Live At The Cellar Door

Early Neil Young solo gig at the Cellar Door in Washington, DC. This set predates the killer Live At Massey Hall release, and the smaller space means there’s way less reverb, sounds “closer” to you. It’s an interesting turning point in his career where he’s still intensely cryptic with his Buffalo Springfield tunes but we’re starting to get some honest loneliness and depression that grows louder, though no less cryptic, on classic records Everybody Knows… and On The Beach.
RIYL Jason Molina, MV & EE, Crosby Stills etc.
FCC Clean, play any/all.

1. (2:52) emcee intro and applause, classic moody folk-rock strummer starts at :20
2. (3:14) Strummed waltz ballad, minor chords and ambiguous emotional content keep this from being too sappy
3. (3:49) classic piano ballad about the end of the world and what to do afterwards
4. (3:22) lesser-known Buffalo Springfield song, mellow and lovesick
5. (2:01) darkly upbeat tune about being lonely and missing that special someone, anyone can relate
6. (3:41) somber meditation on youth and aging, cynicism and idealism
7. (2:19) Piano, somber breakup song, “it’s overrrrrr…” but with hope for tomorrow
8. (2:39) Easily his best song until “Ambulance Blues” if you’re into sad slowcore singers like a soprano version of Jason Molina + Fahey-esque guitar tuning
9. (3:21) darkly depressive piano song about being sad, a haunting classic that later turns up in On The Beach
10. (3:30) piano version of Cinnamon Girl??? My ears are so confused
11. (2:44) another Springfield staple, swings from lilting summery folk to dark minor-chord angst
12. (4:35) Classic murder ballad, slow acoustic version.
13. (7:11) Lots of bantering with crowd, I recommend starting around 3:22 to catch him say “your life is crazy…” before starting his dark, smarmy Springfield song