As for the actual performances, you've certainly heard songs like "On The Way Home," "Sugar Mountain," "Mr. Soul" and the rest before. Just never like this. "Broken Arrow," which has always been one of Young's most gorgeous songs anyway, becomes a brand new revelation here. Stripped down to the core of Young's guitar and famously quavering voice, the refrains of "did you see them" and "hello, Broken Arrow" sound almost like a desperate plea compared to the version recorded by Buffalo Springfield. The way Neil's guitar duplicates the piano parts of the studio version is also pretty amazing.
The usually rocking "Mr. Soul" becomes much more dark and foreboding here, stripped to an essential foundation of minor chords — which Neil really lays into at times — as Neil sings the famous lines about how "the clown does the trick of disaster" with a quiet intensity that puts the words into much sharper focus. "Expecting To Fly" is likewise a much lonelier sounding song here, with the singer expressing the romantic regret of the song in a quieter, yet stronger way than on the studio version.
Of the three live records released in the Archives series thus far, Sugar Mountain - Live At Canterbury House 1968 is by far the most satisfying. Not only does it capture a very young Neil Young in just about as raw an environment as it gets, it also shows the artist connecting with his audience in a way that has rarely, if ever been seen coming from an artist of Neil Young's iconic standing.
The latest word on that Archives box by the way, is that it will be out on February 24. Judging by the trailer film included on the DVD here, it also looks pretty amazing. Still, I'll actually believe when I see it. In the meantime, for Neil Young fans, Sugar Mountain - Live At Canterbury House 1968 is an essential buy.
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Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
nice review glen. i haven't had a chance to listen to this at home yet (or watch the dvd). i popped it into the car stereo a couple of nights ago and was sort of amazed at how chatty he was!
love hearing just his voice with the guitar.
2 - schmii
What a piece of crap.
Bought the CD and DVD expecting to catch a glimpse of Neil in the early years.
You can imagine our surprise to find the DVD contains no video just identical soundtrack of what’s on the CD.
If that isn’t false advertising I don’t know what is. Class action lawsuit???
Gee thanks Neil for contributing to the landfill by distributing identical copies of the same soundtrack. Whats the point.
To paraphrase Neil: Saw it on the tube, Bought it on the phone, Now you're home alone, It's a piece of crap
3 - Spiritscense
I agreee...definately false advertising...I am very disappointed. Music is great as always though. I spent over an hour trying to figure out why all I was seeing was Neil with snow falling...arghhh...
4 - Lukas, Jacob, Karla
Record exec - neil want to double your investment
neil - what in do you have in mind?
recrord exec - screwing the cusomers
neil - sounds good
Yep crapoamma. Why why a dvd? Major false advertising,neil young is now on par with shamwow.
Wowha way to chew your cabbage twice big guy.