The Many Sides of Fred Neil

The Many Sides of Fred Neil

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Finally, a record label has the sense to reissue folk-era singer-songwriter Fred Neil's three visionary Capitol albums on CD. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1937, Neil was a major fixture on the early-'60s Greenwich Village folk scene. If he's known for anything today, it's for his songwriting (via Nilsson's AM-radio hit of "Everybody's Talkin,'" Jefferson Airplane's manic cover of "Other Side of This Life," or Tim Buckley's lovely version of "The Dolphins"). Neil's songs are remarkable, the sort of ponderous, moody, complex music reminiscent of the best of Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, and Leonard Cohen. His sound was characterized by nimble 12-string guitar playing; the ability to blend Indian, gospel, rock, and blues into folk music; and an impossibly deep, reverberant baritone voice, sort of like Johnny Cash with a midrange, control, and chops. The material on the two CDs that comprise Many Sides was recorded between 1967 and '71 and presents the entirety of Neil's mature work, adding six unreleased tracks and one historically interesting, hootenanny-imprisoned single. Though there are spots of languorous fooling around and stoned goofiness (notably on the lackadaisical Sessions), the takes are mostly grand, the production ranging from inventively subtle to stripped-down live versions. Fans will also want to scoop up the imports of Neil's '65 debut, Bleecker & MacDougal, and his folknik collaboration with Vince Martin, Tear Down the Walls. Last seen in Texas--or was that Florida?--the music world has not heard from Neil since the '70s. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description
This CD is a definitive look at Neil's classic Capitol recordings. Included are the three albums he recorded for Capitol, 'Fred Neil' (later re-released as Everybody's Talkin'), Sessions and the live album Other Side of This Life, plus the A- and B-sides of his rare single with the Nashville Street Singers and six unreleased/alternate songs 'Sweet Mama', 'Trouble in Mind', 'December's Dream', 'Ride Stormy Weather', 'How Long Blues/Drown in Tears' and 'Other Side of This Life'. 36 tracks on 2 CDs. 2001 release.

Tracks:

The Dolphins
I've Got A Secret
That's The Bag I'm In
Ba-De-Da
Faretheewell (Fred's Tune)
Everybody's Talkin
Everything Happens
Sweet Cocaine
Green Rocky Road
Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga
Felicity
Please Send Somebody Else To Love
Merry Go Round
Look Over Yonder
Fools Are A Long Time Comin'
Looks Like Rain
Roll On Rosie

Tracks:

The Other Side Of This Life
Roll On Rosie
The Dolphins
That's The Bag I'm In
Sweet Cocaine
Everybody's Talkin'
Come Back Baby
Ba-De-Da
Prettiest Train
Ya Don't Miss Your Water
Felicity
Long Black Veil with The Nashville Street Singers
Bottom Of The Glass with The Nashville Street Singers
Sweet Mama
Trouble In Mind
December's Dream
Ride Sunny Weather
How Long Blues/ Drown In Tears
The Other Side Of This Life

Product Description

Disc 1:
1. Dolphins, The
2. I've Got A Secret - (Didn't We Shake Sugaree)
3. That's The Bag I'm In
4. Ba-De-Da
5. Faretheewell (Fred's Tune)
6. Everybody's Talkin'
7. Everything Happens
8. Sweet Cocaine
9. Green Rocky Road
10. Cynicrustpetefredjohn Raga
11. Felicity
12. Please Send Me Someone To Love
13. Merry Go Round
14. Look Over Yonder
15. Fools Are A Long Time Comin'
16. Looks Like Rain
17. Roll On Rosie

Disc 2:
1. Other Side Of This Life, The
2. Roll On Rosie
3. Dolphins, The
4. That's The Bag I'm In
5. Sweet Cocaine
6. Everybody's Talkin'
7. Come Back Baby
8. Ba-De-Da
9. Prettiest Train
10. Ya Don't Miss Your Water
11. Felicity
12. Long Black Veil - (with The Nashville Street Singers)
13. Bottom Of The Glass - (with The Nashville Street Singers)
14. Sweet Mama
15. Trouble In Mind
16. December's Dream
17. Ride Stormy Weather
18. How Long Blues giDrown In Tears
19. Other Side Of This Life, The

Format: CD

Amazon.com

Finally, a record label has the sense to reissue folk-era singer-songwriter Fred Neil's three visionary Capitol albums on CD. Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 1937, Neil was a major fixture on the early-'60s Greenwich Village folk scene. If he's known for anything today, it's for his songwriting (via Nilsson's AM-radio hit of "Everybody's Talkin,'" Jefferson Airplane's manic cover of "Other Side of This Life," or Tim Buckley's lovely version of "The Dolphins"). Neil's songs are remarkable, the sort of ponderous, moody, complex music reminiscent of the best of Nick Drake, Richard Thompson, and Leonard Cohen. His sound was characterized by nimble 12-string guitar playing; the ability to blend Indian, gospel, rock, and blues into folk music; and an impossibly deep, reverberant baritone voice, sort of like Johnny Cash with a midrange, control, and chops. The material on the two CDs that comprise Many Sides was recorded between 1967 and '71 and presents the entirety of Neil's mature work, adding six unreleased tracks and one historically interesting, hootenanny-imprisoned single. Though there are spots of languorous fooling around and stoned goofiness (notably on the lackadaisical Sessions), the takes are mostly grand, the production ranging from inventively subtle to stripped-down live versions. Fans will also want to scoop up the imports of Neil's '65 debut, Bleecker & MacDougal, and his folknik collaboration with Vince Martin, Tear Down the Walls. Last seen in Texas--or was that Florida?--the music world has not heard from Neil since the '70s. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews:

All about the 'activity'.......2004-11-12

Fred Neil just puts me in that state. You know the one where you think of that old guy in town that would come into the office and ask for "Ayndy". That's what Neil's recording does. He brings back memories of all "questionable activity" that goes on down by the park near the edge of town. Man that old dude could sure write a ton of letters as well. I miss him. Neil's exquisite compositions remind me of that 100-year old freak. I have no idea what he's doin' now. Probably pullin' up weeds in his garden or listening to the 80s station in town or just hanging out at the grocery store sucking down coffee with some other old guys. I hope he still has his health and can walk. Every time i hear fred neil, i miss him.

Careworn & Caring.......2004-10-05

Was it really 36 years ago that I chanced upon Fred at a friend's place on an Elektra sampling of folkies inc. Tim Buckley,& Hamilton Camp? I remember thinking then (as I've thought subsequently of Buckley, Aster Aweke, Aaron Neville & a handful of others - if I could sing with this power, I'd never talk). There's an undeniable careworn quality to Neil's delivery, an appealing, relaxed warmth, that few listeners could pass by. Yes, we regret his reluctance to tangle with the industry side of music, and yes, this has left us the poorer. So savour these rich baritone minutes. But to heed Fred's unforgettable anthem,'Dolphins',savour without nostalgia. Buckley did it proud. So too did Jesse Colin Young. It's really unjust to compare Fred's voice & attitude, but some listeners might find, as I have, Chris Smither's,'Train Home', as a recent echo of Neil. Not that all-embracing, mellifluous resonance, but similarly sweet & resigned (with a stunning re-visit to the 60s political turmoils in Dylan's, 'Desolation Row').

Few could go untouched by such a soulful resonant voice..........2002-01-31

The first time I heard Fred Neil's voice was over ten years ago when my friend Richard dug out his this obscure record album, tipped his huge speakers over on their sides onto the wood floor ("better sound this way", said Richard) and put the needle down. Out of those speakers came the sound of the most beautiful, heartfelt and deep tones of a voice that was at first hard to describe.
When the first song was over, Dolphins, I said how much he reminded me of Hoyt Axton! My friend replied that Hoyt used to hang-out, smoke pot and sing with Fred Neil, and now Fred had melted into obscurity, thought to be living somewhere in Oregon. (...) But to me, at that moment and as I listened to the rest of the album, Fred Neil was re-born all over again. What a voice!
I hope that the rumor is untrue that Fred Neil has died. I know that Hoyt Axton died in '99, but I read a review here that said Fred was gone too. I always had a wish that I would see him play somewhere in some little cafe and would get to hear that wonderful sound live. I wore-out the casette that my friend Richard made for me and was so happy that the record companies had the insite to re-release these Sam Neil treasures!

Remember a lost voice.......2001-07-11

Fred Neil died over the weekend. Those of us who became members of his cult during the mid-'60s with the Elektra classic "Bleecker and MacDougal," have wished for a return after his disappearance from music in the mid-'70s, but it wasn't to be.

In addition to his compelling vocal style, he wrote a few certifiably classic tunes: "Everybody's Talkin'," "The Dolphins," and "Other Side To This Life." They have been covered successfully by other artists, from Nilsson to Beth Orton, over the decades.

To escape his demons--or maybe just to co-exist with them more easily--Fred retired to Florida and until recently was militant about refusing to connect with the music industry or press. The recordings in this set vary greatly in quality, but even when ragged they carry a tremendous folk-jazz vibe. Possessed of a warm, deep voice and a complex, spontaneous interpretive sensibility, Neil belongs in a rarefied class with Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and Terry Callier as a moody writer-interpreter at the nexus of folk, jazz, blues and soul.

Even if you never heard of him in his lifetime, remember him now.

Fred Neil-masterful.......2001-02-15

Collects all his Capital material. Fred Neil possesses a wonderful, baritone voice; his music moves like beat poetry..This along with "Bleeker and McDougal", thankfully available again.

Hearts Across the Ocean... Hands Across the Sea, A Collection of Celtic Music

Average customer rating:

Great CD - Great Cause - Great Value
Great Music for a Greater Cause
Excellent collection of artists for a CD

Hearts Across the Ocean... Hands Across the Sea, A Collection of Celtic Music
Brendan Heart Fund
Manufacturer: mastermindproductions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Irish Folk | Traditional British & Celtic Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000EYQC6I

Product Description

A Collection of Celtic Music 2CD Set of top North American and international Celtic Musicians by the Emerald Society of Wisconsin 2006 Brendan Heart Fund The Brendan Heart Fund was started at Milwaukee Children's Hospital in 1987 in memory of young Brendan Ward. It supports cardiac care for children, including diagnosis, treatment, and research. In 1990 the Emerald Society of Wisconsin selected the Brendan Heart Fund as it's charity, and began raising funds on it's behalf. In January of 2005, Child Magazine rated the cardiac program of Milwaukee Children's Hospital as one of the top five programs of its kind in the United States. The artists on this album have generously donated their music to help raise funds for this deserving cause. They come from Ireland, Atlantic Canada, and the United States and have joined their hands and hearts to help children in need. A 2 disc collection who have donated their music to these CD's for the Non-Profit benefit of the Brendan Heart Fund. This CD may not be copied or reproduced without express permission from the Artists

Customer Reviews:

Great CD - Great Cause - Great Value.......2006-05-03

This is the second compilation done to support the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. Awsome set of tunes! Don't miss it!!

Great Music for a Greater Cause.......2006-05-03

I got this CD at the Emerald Society Fund Raiser. It is a wonderful collection from the US, Canada and Ireland. If you want a good taste of Irish Music, this is the CD for you. PLUS all profits go to for heart reseach at Children's Hospital - Wisconsin.

Excellent collection of artists for a CD.......2006-03-15

Picked up this CD in Chicago (just came out this year) and has a great collection of known as well as upcoming artists from the midwest. On top of that, I understand that the money goes right a charity called Brendan Heart Fund in Milwaukee at some Children's Hospital. Highly recommend for others.