Neil Young's Vinyl Releases & "A GREAT QUESTION"
(Click photo to enlarge)
Neil Young's vinyl releases have long been -- paradoxically -- a source of great joy and frustration.
Finally, it seems that someone has gotten Neil's attention on the long running issue of vinyl quality, decisions and pricing.
Over on Neil Young Archives | Letters to Editor , Peter in Dublin writes a thoughtful and provocative letter which NYA headlines as "A GREAT QUESTION". Read the letter in full for all the specific details. To summarize very briefly this complex, multi-faceted subject, the vinyl frustrations have peaked around releases with "etching sides", i.e., no music. For example, Tuscaloosa album on 2 LPs, but on 3 sides, but now with Bonus Tracks released on NYA that could have gone on Side 4 instead of an etching of the Crazy Horse logo.
Another example given is the Toast album, totaling only 51 minutes on 2 LPs, again on only 3 sides, with Side 4 an etching of the Crazy Horse logo.
Peter in Dublin goes on to cite numerous other Neil Young's vinyl releases which fall short of fan expectations of vinyl quality and value.
Neil responds with:
"What a great refreshing letter!!!!"
Neil goes on to reply that he plans to review the letter with Engineers John Hanlon, Niko Bolas and others to "come up with answers".
Thanks to Peter in Dublin for asking the uncomfortable questions.
Labels: albums, neil young, vinyl
by thrasher@PermaLink: 10/21/2025 11:35:00 AM
11 comments
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11 Comments:
Fully agree with the sentiment of the question. It has also irked me. The related question is why many of the discs in archives box sets end up being released individually on vinyl. If I knew with confidence I could get all the same music on a nice stack of vinyl, I'd skip the boxes of CDs/Blu-rays, but once I've purchased the boxes, I'm not keen to spend more to get the vinyl (my preferred format).
Also an innaresting comment regarding etching. Artwork is cool. But if I were given a choice, I’d choose another side of music over an etching. Live or un released version, rarity or alternate mix…
Also (I’ve only seen this done once in my vinyl collection) TTB
released their live version of Layla and other assorted love songs live from Lok’n (festival) and they managed to squeeze in a “bonus track” AND an etching.
Just say’n.
Thanks herbsworld.
Yes, interesting that an etching side can contain a “bonus track”?! Presumably, Neil's folks are aware.
I was also glad to read that in another letter Neil was asked about solo lp’s released aside from the ORS box. I also have 2 vinyl editions of Harvest Moon. It’s a GREAT record. But I don’t need a third copy. I do need those other 3 albums tho 😎
You're welcome 😁 That was me.
New timeline concert posted. Truly the best part of NYA and what keeps me as a subscriber.
Thank you!
I have bought every vinyl release from the Greedy Hand for as long as I can remember. I liked the letter and agree with the sentiments. However the points made about whether an double LP sounds better than a single LP are lost on me. I'm 59, have been to 100's of concerts and play loud electric guitar in a band. My ears are never going to hear a difference, and I do not believe NY or John Hanlon have 'dog ears' than can detect an audible difference.
My ORS volume 6 box has arrived today, very much looking forward to spinning Mirror Ball and Sleeps With Angels over the weekend, two of my favourite later period releases.
I bought all releases new on vinyl from Are You Passionate onwards on release date, so not sure whether I will continue buying these boxes when it catches up with this release in ORS 8.
Hoping the promised Geffen years box gets scheduled sometime soon.
Going back to the letter, I completely agree on the planned Mirror Ball live '95 release. I was at that concern and its an absolute travesty to only release seven songs from the 15 performed across 3 sides, with presumably an etching. Fill the fourth side with Cortez and RITFW which were epic on the night.
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Peace & Love is now extended to 8 minutes and 48 seconds on the new pressing, from 7:02 on all previous releases. No mentions of this on NYA, but a cool feedback outro with a spooky piano melody right at the end.
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