Album of the Day

Though recorded quickly, TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT took almost two years to release, perhaps because its subject matter was so painful – the album is Neil Young's farewell to roadie Bruce Berry and Crazy Horse guitarist Danny Whitten, both of whom died of heroin overdoses. Nils Lofgren and pedal steel player Ben Keith join the Crazy Horse rhythm section behind Neil, and the music is as raw as the emotions on these dozen tracks (which include a live performance from 1970 featuring Whitten). If the playing on songs like “Albuquerque” or “Roll Another Number (For The Road)” is first-take loose, the collection gains a cumulative power as Young witnesses the idealism of the Woodstock generation crashing and burning before him. Released 45 years ago this weekend, TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT is a dark night of the soul that critics still hail as one of the singer-songwriter's greatest achievements.