Crazy Horse Crazy Horse: 'Crazy Horse' (Reprise 1971)
The rhythms are deliberately deliberate, and maybe the reason four different guys sing lead is that they don't really trust Danny Whitten with the job. But this should throw a good scare into Neil Young even if they moved on with his blessing. It's literate both verbally (Jack Nitzsche's 'Gone Dead train' is white blues poverty) and musically (they hoe down, they rave up, they phase out, they rock and roll). With temp worker Nils Lofgren pitching them two titles, there's not a bad song on the record. Not a bad cut, either. A
Crazy Horse: 'Loose' (Reprise 1972)
Danny Whiten, Jack Nitzsche, and Nils Lofgren (remember those names) are replaced by George Whitsell, John Blanton, and Greg Leroy (forget those), leaving us (and them) with Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina. I know rhythm sections are essential, but this lifeless country-rock should teach everybody how sufficient they are. The most disappointing follow-up in memory. D+
Crazy Horse: 'At Crooked Lake' (Epic 1972)
Rick and Mike Curtis, whoever they are, replace George Whitsell and John Blanton, whoever they were, and the improvement exceeds statistical likelihood. Anybody who misses circa-1966 Byrds will be pleased to learn that this country- rock album features songs about spaceships, the brotherhood of man, and singing in a rock and roll band. And disappointed to learn that none of them sounds like a sure shot. B
Crazy Horse: 'Full Moon' (Epic 1978)
I know I've called Neil Young's backup boys the greatest hard rock band in America except the Ramones, and I know Neil Young plays guitar on five cuts here. But I meant when Neil Young was SINGING. Singing Neil Young songs. C+
BTW: Christgau's comparison of Crazy Horse to the Ramones is pretty heady stuff for him, his reviews of Ramones records are very enthusiastic.
Neil Young and Crazy Horse