Fall Music Preview 2007: Bruce Springsteen, James Blunt, Alicia Keys and More

Neil Young
Chrome Dreams II
Out October 16th

The original "Chrome Dreams" was a 1977 album Neil Young scrapped at the last minute (most of the songs -- including "Powderfinger" and "Like a Hurricane" -- made it onto his next few records, some in different form). The sequel is the result of an impromptu session this summer in Northern California, with pedal steel guitarist Ben Keith, bassist Rick Rosas and Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina. Eight of the ten tracks are new, and cover the gamut of Young styles, from Harvest-ish country ("Beautiful Bluebird") to cracked ballads ("Shining Light") and sloppy rave-ups ("Dirty Old Man"). The standout for many fans, though, will be an epic song from 1988: the eighteen-minute "Ordinary People," which sounds like "Cortez the Killer" with horns. Catch the tunes live later this fall, when Young and company will take the album on the road.

LISTEN
"Ordinary People" from Chrome Dreams II