the greatest rock'n'roll site in the world: Neil Young

The old expression, "One man's garbage is another man's gold" has never rung truer then with Neil Young's 1976 bootleg 'Chrome Dreams'. Neil Young was at creative peak at this time. The last three albums Young had released 'Time Fades Away', 'On the Beach', and 'Tonights the Night' were some of his darkest and best work. Then came the return of raw Crazy Horse rock in 1975 with the LP Zuma. Chrome Dreams was slated to be its successor. Its a combination of rock and acoustic. - one reviewer claimed, "it was Harvest after a visit by the Darkside". In effect it was a collection of songs that Neil recorded but for whatever reason decided not to release. Lots of these songs would remain unheard by the public until quite a while later, but by late ’75, Neil had already written and recorded versions of such future classics as Like A Hurricane, Powderfinger, Sedan Delivery, Pocahontas and Ride By Llama. It also feature's some classic tracks that until the acetate's discovery in 1992 remained unheard.

The acetates accompanying paper work (click to enlarge).

In truth there was a lot about this period that till this day remains a mystery. Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young were supposed to be returning to the studio to record what would later be the Stills/Young 1976 release 'Long May You Run'. The sessions were said to be tumultuous with rumours that Crosby and Nash snuck into the studio and wiped their respective vocals.
At the same time Neil was supposed to be readying a triple album greatest hits collection entitled 'Decade'. It even went as far as displays in record stores and press releases and advance copies being sent being sent out to media. When the October release date came and went a rumour spread that Young had died of an over dose. In contradiction to these rumours 'Rolling Stone' magazine ran an article in their November '76 edition that Neil was in fact putting the finishing touches on a new album to be entitled 'Chrome Dreams'. However both 'Decade' and 'Chrome Dreams' failed to materialise as the slated Christmas release period came and went (Decade eventually appeared in October, 1977).
'American stars n bars' was release in June 1977 and many assumed that this was the album previously known as 'Chrome Dreams' - in fact a number of the songs do appear on both (Will to Love, Star of Bethlehem, Like a Hurricane, Hold Back the Tears and Homegrown)

A run through of the tracks :

1. Pocahontas: The same take as heard on Rust Never Sleeps, minus overdubs. An acoustic tale of massacred Indians. American Star 'N' Bars back cover shows an Indian women, perhaps indicating that this was originally slated for inclusuion as no other tracks have an Indian theme.

2. Will To Love: Released as is on American Stars N' Bars. An almost creepy atmospheric love song.

3. Star of Bethelem: Same take and track as on Decade.

4. Like A Hurricane: As heard on American Stars N' Bars.

5. Too Far Gone: A stripped down version of the track that wouldn't appear for on 11 years on Neil's 1988 album Freedom.

6. Hold Back the Tears: A more slowed down bluegrass version of the song heard on American Stars N' Bars.

7. Homegrown: This take is the same as the one on American Stars N' Bars but it is a different mix. The guitars crunch more, emphasizing Neil's love of the domestic life.

8. Captain Kennedy: Eventually was released on the album Hawks and Doves in 1980.

9. Stringman: 'Stringman' didn't see the light of day until a 1993 unplugged session. This is a touching piano ballad caught live about the loss of the old ways taken over by the counterculture. Beautiful song, incredibly emotive.

10. Sedan Delivery: Totally different version then the one that appears on 'Rust Never Sleeps'. One review describes it as - "This version is less cow-punk and more slowed down country metal. Even its whole tone is different in that sounds less like the dumb Buford punk rock we know it as and more like a heavy slap from a biker."

11. Powderfinger: An acoustic version of the song later electrified on Rust Never Sleeps. The story of a boy shot down as he protects his family. The acoustic version empowers the lyrics to a much greater degree then the "Rust Never Sleeps' rock version. Australian band 'Powderfinger' tell a story of playing the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan which Neil and Crazy Horse headlined, Neil discovered a band named after one of his songs were on the bill and not only did he play it (something he rarely does of late) but he dedicated it to them...career highlight or what?!?!

12. Look Out For My Love: Later heard on 'Comes A Time' - a beautiful track of love and lament.

In many ways Neil Young is the unrecognised 'soul' of the Northern American working man. He's remained relevant and rarely has his work faltered. His approach to his music has been unconventional. Holding onto tracks for years often releasing them in live takes. It makes him even more exceptional. 'Chrome Dreams' is available for download below, its a must have for any Neil fan.
Also a number of Neil clips from over the years with loads more at the this blogs youtube site.

Chrome Dreams

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young - Down by the River