NEIL YOUNG Schallplatten & CDs

Review: We've had more Neil Young compilations thrown our way over the years than many of us care to remember, but only one really sticks in the mind, and it's this one. Originally released in 1977 and chronicling the period in which Young went from being a simple member of Buffalo Springfield to one of the most heralded North American songwriters of the late century, and comprising work from that band alongside Crosby Stills Nash and Young, it's studded with delights aplenty. From the extended guitar sprawl of 'Down By The Ocean' and 'Cortez The Killer' to poignant balladry like 'After The Goldrush' and 'Helpless', no-one captured the dreams and hopes of the hippie generation in quite the way Young did, and this collection is a magnificent testimony to his most fertile and heartwarming era.

Review: Neil Young's Ragged Glory is a masterful return to form, blending raw power with a grungy edge that solidified his status as the "Godfather of Grunge." Released in 1990, this album with Crazy Horse is one of his most distortion-heavy works, offering a gritty, jam-packed sound that contrasts sharply with his earlier folk and country rock roots. Songs like 'F*!#kin' Up' and 'Over and Over' showcase Neil's ability to lock into extended grooves, delivering music that's both intense and heartfelt. One of rhe album's standout tracks, 'Mansion on the Hill,' carries a nostalgic weight, while 'Country Home' evokes warmth and memories of simpler times. The instrumentation is where Ragged Glory truly shines. Each track, is loaded with powerful guitar solos and heavy riffs. Neil's collaboration with Crazy Horse is unfiltered, spontaneous, and fiercely alive. With the closing track 'Mother Earth (Natural Anthem)' closing the album out in style, Ragged Glory remains a triumph. Its a raw, unapologetic album that shows Neil Young at his grungiest best.

Review: Neil Young's Weld is a raw, electrifying live album showcasing his signature collaboration with Crazy Horse. Recorded during the 1991 tour, the triple vinyl set features sixteen tracks filled with gritty intensity. Opening with 'Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)', a rock anthem, the album shifts into fierce renditions of songs like 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'Love to Burn'. Performances of classics such as 'Cortez the Killer' and 'Powderfinger', with extended jams adding fresh layers to the originals. The thunderous 'Like a Hurricane' stretches over 13 minutes, bringing the full force of the band's energy. Weld highlights the enduring chemistry between Young and Crazy Horse, whose synergy elevates the powerful, guitar-heavy sound. While it may lack acoustic diversity, its relentless rock-and-roll edge is a great glimpse of Young's grunge-influenced rock side.