Review 1 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

5of 5 Stars

Amazing to think that Young was only 25 when he recorded this, so much talent at such a young age. From the opening "On the way home" right through to "I am a child" this gig never disappoints. Clearly Massey Hall is perfect for an acoustic gig as the sound of Young's playing is crisp and clear throughout, every hammer on, strum and slide can be heard perfectly. Even at 25 he proves that he is one of the most natural guitar players of all time. I have this album about 3 months now and cannot stop playing it and I've recommended it to every music enthusiast I know. Thanks Neil for releasing this gem, one of the best albums I've ever bought.

May 21, 2007 04:18:48

Review 2 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

5of 5 Stars

Love this music. It amazes me that a performance that occurred 36 years ago can still be so captivating. I bought 2 cd's - one for me and one for my 21 year old son. Hat's off Mr. Young - you have captured yet another generation. You sing to our souls!

Mar 28, 2007 18:09:48

Review 3 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

5of 5 Stars

I attended the 1971 tour, seeing Neil play a version of this concert in Detroit. It was the best concert I have ever attended, and I've seen alot!
Slightly after the tour, a bootleg came out of Neil's performance in L.A., which was very good. Last year, I bought a very high quality second bootleg, this time of the Massey Hall performance on CD.
To me, this period of time was Neil's most prolific and heartfelt. Each song is great, and the "official" version of Massey is extremely well done. This is a must for any fan of Mr. Young's, and the DVD version is a wonderful reminder of that concert so long ago. One can only hope that Neil's archive series will dip back a bit to the time between Buffalo Springfield and the 1971 tour for some acoustic versions of Neil's first album, Buffalo material, and especially anything that might have been recorded with Sugar Mountain from Neil's stop at the Canterbury House in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Mar 21, 2007 11:56:41

Review 4 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

Not Rated

Live at Massey Hall 1971

Unnatural. Naked. Listen to Neil Young pour into the opening progression of “Old Man” in a live show. Without the immediate inundation of applause, one can’t help but detect an obvious void. Yet a curious silence was all that filled the Massey Hall crowd on January 19, 1971. But that silence wasn’t unnatural. It wasn’t naked, it was history.
In many respects it was the Canadian’s homecoming, a return to what Young left behind five years prior for a career in the American music scene. After two years with Buffalo Springfield, a short stint with CSNY, and intermittent recordings with Crazy Horse, Neil Young had nothing left to do but advance his solo career.
Poised in his artistic prime, Young was beginning to perform legendary, unreleased music in preparation for his 1972 album, Harvest. The Journey Trough the Past tour includes the debut of “Old Man,” “Heart of Gold,” “A Man Needs A Maid” and “Needle and the Damage Done.”
Throughout the show, Young leaves much of his musical flashiness aside, surrendering largely to his folk roots as a storyteller. Despite four to five minute track times, rarely does a song break the three minute mark.
While tuning or switching between piano and guitar, Young delights the audience with explanations and introductions to his (at the time) not-so-well known masterpieces. For example, before “Old Man” Young informs the audience the new song is about the foreman on his Californian ranch.
Like any live recording there are aspects of the show an artist can choose to comprise or exclude. Almost all of the speaking parts Young chooses for the album add to the overall feel of the concert. One comment however, seems superfluous and pretentious. Before the show gets too far underway, Young politely requests the camera men stop taking pictures while he’s playing. “The clicks are out of time,” he said “and it takes my mind off what I’m trying to do.” The only apparent role of this comment is to let Young’s native land know America may have changed him.
Young continues to showcase his musical storytelling, backing himself with intermittent guitar riffs and blasé chord strums. He begins by discussing his Canadian departure, sporadically letting major chords resonate. While referencing his move to the south, Young subtly flows into delta blues licks. Continuing on, Young thumbs through a minor progression as he introduces the theme of addiction, all the while teasing the intro to “Needle and the Damage Done.” This track best illustrates Young’s rising confidence in his ability to captivate an audience.
Through a retrospective lens, Young offers his listeners several unpolished gems of his early genius. A primitive version of “Heart of Gold” is performed in just under two minutes. This fragment of the current ballad allows the listener to look back in time and compare that debut performance to the song’s final form.
Other album highlights include already popular hits such as Dance Dance Dance, Down by the River, and Helpless.

Mar 19, 2007 08:53:20

Review 5 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

5of 5 Stars

Fricke is not kidding about the amazing sound quality - Neil is right in your head, closer than a front row seat. I believe this to be the best vocal performance that I have heard from Neil Young, on record or live, to date (this in addition to stellar guitar and piano accompaniment). To have pulled off a solo acoustic performance like this, with all durable, original material at age 25, was nothing short of incredible - proven by the thunderous demands for encores. This performance shows Neil Young doesn't really even need a band to captivate an audience - then or now.

Mar 14, 2007 11:18:01

Review 6 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

5of 5 Stars

This recording is why we are the fans we are! The best part
is that he could do these songs today without playing the
nostalgia trip! His recording: "Prarie Wind" demonstrates his
song writing skills have not faded.
I had a copy of the bootleg: "Young Man's Fancy" (it included
a long version of "Sugar Mountain" and some of Neil's
humour) at the time of "Harvest" and have been waiting for
this since. The songs are strong and stand the tests of a
stripped down performance and time. these are the songs
that proved that he was on par with his hero Mr Dylan (who
said that he really enjoyed "Harvest"). This is a good time for
music people that the "Vaults" are being opened. I feel there
will be some wonderful music coming in the future. I wonder
if the "Classic" radio stations will notice.
The photograph of Mr Young shows us the white sox, boots
and the flannel shirt that would become the unofficial"
Grunge" uniform taken up by Mr Cobain. However, I feel it
was the strength of the songs that atracted him in the first
place. I am glad that Mr Young has released this recording
and the previous Filmore recording. It has been a long time
coming but, well worth the wait. I am now looking for the
"Time Fades Away" tour. Hey, one can always hope! Means
Johnston III

Mar 13, 2007 19:58:05

Review 7 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

5of 5 Stars

Purity and true passion are rare in todays music yet "Massey Hall" offers both in this wonderful album. Obviously a homecoming for Neil that was long overdue. Close your eyes, listen and you feel the true spirit in his soul.

Mar 11, 2007 08:34:51

Review 8 of 8

No Screen Name writes:

5of 5 Stars

Acoustic Neil Young is so much different than the electric evil twin Neil. The sound is beautiful and it's great to hear the banter in between songs. To me what makes this a joy is to listen to his rich high quavering voice (which is the main key to his popularity).

Mar 7, 2007 11:00:02