Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Neil Young, Warner Bros. Records 2018.
This album is one of the most sought after recordings from Neil Young’s extensive archive.
Bootleg versions have appeared but this is the first sanctioned version of this legendary 1973 live concert.
The original recordings were produced by Young and the late David Briggs and they were mixed by John Nowland with updated post-production and mastering by John Hanlon – along with Chris Bellman – at Bernie Grundman Mastering using the original analogue tapes.
The sound quality is remarkably good.
This live performance in the famous Roxy venue in Los Angeles was the first outing for many of the songs that would make up Young’s seminal album, Tonight’s The Night, which was released in June 1975.
Tonight’s The Night would go on to be named one of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time and be universally praised for its dark honesty and unapologetic raw delivery.
Young has always been known for his willingness to let the music speak for itself. To leave well enough alone, and I applaud his approach.
He is a wonderful songwriter and consummate performer.
The album has been released in a three-sided 2LP set and CD.
I really do like experiencing live performances and if I can’t be there at the venue a good live recording is the next best thing.
If you close your eyes you could almost be there in that dark, and in those days, smoky venue.
There are 18 tracks on the disc which includes all the intros and outros.
Some of the standout performances include the great harmonies on New Mama, the smoking version of Speakin’ Out with its tremendous guitar work, the early outing of Albuquerque, and the two versions of Tonight’s The Night.
