Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Yeah - if you dig Neil Young, as I do, you'd struggle to find fault here. Young was at the height of his considerable powers here. Another artist might sound trapped by the rather ramshackle arrangements here - not Young. If anything, they only serve to embellish his artistry. Superb.
I’m playing catch up here, but thoroughly enjoyed this. “Mellow my Mind” is so dang good. I need to see Neil live before one of us dies.
Had heard songs from this album but not the album itself. A few new-to-me songs but all good.
no es el mejor de sus discos, tampoco es el peor. lo más interesante de este disco es su historia.
I’m a big fan of Neil Young but, this is not my favorite album or collection of songs from him.
Highlights: Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown, Tonight's the Night Leave Em's: Tired Eyes, Mellow My Mind Overall Thoughts: I have heard some really good things about Neil Young and his music, but I was underwhelmed by this album. On several of the songs his voice sounds pretty rough and off-key. I imagine that this 1975 album was released in his "heyday," yet it sounds like it could be a live performance in his farewell tour 40 years later. While the songwriting on some songs was somewhat redeeming there were also plenty of songs that felt shallow. Neil's voice simply fits so much better on louder more rock sounding music, and there was not very much of that on this album which served as a detriment to it. I couldn't even convince myself to like the song named Albuquerque... I hope to head an album that suits his voice better and contains some of his hits. Score Breakdown: 2.767 & 2 ->2.384
Never heard it before and loved it!
The high number of Neil Young on the 1001 list shows his versatility during his career. He has some great albums (especially when together with the Crazy Horses or other partners) and also some albums that are just "meh," like this one. I think I'll probably get more from him on the list, but despite my enjoyment (or not) of listening to this album, it was good to learn how far someone with talent and willingness goes to test the limits of his talent.
I have listened to a couple of Neil Young albums in the past (and I'm guessing there will be more in this challenge,) and I didn't care for them. I liked this one OK, at least when he wasn't using the worst singing voice I've ever heard. Seriously, what is up with his singing on Mellow My Mind? That was god-awful. I guess for some people, that's part of his charm, but Neil's singing sounds best when covered up...I mean harmonizing with someone else. Anyway, the music is pretty good, with a couple of clunkers in there. I think my favorite track was Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown.
Did not listen because Neil doesn’t want Spotify premium listeners to have access. NEIL, I pay Spotify $170 yearly for artists to collect some revenue. I also watch ads.
meh. nothing here stuck out to me or made me want to listen again. the album was fine as background music but I don't think i'd ever listen to it again. shame because I really like some of neil young's other work, but yeah, this ain't it.
I enjoyed these songs. Neil Young is good and I like his voice.
Somehow, I'd missed this Neil Young album through the years. I like it. It's very raw. Sounds kinda like it was mostly recorded live, warts n' all. That's not to say there are any warts, other than the endearing kind.
I love this album. It’s got a lot of different moods on it and there is a warmth and humor to it.
ok 5th Neil Young album on the list.. you have to wonder how many great artists have been left off and based on this album at least 5. Does not even attempt to stand out, harmonica and plodding vocals everywhere. 1
Outstanding! Neil was going for a "grungier" sound at this time in his career, not being swayed by commercial considerations, and as a result he has produced an album of powerful songs with a loose instrumental feel.
Live?
No esta en Spotify
-1 juste parce Neil c'est une vedette qui met pas ses albums dispos sur Spotify. Sinon c'est bon, bonnes mélodies soft. J'ai pas souvent écouté de Neil dans ma vie, mais on le reconnait facilement à sa voix. S'écoute bien, mais pas le plus happy mood en ville.
Much better than I was expecting. Rating 3.8
This album has always painted an image in my head of a depressed nightclub singer drowning his sorrows at the end of the night. This feeling might be because it was written shortly after the deaths of two of Young's friends -- there is certainly a moroseness that permeates most of the album. "Tired Eyes" is certainly one of my favorite by Young. I think this is a 5-star album, all things considered, but it hasn't quite reached that level for me, yet. I could see myself heavily disagreeing with my 4-star rating in a matter of years.
Very single-themed album. It has its style.
Was not on Spotify. Had to listen on YouTube which ruined the experience of the album slightly. Would have maybe scored higher if this wasn’t the case.
Really good Neil Young album that I hadn't heard yet.
kinda somniferous
I love every song. This is the greatest country/folk rock album of all time. This album shouldn’t be liked by me but idc.
it made me relaxed and wasn't entertaining. Albuquerque.
Mostly pretty boring but a few good songs. FS: Borrowed Tune, Mellow, Mama
Removed from Spotify
Another Neil Young album…
That’s an easy one, and lucky I have a copy on vinyl
I always find the entry into this record a tough listen. Tonight’s the night, a lament to a lost friend is dark and depressing. The vocal is strained and the song hangs for a little too long. But once over this hurdle the album kicks on. World On A String is the first standout for me. It marches along, gets the foot tapping, guitar front and centre. Borrowed Time is Young on his own, piano and harmonica. The lyrics are beautiful. One of the things that I adore about NY is his guitar tone and ragged musicianship. Albuquerque is the first time that I really hear it on TtN, the harmonica and that quiet growling guitar. The song itself meanders with that wonderful chorus. Lookout Joe is another terrific bar room style rocker, the whole band chiming in on the vocal and a great little riff running throughout. Tired Eyes is a great title for a song that sounds worn out, disheveled, broken almost unsteady on its feet. Young telling us to, “Please take my advice”. TtN isn’t the record you put on in the background or at a summer BBQ with friends, god that would be awful. This is a record for the end of the day, preferably after dark. It’s a record about life, friendships and loss. Young does this better than anyone else.
AJ: I miss my dad. “I love Neil. But if you give him to much of your time, he’ll kill ya.” Thanks a lot, Uncle.
4/10. There's been like one Neil Young album I've liked which made me think maybe I'd start liking his music more, but no, some of it just sounds bad.
I think this album would be excellent if Neil Young's voice wasn't so dogshit. 6/10
I did not care for this album at all. Maybe I just don't get it yet.
Did not like.
Some nice tunes here but no bangers unfortunately. I like Neil usually.
Veldig, veldig mye heroin.
Tonight's the Night is the sixth album by Canadian/American songwriter Neil Young. The theme on this album is grief because both the band Crazy Horse's guitarist Danny Whitten and Neil Young's friend Bruce Berry had died of drug overdoses in the months before the songs had been written. There are nods to both of these men in some of this album's tracks. It is an album born out of the post-hippie/post-counterculture movements and has dark feelings of life flowing down the drain into depravity. However, the album has been lauded by critics as one of Young's best work. It's a calculated mess of sloppy desolation which allowed Young's grief to mold the songs on this album. I enjoyed this moody piece of music because the songwriting was amazing as it was sad. The music was comforting as if it were bittersweet waves of having to come to terms with loss. This might not be my favorite Neil Young album, but it is the most interesting and it's songs will stick with me for awhile. This is one album to listen to for anyone grieving.
Whoa. That was amazing. Am I a Neil Young fan now?? Standouts: Tonight's the Night, Speakin' Out, World on a String, Borrowed Tune, Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown, Mellow My Mind, Albuquerque
Here we GO!
Just furthering my hypothesis discovered on Leonard Cohen's "Songs of Love & Hate" review
there is such a thing as neil young fatigue. or is it harmonica fatigue? i suppose this is my first neil young solo album, though i've had 2 albums by neil young and crazy horse, 1 by crosby stills nash and young, and 1 by buffalo springfield. a lot of this album just wasn't my speed. there were some aspects that appealed to me--there were some instrumental sections in "speaking out" and "mellow my mind" that were beautiful. but somebody needs to get that darn harmonica away from young. and i suppose i don't care much for his voice, either. i can respect the driving force of the death of two friends of young's. in fact, i love the unabashed inspiration and grief. ah, sorry neil young.
Another day, another Neil Young album. One thing I will say about Neil Young, he has always been in favor of trying new things, musically. Neil has a signature sound that can usually be picked out, but all of the stuff about his music that exists "between the lines" gets played with a lot. This practice has become a more commonplace thing in today's music era, but back in the 70s, Neil Young was experimenting with different sounds during a time when it could have been a career killer. Additionally, I feel like Neil's feelings and emotions that he was trying to communicate come across exceedingly raw on this album -- something he was no doubt aiming for. All that said, I didn't particularly care for this album. There were glimpses of songs on this album that I enjoyed ("Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown" and "Lookout Joe"), but oddly enough, those songs seem to be some of the lesser enjoyed songs on this album by listeners. I just wasn't knocked off my feet by this album. It may just not be my thing.
I really like Neil Young, but this was boresville.
Why hadn't I given Neil Young much of a go before. Really enjoyed this. Melancholic songs imbued with a sense acceptance and uplifting defiance. Enjoyed the folky elements more than the country elements, purely personal taste tho. Borrowed Tune fav track. Removed the corniness of 'Lady Jane' and elevated the beautiful melody. 4.5
Some really lovely tracks here, slightly watered down by what felt to me to be some relatively bog-standard blues. The charm definitely wins out though, and Young's voice does a lot over simple, live band compositions. Three and a half. Fave track: Borrowed Tune
I knew about the tragic backstory to this album but had never heard it before. Wasn't sure how I'd respond to this but through the last half of the album in particular I really enjoyed it. A number of lines and verses really rocked me - simple but moving lyricism. Four and a half. Fave track - Tired Eyes
Première écoute très apre. Production minimaliste, chant approximatif. On sent que tout a été enregistré en une prise, que tout le monde est bourré, défoncé, déprimé. Album sur le deuil et ses effets sur un groupe de musicien, et d'un coup ça devient plus intéressant et touchant.
The final installment of the Ditch Trilogy, in which Neil Young mediates on death and despair. Rough around the edges but with Young’s trademark soulful lyricism, Tonight’s the Night sees one of Canada’s musical treasures rediscover the joy of music and performance after the massive success of Harvest.
Zzzzzz
this is a powerful album. themes of death, despair and addiction permeate within the songs. neil young’s voice, both his literal singing voice as well as his artistic voice, portrays vulnerability. i understand that his vocals may be an acquired taste for some, but his voice is what makes the songs sound authentic. they are from someone who has been through some shit. highlights: “tonight’s the night”, “world on a string”, “come on baby, let’s go downtown”, “tired eyes”.
Tonight's the Night In general, I like Neil Young. But remember, my liking and disliking of things exists almost entirely in the world of radio, I'm new to this album game. -Tonight's the Night- This highlights the mediocrity of his vocals. Honestly, his vocals are bad in the way Bob Dylan's are bad, yeah, they're bad, but sometimes it works. Either way, this song isn't my favorite -Speakin' Out- Yeah, just okay. -World on a String- Not bad. I like that he knows when to end a song. -Borrowed Tune- The guy is a poet with a good band. I like it. Not too much harmonica, that's appreciated. -Come on Baby, Let's go Downtown- This is the kind of tune that his voice is most adept at. Overall, pretty good. Erica: I didn't like the ones before this. It's like there was a time when the world wanted music to sound like it was being sung by a senile old man, Neil Young, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash. It all just sounds weak. At least on this one it sounded like he felt it. -Mellow my Mind- Okay, this one isn't good. This would be better if sung by anyone else. And had less harmonica. This is the drunk guy in the corner booth at karaoke who won't get up to sing. -Roll another number- This is reminiscent of REK. -Albequerque- The music on this one is really good. The vocals are beginning to grate on me. -New Mama- This is the NY I like. Good guitar, good harmonies. Nice. -Lookout Joe- Not bad, again, effort at harmony, good guitar. -Tired Eyes- Meh, back to the first stuff. -Pt 2- "Sing a song in a shaky voice that's a real as the day is long" Gonna have to disagree. A couple of good tracks on an otherwise overall mediocre album.
Neil Young is one of the guys I like well enough but I haven’t taken a deep dive into his albums besides Harvest Moon (looking forward to Harvest, actually). But this probably wasn’t the one to start with. A little raw, a little rough, a little vocally shaky at times, a little too much for me. I did really like a lot of the arrangements but, like with most of Young’s work, it was a little too harmonica-y for my tastes (I definitely like the harmonica in certain situations but not here). I did like Roll Another Number (For the Road), Albuquerque, and Lookout Joe but I don’t think it makes up for the rest.
Boring boomer music
I actually liked some of it, as it's different to and I guess much better than a lot of shit that is on this list, and it was close to being a "ehh, it's okay for a 3/5", then starting with 'Mellow My Mind' the album just gets worse and worse. The vocals are overall not it, man... Also some songs ('Roll Another Number for example) are just flat out weird and not good. I get it that it's from a dark period of his life full of grief, but that still doesn't make it a better album musically.
Not a great balance of slow and fast tunes. Plus, the rock and country styles don't mesh well.
I really want to like Neil Young, but for whatever reason his music just rarely clicks with me.
His off key voice shouldn't work but it does. The harmonies are CSNY quality. Harmonica outstanding. Steel guitar masterful. Albuquerque, I never get tired of this music, listened to it over and over again back in the day. One of my favorite all time Neil Young songs. Album is raw. I wonder if he ever did a do over? Could have been more polished if he tried to please the consumer but that is his style.
I’ve hit my Neil young quota for the month.
need to get this one on vinyl
I'm aware of Youngs voice as he's a favourite of my other half. However he's not got this album so it was new material for me. I liked it.
I'm normally not super into Neil Young, but I really enjoyed this one. Has to do in part with how full and rich the band sounds. There's an edge and forcefulness to the songs that I'm responding to. Sounds like he was not in a great place emotionally when he was writing and recording this, which is perhaps contributing to that.
Though I prefer the album "Zuma" from this period, it's still a good loose rocker from Neil.
I feel like I should like it more, but it's Neil Young... but beyond that I like his other works better. Whoops.
It was an ok folk rock album by Neil Young. I can see why at the time of release it would have garnered a great following, particularly amongst the middle America scene, even though he's actually Canadian! This quote from The New Rolling Stone Record Guide from 1983 sums this record up perfectly: "The record chronicles the post-hippie, post-Vietnam demise of counterculture idealism, and a generation's long, slow trickle down the drain through drugs, violence, and twisted sexuality. " Best: Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown Worst: Roll Another Number (For the Road) Note: Needed to listen on YouTube Music as it was not available on Spotify.
The older I get, the more I like Neil. I thought this was a 3 or 4 on the first spin but the second time around I absolutely loved it.
Neil Young released 45 studio albums (plus lots of other work with others of course). Albums 2-5 (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - After The Gold Rush - Harvest - On The Beach) are all 5 star super classics, just like Album 6: this one. Not much else to add.
Excellent album, excellent recording. It feels like you are in the room with them performing the music.
This really is a great listen, one of my favourite Neil Young albums, even if the best tune is a borrowed one.
Nie działa
Billed out
There’s something special about the sound of this record. Very fluid with country stylings. I’m a fan
Gilla de, tror ja kommer bli mer förälskad om ja lyssnar men kom plide ti spotify Neil
Really good country-influenced singer songwriter and folk rock album with mostly lowkey instrumentation with some exceptions such as Let’s Go Downtown. I really enjoyed the two country sounding tracks Roll Another Number and Albuquerque. There are no real weak tracks however I do think the album gets better as it goes along.
My least favourite Neil Young's album so far. Although I get the sad tones and the overall vibe of the album, there are simply no particular songs that caught my attention.
Another banger from Mr. Young
Non lo so non sono riuscito ad ascoltare
Meandering between lilting and melodic ballads and heavier electric sounds. Neil Young is a great songwriter but I didn't find this album as interesting as some of his other stuff
An alright album by Neil Young. It’s not nearly as good as either Harvest or after the Gold Rush. Also prefer some albums with crazy horse. Overall this wasn’t my favorite Neil young and felt like it was very generically Neil young. 5.5/10
Forgot this MF pulled all his shit from Spotify. This is some Boomer music through and through. This isn't terrible, but I really am not much of a fan. This is a 2/5
Classic Neil young, ballads, rock and roll, blues some awesome lyrics and some bluesy tunes. (75%)
блюзовщина дрожащим голосом, не для меня
Pretty good
not on spotify had to use youtube
Solid Neil.
Getting Neil Young on here is always a pain in the arse now, obviously Spotify is out, I used to be able to use Amazon but they fucked that by making it shuffle only so that's worse than useless. Had to run Youtube as audio through VLC for a tolerable experience. But mainly, because at the end of it all, its a Neil Young album. This isn't even good, folky or folk rock Neil young, its blues rock Neil Young, which can get in the bin. I do have to concede that Mercury Rev straight up pilfered 'the Dark is Rising' from 'Borrowed Tune'. How did they get away with not crediting that? I am glad they didn't however as it would disappear off streaming. Aside from that New Mama and Lookout Joe were alright. Tired Eyes was OK as well. Maybe the album grew into me as it went along, but he did that annoying thing of playing the first song again at the end, again (at least on Hey hey My My he makes the song better the second time), which drained away any goodwill which had built up.
Less rock, more country twang, than some of his other efforts but this album maintains Young's raw, and immediately recognizable, lyrical and vocal stylings. Good, but not his best.
None of these songs feel like they belong on the same album, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, in this case, it’s in the sense of the production quality being so drastically different from track to track that it makes it jarring to listen to, and takes away from the general flow of the album. His singing leaves a lot to be desired as well. Instrumentation was fine and lyrics were good. The songs themselves alone were great, but it felt too much like a compilation album. Not that they were all his best tracks, more like they belong to different recording sessions on different albums. I don’t know why it’s so disconcerting to me. The album is fine other than that. 3/5
ощущения примерно как от On The Beach снова отдельные моменты могут быть интересны музыкантам, но не более
Приятно, мило, пролетело слишком мимо
Что за фигня тут происходит? Я же искал что-то новое, а не этот хреновый, старомодный музыкальный антиквариат. Честно говоря, я даже не знаю, как комментировать этот альбом. Это как будто Нил Янг, напился, потерял все чувство ритма, и начал громко натирать струны своей гитары, пытаясь воссоздать что-то вроде звука древнего паровоза, который умирает на глазах. Ну а с текстами тоже какая-то неопределенность, слова мелькают, смысл проскакивает, а потом исчезает, но оставляет какое-то странное ощущение, будто что-то не то было принято. В общем, это какой-то мрачный, депрессивный альбом, который, возможно, мог бы прижиться в 70-е, но теперь он просто забыт и устарел. Если вы любите музыку, которая кажется записанной на коленке, то можете послушать. Но лично для меня этот альбом был тяжеловат для восприятия и я бы не рекомендовал его, если вы не являетесь поклонником альтернативной музыки 70-х годов.
Похуже первого, 3
7/10
Meh. Neil young is Neil Young. Not for me.
Is this a joke album? I love Neil Young for After the Goldrush and Harvest, but this is just terrible. I think it's the first time on this list I actually stopped before getting through the whole thing. Honestly, this has some of the worst singing I've ever heard on a record. Especially on World on a String, he's both out of tune and out of time!
Not a fan of this particular Neil Young album, especially folloing on from "After The Goldrush" and "Harvest" - both of which I prefer.. Yes, some of the songs show real emotion, but to my ears, the vocals on some of the tracks sound off.
Neil evolving and good to hear an album from the period between the early CSNY years and the later sound.
Eh
vissa låtar var lite gillade jag rätt mycket, gött sound och så men dom andra var ganska lame
Whoever put this list together is super fond of 70s boomer rock
4.5
Really enjoyed this album.
I prefer this to ‘Harvest’, but it’s still got a lot of average material on it, and Young’s singing is worse than usual. ‘Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown’ and ‘Lookout Joe’ are my personal highlights, the latter being the best song on the record. ‘Albuquerque’ is ok too.
"Neil Old" Mike (just ripped bong): 😂🤣😂🤣
not his best
Seems like a solid folk album, I think I enjoyed it a little more than the other Neil Young. The fact its not on spotify is a little frustrating
4,5
His masterpiece. A man haunted by the death of close friends and his culpability in those deaths. Meanwhile, he struggles with his fame and stardom and desire to be left alone. Imperfect and emotionally raw.
Great! 4/5 "I'm climbing this ladder My head in the clouds I hope that it matters" Standouts: Borrowed Tune, Tonight's The Night, World on a String, Mellow My Mind, Lookout Joe, Tired Eyes, Tonight's The Night, Part II.
Just classic Neil Young, he’s good. alberqueque and the album closer are the highlights
It’s ok, I guess.
Nope
I don't know what it is but this album is just not doing it for me at all.
Excellent
Pretty descent, just wish he'd put his shit back on Spotify and quit being a Chauncy
I respect the raw emotion of this album and knowing the story behind when it was made, I wanted to give it a higher rating, but honestly it did not impress me (to say the least), and the vocals are kind of jarring. Eh.
Dark, sad country... or is it rock?
As much as I respect and admire Neil, this one was hard to listen to. Some good songwriting, but the vocals were so irritating at points and the general vibe was a but uninspiring. A legend, but not a must hear album.
Not his best work but even then, Neil is at a high level of music, never a bad album
This was pretty good but not at the top of my Neil favorites.
I enjoyed this wasn't available on Spotify so i had to youtube it. But still a good one. I didn't know i like him but i do.. shhh dont tell anyone.
No surprise I really liked it. It's bluesy, it's scratchy, it sounds... desperate and quietly resigned to sadness? Honestly at this point, the only album I haven't super liked has been my first one, the Bob Dylan one. I would listen to it again, but I wouldn't seek it out, I don't think. This one I will come back to for sure.
Couldn't listen
Simultaneously energetic and sad. Great guitar work here as well. One of the better NY albums in my opinion.
Nice… felt myself loving it more and more as it went on. At first I was hoping for the more folky NY, but he had me hooked.
Folk-rock de Neil Young. Le pongo un 4 por ser quien es.
No es mi favorito, pero ...
Some positively insane guitar tone. Classic Neil Young songwriting. As always, the Canadian songwriter makes me relish in Americana.
Enjoy this era of Neil's career. Although this album isn't Harvest, it still has some of the same feels. Good shit
Are you kidding me? We had Neil Young yesterday. Have an open mind. Have an open mind. I continued to struggle through most of the songs, but I did enjoy Borrowed Tune.
Another album not on Spotify... The good part of this is I found a live version which is always the best version.
I’ve never been too big of a Neil Young fan. This is very raw and kind of catchy at times but just not my thing.
Folk-rock de Neil Young. Le pongo un 4 por ser quien es.
3-4
It's an okay album, simple as that. Nice self-titled opening song, some nice blues guitars and riffs, enjoyable melodies and I think okay voc by Neil at best. There were few moments on the album, where I had to die inside a little when his voice broke down on a higher notes. To sum up, I didn't find anything special on this album, but it wasn't really a chore to listen to it. Just not my style.
Heard other Neil Young albums but not this one before. Thought it was good but he definitely has better.
I really miss having Neil on Spotify.
Canny, easy listening, would listen to again
After I complained about getting two albums that I really liked but couldn’t decide on the rating for, the generator has decided to curse me with an onslaught of albums from around the same time that I dislike. Yesterday was Rod Stewart, which was my least favorite album I’ve heard on this generator, and today is better but not by a lot. This kind of music just really bores me, and Neil Young’s voice keeps careening off course of the melody. Please give me something better, generator.
Too well-behaved
I liked this quite a bit. Note: the album is not currently available on Spotify but you can find the full album on youtube and elsewhere
I enjoyed this very much, I will definitely listen to it again
Reeking of sadness and personal directionless, Neil Young really poured his heart out on this album.
A tour de force.
Exhausting to listen to
I love Neil Young. "Freedom" is one of my favorite albums of his. BUT. I keep going back and forth with Neil's voice. It's the part that gives me the biggest trouble. At first, I likened it to Ian Anderson's nasally whine. So I was ok with it. But HERE, there's a few of the songs that it _really_ grates on me. He's trying too hard and singing too high, and it just doesn't sit well with me. (Particularly "Mellow My Mind".) The song lyrics are great, but the singing on those 2 or three songs kinda kill it for me.
Young consistently brings incredible lyrics; his journey of pain and suffering is chronicled very well here. But it feels a bit like he ran out of steam at the end of this ditch trilogy. Because while the lyrics are good (if not great), the musical accompaniment doesn't totally synch with it, leaving his brutal voice front and center too often. For example, Speakin' Out or Borrowed Tune is like nails on a chalkboard. What I loved about some of his other albums (including the predecessor On the Beach) is that you could hear and feel his emotions. I'm just not feeling it in the same way; again, something in how it's all put together doesn't grab me like other albums. So the sad, soft songs are a bit of a chore and I find I'm most interested in his more up-tempo tracks (like Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown, aided by Danny Whitten's vocals), of which there are few. Overall this album doesn't really do it for me.
I got this album back in 2011 and maybe played it once, which normally doesn’t bode well. Listening to it again I feel that it isn’t the best Neil Young album that I’ve heard but it’s not as bad as I feared it was going to be. His voice on here seems strained and forced. I read that a good deal of it was recorded on just one day in August so maybe that had something to do with it. The album also felt like a leftovers album of a bunch of songs that didn’t make it onto others. There were some tracks that I enjoyed a lot. The title track (both parts), “Speakin’ Out” ,especially the solo in it, and “Borrowed Tune” stood out but the rest of it was somewhat forgettable for me. I see that this is a highly rated album among Neil Young fans so maybe it’s one of those that would grow on me through multiple listens. We’ll see how it does if there’s ever a revisit review but for now it’s just a 3 star Neil album.
I generally dig Neil Young - prior to the 1001 albums I hadn't listened closely to much beyond his greatest hits but I was really blown away by On the Beach. This album is good, but not blow me away good. Many of the songs are pretty basic and he seemed to put even less effort into singing quality than usual (and that's saying something). There were some tracks I liked a lot - Borrowed Tune is a beautiful, captivating track...just Neil on piano and harmonica. I liked Tonight's the Night (both versions). Speakin' Out had some great instrumental breaks (great Nils Lofgren guitar solo). I also liked Lookout Joe (particularly the chord progression during the verses). New Mama had a nice a capella ending. So, plenty of good moments, but not 5-worthy.
Neil Young weet altijd een prachtige sfeer neer te zetten, maar eigenlijk moet ie 't zingen gewoon aan iemand anders overlaten.
Te doen.
Het blijft een valszingende man. Eerste nummer mooi.
Possibly a controversial opinion, I actually do like Neil Young…however this album isn’t my favorite. Some of the vocals just sound straight-up bad and only a few are songs that I’d ever go back and listen to. It didn’t help that he removed all of his music from Spotify and I had to sit through vibe-crushing Vrbo ads between every single song on YouTube. Also i think I’m hungry and cranky. 2.5/5 IMO
Neil pulled all his music from Spotify. Thanks a lot Joe Rogan, this is all your fault. Edit: listened to on YouTube Music. Enjoyed this one!
Neil Young is a musician I admire a lot. I think I got started with CSNY and then worked my way through many of his very fine albums. I've seen him live when he opened for Dave Matthews. I have discovered a lot of his albums over the years, but I definitely don't think I've heard his entire expansive catalogue. For example, I just really started enjoying 'On the Beach'. This album was new to me, but I found it really terrific. Another reason to be a fan is that Neil Young is always on the side of ethics. He told Spotify to stick it to protest their promotion of Joe Rogan's insane COVID conspiracy theories. And he stuck to it. That's exactly the correct place to be. I don't like live albums generally as much as studio albums unless I was at the show, so while some of his albums are fives for me, this one is a four.
Joe Rogan ruined my Neil Young experience. No Soup For You!
Neil Young is a great songwriter and a terrific musician. He is a notable influence on many artists, and a man of principles and integrity. And he's a terrible singer. Occasionally I think Young uses his voice well, masking its limitations and accentuating its uniqueness. But "Tonight's the Night" had too much bad Neil Young singing. I made it through, enjoying some parts and cringing at others, and then had the realization that Built to Spill's Doug Martsch's voice kind of reminds me of a better Neil Young in a weird way. So I listened to some Built to Spill. Thanks, Neil.
My favorite part of the album, by far, is the guitar part on World On A String, specifically the defending low notes at the end of each phrase. The guitar part isn’t overly complicated, but it’s engaging as hell. Although it’s more subtle, I also dig the guitar riff on New Mama. And the pedal steel guitar is a nice touch throughout. My only complaint for this album was about the vocals on Mellow My Mind where Neil occasionally strains his voice. I just thought it was terrible at first, but it happens on the lyric, “Ain’t got nothing on those feelings that I had,” which comes after lines about being on the road and loneliness. So I now think the strained voice is on purpose to convey his feelings of stress and despair. The biggest take away, other than finding another album to enjoy, is that how I listen to an album makes a big difference. Some might say duh. I initially listened to this on my drive to/from work. I was left with the World On A String guitar take and not much else because I couldn’t really hear what’s going on. When listening again through headphones, the experience was vastly improved. There are many subtleties to hear, which is difficult to do at 60 mph. This realization makes me think that Neil might have had a point with his high definition, studio quality audio service idea, Pono. It didn’t pan out because not people can’t hear, or don’t care about, the difference. I’m no audiophile, but being able to hear the involution on this album helped me appreciate it much more.
Messy but memorable.
A beautiful record by one of the greatest artists of his generation.
Liked it more than selling England by the pound.Still not my kind of thing.Very nice sounding but it was a bit too slow and for me.I liked the title track and there was none that I hated but it wasn’t that memorable.
Nothing special
Very good, albeit a bit maudlin at points. Of course, that was the intention, given the back story. Interesting to hear it was poorly rated at the time, but it's far from the only album on the list that this applies to. Not on Spotify (Joe Rogan still sucks).
I knew I had to listen to him eventually, but after hearing this I wish I did sooner
Why is it that, with the exception of Paul Simon, the best US songwriters can't sing, but insist on trying anway? Well Spotify here spared me the pain of having to listen to this, as it is unavailable. (There is a track listing, but it won't play any of the tracks due to rights issues). I could swap to Youtube, but I can't be bothered having seen the track listing.
J'aime ce côté plus rock, moins folk que ce que je connaissais de prime abord de Neil Young.
It's fine; calm and relaxing. Fits into many background-settings
Ok
Ramshackle but still great. And it has Nils Lofgren!
Not on Spotify. But I liked what other songs he had available.
shit
I like the 'raw-ness' of his vocals. It's very real and uncensored which makes me feel closer to the music and the experience of listening to it — almost as if I'm listening to it live where it doesn't have to be perfect, just real. Also have to shoutout the lyrics of Borrowed Tune — made me smile. My favourite songs: Speakin' Out and Mellow My Mind
I loved this album, it was emotional and bluesy. Annoying its not on spotify so cant add to any playlists... but really enjoyed this ablum!
mwah, andere album van hem was veeeel beter
Not on Spotify L
Neil Young is amazing, and this is classic album that shows it.
Another great album from Neil, kinda underrated if you ask me. But maybe not since it's included here. Albuquerque, Mellow My Mind and Tired Eyes are my favorite songs on this, they're all really touching, but I also like the rawness of the more rock songs. So yeah, great album.
Great and smooth album from the young Neil. Not one of my favorites from the guy, but still very enjoyable!
Neil Young as so many albums close to perfection, this one is slighty under some of his masterpiece, therefore it's a 4 for me. But I still enjoy it.
Borrowed Tune, Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown, Mellow My Mind, Albuquerque, New Mama, Tired Eyes... This is a collection of beautiful songs by one of my favourite singer/songwriter ever. The only thing that prevent me of giving it 5 stars is that this is album is not in my top 5 Neil Young. But this is surely a great one.
Unfortunately unavailable on Spotify for me... Had to listen on YouTube which is a pity. I've not had opportunity to listen to much Neil Young beside a stray song here or there. I like the more rocky and less country songs on this album. Fav tracks: World on a String, Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown, Albuquerque, Lookout Joe, Tired Eyes
Of course, unable to listen due to it being pulled from Spotify.....
It’s taken over 200 albums for me to draw one by the Godfather of Grunge himself, titan of southern rock and roll and champion of the free world. Neil Young’s legend looms long and low in popular music, but I’ve never heard “Tonight’s the Night” before. After three full listens, my verdict is that it’s a raw, vulnerable experience: it gets better the more Young strips away the edges of his soul. Death permeates much of the record, following Young losing two close friends to drug abuse (one detailed with painstaking frankness in the two renditions of the title track, the other giving a searing posthumous performance on “Come on Baby Let’s Go Downtown”, a live performance from five years prior and a fitting way to pay tribute). The raw, bleeding heart of the record makes up the songs from “Borrowed Tune” (containing an ingenious admission of plagiarism) to “Roll Another Number (For the Road)”, which is both melancholic and positive, resigned and somehow hopeful. “Albuquerque” is another highlight, one of the closest things to weariness personified I’ve heard in a long time. The band sound dry, live, spontaneous- it’s a rough around the edges approach which really serves the songs. Young’s vocals are gritty, delicate and frail as I’ve ever heard them, and it works perfectly with this material. The more he strains or waver over yearning tracks like “Mellow My Mind” or “Tired Eyes”, the more compelling it becomes. Unfortunately though, a lot of the record falls under less noteworthy, more straight-down-the-middle meat and potatoes rock. “World on a String” chugs along with no consequence, and “Lookout Joe” is a solid rocker but feels a little out of place (perhaps due to its origin in a whole different recording period). Then there’s “Speakin’ Out”, a little too loungey and languid to appeal too much. There might be future Neil Young albums coming up which I’ll prefer, and not all of this was up my street, but the middle third is really powerful stuff. One to revisit for all the bleak days and stark nights.
Listen, not every track is winner, but there's some good shit here. Best track: Lookout Joe
Did not listen.
This might be my favorite Neil Young I’ve heard. It’s simple and artistic. I don’t always love his voice but it worked for me on this album. Borrowed Tune especially stood out to me.
Great songwriting and lyricism here, along with good music backing.
尼尔杨虽然老年痴呆，但年轻时候的歌还是可以的。
Not on spotify
Took a while for this album to click for me, but now it’s one of my favorite Neil Young records. The beginning of Neil doing whatever the fuck he wants at all times.
tonight is the night
This fool took his stuff off Spotify so fuck em
Good album... it is a shame he became a snowflake and left spotify...
not his best but good
An interesting experience. I wouldn't say I love Neil Young's voice or that I liked every song, however I cannot ignore the artistry of this album. "Borrowed Tune" is lovely.
I wanted to like this more, but the “raw” style sometimes became him not even trying to hit the notes and it was grating.
Definitely not my favourite Neil Young.
OK.
Country Bob Dylan.
I didn't know this album, so sad but so honest and coherent
Solid early 70s
So far my favorite Neil Young album on this list.
It passed me by and i hardly noticed. Where is on the beach? Where is that album about wheat? Where is god? It is another fine album, fine and boring. Neil cant sing y'all, no offense. I like that he's made a career out of not being able to sing. Blues rock classic rock dad does it again. Maybe this was fundamental and foundational at the time, kinda stale now. Damn, do i not like Neil Young? Fuck.
That Canuck seems fairly bummed.
Staat niet op spotify..
Didn't grab me like some of his others.
Not Neil's best work
An enjoyable album but there's too much of Neil Young on this list
Lots of feeling, not a lot of notes hit.
Ol grumpy NY. Not on Spotify but I own this one. Always feels a bit drunken. It was written following the death of 2 band members that died through drug overdoses. It feels much more darker than the brightness of Harvest. A solid affair with gravitas. 4
Tonight's the Night was new music for me, even though I have heard many tracks from Neil Young. I own Young's albums Harvest and Harvest Moon, both of which are at least 4 stars or more. This album was okay, but nothing stood out to me in particular. I'm not sure what the history is behind this album which may have earned the album a spot on this list. My favorite track was probably the title track, but I didn't save any of the tracks to my personal play list. I'm not sure that I would remember to come back to give this album a second listen.
First thing first: this is the 6th Neil Young, solo or not, album I'm receiving here. I like Neil Young, but I think that's over the top. As for the album itself: It feels like an "another" Neil Young album, rather than an essential Neil Young album. The music has aged and not that well. It also feels like the music wasn't that much of a hit back when it was released, either. That is to say, this one is yet another of way too many that should not have been included here.
Never really sure if I'm a young fan. This album didn't do it for me.
I don't dislike this album as much as the last Neil Young album the generator gave me, which I think was live. I don't think that means Neil Young is growing on me. 2.5 stars rounding up because of, you know, the tragedy of it.
Better than I thought
A lot more bluesy than his other live albums
Good
No Bz. No PL adds. No vibes, just dry and off beat. Hard to listen through.
Cheers to Neil for making an album I enjoy. Didn't think that was possible. His vocal performance conveys the trauma he's dealing with really well. I'd absolutely listen to this regularly, or at least when I'm working through my own stuff. This gives me hope I'll find other albums of his to enjoy. Much better than whatever other album of his I listened to.
It's fine. I like Neil Young but I don't think of this one is really essential for all to hear. If you like Neil Young, you will probably have a good time. If you're not a fan, this will almost certainly not change your mind.
No
Unmistakable voice
Earthy, raw, haggard sound. The album starts out shaky, but just gets progressively better as you go, until it's pretty damn excellent. The hurt underpinning these songs is palpable, to the point where it feels almost intrusive listening to it. But wow, what a journey. I feel like I've learned a lot about Neil Young listening to this album. Fave Songs: Albuquerque, Tired Eyes, Lookout Joe, Roll Another Number (For the Road), New Mama, Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown, Tonight's the Night
nopte
Well, I can’t listen to this one today because Neil decided to go all Old Man Yells at Cloud at Spotify and that’s my only streaming option right now. I know it’s good though, heard it before so I’ll review on the fumes of my last listen. Neil is at his full raspy and raw power here. It’s not as good as Harvest, let’s be clear about that. But he is a Canadian icon, a rocking dude that we all love up here in the Great White North. I still appreciate you Neil, even though the crusade on Spotify is only hurting yourself.
This was probably good it's been a while
love neil young but can’t listen on spotify anymore because neil OLD decided to go woke. such a shame, all those great tunes that I’ll never get to listen to now. 5/10 for being a betch. that’s the review.
Spotify doesn’t have it. Didn’t get a chance to…
4/5 Great album. Good combo of folk / country / story-telling / jam that really fits well in that space.
I cannot stand his vocal performance. Maybe some of the songs could have been good, but his voice ruins it
Niel Young never came off as inauthentic, which is more than you can say for some other 1970s acts.
I keep forgetting Neil Young is a real guy. He's the most forgettable "big artist" I can think of. This music just isn't my cup of tea. A mix of folk, blues and country - three genres I don't particularly care for. The title track was pretty good though. Also notice how he looks like a lion monster on the album cover. Look at the area under his nose and above his mouth. There is no way this guy is human. Once you see it, you can't unsee it.
Triste y sufrido album que hace de su defecto una virtud
Neil sounds terrible, and it hits the spot. I dunno, this supposed trilogy is just really getting me so far. To put it in slightly less personal terms, this is the kind of set the Piano Man's playing before Joel swoops in and polishes it up. And I like that song, too.
Wow, how is it that I've never before listened to this album, and really haven't heard much from it? Raw, emotional, intense, rough-around-the-edges, and ultimately beautiful. While I appreciate Neil's integrity, it's too bad you can't listen to this on Spotify, otherwise I would put this on repeat for the day. 4 stars.
Found on Apple Music! Not a massive Neil Young fan but appreciate his political stance with his music.
Country skotin snilld, næstum 5*
I hadn't listened to this album before. I liked the rawness of this album, and it grew on me more after a few repeats. Borrowed Tune is pretty bold - never heard an artist do this openly before!
Another Neil Young album. This one was a bit different but the same result....I did not care for it. I am rounding up mainly because it is better than a one but not a two.
I almost always enjoy Neil Young, but other than "old" vs "new," I can't say I can tell much apart between them. Maybe spending more time with Neil would help. This was a pleasant listen.
I only listen to a few songs on YouTube. Not bad. Sounded like Neil Young. Probably would have been better if I listened to the whole album.
Listened to this as intended - with like 20 liberty mutual commercials sprinkled in. Harmonica! Pretty rough vocals
Not on Spotify
Nein! Today’s the day to listen to something good und nicht diesen Dünnschiss. Selbst mit Kontext ist das nicht auzuhalten. Neil Young hätte vor 50 Jahren aufhören müssen, Musik zu machen. Wie immer kann ich seine Gesangsversuche bereits nach wenigen Silben nicht ertragen.
Rating: 7/10
Like Neil. This is not very good. Neither his grunge or his folk.
Toffe listen
Enjoyed this one of NY’s better albums.
bit boring.
Listened Before? N Pretty Boring. I get that he was at a dark place in his life during this period, but I just can't get into it. I just don't think NY is my style. His lyrics start to sound very samey to me after a while, and his voice is not very dynamic. I'm going to guess by the overall listening stats of the songs on this album that it's one of his hardcore fans' favorite records. Not for me, unfortunately. Added to Library? N Songs added to Playlist: Tonight's the Night (Part II)
Be even better if he could sing!
there’s just the thing about his voice that’s just so unbelievably unbearable to listen to. the music was honestly not bad but the whine in his singing makes it so bad.
Neil Young ...so many revere him, so many can't stand him. I don't think it's necessarily an either/or, and I tend to straddle the line a lot with him. I like him ok but would never call myself a fan; dad had a few of his old records I listened to as a kid so there's some nostalgia involved. But this one I don't know much about at all so I was kind of pleased to hear it... ...this one is raw. I wouldn't think I'd like something like this; often sounds like they just threw two mics in a room, didn't worry about levels or compression, and just went for it... but man it seems perfect especially on the title track which is great. It ends up being my favourite cut on the album (although "Borrowed Time" is also outstanding) but I have to say I like this. nothing groundbreaking - it doesn't have the same soft emotional touch of something like After The Gold Rush...it's raw and more basic and drives harder. I feel like if this were recorded today it would have been massively overproduced and ruin the vibe. Aggressive and more in your face than previous Neil records I've heard. I gave this a second spin and liked it even more, this might be my fave of his. (specific mention for the very cool solo by Nils Lofgren on "Speakin Out") 8/10 4 stars.
I did not like this at all. Young's voice is just too much for me. I can handle him for one track here and there, but a whole album of that whine is beyond my capabilities.
shakey tbf - 3
I don’t know why, but this is such a good album.
I remember the first time I ever heard Neil Young was when he showed up at the 1993 MTV Music Awards to perform "Keep on Rockin' In The Free World' with Pearl Jam. My poor little teenage fanboy mind was confused, because one of my favorite bands had sidelined their lead vocalist in favor of some dude I'd only vaguely heard of. I could have recovered from that but to add insult to injury, in and amongst some very awkward movements and fits across the stage, this Neil Young dude was struggling to carry the tune at all. I'm sure that has flavored my perception of Neil Young's work to this day, but I just can't distance myself enough from his voice to even kind of engage in the music or the lyrics at all. This album followed along those similar lines. When the whimpering trio of vocalists started to carry in the first 30 seconds of the first track (Tonight's the Night) I thought, "Welp, here we go again!". By the time I got to nearly breathless screech of "Railroad traaaaaaaaack" around the 2:15 mark in 'Mellow My Mind', I gave up. I'm glad that so many other folks get so much out of this artist's work, but it just isn't for me.
Nope
had to switch to youtube to listen to this album. started listening to this thinking it would be some overrated piece only there because it had the name neil young to it. but surprisingly i couldnt keep noticing the great songwriting
I bet I would have enjoyed this a lot more had I listened on Spotify. Or heroin.
I like his voice but I kept waiting for a great track and it didn’t really come so just a 3*
I think it was fine. A bit like the Springsteen albums you know exactly what you are going to get. Not really sure how you would distinguish between them enough for some to get into the list and others not.
I enjoyed this album. Not all of the songs drew me in, but I can see where they might grow on me after listening a few times. Favorite songs: World on a String, Come on Baby Let's Go Downtown, and Roll Another Number.
Love the man - tuneful and angry despite that reedy voice
Neil Young? Nah. He doesn't want everyone to listen to his stuff. I will obey his request. F him.
Nowadays this sound is for me more of those '70 years. Anyway, I liked the sound and the history behind the album https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Young#The_%22Ditch%22_Trilogy_and_personal_struggles_(1972%E2%80%931974)
Remek djelo
A good Neil Young album, but definitely not his best. Hard to place it side by side to his bigger and badder albums, but it's a good and listenable album nonetheless.
Neil Young sure is something, huh? Not my favorite album but not bad.
I've never been a _huge_ Neil Young fan... his voice is just too nasal-y and annoying to me.
This started off okay but my attention soon drifted off. Not a big singer-songwriter person, so wasn’t really following the lyrics. Got to the end but unlikely to play this again. Seems of another time, and not one I feel particularly at home in.
Really loved this. It's got such a warm, analogue feel to it. I had no idea this album even existed. The Wiki page description about the circumstances surrounding the album match up perfectly with the music. I would probably give this a 5 if I was overly familiar with it. Four stars will do now for. I've just bought a copy on CD and so we'll see over the coming months.
Neil Young in his darkest of times. Coping with the lost of his bandmate and roadie from separate heroin overdoses, he writes in his linear notes, "I'm sorry. You don't know these people. This means nothing to you." The world is bleak, and he sounds full of regret and disgust with where his life has taken him. Songs like "Lookout Joe" and "Roll Another Number" simultaneously display a display yet resent for his past, particularly due to the political turmoil of the Vietnamese War. In "Albuquerque," Young screws everything and just drives. He says he has a destination in mind, but the other verses feel like he's just trying to get away from it all. Hell, the title track is Young grieving over one of them, unable to think much further beyond the repeated title line. The songs are really solemn. It's mostly country rock, but you don't get that vibe going in. 4 of the first 5 tracks are hard and bluesy. Oddly enough, "Borrowed Tune" (a desperate ballad) is sandwiched between the two hardest tracks on the album. He quickly loses that style in "Mellow My Mind," only reclaiming that with "Lookout Joe." Young has always been controversial for his voice. There's many who adore and many who despise it. I'm one of the former, and his voice suits these songs especially well. You can hear the anguish in his voice, it hurts in some areas. Most heartbreaking in "Tired Eyes." I'm a fan of all the songs. It's one of those where you have to pay attention to the lyrics to appreciate it more, not just for their own sake, but also because they reinforce some melodies that may otherwise be perceived as uninspired. In the weaker tracks, I can find elements to relish, such as the CSNY-esque harmonious vocals of "New Mama." The track ordering is fine. I'd probably just move "Borrowed Tune" down. Favorites: Tonight's the Night, Speaking Out, Mellow My Mind, Tired Eyes
Digging through the ditch can have a effect on somebody, especially when that person has experienced trauma whilst flying close to the sun. It isn't pretty. That was probably intentional. One can come out of it only one way, not the way that can be associated with clarity and optimism. That way can only be relentlessly bleak weariness. Many artists have looked towards this ditch and can gleam various things to attach to their art, but they don't go in; there's no reason to. Only one had done the work for them, they just need to learn. Favorites: Tonight's the Night (Pt. 1 & 2), Borrowed Tune, Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown, Mellow Mind, Roll Another Number (For the Road), Tired Eyes.
This looks to be the last of the Neil Young albums for me. I really go into Tonight's the Night but the rest of the album didn't really grab me so I would normally give this a 3 but since I've given Neil a few 4s I'll bump this.
This wasn't on Spotify but I've heard most of it before and it's crap. Neil thinks he's making a big statement taking his stuff off Spotify when he made his millions before it existed anyway. Then he tells small artists that it's bad for them in that condescending "listen to your elders" way, but really he has no clue what he's on about because he's had record companies and minders looking after his music for decades anyway. Typical fair weather hippie piece of shit antics. 2/5.
Solid Neil album. A few classic songs.
I’ve herd of the name mainly due to his problems with spotify and while I kinda agreed with him there it was annoying flicking with YouTube. Ungrateful rant out of the way lets go… Tonight’s the night was a great opener set’s the kinda sound the album’s gonna be in, it does drag a lil bit though and I’am kinda questioning his vocals. Speakin out feels all much the same to me except the vocals are slightly better and I prefer the piano on this one. World on a string starts off seeming like it would be a really heavy cut with that crunchy guitar ( and while it still stays heavy) it does go slightly softer once we get through. Good song! Borrowed tune seemed off putting at the start with the harmonica ( an instrumental i’am not a fan of) but the harmonica goes and… what a contrast to the last song! It still sounds really good though being the slowest so far. Come on baby lets go downtown ( live) is really nice, I love it when artists slot in a live recording on a studio album, it’s strongest in the guitar department by far though. Mellow my mind has a much grander feel, it’s my favourite off side one and (maybe) the album great way to close that half!!! Roll another number ( for the road) is a good song, but being a slower track the placement feels strange to me for starting side A. But on the plus side everything about the instrumentation is great and the verses are good lyrically. Albuquerque is also good,I probably would’ve swapped this and roll another number and the harmonica solo wasn’t the best but still nice. New mama feels the most “filler” but it’s still an alright slower track I don’t know why but the closest thing I can compare it to is like one of the folkier songs on Fleetwood mac’s rumours with the picking. Lookout joe goes back to heavier end of young’s sound and it’s a sound I really like the song also has a memorable chorus which is nice. The penultimate cut tired eyes starts off giving a nice spoken bit… or that’s what I thought, yeah this one’s verses sound a bit off to me but most spoken verses do. The chorus is nice but my god! The harmonica worsened it slightly. The album ends with a “ part 2” of the title track basically it’s just a slower sounding version of that song. Personally I would’ve swapped this and tired eyes Yeah this album screams reorder to me, all the songs are really good they just don’t fit amazingly in sequence.
04/21/2022 Fuck Joe Rogan. Listened on YouTube, due to the Spotify debacle.
Hippy guff
I was not always a big fan of Neil Young, so I haven't listened to his music very much. I appreciated the opportunity today to listen to an album of his that I was not familiar with. However, I am still not a big fan of Neil Young. What allowed me to listen to the whole thing with a smile on my face (did there really need to be an exact duplicate part II of "Tonight's the Night"?) was the realization that Young's voice is somewhat similar to Jerry Nelson's, the Muppeteer who performed Floyd Pepper of the Electric Mayhem, Emmet Otter of his jug band, and Kermit's nephew Robin. I just pictured any of them singing Neil's part and I loved it. This isn't to say I didn't like this album. I liked that it had an almost live sound to it—like the microphone wasn't totally set up right and there weren't a lot of takes, and that made it feel a bit more personal. I also understand that this album was an expression of grief, and I feel that. So this felt a bit more like music appreciation homework than something I would choose to listen to, but I was glad I listened to it.
When it comes to Neil Young, I am not a big fan…not even a little fan. I guess I rank him at tolerable and sometimes good. So, I didn’t expect much from this album. It was ok…better than just tolerable. I even had occasional thoughts that in the right setting with the right people, I could totally get this. Then something (external to the album) happened to make me a little grumpy today and this was not the album to snap me out of that.
I knew we were going to listen to a lot of Neil Young in this project and, to be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it. I've never been a big fan of his voice and hadn't given him much of a chance (outside of CSN&Y). Today this pushed all the right buttons. This record is full of feelings and story and musicianship and I love it. Now I'm looking forward to hearing more.
You couldn’t say that I have been much of a Neil Young fan. I’ve liked some of his music, but was never completely into his style. As the first few songs rolled out I was lukewarm. This listen has left me appreciating Neil Young’s delivery a lot more. There’s a lot of compelling emotion in how he delivers a song. The backing bands are fantastic. I really like the country-tinged songs “Roll Another Number (For The Road)” and “Albuquerque.” Other favorites were “Tonight’s the Night,” “World On A String,” “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown” and “Lookout Joe.” “Tonight’s The Night” has increased my appreciation of Neil Young.
I’ve heard otherwise kind, generous people express their concerns about giving homeless folks money. What if they take it and buy alcohol or drugs instead of food? An easy solution, if that’s your problem, is to keep some packaged peanut butter crackers handy and give those out instead. Problem solved. Everyone’s happy. But I actually give money regardless, and I do it 'with' the understanding that maybe a little weed or booze might possibly be the most charitable act you could offer on that particular occasion, assisting someone to just make it through one very cold, lonely night after an unsuccessful job search. Yes, I’m fully aware that this is hardly a long-range sustainable strategy for turning one’s life around. But you also never really know what may come of one merciful deed, do you? Nor do you know what the result could potentially be by taking the tough stance, and refusing to be an enabler, even when it’s the seemingly appropriate time to do so. When Neil Young canned guitarist Danny Whitten, because of his continual abuse of heroin, I’m sure he felt as if he was doing the best thing for his friend. And in some instances, that works. On this occasion, however, Whitten went on to die of an overdose. That’s not Neil’s fault, but you can understand how one might feel in his place. That’s got to be a sucker punch to one’s emotional center. Then, a short while later, when roadie Bruce Berry also died of a heroin overdose… how much can one friend take? 'Tonight’s The Night' is the bitter fruit of these fallen seeds, an LP I’m sure Neil wished he never would have had to write and record. I’ve seen him in concert, playing most of his historic catalogue, and I don’t recall him performing one of the songs off this LP. He wrote in the early original vinyl liner notes: ‘I’m sorry. You don’t know these people. This means nothing to you.’ But, of course, he’s only partially correct. While we don’t know his two lost compadres, we are more than familiar with grief. And that’s really what 'Tonight’s The Night' is mostly about: the universal experience of loss, and the struggle through the aftermath of grief. Not too long ago I reviewed Soundgarden’s 'Superunknown,' a fundamentally bleak reaction to life’s more painful moments. Lead vocalist Chris Cornell wrestled with his own drug demons for years and eventually committed suicide by hanging. I hate that LP, despite the talented musicians that comprise Soundgarden, and the hard rock sound that I usually like. I hate it for the exact opposite reason that I love Neil Young’s 'Tonight’s The Night.' Not because Chris Cornell is any less moral than Neil Young, or because his life was any less difficult or painful. I love Neil Young and this particular LP because Neil, pain and grief notwithstanding, is a survivor. He’s an artist of tremendous courage, refusing to completely give up or in. Listen to his heartrending, raw-throated vocals on the title song: ‘When I... heard that he DIED out on the mainline.’ Listen to his intense cry for someone to make the pain stop on ‘Mellow My Mind,’ or his desperate plea on ‘Tired Eyes’ for folks like Danny and Bruce, headed the wrong way down the one-way path to ruin, to open up those eyes before the light in them is extinguished by death. Most other artists would have re-recorded or excised all three of those songs altogether from their LP because of the rough vocals and miscued instrumentals. But Neil just leaves it all in, because he’s so much more concerned about getting the mood of the song right, about offering something authentic, than getting a clean take void of emotion. There’s a good chance anyway that these songs might just be too personal for more than one take. Incidentally, this is one of the reasons I love classic punk rock so much, too. Passion over proficiency. And hey, if you can pull off both, even better. (‘New Mama’ contains passion along with pitch perfect, wonderfully balanced- ala CSNY- harmonies, and a rested, tender, beautiful vocal from Neil.) But, if I was forced to choose one or the other, then I’d choose passion every time. But back to my point regarding the contrast between 'Superunknown' and 'Tonight’s The Night'- there are two songs that standout on this LP that really cement my love for it: ‘Speakin’ Out’ and ‘Borrowed Tune,’ both important additions to understanding that within the grieving heart of Neil Young hope still beats. As he plays a piano part that would’ve made Fats Domino proud (and accompanied by Nils Lofgren’s super blues guitar solos) he sings to his wife, ‘I’m hoping for your love to carry me through. You’re holding my baby, and I’m holding you.’ A testimony to the healing power of love. But ‘Borrowed Tune,’ with just solo Neil on piano is maybe the best number on this whole thing. When he strikes the bottom chords on the third verse making the whole sound swell with richness, the song enters into its second half, and ultimately ends with the same verse it began with, but with one notable absence. The first verse begins with ‘I’m climbin’ this ladder, my head in the clouds. I hope that it matters. I’m havin’ my doubts.’ If you’ve never uttered this you’re probably too young yet to have experienced any significant loss (of a loved one, or a dream, or meaning, etc.) But on the last verse when he repeats this he ends simply on the ‘I hope that it matters’ lyric, and leaves out the ‘I’m havin’ my doubts.’ Is this still implied? Or, maybe, has Neil reconsidered. Maybe his doubts are now giving way to the greater strength of his hope? I like to think it’s the latter. Thank God for Ben Keith, whose pedal steel gave this entire LP that necessary and uniquely heart aching sound of the pedal steel. It’s THE instrument of sorrow, as opposed to the accordion, the instrument of joy. And thank God for Neil’s tried and true buddies from the rest of the Stray Gators, The Santa Monica Flyers, and as always, Crazy Horse. These three combos have always been Neil’s truest and purest and highest band mates, much more so than Crosby, Stills, and Nash (as wonderful as they are.) CSN belong together. Neil belongs elsewhere. Finally, what an interesting insertion of the LPs only live cut (something Neil often does on his albums): Danny Whitten sharing lead vocals on ‘Come on Baby, Let’s Go Downtown,’ a joyful, raucous song remembering better times, the good ol’ days of the late 60s. No coincidence, I’m certain, that this particular song was about going downtown to, specifically, buy some drugs! Well, everyone deals with grief in their own unique fashion. There is no right or wrong way. There’s just your way. And 'Tonight’s The Night' is Neil’s way.
This one was a new one for me. I enjoyed much of the lead guitar playing. Neil Young has a very distinct lead style that incorporates blues and jazz motifs with unusual rhythms. Some songs here miss the mark while others show Neil Young pushing himself into new territory.
Based Neil Young.
It’s totally fine. I probably wouldn’t reposted to it. This album peaks early and sputters to its finish. Though it isn’t terrible throughout.
Meh, I didn't care for this as much as some of his other albums. It's got a few decent songs, though. It's pretty much your average Neil Young record. Not too good, but not too bad.
classic sound, overall good
3.6 - I liked it but I clearly don't have as much of a raging boner for Neil Young as Robert Dimery does. Of the five Neil Young albums I've already reviewed so far, this one falls somewhere in the middle. It's got a compelling backstory and some great rough guitar work. But the vocals are pretty shaky. I appreciate the "fresh take" sound, more so on a cerebral level, but it's not necessarily something I'd listen to closely, maybe more as mellow background rock music.
Tonight's The Night is not one of Neil Young's best efforts and that's saying something. It's a melange of meh. 2/5.
Mid to upper range 2/5. Not awful, but not particularly memorable. Neil Young's voice is a bit ropey for someone so successful, isn't it? Very much a downer after Sister Sledge on Friday, not a bad album but not one I'll be revisiting.
Not my favorite neil
Neil Young, drunk, recording an album in one night, to recover from the loss of 2 of his mates. "I'm singin' this borrowed tune I took from the Rolling Stones, Alone in this empty room Too wasted to write my own." There's a lot of raw emotion here and at times a terrible voice. I get why this a classic and why Neil Young is revered. It's just... not for me.
A great album.
Tonight’s the Night by Neil Young (1975) Here’s a record that will likely appeal mostly to diehard Neil Young fans. We get rough, one-take recordings of songs on the dark side. Neil was going through a rough patch, but he still needed to sing about it. For those who don’t like Young’s sloppy approach to pitch will find plenty of illustrative examples on this album. (“Mellow on My Mind” is painful to listen to. It’s supposed to be. “New Mama” is much better.) On the other hand, for those who like Young’s raw virtuosity on electric will find many highlights here, such as his fine blues solo work on “Speakin’ Out”. There are nice backing performances by Nils Lofgren (piano, vocals, guitar), and Ben Keith (pedal steel), but drummer Ralph Molina’s ubiquitous backing vocals are, shall we say, an acquired taste—acquired by Neil Young, but not by his more discriminating listeners. Young sounds much better when backed vocally by James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, and CSN, but who wouldn’t? On “Come On, Baby, Let’s Go Downtown”, we get something quite different. Accompanied by Crazy Horse, Neil Young provides backing vocals over rhythm guitarist/writer Danny Whitten’s lead, recorded live at the Fillmore East. The track was likely chosen to be included on this ‘downer’ concept album due to Whitten’s overdose death on the evening of November 18, 1972, after Young fired him from The Stray Gators earlier that day, giving him $50 and a plane ticket home to L.A. Young felt responsible. (McDonough, Shakey: Neil Young’s Biography, pp. 387-391). This album’s lead track “Tonight’s the Night” and his classic “The Needle and the Damage Done” reference this tragedy and what led up to it. I wouldn’t want to listen to this album while feeling blue. Maybe I’d listen when someone else is blue and I couldn’t do anything about it. 3/5
Classic, great grooving