In 1971, Neil Young was 25 years old, and already a veteran performer, with Buffalo Springfield (1966 – 1968), Crazy Horse (1968 – 1969), and Crosby Stills Nash & Young (1969 – 1970).

But, now he was well and truly young and on his own. Following the release of After the Gold Rush (8/31/70), Neil set out on a solo acoustic tour of North America. Through the end of that year, Neil played a mix of songs from his past bands and solo albums.

Sometime near the end of 1970, Neil had surgery for a ruptured disc in his back (he had childhood polio and spinal degeneration), and used his down time to write new songs. When 1971 rolled around, Neil took his Journey Through the Past show back out on the road. He played the 2 now-famous sold-out shows at Massey Hall in Toronto in January (wearing a back brace), and trotted out some of that new music – some still works in progress. Plans to release the Massey Hall performances as a live album in 1971 never came to fruition, and those recordings were only released in 2007 as part of Neil’s “archive project”, Vol. 1, 1963 – 1972.

And, it wouldn’t be until a year later, February 14, 1972, that Neil’s new songs would be released as the backbone of the Harvest album.

Into that gap in time comes a phenomenal 30-minute performance filmed at the BBC Television Centre in London, England, on February 23, 1971 – 45 years ago today. Part of the Beeb’s “In Concert” TV and radio broadcast series, this show is now available in beautiful 1080p video and terrific studio sound. It’s just Neil, his acoustic guitars, harmonica and piano, and his voice never sounded better. Between songs quirkiness is also in evidence -- for instance, when Neil introduces “Old Man” as a song written for Louis Avila, the ranch foreman who “came with” the 1500 acre Broken Arrow Ranch where Neil has made his home since 1970.

Other songs in the set list include: “Heart of Gold”; “Out on the Weekend” -- not yet in its final form, starting with the chorus; “A Man Needs a Maid” –  which ends with a verse about actress Carrie Snodgress, Neil’s new love and mother of his oldest son, Zeke; “Journey Through the Past” – which would not be released until November, 1972, on the soundtrack of the documentary by the same name, filmed off and on from 1966 to 1972 (included on DVD in Vol. 1); and “Dance, Dance, Dance” – which can be found on the Crazy Horse album, coincidentally also released in February, 1971.

01.- Out on the Weekend 00:00
02.- Old Man 03:59
03.- Journey Through the Past 08:04
04.- Heart of Gold 13:09
05.- Don't Let It Bring You Down 17:16
06.- A Man Needs a Maid 20:15
07.- Love in Mind 24:14
08.- Dance Dance Dance 26:27

Here it is in full for your enjoyment. 30 minutes of perfection.