Neil Young – Before And After (2023)

I think my Neil Young collection now tops twenty albums, not because I'm an obsessive fan, although obviously I enjoy his music, but (as previously mentioned) he has been so prolific over the last 60 years, and his albums often find their way into second-hand / cheap outlets. This is one of two I bought, still sealed in a 3 for a fiver sale from a trader at a local boot fair.

It's a collection of acoustic songs from 2023 performances, presented as a single piece, and while it's a pleasant enough listen, there's nothing that stands out as exceptional, with songs from across Young's career, but probably not any that stand out as 'hits'.

So, a long version of I'm The Ocean makes a solid start, there's a nice version of Buffalo Springfield song On The Way Home, and Young gets his pump organ out (ooer, Missus!) on the previously unreleased If You Got Love.

There's a nice trio of piano pieces, with Birds (from After The Goldrush) bookended by songs from 1994's Sleeps With Angels, the lovely My Heart being the high spot. But from there to the end, it starts to tire, with only 1978's Comes A Time head and shoulders above the rest.

This is pleasant background, rather than Young at his peak, but he's not doing badly for a man in his 78th year at time of recording.

Link to album tracks

3* - an interesting snapshot of an aging, acoustic Neil Young, but nothing more.