Email letters@uncut.co.uk. Or tweet us at twitter.com/uncutmagazine AFTERTHEGOLDDUST
Thanks for an excellent in-depth review of Neil Young's Archives Vol II: 1972-1976 boxset [January issue]. I am one of the lucky people who bagged a copy from the 3,000 on offer from Neil's Archives online store in the USA for a princely sum of over £200, as the European retail sites had sold out. There is no doubt that the music is gold dust and it's hard to believe that so many of these unheard originals and superb alternative and live versions have been locked away for over 40 years. Neil could have put out several more first-rate albums during the 1970s had he chosen to do so, but at least we have them now (or at least some of them, as who knows how long it will be until we get Archives III, covering the later 1970s). However, the delight of finally getting these unreleased songs is rather tainted. Among the 10CD set are six already-released albums, so in some cases fans already have original vinyl and CD versions. Then there is the massive price tag and the difficulty of actually getting hold of the limited-edition set: a second ‘deluxe’ issue of the same set has now been belatedly promised for March, along with a ‘normal’ retail version. There are other issues including the way Young tends to release only parts of concerts, as with the live material included here, and how there are a lot of songs still being held back. Had Neil omitted all the albums that fans already have then the set could have encompassed much more of his unreleased 1970s studio and live work, for which we now await Archives III! As it is Archives II ends awkwardly in mid-1976 in the midst of an intense creative period. So, for example, we have the studio version of “Like a Hurricane”, but no live version. Neil could take a leaf out of Dylan's book and straightforwardly get the unreleased songs out for fans to buy. After all it’s about the music. John Bentley, North Yorkshire Thanks, John – and thanks to John Jobling and Ian Capes who also wrote in about this. I agree Dylan is the exemplar on how archival releases should be managed. Neil has always followed his own course, but perhaps in this instance he might have been wise to adopt a consistent strategy to a release as anticipated as Archives II. But, blimey, the music is very good. [MB} 116 • UNCUT • FEBRUARY 2021
Huge gratitude to everyone who wrote in about our Review Of The Year, either to thank us for turning them on to a hitherto unheard record or to (gently) berate us for omitting a personal favourite from our poll. I realise we can’t please everyone all the time, but I’m encouraged by the tone of the debate around the poll. I think everyone agrees that, despite everything, 2020 was a good year for new music. And there’s a lot more to come in 2021, I’m delighted to say – I’d encourage you to check out the Weather Station feature on page 60, which sets a very high bar, early on, for the year ahead.
BACK TO THE FUTURAMA Not yet on the beach: Neil Young, 1973
YEAR-ENDRESULTS
It’s always enjoyable digesting your year-end list [Jan issue]. Often predictable in parts, frequently surprising. What did take me aback was your choice of the Drive-By Truckers at No 4. You are so right in your assessment of them as an important band. I used to distribute their CDs in my country when they were on New West. However, you chose the wrong album. While The New OK is excellent in its own right, with its very pertinent and appropriate songs, The Unraveling is the one you should have chosen. The quality of the songs are consistently stronger and just as relevant politically. I’m really not sure how you could have ignored the Jonathan Wilson, Luluc, Sturgill Simpson, Jeff Tweedy, Matt Berninger to mention a few. However, you made enough good calls – the Fleet Foxes certainly deserved its position at No 2. I’m still not totally sold on the Dylan, but perhaps I need more time with it. Thanks for always providing some talking points every year! David Towers, Johannesburg …I demand a recount! I’d never even heard of Diana Jones prior to your review of Song To A Refugee [Novemberissue],andwow!It'sheartbreaking, beautiful, tragic, poignant, and touching in equal measure. Just as importantly it’s relevant to what's happening in the world right now.
Before hearing this, my Top 3 albums of the year were The Unraveling, Good Souls Better Angels and Rough And Rowdy Ways. But with apologies to the Drive-By Truckers, Lucinda and Bob, Diana Jones’s is the finest new album I’ve heard this year. David Tags Taylor, Thurnscoe, Yorks …Congrats on another year of varied and interesting music journalism, and another no doubt hotly contested end of year list! Yours was a strong selection with some great records, but also some great omissions, and I'll rant about a few of those now.... Taylor Swift’s Folklore was probably the most glaring omission. It’s a fantastic record in so many ways, more confirmation of a huge talent, and possibly my No 1 album of 2020. I would also have included 2020 albums by Four Tet, Osees, Mike Polizze, Once & Future Band, Soccer Mommy, Jonathan Wilson, Swamp Dogg, Grimes and My Morning Jacket. Of those, the Osees record is phenomenal, MMJ’s is up there with their very best, and Once & Future Band makes the old sound new in all the best ways. I’d have placed Haim much higher, too. I predicted you’d rank Dylan’s latest opus as your No 1. Mine would have been Rolling Blackouts CF’s, which I’ve played constantly and unveils new layers of joy each time I hear it. Folklore is a very close second. Or maybe first.... Giles Lewis, via email
I was telling my wife yesterday about when I was 16 and how my best mate and I bussed and hitchhiked our way down to Stafford (of all places) for a music festival. I made the point that the music was brilliant but that there’s no way I’d let a teenager do such a thing today... Imagine my surprise when I got home found my copy of Uncut had arrived with an article on the Futurama Festival in Stafford (1981) on the first page I opened. How freaky! I remember vividly Theatre Of Hate opening with “Legion” and the crowd going nuts. Bauhaus were amazing despite the tights and 23 Skidoo too were very odd and very good. Headliners Gang Of Four, even though I was a big fan, were not so good on the night. We slept in a massive tent set up in a field. Shocked to realise it was nearly 40 years ago – and doubly shocked my dear old mum and dad let me go!! Steve Fraser, Middlesbrough
GIMME SOME TRUTH
I’ve been reading Uncut for a long time now and it only now occurred to me to ask if you might publish an article on The Undisputed Truth... you probably remember their biggest hit “Smiling Faces”. What prompted me to ask is the guitarist from that band is one of my tennis buddies. He has tons of great stories and is a great, affable guy! Ken Meyer Jr, via email Certainly among the most radical of Motown acts, Ken; their 10-minute version of “Ball Of Confusion” is mind-blowing.
VINYL JUDGEMENT
Great idea for readers to send in other Uncut CDs we’d like to see reborn as vinyl editions! I agree with Mike
