Published 2024-03-15 06:00
“Why do these old songs live so vividly now? They do to me.” ~ Neil Young
There are certain albums that have an aura around them. It can't really be planned, but there is something in the way all the music performances and material comes together to set them on their own plateau. The interesting part of that equation is that there is no way to plan on the results, or even predict. They often come together as they are being recorded, and that is the start of a wonderful journey. "Fu##in’ Up", recorded in 2023, is truly a work unto itself, to be released on April 26th, 2024.
These 9 songs from Young's ever growing catalog are injected with the kind of audio attack that Young and Crazy Horse have been playing since they started performing in the late 1960's. It has been a constant capturing of what rock'n'roll is really capable of, and one that shows no sign of stopping.
The Crazy Horse lineup on "Fu##in’ Up" includes Billy Talbot, bass, vocal, Ralph Molina, drums, vocal, Micah Nelson, guitar, vocal, piano, Nils Lofgren, guitar, vocal, piano, and Neil Young, guitar, vocal, harmonica. The sounds these 5 musicians achieve cannot be predicted, and allow an element of sonic surprise that is a definition of how the boundaries of bands are always up for revision, and supply the music to march into the future with an unparalleled power.
The old songs of this new Neil Young & Crazy Horse album break through in all their ragged glory as a brand new release. As time passes and musicians achieve new prowess in their playing, it gives Young and the band a way to approach what they have done in the past as something they're now able to go far beyond with an exciting approach that can only be seen as totally new. The best music never stands still, and allows the players a wide open field to explore now. The past is gone, but offers a road into the future.
Young explains it best, "In the spirit it's offered, we made this for the Horse lovers. I can't stop it. The Horse is runnin'. What a ride we have. I don't want to mess with the vibe, and I am so happy to have this to share".
As has always been his practice, Neil Young establishes a personal timetable on how and when he releases his music. It has given him a way of offering his audience a personal participation of living with the recordings, and gathering new fans at the same time his long time listeners remain a strong part of the family. There is no other still active artist that approaches his work like this, making sure that the music comes 1st for him and his listeners. There is no distinction between the new and the old. It was, is and always will be about the now.
On April 20th, 2024, a clear vinyl 2 LP limited edition will include a litho print of the album cover art and will be available on Record Store Day and through The Greedy Hand Store via the Neil Young Archives only, which is a unique arrangement with the Record Store Day organization to allow a release to be sold outside of participating record stores.
On April 26th, the black vinyl LP, CD and digital edition will be released. Hi res digital audio is available at the Xstream Store at the Neil Young Archives and most D.S.P.'s. All Greedy Hand Store purchases come with free hi res digital audio downloads.
In true Neil Young innovative approach, the songs on "Fu##in' Up" have been renamed in their ragged glory with new titles, allowing them to be here now. "Farmer John" is a song originally done by Don 'Sugarcane' Harris and Dewey Terry in 1959, and soon covered in 1964 by East Los Angeles band The Premiers and remains as its original title.