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Being a Neil Young "completist" I felt obliged to purchase this CD, can't have any openings in that long list. My expectations were set low after hearing him sing about WAR, but the "old man" surprised me with two tunes specifically; "Ordinary People" (clocks in at a mere 18:13) where you can enjoy the monologue of the story, which is his political statement, like a "book on tape".........and "No Hidden Path" the gem of this sweet package (another long one at 14:33) where I have flashbacks to "Killer Cortez" with his soulful whining electric guitar licks showing you his heart. Sure I love his picking and grating vocals from his 20's into 60's but it is his soulful handling of the electric guitar that makes him special in my book. But anyway if you do not treasure long cuts (my age is showing) like I do, the others are brief and he gives you a nice selection of mellow acoustic numbers. "Ordinary People" and "No Hidden Path" make this one well worth the price of admission.Read full review
I bought this because I heard good things about it and I own everything he has ever released and some things he never released. To put it simply I love this guys music. No matter how much I love Neil Young, when his music does not measure up to previous efforts I am still disappointed. The first two songs, at first listen, seem as though they are hearkening back to “After the Gold Rush” but upon closer listen to the stereotypical lyrics against the twangy guitar, the songs sound much TOO familiar. Like a perfect country and western song there are images of blue birds, coming home, my old pick up truck, which are mentioned and compared to without clear purpose. By the second song of course we have trains. But between the two songs we do NOT have complete and perfect country and western imagery because there is no mention of getting drunk, mama, my old dog, or prison. These songs hearken back more to “Old Ways” an album with a very contrived pkged sound. It is kind of like changing your name to San Francisco and singing about California, if you catch my drift. Am I the only one that is bothered by meaningless chorus singers backing up a singer singing about being alone, having personal insights, having personal situations? At first when Neil goes electric you think you are in store for a Cowgirl in the Sandesque sound without the silly la la la’s but those la la la’s are replaced by a chorus coming from nowhere for no reason. Like musicals where the people (complete strangers) at the bus station suddenly break into song and dance and know all the words of the chorus to be able to sing along on some song written about a very personal experience or personal realization. Neil does not write songs about shaking your booty or the lite beer so having an army background chorus who can sing your song with you, who think like you, somehow does not make sense. A background singer’s chorus is a tricky thing. If the chorus comes in too soon, too strong, then a personal matter no longer seems personal. It is like reading about your divorce in the Enquirer. Perhaps this technique would be better left for the songs concerning the Farm workers marching on Washington. For some reason the chorus singers always seem to be out of step with Neil. Even when Neil slows painfully down on the tempo (Like on Hidden Path) the chorus can not keep up so the song sound disjointed and at places like the reel to reel motor bearing is burning out causing the tape to drag at some spots and speed up in other spots. But this is digitally recorded. The song that works the best is “The Way”. One could envision Dorothy trying to find her way home being serenaded by the Munchkin chorus singers in the background or the Hobbits being encouraged by the chorus singers of fairies as he is traveling through the forest. It is difficult to see everything when it is all around you. For most artists I would say they are suffering from too many yes-men around telling them everything they do is wonderful and great. But for Neil, I think he must be surrounded by people who genuinely love him for who he is, for the kind of person he is, and not simply for his music (as phenomenal as his music can be). In the presence of rare people like that it is hard to stand off and coldly criticize because your personal expectations were not filled. I can, from my ivory tower. I would not cut John Lennon any slack. ALLREDRead full review
What an exceptionally intriguing album. This album has the feel of both a Crazy Horse produced album and the earlier "Harvest" material. Much of it reminds me of the more recent, Prarie Wind album with a bit of a "Nashville" country groove. (I think much of this is Ben Keefe's masterful steel work). At first having previewed the tracks individually, I did not see how the album would hold up when listened to as a whole. Boy was I presently surprised. How Neil Young can blend that overdrive from "Old Black" with a Dobro, Banjo and Pedal Steel guitar is amazing. Even some of the lengthy (one 17+ min) tracks justify playing over again. This album grows on you as it is played over and over. A great release from the legend and one of the world's most prolific song writers.Read full review
It's been a while since Neil has done something that drew me into the music like Chrome Dreams II does. There is something wonderful and special about this. Chrome Dreams II does not explore new territory as much as it takes the listener back to a variety of Neil Young eras. Shining Light is probably my favorite track here but it's all good. If I had to complain about one thing it would be that Dirty Old Man seems a little out of place musically but the song makes me laugh so I still enjoy it. This is Neil Young at his best. 5 Stars.
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