Description

Neil Young: Homegrown Vinyl Record.

This record is the regular release without the insert.

1974 was a turbulent and productive year for Neil Young. With the unreleased 1973 albumTonight’s the Nightin the can, Young recordedOn the Beachin the Spring for a July 1974 release. He convenedCrosby, Stills, Nash & Youngat his ranch for abortive album sessions before launching an extensive summer stadium tour with the group. At Broken Arrow Ranch on June 17th, Young recorded “Through My Sails” with the quartet. “Love Is a Rose,” a reworking of his earlier “Dance, Dance, Dance” was recorded with bassistTim Drummondon June 16, as well as “Pardon My Heart.” The latter song backing vocal overdubs fromRalph MolinaandBilly Talbotin August 1975 and was released along with “Through My Sails” on that year’sZumaalbum withCrazy Horse. On tour, Neil paused to record another new song, “White Line,” as a duet withthe Band’sRobbie Robertson[3]That year, Young debuted seventeen new songs in concert.[4]

After the tour, Young held recording sessions in Nashville, Los Angeles and at Broken Arrow for a new album. A December 11 session atQuadraphonic Sound Studiosin Nashville withLevon Helmyielded “The Old Homestead.” “Star of Bethlehem” and “Deep Forbidden Lake” were recorded two days later at the same studio. “Little Wing” was recorded January 21st at the Village Studios in Los Angeles.

The songs from these sessions are largely acoustic, with many of the songs being solo performances of Young on guitar and harmonica. Young has said that “Homegrownis the missing link betweenHarvest,Comes a Time,Old WaysandHarvest Moon.”[3]The songs are quite personal, and revealed much of Young’s feelings on his failing relationship at the time with actressCarrie Snodgress. “It was a little too personal…it scared me” Young would later explain to Cameron Crowe in interview.[5]

It was so near to being released that a cover had been created. At the last moment however, Neil Young chose to dropHomegrownand release insteadTonight’s the Night, an unreleased album recorded in 1973.[6]Young stated that he had a playback party forHomegrownandTonight’s the Nighthappened to be on the same reel. He decided to releaseTonight’s the Nightafter that listening because of “its overall strength in performance and feeling” and becauseHomegrown”was just a very down album.”