Comment of the Moment: Outtakes from Neil Young's "Le Noise": "You Never Call"

Larry "L.A." Johnson & Neil Young On the set of film "Journey Through The Past"(Click photo to enlarge)

Earlier this week, outtakes from Neil Young's "Le Noise" were posted to Neil Young Archives.   

The outtake "You Never Call" continues to "wallop" fans with the stunning -- and heartfelt -- pump organ tribute to the late, great Larry "L.A." Johnson, Neil Young's long time film maker and producer who passed away in 2010. 

Here is the Comment of the Moment on Outtakes from Neil Young's "Le Noise": "You Never Call" by Scotsman:

Le Noise was an interesting album, lots of fun sounds and explosions and good ideas from both Neil and Daniel...

But also more than a little bit "half-baked". An impressive totem pole built on weak foundations.

What the extended Le Noise documentary proves is that there was a version of Le Noise *actively in development* that was much more developed, much more nuanced, much *more* interesting.

Almost like a spooky "round the crackling campfire at midnight" set of folk songs. And like Psychedelic Pill, a "look back through the years" soundtrack to Waging Heavy Peace.

But the sessions changed focus — many of the early songs weren't so much built-upon as abandoned (or set aside 'til later). It's a bit like switching queues at the supermarket and starting from scratch.

A lot of the early work got left behind in favour of a series of slightly underwhelming, "cheap-and-cheerful" first drafts.

This gave Lanois more room to do his magic.... but I think the album flatters Daniel's art more than it does Neil's.

More on this in future, but I agree with Dan Swan and mshare about the pump organ You Never Call.

I'd go as far as to say it's not just more interesting and compelling than the guitar version, but more interesting and compelling than just about anything on the released album.

Scotsman.

PS: For the next 24 hours, my latest rambling trip through the alleyways (starting with a rant about factory farming, moving on to songwriting) is free to read on Patreon:

https://patreon.com/scotzman

 

Neil Young via The "Le Noise" Sessions (Click photo to enlarge) 

Thanks so much Scotsman! we seem to always be pleasantly surprised how much these Archives gems which bubble to the surface delight the rustie grains faithful.

And we've been enjoying your ramblings on Patreon, as well, and honored to be a founding member.  Long may you run.

As we've commented so many times, how can so much quality be left to mine after all these years.  It does seem like we will continue to be amazed for decades to come.  Lucky us.

Neil Young and Daniel Lanois

 

More on Larry "L.A." Johnson: 1947 - 2010.

More on Daniel Lanois and Neil Young.

More on the 2010 Neil Young album "Le Noise" (reviews).

More on The "Le Noise" Sessions.

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