Still working on my list -- Internet was down all day at work. :irked:

These are in no particular order after the first one. These are my faves, and some explanation why. The album each tune appears on is in italics/parentheses.

 

Obviously, I couldn't even stick to my own rules. :lol:

 

“Powderfinger” (Rust Never Sleeps) —I’ve always found this to be the ultimate Neil anthem. His guitar work (especially that soaring lick on the change) in the tune is outstanding and has an excellent hum-along quality, even though it’s hard to figure exactly what the story is about. Allegedly was written for Lynyrd Skynyrd, but the plane crash kept them from ever recording it.

 

“World On A String” (Tonight’s The Night) —This tune has a catchy, rhythmic groove that permeates it all the way through, and has always been a fave of mine as a result.

 

“Pocahontas” (Rust Never Sleeps) —Neil’s fascination with Indians results in one of his most endearing acoustic anthems.

 

“Last Trip To Tulsa” (Neil Young) —Another Indian-related song; it’s the closer on his solo debut. It’s about as intense an acoustic song as I’ve heard, with what feels like an extremely emotional and percussive playing style that I’ve always loved.

 

“After The Goldrush” (After The Goldrush) —Just a gorgeous tune, and shows off Neil’s chops on the piano, and features some beautiful lyrics as well. No other way to describe it. My favorite song off my one of my favorite Neil albums (this and Rust Never Sleeps).

 

“Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere” (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere) — Neil goes to the country, with great effect.

 

“Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World” (Freedom) —There’s a reason Neil’s called “The Godfather Of Grunge,” and this song is it. I dare you to not sing along.

 

“Expecting To Fly” (Buffalo Springfield Again) — Yes, it’s technically not a Neil solo tune, but it is. The string arrangement in this song is incredibly beautiful, and soars to the point that it helps tenderize Neil’s halting vocals.

 

“Cowgirl In The Sand” (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere) — A world-class guitar jam, clocking in at more than 10 minutes on the studio version (and frequently 15-20 minutes in concert). ‘Nuff said.

 

“(Messin’) Up” (Ragged Glory) — It just flat-out rocks, in the strongest possible terms. And no, it’s not just the use of a curse word in the song’s title (and all throughout) that makes it cool. But it is cool. Great crunching guitar licks on this grunge-rocker.

 

“Ohio” (Journey Through The Past is where the studio version first appeared, two years after its single release) — Neil at his most political in a song credited to CSNY. Neil saw photos in Life magazine of the Kent St. massacre, then went into a room and came back out shortly thereafter with the lyrics. In short order, the group went into the studio and recorded it, and it was deemed so important and moving that it was rush-released as a single while “Teach Your Children” was still in the top 10, which is anathema to record companies.

 

“Tonight’s The Night” (Tonight’s The Night) and “Needle And The Damage Done” (Harvest) — These are kind of companion songs in my mind, where Neil discusses the high cost of drug abuse.

 

"Cinnamon Girl” (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere) — Perhaps the original “grunge” tune. I have a weakness for redheads, and this tune speaks to that.

 

“Southern Man” (After The Goldrush) and “Alabama” (Harvest) — Another pair of companion songs where Neil speaks out against the racism of the deep south.

 

“Let’s Roll” (Are You Passionate) — This is Neil’s reaction to 9/11, from the perspective of the passengers on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania. First time I heard it, I had to stop the car and cry, it was so moving.

 

“Unknown Legend” (Harvest Moon) — Lovely acoustic number, and a great story. “She used to work in a diner/Never saw a woman look finer/I used to order just to watch her float across floor.” I’ve always felt Pearl Jam’s “Off He Goes” was a great companion song to this one.

 

“Piece Of Crap” (Sleeps With Angels) — This rocker is often overlooked, coming late in the album, but it’s a fun take on the lack of pride in workmanship during the late ‘80s.

 

“Sugar Mountain” (The Decade compilation is the first time the studio version it appeared on an album, I think) — Evokes idyllic memories of childhood and simpler times.

 

“Like A Hurricane” (American Stars & Bars) — One of the most brilliant lyrical turns ever: “You are like a hurricane/There’s calm in your eye.” That’s pretty darned deep, right there.

 

"Mr. Soul" (Buffalo Springfield Again) — Another not technically a solo tune, but this one just rocks.

 

“Cortez The Killer” (Zuma) — More songs about Indians. This tune was actually banned in Spain! This tune is best live.

Edited August 19, 200917 yr by Jim Schue

1.Powderfinger

2.Ohio

3.Like A Hurricane

4.Old Man

5.Southern Man

6.Heart Of Gold

7.Long You May Run

8.Rockin' In The Free World

9.Love Is A Rose

10.From Hank To Hendrix

:puke: I'm getting nervous waiting for Jim to critique my list. Hope he remembers we grew up in the same small town.

:puke: I'm getting nervous waiting for Jim to critique my list. Hope he remembers we grew up in the same small town.

 

As big a Neil fan as I am, the only criticism I would have for your or anyone else's list would be if "Powderfinger" wasn't prominently placed.

Great list/discography Jim.

Jim what about something from Mirror Ball?:popcorn:

Jim what about something from Mirror Ball?:popcorn:

 

Great album, but none of the tunes really stand out to me the way these I mentioned do. "I'm The Ocean" is the one I always liked the most off the album.

No "Hawks and Doves" or "Coming Apart at Every Nail" or "Union Man (?)" ?

 

Like A Hurricane - love the guitar work in it.

No "Hawks and Doves" or "Coming Apart at Every Nail" or "Union Man (?)" ?

 

 

While I like "Hawks and Doves," it would never be mistaken for one of his strongest albums.

While I like "Hawks and Doves," it would never be mistaken for one of his strongest albums.

 

Actually I had a smilie there for a reason.

 

 

I remember that album coming out on the heels of the "Live Rust" a few years before and I thought: "what in the world is Neil doing???"

 

Over the course of time I've come to realize that's one of the things I like about him: You never know what you will get except it will be what Neil Young wants to give. :thumb:

 

Any man who quits a big tour with Stephen Stills and only leaves a note that says:

 

"Dear Stephen:

 

Funny how some things that start out spontaneously end that way. Eat a peach.

 

Neil."

 

:lol:

1. Harvest Moon

2. Unknown Legend

3. Long May You Run

4. Keep on Rockin in the Free World

5. Cowgirl in the Sand

6. Sugar Mountain

7. Cinnamon Girl

8. Needle and the Damage Done

9. Southern Man

10. Ohio

10. Old Man

10. From Hank To Hendrix

10. Heart Of Gold

1. Ohio. As I've stated before, one of the "formative songs" of my formative years.

2. After the Goldrush

3. Cinnamon Girl

4. Mr. Soul

5. Old Man

6. Hey Hey My My

7. Cowgirl in the Sand

8 Don't Let it Bring You Down

9. Keep on Rocking in the Free World

10. Sugar Mountain

 

Honorable Mention - Powderfinger

“Pocahontas” (Rust Never Sleeps)

This always reminds me of a camping trip I went on with my dad and my three brothers. My dad always kept a copy of Live Rust and Weld on cassette tape in his van – and that’s the only music he ever had in there. One particular weekend he decided to take us on a “let’s give mom a break” camping trip and my oldest brother brought this album along. I think we must have listened to it a good 3 or 4 times. Pocahontas was the song that stuck with me.

 

“Medley: Loner, Cinnamon Girl, Down By The River” (4 Way Street)

I had never even considered how similar these three tunes were until my oldest brother came home with the expanded version and I heard this medley.

 

“Powderfinger” (Rust Never Sleeps)

No particular explanation. Just a dag-gone good song.

 

“Don’t Let It Bring You Down” (Live at Massey Hall)

I always liked this song, but when I heard it on Massey Hall, I completely fell for it.

 

“Razor Love” (Silver & Gold)

Although most of my music junkie friends don’t much care for Silver & Gold, I probably listen to that album more regularly than any of his others. It’s just a collection of very heartfelt “I need to get something off my chest” songs by Neil. If I had to pick a favorite from the album, I guess this would be it…but they’re all good. I’m not entirely surprised there isn’t any love for this album on here yet though.

 

“Harvest Moon” (Harvest Moon)

If I tried to come up with a list of completely perfect songs, I don’t know that there are too many songs I could come up with. Maybe 7 or 8 songs tops. This would be one of them though.

“Down By The River” (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere)

Who doesn’t like listening to that one-note solo after the first refrain?? He actually crunches the same exact note on his guitar THIRTY-EIGHT times in a row. Awesome song!

 

“Cortez The Killer” (Zuma)

Not gonna bother explaining.

“Cinnamon Girl” (Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere)

This song pumps out the power…even as relatively simply as it was produced: doubled vocals, clap track, drums, bass, guitar, overdrive turned up to eleven.

 

“Like A Hurricane” (Unplugged)

I always thought that this version was the way it was truly meant to be played. The moan of the pump organ and the sincerity and depth of the lyrics fit together perfectly.