Customer Reviews

Comes a Time

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I wrote in my review of the recently-released-on-CD _Old Ways_ that I liked it as well as I like _Comes a Time_. A minor correction: I think _Comes a Time_ still has a slight edge.

So that you know where I'm coming from: if I were asked to name Neil Young's very best album ever, I'd dither between _Tonight's the Night_ and _On the Beach_. But by and large, my favorite stuff to listen to over and over is his acoustic material. (Not exclusively, but overall.)

That means my favorite 'repeater' albums are _After the Goldrush_, _Harvest_, the acoustic 'sides' of _Rust Never Sleeps_ and _Hawks and Doves_, _Old Ways_, _Harvest Moon_, _Silver and Gold_, occasional songs from his other albums (e.g. 'Ambulance Blues' from _On the Beach_), and this one. (Oh, and of course _Decade_, which is where you should start if you haven't listened to Neil before.)

On to _Comes a Time_ itself. I've had it since it was first released on vinyl; I liked it then and I like it now.

It's mostly straightforward country-inflected folk. For most of it Neil is accompanied by the 'Gone with the Wind Orchestra' (led by Grant Boatwright, whose last name is consistently misspelled in the liner notes; they also play on the acoustic side of _Rust Never Sleeps_). Crazy Horse sits in on two tracks, though: the haunting 'Look Out for My Love', and 'Lotta Love'. The latter was also a hit for the late Nicolette Larsen, who sings harmony with Neil on nearly every song on this release (but _not_ on 'Lotta Love'; apparently they knew she'd be releasing a version of her own).

I feel almost disloyal to Neil in mentioning that one of my very favorite tracks is the one he didn't write: he and Nicolette do an absolutely stunning version of 'Four Strong Winds', written by Neil's fellow Canadian Ian Tyson (of Ian & Sylvia, whose version of the tune you can find on their album of the same name).

At any rate, the whole thing is gorgeous from start to finish -- even the unexceptional 'Motorcycle Mama', which Nicolette manages to bring to life. And if you read the liner notes carefully, you'll spot one or two interesting guests (notably J.J. Cale).

There weren't any 'hits' from this album, but I think it's one of Neil's most consistent efforts. If you like his acoustic side and you don't already have this one, check it out.

Comes A Time is a seminal work from Neil. It has a collection of songs which shepparded me through my adolescence and continues to guide me today. It may come off upon first listen as a little too overproduced and too country BUT the songs are some of the most compelling of Neil's acoustic life. A song like "Peace of Mind" is staggering. The lyrics are beyond description. The melody tears through your heart and the music is the perfect blend of achingly beautiful guitars and voices. Other stand out songs are,"Look Out For My Love","Already One","Comes A Time","Field of Opportunity","Going Back", in fact there is not one song on this album which doesn't stand out as a classic for me. My first copy of this album I literally wore out from playing it too much. Now that I have the CD I hope it lasts well into this Century. If you love acoustic rock which takes you deep inside the human heart and the human experience do not miss Neil's Comes A Time.

Don't get me wrong. I get a kick from hearing Neil rock, and appreciate "Cowgirl in the Sand" and "Like a Hurricane" as much as anyone. But for some reason, I always find myself coming back to this country/acoustic-flavored gem, and probably listen to it more than to any other of Young's numerous fine offerings. Maybe it's because I'm about the same age as he was when he recorded this, or maybe I'm just getting to appreciate the quieter side of life now that I have a young child. Either way, I find songs like "Going Back," "Comes A Time," and "Human Highway" just perfect. They bring me back to the late 70's, when I was a kid, even though I never heard these songs until I was an adult, and remind me of how simple and peaceful life seemed back then. Other standouts are "Look Out For My Love," "Already One" - which can bring tears to my eyes even though I've never been through a divorce - and Neil's terrific cover of "Four Strong Winds." This is Neil's best acoustic album, ahead of Harvest Moon and Harvest.

There are people who would contend that `Comes a Time' is Neil Young's finest work. While it is truly a beautiful collection of songs, what it lacks is a demonstration of Neil's versatility, something clearly established on works such as `After the Goldrush' or `Rust Never Sleeps'. Neil can rock, and Neil can psychedelicize (a word coined by The Chamber's Brothers, doncha' know...), but that's not what `Comes a Time' is about. `Comes a Time' is a country/folk album cast from the same mold as his best selling album, `Harvest', but superior to `Harvest in two respects:

1) Young is more mature, as a composer, as a musician, and most importantly, as a person. He is for instance, able to bring in the 'Gone With the Wind Orchestra' without allowing his music to be overwhelmed by it, as `There's a World' and `A Man Needs a Maid' were on `Harvest'. There are many subtle nuances in the musicianship that lend depth and texture to many of the compositions, beginning with the very first waves of his pick over his guitar strings on the opening cut, `Goin' Back'. And lyrics such as "In my new life I'm travelin' light, eyes wide open for the next move, I can't go wrong till I get right, but I'm not falling back in the same groove" from `Already One' show that Neil had exorcised many of the demons that had tormented him since the death of friend Danny Whitten, and his divorce from actress Carrie Snodgress earlier in the decade.

2) Many of the songs on this album are as fragile and delicate as a pile of pick-up sticks, but Young is able to convey strength and conviction through their gentleness. He's killing us softly with his song. While `Harvest' will most likely bring you down, `Comes a Time' will lift you up.

The only criticism I would have of the disc involves two songs: `Lotta Love' and `Motorcycle Mama'. The problem with `Lotta Love' is that it has been so darned overplayed. The late Nicolette Larson, who contributes fine `countryfied' background vocals to this album, and leads on `Motorcycle Mama', turned her own version of `Lotta Love' into a number 8 hit in 1978. It also is included on Neil's `Live Rust' album and the `Rust Never Sleeps' film. That's a lotta la la la la la la la la la's to absorb.

`Motorcycle Mama', on the other hand, is more of a gritty blues tune that feels out of place here. Unlike the inclusion of `Alabama' to beef up the low-key tone of `Harvest', this album is shimmering enough not to require a wake-up call on track nine. It's a good song, and despite it's `Harley-ness', does manage to feel `country-ish'. Nevertheless, Neil should have left Old Black in its case this time.

It's instructive that my criticisms of the album involve good songs. There simply is not one loser in the entire collection, and tunes such as `Goin' Back', `Already One', `Field of Opportunity' and the title track are among Neil's finest. Since you've already demonstrated your interest in Young's work by opening to this page, let me tell you that you can't go wrong in purchasing this disc. It can certainly be the starting point in putting together a Neil Young collection, and I guarantee that if it is your first, it will not be your last. Then again, who hasn't owned a Neil Young album at some time in their life? If you haven't, beware that there comes a time...

When Neil Young decides to go mellow, he goes all the way. He's been criticized for this, but when he does it right, it is very misically rewarding. "Harvest" staked out this musical territory, and "Comes a Time," though not as popular, is a better album. Highlights include "Look Out For My Love," "Human Highway" and the classic 70s ballad "Lotta Love." If you're looking for heaps of guitar feedback, look elsewhere in the Young catalog. However, if your tastes run to the lighter side of Young, this album is a must buy.

With 1971's Harvest, Neil Young had the biggest-selling album of the year, as well as his first and only #1 hit single, Heart of Gold. After the release of this album - due to such factors as the death of close friends, messy relationships, and an agoraphobic reaction to his newfound fame - Young released a series of stark, bleak, depressing albums that alienated his newfound fans and drove his record company up the wall (with them refusing even to release one of the offerings.) It was not until 1978's Comes A Time that Young returned to the gentle, soothing spirit of the Harvest album - and thereby returned into the Top 10. Featuring delicate, peaceful, and soothing songs with Young on acoustic guitar (backed by a plenthora of musicians and Nicolette Larson on vocals), the songs on Comes A Time were some of his most accessible in years, while still maintaining a high level of artistry. The lyrics are some of his strongest, focusing on topics from nature and love to divorce downhome philosophy. Tracks such as Human Highway and Field Of Opportunity focus on Young's unique and enigmatic lyrical approach. Although there are no barnstorming rockers on this album, it features some of his most delicate and moving acoustic work. Several songs feature contributions from an orchestra, and some, such as the title track, have more than a hint of country overtones. Almost as good as Harvest, this comes highly reccommended for fans of that album, it being one of Neil Young's most impressive.

Comes A Time by Neil Young is one of his all time best. Few records in Neils cannon are better then this one. Every song flows perfectly into the next, well almost every song. The lyricism is bright and in someplaces uplifting. The acousitc musician ship is amazing. Neil's backing band is right on que and takes this already amazing work of music to a whole nother level with just a few beats of the drum and some simple plucks of the bass. For Comes A Time, think, the Harvest album, but better and the complete opposite of themes. Harvest was dark and self wollowing in some places, while this whole album is bright and a whole hell of a lot happier... which makes for a better album in this case.

While Harvest was good and the message felt more personnal, Comes A Time is much better. The recording for one thing is amazing compared to the other. Everything is Crytal clear and loud in your speakers which makes for a nice listening experince.

There are not that many song on the album that went on to become classics or get regular play on te radio but for Neil fans almost every song on the album is a classic. 'Piece Of Mind' 'Human Highway' and 'Goin Back' are all Neil staples and are concidered by many to be three of his best songs. The rest of the songs are astounding as well.

The one thing that somewhat threw me about this album was 'Motorcycle Mama.' Its a great song and has killer guitar but it doesnt fit in with the album. If he would have put it on American Stars N' Bars it would have fit better. But he put it on here because he thought that it would make the B-side of the album stronger. Well the B-side was already plenty strong, unike Harvest where 'Alabama' was needed. It doesnt take anything away from the album but I just feel it is slightly out of place. But it does show that Neil cant go to long with out really rockin' out! I think thats a good thing.

So in the end Comes A Time is a really good album, maybe even Neil Youngs all time best. One things for sure there comes a time when everyone should own this album.

While there are more than enough individual tracks dotted around his huge number of recordings to justify Neil Young's major reputation there are only a few albums that, on their own, hold together as satisfyingly complete "works". And... in the (self imposed) absence of any sensible retrospectives since 1977's "Decade" (definitely the best place to start for any "casual buyer") those not "in the know" could be in for some serious mistakes. So, what's been worth the money since then? Well...for anyone looking for the mellower side of this brilliantly mercurial but annoyingly erratic artist here's a few suggestions: "Comes a Time" (1978), "Freedom" (1989), "Harvest Moon" (1992) and "Unplugged" (1995).

"Comes a Time" - his first post "Decade" release - was also Neil Young's first serious attempt to recapture the audience created by "After the Goldrush" & "Harvest". Concentrating on the acoustic folk/country-rock aspects of both albums, and arguably more cohesive than either, it opens with the exquisite "Goin' Back" - one of the most emotionally reflective songs he has delivered to date - followed by the wonderfully catchy, pure country of "Comes a Time", the tougher, Crazy Horse backed "Look Out For My Love" and two beautiful ballads in "Lotta Love" (a top ten hit for backing singer Nicolette Larson) & "Peace of Mind". From there on the album flows fairly seamlessly through a set of similarly gentle, albeit less powerful, country & folk songs - with the stand out fun-blues of "Motorcycle Mama" providing a perfectly positioned break - to leave you... happy. Money well spent!

A while back, Warner Brothers Japan re-released 12 Neil Young titles. The surprise was that remastered content appeared for the first time on most of them.

The titles & WB-Japan catalog numbers are:

Neil Young WPCR-75086
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere WPCR-75087
After The Gold Rush WPCR-75088
Harvest WPCR-75089
On The Beach WPCR-75090
Tonight's The Night WPCR-75091
Zuma WPCR-75092
Long May You Run WPCR-75093
American Stars n' Bars WPCR-75094
Comes A Time WPCR-75095
Rust Never Sleeps WPCR-75096
Live Rust WPCR-75097

I picked up most of these, A/B'd them, and found them to be superior to the domestics. However, having purchased the domestic 2002 remasters of "Beach" and "Stars n Bars", I declined the Japan versions of those two titles.

Unfortunately, while the Japan version is remastered, Live Rust is not restored to the original LP's running form, and remains still the bastardized version.

If you own the U.S. versions, and you're a NY fan, I would seriously consider replacing them with these.

I have difficulty expressing how good this album is. One of the perfect elements is Nicolette Larson; no one besides Emmylou Harris has been able to sing harmony with Neil like Nicolette (RIP)). "Comes A Time" and "Lotta Love" alone make this one of the greatest albums out of the '70's. I am unable to understand how a musician can put so much emotion into a single song...it breaks and mends the heart in a matter of seconds. Phenomenal.