• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Neil Young Recordings

Okra

Okra

Active Member
I don't LOVE Neil Young but I like him. I like his acoustic repertoire, I like his let it all loose electric guitar. I like Crazy Horse. A lot. Every now and again I crave Sugar Mountain or Cortez the Killer. The problem is every recording I've ever bought sounds like ****. Live, studio, CD, vinyl....****. What is up with this dude and his **** recordings!?neil-young.jpg
 
Register to hide this ad
Okra said:
I don't LOVE Neil Young but I like him. I like his acoustic repertoire, I like his let it all loose electric guitar. I like Crazy Horse. A lot. Every now and again I crave Sugar Mountain or Cortez the Killer. The problem is every recording I've ever bought sounds like ****. Live, studio, CD, vinyl....****. What is up with this dude and his **** recordings!?View attachment 1871712
Click to expand...
Sorry, I don't find his recordings sound like **** - think I've only got "After the Gold Rush" in HiRes SACD mode,
but most of the dozen or so others I have sound fine.
'Bout the only one I don't care for is "Americana" - oh, and "Everybody's Rockin'"
 
Hmmm...well, that's been my experience. Muddy, lacking clarity and sonically inferior. I occasionally purchase other recordings that I find un-listenable but his are consistently so.
 
Might be helpful to post specific titles you have actual experience with.
I know that Mirrorball was intentionally left in a rougher state because they felt it best captured the energy of Neil and most of Pearl Jam. I almost chucked the cassette out the window when i first heard it but once i became accustomed to the sound it became one of my favorite albums of the 90's .
 
I have mostly early or first pressings of Neil Young, and they almost all sound great. I don't think you're going to get a lot of polish out of Neil Young and his sound, but most of his acoustic work sounds pretty good to me.
 
I attended the Rust Never Sleeps concert. That was pretty freaking awesome.
"Known for aching melodies, screaming feedback, and a voice as creaky as an old acoustic six-string, Neil Young has long made the kind of music synonymous with vinyl’s warmth. He is also known for a half century of nearly mystical recording techniques, favoring rough drafts and first takes. The Telluride sessions for Colorado, his first album with Crazy Horse since 2012, took place under a full moon, another favorite practice."
 
I have been listening to a lot if Hi res files of Neil's and also have at least 10 lps of his and i dont hear anything that would suggest that all his recordings sound bad like the OP suggests. It seems to me he took great care in getting a good sound out of most of his recordings.
Cortez the Killer is on Zuma which is an excellent record both SQ wise and Content. Maybe u have only heard Live Rust? That's the only album i know of with both the songs you mention.
Another thing i am having trouble with is how do you like an artist when you think all his records you allegedly have experienced sound bad?
 
Crazy Gnome said:
I have been listening to a lot if Hi res files of Neil's and also have at least 10 lps of his and i dont hear anything that would suggest that all his recordings sound bad like the OP suggests. It seems to me he took great care in getting a good sound out of most of his recordings.
Cortez the Killer is on Zuma which is an excellent record both SQ wise and Content. Maybe u have only heard Live Rust? That's the only album i know of with both the songs you mention.
Another thing i am having trouble with is how do you like an artist when you think all his records you allegedly have experienced sound bad?
Click to expand...

I don't allege anything. My ears my opinion. I've seen him with Crazy Horse. One of my most memorable concerts. I like the music. I hate bad recordings. I was listening to Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop yesterday. The sonic clarity is stunning. I can tell the difference.
 
Okra said:
I don't allege anything. My ears my opinion. I've seen him with Crazy Horse. One of my most memorable concerts. I like the music. I hate bad recordings. I was listening to Jeff Beck's Guitar Shop yesterday. The sonic clarity is stunning. I can tell the difference.
Click to expand...
You have made an absolute declaration against all Neil Youngs recorded material on an international forum based on 1 concert, 2 songs and that they recorded on the full moon?
 
I found your quote
Okra said:
He is also known for a half century of nearly mystical recording techniques, favoring rough drafts and first takes
Click to expand...
You left out a part
But for all Young’s obsessions with instinct, he has also long possessed an equally mystic attention to technical detail
 
I'm a fan of much of his stuff and I've found a lot of other people are too. That means when I buy a used album it's usually been played to death, at least compared to many others.
 
Crazy Gnome said:
You have made an absolute declaration against all Neil Youngs recorded material on an international forum based on 1 concert, 2 songs and that they recorded on the full moon?
Click to expand...

Nope. I said seeing him live was thrilling and the only opportunity I've had to see him. I'm interested in him as a unique individual and his perspective on music and life in general. He's interesting. I like him. Marc Maron had him in his garage for a WTF podcast. Look it up. I thought that interview was perhaps Maron's pinnacle in over 1000 episodes. I mentioned only 2 songs as a way of referencing I occasionally crave his music. I also said I've listened to live albums, studio albums, cd's and vinyl.
 
Last edited:
I have yet to come across anything I would call a bad recording (and I am a big fan). :dunno:

Edit: guess I should add its vinyls and streaming no CD's
 
I thought that my "After the Gold Rush" album was worn out. Now I realize that it just isn't a quality recording. I have several of Neil's CD's that do not sound very good. The "Prairie Wind" CD sounds pretty good though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom