Thu Oct 21 2021
1
“Fred Neil is the second album from Fred Neil, a pioneer folk rock musician.” In this one he captures an unwilling child for the photo shoot.
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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Fred Neil
Fred Neil
1966
- Album Summary
Fred Neil is the second album from Fred Neil, a pioneer folk rock musician, recorded and released in 1966. The album has a more laid-back sound than his debut, and contains his best-known songs; "Everybody's Talkin' " and "The Dolphins". It was re-released in 1969 under the title Everybody's Talkin' in response to the international success of the soundtrack of the movie Midnight Cowboy, which made a hit of the new title track for Harry Nilsson. Music journalist Richie Unterberger characterizes the album as Neil's "best", and it was listed in the first (2005) edition of the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, edited by Robert Dimery.
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Wed Jan 27 2021
2
Nice voice, but his stylings are studiously lazy. Grating on the ears. Never heard “Fred Neil” by Fred Neil before, but I did know that Harry Nilsson was disappointed that Neil’s “Everybody’s Talkin’” was chosen for Nilsson to sing as the title song of “Midnight Cowboy”, rather than his own composition, “I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City”. Nilsson’s version of “Everybody’s Talkin’” is much better. Lyrics utterly unpoetic. I remember seeing Fred Neil in the background of some old Bob Dylan footage, never knowing that Dylan actually got started in New York playing backup harmonica for Neil. Interesting reversal. The album “Fred Neil” doesn’t wow me now. I doubt it would have wowed me in 1966. 2/5
Fri Apr 09 2021
4
Something about the way this is recorded makes it sound extra nice. Folky in a good way, not like the mics used were bad or the instruments especially noisy, but that there was real warmth in the space it was being recorded. There is a great spectrum of songs, and a few of them are shining gems: The opener, Faretheewell, and the closing Raga. The other tracks are best when they utilize Neil's low register. There's something that doesn't quite cohere, though that might disappear after further listening.
Tue Apr 20 2021
4
Chill classic country vibes, cool.
Fri May 07 2021
4
I thought this was a very good softer, quieter rock album, primarily with Western and folk themes but with some more exotic sounds towards the end of the album. A 4 star rating might not do this one justice, but I don't think it quite rises to the "absolute classic" level of a 5.
Sat Aug 14 2021
3
Comme vous le savez probablement, l'existence de ce générateur a pour unique finalité l'organisation de l'émission "Le Grand Quiz du Générateur" présentée conjointement en direct de Kiev par Nikos et Arthur. La préparation des candidats a déjà commencé avec la création de la playlist officielle sur Spotify. Sachez qu'à chacune de mes séries d'entraînement, le nouveau venu Fred Neil a été trouvé à chacune de ses apparitions. Et sans forcer.
Thu Mar 04 2021
5
Took me by surprise, a really great subdued and acoustically wonderful endeavor
Mon Jan 25 2021
4
I don't think I ever would have listened to this on my own, and I'm glad I did. There's a little country in there, and also hear Chris Isaak, which makes complete sense. And a couple of tracks that we know because of more famous singers recording them.
Mon Apr 05 2021
4
Nick Cave meets Neil Young, with hints of David Gray, Johnny Cash, Eels, and St Paul & the Broken Bones, which (let's face it) is a pretty spectacular review. I didn't expect much from this seemingly little known 1960s folk album, but it turns out to be brilliant. A deep, soulful voice singing mournful querying lyrics with engaging, natural melody over evocative music is great. Does what it does perfectly. 4/5.
Sat Aug 14 2021
3
Alors que je rencontrais Fred Neil en 1966 peu avant la sortie de son album, voici quelques extraits de nos échanges: ---- Moi: "Eh Fred, comment ça va depuis que tu t'es fait larguer? T'es toujours aussi nul?" Fred Neil: "J'essaye de remonter la pente, et de m'améliorer autant que possible jour après jour" --- Moi: "Eh Fred, j'ai vraiment pas apprécié comment tu m'as parlé l'autre jour, viens un peu tâter de ma salade de coup de poings" Fred: "Je suis désolé je n'avais pas pour intention de te vexer, j'accepte ma punition" ---- Moi: "Eh Fred, t'es vraiment qu'un pauvre type, en plus regarde un peu ce bide, t'as avalé un trombone ou quoi?" Fred: "C'est vrai que je me suis un peu laissé aller recemment, il faut que je me me reprenne en main" ---- Vous l'aurez compris, cet album n'avait aucun caractère.
Fri Feb 03 2023
3
Did you know this guy fucked dolphins? 2.5 stars
Mon Feb 01 2021
5
I LOVE THIS!
Tue May 18 2021
5
Suena a ponerle CBD al primer café de la mañana. 13 estrellas pachecas.
Fri Oct 15 2021
5
Excellent - Fred Neil's voice in combination with his fine guitar is mesmerising at times and always deeply soulful.
Fri Oct 29 2021
5
this is the bag i'm in. best album i've never heard of that's come up on this list. Anton newcombe has listened to this album a lot of times.
Fri Dec 17 2021
5
Oh yeah, I loved this - one of my favorite discoveries from this project so far. Mellow and smooth enough to blend into the background if you're not focusing on it, but rewards attention if you do. Strong opener with "The Dolphins". I'm a sucker for Elizabeth Cotton covers, so loved track 2, and then the quality holds up as the album keeps going, finishing with a psychedelic raga - great stuff! Fave track - "That's the Bag I'm In" for the relatable pessimism...
Mon Jan 10 2022
5
So good
Thu Feb 16 2023
5
This is one of those times that following this list pays off. I had no idea who Fred Neil was before, having always thought Harry Nielson wrote Everybody's Talkin' I spent the day listening to a few of his other albums and this on repeat
Thu Apr 27 2023
5
This is great. Really great. Some great originals, at least one true classic, and some great covers/traditional numbers. I’ve never heard of Fred Neil but his work clearly had a profound influence on Jerry Garcia who would cover many of the same songs with the Dead. This seems an important album in the evolution of folk away from its strict, traditionalist roots and into the realm of free-loving rock and roll. That, and I find Fred’s voice profoundly beautiful. And his original lyrics simple, sweet, and deep. This album has no fat. It carefully captures a watershed moment in the evolution of folk, rock, and Americana. This is one of my favorite discoveries yet.
Mon May 15 2023
5
Now this is great example of why listening to the 1001 Albums is so worth it. I never heard of Fred Neil and I had no idea what to expect given the album cover, but I'm really glad this is on the list. Here's a guy who invited a young Bob Dylan on stage with him and who influenced Steven Stills, David Crosby, and Joni Mitchell. Wow. Really nice vibe on this album and his voice is outstanding. Great album from start to finish. Everybody's Talkin' became a hit when covered by Harry Nillson in 1969 for the movie Midnight Cowboy. I think the original version on this album is better. His voice is fantastic. Really liked the vibe on songs like I've Got a Secret, Faretheewell, and Green Rocky Road. The Dolphins was a nice chill opener. Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raja has a pretentious name, but it's a cool vibe to end an excellent album.
Thu Aug 10 2023
5
An unsung masterpiece. Got to know Fred Neil through two things: Nilsson's version of "Everybody's Talking" for *Midnight Cowboy*, of course, but also the use of "Dolphins" for a quite memorable scene in the arguably best TV series of all time *The Sopranos*--during which Christopher Moltisanti is high on heroin and tripping in a funfair at night. Those two tracks are the two highlights of the album for sure. But "Badi-Da", " Everything Happens" and "Sweet Cocaine" stellar as well. Such a huge talent, and such a perfect crooning voice. 5/5. Number of albums left to review: 470 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 252 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 120 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 156
Tue Sep 05 2023
5
I was really enjoying this and then, oh!, there’s the song from Midnight Cowboy and that just made it better. This felt good.
Thu Nov 19 2020
4
1966. Key Songs: The Dolphins, Everybody's Talkin', Sweet Cocaine
Mon Jun 21 2021
4
Pretty into this. Not a lot of Folk folks sounded like this in the 60s, and I can appreciate the psychedelic touches.
Sun Jun 06 2021
4
Quiet but worth to listen
Fri Jan 22 2021
4
Buen álbum la verdad me gusto mucho que su nombre sea el nombre del álbum jajaja esta como para escucharlo con un escoses como los grandes capos de la mafia.
Fri Feb 26 2021
4
Old, classic folk. Acoustic sound, can hear as a source of influence for later eras of the genre
Tue May 18 2021
4
No mentiré, estaba cansado y trabajano y como que me empezó a dar sueño la mayor parte del disco. El mood no me favoreció esta vez para apreciar bien el disco digamos. De todas maneras, me gustaron mucho Ba-di-da, Sweet Cocaine y esa última pieza en la que folk gringo meets india y cuyo nombre larguísimo no pienso replicar aquí. Mood: Hickory sticks
Wed Apr 28 2021
4
its good
Tue May 18 2021
4
Sí me dio el blues, en buen sentido.
Mon Apr 26 2021
4
Трек Everybody's Talkin' встречается в Борате, так что 5 из 5. Хотя... там другая версия, так что лишь 3 из 5. В прочем, подлинный оригинал то как раз тут, так что 4 из 5.
Mon Apr 26 2021
4
Мне норм. Замечаю за собой, что мне все больше нравится такой вот блюзовый соул, или как это там называется. Ну, в основном из-за вокалиста. The Dolphins, Faretheewell, Sweet Cocaine — вообще балдеж, можно полежать позалипать. Да и в целом, тут даже какое-то какие-то эффекты на гитарах есть, панорама треков очень гармонично построена, что как будто реально окруженным музыкантами себя чувствуешь. Хорошо, хорошо, мне нравится, 8/10
Fri Jul 02 2021
4
good solid folk rock sounds!
Tue May 04 2021
4
Really cool blues rock/folk record. Neil’s baritone voice reminds me of Johnny Cash. Somewhat staggering that this was released in 1966. It has that timeless quality that makes it sound like it could’ve been recorded yesterday. The Dolphins and Everybody’s Talkin’ are the two standout moments here, but really the whole record is strong overall.
Tue May 25 2021
4
Good👍🏼
Tue Jun 22 2021
4
Cool album, really enjoyed it
Fri Jun 11 2021
4
I never heard of this album, or of Neil. This record is fantastic, it straddles multiple genres. His voice reminds me of Glen Campbell, Leonard Cohen or Tom Waits.
Mon Jun 28 2021
4
Chill
Sun Jul 25 2021
4
Really enjoyed the sad 60s folky vibe. Spotify recommended a playlist called “sad 60s“
Tue Jul 27 2021
4
Lots of interesting styles going on here. Hard to pin down to just “folk”. Country and blues in there and eastern vibes on the last track. And of course Everybody’s Talkin’ is a great tune.
Thu Aug 12 2021
4
"They'll probably drop the atom bomb the day my ship comes in" - badass line in "That's The Bag I'm In" I know "Ba-Di-Da" from the excellent Mark Lanegan cover. Really enjoyed this record. A bit Cash-like in some ways. Definitely see the Mark Lanegan connection. Great record.
Sun Aug 15 2021
4
Soft 4 stars. Great collection of folk rock songs. I had no idea that Fred Neil existed let alone wrote everybody’s talkin’. Reminds me of futurama.
Thu Sep 09 2021
4
Never heard of him and thought neilson wrote everybody's talkin. Everyday is a school day. Really liked this
Fri Dec 31 2021
4
Never heard of him before - not consciously anyway - but I think Harry Nilsson made "Everybody's talking" his own. Great song on an album with few standouts.
Wed Jan 12 2022
4
Took me a minute to warm up to it but I dig it. Definitely didn’t know the origin of some of these tunes.
Sun Feb 20 2022
4
Cool folk album. Went pretty hard.
Wed Feb 23 2022
4
4, awesome album, but not much happens really. And I mean that must be one of the sexiest albumcovers yet.
Thu Mar 24 2022
4
Хорошая музыка, ноты дикого Запада
Thu Apr 07 2022
4
First impression: what the hell? Creepy album cover with songs about dolphins and cocaine? Listening to album: Wow, this is surprisingly good.
Fri Apr 22 2022
4
surpreendeu
Thu May 12 2022
4
What a nice surprise
Sun Jun 19 2022
4
Never heard him prior to this. Interesting listen.
Wed Jul 13 2022
4
Wild story about the guy. Dolphins? Still, pretty good album.
Thu Jul 21 2022
4
4.25
Thu Jul 28 2022
4
Hard to put my finger on why but I really enjoyed this.
Mon Aug 01 2022
4
Not normally what I listen to but I really liked this album. His voice is great.
Wed Aug 10 2022
4
Relaxing album, even if I was eaten by flies while listening.
Thu Aug 25 2022
4
I found Fred’s vocal style a bit distancing - is theatrical the word? But there are lovely melodies here. Some put me in mind of the eponymous Velvet Underground album, in terms of the musical approach rather than the lyrics. Some were more of the Andy Williams kind of vibe, or maybe more Neil Diamond.
Fri Sep 09 2022
4
A completely fine piece of ‘60s folk rock. When it works it’s exceptional and it does that more often then not. Why hasn’t Wes Anderson used this on a soundtrack yet? It’d be perfect.
Fri Sep 09 2022
4
Fred Fneiltstone
Fri Sep 09 2022
4
Tranquil country songs with tasteful accompaniment helping to broaden the soundscape. Something of a forgotten classic
Fri Sep 09 2022
4
Fred shmeil
Fri Sep 23 2022
4
i enjoy the songs and the unassuming nature of the record
Sun Oct 09 2022
4
Two deeply beautiful songs in 'The Dolphins' and 'Everybody's Talking' and a very good folk record throughout.
Fri Oct 21 2022
4
A very pleasant slice of seemingly forgotten American folk.
Wed Nov 09 2022
4
Good stuff.
Sun Dec 25 2022
4
Loved some, indifferent to others, but generally good to me
Thu Jan 05 2023
4
How have I never heard of Fred Neil? Guy writes pretty great music and this is the first I've ever heard of him. I'm disappointed in myself. I only get one star.
Thu Jan 05 2023
4
Any album with the original Everybody's Talkin' on it is worth a listen. I like the integrity and sincerity plus there's a bouzouki! Good easy listening. Forgot the whistling, harmonica and finger clicking too.
Wed Jan 11 2023
4
I like his voice.
Fri Jan 20 2023
4
How have I never heard of this guy?
Fri Feb 03 2023
4
I’ve come home late from work tonight. It’s around 9pm, a single street lamp with a yellowish glow shines out the window, and I’m sipping on a cup of tea. The record player is switched on and I piece through the vinyls, looking for something that fits the mood. All of a sudden I come across this album, unlistened to for the past 6 months, sandwiched between some of the other castoffs. It’s a nice night, and the songs soothe me after a long day. However, as we near the end of the album, that feeling of loneliness starts to creep in. Who is there to hold me tonight? Is my life progressing the way I dreamed it would? How have things changed since I last listened to this album? Loneliness turns into sadness. I dispose of the tea bag, place the mug by the sink, and shuffle off to bed. As the shades are closed and the bedside lamp is switched off, I stare into the black of night. I can’t help but sense around me this sensation: pure emptiness. That, that is what I feel inside.
Wed Feb 08 2023
4
Laid back and earthy with resonant vocals and nice hints of psychedelia. Surprisingly spicy finish. Fave Songs: I've Got a Secret (Didn't We Shake Sugaree), The Dolphins, Faretheewell (Fred's Tune), That's the Bag I'm In, Everybody's Talkin'
Wed Feb 08 2023
4
Very special, unknown but beautiful
Fri Feb 17 2023
4
This sounds like Smog but 30 years earlier. Nice blend of genres and surprisingly soulful. The Indian influence on the last song was an unexpected twist.
Fri Feb 17 2023
4
Wow, what a sleeper. Had never heard of this but props for writing "Everybody's Talkin'" and recording a version that I imagine very few people have heard. In his voice, you can hear an affectation that would re-emerge in an unfortunate manner in the 00's in bands such as Creed. However, he does it so sincerely that I must forgive it. I'm taken with the simplicity of the production, with just a few instruments, nothing more than necessary. If you want a trip, listen to Randy Travis and then come back to this - remarkably similar.
Wed Feb 22 2023
4
Dolphins
Wed Mar 01 2023
4
This was really good! Also fun to see some old (maybe even original?) versions of songs I know from other places
Wed Mar 01 2023
4
Nice album. Back story is also quite interesting how he essentially retired in his 30's, and before that he was more of a writer for others than a solo artist.
Thu Mar 02 2023
4
Solid album, but the last song really makes it for me. It's a journey on its own
Wed Mar 22 2023
4
Terrific! Didn’t realize he wrote “fare thee well” or “everybody’s talkin”. Two songs I love from other artists. Time to watch Midnight Cowboy again
Fri Apr 07 2023
4
so far this is a great folk album. the bass is so pleasing. his voice just tears through the tracks yup. upon research it is a double bass and a sexy one at that. very much enjoyed. the last track is sick almost delves into jazz territory
Sun Apr 16 2023
4
A few amazing songs on here. Definitely worth exploring a few times more.
Wed Apr 19 2023
4
Some good old fashioned bluegrass folk. Free flowing album where each track had a similar edge, but different enough to make it feel unique. Enjoyable.
Tue Apr 25 2023
4
I have Neil’s first 2 solo albums on vinyl. This is the second of them. I just played them both & found them to be equally entertaining. One thing that really struck me was just how much Tim Buckley’s voice was like Neil’s. Buckley may have used it slightly differently & his music was certainly funkier than Neil’s folk-influenced tunes, but their voices are very similar. On the previous album John Sebastian featured heavily on harmonica, but on this album it’s Canned Heat’s Al (Blind Owl)Wilson with those duties & he’s great, particularly on That’s The Bag I’m In, Sweet Cocaine & particularly on the last track with the crazy name, an 8-minute instrumental described as a piece of raga rock. It’s unlike anything else on the album. Neil’s signature tune, Everybody’s Talkin’ opens Side 2, marginally slower than the version by Harry Nilsson, who had the big hit with it after it was used in the film Midnight Cowboy. The album has no duds on it. Still a great listen.
Tue Apr 25 2023
4
Fred could have chucked it in after co writing Roy's Candy Man, but fortunately for us he kept at it and produced Dolphins and Everybody's Talkin. As a performer he's good, no doubt he honed his skills endlessly playing coffee houses and that baritone is just superb, a great voice. He reminds me a lot of Jake Holmes in terms of song writing, and he has a good sense of melody. Dolphins is both a beautiful melody and a lovely lyrical metaphor. And like House of the Rising they all did Green Rocky Road, and I absolutely love Fred's arrangement here, just what that song needed. This is a good record with a couple of absolutely brilliant highlights. Harry N is the ultimate interpreter of other peoples work, Fred and Tom Evans and Pete Ham in particular. That said I've always love Fred's version, the lyrics are incredibly moving, there is a poignancy and a pathos there that really cuts through. One of my old fart laments is that nobody writes great lyrics anymore, has anyone written anything as powerful as this in the 21st century, I don't think so. He references some old folk tune with the line about his clothes suiting the weather (and the times), but the rest is truly original, his meditation on wanting to be somewhere else, something we all want at various times in this rich pageant, it is deeply emotional.
Thu Apr 27 2023
4
Quiet and contemplative, Fred Neil sounds like he’s seen some shit but he doesn’t regret any of it. It’s a shame his discography is so small.
Sun Jun 11 2023
4
Great to listen to the album that bought us 'Everybody's Talkin', not normally my kind of music but the instrumental finisher, 'Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga' was fantastic, like a classy spaghetti western soundtrack
Fri Jun 30 2023
4
i’m always in for some 60s folk but this felt kind of bland. better than a full cover album but not as good as the top tier of folk from the time
Fri Jun 30 2023
4
This album is pretty good. My favorite song was that pseudo-indian jam at the end. Nothing else really felt particularly compelling though.
Wed Jul 19 2023
4
Good! I enjoyed it a lot.
Wed Jul 26 2023
4
Pleasant
Fri Jul 28 2023
4
A very interesting addition to the list, with some fun instrumentation throughout.
Thu Aug 24 2023
4
A great album by one of the most influential US singer-songwriters.
Fri Aug 25 2023
4
Great album nice and chill, will listen again
Tue Sep 05 2023
4
I have never heard of Fred Neil but Everybody’s Talkin’ has always been a favorite! Nice performance here.
Tue Sep 05 2023
4
This was nice. I kept thinking that it sounded like someone else that we had heard in this project. Finally, I realized that it was sounding like Tim Buckley to me and then read that Tim is one of Fred Neil's "musical descendants".
Tue Sep 05 2023
4
Fred Neil is a new one for me! I enjoyed the songs, his distinctive voice, and the guitar in this very much. "Everybody's Talkin'" is probably one of my favorite songs of all, and I'd never known this original version. It's absolutely perfect.
Wed Sep 13 2023
4
Wow. Love it when my preconceptions are completely wrong. Album cover and year had me thinking it would be some naff Sinatra ripoff, instead some great folk. How was this guy not more famous?!
Mon Nov 09 2020
3
Alright