Neil Young update

Roughly forty-six years after its original recording, Neil Young finally revealed the release of Homegrown. Often referred to by fans as one of Young’s mysterious, great “lost albums,” the twelve studio tracks will be released on all formats on June 19, via Reprise Records. Album pre-orders are available and will include an instant download of previously unreleased album track “Try.” Click here to pre-order.

Neil Young describes Homegrown as “The One That Got Away,” and posted the following letter on Neil Young Archives below:

“I apologize. This album Homegrown should have been there for you a couple of years after Harvest. It’s the sad side of a love affair. The damage done. The heartache. I just couldn’t listen to it. I wanted to move on. So I kept it to myself, hidden away in the vault, on the shelf, in the back of my mind….but I should have shared it. It’s actually beautiful. That’s why I made it in the first place. Sometimes life hurts. You know what I mean. This is the one that got away.

Recorded in analog in 1974 and early 1975, Homegrown was mixed at that time to original stereo analog master tapes. These original mixes have been restored by John Hanlon, and mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, making Homegrown a completely original album.

Levon Helm is drumming on some tracks, Karl T Himmel on others, Emmylou Harris singing on one, Robbie Robertson plays on one. Homegrown contains a narration, several acoustic solo songs never even published or heard until this release and some great songs played with a band of my friends, including Ben Keith – steel and slide – Tim Drummond – bass and Stan Szelest – piano. Anyway, it’s coming your way in 2020, the first release from our archive in this new decade. Come with us into 2020 as we bring you the past.” 

– Neil Young

Young puts it best, “This album is the unheard bridge between Harvest and Comes A Time.” Recorded between June 1974 and January 1975, Homegrown was intended to come out in 1975 before Young cancelled the release. The album has remained unreleased until now, achieving a legendary status among Neil Young fans in the process.

The album is made up of twelve Neil Young songs, of which seven are previously unreleased - “Separate Ways,” “Try,” “Mexico,” “Kansas,” “We Don’t Smoke It No More,” “Vacancy” and “Florida” (a spoken word narration). Also included are the very first recordings of “Homegrown” and “White Line”. “Little Wing,” “Love Is A Rose,” and “Star Of Bethlehem” – different mixes of which would all later appear on other Neil Young albums, retain their original form in Homegrown.

Young plays solo on some tracks (guitar, piano and harmonica), and is joined by a band of friends on other tracks, including Levon Helm, Ben Keith, Karl T Himmel, Tim Drummond, Emmylou Harris and Robbie Robertson.

Track Listing:

Separate Ways
Try
Mexico
Love Is A Rose
Homegrown
Florida
Kansas
We Don’t Smoke It No More
White Line
Vacancy
Little Wing
Star of Bethlehem

In related news...

Neil Young and Daryl Hannah have done several Fireside Sessions. His comprehensive website neilyoungarchives.com is free for all to explore and enjoy during these unusual and challenging times. The intimate Fireside Sessions from home have been featured surprising set lists.

Young recently released a new mix of “Shut It Down” titled “Shut It Down 2020” from his current album with Crazy Horse, COLORADO. Click here to view and share “Shut It Down 2020” video and here for the audio.