A Neil Young album, Chrome Dreams, was scheduled to be released in 1977, but as is often the case with the musician, things change. And then change again. And now it’s finally been released on CD and vinyl on August 11, 2023, via Reprise Records as Young envisioned it. The music included on Chrome Dreams is the debut release of the legendary 1977 “lost” album of 12 classic Young songs, including four originals, recorded in the studio from 1974-1976, including two previously unreleased versions and four tracks never before released on vinyl. It’s available to order here or via the links below.
The songs on Chrome Dreams have existed in other forms at other times, and that is part of the creative process. Many of these are the originals. The 2023 release is exactly how Young perceived it. Songs like “Pocahontas,” “Like a Hurricane,” “Powderfinger,” “Homegrown,” “Stringman,” and “Look Out for My Love” join six other tracks.
Some of the historical lineage of the songs include:
“Powderfinger,” the early/first solo version, the original;
“Pocahontas,” the same version that first appeared on Rust Never Sleeps, but without the overdubs;
“Sedan Delivery” and “Hold Back the Tears” are originals with lyrics that were not included in later released versions. Both are very different versions than previously released;
“Stringman,” is another original performance, included on the Odeon/Budokan disc in Archives Vol. II. Prior to that the song had only appeared on Young’s Unplugged album in a later version, not the original.
The vinyl edition of Chrome Dreams is manufactured as a 3-sided LP with an etching on side 4.
Neil Young Chrome Dreams Track List (and Recording Dates)
1. Pocahontas (August 11, 1976)
2. Will to Love (December 3, 1976)
3. Star of Bethlehem (December 13, 1974)
4. Like a Hurricane (November 29, 1975)
5. Too Far Gone (September 5, 1975)
6. Hold Back the tears (February 6, 1977)
7. Homegrown (November 19, 1975)
8. Captain Kennedy (August 11, 1976)
9. Stringman (March 31, 1976)
10. Sedan Delivery (May 22, 1975)
11. Powderfinger (August 11, 1976)
12. Look Out For My Love (January 20, 1976)
In 2023, Young toured for the first time in four years. When he announces more dates, tickets will be available here.
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Neil Young said that one of his record labels dropped him, accusing him of being inconsistent. His reply was “True but I’m consistently inconsistent”. I ‘ve always liked that.