This record from Uncle Neil, the second of his Ditch Trilogy, has always been a a favorite of RtBE's, starting with the best album cover Neil ever created.
Back in 2019 when we did our Masters series, we wrote about Neil studio records and On The Beach ranked 2nd overall for us in his discography.
This is what we had to say then, and it still holds true today, as the album turns 50.
When RtBE yearns for depressed Neil, On The Beach is the album we reach for. This is some odd, textured loneliness and isolating music. There is a vibe to this album unlike all of his other records, which feel more piecemeal, even the other two of his Ditch Trilogy records.On The Beach is a complete thought, capturing malaise perfectly. Sad, ambivalent these songs wander, mean nothing and yet somehow mean everything.
The second half of the album, "On the Beach" "Motion Pictures" and "Ambulance Blues" is a stoned meditation as the players were high as hell on 'honey sliders' and in the zone. The acoustic backing with the occasional dobro, fiddle, steel guitar or Wurlitzer drips in adding minimal texture as Young goes after his muse in real time. Instruments just seem to jump in and out without preconception; these songs take the form of minimalist jamming or demo offerings which flourish into final takes.
"Revolution Blues" features the rhythm section of Rick Danko and Levon Helm and the album as a whole feels very indebted to The Band's style, just way more zoned out. "Walk On" kicks things off with a testament to living through tough times and is the most rocking here, but this album is more about mellow than upbeat. "See The Sky About To Rain" is pretty while "Vampire Blues" is out there and "For The Turnstiles" gets cinematic. Not a bad track here and the ultimate mood album from Neil and company, starting with that dynamic (and best of his career) cover art through the last notes.
So in honor of Uncle Neil and his 'Honey Slides', let's get loose and listen to On The Beach:
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