REVIEW: ‘High Flyin’ by Neil Young w/ The Ducks - 1977 | Everybody’s Dummy

‘High Flyin’ w/ The Ducks   Neil Young's Original Bootleg Series Releases #02 (Click photo to enlarge)

 

From Neil Young 67: High Flyin’  | Everybody’s Dummy:

It only took 45 years, but an official Ducks album finally came out as part of the Neil Young Archives Official Bootleg Series.  

High Flyin’ presents two discs of the band in their element: a bar. Three such venues are represented here, including Neil favorite The Catalyst, along with a recorded “live rehearsal” and an appearance at a local auditorium. The songs were recorded well enough—by Neil’s own team, of course—to the point where you can almost smell the spilt beer and urinal cakes.

Just as in every scene across America and most of Canada throughout the rock ‘n roll era up through today, The Ducks were a decent bar band, with accomplished if pedestrian vocalists. If anything, they were faster than Crazy Horse, and certainly funkier. Overall, pretty solid rock ‘n roll, as would be expected of any other bar band with a hotshot guitarist. 

The draw here, obviously, is anytime Neil rips off a stinging lead, blows into a harmonica, adds a harmony, or steps forward to sing one of his own songs. “Are You Ready For The Country?” is a fun stomper as ever, while “Sail Away” and “Human Highway” get nice electric treatments with energetic harmonies. The band’s treatment of “Little Wing” is especially moving, as Neil gives it something of a riff missing from the acoustic take, and “Mr. Soul” is delivered with pure Springfield energy. 

Thanks as always wardo @ Everybody’s Dummy for the thoughts and review. Review #67!!! Appreciate the dedication to the Ducks & Neil album reviews. Likewise, we also found  ‘High Flyin’ a pleasant surprise.

 

 

Neil Young w/ The Ducks - 1977

 

More on Bootleg Singles: Neil Young Archives - Ducks 1977 & Rainbow 1973.

   Neil Young - August 1977 Catalyst Club, Santa Cruz, CA PHOTO: RICHARD MCCAFFREY/BAM

More on The Story of Neil Young’s Short-lived Santa Cruz Band The Ducks | Good Times.  Also, see Duck Tales: Eyewitness Report on Neil Young and The Ducks Concerts, Santa Cruz, CA - 1977.

 

More on  Neil Young's Official Bootleg Series.

Neil Young's Official Bootleg Series

 

• Where Are The Raps on Neil Young's ‘Somewhere Under The Rainbow?
• REVIEW: Neil Young's Latest Trifecta - 'Somewhere Under The Rainbow', 'High Flyin' ' & Molina, Talbot, Lofgren's 'All Roads Lead Home' | Davy's Cinema Flicks & Music Picks
• Comment of the Moment by Scotsman: Neil Young's Original Bootleg Series Releases: ‘Somewhere Under The Rainbow” & ‘High Flyin’
• Neil Young's Original Bootleg Series Releases: Original Bootleg Series Releases: ‘Somewhere Under The Rainbow” & ‘High Flyin’

Jeffrey Reid "Jeff" Blackburn: 1946 - 2023  w/ Neil Young

(see A Tribute to Jeffrey Reid "Jeff" Blackburn: 1946 - 2023)

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