It’s foolhardy to think Neil Young can be properly documented over a single compact disc, even if it’s maxed out at 80 minutes. Decade, the last compilation of any consequence, came out nearly 30 years ago. Bulging at the seams with three long-players, it barely captured what had already been done up to that point. Since that time, of course, Young has recorded a couple of dozen albums. In the interim, a Neil Young box set with the working title Archives has been in pre-production for years. It’s more than likely been delayed because Young keeps churning out new music. Unlike like a majority of classic rockers, he hasn’t succumbed to the nostalgia revival bandwagon just yet. So, while we wait for the next adventure into the unknown confines of Neil Young’s mind, we get Greatest Hits, a brave and valiant attempt at authenticating the singer-songwriter’s legacy without wallowing too deep into more esoteric territory (they gotta be saving that for the box set).
Clocking in at just over 77 minutes, the CD’s 16 songs certainly rank as core essentials for anyone with even a fleeting interest. “Down By The River,” “Cinnamon Girl,” “Southern Man” and “Heart Of Gold” are just a few of the golden nuggets chosen for the collection. All but four appear on Decade, and they were each recorded after 1989. Apparently, Young’s recordings for Geffen Records from the early to mid 80s didn’t make the cut, undoubtedly due to the sort of legal wrangling attached to such issues (you’ll have to pick up Lucky 13 for those songs).
Irregardless of all it is up against, the CD makes for an enticing package. The remastering gives every song a cool and uplifting brightness, and the bonus DVD, which more or less replicates the CD, is a slice of high resolution heaven. All things considered, Greatest Hits is a worthy contender for your holiday dollar, if for no other reason than it’s from Neil Young.
~ Shawn Perry
