release date: Apr. 9, 2002
format: cd
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,52]
producer: Neil Young, Booker T. Jones, Duck Dunn, Frank 'Poncho' Sampedro
label: Reprise Records - nationality: Canada
Track highlights: 2. "Mr. Disappointment" (3,5 / 5) - 3. "Differently" - 6. "Are You Passionate?" - 10. "Two Old Friends"
25th studio album by Neil Young is an album where Young plays with the trio Booker T. & the M.G.'s consisting of Booker T. Jones on organ, vibes and vocal, Donald 'Duck' Dunn on bass, and with Steve Potts on drums and percussion. The album is one where Young plays soul music, and very much as usual all tracks are written by Young.
The album sold well but isn't regarded one of his better albums. Still, it made it to number #10 on the US album charts list and to number #24 in the UK. All tracks except track #7 are recorded with Booker T & the M.G.'s, which is a more traditional blues rock song by Neil Young with Crazy Horse. Yes, it does incorporate soul and r&b, but really, Neil, if you plan on making a styled album with another artist, then why this? Well, I really don't like the album that much. He's trying so hard to clone 1960s genuine soul with 1970s electric blues rock, r&b and folk rock using his characteristic soft mellow singing voice as glue, but I don't think he succeeds that well, which he might have done, had he stayed with the soul not trying so hard to mix styles.
I've really tried (hard) to like this album 'cause ya' know it's Neil Young, right. So it should be good. I just can't find the right moment when it sets in. Not one of his memorable releases, and I would say, if you're not a collector or true fan: just skip this one.
[ allmusic.com 2 / 5, Rolling Stone 3,5 / 5 stars ]
