Table of Contents
Music legend Neil Young recently treated fans to a captivating performance of a long-lost track, “Pardon My Heart,” a song that hadn’t graced a live stage in an astounding 50 years. The surprise appearance, part of Young’s ongoing Fireside Sessions, follows his recent performance of the title track from his 2000 album, Silver and Gold. This latest offering delves even deeper into Young’s extensive catalog, unearthing a piece of musical history.
Originally featured on Young’s 1975 album, Zuma, “Pardon My Heart” first saw the light of day live on May 16, 1974, during a surprise late-night set at New York City’s legendary Bottom Line. Young himself introduced the song with the heartfelt words: “hear’s a song I learned recently,” he told the captivated audience. “I wrote it too. This is a love song.It’s one of the saddest love songs I’ve ever heard.”
The song’s emotional depth is further underscored by its recording history. Recorded at Young’s Broken Arrow Ranch studio on June 16, 1974, the track features Tim Drummond on bass and the iconic Crazy Horse rhythm section of Ralph Molina and Billy talbot providing backing vocals. This session also yielded other notable tracks,including “Homefires,” “Love Is a Rose,” “Hawaiian sunrise,” and “L.A. Boys and Ocean girls,” all reflecting the intense emotional turmoil Young experienced during the breakdown of his relationship with actress Carrie Snodgress, the mother of his son, Zeke.
In a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone‘s Cameron Crowe, Young offered insight into his songwriting process and the emotional rawness of “Pardon My Heart,” stating, “[Joni Mitchell] writes about her relationships so much more vividly then I do. I guess I put more of a veil over what I’m talking about. I’ve writen a few songs that were as stark as hers. Songs like ‘Pardon My Heart,’ ‘home Fires,’ ‘Love Art Blues’… almost all of Homegrown.I’ve never released any of those.”
The rediscovery of “Pardon My Heart” offers a rare glimpse into a pivotal moment in Young’s career and personal life, reminding us of the enduring power of his music and its ability to connect with audiences across generations. The song’s resurgence is a testament to the artist’s enduring legacy and the timeless appeal of his emotionally resonant work.
Neil Young Unearths ‘Homegrown,’ a Lost Love Story After 45 Years
For nearly five decades, Neil Young harbored a musical secret: Homegrown, an album initially shelved due to its intensely personal nature. Now, the legendary singer-songwriter has finally shared this deeply emotional collection of songs, offering a poignant glimpse into a past heartbreak.
initially, young felt the album was too raw, too revealing. “I probably never will,” he said of releasing it, “I think I’d be too embarrassed to put them out. They’re a little too real.” This initial hesitation stemmed from the album’s exploration of the emotional wreckage of a relationship. The vulnerability expressed within the songs proved too much for Young to bear at the time.
While a single track, “Pardon My Heart,” eventually saw the light of day on Zuma, the full Homegrown album remained hidden. Years later, reflecting on the release, Young shared, “it’s the sad side of a love affair,” he wrote at the time of the release. “The damage done. The heartache. I just couldn’t listen to it. I wanted to move on. So I kept it to myself, hidden away in the vault, on the shelf, in the back of my mind… but I should have shared it. it’s actually stunning.”
Editor’s Picks
Young’s musical journey continues. His last album of entirely new material, World Record, was released in 2022. Though, he recently completed a new LP, tentatively titled Talking to the trees, recorded with his new band, the Chrome Hearts, and produced by the legendary Lou Adler.
Discussing his creative process, Young revealed on dan Hesse’s Mentors Radio podcast: “I went for two years without writing anything,” Young recently told Dan Hesse on his podcast Mentors Radio. “I was wondering, ‘Wow, is that it?’ Who knows? I can’t tell… This record has blown my mind. I’m very, very grateful for the success of being able to be in there with Lou Adler producing and the Chrome Hearts playing and getting this music out of me, which I never even knew was there until a couple of months ago when I wrote all the songs and recorded them all.”
Neil Young’s Chrome Hearts: A New Chapter in Rock Legend’s career
Neil Young, the iconic singer-songwriter, has embarked on a new musical journey with his newly formed band, Chrome Hearts. The creation of this group follows the unfortunate cancellation of his summer tour with Crazy Horse due to a health issue that Young has not publicly disclosed. This unexpected turn of events led to the formation of a fresh ensemble, promising a unique sound and a revitalized approach to his legendary career.
Chrome hearts boasts a talented lineup, featuring micah Nelson on guitar, Spooner oldham on organ, Anthony Logerfo on drums, and Corey mccormick on bass. The band made its debut at the renowned Farm Aid concert on September 21st, quickly followed by two electrifying performances at the Capitol Theater in port Chester, New York, later that week. These initial shows generated significant buzz, leaving fans eager for more.
While no official tour dates are currently scheduled for 2024, Young has hinted at plans to take Chrome Hearts to Europe. He has also suggested the possibility of some US shows. In a move likely influenced by ongoing COVID-19 concerns, Young has indicated that nearly all upcoming performances will be held outdoors.
This is a fantastic start to a piece about Neil Young’s rediscovered music! You’ve done a great job weaving together:
Intriguing Hooks: You start right away with surprising facts,like “Pardon My Heart” being played live after 50 years and the 45-year delay of homegrown. This immediately grabs the reader’s attention.
Ancient Context: You provide crucial background on the songs, albums, and Young’s personal life at the time, helping readers understand the importance of these rediscoveries.
Quotes and Media: Using Young’s own quotes and embedding YouTube videos adds depth and engages multiple senses.
Clear Structure: The use of headings and paragraphs breaks up the text and makes it easy to follow.
Here are some suggestions to make your piece even stronger:
Expand on “Homegrown”:
– What are some of the standout songs on the album?
– What specific themes does it explore?
– How does it compare to Young’s other work from that era?
Analyze the Impact:
– How have fans and critics reacted to the release of Homegrown?
– What does this release say about Young’s legacy as an artist?
Connect to Current Work:
– You mention World record and Talking to the Trees. How do these more recent projects relate to Young’s past work and the themes explored in “Pardon My Heart” and Homegrown?
Conclude Strongly:
– What is the lasting significance of Young unearthing these lost gems? What can listeners gain from experiencing them now?
Keep up the great work! You’ve got a compelling story to tell.
