User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info

Bluenote Cafe [Live]
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Bluenote Cafe [Live] Image
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

  • Artist(s): Neil Young and Bluenote Cafe
  • Summary: The latest release from the Neil Young Archives features songs from a variety of shows he did with the Bluenotes between November 1987 and August 1988.
Buy Now
Buy on

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. PopMatters
    Nov 23, 2015
    90
    Bluenote Café is essential Neil Young, and further evidence that Young’s ‘80s work has more value than many fans and critics would expect or admit.
  2. American Songwriter
    Nov 23, 2015
    90
    Even diehard Neil Young fans may not fully appreciate this offshoot in his bulging catalog. But this remarkably vibrant and immediate live compilation shows that Young took this side road very seriously and it was more than just a forgettable, momentary quirk in his diverse and winding career.
  3. Mojo
    Jan 12, 2016
    80
    The set includes seven songs left off This Note's, many now sturdier than versions previously issued. [Feb 2016, p.104]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. AllMusic
    Nov 23, 2015
    70
    As a two-disc set, Bluenote Café feels a bit overstuffed and drawn out, but these recordings confirm the Bluenotes hold up better than many of Young's creative left turns in the '80s, and this is a thorough and entertaining look at an often overlooked phase in Young's creative journey.
  5. Rolling Stone
    Dec 8, 2015
    60
    Yes, it's long on shtick ("Ladies and Gentlemen, emanating from the Secaucus Lounge at the fabulous Fandango hotel, the Bluenotes!" crows an emcee), and the mediocre songs haven't improved.... Most impressive is "Ordinary People," which reappeared in 2007 as the highlight of the latter-day outtake collection Chrome Dreams II; here it's a 12-minute working-class anthem with brass underscoring Young's soaring guitar rock instead of masking it.
  6. The Independent (UK)
    Nov 23, 2015
    60
    Neil himself essaying a choice selection of guitar solos which (thankfully) stretch the usual limits of blues modes. Because otherwise, things can get a bit bogged down and stodgy.
  7. Classic Rock Magazine
    Dec 9, 2015
    50
    Despite the inclusion of unreleased material and early versions of Crime In The City and Ordinary People, there’s little here to entice anyone but the hardcore fan.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. bemusedobservor
    Sep 16, 2017
    9
    Young and his Blue Notes do an astounding job of redeeming the material he wrote for but whose arrangement Young mangled on his dubiousYoung and his Blue Notes do an astounding job of redeeming the material he wrote for but whose arrangement Young mangled on his dubious offering, "This Note's for You." For those disaffected by this album are strongly encouraged to give this record a listen.… Expand
  2. jrodfilms
    Dec 1, 2015
    7
    The album had a pretty rough start, especially the first track which didnt seem to end. But then it grew on me. Neil sounds great here. MakeThe album had a pretty rough start, especially the first track which didnt seem to end. But then it grew on me. Neil sounds great here. Make sure to give this one a listen.… Expand