Neil Young - "Neil Young" (1968) - Reprise Records
Hello Friends,
We've been on quite the rock & roll tear these days on Vinyl in the Valley.
Released when Young was just 23 years old, this was his debut solo LP and first release since the breakup of Buffalo Springfield. A bit more produced (overdubs!) than most of the classic records he would release in the Seventies, this album is a good bridge between the polished L.A.-inspired work in the Buffalo Springfield and the more visceral, raw-edged Americana material he would record with Crazy Horse.
Still, every song on the LP is good with Neil Young's twangy rasp delivering lyrics about loneliness, longing, loners and long, dark nights with the occasional woman, Indian, drunk and cadaver thrown in for good measure.
The album's single, "The Loner" has been a staple in his live shows for over 40 years.
Along with Bob Dylan, Neil Young helped paved the way for singers who couldn't really sing-- which we consider a good thing! I mean could you picture Neil Young showing up on American Idol or The Voice or whatever else is out there and performing his Dylan-inspired, stream-of-consciousness, acoustic ballad, "The Last Trip to Tulsa"? I'm thinking everyone would get a good laugh as Security has to drag him out the building and as he yelps, "No! Wait! I hafta go back! I dropped my harmonica holder!" Hilarity ensues.
But we needn't worry about that, friends, good ol' Neil would have a long and epic career.
Released when Young was just 23 years old, this was his debut solo LP and first release since the breakup of Buffalo Springfield. A bit more produced (overdubs!) than most of the classic records he would release in the Seventies, this album is a good bridge between the polished L.A.-inspired work in the Buffalo Springfield and the more visceral, raw-edged Americana material he would record with Crazy Horse.
Still, every song on the LP is good with Neil Young's twangy rasp delivering lyrics about loneliness, longing, loners and long, dark nights with the occasional woman, Indian, drunk and cadaver thrown in for good measure.
The album's single, "The Loner" has been a staple in his live shows for over 40 years.
Along with Bob Dylan, Neil Young helped paved the way for singers who couldn't really sing-- which we consider a good thing! I mean could you picture Neil Young showing up on American Idol or The Voice or whatever else is out there and performing his Dylan-inspired, stream-of-consciousness, acoustic ballad, "The Last Trip to Tulsa"? I'm thinking everyone would get a good laugh as Security has to drag him out the building and as he yelps, "No! Wait! I hafta go back! I dropped my harmonica holder!" Hilarity ensues.
But we needn't worry about that, friends, good ol' Neil would have a long and epic career.
RATING: 4.5 Old Laughing Ladies out of 5
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