Neil Young’s New Archival Release Highlights His 1970s and 1980s Work

Few musicians today are as committed to exploring their archives as Neil Young. In recent years, he’s formally released everything from lost albums to live recordings that were previously only available as bootlegs. His dedication to preserving and sharing his musical history extends even further with releases that provide a comprehensive overview of his activities during specific periods. One such period spans from 1976 to 1987.

Fans of Young will be thrilled with the archival release of Archives Vol. III, which includes 17 CDs and five Blu-Rays in its deluxe edition. This deluxe version is exclusively available on Young’s website. However, a box set comprising the 17 CDs will be released more broadly. Also, a double LP titled Takes will feature 16 songs selected from the entire collection.

In other words, it’s a tremendous amount of music. As stated in the announcement from Warner Bros., “You could drive from New York to Denver, listening the entire time, and still have hours left to enjoy when you arrive!”

This archive features recordings that Young made with various bands, including Crazy Horse, the International Harvesters, and the Ducks—a Young-led band from 1977 featuring Moby Grape’s Bob Mosley. The collection also includes collaborations with Devo, Nicolette Larson, and Linda Ronstadt.

The list of collaborators provides a clear indication of the broad range this period covers in Young’s discography. Not many musicians can boast having worked with both Linda Ronstadt and Devo during their careers. Whether you’re looking for alternate versions of “The Needle and the Damage Done” and “Are You Ready For the Country?” or tracking Young’s evolution over more than a decade, this box set offers a wealth of options.

Source: Warner Bros.