(Gannett News Service)
When Neil Young performs at the Louisville Palace on Wednesday, he'll be drawing on a career that stretches back to 1966 and includes nearly 50 albums. It's a catalog unrivaled in rock 'n' roll, with only Bob Dylan and Van Morrison within shouting distance, and Young doesn't seem interested in slowing down.
Navigating Young's discography is not for the timid or time-challenged. He's dabbled in country, blues, rock, electronica, rockabilly and folk -- and that was just the 1980s. His work in the 1960s and '70s went a long way toward defining the music of those eras, while each new album breaks ground for growing old with vitality in a business that worships youth.
With so much from which to choose, there's no telling what songs will comprise Young's solo acoustic performance at the Palace. A handful of classics are all but guaranteed, songs that even casual fans will know by heart, but Young has released 10 albums of new music since his last unqualified hit record, 1992's multiplatinum "Harvest Moon."
In that same period he has put out seven live albums and two box sets, one of which has 13 previously unreleased songs. With so much recent material floating around, we thought that a guide to Young's music since "Harvest Moon" might be useful. After all, you know the classics by heart.
Here's a look at some underrated gems, lovable oddballs and a couple to avoid.
The gems "Sleeps With Angels," 1994. The last record to fully tap into the sense of wonder and mystery that informs all of Young's best work.
"Silver & Gold," 2000. This love letter to Young's wife, Pegi, was greeted with ambivalence but has become an example of how small pleasures can often grow over time. The melodies have legs, and the songs have heart.
"Unplugged," 1995. An engaging selection of songs going all the way back to his 1969 debut, highlighted by the deranged pump organ swirl of "Like A Hurricane."
"Prairie Wind," 2005. Much admired by many, but seems to lose its way after the nearly perfect "It's A Dream," the finest song Young has written in 15 years. Still, a very solid effort in the "Harvest" vein.
Lovable oddballs
"Greendale," 2003. This rock opera focuses on the Green family of Greendale, Calif., and explores murder, enviromentalism and, um, well, the story is actually a mess, but an awesome mess.
"Dead Man," 1996. This soundtrack to Jim Jarmusch's misfit post-modern western starring Johnny Depp is largely ambient improvisation on electric guitar. If it doesn't clear a party, you have very interesting guests.
Avoid
"Are You Passionate?" 2002. Odd that an album dedicated to passion is so lifeless.
"Living With War," 2006. Its fans surely love the intent more than the music. It's great that someone of Young's stature took a pointed shot at the Iraq war, but the songs miss the mark.
Meh
"Mirrorball," 1995. Making a record with Pearl Jam seemed like a great idea, and maybe even the next best thing to Crazy Horse, but this was the start of Young's songwriting tailspin. And Pearl Jam was not the next best thing to Crazy Horse.
"Broken Arrow," 1996. "Music Arcade" is pretty great, but too much of the album is just sort of there. The lack of dynamics is jarring.
"Year of the Horse," 1997. "It all sounds the same," a fan shouts at the beginning of this live album. "It's all one song," Young replies. They're both right.
"Chrome Dreams II," 2007; "Fork in the Road," 2009. "Fork's" obsession with electric low-riders almost qualifies it as a lovable oddball, but like much of "Chrome Dreams II" the songs aren't all there. Close, but not quite.
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