"It's a wonder tall trees ain't layin' down"

COMES A TIME (1978) was Neil's follow-up to AMERICAN STARS 'N BARS (1977), and takes the country-rock sound of many of that album's songs in a more mellow direction.

Here, there are countless background musicians, many of them strumming acoustic guitars. There's also a string section to add that touch of '70s orchestration. But, on the brighter side, there's Nicolette Larson. Wow, could she sing!

Side One starts with "Goin' Back", which is a slow, mellow folk/country/rock tune, with a really cool acoustic guitar riff and some interesting Neil lyrics ("I feel like goin' back/Back where there's nowhere to stay"). The string accompaniment gets a bit too strong for my tastes, but it's still a good song. This is followed by the title track, which is a Neil classic. However, check out LIVE RUST (1979) for a stripped-down (no strings) version that's an absolutely amazing performance.

The next two songs were actually recorded with Crazy Horse. First is "Look Out for My Love", which is acoustic (with some feedback thrown in, of course). Neil's vocal performance is nothing short of sublime, and the lyrics are really cool too ("Silver wings of morning/Shining in the gray day/While the ice is forming/On a lonely runway"). [haahnster note: Neil recorded another cool version of this song for UNPLUGGED (1993).] The second song with Crazy Horse is "Lotta Love", which is a very catchy tune, a version of which appeared on LIVE RUST. Neil gave this song to Nicolette Larson as a solo project for her, which she also released in 1978, garnering a Top 10 hit. Side One closes with the very pretty "Peace of Mind" [haahnster note: A live version of this song later appeared on ROAD ROCK (2000).]

Side Two begins with a couple of prototypical '70s mellow, acoustic, singer/songwriter tunes, but with some nice flair. On "Human Highway", Nicolette's harmony vocals are just the right added touch. She also graces "Already One", which boasts the additional asset of Ben Keith's steel guitar. [haahnster note: A live version of "Human Highway" later appeared on YEAR OF THE HORSE (1997).]

"Field of Opportunity" is country, through and through. The fiddle is prominent, and the lyrics are country as well ("I've been wrong before/And I'll be there again..." and "In the field of opportunity/It's plowin' time again" etc.).

"Motorcycle Mama" is the heaviest song (electric guitar even!) on the album. It's a true rocker, and Nicolette Larson's voice is phenomenal. [haahnster note: A live version of this song later appeared on ROAD ROCK.]

"Four Strong Winds" (written by Ian Tyson) closes the album on a mellow, acoustic note. Very pretty harmony from Ms. Larson, and Ben Keith once again provides some great steel guitar.

Bottom Line: Though I could do without some of the strings, this is a nicely done album, and probably a bit overlooked. The title track and "Lotta Love" are Neil classics, although probably both are better represented on LIVE RUST. "Motorcycle Mama" and "Goin' Back" are really good as well. But, to me, the most exciting re-discovery was "Look Out for My Love". It's a true hidden gem of a song, and a must-hear for all Neil Young fans.