Neil Young

NEIL YOUNG Released His Melancholic 28th Album ‘PRAIRIE WIND’ 20 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

27 September 2025

Living legend NEIL YOUNG released his 28th longplayer
PRAIRIE WIND today 20 years ago, on 27 September 2005.

An acoustic-based record reminiscent of his earlier albums Harvest and Harvest Moon.
The album’s songs find Young pondering his own mortality, as he was undergoing treatment for an aneurysm during the album’s production.

Songs were also inspired by the extended illness of his father, Canadian sportswriter and novelist Scott Young, who passed a few weeks after the album was completed. The LP is dedicated in part to the elder Young.

It peaked at #11 in the US and #22 in the UK.

Pitchfork wrote: “That voice, alternately gentle and strident, tender and outraged,
has held up surprisingly well, gaining gritty authority with age. His few cracks and
wrinkles just reinforce the sense of wistful nostalgia that suffuses Prairie Wind as
well as almost all his other folk-rock albums since Harvest Moon, if not since
Harvest.”

Vintage Young melancholia.


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Neil Young Archives – All Albums

FARM AID – First Edition Was Held 40 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

22 September 2025

On 22 September 1985, today 40 years ago the first edition
of FARM AID was held at the Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL.

The star-studded event featured performances by big names such as
Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, B.B. King,
Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, Neil Young.

The inspiration behind Farm Aid came a few months earlier at the Live Aid concert,
during which Bob Dylan spoke about the crisis facing family farmers – many of whom
were in danger of losing their farms due to massive mortgage debts.

The impassioned speech inspired fellow singer-songwriters Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young to organize the now long-running annual benefit concert. Roughly 80,000 music fans attended and raised over $9 million for US family farmers.

FULL CONCERT

MOJO Magazine Presents In Their Collectors’ Series: NEIL YOUNG Essentials

Posted on by JL

5 September 2025

MOJO Magazine presents the definitive guide to NEIL YOUNG’s
albums, songs, films and books in a massive 132-page issue.

On November 12, Neil Young turns 80, an incredible milestone which he’s been
celebrating by doing exactly what he always does – release records and tour. Since
the start of this year, Young has performed shows across the USA and Europe, and did
a headlining set at Glastonbury Festival, and released his 45th studio album, Talking To The Trees.


Brussels, 30 June 2025 – Photo by Turn Up The Volume

Over 132 info-packed pages, MOJO’s team of experts will guide you through the maze
of Young releases. Illustrated with rare and iconic photographs and album artwork, Neil Young Essentials is a must-have purchase for all fans of the self-proclaimed ‘Contrarian’
and music connoisseurs everywhere.

You can order a copy and let it be sent to your home address. Info here.

TALKING TO THE TREES


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NEIL YOUNG Released His Torpedoed 15th LP ‘OLD WAYS’ 40 Years Ago Today

Posted on by JL

Significant longplayers from yesteryear

12 August 2025

Living legend NEIL YOUNG released his 15th LP OLD WAYS today 40 years ago,
on 12 August 1985. It was his first pure country album, but his record label Geffen
Records didn’t like it, ’cause they thought it was unsaleable. Fuck them. Another sad
example of how money-greedy corporate monsters disrespect the artist’s vision when
they think they can’t get enough money out of it. It happened then, it still happens now.

They refused to promote it, so the truly wonderful LP
stranded at #39 in the UK and #75 in the US.

Young said a few years later to Rolling Stone Magazine: “There was a whole other record, the original Old Ways, which Geffen rejected. It was done in Nashville in only a few days, basically the same way Harvest was done. Old Ways II was more of a country record – which was a direct result of being sued for playing country music.

The more they tried to stop me, the more I did it. Just to let them know that no one’s gonna tell me what to do. I was so stoked about that record. I sent them a tape of it that had eight songs on it. I called them up a week later, ’cause I hadn’t heard anything, and they said, “Well, frankly, Neil, this record scares us a lot. We don’t think this is the right direction for you to be going in.” … They didn’t look at me as an artist; they looked at me as a product, and this product didn’t
fit in with their marketing scheme.”

SINGLE

ALBUM


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NY Archives Website

NEIL YOUNG’s Dark Masterwork ‘TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT’ Is 50 Today

Posted on by JL

Significant longplayers from yesteryear

20 June 2025

NEIL YOUNG released his dark masterwork TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT,
his 6th album, on 20 June 1975, 50 years ago today. It peaked at #25
in the US.

It was a direct expression of grief. Danny Whitten, guitarist of Young‘s band
Crazy Horse, Young’s friend and roadie Bruce Berry had both died of drug
overdoses in the months before the songs were written.

Whitten wrote the song I Don’t Want To Talk About It
made famous by Rod Stewart

Young: “At S.I.R. we were playing, and these two cats who had been a close part of our
unit, of our force and our energy – were both gone to junk. Both of them O.D.’d, and we’re playing in a place where we’re getting together to make up for what is gone and try to make ourselves stronger and continue. Because we thought we had it with Danny Whitten, at least
I did.

I thought that I had a combination of people that could be as effective as groups like
the Rolling Stones had been. Just for rhythm, which I’m really into. I haven’t had that rhythm for a while and that’s why I haven’t been playing my guitar; because without that behind me I won’t play. I mean you can’t get free enough. So I’ve had to play the rhythm myself ever since Danny died”.


Back sleeve

Rolling Stone wrote: “Tonight’s the Night finds Neil Young on his knees at the top of the heap, struggling to get back to his feet. The musical difficulties of last year’s On the Beach have been resolved as directly as possible by a return to recording with Crazy Horse and Nils Lofgren, with whom Young recorded his 1970 masterpiece, After the Gold Rush… Crying over the death of his real and imagined friends, Neil Young seems at once heroic and mock heroic, brave and absurd. Like the best of both, he leaves us as he found us, ravaged but rocking.”

I regularly return to that bone-chilling LP. It has an inexplicable magic.

Key tracks: Tonight’s The Night / World On A String / Come On Baby
Let’s Go Down Town / Albuquerque / New Mama / Lookout Joe / Tired Eyes

ALBUM


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Website – All Albums

BOB DYLAN And NEIL YOUNG Released Both An Album 5 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

19 June 2025

Artist: BOB DYLAN 
Album: Rough And Rowdy Ways 
His 39th studio LP.
Released: 21 June 2020

Pitchfork said: “Six decades into his career, Bob Dylan delivers a gorgeous and meticulous record. It is the rare Dylan album that asks to be understood and comes down to meet its audience.”


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Instagram – All Albums

Artist: NEIL YOUNG
Album: Homegrown
His 42nd one.
Released: 21 June 2020

Pitchfork: “After 46 years, Neil Young unearths a lost but highly consequential album, a collection of humble, stripped-back love songs he began writing at what was arguably the artistic zenith of his career. It’s a reminder of the qualities that make him such an excellent songwriter, and also, in some ways, an icon of 1970s, post-hippie masculinity.”


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Instagram – All Music

NEIL YOUNG Still Is A Caring Garage Rocker At Heart – New Album ‘TALKIN TO THE TREES’ With THE CHROME HEARTS Is Out Now

Posted on by JL

16 June 2025

No retirement time whatsoever for 79-year-old legend NEIL YOUNG.
Only health problems would slow down his 24/7 appetite for making
music/playing live.

This weekend he released his first album with his new band
THE CHROME HEARTS. It’s called TALKIN TO THE TREES.

Press info: “Talkin To The Trees is a personal and powerful album featuring
ten new compositions by Young. “Big Change”, the first song from the album,
comes with a message that left no doubt where Neil Young stands in these
challenging times.

The Chrome Hearts are Spooner Oldham (Organ); Micah Nelson (Guitar and Vocal); Corey McCormick (Bass and Vocal); Anthony LoGerfo (Drums); with Neil Young (Guitar, Harp, Piano, Vibes). The album is co-produced by Lou Adler and Young, and recorded at Shangri La Studios in Malibu.”

TUTV Talkin To The Trees brings Young‘s 1975 masterwork Tonight’s The Night instantly
to mind, sonically that is. Raw and rough, as if the LP was recorded live in one take, in
a garage with lots of echo and plenty of ramshackle guitars, buzzing electricity and
Young‘s characteristic, ardent vocals. Very familiar, very entertaining.

From riff-robust rockers (Family Life, Dark Mirage, Let’s Roll, Big Chance) to country-bluesy musings (Silver Eagle, Moving Ahead), to melancholic balladry (Talkin To The Trees, Battle Of Love, Thankful).

It’s pure Young, musically and thematically, wondering about the world’s future, warning for environmental pollution dramas, difficult times to come for our children, and the need of a big positive change. At 79, he’s still socially and climate concerned as he was in his prime. At 79, he still delivers mind-and-ear pleasing records.

KEY SINGLE

ALBUM


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Neil Young’s Archives Website

NEIL YOUNG Duets With Beach Boy AL JARDINE On Romantic Gem ‘MY PLANE LEAVES TOMORROW (AU REVOIR)’

Posted on by JL

Reveries for the laziest day of the week

1 June 2025

AL JARDINE, the now 82-year-old, former beach boy co-vocalist/co-founder
has no plans to retire. He just released a 4-track EP titled Islands In The Sun .

It’s his first new music since his 2010 LP, named
A Postcard From California. Actually his only
solo album.

It features two tunes written by Jardine himself, and two reworked
versions of The Coasters’ Leiber/Stoller classics ‘Smokey Joe’s Café’ and
‘Crumple Car’.

One of the two Jardine written songs, a romantic tearjerker named MY PLANE LEAVES TOMORROW (AU REVOIR) features vocals by living legend Neil Young and a short trumpet moment by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. Their parts were already recorded during the ‘Posctard From California’ sessions, but Jardine only finished the song recently.

Have a listen. It’s a beauty.

The whole EP is a nostalgic beauty.


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Jardine will play a handful of gigs with his Pet Sounds Band this summer.

7/04 – Lake, MN @ Mystic Amphitheater at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel
7/18 – Cohasset, MA @ South Shore Music Circus
7/23-24 – Phoenix, AZ @ Musical Instrument Museum
8/23 – Des Plaines, IL @ The Des Plaines Theatre
8/24 – St. Charles, IL @ The Arcada Theatre
9/05 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
9/07 – Concord, NH @ Chubb Theatre at Capitol Center for the Arts

Instagram – Facebook

Big Blasts From The Past – STEVE MILLER BAND – NEIL YOUNG – THE CLASH

Posted on by JL

Significant LongPlayers from yesteryear

14 May 2025

Band: STEVE MILLER BAND
Active: 1966–present

Album: FLY LIKE AN EAGLE
Their 9th LP.

Released: 14 May 1976.
Today, 49 years ago.

Rolling Stone voted it 1976’s Best Album.
#3 in the US. #11 in the UK.

SINGLE

ALBUM


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All SMB Albums
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Artist: NEIL YOUNG
Active: 1963–present

Album: EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS IS NOW
His 2nd solo one.

Released: 14 May 1969
Today, 56 years ago.
#31 in the UK, #32 in Canada.

Rolling Stone said: “Perpetually mournful, without being maudlin or pathetic. It hints at a world in which sorrow underlies everything because that world is recognizable to most of us, Young’s singing is often strangely moving.”

SINGLE

ALBUM


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All NY Albums
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Band: THE CLASH
Active: 1976–1986

Album: COMBAT ROCK
5th LP.

Released: 14 May 1982
Today, 43 years ago.
#2 in the UK, #7 in the US.

Alternative Press: “The penultimate Clash album employing lessons learned in the previous three years. Their most commercially rewarded release containing their most poignant song ‘Straight to Hell’.”

SINGLE

ALBUM


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All CLASH Albums