When Neil Young’s 1973 live album release “Time Fades Away” arrived, it was obviously a left-field surprise. It was recorded with the then band the Stray Gators, and featured previously unreleased songs. At a time when the Young’s popularity was surging following his highly successful studio album “Harvest”, this new live album raised questions and even Young responded at the time, “Time Fades Away” was the worst record I ever made, but as a door of what was happening to me it was a great record.” In so many ways, this music is the perfect window on the unpredictable trajectory of one of rock & roll’s true pioneers.
It is impossible to pinpoint when a new album will become a classic. And while sometimes there are signals, often such a designation comes as a complete surprise. When Neil Young’s 1973 live album release “Time Fades Away” arrived, it was obviously a left-field surprise. It was recorded with the Stray Gators, and featured previously unreleased songs. At a time when the Young’s popularity was surging the new live album raised questions. In so many ways, this music is the perfect window on the unpredictable trajectory of one of rock & roll’s true pioneers.
The 50th anniversary release of “Time Fades Away” is a true celebration of an era in time that marked music forever. In 1973 Young was writing songs that have lasted to this day, and taking bold changes with the way he presented them in-person. It’s a trademark of his that still continues. And with the Stray Gators performing with him — Jack Nitzsche (keyboards); Ben Keith (pedal steel guitar); Kenny Buttrey (drums), to be replaced by Johnny Barbata; and bassist Tim Drummond. David Crosby and Graham Nash also joined on harmony vocals and acoustic guitar. The real magic of this recording has always been how it was such an adventurous risk to take at a time when so much of the contemporary music then was driven by perfection. Recorded directly from the soundboard to 16-track tape and mixed simultaneously to LP cutting, in some ways Young and the band were travelling new sonic roads. “Time Fades Away” was recorded directly after the mega-success of Young’s album “Harvest”, and it feels like the blueprint of the twists and turns of a career where the blaster rockets are kicking.
“Time Fades Away” 50th Anniversary will be released on limited edition clear vinyl only this November 3rd, via Reprise Records. This definitive 9 song iteration of the album contains a bonus track of “The Last Trip To Tulsa,” which originally appeared on Archives Vol. 2 Box Set. This version of the song appears on vinyl only for the first time ever.
The Fat Angel Sings 