As requested....I have reposted with new links! See below text. Cheers.
This is an unreleased album by Neil Young. The boot originally posted posted by Grubstake, who handled the original acetate, on another forum (I try to give credit...the links are mine, but the boot was from him). Rather than try to explain what this album is about I'll let his description below handle it....
In late 1976, Neil Young was putting the final touches on his personally-sequenced career retrospective 3LP set, "Decade". Scheduled for release in early November, test pressings were sent to reviewers and covers (for displays) were sent to stores.
As November and then December came and went, Neil fans and retailers were left wonderin' what had become of the well-publicized "best of" package. The "Decade" displays came down and Christmas displays went up. Six months later, Neil finally did release a new record, but it would be a single disc titled "American stars 'n bars", rather than the 3LP "Decade". Unlike "Homegrown", very little is known about the fabled "Chrome Dreams" LP (later known as "Ride My Llama"). An article published in the September 9, 1976
Rolling Stone mentions a ten-date tour with Crazy Horse "...scheduled for November, just about when he'll release his next LP, planned as "Chrome Dreams".Johnny Rogan mentions the album in his book as an early version of "American stars 'n bars" that "...had (been) altered considerably...by the time it was released in June 1977." Virtually no other
information regarding "Chrome Dreams" had circulated since.
Unexpectedly, in July 1992 sources in Germany claimed to have discovered the acetate of the legendary album. The "test pressing data sheet" provided more information about "Chrome Dreams" than anyone had imagined. The specific information regarding unreleased/unknown studio recordings was stunning. Although the sheet was later debunked as fake paperwork by Joel Bernstein, even he had to concede the accuracy of the information.
Photos of the labels "proved" that the acetate did in fact exist, and we all assumed that it was now just a matter of time before a bootleg appeared. Sure enough, a year later the bootleg CD turned up, and some months later I actually acquired the acetate itself. It's a bit noisier than the CD, but it sure sounds better.
The album starts off with an "alternate" version of "Pocahontas" This solo acoustic version is in fact the same take that appears on the "Rust Never Sleeps" LP (July 1979), but without the overdubs. "Will To Love" ("American stars 'n bars"), "Star Of
Bethlehem" ("Decade" - October 1977) and "Like A Hurricane" ("American stars 'n bars") follow.The closing track on side one is an unreleased studio version of "Too Far Gone". Although the lyrics and tempo are very similar to the 1989 "Freedom" take (it even times out within :07 of the released version), this sp**** recording comes across hung-over and heart-felt; and it's just plain better.
Side two opens with an alternate version of "Hold Back The Tears", which was apparently recorded about the same time as "Too Far Gone". Unlike the version on "American stars 'n bars", this take is considerably slower, and definitely more intense. "Homegrown" follows, and although this is the same take as the "stars 'n bars" version, the mix is noticeably different. The guitars are "pushed way up front" and have a much grittier sound. "Captain Kennedy" ("Hawks & Doves" - October 1980) is next, with the live 3/31/76
Hammersmith Odeon version of "Sringman" next. Often bootlegged but but just another famous unreleased song until 1993's "unplugged" album. The song was performed often during the 1976 U.K. tour, but was never cut in any recording studio (or performed at any other concerts, until 1993). An AMAZING piece of CLASSIC Neil Young & Crazy Horse follows with an alternate take of "Sedan Delivery" that makes the released version sound like an outtake from "OldWays". This gritty, ragged & LOUD version would've fit better on the unreleased "Times Square" album.
Not that my opinion matters, but the I think the highlight of the whole set is the alternate take of "Powderfinger" that follows. The stunning, simple but brilliant acoustic performance shows mid-70s Neil Young at his very best. This recording is not better than the released version; it stands apart as a great version of a great song.
It would be hard to find a better closing track to this set than "Look Out For My Love". Lost in the midst of the "Comes A Time" LP (October 1978), this haunting wordplay proves to be the perfect slipstream vignette after the thunder of this album.
Had it been released, "Chrome Dreams" might have been one of Neil Young's best LPs. The barroom characters amidst historical references and passionate love songs created a wonderful atmosphere. But as with most first drafts, the changes upon changes must be left to the artist, and not to fan whims. As near-perfect as "Chrome Dreams" might seem to me, it's release would have put gaping holes in since-released near-perfect album like "Rust Never Sleeps", "Comes A Time" and "American stars 'n bars".
Footnote: There's been a lot of confusion about the "Chrome Dreams" acetate since this article was originally published in Broken Arrow (February 1993). A bootleg CD was released some months later containing all of the recordings discussed above plus three live Neil Young & The Ducks performances. Very nice booklet with "star 'n bars" inner sleeve-style design & photo. Although a review eluded to the unlisted 8/22/77 Ducks' tracks, there's no mention of them anywhere in the packaging. Here's where the confusion began.
Soon after, another bootleg CD called "CHROME DREAMS" turned up,
containing most of the same songs (but not the same recordings) plus a few additional recordings (most-notably the previously-unissued studio version of "White Line" and a live version of "Ride My Llama" --which was actually yet another working title for the "American stars 'n bars" album). This CD booklet front cover shows a circa-1978 B&W (& silver) photo of Neil.
It's really that simple. However, numerous reviewers have gotten the two CDs mixed up countless times, superimposing live versions where (acetate) studio versions are and vice-versa. The Ducks' tracks aren't even mentioned in some reviews.
To further confuse the issue, supposidly a third bootleg CD has also been issued, adding tracks from the "Times Square" acetate as bonus cuts. I have not seen this one, but I read a review of it in Broken Arrow some time ago.
I have actually seen, handled and taped the acetate discussed here, so despite what you might have read elsewhere regarding the recording dates &/or versions of the songs from this acetate, the information here is correct.
Pt.1
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4RCJ3AHJ
Pt.2
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=OZIWHEP2
Hope these work. Enjoy!
Linear Mode
