Neil Young: Archives Volume III Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		3.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		5.0

Neil Young: Archives Volume III Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman October 10, 2024

It's been well over a decade since Warner Music released Neil Young: Archives Volume 1, a release which included several Blu-ray discs featuring hi res audio versions of Neil's recorded output, including a bunch of previously unreleased live performances. That set is now not just out of print but going for absolutely insane (IMHO) amounts of money. Perhaps adding even more frustration to fans of hi res audio is the fact that the second volume of the Archives rather strangely did not include any Blu-ray discs. The third volume is now here, and perhaps continuing with that "a bit strangely" feeling offers video performances on its Blu-ray discs (with uncompressed audio), with "audio only" content consigned to a treasure trove of CDs. With an understanding that this is going to be a "must buy" for diehard Young fans one way or the other, the only question confronting Young fans now, especially if they didn't pick up Volume 1, is where they're going to actually shelve this oversized, frankly gargantuan, collection. At least those who did pick up Volume 1 may have already carved out a niche in their home theater for such an unwieldy sized release, but storing issues aside, this is simply a gobsmacking aggregation of Young's work, offering 17 CDs (with a rather huge number of either unreleased songs or at least unreleased versions), and five Blu-ray discs containing 11 full length films.

If this was a protean period for Young in some ways (the PR-ish sticker on the cellophane wrap states this "box set covers more years than the previous two box sets, and includes more music and video"), it was also problematic for the star, as (to cite just one example) a well publicized fallout with David Geffen indicates. But that very conflict probably at least alludes to the searching quality Young engaged in throughout this decade plus of activity, and this volume arguably offers a much more diverse approach to styles and even genres, with everything from good, old fashioned rock to rockabilly to quasi-punk and even some nascent electronic tracks. On the video side of things, there are not just some relatively rare live performances, but examples of Young as a would be auteur.

The video content includes:

Across the Water. This appealing relatively newly produced (2023) piece, previously unreleased, documents Young during a 1976 global tour. Part performance oriented, part "behind the music" outing, this is beautifully "unplugged" in a number of ways, but is also kind of strangely elegiac in its own way.

Boarding House offers a relatively "small scale" 1978 performance that is a solo tour de force. Previously unreleased and bearing a 2023 production date in the credits in the enclosed hardback book.

Rust Never Sleeps is "a film by Neil Young" and captures his performance in 1978 at the Cow Palace. This has some appealing solo moments, but also features some great high energy band performances.

Human Highway is "a film by Neil Young" from 1982 and is one of the more ambitious projects included here, with an ostensible narrative and some marquee stars.

Trans is probably the most adventurous offering in terms of visual blandishments, with a psychedelic ambience that matches its kind of almost Kraftwerk-esque music. Previously unreleased.

Berlin is a live West Berlin effort from 1983 directed by the great Michael Lindsay-Hogg and produced by Lorne Michaels. This is one of the most consistent straight ahead sets of all of the video offerings.

Solo Trans stems from 1984 and was directed by the great Hal Ashby. This is kind of hilariously neither a solo performance (though there are solo moments) or "just" a concert version of Trans, as some great moments like Neil's rendition of "Old Man" prove.

Catalyst is another group effort with some high energy performances, but probably the worst overall video quality of the set, mostly due to a near lack of stage lighting.

A Treasure offers a kind of odd "viewing experience", with cobbled together video and some songs that are audio only.

In a Rusted Out Garage is another effort with Crazy Horse from 1986 that was simulcast on satellite radio, as is kind of breathlessly announced by a somewhat comical emcee offering an introductory "tour".

Muddy Track is another "film by Neil Young" that comes with a prefatory warning that some "audio segments have been predistorted". That may be some indication that this is a pretty raucous performance, and some of the interstitial "candid" footage follows in that tendency, with some NSFW language.

The complete contents of this set (in terms of discs, anyway) is as follows:

CD 1: Across The Water I (1976) Neil Young & Crazy Horse

1. Let It Shine (previously unreleased live version)
2. Mellow My Mind (previously unreleased live version)
3. Too Far Gone (previously unreleased live version)
4. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (previously unreleased live version)
5. A Man Needs a Maid (previously unreleased live version)
6. No One Seems to Know (previously unreleased live version)
7. Heart Of Gold (previously unreleased live version)
8. Country Home (previously unreleased live version)
9. Don't Cry No Tears (previously unreleased live version)
10. Cowgirl in the Sand (previously unreleased mix)
11. Lotta Love (previously unreleased live version)
12. The Losing End (When You’re On) (previously unreleased live version)
13. Southern Man (previously unreleased live version)
14. Cortez the Killer (previously unreleased live version)

CD 2: Across The Water II (1976): Neil Young & Crazy Horse

1. Human Highway (previously unreleased live version)
2. The Needle And The Damage Done (previously unreleased live version)
3. Stringman (previously unreleased mix)
4. Down By The River (previously unreleased live version)
5. Like a Hurricane (previously unreleased live version)
6. Drive Back (previously unreleased live version)
7. Cortez the Killer (previously unreleased live version)
8. Homegrown (previously unreleased live version)

CD 3: Hitchhikin’ Judy (1976-1977): Neil Young

1. Rap
2. Powderfinger (previously released on Hitchhiker)
3. Captain Kennedy (previously released on Hawks & Doves, Hitchhiker and Hawks & Doves)
4. Hitchhiker (previously released on Hitchhiker)
5. Give Me Strength (previously released on Hitchhiker)
6. The Old Country Waltz (previously released on Hitchhiker)
7. Rap
8. Too Far Gone (previously released on Songs For Judy)
9. White Line (previously released on Songs For Judy)
10. Mr. Soul (previously released on Songs For Judy)
11. A Man Needs A Maid (previously released on Songs For Judy)
12. Journey Through the Past (previously released on Songs For Judy)
13. Campaigner (previously released on Songs For Judy)
14. The Old Laughing Lady (previously released on Songs For Judy)
15. The Losing End (When You’re On) (previously released on Songs For Judy)
16. Rap
17. Helpless (previously released on The Last Waltz)
18. Four Strong Winds (previously released on The Last Waltz (2002 edition))
19. Rap
20. Will To Love (previously released on American Stars ‘n Bars and Chrome Dreams)
21. Lost In Space (previously unreleased original)

CD 4: Snapshot In Time (1977): Neil Young with Nicolette Larson & Linda Ronstadt

1. Rap
2. Hold Back The Tears (previously released on Chrome Dreams)
3. Rap
4. Long May You Run (previously unreleased version)
5. Hey Babe (previously unreleased version)
6. The Old Country Waltz (previously unreleased version)
7. Hold Back the Tears (previously unreleased version)
8. Peace of Mind (previously unreleased version)
9. Sweet Lara Larue (previously unreleased version)
10. Bite the Bullet (previously unreleased version)
11. Saddle Up the Palomino (previously unreleased version)
12. Star of Bethlehem (previously unreleased version)
13. Bad News Comes To Town (previously unreleased version)
14. Motorcycle Mama (previously unreleased version)
15. Rap
16. Hey Babe (previously released on American Stars N Bars)
17. Rap
18. Barefoot Floors (previously unreleased version)

CD 5: Windward Passage (1977) The Ducks

1. Rap
2. I Am A Dreamer (previously released on High Flyin’)
3. Sail Away (previously unreleased original)
4. Wide Eyed and Willin' (previously released on High Flyin’)
5. I’m Tore Down (previously released on High Flyin’)
6. Little Wing (previously released on High Flyin’)
7. Hey Now (previously released on High Flyin’)
8. Windward Passage (previously unreleased edit)
9. Cryin' Eyes (previously unreleased original)

CD 6: Oceanside Countryside (1977): Neil Young

1. Rap
2. Field of Opportunity (previously unreleased mix)
3. It Might Have Been (previously unreleased version)
4. Dance Dance Dance (previously unreleased version)
5. Rap
6. Pocahontas (previously unreleased mix)
7. Peace of Mind (previously unreleased mix)
8. Sail Away (previously unreleased mix)
9. Human Highway (previously unreleased mix)
10. Comes A Time (previously unreleased version)
11. Lost In Space (previously released on Hawks & Doves)
12. Goin’ Back (previously unreleased mix)

CD 7: Neil Young & Nicolette Larson Union Hall (1977):

1. Comes A Time (previously released on Comes A Time)
2. Love/Art Blues (previously unreleased version)
3. Rap
4. Are You Ready For the Country? (previously unreleased version)
5. Dance Dance Dance/Love is a Rose (previously unreleased version)
6. Old Man (previously unreleased version)
7. The Losing End (When You're On) (previously unreleased version)
8. Heart Of Gold (previously unreleased version)
9. Already One (previously unreleased version)
10. Lady Wingshot (previously unreleased song)
11. Four Strong Winds (previously unreleased version)
12. Down By The River (previously unreleased version)
13. Alabama (previously unreleased version)
14. Are You Ready For the Country? (reprise) (previously unreleased version)
15. Rap
16. We’re Having Some Fun Now (previously unreleased song)
17. Rap
18. Please Help Me, I'm Falling (previously unreleased version)
19. Motorcycle Mama (previously released on Comes A Time)

CD 8: Boarding House I (1978): Neil Young

1. Rap
2. Shots (previously unreleased live version)
3. Thrasher (previously unreleased live version)
4. The Ways of Love (previously unreleased live version)
5. Ride My Llama (previously unreleased live version)
6. Sail Away (previously unreleased live version)
7. Pocahontas (previously unreleased live version)
8. Human Highway (previously unreleased live version)
9. Already One (previously unreleased live version)
10. Birds (previously unreleased live version)
11. Cowgirl in the Sand (previously unreleased live version)
12. Sugar Mountain (previously unreleased live version)
13. Powderfinger (previously unreleased live version)
14. Comes a Time (previously unreleased live version)

CD 9: Devo & Boarding House II (1978): Neil Young and Devo

1. Rap
2. Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) (previously unreleased version)
3. Back to the Boarding House
4. My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) (previously unreleased live version)
5. Homegrown (previously unreleased live version)
6. Down by the River (previously unreleased live version)
7. After the Gold Rush (previously unreleased live version)
8. Out Of My Mind (previously unreleased live version)
9. Dressing Room

CD 10: Sedan Delivery (1978): Neil Young with Crazy Horse

1. Bright Sunny Day (previously unreleased song)
2. The Loner (previously released on Live Rust)
3. Welfare Mothers (previously released on Rust Never Sleeps)
4. Lotta Love (previously released on Live Rust)
5. Sedan Delivery (previously released on Rust Never Sleeps)
6. Cortez the Killer (previously released on Live Rust)
7. Tonight's the Night (previously released on Live Rust)
8. Powderfinger (previously released on Rust Never Sleeps)
9. When You Dance, I Can Really Love (previously released on Live Rust)
10. Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) (previously released on Rust Never Sleeps)

CD 11: Coastline (1980-1981): Neil Young

1. Coastline (previously released on Hawks & Doves)
2. Stayin’ Power (previously released on Hawks & Doves)
3. Hawks And Doves (previously released on Hawks & Doves)
4. Comin' Apart at Every Nail (previously released on Hawks & Doves)
5. Union Man (previously released on Hawks & Doves)
6. Winter Winds (previously unreleased song)
7. Southern Pacific (previously released on RE-AC-TOR.)
8. Opera Star (previously released on RE-AC-TOR.)
9. Rapid Transit (previously released on RE-AC-TOR.)
10. Sunny Inside (previously unreleased original)
11. Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze (previously released on RE-AC-TOR.)
12. Get Up (previously unreleased song)

CD 12: Trans (1981) & Johnny’s Island (1982): Neil Young

1. Rap
2. Sample and Hold (previously released on Trans)
3. Mr. Soul (previously released on Trans)
4. Computer Cowboy (previously released on Trans)
5. We R In Control (previously released on Trans)
6. Computer Age (previously released on Trans)
7. Transformer Man (previously released on Trans)
8. Rap
9. Johnny (previously unreleased song)
10. Island In The Sun (previously unreleased song)
11. Rap
12. Silver & Gold (previously unreleased version)
13. If You Got Love (previously unreleased version)
14. Raining in Paradise (previously unreleased song)
15. Big Pearl (previously unreleased song)
16. Hold On To Your Love (previously released on Trans)
17. Soul Of A Woman (previously unreleased original)
18. Rap
19. Love Hotel (previously unreleased song)

CD 13: Evolution (1983-1984): Neil Young

1. California Sunset (previously unreleased original)
2. My Boy (previously unreleased original)
3. Old Ways (previously unreleased version)
4. Depression Blues (previously released on Lucky 13)
5. Cry, Cry, Cry (previously released on Everybody’s Rockin’)
6. Mystery Train (previously released on Everybody’s Rockin’)
7. Payola Blues (previously released on Everybody’s Rockin’)
8. Betty Lou's Got A New Pair Of Shoes (previously released on Everybody’s Rockin’)
9. Bright Lights, Big City (previously released on Everybody’s Rockin’)
10. Rainin' In My Heart (previously released on Everybody’s Rockin’)
11. Get Gone (previously unreleased original)
12. I Got A Problem (previously unreleased original)
13. Hard Luck Stories (previously unreleased original)
14. Your Love (previously unreleased version)
15. If You Got Love (previously unreleased version)
16. Razor Love (previously unreleased original)

CD 14: Grey Riders (1984-1986): Neil Young with The International Harvesters

1. Amber Jean (previously unreleased original)
2. Get Back To The Country (previously unreleased original)
3. Are You Ready For The Country? (previously released on A Treasure)
4. It Might Have Been (previously released on A Treasure)
5. Bound For Glory (previously released on A Treasure)
6. Let Your Fingers Do the Walking (previously released on A Treasure)
7. Soul of a Woman (previously released on A Treasure)
8. Misfits (Dakota) (previously unreleased live version)
9. Nothing is Perfect (previously unreleased version)
10. Time Off For Good Behavior (previously unreleased song)
11. This Old House (previously unreleased original)
12. Southern Pacific (previously released on A Treasure)
13. Interstate (previously unreleased live version)
14. Grey Riders (previously released on A Treasure)

CD 15: Touch The Night (1984): Neil Young with Crazy Horse

1. Rock (previously unreleased song)
2. So Tired (previously unreleased song)
3. Violent Side (previously unreleased live version)
4. I Got A Problem (previously unreleased live version)
5. Your Love (previously unreleased song)
6. Barstool Blues (previously unreleased live version)
7. Welfare Mothers (previously unreleased live version)
8. Touch The Night (previously unreleased live version)

CD 16: Road Of Plenty (1984-1986): Neil Young

1. Drifter (previously released on Landing On Water)
2. Hippie Dream (previously released on Landing On Water)
3. Bad News Beat (previously released on Landing On Water)
4. People On The Street (previously released on Landing On Water)
5. Weight of the World (previously released on Landing On Water)
6. Pressure (previously released on Landing On Water)
7. Road of Plenty (previously unreleased song)
8. We Never Danced (previously unreleased original)
9. When Your Lonely Heart Breaks (previously unreleased original)

CD 17: Summer Songs (1987): Neil Young

1. Rap
2. American Dream (previously unreleased original)
3. Someday (previously unreleased original)
4. For The Love Of Man (previously unreleased original)
5. One Of These Days (previously unreleased original)
6. Wrecking Ball (previously unreleased original)
7. Hangin On A Limb (previously unreleased original)
8. Name Of Love (previously unreleased original)
9. Last Of His Kind (previously unreleased original)
10. Rap

Blu-ray 1:

Across The Water

Blu-ray 2:

Boarding House
Rust Never Sleeps

Blu-ray 3:

Human Highway
Trans
Berlin

Blu-ray 4:

Solo Trans
Catalyst
A Treasure

Blu-ray 5:

In A Rusted Out Garage
Muddy Track

Neil Young: Archives Volume III Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Neil Young: Archives Volume III (1976-1987) is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Warner Music with AVC encoded 1080i or 1080p transfers in a variety of aspect ratios. As might be expected from such a vast array of sources, video quality is highly variable throughout the five films offered in this set. For those interested, Across the Water, Filmed Live at the Boarding House, Berlin, Solo Trans, Catalyst, A Treasure, In a Rusted Out Garage and Muddy Track are interlaced, and Rust Never Sleeps, Human Highway, and Trans are progressive. Perhaps surprisingly, video quality is not necessarily dependent on whether the presentation is interlaced or progressive, though that said, the interlaced material can often show signs of combing artifacts when things like rapidly moving drumsticks enter the frame. Of all of the live performance offerings, Catalyst is probably easily at the bottom of the barrel, with near indistinguishable "details" a lot of the time, much of it due to inadequate lighting, as mentioned above (see screenshot 21). Even some of the older material obviously sourced from videotape can offer actually pretty decent detail levels when lighting allows. Despite its narrative excesses, Human Highway offers some of the best video in the set, with a really nicely suffused palette. Trans is also another standout, especially because its visual side is so out there. Some of the old school "special effects" can show their age at times. The best material here probably approaches 4.0 levels, while the worst hovers down around 2.0, so I've kind of split the difference with my video score above.

Neil Young: Archives Volume III Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

All of the Blu-ray discs feature LPCM 2.0 audio, and the discs with choices between sampling rates have the following introductory information:

Where possible, this Blu-ray disc offers a 24bit 192kHZ PCM audio track which, in our opinion, is the finest listening experience available in the digital sound domain.

For users with Blu-ray players that cannot deliver 24/192 audio, we have provided an alternate 24/96 audio track. For projects that were original recorded with lower resolution, the best possible audio is provided at its original native sample rate (without upsampling). The highest quality available will be automatically selected by your player.

(The discs with lower resolution sources also state that with a prefatory text card.) Taking the wide array of sources and approaches that all of these videos offer into account, the audio side of things on these discs probably fares a good deal better in terms of overall consistency than the video side of things. And in fact a lot of the live material on these Blu-ray discs has noticeably better fidelity and a more fulsome midrange and less tinny high end than quite a few of the live performances that are on the CDs in this collection. Some of the live material, notably Catalyst, can show occasional ebbs and flows in amplitude and clarity, but considering the historical value of so many of these performances, I can't imagine fans not being generally very well pleased with the audio quality across the five Blu-ray discs.

Neil Young: Archives Volume III Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

I'll simply refer those interested to the complete disc contents above to determine what they consider a "supplement". The packaging of this third volume mimics Archives Volume I with an oversized box measuring approximately 12" high by 7.5" wide and deep. The top has a hinged cover which allows access to all of the discs, which are housed in a smaller box which fits into one of three slots in the box. All of the discs are housed in what amount to mini LP gatefold covers, though they're advertised as "softpaks". The two other slots in the box feature a poster (which had gotten bent and which I found very difficult to remove and then replace in the slot), and an absolutely amazing oversized hardback book which is stuffed full of photos, credits and other information.

Neil Young: Archives Volume III Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In a previous life when I worked in an office and had actual honest to goodness employees, one of my hires was a woman with a kid with cerebral palsy who had actually gotten to know Neil quite well due to his work with "specialty camps" set up to help kids with this unfortunate condition, and she mentioned how kind and caring he had been. That assessment may clash with more widely held perceptions of Young as an agent provocateur, but this frankly overwhelming collection easily proves that no matter what Young's personal predilections may be like, his music is vast and often ultimately uncategorizable. The Blu-ray content here has widely variant video quality but generally great audio. The rest of this immense package is amazing. Highly recommended.