In a thrilling revelation for music fans, Neil Young has released the first-ever recorded concert with Crazy Horse, a significant archival discovery. The historic performance, held on February 25, 1970, at the Music Hall in Cincinnati, Ohio, was unveiled as a special “Winter Solstice” gift by the Neil Young Archives team. This performance, long cherished as a bootleg, now shines in remarkable clarity, capturing the essence of a pivotal moment in rock history.
Table of Contents
The Unveiling of a Classic
Fans have eagerly awaited an official release of Neil Young’s first recorded concert with Crazy Horse. This 16-song set is particularly notable for the debut performance of “Don’t Let It Bring You Down,” combined with “The Old Laughing Lady,” and the first live rendition of Joe London’s “It Might Have Been,” which later appeared on the album Oceanside/Countryside.
This concert marks a milestone—the first instance of a Neil Young show with Crazy Horse being captured on tape. Despite extensive North American tours promoting Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere in 1969, little was recorded, even though these performances laid the foundation for the enduring bond between Young and Crazy Horse.
A Transformative Era
Neil Young’s fortunes changed dramatically in the summer of 1969 when he joined Crosby, Stills, and Nash, forming Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. This collaboration launched him to new heights, playing to packed audiences at major venues like the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles and New York City’s Fillmore. Gone were the days of small club performances under the shadow of Buffalo Springfield.
With CSNY taking a brief break in early 1970, Young seized the opportunity to tour with Crazy Horse again, playing to much larger audiences. The Cincinnati show was the beginning of this groundbreaking tour, and for the first time, they ensured that the magic was preserved on tape.
A Night to Remember
The 1970 Cincinnati concert is essential listening, especially for tracks like “Down by the River,” which stretches nearly 20 minutes, and “Cinnamon Girl,” showcasing original Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten’s thriving presence. Neil Young, in his memoir, Waging Heavy Peace, acknowledged the mistake of underplaying Whitten’s contributions in the original recording, admitting Whitten’s superior rendition.
Despite the crowd’s enthusiastic response, reviews of the concert were surprisingly mixed. A review from the University of Kentucky’s The Kentucky Kernel critiqued Young’s performance as egotistical, though the live renditions of “Down by the River” and “Cinnamon Girl” eventually won the crowd’s fervent admiration.
Legacy of a Legendary Performance
The Cincinnati show stands as a definitive example of Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s live prowess during the Danny Whitten era. While their legendary Fillmore East performances in collaboration with the Steve Miller Blues Band and the Miles Davis Quintet were partially released in 2006, the full essence of their style remains best captured in the newly revealed Cincinnati tape.
This archival release not only enriches Neil Young’s storied career but also deepens our understanding of Crazy Horse’s role in shaping rock history. An official release of this concert, alongside the complete Fillmore recordings, would undoubtedly be a treasured addition to rock music collections worldwide.