This 1970 live recording of Neil Young and Crazy Horse is the first release from Reprise's highly anticipated Neil Young Archives Performance Series. It is however labelled as "disc 02" in a typically enigmatic style that one might expect from Young's work.

On this occasion, Crazy Horse consists of Danny Whitten (guitar, vocals), Jack Nitzsche (electric piano), Billy Talbot (bass) and Ralph Molina (drums, vocals). Of this lineup, only Talbot and Molina remain in the present-day incarnation of Crazy Horse. Danny Whitten died tragically from a heroin overdose just over two years following this recording, an event that was to be forever immortalized in Young's song "The Needle & the Damage Done" from his 1973 album Harvest. Jack Nitzsche passed away in 2000 after having enjoyed a prolific career in music, working alongside Young's various music projects and also on several notable film scores.

Live at the Filmore East consists of just six tracks, but weighs in at around 43 minutes, largely thanks to two epic performances -- a 12-minute "Down by the River" and the 16-minute closing track, "Cowgirl in the Sand." Five of the six tracks were written by Young, with Whitten contributing his own effort, "Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown."

This is an exceptional recording, the rhythm section sound tight, and the blistering guitar solos are nothing short of phenomenal -- particularly on the extended versions of "Down by the River" and "Cowgirl in the Sand." The vocal harmonies provide a wall of sound, similar to that in which Young partook with Crosby, Stills & Nash, though perhaps a little rougher round the edges.

Personally, I have always enjoyed live recordings and Live at the Filmore East is an exemplary specimen, absolutely brimming with atmosphere. I particularly love the way that the last track plays out right to the end of the audience's ecstatic cheering and applause, and even on to the sound of the in-house PA system playing James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James" as the audience leave the venue -- touches like this give the illusion that you have actually been there watching the performance! The artwork on the slip-case includes a couple of reviews of the concert itself, adding to the ambience of this release. As a historical record of its time, Live at the Filmore East makes for an interesting listen. As a stand-alone live recording of these notorious and influential musicians, it is an absolute must-have!

by Mike Wilson
Rambles.NET
17 March 2007

[ visit the artist's website ]