Neil Young Announce 1977 “Oceanside Countryside” Release

Neil Young is bringing fans a rare treat with the release of Oceanside Countryside, an album recorded back in 1977 but never officially released. Slated to drop on February 14, the album is part of his ongoing Analog Originals series. Packed with 10 tracks, the album revisits themes from Comes a Time, the 1978 record that ultimately replaced it. Familiar favorites like “Goin’ Back,” “Human Highway,” and “Field of Opportunity” made their way to Comes a Time, but this marks the first time fans can hear the original versions as they were intended.

A Long-Lost Recording Finally Emerges

In a heartfelt statement, Young shared his excitement about the release: “This analog original album was recorded in 1977 and unreleased. These songs are the original mixes done at the time of the recordings in the order I planned for the album.” He explained how the tracks came together in various studios:

“I sang the vocals and played the instruments on Oceanside in Florida at Triad Studios and Malibu at Indigo Studio. I sang the vocals and recorded with my great band of friends, Ben Keith, Joe Osborn, Karl T. Himmel, and Rufus Thibodeaux at Crazy Mama’s in Nashville on Countryside.”

Reflecting on the album, Young added:

“I hope you enjoy this treasure of an Analog Original recording, recorded by Tim Mulligan, as much as I do. Listening to it now, I think I should have put it out back then.”

The Two Sides of Oceanside Countryside

Side One of the album features Neil performing solo, showcasing his raw and intimate artistry. Side Two adds depth with contributions from steel guitarist Ben Keith, fiddle player Rufus Thibodeaux, drummers Karl T. Himmel and Levon Helm, and bassists Joe Osborne and Tim Drummond.

Although some tracks have appeared on various Young projects, this release preserves the original running order, offering fans a chance to experience Oceanside Countryside as Young first envisioned it.

Here’s the tracklist of Neil Young’s Oceanside Countryside album:

Side One: Oceanside
Sail Away
Lost In Space
Captain Kennedy
Goin’ Back
Human Highway

Side Two: Countryside
Field Of Opportunity
Dance Dance Dance
The Old Homestead
It Might Have Been
Pocahontas