HuffPost Review: Neil Young Archives Volume 1 (1963 - 1972)

In the world of box sets, it would be impossible to find something better than Neil Young Archives Volume 1 (1963 - 1972). This is truly overwhelming in every sense--sound quality, archival material, previously unreleased recordings, live tracks, old and new interviews and documentaries, image galleries, letters, personal memorabilia, lyrics, lyric manuscripts, biographies, timelines, videos, radio spots, film snippets, interactive elements--seriously, the content and its variations just go on and on. And the news keeps getting better for Neil Young's fans...this is merely the first of at least four more installments of equal quality and integrity covering his remaining recorded history. This ultimate musical experience is being delivered non-traditionally through Blu-Ray and DVD formats at an extremely high audio resolution of 192k/24-bit, its visuals in 1920/1080 high def, with both elements taking full advantage of crushingly superior technology when compared to the meager compact disc.

A quick sidebar: Although the CD variant of Young's endeavor is formidable, in comparison, it's like sitting Tony Stark's clunky gray body armor next to its shiny, red and gold, full-throttle upgrade. Archive's release absolutely should stimulate a discussion on how the geriatric CD format finally has been made obsolete, and this new approach is something the music business could employ on a wider scale to re-invigorate itself (getting back on the horse after its unsuccessful attempt at an upgrade during the SACD/DVD-A war). This box isn't just important in the context of Neil Young's career; the music biz has been handed the prototype of a unique concept that could create a new business model. The question is, can the ol' dog learn a new trick?

Getting back to Archives, this superb assembly of recordings from Young's most fertile creative period--one that begins in Winnipeg with The Squires, and moves through virtually every solo classic (in one form or another), as well as Young's stints in Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse, and, of course, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young--thoroughly gathers its history, both sonically and visually, like an autobiography. Archives also can be perceived as a journal of its era due to its interviews (including David Crosby and other friends and contemporaries), photo galleries, historical performances (such as Filmore East and Woodstock recordings), and the inclusion of Young's obscure, first film, Journey Through The Past, that is presented in 96k/24-bit, 5.1 DTS surround sound. Its compelling 236-page hard cover book includes endless photos, 45 and album label shots, archival notes, and limitless details. Across the ten discs, quick "filing" screens shuttle you along the content, and there are hidden gems lurking about for the adventurous.

We have to stop here because, quite frankly, words don't do it justice. If you like this artist, go buy this box. It will bring joy to your life for weeks since you will never get through it in your first few sittings. Despite scores of excellent, high concept, minutia-driven collections, or even Grammy-winning box sets released over the years by some of our greatest artists, and regardless of if you like or dislike the music of Neil Young, nothing comes close to what Archives achieved. And that's not an exaggeration. Let's just call this what it is--the best box set ever made. Surely, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, and other musical icons deserve this treatment as well. Thanks to Archives, they just might get it.

Tracks:

Disc 00 - Early Years (1963 - 1968)
Aurora - The Squires - from the 45 RPM single (mono)
The Sultan - The Squires - from the 45 RPM single (mono)
I Wonder - The Squires - previously unreleased song (mono
Mustang - The Squires - previously unreleased instrumental (mono)
I'll Love You Forever - The Squires - previously unreleased song (mono)
(I'm A Man And) I Can't Cry - The Squires - previously unreleased song (mono)
Hello Lonely Woman - Neil Young & Comrie Smith - previously unreleased version
Casting Me Away From You - Neil Young & Comrie Smith - previously unreleased song
There Goes My Babe - Neil Young & Comrie Smith - previously unreleased song
Sugar Mountain - Neil Young - previously unreleased demo version (mono)
Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing - Neil Young - previously unreleased demo version (mono)
Runaround Babe - Neil Young - previously unreleased song (mono)
The Ballad Of Peggy Grover - Neil Young - previously unreleased song (mono)
The Rent Is Always Due - Neil Young - previously unreleased song (mono)
Extra, Extra - Neil Young - previously unreleased song (mono)

Disc 01 - Early Years (1966 - 1968)
Flying On The Ground Is Wrong - Neil Young - from the Buffalo Springfield Box Set (mono)
Burned - Buffalo Springfield - from the album Buffalo Springfield (mono)
Out Of My Mind - Buffalo Springfield - from the album Buffalo Springfield (mono)
Down, Down, Down - Neil Young - previously unreleased version (mono)
Kahuna Sunset - Buffalo Springfield - from the Buffalo Springfield Box Set (mono)
Mr. Soul - Buffalo Springfield - from the Buffalo Springfield Box Set (mono)
Sell Out - Buffalo Springfield - previously unreleased song (mono)
Down To The Wire - Neil Young - from the album Decade (mono)
Expecting To Fly - Buffalo Springfield - from the album Buffalo Springfield
Slowly Burning - Neil Young - previously unreleased instrumental
One More Sign - Neil Young - from the Buffalo Springfield Box Set
Broken Arrow - Buffalo Springfield - from the album Buffalo Springfield Again
I Am A Child - Buffalo Springfield - from the album Last Time Around

Disc 02 - Topanga I (1968 - 1969)
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Neil Young - from the stereo promotional 45 RPM single-second pressing
The Loner - Neil Young - from the album Neil Young
Birds - Neil Young - previously unreleased version
What Did You Do To My Life? - Neil Young - previously unreleased mix
The Last Trip To Tulsa - Neil Young - from the album Neil Young
Here We Are In The Years - Neil Young - from the album Neil Young - second version
I've Been Waiting For You - Neil Young - previously unreleased mix
The Old Laughing Lady - Neil Young - from the album Neil Young
I've Loved Her So Long - Neil Young - from the album Neil Young
Sugar Mountain - Neil Young - previously unreleased stereo master
Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
Down By The River - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Cowgirl In The Sand - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere

Disc 03 - Live At The Riverboat (Toronto 1969)
Sugar Mountain - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
The Old Laughing Lady - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
Flying On The Ground Is Wrong - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
On The Way Home - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
I've Loved Her So Long - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
I Am A Child - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
1956 Bubblegum Disaster - Neil Young - previously unreleased song
The Last Trip To Tulsa - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
Broken Arrow - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
Whiskey Boot Hill - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
Expecting To Fly - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version

Disc 04 - Topanga II (1969 - 1970)
Cinnamon Girl - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Running Dry (Requiem For The Rockets) - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Round And Round (It Won't Be Long) - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Oh Lonesome Me - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - previously unreleased stereo mix
Birds - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the 45 RPM single (mono)
Everybody's Alone - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - previously unreleased song
I Believe In You - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album After The Gold Rush
Sea Of Madness - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - from the original soundtrack album Woodstock
Dance Dance Dance - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - previously unreleased version
Country Girl - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - from the album Déjà Vu
Helpless Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - previously unreleased mix
It Might Have Been - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - previously unreleased live version

Disc 05 - Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Live At The Fillmore East (New York 1970)
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Winterlong
Down By The River
Wonderin'
Come On Baby, Let's Go Downtown
Cowgirl In The Sand

Disc 06 - Topanga III (1970)
Tell Me Why - Neil Young - from the album After The Gold Rush
After The Gold Rush - Neil Young - from the album After The Gold Rush
Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Neil Young - from the album After The Gold Rush
Wonderin' - Neil Young - previously unreleased version
Don't Let It Bring You Down - Neil Young - from the album After The Gold Rush (first pressing)
Cripple Creek Ferry - Neil Young - from the album After The Gold Rush
Southern Man - Neil Young - from the album After The Gold Rush
Till The Morning Comes - Neil Young - from the album After The Gold Rush
When You Dance, I Can Really Love - Neil Young with Crazy Horse - from the album After The Gold Rush (first pressing)
Ohio - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - from the stereo 45 RPM single
Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - previously unreleased live version
Tell Me Why - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - previously unreleased live version
Music Is Love - David Crosby, Graham Nash & Neil Young - from the album If I Could Only Remember My Name
See The Sky About To Rain - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version

Disc 07 - Live At Massey Hall (Toronto 1971)
On The Way Home
Tell Me Why
Old Man
Journey Through The Past
Helpless
Love In Mind
Suite: A Man Needs A Maid / Heart Of Gold
Cowgirl In The Sand
Don't Let It Bring You Down
There's A World
Bad Fog Of Loneliness
The Needle And The Damage Done
Ohio
See The Sky About To Rain
Down By The River
Dance Dance Dance
I Am A Child

Disc 08 - North Country (1971 - 1972)
Heart Of Gold - Neil Young - previously unreleased live version
The Needle And The Damage Done - Neil Young - from the album Harvest
Bad Fog Of Loneliness - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - previously unreleased version
Old Man - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - from the album Harvest
Heart Of Gold - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - from the album Harvest
Dance Dance Dance - Neil Young - previously unreleased version
A Man Needs A Maid - Neil Young with the London Symphony Orchestra - previously unreleased mix
Harvest - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - from the album Harvest
Journey Through The Past - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - previously unreleased version
Are You Ready For The Country? - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - from the album Harvest
Alabama - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - from the album Harvest
Words (Between The Lines Of Age) - Neil Young with The Stray Gators - from the original soundtrack album Journey Through The Past
Soldier - Neil Young - previously unreleased mix
War Song - Neil Young & Graham Nash with The Stray Gators - from the 45 RPM single (mono)

Disc 09 - Journey Through The Past - A Film By Neil Young
Available for the first time since its original theatrical release in 1973
In 5.1 DTS surround sound and stereo
Includes rare performance and documentary footage of Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and scenes from the recording of the Harvest album featuring Neil Young with The Stray Gators

Comments

[larkstung]

I have had the Blu-Ray version of the Archives for almost three weeks and am finally to the point where I think I have seen and heard everything included. Mike is exactly right when he says that this the best box set ever made. No question. Hands down.
The sound quality is noticeably better than anything I have on SACD or DVD-Audio (I am playing it on a PS3, with HDMI hook-ups to my Marantz AVR) and the amount of hidden video and audio content is staggering. "Archives" is like a cross between a CD, a DVD and a video game - there is so much interaction that it is easy to lose yourself in it.
I totally disagree with KCFreedom's recommendation of releasing this as individual CD's with bonus tracks. You can buy the individual discs (in any of the three formats) on Neilyoung.com, but the box set is the real release. Would you frame Mona Lisa's smile, because you couldn't afford the whole picture?
If you can't afford it, don't buy it. But don't complain about it.
I saved money for over a year to buy the Archives and brand new audio equipment with which to play it. This box set is everything I was hoping for and so much more. Now I just have to wait for the "Ditch Trilogy" and the weirdness that follows.

[cinnamonlady]

I was introduced to Neil Young's music during my freshman year in high school by a rather complicated & wonderful boy who called me his "Cowgirl in the Sand" and have been a devoted fan ever since. (In fact, I would be here as a "Cinnamon Girl" were it still available!) How I remember poring over Neil's handwritten notes that he scribbled alongside the tracks to "Decade." I am still trying to decipher some of those lyrics and love listening to Neil's stories about where he was and what was going on in his life when he composed his songs.

So glad that some never before released gems will be mingled with classics like "Winterlong" & "I Believe in You" but where is my personal favorite "Like a Hurricane?"

[ragz2008]

Very nice, Cinnamonlady! Hey, Winterlong and I Believe In You are on this! But hang in there for titles such as "Like A Hurricane" since that will most likely be on a later box due to its recording date...

[cinnamonlady]

Oh, so I see...by three years. Well, Mike, nice job and keep us posted!

[TigersEye]

Keep on rockin' in the free world, Neil!
(Wrong era, I know.)
I'm a fan.

[ragz2008]

Tiger's Eye, that era is coming in a box set, hang in there!

[TigersEye]

Thanks, Mike!

[KCFreedom]

Thanks, Mike for providing us with advance information about the box set's tracks. I know Neil is strongly opinionated on digital audio so I guess he's trying to provide it in the best format he can. I'm a bit of a audiophile myself.

I love Neil's music as much or more than anyone else, but this thing is just going to be too expensive for the vast majority of people to afford, especially in these economic times. We've been waiting & anticipating this release for about 20 years.

It's too bad that Neil couldn't have recently switched gears and just re-issued the individual albums remastered with bonus tracks associated with each one. Then release the odds & ends as a 2-3 CD/DVD/Blue Ray set. That way we can repurchase what we want for each album/phase, and have the others together separately. After all, won't they all be reissued in a remastered form, anyway?

I know I'm being an armchair critic but I doubt I will ever have the money to buy this box set as is.

[ragz2008]

Here's the thing. This new project gets our attention by being so vast and offering so much. I believe it sets the stage for reissues through its success since possibly many labels will get on board with individual albums, compilations, etc. Again, this "sky's the limit" introduction can show just what is possible with dedication and love from the artist, his entourage and, to their credit, Reprise!

[William Bradley - Huffpost Blogger]

Neil Young is so great.

I actually have a lot of that stuff on LP. Collected after it was recorded, but cherished nonetheless.

The Springfield, CSNY, Crazy Horse, one of the classic SLOW rock bands.

There were few things finer in the day than driving across the desert listening to Neil Young ...

[ragz2008]

Hey William, love reading your stuff, thanks for jumping in! Yeah, there's a lot on this box audio-wise that's been issued already. But there's also a HUGE amount of terrific, previously unreleased stuff, and that Journey film making its digital debut on this box also is quite cool, huh?

[JGatsby]

Neil is truly amazing. While so many other rock stars from the 60's have long since become parodies of themselves he continues to make interesting music and to try new things. Greendale was one of my all time favorite Young CD's. I usually don't shell out big bucks for box sets but this looks like it would be worth it.

[ragz2008]

If you can do the less expensive DVD version, it's fantastic too. Yeah, Neil truly is amazing!

[davidray]

is there anything he doesn't do the absolute best of his ability.

[ragz2008]

He definitely pushes the envelope!!

[cinnamonlady]

While I simply adore NEIL Young, sometimes I do wonder about those odes to his dog. :-)

[ragz2008]

Hey, dogs need lots of attention!! ;) Woof.....

[normathumb]

Sounds good, but what will it set you back? No 10 disc set is going to revolutionize the industry. The technology will need another smaller vehicle to transform it. It may be a landmark in many ways but will never appeal to any but the most obsessive collectors. It is simply too big for the casual listener to absorb.

[ragz2008]

I agree with some of your points, since, sure, the ten-disc approach is not the most concise introduction, but it pushes the borders of what is possible. I believe the concept of using Blu-Ray or DVD and expanding content beyond the limits of the 80 minute CD is the most practical way to stimulate interest in recorded music, and in that sense, it actually can revolutionize the biz. SACD and DVD-A failed because the industry didn't approach it strategically, it's had time to absorb the lessons of that. On a smaller scale, Neil Young's latest can inspire a re-imagining of what an artist can deliver in a practical way since merely one Blu-Ray can deliver large amounts of information, and not every artist has a catalog as immense as his to release ten disc sets.