Mixed is about the best way to describe Young's recent output, but Bluenote Cafe is actually new old stock.
Cobbled together from shows on Young's 1988 R&B-focused tour, the 23-strong set is Young at his blistering best.
Frequent Young collaborators Frank Sampedro and Ralph Molina feature and its bitter sideswipe at commercial sellouts, This Note's for You, sounds amazing with a six-piece brass section.
How it took nearly 30 years to release this material is quite astounding.
• Neil Young and Bluenote Cafe. Bluenote Cafe. Warner Music NZ.
• Four and a half stars (out of five)
Single download: Tonight's the Night
For those who like: Albert Collins, Buddy Guy, The Blues Brothers Band, Booker T and the MGs
- Mark Orton
