|
 after stellar work with Crazy
Horse formerly the Rockets)and C,S,N&Y,it was only fitting that Neil
Young would use the best aspects of both on his third
solo album. Few would have thought that AFTER THE GOLD RUSH would now
occupy it's position on "the greatest albums of all time" then. In
fact, a few reviews I have read from that time slam GOLDRUSH as a "minor, irritating
work". However, time has long since vanquished such views and this
album remains one of the first to buy if you've a beginner in the Neil
Young stakes:
TELL ME WHY - Haunting acoustic number that starts GOLDRUSH with atmosphere. Great harmony vocals. Memorable lines: "Is it hard to make arrangements with yourself, when you're old enough to repay but young enough to sell?" AFTER THE GOLD RUSH - Sad song about man's destruction of the earth and the possibility that all this wastage will drive us off the planet in search of a new one. The lone piano and French horn drives the poignant lyrics home. Young sounds like his heart is breaking. This was written after reading a script given to Young by his good friend Dean Stockwell.Covered by Trio on their second album. ONLY LOVE CAN BREAK YOUR HEART - Young's thoughts on new love and the advantages of being careful. Piano is right up the front again ,with lilting harmonies from David Crosby and Graham Nash. SOUTHERN MAN - Hard rocker with angry guitar leads from Neil and Danny Whitten, about the bloody history of slavery in the American South's past. This started a short battle of songs between Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd. TILL THE MORNING COMES - Extremely short sing along with a half-hearted warning in the lyrics. OH LONESOME ME - Young takes the Don Gibson classic and slows it down to dirge speed. Now THIS guy sounds lonesome. DON'T LET IT BRING YOU DOWN - Neil tells of bad things happening all around us, yet we ignore them totally. This song, more than any before hand, painted Young as being "less than an optimist". BIRDS - Bequates new love with first solo flight of a bird. Glorious harmonies cause this song to soar no pun intended). WHEN YOU DANCE I CAN REALLY LOVE - Guitar rocker of new love and the joy it brings; loving the way he/she dances. Memorable lines:" I can love, I can really love, I can really love!" I BELIEVE IN YOU - A partner who continues to love his spouse, after an unmentioned incident; though his doubts are haunting him and his trust is slightly wavering. CRIPPLE CREEK FERRY - A short burst of song heralding the arrival of the Cripple Creek Ferry. The captain stands alone and the Gambler is getting ready to disembark or desert. Atmospheric ditty that does it's job as the album closer |
