SHORE THINGS

A guide to other songs from the On The Beach era

“WINTERLONG”

This yearning song was recorded early during the On The Beach sessions at Broken Arrow, but didn’t receive an official release until Decade. A sweet tune with fabulous pedal steel from Ben Keith, its expansive, upbeat mood had more in common with After The Gold Rush than On The Beach.

“BAD FOG OF LONELINESS”

This country lament had been around for a while, with Young recording a version in 1971 during the Harvest sessions. This rawer, rumbling version was recorded during the ranch sessions for On The Beach and released on Archives Volume II.

“TRACES”

A brief love song, recorded entirely by Young on guitar and harmonica at Broken Arrow during December 1973. It was performed during the CSNY tour, working better when delivered in more fleshedout form. It was eventually released on Archives Volume II.

“GREENSLEEVES”

Neil Young and Rusty Kershaw headed to the ranch after the Sunset sessions to record, including this incredibly stark cover of “Greensleeves”. Kershaw, though, was now completely out of control and threatened to burn down the barn, ending their brief but productive collaboration.

“PUSHED IT OVER THE END”/“CITIZEN KANE’S BLUES”

The first song Young played at the Bottom Line in May, “Pushed It Over The End” tells the story of “good-looking Milly”, a revolutionary who keeps “10 men in her garage”. Another bum trip, the song was regularly aired during the CSNY tour. Crosby and Nash recorded backing vocals for a version intended for Decade but never released.

“LOVE/ART BLUES”

One of several songs that Young wrote after the official On The Beach sessions ended but which didn’t make it onto subsequent albums. Many of these – “Hawaiian Sunrise”, “Homefires”, “Barefoot Floors” and “LA Girls And Ocean Boys” – were inspired directly by the final breakdown of his relationship with Snodgress. “Love/art Blues” saw Young sing about the challenge of choosing between love and art, and was regularly played on the 1974 CSNY tour. Although never considered for On The Beach, these might have formed yet another unrealised album, ‘Homefires’…