It’s getting so that I need a computer to keep up with the release on new Neil Young product. Near the end of 2023, Young released Before and After, a mostly solo album of older songs, many that are deep album tracks.
Prolific is a word that describes Young’s output. Between new studio releases, live sets and unreleased tracks, his discography grows longer.
I admit, I was undecided about Before and After. I used to be a Neil Young completist, but I gave that up a few years ago. Taking a chance on this album, I’m really glad I did. It’s in regular rotation on my stereo. Quiet and beautiful, these songs are oozing with the heart that wrote into them. His voice is shakier than usual, I imagine he did not try for perfection, rather the emotional vibe.
“The feeling is captured, not in pieces, but as a whole piece—designed to be listened to that way,” Young explains, as the songs segue into each other, by design. He adds, “It’s a music montage with no beginnings or endings.”
The performance, with Young handling the acoustic and electric guitars, piano, organ and harmonica, is occasionally supplemented by another player, but mainly its solo Young. There is poignancy in these performances and it rings true.
Produced by Young and Lou Adler. As far as I know, Young has never worked with Adler, although they are contemporaries. Adler helped select the songs from Young’s career and his recent solo tour.
These songs stretch back to the Buffalo Springfield days and show the depth of Young’s writing. My only disappointment: Why couldn’t it be more than one disc?
- “I’m the Ocean” Mirror Ball
- “Homefires” released on Neil Young Vol. II
- “Burned” Buffalo Springfield
- “On the Way Home” Buffalo Springfield Last Time Around
- “If You Got Love” From the Trans recording sessions
- “A Dream That Can Last” Sleeps With Angels
- “Birds” – After the Gold Rush
- “My Heart” Sleeps With Angels
- “When I Hold You in My Arms” Are You Passionate?
- “Mother Earth” Rugged Glory
- “Mr. Soul” Buffalo Springfield Again
- “Comes a Time” from the album of the same name
- “Don’t Forget Love” Barn
I agree that it’s best listened to in one sitting. You might find yourself thinking about when you first heard these songs. This is Neil Young uncloaked. I found myself being reflective and a bit wistful.
Ticket 2 Ride 
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