Neil Young follows up last year's release of Live at the Fillmore East with Live at Massey Hall 1971, and the two records could not be any less alike. While the Fillmore record displays Young with his full band, Live at Massey Hall showcases the singer/songwriter's solo talent.
For over an hour, Young dishes out an intimate set of tunes - just the man, his guitar and a piano. The downtime between songs is filled with the stories of his songs and offhanded comments ("Oops, I dropped my pick") as well as a joke about playing a Johnny Cash cover. It sounds like a predated episode of VH1 Storytellers. The centerpiece of the album is the piano suite of "A Man Needs A Maid" and "Heart of Gold." Young croons away in his signature style and pumps the pedals 'til he's breathless.
Preserving the particular energy and unique experience of a live performance, especially one as intimate as Live at Massey Hall, is no easy task. But, Young sounds as fresh and sincere today as he did 30-odd years ago when the album was recorded.
