Excitement continues in Rustdale over the major announcement on Neil Young Archives this past weekend of ARCHIVES VOL. II: 1972-1976, scheduled to be released on November 20.
And while much rejoicing after a 11 year gap between NYA Vol #1 & #2, there is also chatter about the dreaded "Greedy Hand" with the inclusion of 3 relatively recent official releases (Roxy, Tuscaloosa, & Homegrown). Similarly back in 2009, there was some fan disappointment with NYA Vol #1 that there were only a few dozen or so unreleased tracks or songs.
Overall, though, -- while not to the degree of joy and dismay of ARCHIVES VOL. I in 2009, which was akin to nearly the "2nd Coming" for some -- similar reactions prevail today.
The Comment of the Moment on ARCHIVES VOL. II: 1972-1976 Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set Out November 20 | NYA @ 9/22/2020 05:14:00 PM,
Lone Red Rider said...
I've been a student of Neil's Archives for over 30 years.
That's probably putting it mildly. There is a single quote from Neil which I believe summarizes his approach to the Archives Box Set. You'll laugh when you see how old it is. But I believe it is still relevant today:
"I'd rather be making new music. But I want to set the record straight as much as I can. Through outtakes and chosen cuts I'm going to try to bring out more of the feeling that's hidden in those records. I think I can enhance the experience by putting them all in a long line, shortening them, and changing them."
– 1989 – The Village Voice.
What Neil is talking about is his Archives Box Set series. Volume One accomplished this, plus also tried to take on the role of an actual Archive, with film, photos, articles etc. This is a major part of why it took so long to release. Now there is the NYA Website to take on the role of the "Physical Archive", but Neil still wants to "set the record straight". And so this brings us to the Vol2 Box, which has reverted from Blu-Ray back to CD.
The Vol1 and Vol2 CDs, when viewed together, are the view that Neil wants to put forth of his career. It is the story he wants to tell in his music. Viewing it like this, you can see the weight he has placed on Homegrown. It had gone from a legendary omission to a standalone disk, not watered down by other outtakes. It's the only disk in discography that he has treated with this much importance. He even broke the strict and maniacal chronology employed on VOL1 to hilight it as a whole piece. Interesting, huh? Just one of the many artistic choices he has made.
In this light, I find it very ODD that Tuscaloosa is a standalone disk in this set, but that is a topic for a later discussion....
LRR - Absolutely. You're definitely "a
student of your history" and all of your insights over the years have
been appreciated by us and so many neil fans around the EARTH.
Back
in 2009, figuring out all the Bluray stuff was quite complicated for so
many. Hopefully this time around, things go smoother.
We'll
never forget those Archives Guy open thread Q&As. The info was
really flowing and that was when neil seemed to get the shift that
collaborating w/ his fans wasn't so bad afterall.
And here we are in the years. For many of us, the avalanche of Neil news is literally bewildering after decades in the dark.
Some one just had a LTE commenting on how lucky we are to be neil fans. So right.
You had a good comment on the previous thread by saying "It wouldn't be Neil if we had it all figured out. "
"He's a perfect stranger
Like a cross of himself and a fox
He's a feeling arranger
And a changer of the ways he talks
He's the unforeseen danger
The keeper of the key to the locks"
funny. he had himself pegged from Day #1 and never really changed.
thanks again for sharing so much, with so many, for so long.
peace
More on ARCHIVES VOL. II: 1972-1976 Limited Edition Deluxe Box - ANNOUNCEMENT.
Trailing behind like always (time difference), I would like to add my take on this discussion.
ReplyDeleteThere are many unknown parameters involved with the whole Neil Young Inc. that can only be guessed. NYA is not generating profits, CD sales have been going down continously, vinyl could be more profitable but it is just a niche-market. Currently touring is not an option either. Having downsized or down-nested (?) Neil Young might not so much be interested in profits for himself but to keep up the structure that enables him to continue to do what he likes to do and what he does best (recording, publishing and performing). Turning 75 this year and experiencing the loss of many very important fellow travellers such as Elliott Roberts it’s quite clear that time is precious.
Hovering above all this is the spectre of an ageing fan-base presumably at some economic peak in their lives, but eventually declining in numbers (Beware of Uncle Henry). So it’s quite understandable that the structure turned to what’s already there to produce a consolidated version of the past. For that purpose it is not only acceptable but even compulsory that previous releases are included in the project. If you look at other forms of art, NY fans can consider themselves to be lucky that they are not treated with a package that even includes more regular output (ORS anyone?).
For a regular complete edition of the works of famous authors all canonical publications are included. Nobody would complain because they have been published separately before. A retrospective of Warhol’s silk-screen portraits would not be complete without a portrait of the Marilyn series. Nobody would complain that some versions were on display in other galleries, in other contexts, or were to be seen in different versions in the past. But maybe you don’t go to art exhibitions and you don’t buy complete editions of your favourite writers.
You know what’s really bad? If you are 21 and spent your last 100 bucks on a load of NY vinyl bootlegs at an overpriced record store in Boston the week before you have to go back home to Europe and your host does not even have a record player anymore.
From Alan in Seattle
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Seattle. I will snap up the Blu Ray Archives Vol 2 faithfully. I pat myself on the back for not buying the CD Tuscaloosa yet, because I will soon have it on Surround sound at a high volume. I bought all the rest, and am glad I did. How could I wait to hear Homegrown?!
I crave all of the stuff listed. Unreleased material is tops for me. Alternate versions. And live, of course! Other recordings. I want it all. Thank you Neil! Thanks to all who made it happen!
I will always be a NYA member also. I hold out hope for another tour with PotR or other muse-inspired creation! I am so glad I got to see Neil in Seattle last tour. Fantastic.
I am “over the moon” for Rust Bucket and other releases on the way! Thank you Thrasher for your terrific, crucial blog.
-Alan
PS- I now realize that the Blu Ray set is not a sure thing.
Sent from my iPhone
Worth noting: In the last 24 hours or so, Neil's Youtube channel has posted a spate of short videos that appear to be Archives ads, teasers, or previews. Much of it may already be up on NYA (don't know, can't be everywhere at once...), but there appear to be plenty of nuggets, including Neil plucking "Out on the Weekend" on banjo and other old clippings.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's a link to tickets for Light up the Blues 2021, scheduled for April 10.
Funnily enough, I was listening to Massey Hall '71 today (NYAPS#3), for the first time in a while. What a set list! Yet the distance, both musically and in attitude, from there to Tuscaloosa and Roxy is a little mind-boggling. "You know that time fades away", I guess. I'm happy,
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ReplyDeletehttp://hyperrust.org/Encounters/McKelvey.html
ReplyDeleteRoberts said the archives will be out for Christmas!!! Without missing a beat I asked, "96 or 97?" Yep, the answer was '97. Had to ask a question to get an answer. He said the archives would be 16 CDs. They would not come out all at once because it would be too expensive for fans and for Neil. They would be sold like a typical box set four CDs at a time. When I asked how long it would take to get the entire archives out he laughed and said the whole project should be done by 2020 but I don't think he was serious.
We talked about the internet and HDCD but it was mostly just small talk. Both Ralph and Elliot were really nice guys and put up with these same tired questions they hear all the time with warmth & humor.
Ralph Molina really perked up when I told Elliot about the internet project that Nils Lofgren is doing for his next CD. Elliot thought it was a very interesting idea. Told Ralph that I'd already sent an email in that Crazy Horse be used as a back-up band for some tracks as a sort of reunion. He just nodded and smiled.
@ Dionys - no apologies for being a Slowpoke.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was faster, I was always behind.
good observations on the state of affairs w/ NYA. We can only hope there's solid financials going fwd, but like many, we wonder?
btw, Beware of Uncle Henry? Maybe you mean Uncle eddie?
http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2019/11/uncle-eddies-nya-new-tier-neil-young.html
and, yeah, that’s really bad. bummer on your Boston buddy going vinyl free. Especially given RSD #2 today. :(
@ Alan in Seattle - always appreciate the notes from the Great NorthWest!
PS- Blu Ray seems pretty off the table at this point for NYA.
@ Meta Rocker - thanks, on it @
http://neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.org/2020/09/video-clips-neil-young-channel-youtube.html
check Thos's comment on what might be going on w/ NY YT channel.
sort of ties into financial picture. The channel is clearly monetized w/ pre-roll advertising by major corps.
many here no our stance on taking corporate ads and trying to sell out.
We continue to ponder the AMZN dilemma ...
Also, good to see link to tickets for Light up the Blues 2021. Gives us hope that live music still matters.\
@ Jim - thanks for the Elliot Roberts memories.
Yeah, NYA has been the twisted road for sure.
We distinctly recall back in 2009 when NYA#1 was released about how NYA#2 would be coming soon. in a year or 2. Here we are 11 years now. And will this really hit the all critical holiday release timing of late Nov.? if they miss the mark, it will likely get pushed off again for quite sometime.
My Dad went to the trouble of collecting nearly every Beatles album created, the majority of which had the exact same songs on them. Vol. 2 is a collectors item spanning the timeframe in which some of those generously released albums are included in. Released potentially in part because some guy was whining about dying before they'd be released. If you're into collecting you don't care about the duplicates.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GEWVFDy_nQ&feature=emb_logo
ReplyDelete"Great Unvailing"