Live At The Cellar Door

Intimate and an all-round wonder, Neil Young’s Live At The Cellar Door is a record that showcases the superstar’s raw talent. Released as Volume 2.5 in the Neil Young Archives Performance Series, the LP is a snippet of six of Young’s concerts during 1970 at the now extinct venue in Washington D.C.

Greeting the crowd with a “Howdy” before kicking off with opener ‘Tell Me Why’, the Canadian powers through a performance that includes some of his greatest songs to date.

‘After The Gold Rush’ begins with gorgeous piano chords, soon paired with the musician’s signature vocals. ‘Old Man’ sees Young bust out the acoustic ballad, whilst ‘See The Sky About To Rain’ seems like an ode to his previous work rather than his latter.

It’s the little background noise that makes Live At The Cellar Door so personal. You hear the first audience member clapping to the last, people shuffling around, coughing and murmuring. Compared to other live albums, this stands out;  it feels like you’re there watching Young in the flesh.

‘Flying On The Ground Is Wrong’ begins with the famed artist playing the lowest keys on the piano. Often chuckling to himself, he says “Well, you’d laugh too if you did this for a living.”

A real gem for any Young fan, Live At The Cellar Door seemingly cements itself as one of the most intimate and beautiful live recordings released.

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