Live At Massey Hall 1971 (Deluxe Version)

Neil Young has always been a captivating live performer, whether it’s leading the feedback-drenched manic panic of Crazy Horse or gently nudging his reflective muse as a solo act with sparse piano and acoustic guitar. This Toronto concert, the second release of the long awaited Neil Young Archives series, is a prime example of the latter. Having experienced wide-ranging success with his 1970 album, After the Gold Rush, and tours with Crosby, Stills and Nash, Young was in the process of putting together what would become one of his best-selling albums, 1972’s Harvest. He was writing prolifically and audiences were treated to early peeks into his emerging song catalog. Future hit “Heart of Gold” is added to “A Man Needs A Maid.” “See the Sky About to Rain,” which wouldn’t see official release until 1974’s On the Beach, and “Bad Fog Of Loneliness,” which never saw release, are presented alongside Young favorites, “Helpless,” “On the Way Home,” “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” and “Ohio.” Most impressive, “Cowgirl in the Sand” and “Down by the River” are stripped of their extended jams and laid emotionally bare.