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.
WikipediaNice 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
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.
“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.
Took me by surprise, a really great subdued and acoustically wonderful endeavor
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. A massively unexpected 5/5.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Suena a ponerle CBD al primer café de la mañana. 13 estrellas pachecas.
Excellent - Fred Neil's voice in combination with his fine guitar is mesmerising at times and always deeply soulful.
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.
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...
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
Pretty into this. Not a lot of Folk folks sounded like this in the 60s, and I can appreciate the psychedelic touches.
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.
Old, classic folk. Acoustic sound, can hear as a source of influence for later eras of the genre
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Really enjoyed the sad 60s folky vibe. Spotify recommended a playlist called “sad 60s“
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.
"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.
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.
Never heard of him and thought neilson wrote everybody's talkin. Everyday is a school day. Really liked this
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.
4, awesome album, but not much happens really. And I mean that must be one of the sexiest albumcovers yet.
First impression: what the hell? Creepy album cover with songs about dolphins and cocaine? Listening to album: Wow, this is surprisingly good.
Not normally what I listen to but I really liked this album. His voice is great.
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.
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.
Tranquil country songs with tasteful accompaniment helping to broaden the soundscape. Something of a forgotten classic
Two deeply beautiful songs in 'The Dolphins' and 'Everybody's Talking' and a very good folk record throughout.
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.
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.
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.
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'
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.
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.
This was really good! Also fun to see some old (maybe even original?) versions of songs I know from other places
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.
This is a hard one to guess by the cover, doesn't really scream "trope!" or anything. I'm almost thinking it'll be something unexpected, like religious songs or strings/piano/flamenco guitar instrumentals. I don't think this list goes that far away from rock/pop but who knows. Ok it's... country, but with a hippie twist? It sounds like Johnny Cash or Roy Orbison, but then there's sitar all through it etc. Guess I read wiki now lol. Ok, wiki says it's folk rock, but ehhh, that just feels like a catch term for anything with hippie influence at the time, like an ideological line was drawn so they could say it wasn't country. And apparently he wrote songs for the big O, so there's that connection. tbh I like it. Might listen to this again even. 3/5.
I know he's one of the pioneers of folk, but it just didn't really stand out to me. Nevertheless, it was pleasant to listen to and I liked the blues influence at times.
Another good roadtrip album that needs listening to again. I hope that's his boy, boy.
A nice, chill album. I enjoy the folky soft rock mix. Kind of forgettable maybe.
Folk rock and a little bit of progressives, did not knew I would ever pair those genres together but it kind of worked
No conocía a Fred Neil y ciertamente no me dieron ganas de escuchar más de él con este disco. No suena mal, pero entre que no es mi género y entre que hemos escuchado creo del tipo otros discos que me han parecido mejores, meh. No me esperaba la canción final, eso sí, con su toque de música de la India, muy interesante pero muy estraño. 6.5/10
Easy listening, pretty chilled. Surprised to hear a song about Cocaine in there!
Very Woodstock. Really liked the last track but enjoyed the whole album ***
Fine, albeit boring. Hard to recall anything that left an impression, good or bad. Perhaps that is the worst sin in music, then. The lone exception to this is the final track Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga, which takes a turn from the folksy stuff to demonstrate some incredible instrumental raga rock. Felt like they took a risk on the closure and it paid off imo. Bumped from a 2 to a 3 for this alone.
Never heard of him, an interesting life story. Listened twice - it's decent, if unmemorable. Background music in a cafe.
Finally one I've never even heard of! I'm not a huge fan of the 1960s American folk scene. This is pretty engaging though. He's got a deep, brooding voice and the musicianship is strong. There's a kind of melancholy mood through the album even when the songs are ostensibly happy. First time I heard the original version of "Everybody's Talkin'" ("everybody's talkin' at me, I don't hear a word they say") - didn't previously know whose song that was, to be honest. Towards the end of the album, you get some psychedelic touches, including an 8-minute raga (or the American folk equivalent to a raga). I can see how this might be a treasured album for some. Its not a style or period that majorly does it for me, although I will keep this and listen again sometime.
Ah the 60’s. Where you could write sweet, innocent songs about your unabashed love for cocaine.