The Footpath Cowboy | Kingston, NY United States | 06/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"AMERICAN STARS 'N' BARS is Neil Young's most underrated album ever. Not even the artist himself has made any grand claims for it, and, given the low-key performances that make up much of the album, it's easy to see why. However, it does feature two of Neil's best rockers of the 1976-78 period, "Bite The Bullet" and "Like A Hurricane", both of which sound like a mutant hybrid of hippie-country-folk-rockers Buffalo Springfield and pro-law-enforcement hard rocker Ted Nugent, with a huge helping of Montrose (another band featuring a pro-law-enforcement member, Sammy Hagar), thrown in. This CD deserves a wider hearing than the original album got."
One of my favorites of all time!
Voice Of Reason | usa | 06/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This cd has such a good feel to it. You hardly ever hear mention of this cd but it is one of my favorites of Neil Young. Makes me want to get up and ride a Palamino to the nearest bar!"
C'mon - it's a good album...
Music Hound | St Louis, MO USA | 03/02/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I laugh whenever I look at the cover on this album. Must've been some night.
Anyway - I bought this thing cheap, and find that I reach for it much more than I felt I would after the first listening. Of course it has "Like a Hurricane", one of my faves. But I've got to say that, with the exception of "Will to Love" (blah), the other tunes on this are pretty catchy. Most of it has a country feel. They let go a bit on "Bite the Bullet", and "Homegrown" just sticks in your head. It's pretty good, and I play it more than I thought I would."
Worth the Long Wait
J. P. Mumford | Arlington,usa | 06/15/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Being Neil means that release dates are usually somewhat ethereal.We all remember waiting for "Archives' as we fell in love, married,raised our families and eventually became grandparents.
"Stars and Bars" took its time getting to a digital format,apparently because Mr.Young didn't like the way it sounded on CD.After a technological breakthrough(?),it sounds great.
A nice set,eclectic to the point of weirdness.'Side one'has MVP Linda Ronstadt on backing vocals,witty lyrics,and very nice work from the band.
Then..
A reverie on the spawning ritual of Salmon,recorded in front of a crackling fire;
The studio version of concert staple 'Like a Hurricane';
and finally a song about Pot,in the spirit of 'Cripple Creek Ferry' and other Neil throwaways that refuse to leave your brain,decades later.
Much more accesible than the Geffen Bunch,and crucial in the canon."