Neil Young in Cowboy Movie
July 30th, 2007 by georgehookThanks for this site. I just finished listening to the Classic Vinyl Version, and it remains one of the most magical records ever recorded, right up there with Kind of Blue or Piper at the Gates of Dawn. Crosby was vastly ahead of his time with “If I Could …” and it’s great that it is finally getting the recognition that it should have received the day it was released [I still get angry when I read Lester Bang’s put down … and he wasn’t the only one!].
Anyway, on the Track by Track list, Stephen Barncard seems to remember that Jerry Garcia double tracked both lead guitar parts, but I’ve read elsewhere that Neil Young is the other lead guitar in the mix. I mean, to my ears, it has to be Neil, just listen to that riff after Crosby sings “mean and young, from the South” like he just called out Neil’s name, and Neil does that electric stutter break in response.
I hope Crosby realizes this is his finest work. I find most of the CSNY albums sounding dated these days … while “If I Could …” transcends time and, needless to say, space.
July 30th, 2007 at 08:42:09
Thanks for you comments. Yes, what you hear on that session is PURE Garcia. I agree the stutter notes sound like Neil licks, but the riff is finished off with something very Garcia-like imho. I am one with the track lists as I recorded the original tracks in 1970, then spent 6 months mixing this album for surround in 2004.
There were several takes of “Cowboy Move” made, but the one that made the grade was 100% live and unedited (except for the Garcia overdubs.) However, you’re in luck if you like this tune - there’s a Garcia - Neil guitar battle version that was hacked together from various takes that appears on David’s VOYAGE box set as there were various tuning and tempo problems on the other takes. Only with modern tools were the takes even salvageable.
What do you think about this kind of revisionism?
stephen barncard