Neil Young is captured in his mid-1970s prime with “Chrome Dreams,” yet another “lost” — or “unreleased" — album officially seeing the light of day as Young originally envisioned nearly half a century ago.
Young, 77, has been delving into his vast archive in recent years to release live albums and studio recordings that were previously slated for release, but for one reason or another never got out.
The long-bootlegged collection of 12 songs, all recorded between 1974 and 1976 and first compiled for a release in 1977, gained legendary status as it sat in the vault. Young even managed to release a titular sequel, “Chrome Dreams II” in 2007, before he got around to putting out the original.
It's impossible 46 years later to know how “Chrome Dreams” would have altered the Neil Young career narrative had it been released when planned. Certainly, “Chrome Dreams” is a stunning collection, highlighted by beloved Young songs “Powderfinger,”“Pocahontas” and “Like a Hurricane.”
In fact, all of the songs on the album have already been released in one version or another, just not in this 1977 sequence.
There are variations here being heard for the first time, but for diehard fans hoping to hear radically different versions of the songs they’ve long been familiar with, “Chrome Dreams” doesn’t offer much.
“Pocahontas” is the same version that was released in 1979 on “Rust Never Sleeps,” just minus the overdubs. “Like a Hurricane" is the same version released in 1977 on “American Stars ’n Bars.” The version of “Powderfinger” on “Chrome Dreams” is the original, which was previously released in 2017. Young first released another version of the song in 1979 on “Rust Never Sleeps.”
Two other tracks, “Sedan Delivery” and “Hold Back the Tears," have lyrics not included in the later released versions.
While there's not a lot that's new, “Chrome Dreams” succeeds in bringing together yet another tantalizing lost “what if” release from Young's vast catalog.
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divinda
This "new" album is available on Spotify, just like all his stuff... once again.
Good to see Neil stay committed to his beliefs... the belief in making money, that is.
This note's for you!
stormcrow
Keep ‘em coming, Neil! You’re the MAN!
stormcrow
The Exorcist was one scary film, and based somewhat on fact, or so the story goes.
RIP
stormcrow
Oooopps! I’d better make some coffee.
starpunk
It seems like he's as versatile and prolific a writer and artist as Prince, Springsteen, McCartney/Lennon. At least we get to hear it now while he's still living. Supposedly Prince has recorded enough songs to have a new studio album released every year for the rest of the 21st century. But there's been that label and business issues that he wrestled with even when he was living. And Bruce? Oh my.........
sunfunbun
Neil wrote a book about a decade ago, 'waging heavy Peace'. A really good memoir book of astute observations and humor. He creatively writes, a gift he may have gotten in blood lines, as his father was a well known writer in Canada.
His music speaks for itself. A great songwriter and performer. My appreciation for Neil Young has enhanced my life, watching him play over the years with CSNY, my first concert I ever went to, along with his solo career and concerts, thereafter. Live at Massey Hall in 2007 was the first of his long series of releasing everything he has. At the time it was such a joy to listen to him when he was still starting out, and the voice of youth.
Neil's over saturated with all his releases, but he can do what he wants, his legacy obviously intact. I do look forward to listening to Chrome Dreams. it is the prime of his career, and I can always listen to Neil, if not in smaller doses.
starpunk
You saw CSNY back in the day? CoVid claimed the 'C' earlier so there's no more CSN (& Y). 'N' has put out a good observational solo CD this year, reflecting on current and recent history like the trump dictatorship. It's good that Neil is releasing so much stuff now while he's living and you can hear it.
I grew up with Prince and Springsteen, never got to see the former but 4 times the latter. They both have warehouses of unreleased work but Prince is dead and there's all that legal crap, and Bruce has said he's completed at least 9 albums during the 90s his label hasn't put out yet.
Neil's albums have shown great diversity and influence. He's been called the Godfather of Grunge. And McCartney has stacks of tracks himself in the can. At least we can hear shelved Neil stuff while he's still around.