•
Rating: Neil Young's first solo album was released in 1968 and was simply titled "Neil Young". It didn't turn out very well, with too many overdubs significantly weighing it down, despite some commendable songs. In short, it was an album that only hinted at what was to come.
Right after the release of the record, Neil, dissatisfied with the album, went to see a concert by a band called Rockets (note, not the late '70s ones dressed as astronauts) and was struck by the electrifying and rough sound of this new band. In particular, he immediately formed a friendship with guitarist Danny Whitten, and invited them to his studio for some sessions. During these sessions, the spark ignited so much that Neil, in the span of an afternoon, wrote three songs that would become masterpieces of his vast production: "Cowgirl in the Sand", "Cinnamon Girl", and "Down by the River". All the songs were recorded in the studio live, and within five to six days, an album emerged that remains to this day one of Neil Young's absolute pinnacles, seven perfect songs in their imperfection, meaning that the sound is dirty, rough, electric, and the guitars are allowed to feedback freely (it was one of the first times this happened on a studio record; sure, there was Hendrix, but it wasn't as common back then), Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina provided a punctual and essential rhythm section, Neil and Danny improvised at will, especially on the long tracks, and it's a pleasure to hear them.
In addition to the previously mentioned songs, particularly "Down by the River" is one of my all-time favorites, a fantastic song that, despite being over 8 minutes long, makes me want to listen to it again and again. There's also a stunning acoustic ballad, "Round and Round", and the title track itself, an example of electric country-rock all rigorously recorded live. An urgent album, one of those written and recorded on the fly and, like all urgent things, truly important and especially fundamental for Neil Young's career, who shortly thereafter would join Crosby, Stills & Nash for one of the most celebrated supergroups in rock history.
If a good day is seen in the morning...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Down by the River (09:16)
Be on my side, Ill be on your side, baby
There is no reason for you to hide
Its so hard for me staying here all alone
When you could be taking me for a ride.
Yeah, she could drag me over the rainbow, send me away
Down by the river I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
You take my hand, Ill take your hand
Together we may get away
This much madness is too much sorrow
Its impossible to make it today.
Yeah, she could drag me over the rainbow, send me away
Down by the river I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
Be on my side, Ill be on your side, baby
There is no reason for you to hide
Its so hard for me staying here all alone
When you could be taking me for a ride.
Yeah, she could drag me over the rainbow, send me away
Down by the river I shot my baby
Down by the river,
Dead, oh, shot her dead.
05 The Losing End (When You're On) (04:07)
I went into town to see you
yesterday
but you were not home.
So I talked to some old friends
for a while
before I wandered off alone.
It's so hard for me now
But I'll make it somehow,
Though I know I'll never be the same.
Won't you ever change your ways,
It's so hard to make love pay
When you're on the losing end,
And I feel that way again.
Well, I miss you more than ever,
since you've gone
I can hardly maintain.
Things are different round here
every night,
my tears fall down like rain.
It's so hard for me now
But I'll make it somehow,
Though I know I'll never be the same.
Won't you ever change your ways,
It's so hard to make love pay
When you're on the losing end,
And I feel that way again.
07 Cowgirl in the Sand (10:05)
Hello cowgirl in the sand
Is this place at your command
Can I stay here for a while
Can I see your sweet sweet smile
Old enough now to change your name
When so many love you is it the same?
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Hello ruby in the dust
Has your band begun to rust
After all the sin we've had
I was hopin' that we turn back
Old enough now to change your name
When so many love you is it the same
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Hello woman of my dreams
This is not the way it seems
Purple words on a grey background
To be a woman and to be turned down
Old enough now to change your name
When so many love you is it the same
It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game
Loading comments slowly
