On The Beach: A 50 Year Old Masterpiece
Neil Young's On The Beach - 1974
(Click photo to enlarge)
On The Beach was released on
July 19, 1974. I remember listening to it over and over.
I didn't
really know what to make of it at first because it was so different than
anything else I had ever heard from Neil or from anyone for that
matter. But the album kind of crawled into my mind and shaped itself
into one of the best listening experiences I have ever had.
The songs
are so incredibly intense.
I just loved the answer to critics expecting
another Harvest in the form of the songs Walk On (and later on Ambulance
Blues.) The beauty of the song written 5 years earlier See The Sky
About To Rain, the best (I think) version of the song ever. "I'm a black
bat baby, hangin' on your window pane" and other lyrics foretell Neil's
later relationship with oil and the companies who produce it on Vampire
Blues.
And then there is side 2, possibly the best album side of all time
by anyone.
"I need a crowd of people, but I can't face them day to day";
oh, the consequences of becoming famous for your work. The title song
of the album has some of Neil's best bluesy jazzy guitar work and some
really moving lyrics. The atmosphere it creates is hauntingly
exhilarating and beautiful.
"Well all those people, they think they've
got it made, but I wouldn't buy sell borrow or trade anything I have to
be like one of them. I'd rather start all over again."
These are some of
the hard-hitting lyrics in Motion Pictures and are deeply important to
me. The wonderful Ambulance Blues closes out the album. The entire song
is compelling and I can listen to it in my head anytime I want but I
love to play the record to listen. "I never knew a man could tell so
many lies, he had a different story for every set of eyes, how could he
remember who he's talking to, 'cause I know it ain't me and I hope it
isn't you" is a verse that resonates through generations.
I love the On The Beach album. It's an important part of my life,
then and now. If anyone asks about an album that has aged well, think of
this one.
Mike
Expecting To Fly