Reviews (page 7 of 7)
While I appreciate the fact that he was a big influence on many greats from the late 60s/70s, and wrote some classics including the excellent "Everybody's Talkin'" (...which I actually like Nilsson's version better...) .. I don't really like the album. And it's almost entirely his voice. It's not bad, really. He occasionally approaches a bit of Gord Lightfoot and someone else of the era that I just can't put my finger on.... yet it seems to always in my mind deteriorate into almost a campy tent revivalist style. I half expect him to start singing at me either about my soul or some elixir he's trying to sell me. I'mma pass on this one and actually pick up on some of his covers instead. 3/10 2 stars.
Couple nice songs.
I thought the last track with the sitar was cool but wasn't into this otherwise.
I didn't care for most of it but the last song alone bumps this up. It wasn't bad from start to finish either, not my style though.
All the songs are kinda samey, singer has a decent voice though. Some songs I knew from hearing their covers. Nothing I'd get excited about.
Ah, Fred Neil, I’ve never heard of you before, you poor bastard. But I sure have heard of Harry Nilsson. Maybe if you chose a less creepy album cover you coulda been someone worth knowing. Alas, this unenthusiastic 2 star review shall be your fate.
Not for me, for the Everybody talking and Cocaine one a 2 star, not a 1
There is some rock, blues and folk music. I was familiar with Everybody's Talkin', but I did not know he wrote and sang it first. The album is relatively short. I don't care for folks music. I will not be revisiting this album.
Has a couple of good songs, particularly Everybody's Talkin was a welcome surprise. The only other good things I liked about this was Fred Neil's vocals and the guitar tones. Everything else can be left at the door.
Já já, allt í lagi plata en ekki minn tebolli.
I know I can’t change it after I rate it, but on first listen it didn’t leave much of an impression. Want to give it a 2nd try down the line, I was vibin’ to the raga rock at the end of the album
It was okay. Kind of boring. Harry Nilsson's version of Everybody's Talkin' is better, but Fred's is still a decent version.
Folk, country, blues. I prefer the covers by Nillson and The The of Everybody's Talkin' and Dolphins.
Couldn’t quite get into it. Not unpleasant, but just not all that memorable of songs. I will say Fred’s voice is awesome though, as he switches between a sort of soft/breathy and then deep and rich. 4/10
Never heard of him (had heard covers of his songs, of course.) Rich, sonorous voice coupled with rather unimaginative arrangements. I’m guessing that there’s something here I’m not seeing - perhaps one had to be there to get it. Anyway, imho a rather undistinguished album…
Tja... It's ok folk music. I wouldn't get annoyed if it played somewhere in the background. But I also wouldn't be intrigued to listen to more of it. His original is at least better than Nillsons version.
Best Song: Sweet Cocaine. Absolutely did not expect a love letter to cocaine in the back half of this album. That alone is worth the price of admission. Worst Song: Bad-Di-Da. A bit of a forced melody made worse by the ancient mixing which threatens to blow out your speakers with each "di-da". Overall: This album's alternate title is "Old Man Cowboy." I'm not even sure if that's derogatory. Also, a bit strange that the whole album foists this okay-ish voiced Rootin' Tooter to the fore to sing ballad after ballad, but then the album ends with this long and meandering instrumental desert jam. I actually liked that bit better than anything else here.
Este tipo de música a medio camino del folk y algo country me gusta. Ya conocía «The Dolphins» y por supuesto «Everybody's talkin'». Aunque el disco no brilla mucho más allá de estas dos.
the left/right separation of instruments made this an uncomfortable headphone listen
Forgettable
Presleyian but enjoyable
Pretty strange - uninspired old school ballads, then a song about cocaine, then more boring, then a weird Greek sounding tape-loop driven closing jam track.
Just okay.
Feeble start but strong finishing track.
Very country and Western Sounding, didn’t really appeal to me as it was quite samey Throughout the album
The music is 3* I would say (of course, the famous song is 5*) but -1 for the vocals, which I did not like so much.
Primer cop que l'escolto. Àlbum agradable, que voreja el folk i es fa interessant gràcies en bona part a la veu del cantant. Conté el seu gran èxit "Everybody's talking", que es faria famós anys més tard gràcies a "Midnight Cowboy".
Okay folk-rock album. Favorite song: Everybody's Talkin' Relisten? No
Snoozeville
Bit too much crooning and a bit dated for me.
Kind of boring. I listened to it about half an hour ago and can't really remember it, but hey maybe that's my memory failing me. Nearly 37, so pretty much on my last legs. My top 5 Freds are: Fred (Man Utd) Fred West Fred the Weatherman Fred Flintstone Fred the Red (Man Utd) My top 5 Neils are: Neil Morrissey Neil Armstrong Neil Diamond Neil Morrissey (again) Neil Morrissey (a 3rd time)
Folky rock, not really my bag but a pleasant enough listen. Didn't realise this was the original recording of "Everybody's Talkin'"
27. Fred Neil - Fred Neil 10 tracks too many. The music in this album is as imaginative as the title. It's bang average old-style droning Crooner meets Country with some really basic guitar strumming & the occasional mouth organ. It's really not good. 2/5.
Felix reklam type beat. Inge vidare
didn't get on with it
2.5 | Que disco tan... neutro. Su voz barítona bien afinada suena muy correcta, casi como me la imagino que sonaría mejor cantando country que folk. Las canciones bien, la música agradable, a ratitos medio blueseada , las letras correctas (excepto por Sweet Cocaine... suena a adolescente que te quiere convencer de que hace cosas malas, de verdad que casi me da risa, que le crean los delfines que a esos si se siente que les canta con sinceridad). Mi problema es el tenerlo aquí... es un disco agradable... y punto... de verdad demasiado neutro, no tiene nada realmente malo pero nada que llame la atención. ¿Está aquí por eso de que una de sus canciones salió en Midnight Cowboy? Se me haría una razón muy ridícula pero en realidad a pesar de no tener nada malo que decir de él tampoco veo nada interesante o que le distinga de manera particular. Disco bastante agradable pero que jamás volveré a escuchar ni extrañaré ni recordaré quizá en un mes.
Surprised to not like this all that much given its status as early folk rock, but didn't find this all that compelling. Cool that this dude completely abandoned his career to protect and conserve dolphins though lmao Saved: The Dolphins, That's The Bag I'm In*
Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Ba-di-da Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Fred Neil by Fred Neil has not made a Fred Neil (the music) fan of me, but after reading up on his wiki I am now a Fred Neil (the man) fan.
Kind of Leonard Cohen-esque. But nothing really jumped out to me. Perhaps that's why I've never heard of the guy before.
Wasn’t a fan, I know I listened to the album a few days ago but can’t remember any of it
I saw the tracklist, saw the word "raga" and got really excited for something psychedelic and Indian-influenced. Unfortunately, that was just the one track. There were a couple others on here that I enjoyed too, but overall a bit of a dud. Favorite tracks: Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga, Faretheewell, Green Rocky Road. Album art: Very unassuming. I like the framing, but boring black and white picture. Is that Fred Savage? 2.5/5
Made me think of horses. I don't like horses.
Fred Neil should be thankful we got Lenny Kravitz so early, otherwise this would be the least interesting album we've listened to so far. The Dolphins straight up sounds like a song they'd have Mr. Van Driessen sing on Beavis & Butt-Head, and the following track wasn't much better. I almost tapped out then and there, but thankfully, things pick up a little bit after that. I'm not exactly sure what this book wants me to hear from this album, though, because outside of being the origin story of a better version of Everybody's Talkin'—your song got *someone else* a Grammy, congrats—this is some real white bread shit. Key Tracks: That's the Bag I'm In, Everybody's Talkin'
my guy Fred here went and recorded the most boring song about cocaine ever, but I have to admit I was real into whatever acid fueled nightmare the last track was
Everybody’s talkin was the single for Midnigjt Cowboy but the rest of the album fell flat
Sorta like Neil Diamond with a better voice and better guitar. Sometimes there's just too much going on however and things sound confused, could have used better production and some more sparse arrangements.
Bluesy folk rock is not really my jam. However I can appreciate the deep Baritone of Fred Neil's voice. Best: Everyobdy's Talkin' Worst: Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga
Didn't do much for me
Not a fan of this country hippie. His voice is ok but he doesn't express the words in his songs too well, nor do the instruments very well, and you can he tries by his choice of instruments. His songwriting varies from song to song. "The Dolphins" just seems like typical hippie talk. But I like the introspection of "Everybody's Talking" which made an impactful cover by Nilsson.
Wow. Not even sure what to say to this album. It started feeling Johnny Cash and ended up tripping on some good hookah. Very melodic and well composed songs, decent production as well.
not very exciting
dull
Its good and all, blues/folk rock, but it didnt really stand out to me. Im getting tired of using the word "generic" for 90s alternative and 60-70s folk rock, but honestly that music all starts to blend together without anything special.
60's folk music. not my cup of tea
Deed me beetje denken aan Johnny Cash. Heb het geluisterd, maar kon me niet zo bekoren.
It was fine, I don't really have any interest in listening to it again.
Kinda boring
Didn't like it. Drony.
not my favorite
Meh. 5/10
I wanted to like it... i get the not exactly one genre thing going on... rock/folk/country. But the dolphins certainly didn't speak to me, and i'm not sure if anything else is interesting enough to listen to multiple times.
Nice blend of country-esque and folk rock that works well together. At first I didn't understand about "the dolphins" but then I got just past the midway point of the album and "sweet cocaine" came on and I think I get it now. He's got a great voice and it's not overshadowed by the instrumentals. I didn't care to much for the instrumentals as it seems there were just there to provide some backround music to the lyrics. Overall an ok album.
I can appreciate this because it really feels like it’s trying to do something different sadly none of the tunes stood out to me. Sweet album cover tho
Kinda cool. Kinda boring. Didn’t really keep my attention and that’s it’s fault.
Not for me, but everybody's talking babyyyy
Inoffensive, bluesy rock. Didn’t realize “Everybody's Talkin” was written by Fred Neil and not Harry Nilsson.
Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, very relaxing and melancholy at times, it was nice reading about this guy and seeing the impact he made on the music scene. The last song, the "Raga" was super interesting. "I've Got a Secret" and "That's the Bag I'm In" were my favorites.
I did not like this. It was country-ish. Apparently he wrote the song Everybody’s Talkin’, but I only know Harry Nilsson’s version.
Shit
meh
Never heard of him but did know one song. That’s all I have to say about that.
Mm no es mi estilo, muy depre
Poor man's Harry Neilson.
Dull. And, since his biggest hit was performed by someone else for a movie, it makes me less engaged. I'm guessing this guy is like a low rent Leonard Cohen: an artist that inspires other artists, or at least an artist cover and make better.
This confuses me, and makes my head hurt Messed up my Saturday morning Nothing for me here
Cheesy sound.
Not my style.
Dull
Awful
The artists that Fred Neil influenced are all way better than Fred Neil. This album is a creeping yawn that never satisfies.
Sucks
It takes six tracks until you get to the first actual functional song on the album, and it’s one you’ve heard before. It’s just as good as the cover though. No complaints about that one song. Everything up until that point is just a great voice wailing over unrelated music. Two songs later you get like, almost a half song with Sweet Cocaine. Fred really tries to ruin it though. After that there’s nothing worth listening to. I’m sorry, The Stone Roses. I was too hard on you.
Everything about this album sucks ass. The weird creepy cover. His dog ass voice. The worst cover of Shake Sugaree ever. An original song that is WAY better when it was covered. Terrible waste of space
Nobody should talk about this boring bummer.
No es lo mío
It's a telltale sign when your biggest claim to fame as a performer is that you wrote songs that others had better success with. Still its not all bad, it helped with my sleep apnea so there's a positive.
If you loved the 2013 Coen Brothers film Inside Llewyn Davis - let me tell you that this folk record that has different versions of the songs from that film is NOT for you. This dude blows.
Why is this crap on this list?
Another big nope from me. Fred seems very full of himself. The Sweet Cocaine song maybe gives us a clue as to his creative process for this album. There’s also a song called Faretheewell (Fred’s Tune) which he’s obviously dedicated to the most important person in his life.
Awe cute album cover. Don't think I've ever heard of this guy. Uh yeah I can't do this. Sorry. Just not into country 1 star
👎🏻
#39 A down-tempo Elvis, really...
Awful
Country.
Not to my taste
I can see why this would be appealing. But it just isn’t to me at all. Maybe it would be fine as background cafe music where I could still hear the conversation at my table. Full disclosure, country and American folk are my least favorite genres. But even with that context, I found this fairly soulless and uninteresting. Neither music nor vocals nor lyrics provoked much mental or emotional response from me. It seems profoundly forgettable.
not for me
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!
manculet
Basic bitch
Not going to through this. My time is too valuable
not my cuppa
"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.
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
Really strange
Why?????
Gosh, this was a challenge 😐
Not for me. 1/5
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.
Well, this is sort of timeless. I would never have been able to guess the era of this album. He has a great voice very reminiscent of Roger Miller, but you won't find any Little Green Apples here and I'm sure he's unaware that England Swings. And he's certainly no King of the Road. I don't know what's been going on recently, but with Leonard Cohen, The Smiths, and now this. Pass the Stanley knife please, I have a pair of wrists that need some attention. What a waste. 1
An absolute croonfest with a suspect album cover. Not for me chief.
What the fuck was this with his deep voice? The least worrying thing was the cover art.
1.5
Sleepy country-sounding folk with a creep, cover.
Fine but not my cup of tea. It had some cool sounds in it, but eh, nothing I would keep. 1/5 stars.
Mmm meh
No thanks
I do not like folk music and this is no exception.
Fred Neil - Fred Neil This just sounds like any other country album out there, although to be fair, for the time this was released (1966), it was one that made the genre what's known now. Even though there are sweet moments through this album, it's overshadowed by the dull and often repetitive melodies that are scattered in this record. Not a great start for the year :/ 1.- The Dolphins = 7/10 2.- I've Got a Secret (Didn't We Shake Sugaree) = 6/10 3.- That's the Bag I'm In = 5/10 4.- Badi-Ba = 4/10 5.- Faretheewell (Fred's Tune) = 8/10 6.- Everybody's Talkin = 7/10 7.- Everything Happens = 5/10 8.- Sweet Cocaine = 4/10 9.- Green Rocky Road = 5/10 10.- Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga = 6/10 FINAL SCORE: 5.7/10
boring singer songwriter nnn
Not really my jam
One of the 60's folk singers that was around the time of Bob Dylan, Harry Nilsson & Donovan but never really made the impact they did. This album is not that interesting compared to others around that time, He did write Everybody's Talkin' which is a cracker but there are better versions out there and The Dolphins is pretty good too but everything else is bland.
Not my thing!
The Cover Art is creepy. The song writing was strong. The music, however, was not compelling enough to overcome the creepy feeling.
Worst film I’ve ever seen. Utter tripe and codswallop
Diese Songs fördern ebenso wie der Blick aufs Cover Depressionen!
Boring and superfluous.
Eh
Nein, auf keinen Fall, das ist ein Album, das ich nicht noch einmal hören möchte, bevor ich sterbe. Die Stimme irgendwie erinnert sie mich an Elvis, ist absolut nicht mein Fall. Weg damit und nie wieder in mein Ohr. Allerdings befürchtet ich, das ich "everbody's talkin'" doch noch einmal aufschnappen werde. Dann aber hoffentlich in der Version von Harry Nilsson
Just freakin give me Jonny cash and quit giving me a weak ass handy with this clown.
He sounds like a slightly more country version of Elvis, just without as much talent. I knew 60s country/folk wasn’t gonna be for me coming into this one, and I was right. Everybody’s Talkin’ is by far the best song, but it’s not even the best version of the song itself. Another one where I’m left wondering why it made the cut. Zero desire to come back to this one.
The hit song is a classic, but just didn’t enjoy the record.
Fred Neil by Fred Neil did not seem like an album worthy of this list. I’m not sure this was a good album in 1966 but listening in 2024 with all the amazing music that has come since makes me wonder why I have to listen to this uninspired, boring album.
Sori - tässä ei ole mitään, mitä haluaisin kuulla uudelleen. Everybody's Talkin soi kivemmin Midnight Cowboyn taustalla ja toisen tyypin tulkitsemana.
Fred Neil by Fred Neil proves to be a mixed bag of emotions. While it carries the anticipation of hearing the original version of Everybody's Talkin', famously covered by Nilsson, the album fails to spark the same excitement. Neil's delivery lacks the charisma and dynamism expected from such a revered artist. Despite moments of introspection and sincerity, the overall impact falls flat. It's a shame, considering the potential of Neil's talent. However, for fans of folk music, it still offers a glimpse into a pivotal era in music history. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 0 STAND OUT TRACK - None
Out of all the albums on this list, this sure is one of them.
Meh
- "Sorry to let you know you have died. Welcome to heaven. How are you feeling?" - "Relieved that I listened to Fred Neil before I went. Wow. That was lucky." Said nobody, ever. Give me actively terrible over offensively bland and unmemorable, any day.
1. dolphinz - 1.5 2. ive got a zecret - 1 3. thatz the bag im in - 1 4. ba di da - 1 5. faretheeuuell - 1.5 6. evrybodyz talking - 1 7. everything happenz - 0 8. zuueet cocaine - 1 9. green rocky road - 1 10. raga - 1.5
Mediocre folk music. It would be a 2, but 1 for the cover of him dramatically holding a child that clearly does not want to be there.
The worst one so far?
Nope
1.5
😴
The music is almost as weird as the album cover.
AJ: Townes without any poetic talent. Cash with nothing to say. Weird album cover. I didn’t like this guy at all.
Sorry, this is boring. It's now caricature, maybe that's why it's on the list (so 80s megaband, so baaaad, it's good?). I'd happily listen to David Lee Roth, but not this. I give it a slot as "80s obscure /do they have big permed HAIR/ in the video game "air guitar hero"? Thin reedy lyrics. Huge O v E R d O n E drum kit presence. Big guitars. And tiring stereo effects that go on forever. And zero groove. Droning forever. Oh my.
So we have an album cover of a man holding a child who looks terrified. And on said album there's a song called Sweet Cocaine (which is one of the worst songs in the history of civilization). If that isn't a red flag, I don't know what is.
Que boring! I’d like to point a finger at The The’s rendition of Dolphins, which (unlike this one) is magnificent.
Not my cup of tea
Boring and schmaltzy. Had a tough time finishing it.
not a fan at all
Pretty dull. Fred's voice reminds me a tad of Waylon Jennings sans southern accent and charisma. The best song on here was performed much better by Harry Nilsson. There's really not much to praise. I'd give it 2 stars but then that last song went on forever and pissed me off. I hate those kinds of songs.
Meh. Whatever.
It's a dated sound. Couldn't really get into it.
This album was fine, I appreciate the musicianship, but not really my taste.
Not for us.
Very strange album is a very normal type way. This guy's voice does not belong with this music, and vice versa. Everything sounds all out of place, nothing belongs. He sounds like he should be crooning old classics with Sinatra, yet here is with all the Indian influenced music. I didnt enjoy the discomfort.