For an artist of his vintage, Neil Young demonstrates quite a high working rate, churning up record almost on yearly basis, so another of his releases could hardly be a surprise if only it wasn’t a collection of other people’s songs. Young has never been known for sprinkling his studio platters with many covers but they appeared in his live set from time to time, yet “A Letter Home,” out now on Jack White’s Third Man Records right for the Record Store Day, is full of unexpected delights. Meanwhile, it’s available only on vinyl, although it’s sure bet a CD or a digital versions will materialize as well.
While some of the choices on this selection seem obvious – a Bob Dylan tune, for one – others do not, but there’s a great logic in Bert Jansch’s “Needle Of Death” joining “Needle And The Damage Done” in Neil repertoire, and two picks by a fellow Canadian Gordon Lighfoot reminding of Young’s origin. An interesting thing.
1. Changes (Phil Ochs)
2. Girl From The North Country (Bob Dylan)
3. Needle Of Death (Bert Jansch)
4. Early Morning Rain (Gordon Lightfoot)
5. Crazy (Willie Nelson)
6. Reason To Believe (Tim Hardin)
7. On The Road Again (Willie Nelson)
8. If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot)
9. Since I Met You Baby (Ivory Joe Hunter)
10. My Hometown (Bruce Springsteen)
11. I Wonder If I Care As Much (THE EVERLY BROTHERS)
