Decade

by

Neil Young

Edit

I first bought Neil Young-Decade Circa 1978 or should I say I begged my mom to buy it for me. First I had the 8-track and when that got snagged and ruined I got the LP. A few year's later in college I bought the double Cassette. This past spring 2001, almost a quarter century later, I bought the CD and Wow!!!what a treasure chest of music history. I always knew Neil Young is a great songwriter and performer, but at age 38 I realize his musical genius.

Decade covers a wide range of musical styles, from heavy duty distortion ballads ( Cowgirl In The Sand and Like A Hurricane), to clean country rock (Cinnamon Girl, Heart of Gold, I Am a Child)....Political statements are obvious on "Ohio" and "Campaigner". A good example of Young's haunting vocals are best demonstrated on the love song "I Believe In You". "Winterlong" reminds me of love in a honky tonk saloon somewhere far away from the stress of urban life.

My favorite part of the collection are the first 5 songs (Down to the Wire, Burned, Mr. Soul, Broken Arrow, and Waiting to Fly) it is soaked in psychedelia and the essence of another time. It reminds me of my youth when Jimmy Carter was President and we were all happy.

Decade is fun to get stoned to on your day off or when you want to play hooky from work.

P.S. the only other recording I've owned in record, 8-track, Cassette and CD is Led Zep's Physical Graffitti

As far as the musical content goes, let me just reiterate what everyone else has said: this is one of the most intelligent compilation albums ever done, and a perfect introduction to (and summation of) Young's earliest and best work. And so, for musical content, I'd give Decade five stars.

From a CD reissue standpoint, however, this set--like the rest of Young's catalog--merits one star at best. The sound quality is abominable (ironic, given the audiophile inclinations of the artist himself). The artwork is a mockery of the original LP set. And, though the track-by-track notes from Young himself are most enjoyable, nobody today would even think of doing a "definitive" retrospective without a decent historical/critical essay of some kind.

What is long overdue is for Reprise (perhaps in conjunction with the Rhino label) to give this set, like the rest of Young's catalog, a thorough overhaul. Remaster the tracks using the best available technology. Upgrade the artwork and packaging elements. Flesh out the discs with bonus tracks if it's deemed appropriate. And yes, by all means, do a follow-up compilation (Decade 2?) of Neil's '80s and '90s output.