One thing fans of Neil Young can never complain about is a dearth of new releases from the artist. Young, via his Neil Young Archives website, recently announced that he will launch the “NYA Official Bootleg Series,” ultimately to include some six full concert releases. Most of the recordings, Young says in an announcement, will come from master recordings.
First out, some time early next year from Shakey Pictures Records, will be Official Bootleg Series. The Bottom Line—Citizen Cane Jr. Blues, a recording of a May 1974 surprise solo gig that took place at the famous New York City club the Bottom Line. “In my mind it’s a hazy memory, but this moment really captures the essence of where I was in 1974,” Young says in his announcement. He recalls taking the stage alone with his D’Angelico guitar and playing 11 songs, some of which—“Citizen Cane Jr. Blues,” “Long May You Run” and “Pardon My Heart”—had never been played anywhere before.
Related: Our review of Neil Young’s Homegrown album
Three other tracks—“Revolution Blues”, “Motion Pictures” and “Ambulance Blues”—appeared on Young’s On the Beach album two months later. The Bottom Line performance of “Motion Pictures” remains Young’s only live take on the song to date.
Listen to a bootleg recording of “Motion Pictures” from the Bottom Line
According to a report on the Consequence of Sound website, Young will also release, in the coming months, a second volume of his Archives boxed set, a Return to Greendale release that further explores the 2002 Greendale album; a live 2003 set with Crazy Horse and another show with his go-to band from 1990.
The full track list for the Bottom Line release follows:
1. Citizen Cane Jr. Blues
2. Long May You Run
3. Greensleeves
4. Ambulance Blues
5. Helpless
6. Revolution Blues
7. On The Beach
8. Roll Another Number
9. Motion Pictures
10. Pardon My Heart
11. Dance, Dance, Dance
Listen to a bootleg recording of “Ambulance Blues” from the Bottom Line show
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