Augmented by crack three-piece backing band Crazy Horse, this was Neil's second solo album and the first of many recorded with "The Horse" over the next 40 years. The epics "Down By The River" and "Cowgirl In The Sand" see Neil trading guitar licks with Danny Whitten (Crazy Horse guitarist) and laying down some of his finest, most enduring tracks in the process. This is great rambling country rock - before it went right off the rails and became drenched in MOR cheese...
Crazy Horse have never been fancy: they simply lay down the bedrock for Neil to build upon, and it's this reliability that makes them the perfect band for Neil. Their backing vocals on the title track wouldn't have caused Crosby, Stills & Nash any sleepless nights - yet they are perfect for the mood & feel of the song, and lend a bit of welcome rawness to the proceedings. A great listen indeed.
And finally - after a lifetime of listening to countless guitar solos, I can safely say that Neil's one-note guitar solo in "Cinnamon Girl" would rank in my all time "Top 5 Guitar Solos Ever". Seriously - who else but Neil could pull this off with such seriousness and feeling?
It still gives me chills every time I hear it...
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