Reviews (page 4 of 8)
Influence is apparent on future artists.... but those future artists perfected this sound alot better. Cant say this was a great 1st album for my 1001+ albums journey but at least there's 1000 more!
It was ok.
Always crazy hearing the original versions of songs I didn't even know were covers (Everybody's Talkin')
This was fine. It was a nice, folly chill album that I enjoyed well enough. Just didn’t really feel like essential listening.
Not great
Relaxing Very yeehaw blues vibes Nothing really stood out Good album cohesion
I like folk.
was hoping to like this more
Pretty whatever I guess. Nothing offensive but nothing I really enjoyed.
Bel sound e voce profonda, non è però il mio stile al 100%
Its finee
Great new album to me
Some good song writing but his voice and the musical arrangements do not work for me.
Vika biisi oli kova
Really really fun Best Song: That's the Bag I'm In Rating: 7.0/10 Stars: 4
A good late 60’s singer songwriter, reminiscent of Leonard Cohen, but less dark and bleak. A bit of melancholy but more of a nostalgia feel.
Wow I had never heard of Fred Neil before but this album is so magical. His voice is so perfect and gruff it reminded me of my favorite attributes of Elvis’s voice, which is as high praise as it gets. His songwriting and guitar playing are just immaculate (I obviously am not sure if he is literally playing the guitar or if it’s one of his band members, but regardless it’s amazing guitar playing. The sound on the album isn’t stale and consistent, it’s got variety sonically and each song feels legitimately different than the last. I can’t believe how much I fell in love with this album in a day, like I’m a die hard fan of his now. Seriously how is this dude so unrecognized in a general sense. Like I know he’s a musicians musician, but he’s so wildly talented it’s crazy he never found that wider audience, never too late!
A good album, though not a lot more than that. I personally do believe this album could have been left out of this list, since there are many better albums like this one on the list already. Fred Neil has a pleasant voice to listen to and the music itself is also pretty good, it just does not stick out at all in this list. 3/5
Dad rock meets country and we are here for it
Everybody’s talking at me… Otherwise a good outing of the time.
Some really solid freak folk, reminded me of Love
The Dolphins, That's The Bag I'm In, and Everybody's Talkin' are all five star all time awesome songs but there's a few tracks in here that aren't up to snuff and it's just shy of the 5 star. More like 4.5 since I love those songs soooooo much
A little too plaintive for me. That being said, I am giving it a listen openly. It has its moments--I think I just want more of them. No vocals very engaging.
I’d never heard of this bloke before even though he was allegedly a pioneer. His voice was pleasant enough and the album felt very much of its time. It’s probably a 2.5 - everything felt a bit tonally similar but I didn’t mind it.
The whole time this album played I was waiting for a song to come on that I recognized. Neil's voice was so familiar, but I couldn't quite place why. Then "Everybody's Talking" came on and there it was! There was something soothing yet edgy at work here, and while the record rates more like a 3.5, I'm not quite at a 4. Good album, and by my count, that's three versions of "Cocaine" we've heard thus far.
This reminded me a bit of the early Tim Buckley records. Not sure that's a good thing. With a lot of singer/songwriters, their music is usually performed better by other singers. Such was the case here. A lot of these arrangements were lacking or even distracting (esp. with Everybody's Talking). Plus, he seems to employ a lot of the same songwriting techniques in each song, which led to a rather monotonous listening experience. Having said all of that, this wasn't horrible; it's just very much of its time. He's also not a genius. I prefer Leonard Cohen.
I liked the last song.
Ok
toughness and tenderness, ragas and rage
Not impressed much. Grade B version of Leonard Cohen and other poet songwriters.
manculet
Fred Neil A cluttered production, where a lovely bass sound is largely obscured by aimless guitar noodling. How Harry Nilson found the charming core of Everybody’s Talking among the mess of these arrangements, I don’t know. 1.5 Fred Neil - Fred Neil Great title. I liked the first half of this record but my enthusiasm waned beginning with Everybody’s Talkin’. Sorry Fred, I’m used to Harry Nilsson doing it, but fair play to you for having written it. Good song. The Dolphins and I’ve Got a Secret are good too. 2.5/5
At least it's different than most folk albums of the time but still nothing that wowed me.
I enjoyed a handful of songs, but the compilation as a whole- was a meh for me.
Not really for me. Tried to listen to the full album but at 2 1/2 hours it’s hard work.
There were parts that were jam bandy and I liked those a lot but overall would I listen to this album again? Probably not
not bad
This album is so great at times that it hurts me to feel that some songs were bland and uninteresting to me. While listening to it my internet decreased until the last song, which was pretty nice. So, I liked it, but the album has many aspects that doesn't make me love it.
### In-Depth Review: *Fred Neil* (1967) **Released:** 1967 **Label:** Capitol Records **Producer:** Nick Venet **Engineers:** John Kraus, Pete Abbott **Genre core:** Folk-blues / proto-folk-rock with light psychedelia ### 1. LYRICS & THEMES - **Interior, not exterior, politics:** Neil avoids the protest-song vogue of the mid-’60s. Instead he writes about **alienation** (“Everybody’s Talkin’”), **addiction** (“Sweet Cocaine”), **rootlessness** (“The Other Side of This Life” – not on the LP but cut at the same sessions) and **quiet resignation** (“That’s the Bag I’m In”). - **Nature as refuge:** “The Dolphins” uses the sea as an escape metaphor; Neil later devoted his life to dolphin-protection projects, so the image is autobiographical. - **Economy of language:** Lines are short, almost conversational. John Sebastian recalled that Neil made lyrics feel “like they just fell out of your mouth… you hadn’t labored over them,” a style later echoed in the early songwriting of Tim Hardin and Jackson Browne . - **Sources:** He re-works Libba Cotten’s folk-blues “Shake Sugaree” into “I’ve Got a Secret,” illustrating the living “folk process” inside a commercial studio . ### 2. MUSIC & ARRANGEMENTS - **Baritone gravity:** Neil’s cavernous voice sits in the same range as later singers such as Scott Walker or Mark Lanegan; it gives even mundane lines gravitas. - **Blend of acoustic & subtle electric:** Electric guitar, bass and brushed drums are added but never swamp the intimacy—an approach Richie Unterberger calls “perfectly balanced electric instrumentation” . - **Modal folk-blues progressions** (“Green Rocky Road,” “Faretheewell”) sit beside **country two-beat** (“That’s the Bag I’m In”) and the **raga-flavoured drone** that closes the record. - **“Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga” (7½ min):** A loose, improvised drone that anticipates the eastern-tinged jams soon popular in San Francisco ballrooms. It is the clearest nod to emerging psychedelia and is routinely cited by listeners as the album’s biggest sonic surprise . ### 3. PRODUCTION - **Producer Nick Venet** (also early Beach Boys, Linda Ronstadt) keeps the sound warm and uncluttered. Close-miked acoustic guitars and a light room-reverb give the impression you are sitting a few feet from the band. - **No stereo gimmicks or radio-friendly sweetening;** this may explain why the original LP stalled commercially even though two of its songs became hits in other artists’ hands. - **First-generation analog tape, recently remastered** for Qobuz/HD downloads; the 2021 reissue retains the original dynamic range (no loudness-war compression) . ### 4. INFLUENCE & LEGACY - **“Everybody’s Talkin’”** – Harry Nilsson’s 1968 cover shot to #6 after its use in *Midnight Cowboy* (1969). Nilsson himself admitted he “tried to sing it like Fred” but added pop sheen . - **Peer recognition:** Bob Dylan, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Joni Mitchell, John Sebastian and Tim Buckley all cited Neil as a key influence; Dylan’s first paid NYC gig was playing harmonica behind Neil at Café Wha? . - **Direct musical tributes:** Jefferson Airplane’s “The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil,” Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Coconut Grove,” and multiple covers of “The Other Side of This Life” and “The Dolphins” by Tim Buckley, Linda Ronstadt, Billy Bragg & Beth Orton . - **Cult stature:** Because Neil refused to tour after 1969 and let his albums go out of print for decades, he became a “songwriter’s songwriter,” a name-checked ancestor of the 70s singer-songwriter movement without the superstar baggage . --- ### 5. PROS & CONS **PROS** - **Vocal timbre:** One of the deepest, most soothing male voices in 60s folk; many listeners discover the record for that alone . - **Song quality:** “The Dolphins,” “Everybody’s Talkin’,” “Faretheewell,” “That’s the Bag I’m In” are all staples of the late-Village canon. - **Atmosphere:** A coherent late-night mood—several reviewers use the word “floating” . - **Historical importance:** Demonstrates how folk could absorb electric textures and Eastern drones without surrendering intimacy—an influence audible on early Tim Buckley and Tim Hardin records. - **Concise running order:** 10 songs, 38 minutes; no filler, ends on an experimental note that invites replay. **CONS** - **Uniform tempo:** The languid pace can feel samey; some listeners call it “studiously lazy” or “sleepy country-folk” unless you are in the right head-space . - **Lyrically sparse:** If you favor dense poetic imagery (early Dylan, Cohen) Neil’s plain-spoken style may seem under-written. - **Sonic modesty:** Low-key production means no big sonic “wow” moment for casual listeners accustomed to psychedelic extravaganzas like *Sgt. Pepper*. - **Limited commercial immediacy:** Lack of hooks or pop push meant the LP never charted and remains less visible in classic-rock narratives. - **Cover overshadows original:** Nilsson’s glossier “Everybody’s Talkin’” is so ubiquitous that Neil’s earthier take can feel like an alternate version rather than the definitive one to newcomers. --- ### 6. BOTTOM LINE *Fred Neil* is a quiet cornerstone of 1960s folk-rock: musically unforced, emotionally direct and—because of Neil’s self-imposed exile—untainted by over-exposure. Its influence is measurable through the artists it shaped (Dylan, Airplane, Buckley, Nilsson) and through the durable standards it introduced. The album rewards close listening but demands patience; its refusal to grand-stand is both its virtue and the reason it remains a cult item rather than a household classic.
Music to fall asleep to in a hammock on a summer Sunday afternoon. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing though.
eh, okay
Decent folk, with a jazzy side. Didn't seem like anything special. I did enjoy the raga at the end.
Very eclectic album. I don't know how often I will revisit Fred Neil but I enjoyed the instrumentation.
Basic bitch
Fav Song: Everybody's Talkin'
Nostalgic , my grandparents kind of music, enjoyable.
pleasant album. strange cover.
60s Singer Songwriter is not my favourite realm of music in the world, but this had some real charm to it.
Solid album but the one that stood out to me was Everybody Talkin'. I thought it was a Harry Nilsson song but nope, turns out it was a cover. Fred Neil's version has a different vibe that while it won't be the version I think of, it's a nice contrast to switch things up. Hell of a song to write in a short moment and record in one take though. Favorite track: Everybody Talkin'
Neil's chroming baritone was a welcome reprieve from ACDC yesterday, nothing to write home about for me. Favorites: everybody's talking, that's the bag I'm in
Fred Neil Fred Neil. Two first names repeated once. I suppose that makes 4 first names for one album. That’s pretty impressive. Ol Freddy boy scores big points already with that benchmark statistic. This looks to be psychedelic. I didn’t realize how fine a dozen quirked up white fellas have always been. Truly, we have become a monolithic people. Let’s take some questionable acid in a questionable field while listening to some questionable music with questionable people. Any questions? The Dolphins - Hey the friggin’ dolphins suck this year. I’ve always been skeptical of teams in “paradise” locations. Do real people even live in Miami? I feel like a city has to be verbally miserable to experience sporting glory. If it’s too jubilant, then what reprieve does the sport even provide? I’ve Got a Secret (Didn’t We Shake Sugaree) - I hate this song title. It’s not even good absurdist content. The vocals remain obnoxious. If Elvis was really drunk, you’d have Fred Neil. The song itself is interesting enough, but doesn’t really go anywhere. That’s The Bag I’m In - This one is pretty good. I wanted to make fun of the Prison Tycoon menu music instrumental and the white eguy blues, but it seems to be self-aware and has a great energy to it. Ba-Di-Da - After the last track, this album was at an impasse. Would it continue in the quirky, likeable direction, or would it plummet to its own death on the rocks of mediocrity? As I sit here peeling brain matter off of granite, I have my answer. Faretheewell (Fred’s Tune) - Ughhhhhh. This is the one you slap your name on? Everybody’s Talkin’- Talkin’ bout people. We dance just a little too close. Everything Happens - Everbody is talking and everything is happening. Why does it feel like I’m so bored then? Sweet Cocaine - This explains a lot. Green Rocky Road - VERY unpopular flavour at the ice cream shop. It’s just rocky road with raw spinach haphazardly added. It’s part of a new health edict from the ice cream governing body and it’s really ruined the rep of Rocky Road. Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga - There it is. Pretending to be Indian. Classic 60’s white guy move. I wish I could be there the first time that synapses fired to form the thought “what if we combined sitar with harmonica?” I would’ve stopped it in its tracks. I’d use a Time Machine for that. This is one of the best songs though, so maybe I’d use the Time Machine to stop something else bad. Remember planking? Let’s nip that in the bud. I’m in a bag myself here and it is kind of cutting off oxygen to my brain, so I’ll keep this brief. Speaking of brief, this album was thankfully brief which at this point pretty much adds a star to the review. I didn’t really like this record. It was mostly obnoxious and mostly boring. There were a couple of bright spots, but besides that, I can’t in good conscience review this positively. And I won’t. Get outta here. I got nothing else. 2 HIGHLIGHTS: The Bag I’m In, Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga
Solid stuff, not really my thing and I probably won't be revisiting this at all. But, I don't have a negative thing to say about this, it's just not my jam.
Not bad. A little same-y. Pleasant guitar work. “Green Rocky Road” was way different from the Van Ronk version.
Losers’ music, and that’s high compliment. Neil’s voice is unflashy, conversational, a little beaten, a little wistful. Hearing these originals and knowing some of the context feels like finding the source of the Nile. Even finishes with a proper rocker.
This sounds great, somehow more brawny that similar folk recordings, probably a combination of his strong baritone and the solid arrangements, more Cash than Dylan. Tim Buckley does the definitive "Dolphins" on "Dream Letter" (RIP Danny Thompson), and I'm not sure I want to hear the final raga again, but overall a good listen and one I'll play from time to time.
Quite liked this, though only one track ended up going to my liked.
Subtle folk-country album anchored by his voice. Subdued but not boring with strong songwriting across the board. I even enjoyed the eight-minute instrumental closing track.
Cool voice and there is that one massive hit. But the rest? Eeeeh
Cool, but nothing I would listen to again
Not going to through this. My time is too valuable
I will need to revisit this album
Hadn't heard of Fred Neil before and wasn't sure what to expect. I quite liked his voice but apart from Everybody's Talkin' not much stood out to me.
Some great moments here clearly influential for many future folk musicians. However, even for this relatively sparse album, these moments are few and far between.
Pretty tedious, one-paced stuff for the most part. I get that's entirely the point given the musical style concerned, but some fleeting flickers of variety and vigour on occasion would have been nice. Instead I'm lying in bed very much tempted to drift back off again. He has a unique voice at least, and this probably isn't all that bad for what it is. But it's not for me. That's all I've got.
Off the bat, I took the advice of a fellow group mate and didn't consider this as a folk album. I mean, the labels: folk and singer-songwriter... You read these and you're probably tempted to consider this album in the same way you would Leonard Cohen or Joan Baez or Bob Dylan — especially Dylan. Certainly I'd've done that just looking at the **VERY SERIOUS** monochrome cover. But if you look at this album like that, you're kind of doing it wrong. 'Coz this ain't just folk music: it's folk **rock**. And very bluesy folk rock at that. Really, it's more folksy blues rock. Like, just taking this thing as a vibe like I did... It's good. It's perfectly fine. I really don't have many thoughts about this album as a whole. It's just some good, folksy blues rock. Fred Neil has a nice, deep-ish voice; everything is played perfectly well; it's not particularly lyrical, but the ones that aren't here aren't bad... It's good stuff. And frankly, that might be the album's biggest sin. It's good, but there's nothing particularly daring about it. I mean, OK, yeah, the closer is a seven minute experiment in trying to create a "sitar-like" sound, but other than that, it's pretty safe. And that's not always a bad thing, really. Sometimes you just want an album that just does what it does and does it well and never really aims to swing for the fences. There's a place in this world for base-level fine. It's just that if you wanna try and argue that this is an essential album that you **need** to hear before you do... Unless you're talkin' to someone who's a big fan of 'Midnight Cowboy,' you're probably in for a difficult time. I'unno. It's just not a very easy album to have strong feelings about, one way or the other. If you listen to it I'm sure you might like it... Or not. But if I can guarantee anything, it's not that I'm sure it does have everybody talkin'. And with that song title shoed-in as the conclusion, I bow out. Off the bat, I took the advice of a fellow group mate and didn't consider this as a folk album. I mean, the labels: folk and singer-songwriter... You read these and you're probably tempted to consider this album in the same way you would Leonard Cohen or Joan Baez or Bob Dylan — especially Dylan. Certainly I'd've done that just looking at the **VERY SERIOUS** monochrome cover. But if you look at this album like that, you're kind of doing it wrong. 'Coz this ain't just folk music: it's folk **rock**. And very bluesy folk rock at that. Really, it's more folksy blues rock. Like, just taking this thing as a vibe like I did... It's good. It's perfectly fine. I really don't have many thoughts about this album as a whole. It's just some good, folksy blues rock. Fred Neil has a nice, deep-ish voice; everything is played perfectly well; it's not particularly lyrical, but the ones that aren't here aren't bad... It's good stuff. And frankly, that might be the album's biggest sin. It's good, but there's nothing particularly daring about it. I mean, OK, yeah, the closer is a seven minute experiment in trying to create a "sitar-like" sound, but other than that, it's pretty safe. And that's not always a bad thing, really. Sometimes you just want an album that just does what it does and does it well and never really aims to swing for the fences. There's a place in this world for base-level fine. It's just that if you wanna try and argue that this is an essential album that you **need** to hear before you do... Unless you're talkin' to someone who's a big fan of 'Midnight Cowboy,' you're probably in for a difficult time. I'unno. It's just not a very easy album to have strong feelings about, one way or the other. If you listen to it I'm sure you might like it... Or not. But if I can guarantee anything, it's not that I'm sure it does have everybody talkin'. And with that song title shoed-in as the conclusion, I bow out.
Nice and catchy stuff on this one. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
I’m at a 4. I wouldn’t necessarily call this “folk rock” – I think it puts the album into a Dylan-y box that’s hard to shake the perception of, given that the first track has some of the most unconnected lyrics I can remember in a bit, and overall, the lyricism doesn’t strike a “folk” tone at all. This is easier to classify as a blues rock album with folksy elements, leaning towards an instrumental minimalism more adjacent to folk rock, but not exactly a vocal one. With that framing in mind, I think this is a strong blues rock album. I do think “The Dolphins” suffers from the chorus being shoehorned in, but after that, this album finds a really nice rhythm. It’s rather easy to be serenaded in by his sadness & his joy, and the way the instrumentation is recorded gives the whole thing a very minor wall of sound effect that adds depth to the deeper tone, but not to the higher ones. Part of the higher tones of this album include the harmonica, which I’m just a complete sucker for, as well as the guitars, which tend to find really nice melodies and just settle there, in a way that’s certainly repetitive, but not obnoxious, so it works just fine. It’s a weirdly hypnotizing album in that way. Since his vocals are in that deeper range, and oddly reminiscent of Randy Travis (a guilty pleasure ‘80s country singer I like), they pop out in a way that glides on the instrumentation, even if he strays off the percussion for a solid chunk of the album. So, why a 4? Few tracks just didn’t click, simple as that. “The Dolphins” feels a bit flat as an opener, and a weird tonesetter for my ears. “Ba-Di-Da” feels like the vocals don’t match the woeful urban city life the track should be going for & it just doesn’t meet the potential it could have. “Green Rocky Road” has a great instrumental rhythm, and his vocals glide, but I’m just stuck on the lyricism feeling totally incohesive. I’d be remiss to not talk about the 8 minute closer that is “Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga”, which is a solid experimental instrumental, but it just doesn’t feel as… clean as it could be. It’s a raw track, & it feels a little unrehearsed, but I admire the swing of trying to make a sort of sitar-y / Indian-inspired song using more of a bluegrass base for the instruments. When it’s all in rhythm together, the track works really well, but I’d say it only has a cohesive rhythm for sections of the track. That inconsistency feels a little frustrating as a straight 8 minutes; it feels like listening to a track where the volume fluctuates against your will & you constantly have to adjust. I do wonder if the track would be better if it was trimmed to a more concise 4 minutes. Overall though, when this album is rolling, it’s a damn fun listen, at least to my ears. I didn’t find myself ever hating it, and in all, it’s just a strong 38 minutes. I don’t know if I can ever see myself going up to a 5, but it wouldn’t surprise me if someone else gets there. If the minimalism & his vocals just bounce off, this could easily be a 3 or even a 2. I’m fine with a 4 here; it’s a totally inoffensive, play-it-safe album that never hits a low point & takes one big swing where mileage may vary. I liked it.
Appreciate this one for what it is.
9/18/25. Will need a couple more listens, but a cool folk album with a lot of electric elements. I enjoyed the different chord progressions and lyric choices, as well as the choice in different instrumentation.
This is one of those albums that is probably more fun to learn about than it is to sit down to listen to. I had never heard of Fred Neil nor his royalty amongst the Greenwich Village beat crowd. His voice is deep and rich and powerful, I could imagine it being a show-stopper in those NY bars. The songs are all well-written, not really a weak one here. "Everybody's Talkin'" is clearly the most recognizable due to Harry Nilsson's cover, which is superior to the original. The song that stuck with me most was "That's the Bag I'm In", and "Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga" was an extremely interesting ending track considering this predates the Summer of Love and Beatles psychedelia, etc. This sits around a 3.5 for me, but I'm rounding up to 4 due to Neil's impact and influence.
not my cuppa
i've always wanted to listen to this album ever since i fell in love with 'everybody's talkin' as performed by harry nilsson, but never got around to it until now. it's a nice folky album. fred neil's voice is very unique in the space, it's quite low but kind of beautiful, in a way. not all the songs here are my favorite, but it's still a pretty solid album.
Very good
Some folksy tunes right here.
2.5 stars. Gotta wonder in Jimmy Buffett didn't rip Margaritaville from Everybody's Talkin.
4 but rated a five because of his Jefferson Airplane influence, Ballad of You, Me & Poohneil is an amazing track.
It was nice, nothing special.
Not something I would have listened to otherwise, but I'm glad I did. The last Raga is simply lovely
Didn’t make it through all 2+ hours but I certainly got the jist. Solid voice. Interesting. But not my thing.
Really liked “The Dolphins”
Not for me. I liked Everybody's Talking though, but the Nillson version is better in my opinion
Yeah this was cool. Overlooked by time I guess. And extra points for being from Cleveland! Still prefer Nilsson’s version of Everybody’s Talkin’, but I liked listening to this quite a bit.
I just didn’t think this album was very good at all. Sounded amateurish to me.
Fint folk album.
Good
Actually kind of enjoyed this one. Compared to many of the albums on this list, it’s nothing special. Just some easy going music. His voice reminds me a bit of Glen Campbell but deeper and less range. Fine listen.
sounded like bob dylan, it was decent, some good tracks
o.k. but nothing that hooks me. Not even the harmonica-play.
Not really for me but I respect the hell out of it.
I liked parts of this! Guy has a crazy voice! Enjoyed "That's The Bag I'm In" "Everything Happens" and "Sweet Cocaine" the most.
One listen really is not enough is it. Sounded like I might love it, but going with a nice, safe, cosy three stars.
mid 2 This is what 2 star is all about
Bit Johnny Cash, genuinely never heard of Fred Neil! Not really my thing to be fair but great voice
Some ok songs
Pretty good road trip music. Some classics.
Standard singer-songwriter fare. Not bad for what it is - but not more than that either.
Vähän tylsä ja laiska. Tunnelma oli tunteellinen, vaikka en kuunnellutkaan erityisesti sanoituksia. Paitsi laulussa jossa joka toinen sana oli cocaine:D Ja toi albumin kansikuva on jotenki ahistava
He has a great voice, the music is alright, but too much of the same.
Should revisit - I did think there were really good songs like "Sweet Cocaine" but it was too distracting for me to focus on homework. That is why it needs a revisit.
ещё один про которого я не знала но оказывается одну песню всё же знала) вокально не увлёк, местами слишком расслабленно, местами слишком кокаин
Quite something
This was fine but quite forgettable. A bit too folksy for my taste too
Nice album! Had this album on in the morning, and it instantly made the day better. I get a similar feeling listening to this as I get when listening to Nick Drake, quite cozy. His voice reminded me a bit of Elvis Presley as well (of which I wonder when we'll see on this list!?). Overall a nice ride. 'Everybody's Talkin' is instantly recognizable, though perhaps Harry Nilsson's version is the more famous one. Perhaps no single song that really grabbed me, but I much prefer the whole album being enjoyable then one track being stellar and the rest garbage. Weak 4.
I don't know how I feel about the vocals on this one. On one hand Fred Neil is clearly very talented but his over the top vibrato really felt like a pisstake. Was prepared to give it a 2 star but then we get "Everybody's talking" which I thought Harry Nilsson wrote. It is a very good track. I also enjoyed "Sweet Cocaine". I think those 2 tracks make it just squeak in to a 3 star review.
I didn't care much for this album until the mysterious Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga came on. The open tuning, Indian vibes and and dissonant harmonica captured my attention like not many other songs do. It was quite unexpected and out of place, but I really dug it. On it's own it's a 4 star track, although not quite enough to push the whole album into 4 star territory.
Приємний фолк, декілька пісень собі зберіг. Як ціле альбом видався занадто рівним.
Доволі дефолтний, але приємний фолк.
Beautiful
Nice, this is what this project is about. Had heard everybody's talkin' before but could pin this song to an artist. Never heard of fred neil before but am very happy to discover him. Find his voice very appealing and like how intimate and personal these songs feel. Cynicrustpetefredjohn raga to close this lp shows some experimental quality that i admire.
distinctive voice, could sub in for some road trip lists
This was a decent album not anything really to write home about but it was good not bad, not great!
The last song makes the whole album.
Not my bag
This was a pretty enjoyable journey for an album, ending with the instrumental at the end. The tone was definitely quite bluesy but also more on the raw side which makes it easy to just kind of lose yourself in listening to it. While there weren't any clear standout songs, it was consistently good all throughout and as such will receive a 3.5/5 which will be bumped down to a 3 as it doesn't quite hit enough to make it to the threshold of the next rating.
It sucks when the wiki doesn't have critical reception or any historical relevance. Asked my friendly neighbourhood bot instead and it told me what I need to know in terms of the music shift at the time and the artists he influenced. Great example of an album that would never have crossed my path and deserves to be on the list. It's nice. Moody, laid back and stripped down. The album grew on me. That 8 min track at the end came outta nowhere. 3.5/5. Raising to 4.
Awesome bass-baritone voice. Maybe not an album that has aged particularly well in some aspects, but enjoyable enough overall.
Love the mixing and use of panning. I’ve Got a Secret and Faretheewell are beautiful. Neil’s voice is very strong and carries the melody very effectively. A few songs sound a little too similar to each other but it doesn’t detract from the listening experience. Very enjoyable listening of an album I otherwise may have never heard.
Didn’t do much for me. Some of the songs were fine, but nothing too interesting. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
3.4 - this stuff is good, but its just not at the level of bob dylan level of song writing. May come to change my mind
Kinda boring
The voice doesn't match the music. Like Elvis doing Bob Dylan, but still somewhat listenable.
Folk indie cool well made and writen album. Lot of similar songs and deliveries. Not great but pleasing to the ear and simply a nice Album to listen as background
More 60s stuff.
Relaxed, ontspannen folk. Kan er wel naar luisteren op de achtergrond bij een cafe, maar niet gewenst
Fred Neil walked so Llewyn Davis could run.
"Guy with an acoustic guitar" genre again... I really don't respond to this type of music positively. Folk, Americana, acoustic country; this is everything I never want to hear musically.
Great vocals, calming music
Mediocre singer songwriter snoozefest. 2
I liked this quite a bit. I'm generally a fan of real country. Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, that sort of thing. This felt very reminiscent of that sort of thing, essentially roots music for American white people.
Really enjoyable album would listen again. Ace harmonica on it.
I found this unbelievably boring At least Everybody’s Talkin’ will save it I thought. But it turns out the original is stuck in first gear compared to what Harry Nilsson did with it
Listened to 2 - 3 songs. Not really my type of music. Reminds me of old movies which were filmed in Italy while it is summer. That is a good vibe, but doesn't give me much.
Sounds like the great-grandfather of singer-songwriter folk. May be interesting for some, but it only reminds me of how much better we have it today. 2.5/5
not for me
5 08.08.2025
I can appreciate the variety of talent, but not my cup of tea.
Was this ground breaking for 1966? Like the acoustic and electric mix. Never heard of Fred Neil. Really love the sound.
Stämningsfullt och grym röst. Kul att höra originalet "everybodys talkin" (som man hört med Harry Nilsson). Det höjer sig dock inte över "helt ok". Saknar flera låtar som skickar albumet över tre.
Ingen dålig platta men ingen som riktigt sticker ut heller. Hans röst är cool, jag gillar det instrumentella och Everybody’s talking är grym, men skulle behövas ett par ytterligare låtar av den kalibern för ett högre betyg. Trevlig och njutbar lyssning rakt igenom dock och en stabil trea.
Ehh, it’s ok I guess. Kind of like the soundtrack for a PG13 Tarantino flick 2.5⭐️
Dig the country/folk sounds. The last song was surprising, but a cool jam. I wonder if Orville Peck was inspired by this guy. Similar vibes.
..
Better than Coldplay
Blandade skurar. Everybody Talking är fantastisk. Vissa av de bluesigare numren riktigt bra. Men det finns gott om svaga spår. En trea (mest för Everybody Talking)
Trend setting folk album played electric. A real time capsule and great songwriting. 4/5
Sweet Cocaine is a bop, man. Otherwise a pretty meh album.
We take refuge from the wind (biting the big apple until it’s all exposed core), diving into a dimly lit bar; somewhere unspeakable, somewhere in the village. Unspeakable because what could be said was said already – Frank and his oranges, Alan and his angel-headed hipsters – and maybe sometimes a bit of quiet helps, you know? (“The Dolphins” has that feeling about it; a quiet song that’s really a labyrinth for thought to get lost in.) Where was I? Oh yeah, the energy here; we’re on the eve of something. And if Fred’s a known quantity what he’s playing isn’t – it’s pushing against things, moving things around to make space. (And oh the space! It’s in the space it all makes most sense!) Anyway I hear the harmonica player’s doing some stuff later, maybe he’s up to something good. But first, one more time through “Everybody’s Talkin’”, please.
Indifferent on this one. Good music, well made and refined blues/americana. Tinges of Country Western and Swing. But, unless Im missing some context it just comes across as run of the mill for this time period. But then that 8 minute closing track which is a massive homage to Western movie soundscapes. Simultaneously this closing track sounds like a horse race, cattle drive, bronco breaking, cart robbery scene all in one. Bumped it up a star for sure.
This was a different album for me. I'd never heard of Fred Neil. His cover of Everybody's Talkin' felt thicker and more resonant than Nilsson's original. The whole album seems to dance between folk and country and jazzy blues. The last track "Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga" is a weird Indian sounding thing that was good but felt like it was just a flex on his talent. It didn't feel like it belonged with the rest of the album, and felt like it was filler to pad out the album. My Rating: 3/5
Decent little folk rock album. It didn't really blow me away, but I enjoyed most of the songs on it and would listen again some time. 3/5
Not much to say about this one. Decent folk album, but I'm not super folk lover. Still, very listenable. 3/5
This was a surprisingly good listen, his voice range was impressive especially the lower end where he rumbles and resonates. More like country blues than folk, loved it. His earlier blues album is also excellent.
I liked a lot of this, a few parts that dragged but balanced out by highlights such as the long psych jam at the end.
Excellent singer-songwriter album with some country twang. The highlight is Fred Neil’s wonderful, deep vocals. His voice is striking. You have to turn your head and listen to him when he sings. The songwriting sounded great from a first listen too. 3.5
Slightly folk-Elvis-y, slightly Tim Hardin-y. There's a lot of nice ideas on this album. I really enjoy the band and instrumentation in the first track "The Dolphins". There are little mistakes that are left in (mostly in the drums), and I appreciate it so much as someone who really pays attention to that stuff and is inundated with perfect quantization that occurs in today's music production. A good listen! Not sure if it would be on everyone's 1001 list, but it is what it is.
Fred going crazy on that yayo. This was great from an artist I’d never heard about and it’s aged very well (3.5/5)
I didn't really like the album, it's a bit too country like for my taste. Although that last track is amazing, I really loved it and found it very atmospheric and dreamy. But the rest didn't latch on to me.
Un poquillo Boring
Ok 2/5
Some pretty cool vibes with this one. I really dug That's The Bag I'm In and Everybody's Talkin. Not the most memorable otherwise, but I enjoyed my time more than a 3 out of 5.
Sorry to say I didn't like his voice or the arrangements
A decent 1960s folk album that is pretty underrated and given a boost by inclusion in the book. Known for the original version of Everybody's Talkin, it includes some beautiful tracks in it.
Partly ok, especially the blues stuff. But the rest not so exciting.
A little slow and no standout songs, but pretty enjoyable. Kind of fits in with the modern folk/acoustic/country crossover genre that I never know what to call.
Fred Neil was previously unknown to me. I found the first sounds of the album promising. But that soon changed. Overall, I didn't particularly like the album. I was surprised that I knew Everybody's Talkin'. It was nice to hear that again. But that won't happen again any time soon. 3/5
There's a lack of personality on this album. That being said, this isn't quite as boring as some other folk albums I've listened to (looking at you Tim Buckley). I like Ba-Di-Da, it has that 60s feel and I think Fred Neil's country-inflected voice suits it very well for a 'twirling in the sunlight' vibe.
Wow - incredible voice, and did not know he wrote Everybody's Talkin. Chose philantropy over touring. Glad to have found Fred.
There are a couple weaker tracks, but I loved the album: easy, soulful folk with a country inflection.
10/10 surprisingly avant-garde! I almost wanna call it post-country!
Really strange
3/4 idk
You could hear influences of the Beatles and Elvis, but it was ultimately a little boring.
Great
Por qué no lo había escuchado antes? Es como si Johnny Cash y Lou Reed fueran uno solo. La primera mitad de disco es increíble. ADEMÁS HAY ARMÓNICA. Cositas muy Robinson/Mississippi, me gusta. El último tema es falopita total. Compré a la mitad
Never heard of Fred Neil, though obviously very familiar with "Everybody's Talkin'." This album was excellent and I really enjoyed it.
Cool bluesy folk
Surprised by this. I really, really enjoyed this.
Some cool stuff in here with some unique, haunted folk. I liked his Everbody’s Talking better than Nilson’s. There was a proto-Nick Cave vibe at times as well. Strongly disliked the final track which bumped this down from a four to a three.
meh
I guess this is what you'd call classic folk. Not really my thing, but listenable.
Why?????
Surprisingly good
Good singer. Good music
didn’t like the last song on the album but other than that, didn’t love it didn’t hate it
#631. He is a good singer, but these songs are not really compelling. How do you make a song about cocaine boring? 2/5: meh
Listens: 3 Standout tracks: Everybody's Talkin', Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga I have heard "Everyone's Talking" before, specifically during the Episode of Futurama in which Zapp Brannigan and Kif Kroker are out of pocket, having been dismissed from the DOOP for... blowing it up! But! It's actually the Harry Nilsson version, which is decidedly more popular (41 million plays vs 713k plays in YTM). That's got to suck a lot, for someone to take your song and play it (subjectively) better than you. It's a great song, both versions of it. Anyways, I just got off of listening to Elvis's 'From Elvis in Memphis', and had rated that a 4. I listen to this and like... why would I give Elvis a 4 when I want to give this an actual 4 because I like this so much more! Its not exactly apples to apples, but this is actually something I want to listen to more than a few times. Elvis was riding high off being the King of rock and roll in my mind. As far as actual other tracks go, hands down Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga is the best track on the album. Very psychedelic. Very 60s. A fusion of folk and psych rock with a mix of middle-eastern/Indian influence in the form of what could be a sitar. Excellent track.
Never heard of this guy. I like the first two tracks a lot. These sounds are so modern and the mix is so clear I had to double checked what year this was released. I can’t believe I have not heard of this guy before. How many other great artists are lost to history? This album is amazing
Un album intereante, empieza a lo Sinatra y termino a los Beatles yendo a la India
I listened to his albums Tear Down the Walls (with Vince Martin) and Bleeker & MacDougal years ago and never really felt the need to investigate further thinking he was one amongst many 60's folkies but this is much more to my taste, it's looser and jazzier. I wish I'd listened to this years ago, definitely one I will come back to.
If i ever enjoy this and/or bob dylan then I'm getting old
Every emotion Neil ever felt seems to live in that impossibly deep voice, turning each song into an act of soul spelunking where his baritone excavates stories the lyrics only begin to tell.
Very laid back. Almost calming in a lot of places. The songs aren't anything revolutionary, but this was 1966 and sounds fine for that era. Some of the guitar tone, to me, sounds like David Gilmour may have taken some inspiration. Or maybe there was limited gear, idk.
Fred Neil is really just one of those albums that doesn't really add anything new to it's genre. The main issue with it is that every song sounds basically the same with hardly any differentiation to them to the point where i am having difficulty thinking of my least favorite song from this album since everything in them is just so similar to the point where i just can't even remember what they sound like. I also heard this guy is apparently a folk pioneer but i don't see that since many musicians before him did what he did but actually added some differentiation to them. This album isn't the worst thing ever but it is just an album that i don't see why it was included here. Best Song: Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga Worst Song: Faretheewell (Fred's Tune)
It's nice easy listening but idk this kind of folk vibe is always a little boring to me.
This album was pretty ok. I guess I can understand how influential he was as a songwriter but I don't understand why this, along with many other albums in this list, are being included as "must-listen" albums.
good folk album..3.5/5
é o tipo de música que me agrada, não tem nem como fugir menção especial pra sweet cocaine que tem uma gaita MUITO safada
bem mais agradável do que achei que seria folkzão numa pegada até mei country as vezes, com um vozeirão bonito fi. chique demais
Highlight Song/s: Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga Not for me. I just feel this folk-styled music has been done so many times before, that it just all sounds the same to me. The exception to the monotony of this album is the last track, which is a 8 minute instrumental that sounds really unique.
Better than expected, but still boring to me
It was fine. Nothing special and not memorable, but I liked the songs as they were happening
Album cover a bit creepy. Nice voice.
High highs and low, forgettable lows. 2.5*
A new discovery for me. Country folk is not really my bag - but he does have a lovely baritone voice and it was an enjoyable listen.
Fred Neil I listened to this not so long ago, I’m not sure what prompted it, I think it might have been because The Dolphins was in an episode of The Sopranos. The Dolphins is a fantastic track, the tremulous voice and tremolo guitar are a great combo and I love the solo on, I think, the Bouzouki. Aside from perhaps the very nice psychedelic drone of Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga it’s perhaps a little bit of an outlier from the majority of the rather lovely folk-blues with a hint of country on the rest of the album. He has a great wearied and worn voice and the melancholic melodies and arrangements remind me a little of Jackson C Frank. Everybody’s Talkin’ is of course also a great song, although Nilsson’s cover is probably the better version, but all the songs have a very pleasant and unhurried feel, the electric guitar working nicely with the acoustic and the shuffling rhythm section. It's comfortably a 4, I know I’ll come back to it for some soothing folky blues with some 60’s psychedelic touches and that great careworn voice and sensibility. 🐬🐬🐬🐬 Playlist submission: The Dolphins
Hearing this album with no context, I was immediately reminded of Tim Buckley. Loose and easy folk, a touch of sloppy playing, and mellow double bass. Fred Neil has more of a croon though, and I like the woozy, stoic approach. Overall, this is a great surprise. His brand of confessional and unhurried folk, drawing from traditional, blues and country sources, hits a spot the way Jansch or Drake or Cohen do.
I really wanted to love this album. I really did. But, it didn't speak to me in the way I hoped it would. I was left feeling underwhelmed and wanting. I asked myself why? Was it the songwriting? No, it was excellent. The singing? No, it was solid. Was there too much harmonica? Maybe, but I'm a big harmonica guy. So why didn't I love it? I have no idea. I decided to give it another chance. We're not there yet...but we're getting closer. I wonder if this album is like that person we all know, the one you didn't hit it off with right away but who, over time, you've come to cherish and love deeply. Time will tell.
This guy has been through some stuff
It was ok I guess...
I had never heard of this guy but I did some reading of his Wikipedia page, and now I understand why. I liked this! I doubt I’d listen to it again but it was fairly decent folk rock.
Pleasant folk rock with minimal production. Decent songs.
tältä kuulostaa mies.. ei kuin minä.. vikisevä jättihiiri.. (bulked up but high voice..) vois tehdä albumin jonka nimi on sessions.. sessiot.. hiljaista mutta pysyvää musiikkia! ei mitään rokki hullutusta ei mitään turhaa teknologiaa käytetty ei mitään huutolaulua kun älyttömät apinat!! pelkkää taitoa ja kitaratyöskentelyä...awesome.. ja has ja sitten huume hörhötys biisiä luulin että tämä on aivan kunnon vanhanaikainen tervejärkinen henkilö ei mikään moderni HUUME HÖRHÖ!!! muuten hyvä albumi mutta se 20 minuutin pätkä missä hän puhuu ilman mitään taustamusiikkia siitä miten hän rakastaa fentanyyliä oli vähän kummallinen.. dolhpins
It was fine, but I didn't care for most of it. Decent instrumentals and vocal work.
25/1001. I don't think I've heard about Fred Neil before. I thought this was his debut, but seems like rhe 2nd album. A bit blueay and more folky, psychedelic influences are there, hip and beat vibes all around. I file this to the same category with Tim Buckley, also by rating: I don't mind listening to this, but it didn't really become an instant hit with me either. So a 3.
This is a good album, some very strong writing (Everybody's Talkin'!), and clearly influential. But, I don't love the mid-60s troubadour singing style (later borrowed and developed by Tim Buckley). Definitely some great moments, but I struggle too much with singing to love it.
Great singer/songwriter stuff. Need to return to this.
Old timey folk sound for sure, but not in an annoying country way. Got a bluesy attitude kinda edge to it. Dolphins and cocaine.
lovely, lovely album, gorgeous melodies paired with the perfect bluesy voice
2.5/5. You don’t hear much about this guy because he wrote his songs became hits for other people like Everybody’s Talkin’ and he chose to save the dolphins over making music.
I’ve never heard of Fred Neil before, but from what I’m reading about him, it seems like he was in the orbit of a lot of big-name artists of his time, and he had an influence on a pretty wide variety of artists. I’m not completely sure what to expect from this album, but I’m hoping that this will be a new and noteworthy discovery for me! Fred Neil’s self-titled album was a really pleasant surprise. The vocals were fantastic throughout the album, and the guitar playing and songwriting were excellent as well. These songs were really great from start to finish, and I enjoyed the social and political messages in the lyrics as well. It seemed to me that the emphasis on this album was on the vocals and lyrics, and I think that’s what made it so successful with me. “The Dolphins” was an excellent lead-off track. I loved the wavering sound of the guitar, and the bold twang of the vocals reminded me of Orville Peck, which I really loved. The vocals on “Faretheewell” also gave me Orville Peck vibes, and I loved that this song was a bit of a slower ballad. I think Fred’s version of “Everybody’s Talkin’” is superior to Harry Nilson’s version. This version feels more adjacent to country music, and I thought that mood suited the lyrics really well. This version felt like it was telling the story of a lone gunslinger, leaving one town and heading somewhere else, where he won’t be known or recognized. Love That’s the bag I’m in. The doom of the present woven into a future pessimism. Brilliant. Love the guitar and harmonica. My favorite song on the album though was “That’s The Bag I’m In.” I loved how well the harmonica paired with the wavering guitar playing, and I loved the way the lyrics lamented the small troubles of daily life, while the world burns around the narrator. It was an apt commentary for how even in the worst of times, we still have our daily troubles, and life has to go on. My biggest critique of this album is that it felt like a one-trick-pony (it’s a hell of a trick though, if it’s the only one you’ve got), and it got a little boring at times. I didn’t care for the last song that much either. At over seven minutes long, it didn’t justify its own length, and it felt like a cheat that it didn’t feature Fred Neil’s vocals. Still, this was a really good album, and it makes me want to check out more of Fred Neil’s music.
Decently enjoyable, but also forgettable. "The Dolphins," "Everybody's Talkin'," and "Sweet Cocaine" were the best songs, but many just sort of blended together. This album was just a little too same-y for my liking.
I’m bored.
Fred Neil by Fred Neil was as bland as the name of the album.
This was a very pleasant surprise. I did not know the name Fred Neil before today. Good job, Fred. Good job, 1,001.
Pretty decent straight down the middle folk record. Nothing great, but nothing super exciting either.
I was between a 3 and a 4 on this. There were some very good songs. The 8 minute sitar jam got it the 3.
A great 3, but still a 3. A nice, short listen. Relaxing in a way. Like folk-cowboy music. Interesting.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: ☹️🧒⬛ Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🐬🗣️🌿 Rating: ❄️❄️/5
Very soft and sweet but it was not love even though I listened a couple of times. It felt like it was too long but it's just around 40 min.. I don't know I feel like I'm doing it dirty but it's not the right moment for us.
höfrungur hápunktur. önnur mjög fín lög hér. 4.
Not so bad, last track was a nice surprise. But I can’t say it really with me
It's alright, but still pretty inoffensive.
Nothing that will stay with me, but still a great melancholic folk album that I enjoyed.
Gosh, this was a challenge 😐
Okay, but not even near the top of my “Fred Neil” ranking. You can’t include albums on this list just because you love Midnight Cowboy.
Eh. Perfectly pleasant listen. No impact.
Eh
Not for me. 1/5
Decent chill listen. Wouldn’t mind having it as background music.
Never judge a book by its cover. Absolutely no way I’d have spun this up without it being on this list. Lovely 60s warm recording. Music itself is solid good, without ever really taking off. It’s held back somehow…. Solid 3
Oldies folk blues. Instrumentals and vocals are okay. Just not interested in this at all 2
After my first listen I thought, yeah, this is pretty good. Not too bad. Maybe should have dropped 1 or 2 songs towards the end. But, It kept drawing me back and now I've heard this album at least once a day this week. Just a really good chilled out acoustic album with some great tracks that you find yourself singing to in your head if not along to with the music while you're listening. This is exactly why I wanted to try this random album a day thing. Finding gems like this. Not perfect, but a great folk album and my favourite this week for sure. I even had to track down a physical copy for my collection I liked it that much. Great album👌
My reviews have been getting too long. I need to go back to the old days of not writing much about albums, and this is a good candidate to do that with. This album's alright. There's nothing particularly bad about it, but it's not special in any way. Fred Neil's writing is okay. Not outstanding, but not bad. The style is simple but pleasant. The album's not too long. This is an album that doesn't really need to be on the list, but not because of anything bad about the album itself. It's just that there are many albums that do similar things to this one but better. Fred Neil's okay, but not amazing. 3/5.
This is when this whole thing is worthwhile! An album from an interesting artist I’ve never heard of. OK it’s not a game changer but it was a good listen and hearing the original Everbodys talking at me was fun.
The very definition of a 2/5. Nothing remarkable, not something you hate when you hear it - just something you forget as soon as it's over. 2/5
Decent folk album, love his voice.
Errs on bland, but when it's good it's really good. The final track is 8 minutes of gorgeous instrumental composition - maybe if Freddy did more of that I'd have heard of him before
"Fred Neil" is the second album by American folk singer-songwriter Fred Neil. The album was produced by Nick Venet and was more laid back than his debut. Neil was lead vocalist and played electric and acoustic guitars. Other musicians on the album included Pete Child (guitars), John T. Fosha (guitar), Cyrus Faryar (guitars), Rusty Faryar (finger cymbals), Jimmy Bondi (bass), Bill Mundi (drums, percussion) and Alan Wilson (harmonica). The album begins with the only single released "The Dolphins." Echoing electric guitar. Neil's deep basso vocals. Very soulful and reminds me of Tim Buckley and why wouldn't it as Buckley coveted this song. Very poetic lyrics as he's wondering about a woman and searching for transcendence in the world (searching for dolphins). The second side opens with another really good song "Everybody's Talking." Vocals right off. A very melodic acoustic guitar with some nice finger picking. Harry Nilsson covered this song for the movie "Midnight Cowboy." I knew I had heard this song before. It's a song about desiring to retreat from the harshness of the city to a more peaceful place. He gets the blues going with a harmonica and acoustic song "Sweet Cocaine." It's labeled a traditional song??? It's 1966? How long had cocaine been an issue back then? Anyway, a nice melody which resembles Dean Key and Kelly Gordon's (and made famous by Frank Sinatra) "That's Life." He's observing people doing cocaine and not making judgement. The album closes with the instrumental "Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga." Great title and they cover ground with country, raga, multiple guitars, harmonica, various percussions and speed changes. Fred Neil has a deep soulful basso voice which is very similar to early Tim Buckley. The music stays for the most in the folk rock category with multiple guitars, soft percussion and a harmonica. There are two exceptional songs with poetic lyrics and the other songs are not just filler but decent ones too. I enjoyed this album and most of you would too. Recommended for everyone.
Someone made the conscious decision to tremolo all the things, and for that they deserve their judgement day.
5.5/10 One of those that I’m not exactly sure why it’s here. Actually I guess I am - the final 10 minutes or so where it takes an unexpected turn into a psychedelic swirl. Before that it’s fine but just not amazing - folk or country rock that is well executed but not brilliant. Sub Johnny Cash. Best: Ba-Di-Da
Норм душевно
Great voice, nice sound throughout. Everybody's Talkin' is a great song. Nice listen
What an odd opening track. Threw me off balance. Dolphins. The instrumentation is good tho. That continues for me, I'm not a fan of most of the lyricism and something about his voice is just off for me. Enjoyed the harmonica whenever it popped in. Everybody's Talkin caught me by surprise as I didn't expect to recognize anything. Overall nice production. Has a warmth to it.
Enjoyed it more than I thought I would
When I lost sleep at 3:30 in the morning, I never imagined that I would discover one of the best albums of this year. This song simply connects with the soul of a tired worker. It makes you want to pick up your old guitar and sing the old blues out of your chest. I've been doing this challenge for 380 consecutive days, and albums like this remind me why I started. 5 stars.
Not bad - I've added The Dolphins to my playlist
Not bad, just kind of boring...
Nice.
Folk pioneer turned protector of dolphins - I'd never heard of Fred Neil before. This was nice, he had a great voice.
Crooner music
This is ok. There are 2 or 3 songs that stand out "Dolphins" being my favorite. I'm also partial to the acoustic instrumental. 2.25/5
Kind of Leonard Cohen-y, but not much special. A bit boring. And my god, what an awful album cover.
In a nutshell: moody folky blues. Fred, are you okay ? Because your songs sound like you are a chronically depressed Donovan. Introspective music is okay, but not this. Many songs could've been cut in half and it's lyrically disengaging. Overall: 1/10
Pretty blah. Folk type singer songwriter can work for me, but Fred Neil cannot. 1.5/5
never heard of the guy - just middle of the road for m
Pleasant
Probably helps I just watched the Dylan Biopic but love me some early 60s ne work folk music.
Solid blues album.
A solid folk album with a standout song ‘Everybody’s Talkin’.’ I enjoyed this album listen but I’m not sure if it is one that I would pick up again. But I would recommend others to give it a listen if you are a lover of folk music!
This guy didn’t want to be in the music business and just wanted to live at the beach and fuck dolphins and squeeze the heads of any passing children who got too close to his strong tanned arms. Shouldn’t we respect his wishes and let him leave the music business completely by not listening to his albums ever? I’m certainly going to.
The cover and name didn't make me want to listen. The voice absolutely did. 'That's the bag I'm in' was a great track.
Kun ekan biisin kitara lähti, niin tuntu että tässä vois olla jotain. Eka biisi tuntuikin vielä menettelevän. Loppu silkkaa tuskaa. 7. biisissä lauletaan ”I’m just about to go insane”. My thoughts exactly tuossa kohtaa albumin kuuntelua. Vaihdoin äänen monoksi loppupuolella (kuuntelin kuulokkeilla), kitaran likittely ei porautunut niin pahasti vasempaan korvaan ja pystyi kuuntelemaan levyn loppuun.
THIS IS WHY I KEEP COMING BACK!
As far as folk and folk rock albums go, this is one of them. I jest, slightly. But it's difficult for me to really parse out just how important this album is to its genre(s) because I know so little about the genres as a whole. I love Dylan, like some Neil Young, some CSN(Y), and adore Simon and Garfunkel. But beyond that I'm a little lost. So I suppose I can look at this as an album both contemporary to and preceding those artists. Through that lens, I can see some influence and importance. But I also think there were artists doing it better at the time. Not that this is bad; it very much isn't. I just think this is one case where, having no idea who the artist is going into an album isn't helpful because I'm forced to make comparisons that are largely unfair. In the end, it's a fine album and I'm happy to give it three stars. I just wish I had more to say... Standout Tracks: That's The Bag I'm In, Ba-Di-Da, Faretheewell (Fred's Tune), Green Rocky Road
The Dolphins and Everybody's Talkin were OK, the rest was forgettable. He does have a good voice though.
60’s folk. Nothing special, and nobody’s talkin about it.
On the low end of it’s okay. Mellow, easy to listen to. Not going to be a go-to album or artist for me.
Такого много было в те времена
A brief Internet search suggests that my dislike of slow music is actually one of my ADHD symptoms. This is slow. I don't like it.
Love The Dolphins, have done since Guy Garvey insisted on playing it regularly on Sundays. Don't care too much for the Buckley cover. There's a song about how much he loves cocaine, and instead of using metaphor, he just says it. The long raga finishes things off well. I don't have a lot to say but this is great little singer songwriter album and I'm glad I heard it.
Not necessarily bad but that's just not the groove I'm looking for
Bland, unseasoned nonsense. Had to skip about 3 tracks because they were that bad. An album I could have absolutely gone without hearing before I die. Eesh... 1.5 / 5
It is 60s music of the 60s music variety. It was ok. Standout track: Everybody's Talkin'
Out of nowhere this album hit me, in a way when music clicks. Will probably never listen again unless stumbled upon, it was good while it lasted.
How did I not know this guy?? I love this folky, outlaw country stuff. Great grooves and harmonies without overplaying his hand. Meaningful lyrics and fun arrangements. My only complaint is that he didn’t whistle more. That was beautiful.
What a voice. Really enjoyed 'The dolphins'.
Look, it wasn't really that bad, but yeah, it was boring and I didn't take much enjoyement from it. The only good thing I see here is that Harry Nilsson got inspirations but this album on its own was just... okay? And I don't like Fred Neil, sorry.
As mentioned by others here, albums like this is why I started this daily listening project. If I’d heard of Fred Neil before (due to Midnight Cowboy), I’d forgotten about him. His life story is amazing. It sounds like the shape of music as we know it would not become what it was without him. He gave Bob Dylan a shot, influenced Dylan and the scene by apparently writing the first major Greenwich Village protest song. Dylan went on to do his thing, and in turn influence the Beatles, and the rest is history. Nilsson’s version of Everybody’s Talkin at Me is one of my favorites from the era, so to think that song wouldn’t exist without Fred Neil, who I’d never even registered before, is bananas. Then, after, he went on to influence Jefferson Airplane, etc. This guy lived a life. As for the album itself- super chill and super vibing. Not epic classic status, but I’d definitely put this on again. At first, I thought he was an Elvis copycat, but as the album went on, I felt more of an aura of the era. Truly, he was the king of the Village folk scene. I think it’s time for a Fred Neil renaissance. Let’s bring this music back into public awareness. Why’s this guy mostly forgotten?
2.7 2x catch up 4/14
Folk Pop Album mit Soul, Blues und starkem spirituellem Einschlag. Ganz nett zu hören insbesondere „Everybody‘s Talking“. Insgesamt aber zu wenig prägnante Songs und zu (Feed) good.
He’s very talented but the selection is too long. Why not just pick an album instead of a compilation of his entire career?
That was boring. So boring I almost used an exclamation mark. But then I realised that would overstate just how mediocre this album is. It's not actively bad, it just embodies every meaning of meh.
I am Meh about Fred Neil. I get this kind of vibe that he decided that he wanted to be a singer/ songwriter and he put himself out there and did it. He does not have a distinct voice or style, he doesn't tell stories like some folk musicians out there, his lyrics are fair to middling. He has a song that is not really a one hit wonder per se but it is among my favorite singles songs of all time. Nevertheless for me, he never quite otherwise escapes a kind of mediocre trap. I am kind of glad I put a name to that one song, but otherwise I would not say it is essential listening or anything like that.
Did not recognize Fred but I have heard a song or 2
It was ok. A little boring.
Old time country sounds, cool rainy day vibes
One iconic song does not make a great album.
Very nice, I’ll go back to that!
I thank Fred Neil for having a major influence and impact on some musicians who went on to make great music. . It was an easy listen, didn’t really jump out at me but I appreciated it. It’s an album I’ve listened to before I’ve died so job done ✔️
Could have gone my entire life without hearing this. Did not do anything for me but its still fine music.