Live At Massey Hall 1971

Decades before the intemperate bitterness, coarse cynicism, vitriolic politics and smug elitism that would infect his stage and interviews and music in his later years, Neil Young was an impressive, open, and vulnerable singer-songwriter who simply sought to connect with and entertain his audience.

This 1971 live solo performance at Massey Hall -- famous in jazz history for its legendary live jazz sets by the likes of Charlie Parker and John Coltrane -- serves him well. It is an extraordinarily well-produced event that stands up through the years.

His between-song patter here seems to compliment the lightweight, personal poetry of his songs. The slight exception would, of course, be "The Needle and The Damage Done", which is more famous for having gravitas than it actually has.

I think the recording could have used more acoustic weight, perhaps in the form of an acoustic bass or a second guitar or an accompanying vocal.

All in all, a fine performance. But certainly not much, if any, improvement over the later studio recordings with the exquisite production values they contained. I'm sure plenty of Neil Young devotees will still convince themselves anyway that this is a long-forgotten buried treasure of great historical significance.

Pleasant, but definitely non-essential.

This is a very good live, early Neil Young. I really like his live music and this is a good collection.

Neil Young-Live At Messey Hall 1971 *****

Live at Messey Hall, 1971, is one of the most intimate and enchanting performances from Neil Young on tape. Recorded when many concidered him to be at the height of his power, the time period of Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, After the Gold Rush , and Harvest. Well this is the album that was supposed to be released between the last two, according to Young anyway. "David Brigg, my producer wanted to release it but I wanted Harvest out, and listening to it all these years later I can see why."

Bridging the gap between the two albums. Showing many of the songs from Harvest in their infant stages, and some in the final forms they would appear on the album. But it is this stripped down version that really brings the magic to some other wise dull tracks. 'There's A World' is breathtaking here. 'A Man Needs A Maid' is also given new life, and it is actually much, much better than the album version.

From After the Gold Rush we also hear the classic 'Don't Let It Bring You Down.' Also included here is a killer version of 'Helpless' and the CSNY classic 'Ohio' which is performed chillingly. 'See The Sky About To Rain' wouldn't see the light of day for a few more albums but this infant variation of the number is maybe more impressive than the cut from On the Beach.

Neil Young's solo acoustic sets have always been impressive, but there is something truly special about this performance, and this collection. Being number three in the series of live albums Young is releasing this 1971 performance in Toronto, Canada at the Messey Hall is nothing short of stunning.

Live at Massey Hall,recorded in Canada 1971 is a newborn classic from the songster Neil Young,originally intended to be released after Harvest but set aside in the Neil Young archive vaults until recently and what a show it is,Young only twenty three yesrs old at the time and never sounded better with voice and guitar only,opening with On The Way Home,rolling right into Tell Me Why,the classic tune from After The Goldrush and my favorite Young original,Cowgirl In The Sand.Neil Young also in tune with his piano,featuring,See The Sky About To Rain,and a very short version of Heart Of Gold.Live At Massey Hall is a milestone achievement for the native Canadian and this cd is a must for your collection.I noticed a viewer complaining about the cardboard cover,this is called a mini album,also a limited edition,and there's alot of Neil Young cd's issued like this,usually I just put the original cover away and replace cover preventing any scratching from disc sliding in and out.

and the evening was electrifying. Neil Young at Massey Hall in Toronto in 1971 playing some (at the time) "oldies" and some new numbers, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar or piano. The performance is virtually flawless, the vocals strong and assured, and the CD sound quality is superb. Would that I was in the audience that evening, with the new numbers making their official debut on vinyl one year later on Harvest, but who would have known that that evening except maybe Neil himself. There is no high point on this CD, the whole CD is the high point. One can only wonder about what else is in the archives.