Long May You Run

Stephen Stills, Neil Young

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: September 1976
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Reprise Records
• ASIN: B000002KCN
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,287 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Rock > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Neil Young's songs from this ill-fated collaboration are widely regarded as toss-offs, but the disc does contain three or four swell Young tunes. The title track is among his finest work from the mid-'70s, with its generous pop hook wrapped in shambling rhythms, laconic pace, nostalgic subject matter, and subtle, country-fried accents. The slow, powerful "Fountainebleau"--a story of rock-star hotel decadence--is "Powderfinger"-ish with some of Young's most nimble-fingered fretwork ever, and his vocals on "Midnight on the Bay" are stunningly on key. Unfortunately, Stephen Stills's musical muse was more than burnt out by the time this record was made, and "Guardian Angel" sounds like the cast of Godspell on a very off day. "Make Love to You," with its faux-soul keyboard runs, Stills's dying-moose moans, and the insanely cheesy "Hey baby, I just wanta make love to you"-type lyrics, sounds so ridiculous one half-expects Chef from South Park to jump out from behind the speakers, crooning into his spoon to an imaginary sexy lady. This album went gold, but luckily "The Stills-Young Band" was never heard from again after this messy, one-sided affair. --Mike McGonigal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buffalo Springfield again? Well, it was short-lived, again., March 31, 2004

By	running_man (Chesterfield Twp., MI) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

From reading the reviews here one would think we're looking at a release by Stephen Hatfield and Neil McCoy. I suppose it's not surprising that Stephen and Neil's on and off-again relationship, their head-butting over who would get to play lead guitar, and the tension that would eventually dissolve the tour supporting this album would spill over into the reviews. It's too bad that those circumstances influence people's perceptions of the music though, because this is a thoroughly enjoyable album. As a fan of both artist's work, I find these tracks to be highly representative of everything else they were producing around this time... certainly not their best compositions or their most inspired recordings, but worthy additions to their catalogs.

I count myself fortunate to have been seated in the pavilion of the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan in June, 1976 when the Stills-Young Band kicked off their tour, even if the sound turned out to be rather muddled and the two stars weren't frequently on stage together. While most of the setlist was dedicated to past hits, the evening did produce three of the finer selections from this CD: Still's staple from this tour, 'Make Love To You'; a song Neil first began performing with Crazy Horse while on tour in Japan earlier in the same year, 'Let It Shine'; and the title song, 'Long May You Run', which Neil first began performing in 1974. Only two other songs from the album, Neil's 'Midnight On the Bay' and 'Ocean Girl' would be offered on the truncated (17 concert) tour.

This collection boasts one classic tune, the title track, which rivals any of Young's best compositions. Another exceptional contribution from Neil is 'Fontainebleau', which is cast from the same mold as 'Cortez the Killer' with its loping beat and trademark guitar squelch and distortion. 'Midnight On the Bay', 'Ocean Girl' and 'Let It Shine' are pleasant-sounding, but unchallenging tracks by Young's standards.

Still's offers four tracks to Neil's five, but more total minutes on the disc. His best offerings are the blatantly seductive ode to one-night stands, 'Make Love To You' (with a tempo reminisient of Still's first hit, 'For What It's Worth'), and the bouncy, spiritual closer, 'Guardian Angel'. 'Black Coral' features it's own spiritual bent, as well as an intriguing melody. '12/8 Blues' is perhaps the weakest song on the disc, but like 'Black Coral' has an interesting, unusual musical structure, and together with 'Fontainebleau' adds some needed grit to the mix.

This album was recorded in Miami and the song selection suggests Stills and Young were hinting at a nautical theme for the disc. Obvious selections such as 'Midnight On the Bay', 'Ocean Girl' and 'Black Coral' wash together with lyrics from 'Long May You Run' ("Rollin' down that empty ocean road, get into the surf on time") and 'Fontainebleau' (...where the surfer works, till the break of day, cause it takes a shark, to catch a wave...) to carry the impression, inadvertent or not.

So despite the heavy critiques and unfortunate circumstances this reunion disc generated, I'm pleased two of my favorite artists, the dual backbones of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, saw fit to give this a shot. I consider it one of the most unique collaborations of their careers, and the music a tribute to their talents. Oh... one other plus: lyrics are included.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Just Good Stuff, June 9, 2000

By	M G M (United States) - See all my reviews

So what if it's "not either one's best work"... it's good stuff. The music is easy to listen to, and it has something to say, and best of all, they are singing, not yelling or talking. It's the way music is supposed to be experienced... turn it on, kick back, and let it transport you to somewhere sweet. It's 70's rock, and there's nothing wrong with that.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Barely a three; may be a 2.5, February 21, 2000

By A Customer

I had very high expectations for this record and was sorely disappointed. Simply put, this is not the best work of either Stills or Young. Nevertheless, there is a sort of laid back charm to the record, and if you are a fan of either there are a few worthwhile tunes here that you cannot find elsewhere.

The title track is a minor Young classic and easily the best song here. "Midnight on the Bay" and "Ocean Girl" are catchy throwaways that you may find yourself humming from time to time. "Let It Shine" is a loping country rocker with amusing lyrics that may be the second best song here. "Fountainebleu" is kind of dull, but features some nice guitar licks from Mr. Young.

Ah, the Stills numbers. . . less good. He had been in a serious slump since the first Mannassas album and it continues here. "Make Love To You" is about as clever and original as the title suggests. "Black Coral" is more interesting than good and lacks a memorable hook. "12/8 Blues" is Stills' highlight on the record, a solid blues rocker. "Guardian Angel" is a passable lite rocker, but again nothing special.

Most disappointing of all is the lack of actual collaboration between Young and Stills on any of these songs. None are co-written, and there are no duelling guitars. The extent of it seems to be a shared backing band and some overdubbed backing vocals. And lemme tell ya, a thrilling harmony duo Stills and Young are not.

So what have you got? Not a lot to get excited about really.