Neil Young - Chrome Dreams (Rust Edition) 2CD (1976)

Artist: Neil Young
Album: Chrome Dreams (Rust Edition) 
Genre: Folk, Rock
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Size: 114 mb

"In late 1976, Neil Young was putting the final touches on his personally-sequenced career retrospective 3LP set, "Decade". Scheduled for release in early November, test pressings were sent to reviewers and covers (for displays) were sent to stores.
As November and then December came and went, Neil fans and retailers were left wonderin' what had become of the well-publicized "best of" package. The "Decade" displays came down and Christmas displays went up. Six months later, Neil finally did release a new record, but it would be a single disc titled "American stars 'n bars", rather than the 3LP "Decade". Unlike "Homegrown", very little is known about the fabled "Chrome Dreams" LP (later known as "Ride My Llama"). An article published in the September 9, 1976 Rolling Stone mentions a ten-date tour with Crazy Horse "...scheduled for November, just about when he'll release his next LP, planned as "Chrome Dreams".Johnny Rogan mentions the album in his book as an early version of "American stars 'n bars" that "...had (been) altered considerably...by the time it was released in June 1977." Virtually no other
information regarding "Chrome Dreams" had circulated since.
Unexpectedly, in July 1992 sources in Germany claimed to have discovered the acetate of the legendary album. The "test pressing data sheet" provided more information about "Chrome Dreams" than anyone had imagined. The specific information regarding unreleased/unknown studio recordings was stunning. Although the sheet was later debunked as fake paperwork by Joel Bernstein, even he had to concede the accuracy of the information. 
Photos of the labels "proved" that the acetate did in fact exist, and we all assumed that it was now just a matter of time before a bootleg appeared. Sure enough, a year later the bootleg CD turned up, and some months later I actually acquired the acetate itself. It's a bit noisier than the CD, but it sure sounds better.
The album starts off with an "alternate" version of "Pocahontas" This solo acoustic version is in fact the same take that appears on the "Rust Never Sleeps" LP (July 1979), but without the overdubs. "Will To Love" ("American stars 'n bars"), "Star Of Bethlehem" ("Decade" - October 1977) and "Like A Hurricane" ("American stars 'n bars") follow.The closing track on side one is an unreleased studio version of "Too Far Gone". Although the lyrics and tempo are very similar to the 1989 "Freedom" take (it even times out within :07 of the released version), this sparse recording comes across hung-over and heart-felt; and it's just plain better.
Side two opens with an alternate version of "Hold Back The Tears", which was apparently recorded about the same time as "Too Far Gone". Unlike the version on "American stars 'n bars", this take is considerably slower, and definitely more intense. "Homegrown" follows, and although this is the same take as the "stars 'n bars" version, the mix is noticeably different. The guitars are "pushed way up front" and have a much grittier sound. "Captain Kennedy" ("Hawks & Doves" - October 1980) is next, with the live 3/31/76 Hammersmith Odeon version of "Sringman" next. Often bootlegged but but just another famous unreleased song until 1993's "unplugged" album. The song was performed often during the 1976 U.K. tour, but was never cut in any recording studio (or performed at any other concerts, until 1993). An AMAZING piece of CLASSIC Neil Young & Crazy Horse follows with an alternate take of "Sedan Delivery" that makes the released version sound like an outtake from "OldWays". This gritty, ragged & LOUD version would've fit better on the unreleased "Times Square" album.
Not that my opinion matters, but the I think the highlight of the whole set is the alternate take of "Powderfinger" that follows. The stunning, simple but brilliant acoustic performance shows mid-70s Neil Young at his very best. This recording is not better than the released version; it stands apart as a great version of a great song.
It would be hard to find a better closing track to this set than "Look Out For My Love". Lost in the midst of the "Comes A Time" LP (October 1978), this haunting wordplay proves to be the perfect slipstream vignette after the thunder of this album.
Had it been released, "Chrome Dreams" might have been one of Neil Young's best LPs. The barroom characters amidst historical references and passionate love songs created a wonderful atmosphere. But as with most first drafts, the changes upon changes must be left to the artist, and not to fan whims. As near-perfect as "Chrome Dreams" might seem to me, it's release would have put gaping holes in since-released near-perfect album like "Rust Never Sleeps", "Comes A Time" and "American stars 'n bars".
Footnote: There's been a lot of confusion about the "Chrome Dreams" acetate since this article was originally published in Broken Arrow (February 1993). A bootleg CD was released some months later containing all of the recordings discussed above plus three live Neil Young & The Ducks performances. Very nice booklet with "star 'n bars" inner sleeve-style design & photo. Although a review eluded to the unlisted 8/22/77 Ducks' tracks, there's no mention of them anywhere in the packaging. Here's where the confusion began.

Tracklist

01. Pocahontas 
02. Will To Love 
03. Star Of Bethlehem 
04. Like A Hurricane 
05. Too Far Gone 
06. Hold Back The Tears 
07. Homegrown 
08. Captain Kennedy 
09. Stringman 
10. Sedan Delivery 
11. Powderfinger 
12. Look Out For My Love 

Bonus Tracks: 
13. River Of Pride ('White Line', Unreleased Studio Version, 27 NOV 75) 
14. Campaigner (Unedited, Unreleased Studio Version, Summer 1976) 
15. No One Seems To Know (Live, Tokyo, Japan, 10 Mar 76) 
16. Give Me Strength (Live, Chicago, IL, 15 Nov 76) 
17. Peace Of Mind (Live, Chicago, IL, 15 Nov 76) 
18. Human Highway (CSNY, Unreleased Studio Version, April 76) 

PW: hell

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