New music: The Alarm, Old Crow Medicine Show

In this column I review the final album release featuring the late Mike Peters with his groundbreaking band The Alarm, as well as an ambitious new collection from American troupe Old Crow Medicine Show.

Artist: The Alarm

Title: Transformation (Twenty First Century/Virgin Music Group)
You might like if you enjoy: The Alarm, U2, Simple Minds

Tell me more: Although Alarm frontman Mike Peters passed away after a 31-year battle fighting cancer on April 29, 2025, his incredible legacy has continued to grow thanks to the release of Transformation on May 29. The album's 12 songs crackle and soar via Mike Peter's passionate vocals, straightforward lyrics and winning arrangements. One of the most wonderfully surprising truths to be heard across the disc is how powerful and undiminished Peters' signature vocals sound despite the obvious challenges he faced during the recording of the album that spanned from Oct. 7, 2024 to Jan. 15, 2025. The anthemic opener "New Life," U2 flavored "Outlier," defiant "Saviour," "One In A Million" and uplifting "Live Today" (the latter is my favorite track on the album) are at odds with the challenging end-of-life struggles Peters faced during the recording of the album — all those tracks showcase his defiance to overcome seemingly impossible odds with candor and passion. Indeed, the fiery rocker "Chimera" offers a detailed look at some of the advanced medical procedures used by Peters' doctors to fight his disease. Other stellar cuts include the aptly-titled "Soul Town," life-affirming "In Unity" and celebratory "To Be Alive." As Alarm bandmate Jules Peters (she is also the wife of Mike Peters) notes in the album's press notes: "Mike lived a life of beauty and never gave up right to the very end." Make sure to get a listen to this essential album. Information: thealarrm.com.

Artist: Old Crow Medicine Show

Title: Union Made (Hartland Records via Firebird Music)
You might like if you enjoy: Old Crow Medicine Show, Molly Tuttle, Evan Felker, Maggie Rose

Tell me more: Two-time GRAMMY Award winning Americana string band Old Crow Medicine Show returns on June 5 with the highly-anticipated studio album Union Made, an ambitious collection that finds the Nashville-based troupe continuing to deliver infectious material steeped in Americana, country blues, folk and bluegrass that touches on themes ranging from political protest and a love of America to the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) and even Civil War history with a masterful touch as the United States prepares for its 250th birthday. A number of top-tier guests join on the album which features 10 originals and two artful covers; Maggie Rose, Molly Tuttle, Evan Felker of Turnpike Troubadours, Del & Ronnie McCoury, Lee Oskar and John Carter Cash are among the musical greats who lend their talents to cuts on the album. The wide-ranging setlist includes the old-time styled opener "Howdy Do America," hard charging countrified "Lincoln Highway" featuring guest Ray Benson, politically-charged "Revolution Now" featuring Felker's signature vocals, the lovely "Last American Waltz" showcasing the gifted Molly Tuttle on lead and harmony vocals, a blazing take on Merle Haggard's joyous "Rainbow Stew," beautiful soul sortie "Beautiful Land" featuring singer Maggie Rose and harmonica great Lee Oskar, and the tender "Y'all All Come," the latter a wonderful call for unity. The parade of enticing songs comes to an inspired close with a cover of Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." 

OCMS co-founding member Ketch Secor says of the new album: "This is a fascinating time in our short history as a nation. We wanted to meet that moment by collecting a bunch of songs that speak to the joys and potentials, the rights and the wrongs of where we are today, where we're going, and what can embolden us to have a more perfect union in the future. There are wonderful, ghostly American sounds that only bands steeped in folk music traditions know how to conjure, and it seems like an important time for those voices to be heard." Old Crow Medicine Show will perform at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, AZ on July 23. Information: crowmedicine.com.

Robert Kinsler

New Music: Los Lobos, Cruzados, Divine Horsemen, I See Hawks in L.A., Radio California, Colin Hay

In this column the focus is on six Los Angeles area artists. All have newly-available or soon-to-be released titles definitely worth a listen.

Artist: Los Lobos

Title: Native Sons (New West Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Los Lobos, the Mavericks, the Blasters

Tell me more: East Los Angeles-spawned legends Los Lobos revisit the music of a diverse field of their influential musical heroes on the newly-released Native Sons. The quintet (singer-guitarist David Hidalgo, singer-guitarist Louie Pérez, Jr.,singer-guitarist-keyboardist Cesar Rosas, singer-bassist Conrad Lozano and saxophonist-keyboardist Steve Berlin) honors 13 classics by infusing their own signature style into each of the well-crafted remakes. Thinks kick off with an infectious run through of Thee Midniters' "Love Special Delivery" (bolstered by the blend of horns, freewheeling drums and lead guitar). Classic rock favorites from Buffalo Springfield get the dual treatment via Los Lobos' intoxicating take on "Bluebird" and Americana-flavored "For What It's Worth." Other highlights include a beautiful and nuanced version of Jackson Browne's "Jamaica Say You Well," a rousing jump blues reading of Percy Mayfield's "Never No More" and soulful take on The Beach Boys classic "Sail On, Sailor." Long a champion of Chicano rock, mariachi and música norteña, Los Lobos performs a rollicking version of Lalo Guerrero's "Los Chucos Suaves" and the tender ballad "Dichoso." Los Lobos' stunning version of War's "The World is a Ghetto" features several guests, including Little Willie G. (who sang on the title track back in 1972) along with Jacob G. (Willie's son), R&B artist Barrence Whitfield and world class percussionist Camilo Quinones. Los Lobos also ties the thematic journey together via the inclusion of the original "Native Son." Information: LosLobos.org.

Artist: Cruzados

Title: She's Automatic (Scamco Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Los Lobos, Billy F Gibbons, Steve Earle, The Doors' "L.A. Woman" album

Tell me more: Signed to Clive Davis' Arista Records in 1983, Los Angeles-based Cruzados released two acclaimed albums featuring an infectious and raucous style of Latin-tinged post-punk hard rock before calling it quits in 1991 (those wanting to see the band in those early years can catch their screen appearance in the 1989 film "Road House" performing "Don't Throw Stones" from the band's After Dark LP). Now, Cruzados are back with She's Automatic (out Aug. 13, 2021 via Scamco Records), an 11-track disc that fully delivers on the band's genuine legacy. Founding bassist-songwriter Tony Marsico, guitarists Loren Molinare and Mark Tremalgia, singer Ron Young and drummer Rob Klonel bring a rootsy power and fun spirit to the songs, with a slew of great guests adding additional wizardry to the tracks.  The classic rock-mining "On The Tilt A Whirl," hard-hitting "Nine Million Tears," heavy Texas blues stomp "Son of the Blues," gentle "Sad Sadie" (featuring guest vocals from John Doe), Southern blues rocker "Let Me Down" (featuring guitarist Dave Alvin and accordion player David Hidalgo) and rowdy "54 Knockouts" (with sax great Steve Berlin of Los Lobos) are among the winning originals on the Cruzados return. The album draws to a killer close with the hypnotic blues rocker "Rock That Boat," featuring some killer blues harp from Jimmy Z and the collective power of all five members of Cruzados. Information: CruzadosBand.com.

Artist: Divine Horsemen

Title: Hot Rise of an Ice Cream Phoenix (In the Red Records Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Flesh Eaters, X, Dinosaur Jr.

Tell me more: On Aug. 20, Los Angeles' Divine Horsemen returns after 33 years to release Hot Rise of an Ice Cream Phoenix. The forthcoming album will mark the band's first release of new music since the "A Handful of Sand" EP was released in January 1988. Chris Desjardins (a.k.a. Chris D.) and Julie Christensen introduced their groundbreaking project via Time Stands Still (released in 1984 via Enigma Records). The end of the duo's marriage around the time of their A Handful of Sand release might have ended the story of Divine Horsemen for good, but the two remained in touch and on good terms. A series of fortuitous events led the two artists to reform Divine Horsemen to record the forthcoming album. The two singers voices blend with the kind of magical allure that draws comparisons with Exene Cervenka and John Doe of X fortified with the heavy rock sweep associated with Crazy Horse and Dinosaur Jr. on select tracks and gentle nuance of the collaborations between Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes on others. A mix of originals and creatively reworked covers fill the album, all potent. The crunchy opener "Mystery Writers" (with terrific lyrics from Chris D.), beautiful acoustic cut "Barefoot in the Streets" (with lyrics by Chris D. and music by Christensen) and snappy indie rocker "Stony Path" are among my faves on the album. The epic "Falling Forward" is striking, a masterful blend of the two singers' voices enhanced by expansive guitar work from Peter Andrus. Information: DivineHorsemen.com. 

Artist: I See Hawks in L.A.

Title: On Our Way (Western Seeds Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Chris Hillman, Gram Parsons, John Doe

Tell me more: While the world has changed in monumental and challenging ways since I See Hawks in L.A. released their previous album Hawks with Good Intentions in September 2019, the Los Angeles troupe's forthcoming album On Our Way (coming Aug. 27, 2021) offers the perfect chance to reconnect with the beauty around us. On the alt country quartet's On Our Way the efforts of singer-guitarist Rob Waller, multi-instrumentalist/backing vocalist Paul Lacques, bassist-vocalist Paul Marshall and percussionist-vocalist Victoria Jacobs to stay connected by songwriting via FaceTime and completing recording remotely during the pandemic astound. This is a beautiful and soul-stirring set of songs that defies the angry shouting heard on 24-hour cable news in favor of songs about "Geronimo, Muhammad Ali, the Faulknerian dilemma, in language sometimes more abstract and mirroring than narration" (according to press notes) as well as "...classic Hawks train beats and country rockers about Marin Wiccans, London mod dub hippie markets and the [un]certainties of love and broken hearts." Indeed, the range of topics is equaled by the musical depth displayed on the collection. From the lovely mandolin- and pedal steel guitar-adorned Americana opening gem "Might've Been Me" and authentic countrified "On Our Way" to the spoken word neo-trance blues of "Mississippi Gas Station Blues" and psychedelia-laced "Kensington Market" and poignant "Geronimo" I See Hawks in L.A. creates songs that tap into authentic country, roots, bluegrass and folk stylings with amazing warmth and might. A number of guest performers help further bring the rich tapestry of songs to life. Information: iseehawks.com. 

Artist: Radio California

Title: Whiskey Sour and a Cheap Motel (Radio California)

You might like if you enjoy: Youth Gone Mad, Hüsker Dü 

Tell me more: Los Angeles area-based Radio California is back with another batch of genre-be-damned originals (Whiskey Sour and a Cheap Motel) pulled from the band's signature sonic stew of art damage, garage rock, punk, spoken word and experimental rock 'n' roll. I'm always amazed where singer--guitarist-lyricist Jesseo and company come up with their truly-original sound; Jesseo's songs and vocal delivery are reflective and emotive even when the sonic sphere around him is awash with various instrumental textures and rhythms. The opener ("Whiskey Sour") is dreamy at its core thanks to some cool Johnny Marr-styled rhythm guitar work even while a driving drum pattern and forceful lead guitar blasts (the latter courtesy of guest player Hank Williams) assure the listener is in for something different. "Over the Top" blends punk and garage rock styles with a clap-along rhythm; spoken word, harmonies and vocal humming along with some evocative lead guitar lines intersect in "URA Wonder." The hard-edged punk rocker "Same Fate" tackles the grim reality that "Your all the same when it comes to the end / No matter what kind of box they put you in" with melodic force. Elsewhere, "My Monet" recalls the approach of The Cure's early work. Information: https://www.facebook.com/Radio-California-429692217119882.

Artist: Colin Hay

Title: I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself (Compass Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Colin Hay, Men At Work, The Beatles

Tell me more: Colin Hay is back with another essential album, this one a full-length disc of incredible covers — I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself — he makes his own. Indeed, beloved songs from The Beatles, Kinks, Faces and others benefit from the Men At Work front man's meticulous touch. There is so much to celebrate on the 10-track collection. Hay's natural melancholy-rich baritone hits its mark early on via the confessional title track (a Burt Bacharach/Hal David composition), Ray Davies' 1967 favorite "Waterloo Sunset" and The Beatles' "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)." In Hay's skilled hands, there is a reflective approach where the songs' melodies and lyrics are thrust center stage sans cliche — just listen to his tearful take on Gerry and the Pacemakers' "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying." I've always been disappointed by attempts to cover the Jimmy Webb-penned Glen Campbell classic "Wichita Lineman"; Hay's ethereal take on the song is beautiful and moving. The arrangement is mostly faithful, but Hay's signature vocals envelop each line of the masterwork as it artfully builds to a majestic close. While most of the selections are pulled from the 1960s, Hay effectively reintroduces the Justin Currie-penned mid-'90s Del Amitri masterpiece "Driving with the Brakes On" via a bold rendition that burgeons from its plaintive opening into a glorious finale. Information: ColinHay.com.

Robert Kinsler

Los Lobos return with "Native Sons" on July 30 Via New West Records

Check out news on Los Lobos' just-announced return and the band's version of two classics...Robert Kinsler

LOS LOBOS RETURN WITH NATIVE SONS JULY 30 VIA NEW WEST RECORDS 

 

13-SONG SET SERVES AS A LOVE LETTER TO LOS ANGELES 

 

VARIETY PREMIERES “LOVE SPECIAL DELIVERY” & “SAIL ON, SAILOR”

Los Lobos Photo by Piero F. Giunti 

Los Lobos will return with Native Sons on July 30, 2021 via New West Records. The 13-song set was produced by Los Lobos in East Los Angeles and finds the band mapping their musical DNA as a kaleidoscopic selection of tribute songs from their homeland, ultimately creating a crucial snapshot of L.A.’s musical heritage. Having formed in 1973 and gotten their start playing spirited renditions of Mexican folk music at parties and in restaurants, Los Lobos are no strangers to reinterpretation (and if you’ve ever been to one of their legendary live shows, you already know that). These brothers have always held a deep appreciation for diverse music, and they love pulling out old gems and making them shine like new. 

 

For all the trailblazing musical acts who’ve emerged from Los Angeles, very few embody the city’s wildly eclectic spirit more wholeheartedly than Los Lobos. Over the last five decades, the East L.A.-bred band has made an indelible mark on music history by exploring an enormous diversity of genres—rock-and-roll and R&B, surf music and soul, mariachi and música norteña, punk rock and country—and building a boldly unpredictable sound all their own. 

 

In a nod to their neighborhood, Native Sons opens with the wide-eyed frenzy of “Love Special Delivery” by Thee Midniters, an East L.A. garage band and one of the first Chicano rock groups to ever score a major hit in the U.S. From there, it features favorites and deep cuts by other Los Angeles luminaries such as the Beach Boys, WAR, Buffalo Springfield, Jackson Browne, and more. In a particularly meaningful moment for the band, Native Sons includes a fiery cover of “Flat Top Joint” by the Blasters, the seminal L.A. roots-rock band who helped pave the way for their signing to Slash Records in the early ’80s (and whom counted Steve Berlin as a member before his joining Los Lobos). The album’s title track is its sole original song, a loving homage to Los Angeles that sounds right at home amid so many classic tracks. 

 

Today, Variety has premiered “Love Special Delivery” by Thee Midniters as well as “Sail On, Sailor” by the Beach Boys.  Of “Love Special Delivery,” Los Lobos’ David Hidalgo says “We grew up on Thee Midniters and felt like they were representing us, so their music means a lot.” “Sail On, Sailor,” an early-70s track originally sung by longtime Los Lobos friend Blondie Chaplin, was one that Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin says “seemed like it would be easy, but once we broke the eggshell it revealed itself to be a lot more complex,” adding “The genius of so many of these records is all the layers that meld together in a way that isn’t very obvious at first.” Hear “Love Special Delivery” and “Sail On, Sailor” HERE. 

 

As with all of their catalogue, Native Sons reveals Los Lobos’ ability to merge genres and styles with both sophistication and playful spontaneity, an element that’s perfectly reflected in the album’s unbridled joy. “I played it for a friend and his first response was that it’s a party record—which sounds right to me,” says Hidalgo. Beyond that undeniably feel-good quality, Native Sons essentially serves as a love letter to Los Angeles and the endless possibilities to be found when all boundaries are shattered. “I couldn’t say there’s a common thread for all these artists, but in a way that’s exactly what makes L.A. great,” says Berlin. “You’ve got R&B and punk rock and rock-and-roll and folk, and somehow it exists together in this one weird city that we all call home.” 

 

Los Lobos have also announced their initial 2021 & 2022 tour dates in support of Native Sons, launching May 27 in Santa Cruz, CA.  But first, the band will celebrate Cinco de Mayo this evening with a special live-streamed performance from the studio, featuring a post-show Q&A with the band. Tickets can be purchased via Mandolin HERE.  See all Los Lobos tour dates, including appearances with The Mavericks, Steve Earle & The Dukes, and the Tedeschi Trucks Band below.

 

Quickly finding their footing in L.A.’s punk/college-rock scene, Los Lobos began sharing bills with bands like Public Image Ltd. and the Circle Jerks. After making their major-label debut with 1984’s critically lauded How Will the Wolf Survive?, they went on to achieve such triumphs as contributing a smash-hit cover of Ritchie Valens’s signature song “La Bamba” to the 1987 biopic of the same name, winning three Grammy Awards, collaborating with the likes of Elvis Costello and Ry Cooder, and earning massive worldwide critical acclaim. 

 

Los Lobos’ Native Sons will be available across digital platforms, compact disc, and standard black vinyl. The Double LP vinyl editions will be housed in a gatefold sleeve and will feature three sides of music and a custom etching on its fourth side.  A Coke Bottle Clear Vinyl Edition limited to 4,000 copies worldwide will be available at Independent Record Stores while a Brown Vinyl Edition limited to 1,000 copies is available for pre-order NOW via New West Records. 

Los Lobos Still Are: David Hidalgo (vocals, guitars) - Louie Pérez, Jr. (vocals, guitars) - Cesar Rosas (vocals, guitars, bass, Hammond B3 organ) - Conrad Lozano (vocals, bass) - Steve Berlin (saxes, midisax, keyboards)

 
Los Lobos Native Sons Track Listing:
1. Love Special Delivery 
2. Misery 
3. Bluebird / For What It’s Worth 
4. Los Chucos Suaves 
5. Jamaica Say You Will
6. Never No More
7. Native Son 
8. Farmer John 
9. Dichoso
10. Sail On, Sailor
11. The World Is A Ghetto
12. Flat Top Joint
13. Where Lovers Go

 

Los Lobos On Tour: 
May 5, 2021 - Cinco De Mayo Livestream     
May 27, 2021 - Santa Cruz, CA - Dream Inn       
May 28, 2021 - Napa, CA - Blue Note Napa          
May 29, 2021 - Big Sur, CA - Loma Vista Gardens   
June 24, 2021 -Lowell, MA - Lowell Summer Music Series 
August 5, 2021 - Evanston, IL - Canal Shores Golf Course       
August 15, 2021 - Costa Mesa, CA - OC Fair & Event Center           
August 21, 2021 - Los Angeles, CA - The Greek @     
August 24, 2021 - Montgomery, AL - Montgomery Performing Arts Centre +  
August 26, 2021 - Selbyville, DE - The Freeman Stage at Bayside +          
August 27, 2021 - Doswell, VA - Meadow Event Park +    
August 30, 2021 - Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium +     
September 3, 2021 - Asheville, NC - Salvage Station +           
September 4, 2021 - Beaver Dam, KY - Beaver Dam Amphitheatre +       
September 9, 2021 - Grass Valley, CA - The Center For The Arts         
September 18, 2021 - Webster, MA - Indian Ranch   
September 19, 2021 - Westhampton Beach, NY - Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center        
September 22, 2021 - Bethlehem, PA - Musikfest Cafe            
September 23, 2021 - South Orange, NJ - South Orange Performing Arts Center           
September 24, 2021 - Harrisburg, PA - Whitaker Center         
September 25, 2021 - State College, PA - State Theatre  
September 26, 2021 - Albany, NY - The Egg          
October 1, 2021 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up Tavern          
October 2, 2021 - Bisbee, AZ - Historic Warren Ballpark      
October 8, 2021 - Santa Barbara, CA - Lobero Theatre           
October 9, 2021 - Bakersfield, CA - World Records            
October 21, 2021 - Austin, TX - Antone's          
October 22, 2021 - Austin, TX - Antone's          
October 23, 2021 - Goliad, TX - Schroeder Hall 
October 24, 2021 - The Woodlands, TX - Dosey Doe Big Barn    
November 2, 2021 - Millvale, PA - Mr Smalls Theatre      
November 3, 2021 - Cleveland, OH - Music Box Supper Club           
November 4, 2021 - Ann Arbor, MI - The Ark          
November 5, 2021 - Grand Rapids, MI - Listening Room           
November 6, 2021 - Fort Wayne, IN - Clyde Theatre  
November 13, 2021 - Tacoma, WA - The Spanish Ballroom @ McMenamin's Elk's Temple          
November 14, 2021 - Portland, OR - Aladdin Theatre          
December 19, 2021 - New York, NY - City Winery     
December 20, 2021 - New York, NY - City Winery     
December 21, 2021 - New York, NY - City Winery     
January 13, 2022 - Honolulu, HI - Blue Note Hawaii       
January 14, 2022 - Honolulu, HI - Blue Note Hawaii       
March 3, 2022 - Raton, NM - Shuler Theater            
March 4, 2022 - Fort Collins, CO - Washington's  
March 5, 2022 - Steamboat Springs, CO - Strings Music Pavilion 
March 7, 2022 - Boulder, CO - Boulder Theater          
March 23, 2022 - Brownfield, ME - Stone Mountain Arts Center   
March 26, 2022 - Fall River, MA - Narrows Center For The Arts 
March 31, 2022 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
April 1, 2022 - Brugge, Belgium - Stadsschouwburg Brugge      
April 2, 2022 - Leuven, Belgium - Het Depot       
April 3, 2022 - Antwerp, Belgium - De Roma         
June 24, 2022 - Jacksonville, FL - Daily's Place Amphitheater *    
June 25, 2022 - Mobile, AL - Mobile Civic Center *
June 28, 2022 - Indianapolis, IN - The Amphitheater at White River State Park *          
July 1, 2022 - Canandaigua, NY - Constellation Brands-Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center *
July 2, 2022 - Gilford, NH - Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion *       
July 3, 2022 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center *      
July 6, 2022 - New Haven, CT - Westville Music Bowl *
July 8, 2022 - Philadelphia, PA - The Mann Center of Performing Arts *
July 9, 2022 - Burlington, VT - Midway Lawn *
July 10, 2022 - Patchogue, NY - Great South Bay Music Festival *      
July 12, 2022 - Lewiston, NY - Artpark *
July 15, 2022 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre *
July 16, 2022 - Atlanta, GA - Fox Theatre * 
July 19, 2022 - Vienna, VA - Wolf Trap *    
July 21, 2022 - Raleigh, NC - Coastal Credit Union Music Park *       
July 23, 2022 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion *    
July 24, 2022 - Huber Heights, OH - Rose Music Center at The Heights *     
July 26, 2022 - Aurora, IL - RiverEdge Park *          
July 29, 2022 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre *        
July 30, 2022 - Morrison, CO - Red Rocks Amphitheatre *

 

@ w/ The Mavericks 
+ w/ Steve Earle & The Dukes 
* w/ Tedeschi Trucks Band      

  

LosLobos.org
NewWestRecords.com

Neil Young to release long-long album 'Hitchhiker' on September 8, 2017

Neil Young / Photo credit: Julie Gardner, Obscura Designs

As many albums that Neil Young, now 71, has released since bursting on the music scene as a member of Buffalo Springfield more than 50 years ago, there continues to be new treasures the living legend has to share.

Today comes word that an album recorded in a single day back in 1976 with his producer David Briggs, will be released Sept. 8, 2017. Hitchhiker gave rise to a number of future classics, including "Powderfinger," "Ride My Llama" and "Pocahontas" (all of which would appear on the 1979 disc Rust Never Sleeps).

In addition to the original versions of those classic cuts, Hitchhiker also features the previously-unreleased "Give Me Strength" and "Hawaii."

You can learn more and pre-order Hitchhiker on NeilYoung.com.

Neil Young To Release Remastered Version Of Decade On 3 LP Set, Double CD And Digital Editions On June 23

Today marks the release of the reissued and long out-of-print Neil Young anthology Decade. This is a fantastic collection and my original copy is one of the first audio CDs I ever purchased! The new version is remastered and I can't wait to hear it!

June 23, 2017-- (Burbank, CA) - Neil Young will release his long out of print Decade anthology on June 23, on Reprise Records. Originally released in 1977 on a triple vinyl set and compiled by Young, Tim Mulligan and David Briggs, Decade has long been considered the definitive 35-song collection of material covering the years between1966-1976 - it features Neil Young solo and with Crazy Horse, Buffalo Springfield, CSNY and the Stills-Young Band. Each of the tracks has been remastered with the original artwork and restored with inside photos by Joel Bernstein, Gary Burdan, Henry Diltz and Tom Wilkes.   

Recently, Decade was re-released to its original 3-LP vinyl configuration for Record Store Day 2017 in a limited pressing. It is now widely available once more on vinyl, as a two CD set and digitally.  Click here to purchase.  

The Decade track listing for the two-CD edition is as follows:

DISC 1:

1. Down To The Wire

2. Burned

3. Mr. Soul

4. Broken Arrow

5. Expecting To Fly

6. Sugar Mountain

7. I Am A Child

8. The Loner

9. The Old Laughing Lady

10. Cinnamon Girl

11. Down By The River

12. Cowgirl In The Sand

13. I Believe In You

14. After The Gold Rush

15. Southern Man

16. Helpless

DISC 2:

1. Ohio

2. Soldier

3. Old Man

4. A Man Needs A Maid

5. Harvest

6. Heart Of Gold

7. Star Of Bethlehem

8. The Needle And The Damage Done

9. Tonight's The Night (Part 1)

10. Tired Eyes

11. Walk On

12. For the Turnstiles

13. Winterlong

14. Deep Forbidden Lake

15. Like A Hurricane

16. Love Is A Rose

17. Cortez The Killer

18. Campaigner

19. Long May You Run

Website: www.neilyoung.com

YouTube: www.youtube.com/NeilYoung

Twitter: @NeilYoung

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NeilYoung 

Instagram: @NeilYoung

Sights and Sounds: Neil Young to release 'Live At The Cellar Door' on Nov. 26

Here is a follow-up to my earlier post featuring a number of noteworthy news bits worth sharing...I truly love how Neil Young has gone about releasing hidden Archives recordings for his countless fans too...this sounds like another winning title. 

NEIL YOUNG TO RELEASE LIVE AT THE CELLAR DOOR ON NOVEMBER 26TH ON REPRISE RECORDS LIVE ALBUM COLLECTS PERFORMANCES FROM YOUNG'S SIX-SHOW STAND AT THE INTIMATE WASHINGTON D.C., VENUE IN 1970

Neil Young will release Live At The Cellar Door, the latest in his Archives Performance Series, on November 26th on Reprise Records. The album collects recordings made during Young's intimate six-show solo stand at The Cellar Door in Washington D.C. between November 30th and December 2nd, 1970, a few months after Reprise released his classic third solo album After The Gold Rush in August. Of the many unique gems found on Live At The Cellar Door, a rare solo version of "Cinnamon Girl" performed on piano rather than guitar is a particular treasure for Neil fans (the full band version appears on Young's 1969 second solo album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere). The album, which features Young performing on acoustic guitar and piano, includes tracks that are interesting for several reasons, such as stunning live versions of songs that appeared on After The Gold Rush ("Tell Me Why," "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," "Birds," "Don't Let It Bring You Down" and the title track) and solo performances of the Buffalo Springfield songs "Expecting To Fly" (from their 1967 second album Buffalo Springfield Again), "I Am A Child" (from their third and final album Last Time Around and Young's 1977 Decade compilation), and "Flying On The Ground Is Wrong," from their 1966 self-titled debut. In addition, Live At The Cellar Door features early, raw performances of songs that wouldn't appear until subsequent Young albums, including the rarity "Bad Fog Of Loneliness" (which appears onLive At Massey Hall '71 - released in 2007-- but was previously unreleased until the studio band version was included on Archives Vol. 1 1963-1972) and "Old Man" (released two years later on 1972's Harvest album). "Down By The River," also from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, rounds out the spectacular set. Live At The Cellar Door was recorded by Henry Lewy and produced by Young. As with Young's previous releases in the Archives series, Live At The Cellar Door will be released digitally, on CD, and on 180-gram vinyl (mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering and pressed at Pallas in Germany). The track-listing for Live At The Cellar Door is as follows: Side One: Tell Me Why Only Love Can Break Your Heart After The Gold Rush Expecting To Fly Bad Fog Of Loneliness Old Man Birds Side Two: Don't Let It Bring You Down See The Sky About To Rain Cinnamon Girl I Am A Child Down By The River Flying On The Ground Is Wrong