Neil's true grit (Zuma - Neil Young With Crazy Horse)

Member Name: joe_harper

Product:	Zuma - Neil Young With Crazy Horse
Date:	07/04/01 (130 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant unique guitar work, original lyrics and melodies

Disadvantages: Probably not for the musical perfectionist

"Zuma", released in 1975, has long been one of my favourite Neil Young albums. Although not as immediately accessible as “After the Goldrush” or “Harvest”, and probably not a good introduction to Neil Young for beginners, it contains all the elements which make his music great.

A unique blend of melodic country-rock, delicate acoustic and searing electric guitar makes this an essential purchase. The highlights of the album are “Danger bird” and “Cortez the killer”. On these tracks the raw electric thud of Crazy Horse provides a framework around which Neil weaves some of his finest, most piercing, guitar playing. “Cortez” with its long ominous intro and chilling lyrics about the plunder of South America by the conquistadors is a classic.

The songs “Looking for a love” and “Don’t cry no tears” are fine examples of Neil’s brand of melodic guitar-driven country rock, while the quieter acoustic tracks “Through my sails” and “Pardon my heart” demonstrate his ability to write sensitive and original material.

If you like your music note-perfect and glossily produced then this is not for you. This is rugged and honest stuff and all the better for it.

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