Books

Neil Young

Neil Young: Unplugged (1977)
Author: Neil Young

Authentic Guitar-Tab Edition featuring The Old Laughing Lady * World on a String * Like a Hurricane * The Needle and the Damage Done * Helpless * Harvest Moon * Transformer Man * Unknown Legend * Look Out for My Love * Long * May you Run * From Hank to Hendrix. 

Neil Young: His Life and Music (1978)
Author: Johnny Rogan

Rogan provides short blurbs for each song, including a little background information on each, and quotes from (unsourced) interviews. Every song Neil released in that period (1966-1995) is listed and briefly reviewed. The book is organized chronologically by date of album (CD) release and has an index which makes it handy.
Rogan is a good writer and knowledgeable about Neil Young and his famous cohorts.

Neil Young - een portret (Dutch  1992)

Paperback - 192 pages
Authors: Herman Verbeke and Lucien van Diggelen
Comments: A "must" for every Dutch and Belgium fan and highly recommended by Geert Henderickx, who works for the popular music magazine Oor!
ISBN: 90-70427-96-6

Neil Young: Don't Be Denied : "the Canadian Years" (1993)
Author: John Einarson 

A detailed account of Neil's life before Buffalo Springfield. (Einarson also wrote a book on BS with Richie Furay) "Don't Be Denied" is probably the most valuable book available for people wanting information about Neil that is not otherwise widely known by Neil fans (and who else reads these types of books).
Einarson writes more like a small town newspaperman than "an author" but that is part of the charm of this book. Einarson is obviously proud that a fellow Canadian has achieved all that Neil has and unlike many who write these types of books never tries to place himself as a peer of the subject. I found the book informative and enjoyable.

Neil Young, the Rolling Stone Files: The Ultimate Compendium of Interviews, Articles, Facts, and Opinions from the Files of Rolling Stone (1994)
Author: Rolling Stone 

The strident, often weepy voice complementing Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Young was also a progenitor of grunge. Said to be "so anachronistic that in the 1990s he's cutting edge," Young has reinvented his musical persona every few years, so this entry in Rolling Stone's rock retrospective series is more revealing than similar treatment of a more predictable rocker would be.

Neil Young: His Life and Music  (1995)
Author: Michael Heatley 

Here's another big, pictorial rock star tribute masquerading as a critical biography. In this case, the two-faced nature of the endeavor is entirely appropriate, thanks to the complex, maybe even enigmatic character of its subject. Hailed as the godfather of grunge, Neil Young has enjoyed a long, prolific career as both solo act (or--same thing--fronting the otherwise middling Crazy Horse) and member of two of the most revered bands ever, Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. The twists and turns of his creative endeavors provide more than enough material for Heatley to make this British import rewarding and informative in spite of itself and the British tendency to emphasize singles more than album-oriented American rock writers do and than American fans usually appreciate. 

Neil Young: His Life and Music  (1995)
Author: Carol Cuellar 

Paperback: 56 pages 
Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company

A Dreamer of Pictures (1995)
Author: David Downing

Although Young is very difficult to pin-down, both musically and philosophically, Is ill children and marital historyst fans have never heard. In addition, I am under the impression that Downing did little or no interviews of Y and how they influenced his music, the auth expected Downing to provide more insight into the man and his music. Besides providing info on Young' or spends most of his effort providing a personal review of each album to include an inordinate amount of time discussing bootleg or foreign release recordings that mooung associates, rather he gathered info from printed interviews with the subject, etc.

Neil Young: The Visual Documentary  (1995) TIP
Author: John Robertson 

This book is excellent for die-hard long-time Neil Young fans. It is essentially a chronological outline of Neil Young's musical career, with some narrative and many photographs interspersed with the outline. It starts at the beginning of his musical career and ends at 1994, when the book was published. It also includes a discography. It is printed on high-quality glossy paper. The majority of the photos are black and white, but with a significant minority of the photos in color. It's fascinating to follow the twists and turns of Neil Young's career and his music. The outline tells when Neil Young recorded each of his songs, and it lists every concert he ever played by city and date. The narrative helps to expand on the outline and to move the story along.

Neil Young-Interview Picture Cd and Fully Illustrated Book Collector's Edition (1996)
Author: Neil Young 

Neil and Me (1997) TIP
Author: ScottYoung

A re-issue and update of this father/son classic. Scott Young tells stories of Neil's early years in Toronto including his battle with polio at the age of five and the breakdown of Scott's marriage to Neil's mother and gives a fascinating personal view of the enigma that is Neil Young. This is the story of fathers and sons, of the joys and traumas of family ties. Includes an updated discography, musical family tree and eight pages of new photographs.

Neil Young: Love to Burn : Thirty Years of Speaking Out, 1966-1996  (1998)
Author: Paul Williams 

Enjoyable insights -but you must have the CD's discussed. Book is very enjoyable as a listening companion to the music discussed. As usual, the author brings enlightening, personal observations on the music and artist. However, the majority of the book centers on the unofficial 4 CD bootleg "Rock and Roll Cowboy", which covers live performances for most of Neil's career. Until I tracked this bootleg down, reading the book was frustrating (to say the least). Once I got the bootleg, the book was immensely enjoyable. (So, there is no point to reading the book without having the music discussed.)

Neil Young Complete Music (Vol.1 , 1966-1969) (1999)
Author: Neil Young

This is a great anthology of Neil Young's early years, including stuff from Buffalo Springfield and some obscure but tuneful songs from that band. I found the chords to be right on target for one of my favorites, Flying on the Ground, a beautiful song with unusual chord voicings that would not be apparent to the average guitar player. The chord charts for that song alone make this book worth the price.

Neil Young Complete Music (Vol. 2 , 1969-1973) (1999)
Author: Warner Bros Pubns

Anthology of Neil Young featuring 32 songs in one of our-best-selling folios! Includes: After the Gold Rush * Country Girl * Heart of Gold * Ohio * Old Man * Tell Me Why * Helpless* Alabama* Needle And The Damaged Done* Till The Morning Comes*When You Dance You Really Can Love* *Only Love Can Break Your Heart* Southern Man * Arranged for Guitar/Piano With Lyrics .

Neil Young Complete Music (Vol. 3, 1974-1979) ( 1999)
Author: Warner Bros Pubns

Anthology of Neil Young featuring 65 songs from eight albums, including Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) * Love Is a Rose * Long May You Run * Comes a Time * Let It Shine * Lotta * Like A Hurricane*Bite The Bullet* Already Young**Come A Time* Fountanbleau. Arranged For Guitar/Piano With Lyrics.

Neil Young With Crazy Horse (1999)
Author: Neil Young

Sheet music: 44 pages 
Publisher: Warner Bros Pubns 
Language: English 

Neil Young: Decade ( 1999)
Author: Neil Young

The songs in this book are dated from 1966 to 1976, though the book didn't appear until 1978. Neil Young has a long history in music, and it has been easy for other performers to pick up and do songs that have been scored as this book has, with a separate treble staff for the vocal parts, and chord charts for guitar chords throughout.
There are 35 songs in NEIL YOUNG ~ DECADE. Fans of particular concerts, like WELD, might consider most of these songs very early in Neil Young's career. The book is copyright 1978, Weld didn't come along until 1991, and only includes "Cinnamon Girl," "Cortez the Killer," "Like a Hurricane," and "Tonight's the Night": only four of the 35 songs in this book. Fans of Buffalo Springfield might appreciate "Expecting To Fly," and people who sing harmony might see if matching the notes in the book is easier than trying to pick parts off the recorded version.

Neil Young: Anthology Easy Guitar  (1999)
Author: Neil Young

Some of his greatest hits including Alabama * Cowgirl in the Sand * Helpless and many more.

The Guitar Styles of Neil Young  (1999)
Author: Neil Young

Don't Let It Bring You Down * The Loner * Cinnamon Girl * Down by the River * Cowgirl in the Sand * After the Gold Rush * Southern Man * Believe in You * Only Love Can Break Your Heart * Ohio * Soldier * Tonight's the Night * Like a Hurricane * Love Is a Rose * Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) * Mr. Soul.

Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Sleeps With Angels  (2000)
Author: Carol Cuellar

 (No information available)

Shakey: Neil Young (2000)
Author: Alexis Petridis

"Neil Young" provides a concise, well-researched view into the career of this rock and roll giant. Alexis Petridis includes full biographical information and a complete discography as he explores the influence of Young on everybody from Sonic Youth and Ron Sexsmith to Nirvana.

Shakey: Neil Young's Biography (2002)
Author: Jimmy McDonough

Cantankerous and secretive, Neil Young has banished authors from his inner sanctum--until now. In Shakey, Jimmy McDonough distills more than 300 interviews (including guarded yet revealing interrogations of Young himself) into the definitive biography: the skyrocket success, willful disasters, health horrors and triumphs, stunning comebacks, and highly colorful scuffles with equally impossible characters like Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and the incompetent yet brilliant musicians of Crazy Horse.

Maximum Neil Young: The Unauthorised Biography of Neil Young ( 2002) TIP
Author: Keith Rodway 

This complete and unauthorized audio biography of Neil Young presents an inside look at this living legend. After a career of more than 30 years and record sales well into the millions, Young's influence can be seen in a number of bands and artists. With the growing interest resulting from his latest album Are You Passionate?, which debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard charts, it provides an opportunity for fans both old and new to get the real story behind the music. 

Neil Young (2002)
Author: Olivier Nuc 

(No information available)

Journey Through the Past: The Stories Behind the Classic Songs of Neil Young (2002)
Author: Nigel Williamson

Neil Young's musical evolution has been as versatile as rock itself: pioneering country-rocker with Buffalo Springfield; seminal folk-rocker with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; gentle acoustic guitarist; crashing hard rock electric guitarist; grunge prototype; and good-times rock 'n' roller. This cerebral singer/songwriter has penned unforgettable melodies, harmonies, and lyrics, portraying plaintive sadness, lilting warmth, and ragged anguish with his unmistakable tenor voice. Offering detailed analyses of this idiosyncratic musician's songs and the stories behind them, this book examines all of Young's key albums from 1967 to 2000, including such milestones as After the Gold Rush, Harvest, Tonight's the Night, Rust Never Sleeps, Harvest Moon, Silver & Gold, and many others. 

Are You Passionate? (2003)
Author: Neil Young

This album-matching folio is sure to become a classic in the Neil Young library of guitarists everywhere. Titles are: Are You Passionate?, Be With You, Differently, Goin' Home, Let's Roll, Mr. Disappointment, Quit (Don't Say You Love Me), She's A Healer, Two Old Friends, When I Hold You In My Arms, and You Are My Girl.

Neil Young: Reflections in Broken Glass  (2003)
Author: Sylvie Simmons 

In 1966, Neil Young drove a battered funeral car two thousand miles from his native Toronto to Los Angeles to seek his fortune in the music business. Nearly forty years of continuous writing and performing later, he is firmly established as one of the most influential and idiosyncratic singer-songwriters of his generation. His restless and innovative spirit ensures that he is one of the few rock veterans as vital in his old age as he was in his youth. Simmons provides fresh insights into Young's life so far. She also uncovers new facts about his friendship with Charles Manson, and closely examines his schizophrenic eighties output and musical return to form as the "Godfather of Grunge" in the nineties.

Neil Young's Harvest ( 2003)
Author: Sam Inglis

Neil Young’s 'Harvest' is one of those strange albums that has achieved lasting success without ever winning the full approval of rock critics or hardcore fans. Even Young himself has been equivocal, describing it in one breath as his 'finest' album, dismissing it in the next as an MOR aberration. Here, Sam Inglis explores the circumstances of the album’s creation and asks who got it right: the critics, or the millions who have bought 'Harvest' in the 30 years since its release?
The author does a good job of helping us understand Young's production techniques (or lack of them) and his attitude toward music making.  Especially fresh is the author's attitude of the album as not being a superlative Young album. 

Greendale (2004)
Author: Neil Young

In Greendale, Neil Young masterfully blended his activist bent with a poetic perversity and the irresistible musical hooks that have made him a legend. In his compelling tale of a multi-generational family living in a small town in California, a cop is murdered, Cousin Jed is arrested, Grandpa confronts the subsequent media onslaught with tragic results and granddaughter Sun Green becomes an environmental activist. Joining the music CD, the elaborately-staged concerts, the movie, and the DVD, this book provides a satisfying literary and visual complement to the multimedia masterpiece that is Neil Young’s Greendale.

Neil Young Nation: A Quest, an Obsession (and a True Story) (2005)
Author: Kevin Chong 

Chong interviewed people who had known Young at the early stages of his musical career: former band members, classmates, girlfriends, and others. While well-referenced, what makes the book most rewarding is the dry, self-deprecating humor shared by the author and his traveling companions: "It often seemed to me that Dave and Mark lived in a parallel universe where pretty female strangers, when asked for directions, offered their services as tour guides. On certain levels, I hate them." Equally refreshing is Chong's unwillingness to gloss over some of his hero's questionable attitudes and behavior regarding relationships and politics, pointing out many contradictions throughout his career but never letting them interfere with his respect for the music and the man.

Neil Young And The Poetics Of Energy  (2005)
Author: William Echard 

As a writer in Wired magazine puts it, Neil Young is a "folk-country-grunge dinosaur [who has been] reborn (again) as an Internet-friendly, biodiesel-driven, multimedia machine." In Neil Young and the Poetics of Energy, William Echard stages an encounter between Young’s challenging and ever-changing work and current theories of musical meaning—an encounter from which both emerge transformed.
Echard roots his discussion in an extensive review of writings from the rock press as well as his own engagement as a fan and critical theorist. How is it that Neil Young is both a perpetual outsider and critic of rock culture, and also one of its most central icons? And what are the unique properties that have lent his work such expressive force? Echard delves into concepts of musical persona, space, and energy, and in the process illuminates the complex interplay between experience, musical sound, social actors, genres, styles, and traditions.

Prairie Wind (Authentic Guitar Tab) (2006)
Author: Neil Young

Prairie Wind is quintessential Neil Young, a masterpiece that completes the trilogy of his best-selling albums Harvest and Harvest Moon-direct yet poetic, country and folk yet rock. Recorded in Nashville, and with longtime collaborators, Prairie Wind is a moving series of songs reflecting Young's journey through life

Biography - Young, Neil (1945-): An article from: Contemporary Authors (2006)
Author: Les Stone 

This digital document, covering the life and work of Neil Young, is an entry from Contemporary Authors, a reference volume published by Thompson Gale. The length of the entry is 3827 words. The page length listed above is based on a typical 300-word page. Although the exact content of each entry from this volume can vary, typical entries include the following information: 

• Place and date of birth and death (if deceased) 
• Family members 
• Education 
• Professional associations and honors 
• Employment 
• Writings, including books and periodicals 
• A description of the author's work 
• References to further readings about the author 

Living with the War : Neil Young - Guitar TAB Edition, Guitar Personality (2006)
Author: Neil Young

The album is described as electric  Neil Young, expressing his opposition to the leadership of George W. Bush and the current war in Iraq. This book provides authentic guitar TAB for all the songs on the record. Titles are: After the Garden * Living with War * The Restless Consumer * Shock and Awe * Families * Flags of Freedom * Let's Impeach the President * Lookin' for a Leader * Roger and Out * America the Beautiful.

Neil Young - Discografia illustrata (2006 - Italian)
Author: Stefano Frollano

From the first musical steps with the Buffalo Springfield to the mythic Woodstock supergroup with Crosby Stills & Nash, from the unexpected musical changes of the Eighties to the collaboration with Pearl Jam as the Godfather of the Grunge, Neil Young's career has loosened thru forty years of rock and over fifty albums and incredible songs. The book represent hundreds of covers , labels, pictures and documents and analyze the full Young discography with unreleased anecdotes  and exhaustive technical notes. For the first time in the world the Italian and American discographies  are explained in their own complexity and finally represented by an impressive iconographic lay out. 

Ghosts on the Road Neil Young in Concert 1961-2006 (2007)
Author: Pete Long

Pete Long's book Ghosts On The Road - Neil Young In Concert was first published to great acclaim in 1996 and an update has been long overdue. This new paperback edition, with over 520 pages, expands details of Neil Young's concert appearances through to the end of 2006 as well as revising and updating many previous chapters. Neil Young started performing in 1961 and has continued to do so ever since. The book contains chapters, each with a concise introduction, relating to his concerts from those earliest days onwards - itineraries and set lists relating to The Squires, Buffalo Springfield, Crazy Horse, CSN&Y, etc. 

Fans in Europe who cannot order through amazon.com (book is not available through Amazon UK) might be better served if they access ghostsontheroad.co.uk.