreleased song until 1993's 2. There's been a lot of confusion about the "Chrome Dreams" acetate since this article was originally published in Broken Arrow (February 1993). A bootleg CD was released some months later containing all of the recordings discussed above plus three live Neil Young & The Ducks performances. Very nice booklet with "star 'n bars" inner sleeve-style design & photo. Although a review eluded to the unlisted 8/22/77 Ducks' tracks, there's no mention of them anywhere in the packaging. Here's where the confusion began. Soon after, another bootleg CD called "CHROME DREAMS" turned up, containing most of the same songs (but not the same recordings) plus a few additional recordings (most-notably the previously-unissued studio version of "White Line" and a live version of "Ride My Llama" --which was actually yet another working title for the "American stars 'n bars" album). This CD booklet front cover shows a circa-1978 B&W (& silver) photo of Neil. It's really that simple. However, numerous reviewers have gotten the two CDs mixed up countless times, superimposing live versions where (acetate) studio versions are and vice-versa. The Ducks' tracks aren't even mentioned in some reviews. To further confuse the issue, supposedly a third bootleg CD has also been issued, adding tracks from the "Times Square" acetate as bonus cuts. I have not seen this one, but I read a review of it in Broken Arrow some time ago. I have actually seen, handled and taped the acetate discussed here, so despite what you might have read elsewhere regarding the recording dates &/or versions of the songs from this acetate, the information here is correct.

Tracklist: Disc One -(Acoustic Set) The Old Laughing Lady, Old Man, After the Goldrush, Midnight on the Bay, Too Far Gone, The Needle and the Damage Done, A Man Needs a Maid, No one seems to know, Heart of Gold, (Electric Set) Country Home, Don't cry no tears, Down by the River

Disc Two - The Losing End, Like a Hurricane, Drive Back, Southern Man, Cortez the Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Homegrown

The title comes from a quote from Neil when he played the S.E.C.C. in Glasgow in 1993; he mentioned the old Apollo Theatre again in 1996 at his Glasgow show, so it clearly holds fond memories for him--and with the performance on this disc it is little wonder. A nine-song acoustic set is followed by a blistering 10-song electric set with Crazy Horse from what many regard as their best period. It is surprising, given there are many tapes from the ' 76 European tour in circulation, that there are so few, if any, CDs. This set remedies that situation--and about time! For an audience tape source from that era, the sound quality is excellent and the content--both in material and performance--is more than a fan would want. For the last night of the tour, which it was, Young pulled out a bonus in the encore with an early performance of "Homegrown." Essential!

Tracklist: Disc One: Heart of Gold, Old Laughing Lady, Journey Through The Past, Too Far Gone, Give Me Strength, The Needle And The Damage Done, A Man Needs A Maid, Tell Me Why, Sugar Mountain

Disc Two: Country Home, Don't Cry No Tears, Peace Of Mind, Lotta Love, Like A Hurricane, After The Goldrush, Are You Ready For The Country?

Tracklist: Old Laughing Lady, Human Highway, Journey Through The Past, Pocahontas, The Needle And The Damage Done, Give Me Strength, A Man Needs A Maid, Sugar Mountain, Country Home, Don't Cry No Tears, Down By The River

Boston Mass., Date: 11/22/76 (1) early and (2) late shows, and (3) unknown performance

Tracklist: Disc One: (1) The Old Laughing Lady, Human Highway, Journey Through The Past, Pocahontas, The Needle And The Damage Done, Give Me Strength, A Man Needs A Maid, Sugar Mountain, Country Home, Don't Cry No Tears, Down By The River, Lotta Love, Like A Hurricane

Disc Two: (2) Tell Me Why, Roll Another Number, Journey Through The Past, The Needle And The Damage Done, Harvest, Campaigner, Pocahontas, A Man Needs A Maid, Sugar Mountain, Country Home, Don't Cry No Tears, Drive Back, Cowgirl In The Sand, Bite The Bullet

Disc Three: (1) After The Goldrush, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Are You Ready For The Country? (3) Lotta Love, Like A Hurricane (2) After The Goldrush, Are You Ready For The Country?, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Homegrown, Southern Man

Interstate: Boston 76-11-22 early & late show Notes: The early show is recorded too fast, Neil Young sounds like Mickey Mouse (note, the early show at the right speed, though edited, is available on A MAN, A GUITAR, AND THE HORSE, above). Second Set: This is a superlative set recorded with Crazy Horse on November 22, 1976. Need proof? Consider the set-list; Neil ably balances his acoustic and electric sides, an approach that in recent years he's all but abandoned. If the set-list appears a tad conservative--or predictable--remember that seven of the songs ("Campaigner," "Pocahontas," "Country Home," "Bite the Bullet," "Lotta Love," "Like a Hurricane," and "Homegrown") were, in fact, unreleased in 1976. Personally, I rank this version of "Campaigner" as one of the best I've heard; and the renditions of the other songs are of the same stellar quality. While it's always nice to score a boot that features otherwise unavailable material, sometimes it's worth it just to plunk down the change for a good--no, make that great--show. This is one of those cases; and, it has great sound (for an audience recording, that is).

Note: The bootleggers divided the shows unevenly to make them fit on three discs the original tracklists are as follow:

Early Show: The Old Laughing Lady, Human Highway, Journey Through The Past, Pocahontas, The Needle And The Damage Done, Give Me Strength, A Man Needs A Maid, Sugar Mountain, Country Home, Don't Cry No Tears, Down By The River, Lotta Love, Like A Hurricane, After The Goldrush, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Are You Ready For The Country?

Late Show: Tell Me Why, Roll Another Number, Journey Through The Past, The Needle And The Damage Done, Harvest, Campaigner, Pocahontas, A Man Needs A Maid, Sugar Mountain, Country Home, Don't Cry No Tears, Drive Back, Cowgirl In The Sand, Bite The Bullet, Lotta Love, Like A Hurricane, After The Goldrush, Are You Ready For The Country?, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Homegrown, Southern Man

Sources: (7) Boulder, CO 76-11-7
          (10) Fort Worth, TX 76-11-10
          (11) Houston, TX 76-11-11
          (14) Madison, WI 76-11-14
          (15l) Chicago, IL 76-11-15 (late)
          (20e) NYC 76-11-20 (early)
          (20l) NYC 76-11-20 (late)
          (22l) Boston, MA 76-11-22 (late)
          (24e) Atlanta, GA 76-11-24 (early)
          (24l) Atlanta, GA 76-11-24 (late)

Notes: This is an edited version of the Joel Bernstein tape. Heart of Gold and A Man Needs a Maid are missing

Songs: Campaigner(22l) - The Old Laughing Lady(24e) - Human Highway(14) - Tell Me Why(15l) - ATG(11) - Harvest(22l) - Mr. Soul(20e) - Here We Are In The Years(24l) - Journey through the past (22l) - White Line(10) - Give Me Strength(20l) - No One Seems To Know(7) - Mellow My Mind(20e) - Too Far Gone(7) - The Needle and the Damage Done(24e) - Pocahontas(24l) - Roll Another Number(22l) - The Losing End(24l) - Love is A Rose(11) - Sugar Mountain(24l)

Tracklist: Disc One: A Deeper Mystery, Gypsy Wedding, Sail Away, Slow Down, What I Believe, Only Loving You, Cryin' Eyes, Bye Bye Johnny, Your Time Will Come Around, Do Me Right, Are You Ready For The Country?, Silver Wings

Disc Two: Two Riders, Your Love Satisfies Me, Gone Dead Train, Mr. Soul, Hold On Boys, My, My, My, I'm Ready, Comes A Time, Windward Passage, Younger Days

Tracklist: Pocohontas, Human Highway, Already One, Comes A Time, Birds, Hey Hey, My My, Shots, Cowgirl in the Sand, After The Goldrush, The Ways Of Love, I Believe In You, Ride My Llama, Sugar Mountain, Sail Away

Note: Neil played a string of shows at the Boarding House in San Francisco in late May 1978, using the tapes from these shows as the foundation of his Rust Never Sleeps album.

ONE STOP WORLD TOUR
Heartbreakers HB-2052

Boarding House, SF, CA 5/27/78, evening

Source: Audience

Tracklist: Pocohontas, Human Highway, Already One, Comes A Time, Birds, Hey Hey, My My, Cowgirl in the Sand, Shots, After The Goldrush, Thrasher, The Ways Of Love, Out Of My Mind, Ride My Llama, Sugar Mountain, Sail Away, Filler: I Believe In You (from 5/24/78, early show)
Note: This is a fully acoustic performance, though the cover has a picture of Neil playing an electric guitar (and wearing a Jackson Browne T-shirt).

Tracklist: Disc One: Sugar Mountain, I Am A Child, Comes A Time, After The Goldrush, Thrasher, My, My, Hey, Hey, When You Dance I Can Really Love, The Loner, Welfare Mothers, The Needle And The Damage Done

Disc Two: Lotta Love, Sedan Delivery, Powderfinger, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Like A Hurricane, Hey, Hey, My, My, Tonight's The Night

NOTE: This appears to be an unedited version of the CD LIVE RUST (which didn't include Thrasher, due to Neil's fumbling of the lyrics maybe?), taken perhaps directly from the concert DVD, with the stage announcements and between song chatter.

Tracklist::Disc One: Sugar Mountain, I Am A Child, Comes A Time, Already One, After The Goldrush, My My Hey Hey, When You Dance I Can Really Love, The Loner, Welfare Mothers, Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown?, The Needle And The Damage Done, Lotta Love

Disc Two: Sedan Delivery, Powderfinger, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, Like A Hurricane, Hey, Hey, My, My, Tonight's The Night

1. Little Wing 2. The Old Homestead 3. Lost In Space 4. Captain Kennedy 5. Stayin' Power 6. Coastline 7. Union Man 8. Comin' Apart At Every Nail 9. Hawks & Doves 10. Opera Star 11. Surfer Joe And Moe The Sleaze 12. T-Bone 13. Get Back On It 14. Southern Pacific 15. Motor City 16. Rapid Transit 17. Shots

Notes: Source: Studio. Tracks 1-9: Hawks & Doves, 1980 Tracks 10-17: re*ac*tor, 1981 These are 2 of "The Missing Six" by Neil that never made it to CD production.

Hawks & Doves (1980): Another of the "Missing Six," this is a somewhat slight affair, consisting of a mishmash of tracks, some of which date to the mid-'70s. Still, it features one of Neil's most finest, and most delicate, vocals: "Little Wing." It's a song that haunts the soul long after the LP itself is finished. Another excellent moment is "Captain Kennedy," a story-song of a sailor who died at sea.

re*ac*tor (1981): The last of the "Missing Six." Listened to 18 years after its release, the fact of the matter is that it's a good, nay great album. "I was born to rock, I'll never be an opera star," Neil whines in the opening cut while a symphonic swell of harsh metallic guitars wails in the background. The final cut, "Shots," is a masterpiece on a par with Neil's best--rock critic Johnny Rogan has written that the acoustic take (from the 1978 "World Tour" at the San Francisco Boarding House) is the superior version, but I would say otherwise. THIS is the definitive version. It blows through the soul, and that's no lie.

Tracklist: Hey Hey, My My , Keep on Rockin in the Free World, Old Laughing Lady, Silhouette, Don't Let it Bring you Down, Someday, Crime in the City, Eldorado, Too Far Gone, Comes a time, The Needle and the Damage Done, No More, Ohio, Powerderfinger

Solo acoustic concert w/ members of Crazy Horse and Ben Keith in and out, SBD or really good audience. Some fadeouts and clipping. Overall a good set of Neil solo, with Ohio dedicated to the "kid with the flower" in Tienamien Square..

Hey Hey, My My , Keep on Rockin in the Free World, Old Laughing Lady, Don't Let it Bring you Down, Someday, Crime in the City, Eldorado, Too Far Gone, This Note's For You, The Needle and the Damage Done, After The Goldrush, Hangin' On A Limb, Heart Of Gold, Ohio, Rockin' In The Freeworld

Disc One: Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing, Birds, Cowgirl in the Sand, Tell Me Why, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Everybody's Alone, A Man Needs a Maid/Heart of Gold, Out on the Weekend, Love In Mind, Dance Dance Dance, Cripple Creek Ferry, LA, Soldier, Harvest, Sweet Joni, Tonight's the Night

Disc Two: Pardon My Heart, On the Beach, Traces, Human Highway, Love Art Blues, Hawaiian Sunrise, Like a Hurricane, Stringman, Evening Coconut, Long May You Run, Southern Man, Give Me Strength, Comes a Time, Sail Away, Lady Wingshot, Shots, Downtown

Disc Three: If You Got Love, Transformer Man, My Boy, Old Ways, Kinda Fonda Wanda, Gonna Rock Forever, Touch the Night, Amber Jean, Let Your Fingers Do the Talking, Helpless, Down by the River, Interstate, Grey Riders, Nothing Is Perfect, Southern Pacific

Disc Four: Mideast Vacation, Road of Plenty (El Dorado), Computer Age, Bad News, Ordinary People, Rockin' in the Free World, Winterlong, Silver and Gold, Campaigner, Homefires, Only Love Can Break Your Heart, Mr. Soul, Separate Ways, Philadelphia

Sources: sources are listed after the songs Sound: SBD A/A- or AUD A/A-/B+ Songs: Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing (Buffalo Spring- field: Whittier High School 1966) - Birds (CSNY: Big Sur Folk Festival, 69-09-13) - CITS (Fillmore East, New York 70-03-07 2nd show) - Tell Me Why - Only Love Can Break Your Heart (CSNY: Fillmore East, New York 70-06-03) - Everybody's Alone (KQED-TV rehear- sals, Los Angeles 70-12) - A Man Needs A Maid/Heart Of Gold (Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford 71-01-22) - Out On The Weekend - Love In Mind - Dance Dance Dance (BBC TV Studios, London 71-02-23) - Cripple Creek Ferry - LA - Soldier (Carnegie Hall, New York 73-02-21) - Harvest (Scope Arena, Norfolk 73- 01-29) - Sweet Joni (Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield 73-03-20) - TTN - Tired Eyes (Queen's College, New York 73-11-15 2nd show) - Pardon My Heart - On The Beach (Bottom Line, New York 74-05-16) - Traces - Human Highway - Love Art Blues (CSNY: The Coliseum, Seattle 74-07-09) - Hawaiian Sunrise (CSNY: Roos- evelt Raceway, Westbury 74-09-08) - LAH (Festival Hall, Osaka 76-03-05) - Stringman (Hammersmith Ode- on, London 76-03-31) - Evening Coconut (Stills-Young Band: Civic Centre, Springfield 76-06-27) - Long May Your Run - Southern Man (Stills-Young Band: Civic Centre, Providence 76-07-07) - Give Me Strength (The Auditorium, Chicago 76-11-15) - CAT - Sail Away (The Catalyst, Santa Cruz 77-08-27) - Lady Wingshot (Bicentennial Park, Miami 77-11-12) - Shots (Boar- ding House, San Francisco 78-05-24) - Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown (Civic Centre, Providence 78-09- 25) - If You Got Love - Transformer Man (Scandinavia- um, Gothenburg 82-10-08) - My Boy (Palmer Auditori- um, Austin 83-01-14) - Kinda Fonda Wanda (Cal Expo Amphitheatre, Sacramento 83-07-26) - Rock Forever - Touch The Night (The Catalyst, Santa Cruz 84-02-07 2nd show) - Amber Jean - Good Phone - Helpless - DBTR (Austin City Limits TV, Austin 84-09-25) - Interstate - Grey Riders - Nothin' Is Perfect - Southern Pacific (Farm Aid EP; USA 1985) - Mideast Vacation (Tought On Toxic benefit, Long Beach 86-08- 28) - Road Of Plenty (Metropolitan Centre, Minneapolis 86-10-17) - Computer Age (Palatrussardi, Milan 87-05-05) - Bad News (Poplar Creek Music Theatre, Hoffman Estates 88-08-16) - Ordinary People (Jones Beach, Wantaugh 88-08-27) - RITFW (Saturday Night Live TV show, New York 89-09-30) - Winterlong (Ahoy Sportpaleis, Rotterdam 89-12-13) - Silver And Gold (Civic Centre, Santa Monica 90-03-31) - Campaigner (Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo 91-03-16) - Homefires (Orpheum Theatre, Boston 92-03-20) - Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Children's Health Fund benefit, Los Angeles 93-03-01) - Mr. Soul (Ahoy Sportpaleis, Rotterdam 93-07-05) - Separate Ways (Torhout Festi- val 93-07-03) - Philadelphia (Academy Awards, Los Angeles 94-03-21)

A friend recently read through these reviews and chuckled. "You make me want to own all of these," she commented. "You're so enthusiastic!" Which is true; I am nothing if not enthusiastic when it comes to music in general and Neil Young's music in specific. With that in mind, Rock 'n' Roll Cowboy is a rich, if frustrating, listening experience. Released by the Italian Great Dane record label a few years back, it's a four-disc set that collects various Neil live performances, spanning from his Springfield days to his Grammy Award show performance of "Philadelphia" in 1994. Among the many treats: "Sweet Joni," a 1973 piano-based paean to Joni Mitchell apparently only performed once. It's a fragile song with fragile lyrics, perhaps in keeping with its subject. Other highlights include several Stills-Young Band run-throughs, especially "Southern Man" which features some scintillating guitar solos from both Stills and Young. Say what you will about Stills' songwriting abilities, but there's no denying his prowess with a six-string. He's one of the best around--always was, always will be. Other highlights include the unreleased songs "Everybody's Alone," "Traces," "Love Art Blues," "Give Me Strength," "Lady Wingshot," "If You Got Love," "Gonna Rock Forever," "Amber Jean," "Let Your Fingers Do the Talking," "Grey Riders," "Nothing is Perfect," "Ordinary People," "Silver and Gold," "Homefires" and "Separate Ways." Add in several reworked versions of known quantities, such as the Saturday Night Live debut of "Rockin' in the Free World," "Shots" (performed acoustically from San Francisco's Boarding House) and "Helpless" (a stunning take from Neil & the International Harvester's Austin City Limits appearance in 1984) and "Stringman," recorded in London in 1976, and you have enough for a two-album set--a great one at that, especially if 20-bit remastering and/or HDCD technology is employed to clean up the sound. "To clean up the sound." Hmmm. Therein lies the rub, folks. Thanks to this collection's breadth--in total, 63 songs taken from upwards of 40 concerts--the sound quality ranges from the near-atrocious to excellent. A good example of this are the trio of songs ("Traces," "Human Highway," and "Human Highway") taken from CSNY's 1974 performance at the Coliseum in Seattle. It sounds like the audio equivalent of sludge--except, of course, for the harmonies which do come through. Thus, as I said at the outset, this is a rich, if frustrating, experience. Let's hope that many of its treasured are found in better form on the Archives when/if that multi-CD set is released. One other comment: The accompanying booklet to Rock 'n' Roll Cowboy is excellent, far surpassing many liner notes to legitimate boxed sets, featuring a well-written overview of Neil's career as well as a track-by-track commentary AND complete tour schedule from Neil's 1968/69 solo tour through to his 1993 jaunt with Booker T. & the MGs. While it doesn't tip the scale as far as the set's rating, it does much of what the set itself does, collecting many of Neil's comments and observations on many of his songs. Despite its sound lapses, until the Archives are released--and possibly even then--this is a true "essential."