Neil Young has announced a big fall release: the third - and biggest - box set in his long-running Archives series.
Archives Vol. III (1976-1987), slated for release September 6, will span in its deluxe form a whopping 17 CDs and five Blu-rays boasting a broad array of songs and film footage: 15 unreleased songs, 121 unreleased tracks and 11 full-length films (four of them unreleased). Housed in a box identical to Archives Vol. I (1963-1972) (2009) and Archives Vol. II (1972-1976) (2020), the set will also include a 160-page hardcover booklet "chronologically illustrated with archive materials, detailed descriptions of the music, and a fold-out timeline of the period," and 14 custom digipak sleeves for each "album" and Blu-ray Disc. The deluxe set is limited to 5000 copies; a less limited edition will feature just the CDs and a 36-page book of liner notes, housed in the same "Gary-pak" as the standard Archives boxes, designed by Young's late designer Gary Burden.
The period covered in Archives Vol. III is one of Young's most unique, a period that saw him release acclaimed studio and live efforts both solo (Comes a Time, Hawks & Doves) and with Crazy Horse (American Stars 'N Bars, Rust Never Sleeps, Live Rust, RE-AC-TOR). In the '80s, the iconic rocker jumped ship from longtime label home Reprise Records for an intriguing tenure on Geffen Records, including the striking synth-driven Trans (1982), the rockabilly venture Everybody's Rockin' (1983), Old Ways (1984) and Landing on Water (1986). This period is also celebrated for several projects that later became part of Young's ongoing Archives series, including the spare 1976 session released in 2017 as Hitchhiker and the legendary Chrome Dreams, a 1977 assembly finally officially released last year.
Among the discoveries of the new box set are audio and video of Across the Water, a 1976 account of Young and Crazy Horse's European and Japanese tour; A Snapshot in Time, featuring rehearsal audio by Young with singers Nicolette Larson and Linda Ronstadt; live sets with The Ducks and Devo (as part of a 1978 residency at the Boarding House in San Francisco; and films including the concert films Rust Never Sleeps and Solo Trans, the scripted comedy Human Highway (1982), starring and co-directed by Young (under his pseudonym "Bernard Shakey") and the documentary Muddy Track, shot during Crazy Horse's 1986/1987 tour but not screened until 2015. The unreleased song "Bright Sunny Day" is now streaming, with additional unheard songs "Winter Winds," "Lady Wingshot" (from a 1977 performance with Larson) and a live version of "Thrasher" from the Boarding House gigs being made available over the next month.
Pre-orders of the deluxe set from Young's web site will also include a 16-track promo sampler disc from the set called Takes and a Neil Young Archives lapel pin. You can order either version of the box at the links below; as an Amazon affiliate, we earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at those links.
Archives Vol. III (1976-1987) (Reprise, 2024)
17CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
17CD/5BD Deluxe Set: Official Store
* previously unreleased version
** previously unreleased original
+ previously unreleased song
CD 1: Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Across the Water I (1976) *
- Let It Shine (Live)
- Mellow My Mind (Live)
- Too Far Gone (Live)
- Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Live)
- A Man Needs a Maid (Live)
- No One Seems to Know (Live)
- Heart of Gold (Live)
- Country Home (Live)
- Don't Cry No Tears (Live)
- Cowgirl in the Sand (Live) (Alternate Mix)
- Lotta Love (Live)
- The Losing End (When You're On) (Live)
- Southern Man (Live)
- Cortez the Killer (Live)
CD 2: Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Across the Water II (1976) *
- Human Highway (Live)
- The Needle and the Damage Done (Live)
- Stringman (Live) (Alternate Mix)
- Down by the River (Live)
- Like a Hurricane (Live)
- Drive Back (Live)
- Cortez the Killer (Live)
- Homegrown (Live)
CD 3: Hitchhikin' Judy (1976-1977)
- Rap
- Powderfinger
- Captain Kennedy
- Hitchhiker
- Give Me Strength
- The Old Country Waltz
- Rap
- Too Far Gone
- White Line
- Mr. Soul
- A Man Needs a Maid
- Journey Through the Past
- Campaigner
- The Old Laughing Lady
- The Losing End (When You're On)
- Rap
- Helpless
- Four Strong Winds
- Rap
- Will to Love - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
- Lost in Space **
Tracks 2 and 4-6 previously released on Hitchhiker - Reprise 560639, 2017
Track 3 previously released on Hawks & Doves - Reprise HS 2297, 1980
Tracks 8-15 previously released on Songs for Judy - Shakey Pictures Records 574192, 2018
Track 17 previously released on The Last Waltz - Warner Bros. 3WS 3146, 1978
Track 18 previously released on The Last Waltz (Deluxe Edition) - Rhino R2 78278, 2002
Track 20 previously released on American Stars 'N Bars - Reprise MSK 2261, 1977
CD 4: Snapshot in Time (1977) (with Nicolette Larson & Linda Ronstadt)
- Rap
- Hold Back the Tears
- Rap
- Long May You Run *
- Hey Babe *
- The Old Country Waltz *
- Hold Back the Tears *
- Peace of Mind *
- Sweet Lara Larue *
- Bite the Bullet *
- Saddle Up the Palomino *
- Star of Bethlehem *
- Bad News Comes to Town *
- Motorcycle Mama *
- Rap
- Hey Babe
- Rap
- Barefoot Floors *
Track 2 previously released on Chrome Dreams - Reprise 093624869351, 2023
Track 16 previously released on American Stars 'N Bars - Reprise MSK 2261, 1977
CD 5: The Ducks, Windward Passage (1977)
- Rap
- I Am a Dreamer
- Sail Away **
- Wide Eyed and Willin'
- I'm Tore Down
- Little Wing
- Hey Now
- Windward Passage (Edit) *
- Cryin' Eyes **
Tracks 2, 4-7 and full version of 8 previously released on High Flyin' - Shakey Pictures Records 093624885054, 2023
CD 6: Oceanside Countryside (1977)
- Rap
- Field of Opportunity (Alternate Mix) *
- It Might Have Been *
- Dance Dance Dance *
- Rap
- Pocahontas (Alternate Mix) *
- Peace of Mind (Alternate Mix) *
- Sail Away (Alternate Mix) *
- Human Highway (Alternate Mix) *
- Comes a Time *
- Lost in Space
- Goin' Back (Alternate Mix) *
Track 11 previously released on Hawks & Doves - Reprise HS 2297, 1980
CD 7: Union Hall (1977) (with Nicolette Larson)
- Comes a Time
- Love/Art Blues *
- Rap
- Are You Ready for the Country? *
- Dance Dance Dance/Love is a Rose *
- Old Man *
- The Losing End (When You're On) *
- Heart of Gold *
- Already One *
- Lady Wingshot +
- Four Strong Winds *
- Down by the River *
- Alabama *
- Are You Ready For the Country? (Reprise) *
- Rap
- We're Having Some Fun Now +
- Rap
- Please Help Me, I'm Falling *
- Motorcycle Mama
Tracks 1 and 19 released on Comes a Time - Reprise MSK 2266, 1978
CD 8: Boarding House I (1978) *
- Rap
- Shots (Live)
- Thrasher (Live)
- The Ways of Love (Live)
- Ride My Llama (Live)
- Sail Away (Live)
- Pocahontas (Live)
- Human Highway (Live)
- Already One (Live)
- Birds (Live)
- Cowgirl in the Sand (Live)
- Sugar Mountain (Live)
- Powderfinger (Live)
- Comes a Time (Live)
CD 9: Boarding House II (1978) (with Devo) *
- Rap
- Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) *
- Back to the Boarding House
- My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) (Live) *
- Homegrown (Live) *
- Down by the River (Live) *
- After the Gold Rush (Live) *
- Out of My Mind (Live) *
- Dressing Room
CD 10: Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Sedan Delivery (1978)
- Bright Sunny Day +
- The Loner
- Welfare Mothers
- Lotta Love
- Sedan Delivery
- Cortez the Killer
- Tonight's the Night
- Powderfinger
- When You Dance, I Can Really Love
- Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
Tracks 2, 4, 6-7 and 9 previously released on Live Rust - Reprise HS 2295, 1979
Tracks 3, 5, 8 and 10 previously released on Rust Never Sleeps - Reprise 2RX 2296, 1979
CD 11: Coastline (1980-1981)
- Coastline
- Stayin' Power
- Hawks and Doves
- Comin' Apart At Every Nail
- Union Man
- Winter Winds +
- Southern Pacific
- Opera Star
- Rapid Transit
- Sunny Inside **
- Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze
- Get Up +
Tracks 1-5 previously released on Hawks & Doves - Reprise HS 2297, 1980
Tracks 7-9 and 11 previously released on RE-AC-TOR - Reprise HS 2304, 1981
CD 12: Trans (1981) and Johnny's Island (1982)
- Rap
- Sample and Hold
- Mr. Soul
- Computer Cowboy
- We R in Control
- Computer Age
- Transformer Man
- Rap
- Johnny +
- Island in the Sun +
- Rap
- Silver & Gold *
- If You Got Love *
- Raining in Paradise +
- Big Pearl +
- Hold On to Your Love
- Soul of a Woman **
- Rap
- Love Hotel +
Tracks 2-7 and 16 previously released on Trans - Geffen GHS 2018, 1982
CD 13: Evolution (1983-1984)
- California Sunset **
- My Boy **
- Old Ways *
- Depression Blues
- Cry, Cry, Cry
- Mystery Train
- Payola Blues
- Betty Lou's Got a New Pair of Shoes
- Bright Lights, Big City
- Rainin' in My Heart
- Get Gone **
- I Got a Problem **
- Hard Luck Stories **
- Your Love *
- If You Got Love *
- Razor Love **
Track 4 previously released on Lucky Thirteen - Geffen GEF 24452, 1993
Tracks 5-10 previously released on Everybody's Rockin' - Geffen GHS 4013, 1983
CD 14: Grey Riders (1984-1986) (with The International Harvesters)
- Amber Jean **
- Get Back to the Country **
- Are You Ready for the Country?
- It Might Have Been
- Bound for Glory
- Let Your Fingers Do the Walking
- Soul of a Woman
- Misfits (Dakota) (Live) *
- Nothing is Perfect *
- Time Off for Good Behavior +
- This Old House **
- Southern Pacific
- Interstate (Live) *
- Grey Riders
Tracks 3-7, 12 and 14 previously released on A Treasure - Reprise 527650, 2011
CD 15: Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Touch the Night (1984) *
- Rock (Live) +
- So Tired (Live) +
- Violent Side (Live)
- I Got a Problem (Live)
- Your Love (Live) +
- Barstool Blues (Live)
- Welfare Mothers (Live)
- Touch the Night (Live)
All tracks recorded live at The Catalyst, Santa Cruz, CA - 2/7/1984
CD 16: Road of Plenty (1984-1986)
- Drifter
- Hippie Dream
- Bad News Beat
- People on the Street
- Weight of the World
- Pressure
- Road of Plenty +
- We Never Danced **
- When Your Lonely Heart Breaks **
Tracks 1-6 previously released on Landing on Water - Geffen 24109, 1986
CD 17: Summer Songs (1987) **
- Rap
- American Dream
- Someday
- For the Love of Man
- One of These Days
- Wrecking Ball
- Hangin' on a Limb
- Name of Love
- Last of His Kind
- Rap
Blu-ray 1: Across the Water *
Blu-ray 2: Boarding House * and Rust Never Sleeps
Blu-ray 3: Human Highway, Trans * and Berlin
Blu-ray 4: Solo Trans, Catalyst * and A Treasure
Blu-ray 5: In a Rusted Out Garage and Muddy Track
Galley says
Disappointed that the standard CD version is not in the same style box as Volume II.
Paul English says
I've ordered the limited edition set to Ireland.
CC24WMX15 is the 15% off code and it works.
Came out at EUR 350 or US 382
Hopefully no additional taxes / customs duty when it arrives. There were none for the limited edition Archives II set which I also got from Greedy Hand.
I still regret buying Archives I on DVD rather than Blu Ray. I did pick up the CD set later on.
Bruce Padgett says
Curious that the code won’t work for me. Wonder if there are location restrictions? Thanks.
Paul English says
Apparently codes are working fine for European customers but US people are having issues. According to Steve Hoffman forum Warners are asking people to order anyway and are promising to retrospectively apply the discount when shipping.
Bruce Padgett says
Thanks for your response. I discovered that the same code works if one orders through the Rhino site, although the Greedy Hand still won’t process it. Same perks are included as well.
Bruce Padgett says
I take that back. Ultimately the order doesn’t finalize, even though the total cost reflects the code(s) entered. C’est la vie!
zally says
why include trax that ppl already own. thats double dipping. a rip off for those who already have them.
Tom says
This may be hard for you to believe, but some people actually do enjoy hearing familiar music in fresh contexts.
Phantom Stranger says
Looks like a nice set if you enjoy this period in Neil's career, which I don't.
Zubb says
Looking at the prices for these sets makes me glad I am not a Neil Young fan. Wow!
TCH says
Over 270 quid from amazon UK.... in your dreams Neil since CDs' 11-17 will be played perhaps once.... perhaps.
The repetition of tracks from existing releases is insane given the unwieldy size of the set and the fact that anyone remotely interested in this will be an ardent fan of Neil's music and already own the released stuff, at least up to 1980 when the wheels came off artistically.
Also noticeable how few genuinely "new" songs there are compared to volume II. Not a surprise as at this point in his career Neil was starting to use trunk songs to fill out albums. Understandable as he had plenty of personal issues at the time but lots of live versions of older songs at this price point is not hugely appealing.
I will hold fire and see if price comes down to something approaching "good value" as otherwise it will be streaming only for me.
Mark says
Regarding the 16-track bonus CD "Takes" from the Neil Young website, is that just a promo disc of highlights from the box set (i.e., duplicate songs)? Is there anything unique on it?