is Neil Young's "Eldorado" EP worth tracking down??

I've always been curious about this one. From Wikipedia...

 

Poking around just now, this appears to be "Cocaine Eyes" (soundtrack to an original Youtube video). Never heard the song before finding this clip.

 

I have it but have always been a little indifferent about Eldorado. Cocaine Eyes and Heavy Love are interesting to me but mostly because this is the only place you can find them. I have great memories that I associate with a lot of Neil Young songs from that period (This Notes For You through Arc/Weld) and Eldorado is part of it. The only thing I don't like about it is the glistening digital sheen audible through most everything from this time. If only Neil had elected to record analog-only back then.

 

If Ragged Glory is one of your favorite albums, then yes, it's worth tracking down, because the two otherwise-unavailable songs are really great heavy rockers in that same vein. One of the few times he's been able to really get that good, heavy vibe without Crazy Horse.

 

Most definitely, if you can find it and at a decent price. It's Japanese only, isn't it?

And mastered by Doug Sax.

Coincidentally, I just recently downloaded it to my iPhone. Ideal for that format, IMO.

 

'cocaine eyes' makes it worth it, "heavy love' is the bonus.

renny

 

Yes.

 

I have a CD of it from Australia.

 

Essential at the time of release, and listened to often throughout the 90's. It's a shame the production is of it's time (I believe it is a full digital recording), but the songs remain amongst the best of his output from '89 to present.

Heavy Love made many a mixtape of mine in the early 90's, and is a great eye opener for the CD alarm clock. I'd give it 4 stars today, and agree with Jason that it's a good companion to Ragged Glory, my favorite Neil Young album.

I still get a kick from the band name, laughed out loud when I first heard it.

Go ahead, track it down. I'm going downstairs to dig mine out for the ride to work tomorrow.

 

The Eldorado EP is both louder and more passionate than Ragged Glory. Eldorado is very hard and abrasive with Neil sounding like he's on the edge. Ragged Glory is Crazy Horse updated to 1990. There is nothing wrong with that, but it's really different than the Eldorado vibe. If you read Shakey, you'll find that Neil was very passionate about those recordings. The entire album, Times Square, would've been a killer:

Eldorado
Someday
Crime In The City
Box Car
Don't Cry
Heavy Love
Wrecking Ball
Cocaine Eyes
On Broadway

I think this album was supposed to happen, then got pulled at the last minute. There was a tentative release date of March 22 (I was looking forward to it, and still remember the date). That winter Neil toured the album, playing each of the nine new songs almost every night. That's some great stuff. It was jut Neil, Chad, and Rick. I was really excited when Neil reunited with those guys, but their recent work doesn't touch the 88-89 stuff.

Apparently, instead of releasing the album, he decided to take the most abrasive songs, put them on an EP and release it only in Australia and Japan to tie in with his tour dates.

 

Definitely worth having. All the versions are better than the versions on Freedom, and the two extra tracks are great.

 

Also, "Don't Cry" is unedited. The version on Freedom edits out about 20 seconds of guitar noise/solo.

 

I definitely think it's worth having. I just wish I hadn't thrown away my OBI strip, which is what I did with 'em until the late '90s. Ouch.

Back to ELDORADO ... it's an interesting link and a must for Neil fans, I think. Good, grungy stuff.

 

Grabbed the vinyl when it came out.
Cocaine Eyes & Don't Cry were memorable in concert here. Wished the EP had Wrecking Ball,too (greedy, huh?)
Wasn't crazy about Broadway, though.

 

I say to grab it if you can. I have a the Japanese CD version.

Cheers,
Chris

 

http://www.gemm.com/item/YOUNG-c-NE...AN---p---OBI---p---SEALED---d-/GML1413570851/

 

Having just purchased this one I have to ask you guys that have the 20P2 Japanese pressing, what is your matrix numbers please?

There is a reason why that I will reveal after.

 

IIRC, there were comments from Neil at the time with respect to its limited release and him not having a problem if you got a copy from a friend. Am I thinking of something else?

 

I'm not sure Chip. No one has this?

 

I have a 20P2 too 20P2-2651 1M TO[bought mine back in 89 when it came out originally cost around $40]

 

I have one at home...I'll check the matrix and post it here when I get out of work. I believe its the Japanese version. Can't agree more with the comments here if you love Ragged Glory then you got to get this.

 

I have a CD: Warner-Pioneer 20P2-2651.

Matrix: 20P2-2651 1A2 TO

What's up?

 

I could see a Ragged Glory fan not liking Eldorado. It's unlikely, but possible. Eldorado was a really loud, abrasive, "metallic" sounding album. Ragged Glory was a Crazy Horse album updated for 1990. but basically pretty similar to their seventies work.

 

Thanks guys, I think I've been robbed by a CD-R copy.

The artwork it top notch including the edge perforations where both the OBI and back panel artwork have bends. Only problem here is the glue on the OBI looks too new and still perfectly white.

The CD(R?) hub doesn't look like a regular production matching any other 20P2 in my collection. The matrix band also appears wider than normal. Now for the kicker... The only number in the matrix is the catalog number and the text sure doesn't look like any other CBS/Sony or Toshiba plant pressing I've ever seen before.

The part that almost has me convinced it "might be" real is the raised text on the CD(R?) face itself. This honestly feels like a pressed CD and not some kind of over the CD-R type sticker.

Any clues/help are appreciated before I contact the seller.