Neil Young and Crazy Horse successfully reimagine 'Ragged Glory' songs

NEIL YOUNG WITH CRAZY HORSE
FU##IN’ UP
Reprise Records (CD, 2-LP)

By John Curley

Fu##in' Up features reimagined and retitled versions of songs from Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s Ragged Glory album, which was released in September 1990. The lone exception is the cover “Farmer John,” which retains its original title. “Farmer John” is a song written and recorded by Don “Sugarcane” Harris and Dewey Terry in 1959 and covered in 1964 by East L.A. band The Premiers.

On the album, Crazy Horse is comprised of Billy Talbot (bass, vocal), Ralph Molina (drums, vocal), Micah Nelson (guitar, vocal, piano), Nils Lofgren (guitar, vocal, piano) and Neil Young (guitar, vocal, harmonica).

Regarding this album, Young stated, “In the spirit it’s offered, we made this for the Horse lovers. I can’t stop it. The Horse is runnin’. What a ride we have. I don’t want to mess with the vibe, and I am so happy to have this to share.”

The tone of the album is set by the terrific and grungy opening track “City Life” (originally titled “Country Home” on Ragged Glory) that has great guitar work and a solid effort by the rhythm section of Talbot and Molina. “Feels Like a Railroad” (originally “White Line”) is a strident rocker with a commanding vocal by Young. It has a nice country rock feel to it. “Heart of Steel” (originally “Fu—in’ Up”) is a bit more laid back than the original version. Talbot’s heavy bass provides the foundation for the song. “Broken Circle” (originally “Over and Over”) is tight with rock-solid drumming by Molina and outstanding guitars. Young’s lead vocal is direct and the band’s backing vocals are shambolic but totally fitting.

Clocking in at almost 13 minutes, “Valley of Hearts” (originally “Love to Burn”) has a grungy opening before Young’s pleading vocal joins in. It’s terrific, and it features an outstanding extended guitar break. Young and company sound like they’re having a blast playing “Farmer John.” It’s a great ragged take on the song that includes some nice New Orleans-style piano. “Walkin’ in My Place” (originally “Mansion on the Hill”) is given a beautifully full-on performance with a rocking guitar break. “To Follow One’s Own Dream” (originally “Days That Used to Be”) is driven by Molina’s solid drumming and features some impressive harmonica playing by Young. The album concludes on a perfect note with “A Chance on Love” (originally “Love and Only Love”), a rocker with great guitar work that runs over 15 minutes and has an extended feedback-drenched ending.

This is an album that all fans of Neil Young and Crazy Horse should enjoy. It’s certainly not just for completists only.

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