Young, Neil


Band members               Related acts

- David Crosby - rhythm guitar (1974)

- Rick Danko - bass (1974)

- Tim Drummond - bass (1974)

- Levon Helm (RIP) - drums (1974)

- Ben Keith - slide guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, dobro

  (1974)

- Rusty Kershaw - slide guitar (1974)

- Ralph Molina - drums, backing vocals (1974)

- Graham Nash - keyboards (1974)

- Billy Talbot - bass (1974)

- George Whitsell - guitar (1974)

- Joe Yankee - percussion (1974)

- Neil Young - vocals, guitar, harmonica, keyboards, banjo

 

 

 

- The Buffalo Springfield

- Crosby Stills, Nash & Young

- The Stills - Young Band

 

 

 


 

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  On the Beach

Company: Reprise

Catalog: R-2180

Year: 1974

Country/State: Canada

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: original inner sleeve; inside sleeve has floral pattern

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: 4368

Price: $10.00

Cost: $66.00

 

When I was in high school my local record store (yes, I'm dating myself here), literally had stacks of this album sitting around with a clearance price of 25 cents ...  there simply weren't any takers. I should know since a friend of mine had the album and I can distinctly listening to it one weekend and making some dumbs*it comment to the effect Young sounded like a cat in heat.  Ah, as they say, youth is wasted on the young.  Today a startling number of folks (moi ouci) think this is one of the forgotten rock classics ...

 

One of Young's most personal and harrowing releases, 1974's "On the Beach" is not what you'd consider a 'happy' album.  The set's sense of loss, despair and isolation is certainly understandable in view of the fact it was recorded in the midst of a painful breakup with wife/actress Carrie Snodgrass, ongoing squabbles with CS&N (though Crosby and Nash guest on the album, check out the little dig at his former band mates on 'Walk On') and the untimely deaths of roadie Bruce Berry and Crazy Horse guitarist/sidekick Danny Whtten.  That begs the question is anyone spared Young's wrath?  Not really.  The Nixon administration gets slammed on 'Ambulance Blues', oil companies are apparently the focus of 'Vampire Blues', Snodgrass takes her licks in 'Motion Pictures', the Hollywood crowd is skewered on the blazing 'Revolution Blues' and Young goes after himself on the title track.  So far it probably doesn't sound very promising, but the funny thing about this album is that thanks to contributions from The Band's Rick Danko and Levon Helm, and Crazy Horse's Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot and George Whitsell a significant portion of the material rocks out - doubt that comment then check out 'Revolution Blues'.  Elsewhere, Reprise pulled 'Walk On' b/w '' (Reprise catalog number ) as an instantly forgotten single.  

 

This one simply grows and grows on you ...  Anyone ever notice that the inside of the sleeve has a floral pattern stamped on it?

 

"On the Beach" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Walk On   (Neil Young) - 

2.) See the Sky About To Rain   (Neil Young) - 

3.) Revolution Blues   (Neil Young) - 

4.) For the Turnstiles   (Neil Young) - 

5.) Vampire Blues   (Neil Young) - 

 

(side 2)
1
.) On the Beach   (Neil Young) - 

2.) Motion Pictures   (Neil Young) - 

3.) Ambulance Blues   (Neil Young) - 

 

 

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