The First Impression series is where we review new albums in just one take. Going track-by-track, we break down the entire project and rate it because we all know first impressions mean everything.
An official bootleg seems like it’s a contradictory term, but when you get a release with the highest quality recordings, it becomes something special.
Neil Young released the very first title from his new series, The Neil Young Official Bootleg Series, as it takes fans back to one of the most revered eras of the songwriter’s career.
Carnegie Hall 1970 is the latest release from Young as the 23-song recording sees Young perform stripped-down versions of some of his most classic songs. The recording comes from his December 4, 1970 show at Carnegie Hall, the very first time he performed at the iconic venue.
The tone gets set from the get go as Young delivers gorgeous renditions of “Down by the River,” “Cinnamon Girl,” and “I Am a Child.”
Young’s performance at Carnegie Hall came just weeks after he released his iconic album After the Gold Rush. Listening through the album given that context makes for an especially powerful experience when you hear tracks like “Southern Man,” “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” “Tell Me Why,” “Don’t Let It Bring You Down,” and “Tell Me Why.”
All those songs came from Young’s 1970 album and to hear him perform those tracks that were brand new at the time is special.
The album will please both hardcore Neil Young fans and casual listeners as he mixes a variety of hits, deep cuts, and songs he recorded with other projects. Many songs that are staples of Young’s catalog, like “Sugar Mountain,” “Old Man,” “The Loner,” and more have tremendous renditions on the record.
With a guitar, piano, harmonica, and voice, Carnegie Hall 1970 strips down Young’s work and showcases why he’s considered one of the great songwriters of all time.
Neil Young Official Bootleg Series track listing:
OBS 1: Carnegie Hall 1970 (NYC: December 4, 1970 – Early show)
1. Down by the River
2. Cinnamon Girl
3. I Am a Child
4. Expecting to Fly
5. The Loner
6. Wonderin'
7. Helpless
8. Southern Man
9. Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing
10. Sugar Mountain
11. On the Way Home
12. Tell Me Why
13. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
14. Old Man
15. After the Gold Rush
16. Flying on the Ground Is Wrong
17. Cowgirl in the Sand
18. Don't Let It Bring You Down
19. Birds
20. Bad Fog of Loneliness
21. Ohio
22. See the Sky About to Rain
23. Dance Dance Dance
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