| Author | Message | ||
     kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1872 Registered: 05-2005 |
Inspired by Michael on another thread. Dont think I could stretch to a top 10 , even though I own about a dozen of his albums only about 5 or 6 are essential imo. Tonights The Night - surely one of the most harrowing records ever made by a major artist. After The Gold Rush - has to be one of the greatest albums in the much maligned "country rock" genre - almost every track a winner. On The Beach - A good showcase for both of NY's styles - loud and rocky, and gentle and reflective. Some great lyrics on Revolution Blues,"we had 25 rifles, just to keep the population down" and "I hate them worse than lepers and I'll kill them in their cars" Zuma - my favourite album with Crazy Horse, and its got Cortez The Killer - say no more. Harvest/Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - couldnt choose between these two - if pushed would go for the latter. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 749 Registered: 10-2004 |
My list would go something like this: On the Beach Zuma Everybody Knows This is Nowhere Tonight's the Night Everybody's Rockin' (just seeing if anyone's paying attention!) Rust Never Sleeps That said, I haven't heard every single one of his albums, and I've been meaning to check out his debut on the basis of Randy's recommendation. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 750 Registered: 10-2004 |
Ah, a thread stalled by the Friday afternoon lull. | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 109 Registered: 02-2007 |
These might not be top 10, but these are ones I listen to the most. Have to have different genres (country,folk, heavy rock stuff, acoustic) 1. On the Beach/Tonight's The Night (tied) 3. Rust Never Sleeps 4. Sleeps With Angels 5. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere 6. Zuma 7. Harvest 8. Freedom 9. Greendale 10.Comes A Time Worst 5 1. Landing On Water 2. Life 3. Trans 4. Reactor 5. Everybody's Rockin (my kids love this one) When will Time Fades Away be released on CD?? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 972 Registered: 08-2006 |
True enough, Jeff. Lemme see if I can bait some late-evening interest. 1. "Rust Never Sleeps" 2. "Tonight's the Night" 3. "After the Gold Rush" 4. "Comes a Time" 5. "Freedom" I could stretch this out to 10 without a loss of quality. And I could probably stretch it to 15 or more without drawing catcalls from the critics' box. The guy has had an amazing run. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 973 Registered: 08-2006 |
Ah, what the hell. 6. "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" 7. "Time Fades Away" 8. "Prarie Wind" 9. "On the Beach" 10. "Ragged Glory" | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 756 Registered: 09-2006 |
Tried to put this into some kind of order, but found it hopeless...and so, in chronological order After el Gold Rush Time Fades Away On the Beach Tonight's the Night Decade Comes a Time Rust Never Sleeps Freedom Weld Sleeps Wit' Angels Next five: Everybody Knows this is Bob's House Hawks and Doves Zuma Prairie Wind Ragged Glory And I'm probably the only one, but I enjoy Trans an awful lot. | ||
| Geoff Holmes Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 266 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hasn't this been done before, last year? We must of because it inspired me to do a bit of catching up on Neil Young, CSNY, Nash and Crosby. My faves are: Comes a time Everybody knows this is nowhere Harvest Harvest Moon After the Gold Rush | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 757 Registered: 09-2006 |
It probably has been done before, Geoff, but does that really spoil the fun of it? | ||
| andreas Member Username: Andreas Post Number: 531 Registered: 04-2006 |
this is quite easy: my no. one is his first album. no other album could beat this. i know that the most would not agree, but to me it is his best. second place: decade, because this compilation has the most effect on my musical life. and it contains the neil young essentials (due to this circumstance decade must be the one which is on the top of the list, but his first -bought soon after- topped it and the music found immediately a direct way inmy heart and soul). nevertheless if you count decade as a compilation i think after the gold rush is the one that follows up. harvest is the next album that is worth to mention. comes a time is also an album that has the same effect on me like decade and his first one. and not to forget zuma with a lot of killer tracks thereon. these five (resp. eight) longplayers are the reason that i am a lifetime neil young devotee (despite the fact that the nineties - in my opinion- weren't his best and most of his output really bored me). cheers andreas | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2378 Registered: 03-2006 |
I believe we did do this, but what the hell. Ole Neil always deserves revisiting... My faves, at least today, are: 1) After the Goldrush 2) Rust Never Sleeps 3) Comes a Time 4) Zuma 5) On the Beach | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1823 Registered: 05-2005 |
Ragged Glory Weld Harvest Harvest 2?? or is ti Harvest Moon Decade Sleeps with Angels was OK | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 110 Registered: 02-2007 |
I forgot Harvest Moon and Prairie Wind. This guy needs a top 20!! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1779 Registered: 05-2005 |
1 Weld 2 Live Rust 3 Freedom 4 Ragged Glory 5 This Note's For You | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1827 Registered: 05-2005 |
Who can beat the angst of a 50 year old man on Fu*kin up!!! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 1785 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes, what a great song Spence. | ||
| spence Member Username: Spence Post Number: 1830 Registered: 05-2005 |
Pad your list pretty similar to mine, Freedom's good too. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 342 Registered: 01-2006 |
1 Zuma 2 Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere 3 After The Goldrush 4 Tonight's The Night 5 Rust Never Sleeps I've been listening to Ragged Glory a lot recently, what an album, Over and Over, White Line, Country Home, Fu(kin Up, Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)... I downloaded the original Chrome Dreams 1977 album last week and it has some really interesting versions of stuff like White Line (slower), Powderfinger (slower and acoustic), Sedan Delivery. Too Far Gone is on it too and seems to fit better in this original album than stuck on the end of Freedom. While those top 5 are always played regularly there are heaps more I play a lot too, Neil Young, Time Fades Away, Sleeps With Angels, Harvest, Greendale (Yep I rate this one, Devil's Sidewalk and Sun Green are outstanding), Live Rust, Dead Man OST... I don't have Harvest Moon as it never did much for me, though there are some good songs on it. And I turned off Prairie Wind after the 3/4th track and never played it again, found it unlistenable. I've seen live him about 5 times, always a great gig. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 980 Registered: 08-2006 |
XY, you found "Prarie Wind" unlistenable? It seems like you like a lot of the same NY I like, and that's my favorite of his recent releases, by far. I'd say give it another listen or two. If you don't like it, vive la difference, but I'm surprised you dislike it so much. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 100 Registered: 10-2006 |
The first four pick themselves... Rust never sleeps (surely his lyrical & melodic apotheosis) Tonight's the night (raw pain) On the beach (mainly for Ambulance) Zuma (for the great guitar on Danger bird & Cortez... still unremastered, I think??) ... but then I'm stuck. Just realised I don't think I've ever heard After the Goldrush! That leaves me with Harvest & Everybodyknows, so that means the latter, for the guitar again on Cowgirl & Down by... just love NY when he lets rip... | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 111 Registered: 02-2007 |
XY I agree about Greendale, although many of my Neil friends hate it. It's full of cliche, its like some amateurish school musical/rock opera, and yet I can't help liking it. Carmichael is mayb standout song IMHO. Beneath the serious dig at Bush patriot act USA and environmental themes, there is a sense of fun with the songs, despite the sad and tragic storyline. (FBI shoots her cat!!) Seeingthe Greendale show live in concert certainly helped bring these songs to life. Dunno if they'll stand the test of time, but I find myself listening to this album more than any of his latest. Also I found myself liking the Prairie Wind songs more after I saw film Heart of Gold. The performances on the film had an emotional dimension perhaps lacking on the album versions. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 844 Registered: 01-2005 |
Since I wrote that Sleeps would be in my Top 10, I guess I should make out a Top 10 (with a bonus pick) instead of a Top 5. 1. Rust Never Sleeps 2. After The Gold Rush 3. Tonight's The Night 4. Comes A Time 5. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere 6. On The Beach 7. Zuma 8. Sleeps With Angels 9. Ragged Glory 10. Live Rust Bonus pick: 11. American Stars 'N Bars | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 769 Registered: 09-2006 |
David, if you haven't seen it - the little lo-fi film version he did of Greendale is lots of fun, too. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1562 Registered: 04-2005 |
Today: Zuma (always been my fave of his) After the Gold Rush Rust Never Sleeps Freedom Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere And the "could be in the top 5" on any given day: Tonight's the Night On the Beach Comes a Time Ragged Glory Prairie Wind | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1563 Registered: 04-2005 |
Allen, you liked the "Greendale" movie? Wow. It was the longest 90 minutes I've ever spent. And I give Neil a LOT of slack. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 770 Registered: 09-2006 |
Yeah, my expectations weren't huge, so that probably helped...and I do like the album in all of its self-conscious crudity. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 847 Registered: 01-2005 |
XY765, I agree with you regarding Harvest. It never did anything for me. Guilty pleasure NY song: T-Bone from Reactor. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1881 Registered: 05-2005 |
I could never get in to Rust Never Sleeps. Just played it earlier tonight, havent changed my mind. | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 773 Registered: 09-2006 |
Michael, that is pretty hysterical number...I especially liked how he included the lyrics on the inner sleeve, in case we got confused. A fun vocal to imitate...I start cracking up every time. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1564 Registered: 04-2005 |
I have to agree with those who don't care for "Harvest"--a few great tracks, but it doesn't work for me as a whole. Those two songs with the orchestra are unbearable. And I didn't get why some people thought "Harvest Moon" was his first album in the same vein since the original; "Comes a Time" and to a lesser extent "Hawks and Doves" seem like they'd appeal to "Harvest" fans. Not to mention "Prairie Wind"... I actually really enjoy a few of the songs from "Re-ac-tor" or however he spelled it. "Opera Star" is a great, funny rocker and "Rapid Transit" with the stuttering is kind of Crazy Horse doing New Wave. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 347 Registered: 01-2006 |
Rob maybe I should give Prairie Wind another try, I'm sure I will. Some of the lyrics and tunes did little for me though, think he's done those areas better in other albums... And though I rarely listen to Harvest I listen to Harvest Moon even less. Some of the lines make me squirm and I've a very high bullsh1t tolerance for NY...Unknown Legend, great tune but some woeful lyrics. I'm gonna get some grief for that I know... Kurt I thought Greendale the movie was really interesting way to make a 'film' and fairly innovative to boot. It's a lot lot lot better than Human Highway, which when was asked what it was about he replied "about 90 minutes..." Of course had to forget one for my top 5 and that's On The Beach. When he toured the Greendale album in Dublin the show I saw was the one that turned up as a bonus with the CD...what they didn't include was his encore including Ambulance Blues and Birds... | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 112 Registered: 02-2007 |
Interesting no-one has mentioned Mirror Ball, with members of Pearl Jam. Very wall-of-soundish with no lighter shades to it. Some of my son's grunge crowd only know NY through this album. | ||
| frank bascombe Member Username: Frankb Post Number: 181 Registered: 01-2007 |
On the Beach Tonights the Night After the Gold rush Zuma Harvest Moon yeah we did before Grant died | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 348 Registered: 01-2006 |
Mirrorball has some good tracks on it David it just sounds so bad with Pearl Jam. Big Green Country and I'm the Ocean are good. The drummer is terrible on it. Never had any time for that band, laughable. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 987 Registered: 08-2006 |
I agree, XY. Neil threw Pearl Jam some decent songs on "Mirror Ball," and the fact they didn't work kind of highlighted why I never got with Pearl Jam. They're just not very interesting as a band. They kind of remind me of Tom Petty; I like the songs I hear on the radio just fine, but I have zero desire to buy a record. There's just a conservatism to it all that I can't quite put my finger on. They go through the motions of rock and roll, but don't conjure up any of the spirit. Something like that. I do like "Downtown" when I hear it on the radio, though. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1572 Registered: 04-2005 |
PJ wasn't quite as lumbering as Crazy Horse, but Neil kinda needs to lumber when he's in rock mode. A few of the songs on that album are pretty good, but I haven't played it in years. I hate to admit I like a few of the songs on "Vitalogy" but PJ hasn't interested me otherwise. I remember back in the mid-90s, when Neil and Pearl Jam were hanging out all the time. PJ played a big concert in Golden Gate Park in SF that a ton of people went to, including a friend who reported on it to me. That was the show where Vedder had the flu and only was onstage for two or three songs before saying "I'm done" and walking off for good. But Neil Young was there and came out to fill in. The crowd at first went crazy, but when it became clear it was Neil Young backed by PJ for the whole concert, a big portion of the crowd grew angry and started booing Neil--"get off the stage! We want Eddie!" Knowing Neil, he probably enjoyed that reaction! | ||
| Little Keith Member Username: Manosludge Post Number: 2398 Registered: 03-2006 |
Sometimes I have a bit of cognitive dissonance trying to reconcile the different Neils. There's the Neil that played and toured with Sonic Youth, Pearl Jam, recorded that feedback addendum to his live set, etc. And then, there's the Neil who records all the sweet old country laments, plays with trains (doesn't he own a big chunk of Lionel) and has recorded his newest album in an old gas station, with vintage pumps outside (actually true). In his folksy mode, he reminds me of one of those old guys you might see at a swap meet someplace trying to haggle with you over a piece of Depression glass: "how much you want for that sumbitch?"... Will the real Neil stand up? Obviously, the inscrutability, the hard-to-pin-downness is, in fact, the essence of the Neil. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 854 Registered: 01-2005 |
I'm glad I got to see Neil with Crazy Horse touring with Sonic Youth as the opening act in concert back in February of 1991. | ||
| Jeff Whiteaker Member Username: Jeff_whiteaker Post Number: 763 Registered: 10-2004 |
Michael - we may have discussed this before, but I caught Sonic Youth and Crazy Horse on that very same tour. Sonic Youth's performance was blistering, and made all the more chaotic because at least half of Neil Young's aging yuppie/hippie fans were booing them! The Crazy Horse set still possibly remains the loudest show I've ever been to. My ears were still ringing the next morning. | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1890 Registered: 05-2005 |
Has anybody heard Chrome Dreams II yet? There are a few good songs on it - Ordinary People is a potential NY classic but is at least 10 mins too long. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 999 Registered: 08-2006 |
I like "Chrome Dreams II" well enough, Kev. But I don't love it. You're right, there are a few good songs on it, and a few so-so cuts and at least one or two duds. I think Neil's better off not mixing up his genre exercises on one record. Of course, he did that on "Rust Never Sleeps" to great effect. So shut up, Rob. Maybe it's just an okay NY record. | ||
| Georgina Sheils Member Username: Georgina Post Number: 6 Registered: 10-2007 |
would definately have to say Harvest...gets me going every time | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 356 Registered: 01-2006 |
Kevin I've been listening to Chrome Dreams II quite a lot this week since it popped through my letterbox...and I like it, surprise surprise. As Rob says it's a bit mixed but that's usually the case with Young over the last decade or so. Ordinary People is great and I don't mind the length. Don't know it well enough to mention a hits and misses but will do soon. One stand-out track is The Way with the Young People's Chrorus of NYC, that really works well. David mentioned earlier that nobody had mentioned Mirrorball, the same goes for Broken Arrow which had some good stuff on it but suffered terribly with the track listing. Side 1 was 3 songs all over 10 minutes long and Side 2 was normal enough with 5 4/5 minute songs. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 111 Registered: 10-2006 |
Just got CD 11, and, wow, have been playing Ordinary People all weekend. I think Kevin says somewhere it's 10 minutes too long, but I reckon it at 10 minutes too short! Just an astounding, epic song with a suitably epic lyric, the most moving thing I've heard for ages. Hats off to the big Neil, when he does it, he does it good. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 888 Registered: 01-2005 |
Jeff, Crazy Horse was loud! Loud bands would make a good topic. I never saw them, but MC5 always had that rep. I saw Ted Nugent and The Amboy Dukes way back in 1971 and they were so loud they gave me a headache midway through an all day concert that concluded with another loud band, Black Sabbath. One of the worse concerts I've ever been too for sure. | ||
| Dr Girlfriend Member Username: Doctor_girlfriend Post Number: 17 Registered: 10-2007 |
the only Neil Young album I ever bought was the one he made with Pearl Jam, Mirror Ball. it rocks! but most of you guys don't like it? | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 830 Registered: 09-2006 |
I think the general consensus on that one is closer to "not bad, great in some places"...well, no, maybe that's just my consensus. And hey Doc: I sincerely think (based on your listings of music you like, which contains a lot of music where his influence looms large) that you'd probably go for Neil in an even bigger way if you tried a few more albums out. Guys and gals of the board? Suggestions on where to start? | ||
| Allen Belz Member Username: Abpositive Post Number: 831 Registered: 09-2006 |
I'd say "Decade" myself...obvious it may be, but it's a great all-purpose beginner set. | ||
| XY765 Member Username: Judge Post Number: 366 Registered: 01-2006 |
Dr Girlfriend, I posted earlier on this thread my thoughts on Mirrorball, basically some very good tracks there, just that it suffered terribly by having Pearl Jam on it!! Sorry if you're a fan! Yeah decade would be a good one to start with Allen or maybe something like Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1047 Registered: 08-2006 |
I'd say "Rust Never Sleeps" in addition to "Decade," but maybe just because that's the first Neil I got into. | ||
| Kurt Stephan Member Username: Slothbert Post Number: 1618 Registered: 04-2005 |
Well, if Dr G just likes the rockin' stuff, this is the list I'd suggest: Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere Zuma Rust Never Sleeps (second side, anyway) Ragged Glory Live Rust, Weld, and Year of the Horse (the live Crazy Horse albums) Re-Ac-Tor (well, it DOES rock) For a more balanced picture of Neil: Decade (obviously) After the Goldrush Freedom On the Beach Tonight's the Night (not for newbies, though!) | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 112 Registered: 10-2006 |
If I remember right, Tonight's the Night is the first NY record I really connected with - certainly one of the first I bought. Its mix of ragged despair & life at the edge, plaintive, voice-cracking tune and to-hell-with-it rock n' roll had an immense appeal for me then - probably speaks more to a young person than some of the whinier Oh what a pretty bird on the tractor Neil stuff. Dr could do worse than start there! | ||
| David Gagen Member Username: David_g Post Number: 117 Registered: 02-2007 |
Dr G, I like it. If it had been by a debut artist it would have been more critically aclaimed (IMHO) but NY has such a back catalogue of absolute classics that it didn't quite find its place. Some of the songs are fine songs, eg I'm The Ocean, I'd put it on a list of best songs for sure. I wish it had more shades to it, its pretty full on rock/grunge and after 5 or 6 songs I'm hanging out for a slow one. Would the songs have worked better with Crazy Horse? Dunno. Neil seemed to have loved working with Pearl Jam and you can feel it in the energy of the album. Dr G, hard one this. I suggest you listen to Rust Never Sleeps - both sides to get the full spectrum and energy of what he can deliver, both acoustic and heavy. Tonight's The Night and On The Beach for rarely matched portrait of emotional landsape in his music. Prairie Wind (CD and DVD) for evocation of Americana/Country roots and the joy of thiskinda music. Then go back and listen to Everybody Knows This Is Knowhere for an album of classic proportions that can then be placed in some sort of context. Only my opinion, Dr G. Good luck. | ||
| Michael Bachman Member Username: Michael_bachman Post Number: 893 Registered: 01-2005 |
I bought Everybody Knows on 8 track way back in the early 70's. I was an 8 track guy until 1975. The first vinyl NY was probably Tonight's The Night. 1969-1973 NY albums need to be re-mastered with deluxe resissues. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 52 Registered: 06-2005 |
Zuma On the beach Tonights the night Freedom Harvest | ||
| kevin Member Username: Kevin Post Number: 1922 Registered: 05-2005 |
That track Ordinary People from his new album is great, one of his best ever songs. But, after 10 mins or so you just got to take it off, and put a track from the new Burial album on instead - life's too short. |