Another reminder of how lucky we are to have the Archives and the letters section... between the time I lamented the omission of Ambulance Blues and now, some intrepid fan sent in asking why it didn't make the cut and Neil explained succinctly: "THEY WERE GOOD BUT NONE WERE RIGHT FOR ME ON THIS ALBUM. MAYBE IN THE FUTRE IT WILL BE USED."
I'll echo that the version of Cortez the Killer contained here - as most of you know, the version with the missing verses that have been included since last year's tour with the horse - is absolutely essential. I understand the minor grievances listed in this thread (the slow start of Side 1. Spooner still being lower in the mix in the same way as on tour...) but damn, Side 3 is a towering and killer slab of rock and roll... Vampire Blues (from one of the shows I attended! I get a sensorial memory of my best friend and me losing our shit when they kicked into that one) and Cortez? An absolutely unmissable document of the band at their best right there.
Another letter I read in the most recent batch made the cover art make sense to me. I had no idea it was a picture of the band reflected in rained out pit at the Jones Beach show. I just thought it was an artistic decision that didn't do anything for me compared to a simple shot of the great stage set-up they had on this run. Really made my appreciation to the cover art skyrocket.
Anyways, looking forward to more opinions as the album continues to officially roll out. I really would live to see the truncated Crazy Horse tour make it to record at some point, though that feels unlikely (and maybe a bit greedy given the embarrassment of riches we've already received).
Thanks for the comments JVJ! A 2fer.
More on the album "As Time Explodes" by Neil Young w/ Chrome Hearts (Tracklist, etc.).
Also, more on 2025 "Love Earth" tour in Europe and North America (concert reports).


Thrasher,
ReplyDeleteAll of the local record shops ‘round here either sold out or ordered too few vinyl copies (or both?). What remains online is above released listing price plus s&h (which has increased with price of fuel). The reason I mention this is b/c according to the Greedy Hand store, the May 29th release date also includes vinyl. Just say’n.
Pretty cool version of RITW on NYA today. From the Jones Beach show I think. Not on the album though...
ReplyDeleteStill, if they have film of RITW hopefully more will emerge in time.
Ron, Thanks. I almost missed this b/c it’s on NYA as “Take America Back”. Gr8 version of RITFW live from Jones Beach! A shame this song & others (Ambulance Blues) didn’t make the “As Time Explodes” cut. Maybe Neil could put a hires digital outtakes from explodes up for sale in the hires store…
DeleteThis is off topic. Is anybody else not seeing the 4/29/03 concert from Hamburg that Neil announced, I believe yesterday on his website.
ReplyDeleteThis is suppose to be on the Time Line.
DeleteI think it's only on the website, not the app. I listened to it today and it's a great recording. On the website, go to the Playlists from the main menu, select Timeline Concerts, and it's at the top. No idea why they don't push it out to the app at the same time.
DeleteThank You Nomad.
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ReplyDeleteAs a sidenote: Daniel de Visé ranks Neil's albums from his first decade on AllMusic: https://www.allmusic.com/blog/post/ranking-the-neil-young-albums-from-his-first-decade
ReplyDelete