Neil Young - Live at the Fillmore East 1970

Apparently released last November but somehow just coming to my attention, this record is just wonderful. Recorded and lovingly produced by Mr. Young to his exacting standards, this title is from what is being called the Neil Young Archives with the promise of more to come.

From the on-line store:

This first release is from 1970 and features a Crazy Horse line-up with Danny Whitten, Jack Nitzsche, Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina. The show includes an extended "Down By The River" and a 16-minute "Cowgirl In The Sand" (which has previously appeared only on a '90s import). Other songs include Whitten's "Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown," as well as "Winterlong," "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" and "Wonderin'."

The CD/DVD version includes the whole set in High-Resolution audio with photo montages (no video).

The sound is crisp, the energy level high and the mix, especially the vocals with Danny Whitten's great harmony, is very engaging. Not to mention the great guitar work which, when Neil and Whitten get it on, rocks out. Since Whitten died (of a heroin overdose about two years after this recording) the Crazy Horse line up, while now having Frank Sampedro on rythym, who is still great, lacks the challenge that Whitten's guitar work provided.

Highly recommended, five stars, two thumbs up, and all that.