Reviews (page 6 of 8)
3.3 Was awesome to hear Everyone's Talkn and I enjoyed the other tracks on the album.
No fue música mala, simplemente muy olvidable. Creo que lo escuché tres veces y no sé decir gran cosa del disco. Por ahí la rola de "Sweet Cocaine" resalta como curiosidad por el descaro completo de hablar de eso sin tapujos, pero incluso la que se supone que es famosa, "Everybody's Talking" no me parece tan interesante. Ya anecdótico es que leí un poco de Fred Neil y resulta que prácticamente abandonó su carrera musical por dedicarse a salvar delfines.
It was decent. Will listen to again but probably need a bit of context with this album.
Folk pop, it seems frankly pretty lightweight. My perspective in the value of this kind of thing has become jaundiced as I watch this bad old world age.
Resonating deep voice… good songs especially the hit everybody’s talkin
Fine for what it is. The last instrumental track tries its hardest to be good or skilled music, without success. It almost tanked the rating.
Tarantino-core but like nothing wrong with that, it's fine
Leans more country than folk which I don’t really like. His voice is kind of boring outside of the performances on Green Rocky Road and That’s the bag I’m in. The last song is an interesting departure from the rest of the album at least. Favorite songs: Green Rocky Road, That’s the bag I’m in
You can definitely hear the influence this guy had on the folk scene here
very easy to listen to gets a bit daft at end
Husky voice singing about dolphins. Interesting. Seriously, though. I'm already realizing that this 1001 list has such great records that even if they're from a genre I'm not interested in, they're a real delight to hear. I want to listen to this again. Highlights: All the songs are great, and I appreciate the non-traditional folk instruments (electric guitars, etc.)
Never heard of Fred Neil (although I was familiar with Everybody's Talkin'), and I'm not a big "folk" fan, but this is a solid album and I enjoyed listening to it. It's simple, not over-produced (or produced at all, really) - just good song writing and solid execution. That's the Bag I'm In - great lyrics, sweet tune Everything Happens and Sweet Cocaine are also great songs.
Enjoyed this marginally more than I thought I would. I wouldn't buy it though - Not sure it would make my top 1001. A solid 2.7
Relaxing, kinda cowboy rock if that’s a genre. No individual songs stood out, but I’d put the album on for background music.
didn't mind listening to it, but not something I'll play again for myself
This album is pretty neat to be honest. Its got so many different sounds. Blues, Jazz, Folk, and a dash of country. Some smooth vocals added in. I don't think the lyrics were the best in the world. But it's a solid good time.
Kinda good but nothing rly stands out. Found out about this guy through tim buckley (one of my favourite artists)'s cover of the dolphins, so i was excited to see what he had to offer, and while i can see how buckley would have been inspired by fred neil, and imo went on to kinda perfect his formula, this album sorta doesnt stand on it's own for me. I've been listening to this album since it popped up here, and it's currently the 2nd of july, so i think ive given it enough time to make my mind up that it's all fine, certainly not offensive, but often falls just short of being remarkable. Everybody's Talkin' is probably the highlight i'd say
A brilliant songwriter who laid a foundation for Folk and Americana standards, which would go on to receive greater acclaim when performed by others. Musically, and stylistically it is easier to see why that happened.
Ah the 60’s. Where you could write sweet, innocent songs about your unabashed love for cocaine.
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.
Never heard of him, an interesting life story. Listened twice - it's decent, if unmemorable. Background music in a cafe.
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.
dit vond ik wel lekker om even naar te luisteren.
cocaine cocaine cocaine
Good variety. 1RS
Very Woodstock. Really liked the last track but enjoyed the whole album ***
Easy listening, pretty chilled. Surprised to hear a song about Cocaine in there!
'Sometimes you just can't win cause that's the bag I'm in'. Goed plaatje en geweldige stem! 4 Sterren mag alleen als ik bereid ben om dit vaker te gaan draaien en dat zie ik niet gebeuren. Dikke 3 sterren dan maar.
Dit was best goed eigenlijk! Aardige Tim Buckley vibe, en dat is nooit verkeerd.
Aangenaam. Mooie stem.
Liked it, not typical folk
Nearly a four
Clásico. Un gran virtuoso.
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
Folk rock and a little bit of progressives, did not knew I would ever pair those genres together but it kind of worked
A nice, chill album. I enjoy the folky soft rock mix. Kind of forgettable maybe.
Better than I thought it would be.
Interesting but the last song ruins it. 2.5 rounded up.
Old vibes!
Another good roadtrip album that needs listening to again. I hope that's his boy, boy.
3
Not bad Fred Neil Young
Smooth listen
Dolphins!
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.
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.
Alright
No private session used for Spotify. Never have heard of Fred Neil, before my time, but hey, lot's of artists are that I have heard of, so that shows you the lack of impact here. I prefer the cover of "Everybody's Talkin'", though I didn't know it was a cover until now. Album is definitely rooted in western, cool acoustic guitar, some harmonica and a voice he leans on a bit too much. Ok listen, but I done with it now.
I was familiar with a few of the songs - Faretheewell is a favorite, and I went down a rabbit hole about a decade ago seeking out as many versions as I could - this one was a different take, and I missed the melody from the Van Ronk version; Everybody’s Talkin is a classic, but Harry Nilsson’s take is indelible. My favorite track was “That’s the Bag I’m in” but the rest felt kind of forgettable, like some deep cut on a Tarantino soundtrack, chosen mostly for its obscurity, and whose mystique fades when the theatre lights come back on. **
i liked "Everybody's talking"
singer-songwriter
Ok
It is my firm belief that NOTHING good came out of Greenwich Village... and I'm once again proven right, because this guy is to blame for Bob Dylan and David Crosby (although he's not as bad). PUT THE CHILD DOWN YOU DOLPHIN FIEND
I feel like this had a bit of potential but it sounded a bit too unpolished and the strange left/right mix that was popular in the 60's was disorienting.
2 - I forgot to rate it yesterday and I already forgot what I thought about it. Not a good sign.
This wasn't psychedelic, more like singer/song writer with a guitar.
It was fine. Not spectacular.
Today I learned that “Everybody’s Talkin’” was not written by The Beautiful South! It was actually written by some dude called Fred Neil and originally appeared on his self-titled album in 1966. Every day is a school day with this challenge. Fred Neil is described as one of the pioneers of folk, which instantly made me think I was going to hate this album. Surprisingly, I didn’t. In fact, it starts really well. I enjoyed pretty much everything up to and including “Sweet Cocaine”. Neil has a great deep voice and there’s a relaxed simplicity to the music that I quite enjoyed. Unfortunately, the second half completely lost me. It becomes incredibly slow and dull, and songs like “Look Over Yonder” and “Merry Go Round” seemed to go absolutely nowhere. By the end I was more than ready for it to finish. So a real album of two halves. The first half was a pleasant surprise and much better than I expected, but the second half was a slog. Favourite track: I quite enjoyed “Sweet Cocaine”. “Everybody’s Talkin’” is obviously a great song too. Least favourite tracks: Most of the second half. “Look Over Yonder” and “Merry Go Round” were particularly dull. Album artwork: Creepy album cover. Fred looks like he’s watching you through the window.
294. ok
I imagine Fred Neil being on an early Wes Anderson project and suddenly I like it more.
Fairly boring, sorry
10 songs Boring and uninspiring, I can't even be arsed to write a hate review on this.
Some Quentin Tarantino soundtrack ass music
I thought this was fairly nondescript. Some tracks were alright, it blurred together a lot. Some were fairly pleasant. As it drew toward the end of the album the songs seemed to get progressively worse, and the last track was pretty painful and I was pleased when it ended.
Haven't heard of him but heard covers of some of the songs here. I'm afraid I like the covers better. At the beginning the album was quite cool but then it went meh 2/5
pop pop pop
Unfamiliar with this but it seems like something interesting to hear. I liked a lot of other 60s era folk rock. For some reason, wasn’t expecting his voice. Has a deep old fashioned sound to his voice. Definitely hints of country and folk in it all. Some of this is fine and interesting. On some of the songs, some of the guitars clash in a way where the sound is almost muddled between the electric and acoustic guitars. Overall, don’t mind this. Feels very classic yet dated in some ways. Thought I might like this more but didn’t really suck me in and grab my attention. Some of it is perfectly pleasant but it’s just very middle of the road for me. Second half seems to find more that I liked. Thought maybe it was trending to a 3, but think I’ll stick with a 2
eh. this is just some whatever 60's folk rock. really nothingburger.
I'm coming back to review this album, and I swear I don't remember listening to it, which is funny because I have listened to parts of it twice (it's that forgettable). I know that this is a stepping stone for other great folk artists who succeeded and took inspiration from him, but it really feels like a million other albums I have heard on this list.
Not the worst folk/country album I've heard on this list. Found it tolerable because it leaned toward blues. 2*
Pretty average folk country with an absurdly unnecessarily long closer that was a cool idea for about a minute and then just kept going. Eh.
Liked it more than I thought I would for a late 60s folk album.
dreary
I should have listened to this while it was raining. This is a rainy nap album. I recognized "The Dolphins" from a cover, I think the "The The" version is what I'm most familiar with. I did not like the percussion on this original version. This was not an album for me.
Somber folk. Should probably revisit
Boring country album. I didn't hate it, but it was a hard listen.
I don't know this singer. I got bored with the vocals. An OK album at best.
Žao mi je ali razumijem zašto "He is mainly known through other people's recordings of his material". Everybody's Talkin' je banger u Nilssonovoj izvedbi u 6. epizodi 1. sezone Black Books. Zezam se, nije toliko loš album, samo je baš previše folkast za mene.
First song was called "The Dolphins." Don Shula would be disappointed. 1.5/5.0: Bad
i was already writing my one star review when the last song came on and pulled it from the depths. it had a few interesting parts before that but for the most part it was atrocious
Maso
Hadn't heard this before but quite enjoyable. Will listen again. High 2s.
Need more context to get it. Everybody’s Talkin’ is a cool song, but the overpolished vibe of the recording and performance is wack
No standouts
65
I'm not the biggest fan of folk music, so much of it is just the same bland dude with a mediocre voice and an acoustic. The best song here was done much much better by Harry Nilsson. It’s not bad but I really didn't enjoy it at all
Fairly boring by the standards of folk rock of its era.
Not bad, but kind of boring. It felt like the songs never really went anywhere.
Some more decent folk. Nice
El album es largo, sin contar como la parte 2 que tiene, y sinceramente, se me hizo un poco corto a la vez. Aunque la voz sea muy buena, la instrumental la siento repetitiva, puede ser bueno escuchar al artista porque es algo muy trabajado su labor de vocalista, pero quitando eso, las canciones no siento que sean la gran cosa. Pese a esos puntos, siento que igual tiene su toque el album, pero no es gran cosa, llegaría como a un 2.7
Now I know who did that song
Everybody’s Talkin’ is a great song (did this inspire Jimmy Buffett to make Margaritaville?) and Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga was an incredibly interesting instrumental passage. The rest of this I could probably take or leave. His voice is great, but I don’t think the songs do enough.
Enjoyable blusey music. Vocals kinda ruined it for me. 2.5/5
Fine but falls off
Ver dull folk.
I mean, for a Folk music album, it was not that bad. 5/10
4/10
Fine I guess? Everybody's Talkin' is of course an all time classic, and a few other songs were decent, but I didn't really hear anything remarkable imo. 2/5.
Yeah pretty mid. Would give 5/10 but -1 for the harmonica. 4/10
Crooning psychedelia? No thanks
Yeah, really not feeling this one. Bookended by two awful tracks that could almost be parodies. There are some decent tunes in there but his delivery is not it. A case in point being how much Better Nilsson’s version is.
Man this generator better stop giving us bullshit im getting burnt out. This is 60s Singer/Songwriterism with all the bad parts (white boy blues, awkward producer arrangements) and none of the poetry that made it what it is.
girl. what? i mean. it's fine. nice even. every song sort of sounds the same but he's not bad at it. better lyricist than cat stevens i can tell you that much. i'm too bored to have an opinion. 2.5. "cynicrustpetefredjohn raga" is worth .8 of that.
me aburrio mucho la verdad. no me molesto, epro me aburrio
Everybody's talking about it - good The rest
Thanks for your contributions to folk music, I guess, but this didn't do it for me. 2.2
Criminally boring but not obnoxious
5/10 - there's a hit song here but the rest is ok
It really felt like the same song multiple times
Hey it's that one song everyone knows. I can't say I actively disliked this album but I was thoroughly bored by it.
Meh. That's the bag I'm in, great. Respect for the weird one at the end
Was a bit something and nothing. Can see why it was removed in the updated version of this list. Not especially interesting for me.
High expectations but this didn’t hit. It’s a shame, his voice is amazing. But not the one.
Not bad but didn’t enjoy
Liked the cocaine song, can't remember anything else
Not really my vibe Favorite song: sweet cocaine
This was as smooth and clean as a homeopathic milkshake. And by that I mean it had very little to it. It was nice in parts, but it just lacked... anything. And the cover is creep as hell.
Aw man, I read about this album before I started it and it sounded intriguing. It wasn't. He has a fine voice I guess, but I'm a style I like, I guess I like my folk a bit less smooth. Everybody's talking is probably a great song but I really dislike it (heard it too much one day years ago and never got past it). Don't care for any of this.
its fine Will I listen to again: 1%
It is my honest opinion that almost every folk album from the 1950s & early 60s is virtually indistinguishable from each other. They are all pleasant, but completely generic and forgettable.
It was fine. Pretty boring overall Standout songs: Ba - Di - Da Green Rocky Road
Made me feel like the poor kid on the cover that wants to get away from this dude. Different variations of the same boring song over and over. When he ran out of lyrics he threw in some la-di-da’s.
Kind of interesting. Never heard of this but I guess an influential folk singer. Wouldn't need to listen again but was fine.
I learned this guy performed the original Everybody's Talkin'. Apart from that, I couldn't find much to get along with here.
Couple of songs are ok but I think this is another one of these dudes whose songs are much better performed by others. Sorry Fred.
Bon, plutot bon album de folk. Honnêtement, le style est plutôt efficace et certains morceaux sont vraiment remarquable comme sweet cocaine, ou Candy Man, qui incarne bien le style de l'artiste. Néanmoins, l'album reste assez répétitif et vraiment très très peu inventif, c'est vraiment dommage.
60s folk singer. like a worse jonney cash. not my fave.
Middling singer-songwriter stuff, a couple okay tracks. An overlong instrumental track to end the album, which is weirdly common in albums from this era.
I was not expecting that opening tremolo guitar effect on a 1966 album. Could this be a groovy undiscovered (by me) gem? No. My interest waned after track. A dull album, despite his lovely voice.
I respect his artistic vision but absolutely fuck off with your 8 minute closer of noise.
The album cover is creepy enough. Anyway, this journey has showed me subgenres I enjoy more than I thought I would, and vice versa. I thought I was a big Folk Rock fan(thanks to the "Juno" movie soundtrack), but I find myself bored with listening to an entire album of it. Favorite Track: "Badi-Da".
Siento que esta pagina ya me recomendó el mismo disco varias veces, es totalmente genérico y aburrido.
This album is like catching an overnight bus home to go to a family friend’s funeral. You are sad and it is late, so you want to get some sleep. Try as you might though, you can’t get any sleep because some guy sitting across the aisle from you, chewing your ear off about how he is going to visit his son who lives in your hometown. His son is going to take him sightseeing. You don’t care.
Wasn't terrible but won't be revisiting any time soon
This would be more meaningful if I had more knowledge of the context, meaning that if I knew more about the artists career and the musical scene he was a part of in the mid-sixties. Sounds like an attempt to be charming that didn’t resonate with me.
This did not connect with me on any level.
Det var meget pænt og sådan. TIL at Everybody's Talkin' ikke oprindeligt er en Harry Nilsson sang (skulle til at brokke mig over at "originalen er bedre" men så fandt jeg ud af det faktisk *er* originalen på den her plade). Havde ikke brug for det indiske nummer til sidst. Lille 2er.
A capa é bem bonita e convidativa. É o tipo de capa que faria eu comprar um disco cegamente sem saber nada sobre o álbum ou sobre o artista, como é o caso aqui. Uma voz agradável e composições simples. É um disco inofensivo, porém não me prendeu totalmente. O problema não é a simplicidade, nunca é, mas o disco me causou tédio imediato. Folk antigo tende a fazer isso comigo, então não há surpresa. Algumas passagens instrumentais bem doidas, mas nada super notável. Disco tedioso e meio que interminável, apesar da duração regular. Sensação de monotonia. Passo. 2.5
It’s telling that the best song on here is done so much better by Harry Nilson as a cover two years later. Unfortunately I just don't think there's enough here unless you're really into sleepy country-sounding folk, which I am decidedly not. Also, creepy vibes from the album cover. I really hope that’s his kid… 2⭐️
Two first names!
Eh
< the Beatles
Sånn passe
I find folk to be generally repetitive and uninteresting and this was no exception.
Nice sixties singer songwriter album with the original “Everybody’s Talkin’”
Okay but instantly forgettable for me (apart from one).
Another great relaxing album, but this one didn't quite stand out to me greatly.
Fred Neil is one of those albums that sounds great while somehow doing very little with that greatness. The production is warm, the grooves are loose and inviting, and Neil’s voice has that gravelly, late-night wisdom that makes you lean in. On a purely sonic level, it’s pleasant, sometimes even seductive. You can imagine this record playing in a smoky room where everyone pretends they’re listening very carefully. But then you actually listen. And wait. And keep waiting. The songs drift, circle the block, and never quite park. What should feel hypnotic ends up feeling half-finished, like a jam session that forgot to become a song. There’s atmosphere for days, but ideas are on a strict ration. It’s not bad because it’s ugly; it’s bad because it’s boring in slow motion. Dogshit? Harsh, but let’s say conceptually dogshit, executed with a very nice guitar tone. In the end, Fred Neil is a record you respect more than you enjoy. It sounds good, it feels authentic, and it absolutely refuses to reward your attention. Five out of ten: pleasant on the ears, empty in the soul, music that lounges confidently while accomplishing almost nothing. 5/10
2,5
I didn't love the album and I really didn't love the album art lol
Eh this was pretty boring
I just can't bring myself to care. I see he influenced Dylan. idk I need to figure out a prompt to separate the albums/artists that were more foundational stepping stones to other movements. like you can see their DNA in other more popular works and styles. But as is, it lumps them all together with the popular artists and it doesn't seem fair to grade them equally
this is music that sounds good when its playing on a tv show with cool western shots but when you actually sit down to listen to it, youre put to sleep
It was ok, sounded country bluesy, wrote some famous songs made more famous by others
Music to watch a campfire slowly die down on a warm summer evening to. And then you realize there's more to life than sitting on your butt and being content with yourself.
Not my thing, kinda nice. The kind of thing id smile to if my grandpa made me listen
Another mostly forgettable effort here.
Not really a fan of this. It sounded a bit too country? I know it's folk rock but it still wasn't great.
A voice I didn’t really warm to, and a sound that felt more country than folk or folk-rock. I liked Everbody’s Talking At Me, but I prefer Harry Nillsen’s cover. He seems like he influenced a lot of people, but I wouldn’t be rushing to hear this album again. A medium to strong 2.
It was….ok. Got the sitar in there
twas alright
I probably could have enjoyed this album if it wasn't so full of harmonicas.
This low key sucked. It was sad and made me sad. Every song felt the same and didn’t sound good either. Literally nothing very pleasant about this fart.
not at all familiar with him & really don't think I will remember even listening to this. 2.5 stars
That last track did NOT need to be 8 minutes.
Mid
This was very nice. Dont have a whole lot to say. For a 40 minute album it felt long, but I dont have anything bad to say about it. His voice is very unique and I'm disappointed to say I don't think I've heard it before.
It's less than 24 hours after I listened to it and can't remember almost anything except that I think it was alright.
Pretty bland stuff. He's like the Nick Cave of old folk music.
very nice blues element, love the sound. just.... not the songs for me, lyrics arent very interesting or appropriate in our time period, and i just don t have a reason to listen to this again
I feel a little bit cheated, as I read somewhere that the singer sounds a little bit like Nick Cave, and this was enough for me to form an initial poor impression. Nothing came along to change my mind, so two stars.
Nice, deep voice, original, personal but quite boring music.
Boring
On me garoche vraiment des cailloux alors que je suis déjà sans connaissance au sol depuis trois semaines
kinda boring tbh
Better than Leonard Cohen. Still dull folk music though. Technically this is a pretty good album, just not for me.
The only song I saved was Everybody's Talkin, which I knew from Harry Nilsson. The rest of it was fine, won't listen to it again. 5/10
Auditory Ambien. Every song is slow but not dark enough to be particularly interesting to me. I do like the version of "Everybody's Talkin'" here better than the more famous Harry Nilsson version. I always respect good songwriting, and there is some of that on Fred Neil, but, again, everything is so slow and understated that nothing grabs me. There is even an almost-interesting instrumental, "Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga," at the end of the record. I guess that this instrumental was maybe kind of groundbreaking to listen to stoned in 1966, but jazz musicians had been incorporating sounds from other countries for a decade prior, so it's hard for me to be impressed. I listened to this record two or three times yesterday. I didn't hate it, but I don't plan to return to it again. Two stars.
Didn’t hate it!
Mouin... c'est croche, pis pas d'une manière que j'arrive à apprécier ben ben. La prod est mollasse. Le band me gosse, le chanteur me gosse, oups y reste pus rien. La dernière toune : j'ai entendu des affaires plus intéressantes que ça au studio gerry à 4 heures du matin. 2.49 étoiles
bland
I couldn't get into it. It should be up my alley but it just kinda fell flat for me.
Folky, mediocre
He has a fine voice but not suited for this type of music, it would be better suited to a west end show or a cabaret. Album was a bit tedious because of the style.
Boring and grating
Not for me
“But I don’t want to listen to this faintly shit, boring yank-folk!” “I know, son, I know - but we committed to this project and we’re going to see it through no matter what.”
Felt longer than it was
Started ok, but I was bored by the end
Has got some interesting weirdness going on, but not really any interesting songs.
No idea what to expect with this one. It was alright, but more background noise and fairly forgettable. That said I really liked the final track, “Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga”. That probably increased my score for this one by a point alone.
Just didn't gel with this at all
2/5
Tror da va sånn passe
Never heard of this person/band or what ever. Sorry, not for me. Reminds me of old Glen Jimmy Webb songs recorded by Campbell.
The opposite level of charisma from Vince Neil. Whenever I see "70s-era singer/songwriter," my expectations drop.
Lots of very skippable songs on this 2-disc set.
Country, 1966 -> 2
I just didn't find this album all that interesting. A couple of nice folk songs, but found myself mostly indifferent to a lot of the material. Lots of cool harmonica use is a nice plus. Top tracks: Faretheewell (Fred's Tune), Everybody's Talkin'
It was ok.
Not great
was hoping to like this more
Pretty whatever I guess. Nothing offensive but nothing I really enjoyed.
Some good song writing but his voice and the musical arrangements do not work for me.
Vika biisi oli kova
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
Not impressed much. Grade B version of Leonard Cohen and other poet songwriters.
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
Not really for me. Tried to listen to the full album but at 2 1/2 hours it’s hard work.
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
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
Cool voice and there is that one massive hit. But the rest? Eeeeh
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.
2.5 stars. Gotta wonder in Jimmy Buffett didn't rip Margaritaville from Everybody's Talkin.
Didn’t make it through all 2+ hours but I certainly got the jist. Solid voice. Interesting. But not my thing.
Not for me. I liked Everybody's Talking though, but the Nillson version is better in my opinion
I just didn’t think this album was very good at all. Sounded amateurish to me.
o.k. but nothing that hooks me. Not even the harmonica-play.
mid 2 This is what 2 star is all about
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
This was fine but quite forgettable. A bit too folksy for my taste too
Not my bag
Didn’t do much for me. Some of the songs were fine, but nothing too interesting. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Kinda boring
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
Mediocre singer songwriter snoozefest. 2
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
I can appreciate the variety of talent, but not my cup of tea.
Ehh, it’s ok I guess. Kind of like the soundtrack for a PG13 Tarantino flick 2.5⭐️
..
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.
Ok 2/5
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.
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.
You could hear influences of the Beatles and Elvis, but it was ultimately a little boring.
meh
I guess this is what you'd call classic folk. Not really my thing, but listenable.
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
If i ever enjoy this and/or bob dylan then I'm getting old
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)
Album cover a bit creepy. Nice voice.
It was ok I guess...
Pleasant folk rock with minimal production. Decent songs.
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’m bored.
Fred Neil by Fred Neil was as bland as the name of the album.
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: ☹️🧒⬛ Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🐬🗣️🌿 Rating: ❄️❄️/5
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
Decent chill listen. Wouldn’t mind having it as background music.
Oldies folk blues. Instrumentals and vocals are okay. Just not interested in this at all 2
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
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.
Pretty blah. Folk type singer songwriter can work for me, but Fred Neil cannot. 1.5/5
Pleasant
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Did not recognize Fred but I have heard a song or 2
It was ok. A little boring.
One iconic song does not make a great album.
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 ✔️
Eh, perfectly fine classic rock feel but overall nothing that really caught my attention. 2.5
The lyrics "..this world may never change." being written in 1966 is just so funny to me. Little did you know, Fred. Nowadays it be like "wtf change it back". All except the music. Don't change that back.
ok I actually liked a lot of these songs more than I thought I would but why is this so long it’s just too much I didn’t need that much folk music in my life.
Det er ok. Hadde jeg sittet på en bar I Alabama hadde dette vært greit. Men ikke mer enn det.
The guy writes songs and has nice a nice baritone, but, uh, this is boring as hell. Nilsson's version of Everybody's Talking is better and more tuneful - everything here sounds muddled. I was surprised to read all the positive reviews, and I actually went around again in case I missed something. Nope, just boring. The raga is the most interesting part, and I don't like ragas. Maybe it'll come around for me, but at the moment? Why.
Not sure the theme from midnight cowboy and a bit of cowboy baghra make this a 1001 album.
Interesting. Quite Scott Walker.
- yawn - good voice songs, but not feeling it today, sorry Fred
Very boring. Everybody's Talkin' was the best on the album and I still could've lived without it.
bleh
This was an odd album. It made fine background music, being unremarkable...weird song titles.
as much of a pioneer as wikipedia says he is, i did not really find this special. i was quite bored at times. the best songs were The Dolphins and Green Rocky Road, with the latter being my fave. after some thinking i realised why i like it. it’s because it sounds like nick drake’s one of these things first. not sure if nick drake heard fred neil’s original and copied it but it’s incredibly similar. the last 8 min instrumental on this album was cool i guess but i felt like turning it off halfway through. the best part is the second half tho. i do quite enjoy his voice, it’s def very nick cave sounding.
I had “Sweet Cocaine” on a random playlist for years without bothering to look at the rest of this album. Reading a bit about him, the man seemed to have been a seminal artist for the folk movement of the 60s and 70s. Fun listen. I can see why the album is here, even if it’s not entirely my cup of herbal tea.
Old time country. Definitely near the interesting end of the spectrum, but still not really my thing.
This sounds like about 20 other albums I've heard on this list. Nothing really that special.
Ret kedeligt. Cash uden glimtet i øjet. Eneste nummer der kan noget var: thats the bag i am in. Det var noget Blues over den som jeg rigtig godt kan lide.
A tough listen
Borrrrrrrinnnnngggfg
I guess this sounded ahead of its time for 1966. Probably paved the way for a lot of the lame singer-songwriter stuff from the early 70s. There's also some meandering artsy tunes.
I didn't care much for this record, and really didn't see why this was an album I must listen to. It seemed pretty run of the mill to me.
I was hoping I would enjoy this more, since I loved Nilsson, but it was kind of blah for me.
det här var faktiskt ganska trist
Felt like a poor man's Jim Croce. Which, isn't bad, but wasn't really anything that stood out to me.