Neil Young (album)
Encyclopedia
Neil Young is the self-titled debut studio album by Canadian musician Neil Young
, which was his debut release as a solo artist following his departure from the band Buffalo Springfield
. Released first in November 1968, it was then partially remixed and re-released in January 1969.
encoding system. This technology was intended to make stereo records compatible with mono record players, but had the unfortunate side effect of degrading the sound in both stereo and mono.
Young was unhappy with the sound quality of the first release, so the album was partially remixed in January 1969 and then re-released without Haeco-CSG processing. The "Neil Young" header was added to the album cover; previously the cover art had consisted of only the portrait. Copies of the original 1968 version are now rare and highly sought-after.
Neil Young was remastered and released on HDCD-encoded CD and digital download on July 14, 2009 as part of the Neil Young Archives Original Release Series. It was released on audiophile vinyl in December 2009, both individually and as part of a box-set of Neil's first 4 LPs available via his official website (this box set was limited to 1000 copies – a CD version of 3000 copies exists, too). A high resolution digital Blu-ray disc
is planned, although no release date has been set.
, except when noted. Arrangements on "The Old Laughing Lady", "String Quartet from Whiskey Boot Hill" and "I've Loved Her So Long" by Young, Nitzsche and Ry Cooder
.
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, which was his debut release as a solo artist following his departure from the band Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield
Buffalo Springfield is a North American folk rock band renown both for its music and as a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. Among the first wave of North American bands to become popular in the wake of the British invasion, the group combined...
. Released first in November 1968, it was then partially remixed and re-released in January 1969.
Release
Many sources cite that Neil Young was released in January 1969; however, the album was originally released on November 12, 1968 (Young's 23rd birthday). The first release of the album used the Haeco-CSGHaeco-csg
The Haeco-CSG or Holzer Audio Engineering-Compatible Stereo Generator system is an analog electronic device and method developed by Howard Holzer, Chief Engineer at A&M Records in Hollywood, California. His company, Holzer Audio Engineering, developed the system in the 1960s during the years of...
encoding system. This technology was intended to make stereo records compatible with mono record players, but had the unfortunate side effect of degrading the sound in both stereo and mono.
Young was unhappy with the sound quality of the first release, so the album was partially remixed in January 1969 and then re-released without Haeco-CSG processing. The "Neil Young" header was added to the album cover; previously the cover art had consisted of only the portrait. Copies of the original 1968 version are now rare and highly sought-after.
Neil Young was remastered and released on HDCD-encoded CD and digital download on July 14, 2009 as part of the Neil Young Archives Original Release Series. It was released on audiophile vinyl in December 2009, both individually and as part of a box-set of Neil's first 4 LPs available via his official website (this box set was limited to 1000 copies – a CD version of 3000 copies exists, too). A high resolution digital Blu-ray disc
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
is planned, although no release date has been set.
Track listing
All songs written by Neil YoungNeil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, except when noted. Arrangements on "The Old Laughing Lady", "String Quartet from Whiskey Boot Hill" and "I've Loved Her So Long" by Young, Nitzsche and Ry Cooder
Ry Cooder
Ryland Peter "Ry" Cooder is an American guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in roots music from the United States, and, more recently, his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.His solo work has been eclectic, encompassing...
.
Side one
- "The Emperor of Wyoming" – 2:14
- "The Loner" – 3:55
- "If I Could Have Her Tonight" – 2:15
- "I've Been Waiting for You" – 2:30
- "The Old Laughing Lady" – 5:58 (5:05 on original mix)
Side two
- "String Quartet from Whiskey Boot Hill" – 1:04 (Jack NitzscheJack NitzscheBernard Alfred "Jack" Nitzsche was an arranger, producer, songwriter, and film score composer. He first came to prominence in the late 1950s as the right-hand-man of producer Phil Spector, and went on to work with the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others...
) - "Here We Are in the Years" – 3:27
- "What Did You Do to My Life?" – 2:28
- "I've Loved Her So Long" – 2:40 (2:00 on original mix)
- "The Last Trip to Tulsa" – 9:25
Personnel
- Neil YoungNeil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
: guitars, piano, synthesizer, harpsichord, pipe organ, vocals - Ry CooderRy CooderRyland Peter "Ry" Cooder is an American guitarist, singer and composer. He is known for his slide guitar work, his interest in roots music from the United States, and, more recently, his collaborations with traditional musicians from many countries.His solo work has been eclectic, encompassing...
– guitar - Jack NitzscheJack NitzscheBernard Alfred "Jack" Nitzsche was an arranger, producer, songwriter, and film score composer. He first came to prominence in the late 1950s as the right-hand-man of producer Phil Spector, and went on to work with the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others...
– electric piano - Jim Messina – bass
- Carol KayeCarol KayeCarol Kaye is an American musician, best known as one of the most prolific and widely heard bass guitarists in history, playing on an estimated 10,000 recording sessions in a 55 year career....
– bass - George GranthamGeorge Grantham (musician)George Grantham is a drummer and vocalist best known for his work with pioneering American country-rock band Poco....
– drums - Earl PalmerEarl PalmerEarl Cyril Palmer was an American rock & roll and rhythm and blues drummer, and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame....
– drums - Merry ClaytonMerry ClaytonMerry Clayton is an American soul and gospel singer , and an actress...
, Brenda HollowayBrenda HollowayBrenda Holloway is an American singer and songwriter, a recording artist for the Motown label during the 1960s...
, Patrice HollowayPatrice HollowayPatrice Holloway was an African-American soul and pop singer.-Career:Patrice Yvonne Holloway was born on March 23, 1951 in Los Angeles, California, the youngest of three children born to Wade Holloway, Sr. and his wife, the former Johnnie Mae Fossett...
, Gloria Richetta JonesGloria JonesGloria Richetta Jones is an American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California. She recorded the 1964 northern soul song, "Tainted Love", later a hit for the British synth-pop duo, Soft Cell. She was the girlfriend of glam rock artist Marc Bolan of the band T...
, Sherlie MatthewsSherlie MatthewsSherlie Matthews is an American singer, songwriter and record producer, best known as a backing vocalist for Pop, R&B and Rock groups from the mid 1960s to the present time.-Early life:...
, Gracia Nitzsche – backing vocals
Production
- Dale Batchelor – Engineer
- David BriggsDavid Briggs (producer)David Briggs was an American record producer best known for his work with Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse. He is noted for his eclectic imagination and style.-Early life:David Briggs was born in Douglas, Wyoming...
– Producer - Danny Kelly – Photography
- Donn Landee – Engineer
- Jack NitzscheJack NitzscheBernard Alfred "Jack" Nitzsche was an arranger, producer, songwriter, and film score composer. He first came to prominence in the late 1950s as the right-hand-man of producer Phil Spector, and went on to work with the Rolling Stones, Neil Young and others...
– Producer - Rik Pekkonen – Arranger, engineer
- Mark Richardson – Engineer
- Henry Saskowski – Engineer
- Ed Thrasher – Album art direction
- Roland Deihl – cover painting
- Neil Young – Arranger, producer