Customer Reviews

Bridge: Tribute Neil Young

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For those too young or too out of it to have been around two decades ago, "The Bridge" was one of the very first modern tribute albums and set a high bar for what this new genre came to be in the '90's and '00's. It was a splendid collection of indie and post-punk musicians of the time and most managed to be faithful to the spirit of the originals and yet creatively amplify musical trends at the time of the collection's production.

I simply couldn't believe some of the comments here (has it dated itself so badly?), so I just listened to its entirety in the car during a commute to my evening class and back. While a few of the covers by unknowns Loop and Nikki Sudden were rather harmless, I found most to be inspired and more than up to the task. Victoria Williams, herself the beneficiary of a benefit album only a few years later due to illness, was a revelation here. The Pixies, Soul Asylum, Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth and Bongwater all had outstanding contributions. Even Nick Cave, of whom I am not a fan, used his stylized vocals to great effect in the dirge-like "Helpless."

But I have to add that my favorite track was at the time and continues to be Dinosaur, Jr.'s cover of "Lotta Love." This was not one of Young's strongest songs to begin with, but in the hands of J. Mascis this turned into chaotic genius of speed guitar with heart -- under three minutes.

The fact that some of these covers were amongst the best recordings some of these bands did speaks a great deal to the power of Young's songwriting. It set a standard for what to expect in mixing creative musical vision with musicians willing to put themselves on the line performing material considered to be standards in their chosen creative field.

Thank you naysayers for making me go back and check the original. My faith restored in the original album -- or in my case, cassette -- I just bought a used CD so I can add it to my digital library.

This cd reads like a who's who of Alt rock before the major labels crushed the life of it. I mean it came out in 1989 and features the Pixies and The Flaming Lips among a wide aray of other great bands, it is almost a prediction of the future.
And btw, Neal Young was the bridge between old rock and new rock. Hence the title.

this album was created by caroline records & N.Young to have some current/alt (very alternative at the time PTV does a tune ...)do some covers for a school.. THe Bridge school was no-funded alt. school for kids in jeopardy but were gifted(i.e.autistic but could do 10 digit math probs no sweat. Anyways its all here pixies at their hieght soul asylum before "runaway train" crushed the life out of them. Bongwater ,sonic youth,so many and the cd has like seven bonus trax not on the lp or tape if your truly old skool were really there this ones for YOU!!!!!

This is a fairly uneven collection of Neil Young covers. While some are good (like "Barstool Blues"), others are (weak). The only one that makes the album is Sonic Youth's cover of "Computer Age," originally on Neil's Trans album.

This may be the only cover of a Neil Young song that I like better than the original. It's loud and obnoxious and experimental, but it rules!

This is a classic, before cover albums started to be churned out daily. If you are a fan of NY or
alt rock, this is a must!

Obviously this is going to appeal mostly to fans of "Neil Young", but the bands on here are pretty great as well. First of all, any album with "Sonic Youth", "The Pixies", AND "Dinosaur Jr." must be good, and all their covers are good. I also like the covers from "Soul Asylum", "Flaming Lips", and "Psychic TV". The only thing about this disc though, like all tributes, is that it just makes you want to listen to the real thing, which of course "Neil" is. Also check out Willie Nelsons tribute album "Twisted Willie", which has the same caliber of bands.

This is a spottily good recording. I like the Psychic tv song - "only love can break your heart", the Pixies song - "winterlong", and of course sonic youth's - "computer age", but the rest of the songs are only listenable. Not bad, but not worth selling your second born child for either (assuming your first is already spoken for by Rapunzel). On the whole, this is an interesting release, not essential, but worth purchasing for collectors of the various artists represented. Those who are looking for introductions to Neil Young should go directly to Decade, those who are curious about various artists represented on this album should also look elsewhere. Oh, and nick cave's "helpless" is also a pretty good cover.

I bought this because I like both the cover bands and Neil Young, but it isn't very good. I wouldn't pay more than $5 if you see it in a 'used' bin.

Not even as good as 'ho-hum'... This was the worst tribute album I've bought.

My bad; don't repeat my mistake.

Outside of a few decent contributions from Soul Asylum, Henry Kaiser and Victoria Williams, this recording is virtually worthless. Quite possibly the worst "tribute" CD ever to make it to mainstream distribution.