A Treasure is a live album by Canadian / American musician Neil Young, released on June 14, 2011, featuring performances from his 1984–1985 U.S. tour with the International Harvesters. The album is volume nine in Young's Archives Performance Series and the sixth to be released.
Background The album results from a tour following Young's recording what he later called the first Old Ways, an album of country music that his record company refused to release since they claimed it wasn't commercial enough. In this period, the early to mid-eighties, Young played music in many different genres. His backing band, the "International Harvesters", consisted of professional country musicians from Nashville some of whom had also played (as "The Shocking Pinks") on his rock and roll album Everybody's Rockin'. The album contains old Young songs and newer songs from Old Ways. It contains five previously unreleased songs (tracks 1, 5, 8, 11, and 12).
According to Young, the album's name comes from Ben Keith. "I hadn't heard these takes in 25 years, but when we unearthed them co-producer Ben Keith said, 'This is a treasure.'"
Track listing All songs written by Neil Young except where indicated.
"Amber Jean" – 3:17 Recorded for Nashville Now TV, Nashville, 9/20/1984. "Are You Ready for the Country?" – 3:39 Recorded at Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, 9/21/1984. "It Might Have Been" (Ronnie Green, Harriet Kane) – 2:43 Recorded for Austin City Limits TV, Austin, 9/25/1984. "Bound for Glory" – 5:59 Recorded at Gilleys Rodeo Arena, Pasadena, TX, 9/29/1984. "Let Your Fingers Do the Walking" – 3:03 Recorded at Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA, 10/22/1984. "Flying on the Ground Is Wrong" – 4:48 Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984. "Motor City" – 3:22 Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984. "Soul of a Woman" – 4:28 Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984. "Get Back to the Country" – 2:31 Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984. "Southern Pacific" – 7:53 Recorded at Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, 9/1/1985. "Nothing Is Perfect" – 5:02 Recorded at Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, 9/1/1985. "Grey Riders" – 5:58 Recorded at Pier 84, New York, 9/10/1985.
Personnel Neil Young – guitar, vocals Ben "Long Grain" Keith – pedal steel guitar, lap slide guitar, stringman, vocals Anthony Crawford – guitar, banjo, vocals Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle Spooner Oldham – piano Tim Drummond – bass Karl T. Himmel – drums Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano (on tracks 10, 11, 12) Joe Allen – bass (on tracks 10, 11, 12) Matraca Berg & Tracy Nelson – background vocals (on track 11)
Additional roles Tim Mulligan – recording, mixing, mastering Terry Farris – recording, mixing (track 1) Jeff Peterson – recording, mixing (track 3) John Nowland, Joel Bernstein – archives research
Blu-ray production Bernard Shakey (Neil Young) – direction Will Mitchell – production Elliot Rabinowitz – executive production Atticus Culver-Rease – editing Kris Kunz – graphics Hannah Johnson, Mark Faulkner – production assistance Marcy Gensic – licensing Anthony Crawford, Mark Golley – research Jan Flanzraich, Robert Sampimon – concert film Pegi Young, Steve Cross – photography
Chart performance Chart (2011) Peakposition Canadian Albums Chart 18
Notes