Bluenote Cafe

So at last we have the live recordings of the Blue Notes tour in 1988, the latest in the excellent Archives series. This is very much neil Young plays big band blues, with his own band at the time and a large horn section. Very different to most Young releases. Recorded in several venues on that tour but mixed into the feel of a single concert. Another wonderful bonus for fans is the addition of seven unreleased songs, plus as the sleeve notes say a nineteen minute version of his classic 'Tonights The Night', only saw Nils Lofgren the other night who at eighteen years of age played on the original album, but here it's been recorded at The Pier in New York City, and I've certainly never heard such an extended version, and it's been worth the wait. The opening 'Welcome To The Big Room', is classic Neil no lights, no cameras just a great Neil Young song again around the eight minute mark. The second track 'Don't Take Your Love Away' is oure big band blues very much in the B B King style of 'The Thrill Is Gone', some great guitar on this one, by the time we get to the title track on the original album from the studio set 'This Notes For You' he's saying it ain't for Pepsi and it ain't for Coke, very much the theme of his recent Monsanto Blues album all about big business ripping us off, but the song here i not downbeat but a pulsating slice of rhythm and blues. The whole album all two discs worth has been more than worth the wait, this is the man live and in full flow, back in form with one heck of a band. He's always blown the changes always been his own man, always says it's all about the music. Well Neil you've brought us some mighty fine and exiting music here, Just makes you wonder what amazing material is still sat in the Neil Young vaults, that one day he will let us have on CD his first live set 'Time Fades Away' one the fans have been waiting for so long now. In the meantime though enjoy this superb and alive set by one of the greatest artists of all time.

I'veseen Neil Youngwith Crazy Horse alas not the Bluenote line up.This double CD is the next best thing,But, at the time of writing Amazon have notgiven us the track listing so here it is. I hope this is of use?Disk: 11. Welcome To The Big Room2. Don't Take Your Love Away From Me3. This Note's For You4. Ten Men Workin'5. Life In The City6. Hello Lonely Woman7. Soul Of A Woman8. Married Man9. Bad News Comes To Town10. Ain't It The Truth11. One Thing12. TwilightDisk: 21. I'm Goin'2. Ordinary People3. Crime In The City4. Crime Of The Heart5. Welcome Rap6. Doghouse7. Fool For Your Love8. Encore Rap9. On The Way Home10. Sunny Inside11. Tonight's The Night12. Spurn Point Blues.

I've given this 4 stars, although it's really something for the real Neil Young fans, rather than those wanting to sample his work. It's an important release for fans. During the 1980s Young's studio album output quality was somewhat patchy, but he made some great live recordings with interesting band line-ups / experimental genres, of which this is one. Of particular interest here are several unreleased songs (some of which are rather lightweight, but nevertheless enjoyable) and excellent versions of some of his important songs, like Crime in the City, Ordinary People and Tonight's the Night.

A quality recording of one of my favourite periods in Neil Young's long and outstanding musical career. Mr Young is always value for money when he plays live. With this recording, he again achieves the result of making his studio recordings sound even better. I do not deny that he has his detractors, but they are in the minority, so whilst he does not have an heir in waiting, long may he rock on!

this double cd is superb ,its got everything from blues to rock the blue notes are a fantastic horn section along with crazy horse yhey are a treat to listen to , lyric wise on some tracks come across a bit weak , the guitar playing by neil is outstanding , well worth the purchase one more for my collection of great neil young albums