Fred Neil, Live in Woodstock in 1969

These are Five Songs culled from Fred Neil's Two Night performance at "The Elephant" in Woodstock, New York in the Fall of 1969. His Album "Other Side of this Life" chronicles these concerts but Music Historian and Fred Neil Biographer Peter Lee Neff (Author of "That's the Bag I'm In" ) informs me that the first three Songs here are different takes. This is from a Reel (with the short space between tracks) that was sent to WBAI Radio host Bob Fass at that time to perhaps play on his show. The Songs Are:
Roll On Rosie
The Dolphins 8:00
Everybody's Talkin' 11:59
That's the Bag I'm In 16:10
Sweet Cocaine 19:20

[@ericgreenberg4310]

I first became acquainted with Freddy when he showed up at the Elephant one day in the summer of 70. I remember him walking into the place, and seating himself in the back. For some reason, special attention was being given to him by the waitresses. Judy was just about the prettiest, although they were all very beautiful. Freddy seemed to have taken a real shining to her, because as he left the club, he asked her what her shift schedule was and then she found a $100.00 tip left for her on the table. A year or so later they were married. Freddy’s entourage consisted of several key players and was supported by more than twice as many others. One thing for sure was that they were one by one, making it into town, and for the most part playing on stage at the Elephant. Monty Done was one of the first of them. Monty was Bob Gibson's side man, and when he played his guitar it was about the smoothest up to that time I had ever heard, kind of like silk mixed with down that when laid over any surface would smooth everything out. When Bob Gibson first walked up to the stage at the Elephant, Monty was up there by his side. The same was true as time went by that he would also back up many other alums’ when they graced the stage. One day Sam Hood gave me some flyers to hand out announcing that Freddy was going to play. It wasn’t like Freddy was the most accomplished performer to ever appear there. After all, Willy Dixon, Sunny Terry, and Brownie Maggie, along with Odetta, Taj Mahal, appeared there along with so many others, and were certainly at the top of the game. It was just that Freddy was a bit different. First, he had the most incredible voice that anyone could imagine. I mean he had a bottom note that nobody could match, and a high that was incredible as well! 2nd of all, his music had recently taken over the soundtracks of Midnight Cowboy. 3rd of all, unlike all the other performers, he really didn’t enjoy playing in front of crowds all that much. The flyer simply read, ’Friday-Saturday October 2nd Fred Neil live! So, the show wouldn’t happen till Friday I thought. It seems that the thought of performing for Freddy was like being a puppet on a string, and it was terrifying to him! The truth was that there was some debt to be paid off, and at the same time he had make everything right with his label. I remember Howard Solomon explaining this to him just before Freddy grabbed him by the throat, and with superhuman power lifted him up against the wall to a level that was 6 inches off of the floor. Now Howard wasn’t that tall, but he was a bit plump, and all 200 pounds of him began to scream out, “Put me down man,” “Put me down!” as Freddie’s gaze started to wander the room. At this point I was awfully glad that I wasn’t the only one at Howard's. Bobby Tulipan, and Bob Broslin were also there, and together somehow, we talked Freddy into setting Howard back down off the wall, and everything became peaceful again. With a huge laugh Freddy announced that Friday was going to be the best that we will ever see of him! We all gave a round of applause! Come that day the applause could not have been louder than when he, after years of absents walked out on stage at the Elephant. Everyone that was anyone had made it into the club that day. My job was to clear the tables, and help with the stage, as usual. For the first time however, there was another microphone on stage for each one that I set up, they were for the large recording truck set up outside in the parking lot. For me, it was an honor when Shawn O’Brian the MC, gave me the privilege of helping with the mix for the house! For sure the recording that was captured in the truck was of cleaner sound quality, but the sound inside as I was told, couldn’t have been better. As I cleared off the tables one by one, I received some cool compliments. The best one, I believe was from Harvey Brooks when he told me that he had never heard him as good before. Thanks man I said, but I really think that Freddy has a lot more to do with it then I do. The folks that were in the room included actors of the day like Michael Pollard, and musicians like most of the guys from the Band, along with just about every other artist that was in town at the time. Of course, there were Industry people there too, like Michael Lang, and Albert. Needless to say, that the room was overflowing with incredible folks all there to take it in. In fact, if it could have gotten any better than that we would have all had to die and gone to heaven! Damn, it was a great show! For months after that, Freddy and his crew bathed in the afterglow, and it was not unnoticed by the rest of us.

[@richardross9296]

I remember the Elephant Cafe in the late 60's. I once sat a table over from Jimi Hendrix and friends when I was 15. Love Fred Neil!

[@owenmartin3307]

Is this the recording?

[@nancyhavens14]

So underrated! Smooth, hypnotic. Wore those albums out. My fondest memories late night early morning hearing fred sing and play. So glad for vinyl!

[@patricksmith4424]

Great story

[@michaelhuber6895]

I think we are fellow travelers, I saw Sonny Terry and Ronnie McGee and Taj mahal at The bitter end in Greenwich village. I think our t astes in music are quite similar.

[@maestroklein4924]

I knew the man as a very young man myself. Tim Buckley Mentored me musically, since i was 15 years young. I can tell you flat out, that as it has been said ten thousand times, they both did not, 'seek fame or money!' They both taught me one major thing, 'do not believe in anything anyone says or does in the music biz. Just believe in your art, & walk forward into your musical light. Bless Both Of Their Souls...

[@davepilgrim5798]

You knew Tim ? And Fred ? Please speak, tell everything about it to an Italian who sings and plays their songs .. You already did it in your comments, don't bother and thanks 🙏

[@maestroklein8157]

He didn't want the, 'attention' he wanted the music, the sunshine, & people like us that love him, to listen, & understand him in our own way, in his & our time... I've been listening to him for sixty years, since i was eight yr's old, & i haven't gotten my fill, & never will... Maestro Klein...

[@vidpro1214]

A fabulous talent who never got the attention he deserved. His voice was like velvet. Have every album and got to see him once live in Greenwich Village!

[@aaronm.1998]

He didnt want that attention.

[@janealexander1378]

@@aaronm.1998 Knew him in the Village in '62-'64 when he as playing the playhouse on McDougal.

[@janealexander1378]

His voice is said to have been like a mink coat - back when fur was still cool, as stated on 'Bleeker and McDougal' or 'Tear Down the Walls' album.

[@jg6698]

I'll never get out of these blues alive.

[@theiceman6941]

me either.

[@billhennig1087]

He had top notch talent . 😊 With a third or fourth helping of feeling.

[@kell2640]

The humblest and the best.

[@marceldegross83]

My favorite of all the GreenWich Village folkies back in the day...

[@Raymantico]

Fred is a main root for untold tributaries

[@cre8lite11]

Like anyone else here I love him too, played him on my radio show many times. Sometimes I get irritated when people don’t know who it is but only know who Harry Nilsson ls

[@2earache]

And speaking of the ‘confusion’ behind Harry Nilsson cover and Fred Neil’s original composition of Everybody’s Talkin’, I remember first seeing a live television recording of Tim Buckley on ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’ singing The Dolphins only to eventually establish that it was Fred Neil’s composition after all! He had such a vocal range that it was difficult enough differentiating what he had already laid down to those covers made by separate artists. The Buckley effort is a great example!

[@iamjohnne1]

My number one favorite singer!

[@dacethejackofhearts7209]

Same here ! Tim Hardin was another natural

[@chiplovitt8538]

Fred Neil has got to be in the pantheon of GREAT American singer-songwriters/troubadours...A huge influence on countless of so many singer songwriters. And his 12-string guitar work was so cool...influenced Crosby, McGuinn....etc.

[@ThefightingCelt]

I have a compilation album of Fred Neil's songs and I listen to it almost everyday. His voice is like a warm coal fire - hypnotic and comforting. Anyone not familiar with him or his fabulous music is missing out.

[@bobbo1946]

..would hear him at the Cafe Wha and elsewhere..such a great voice..performer..folks should read peter neff's biography..'that's the bag i'm in'..good read..

[@sopranosfan11]

I really hope more recordings are released. Can't get enough of Fred Neil. Peter Lee Neff's book about Fred Neil's life is amazing by the way.

[@janealexander1378]

What is the title of the book? I'm trying to order it as a 'zip book' from our library.

[@sopranosfan11]

@@janealexander1378 That's The Bag I'm In - The Life, Music and Mystery of Fred Neil by Peter Lee Neff.

[@pena.3302]

Thank you.Thought there must be more..info.-&The Book youve recomended.Is appreciated.p

[@melvindada]

"The Dolphins" has to be one of the most beautiful songs ever written/ I never tire of it.Same goes for 'Everybody's Talking'. Thanks so much for this live recording.

[@candicecrossley664]

My heart! My heart! I know the woman who has a business in that old space now in Woodstock and was thrilled to be in it.

[@michaelhuber6895]

I was first introduced to Fred Neil when I was in college, it was 1971, I didn't know until then that he had written everybody's talking. I have been a fan of his ever since!😊

[@peterblum5549]

What a delightful surprise... I heard Fred Neil many times in NYC at The Night Owl Cafe, along with Buzzy Linhart, Tim Hardin, Richie Havens, The Lovin' Spoonful. He would fly up from Florida with his 12-string, which required endless tuning. Worth the wait, though. I'm gonna find that biography and read it - was always curious what happened to him - he kinda disappeared.

[@maxbernard9449]

BUZZZZYYYYYYY

[@vinnybis1757]

He retired in private live dedicating all his attention to dolphins existence. It's true

[@patricksmith4424]

This is so good, it's so atmospheric of the time, the psychedelic instrumentation, the slightly bluesy vocals, hell I could be there.

[@bluesriot2]

that's some 5 star stuff right there

[@fernandomenjivar79]

My god, this sounds great! Greetings from El Salvador!

[@marcblack]

An inspiration!

[@trudigoodman4825]

Amazing. Just incredible. Makes me want to go out and buy a 12 string guitar.

[@vinnybis1757]

You should!! 12 strings guitar is a perfect heart tuner... Even if you only play free strings and vocalize on it. It a soul regeneration. Go for it!

[@gooddog3651]

Gold dust! Thank you for posting.

[@russcohen3779]

One of the greats

[@cleopatraoatcake7364]

Beautiful, thank you! And Happy Birthday, Fred and Michael, my nephew!

[@cognoscenticycles4351]

Just awesome to hear this after all these years! Thanks so much for sharing this gem!

[@dacethejackofhearts7209]

Thanks so much for this incredible upload❤

[@madisspiegel]

Thanks for sharing this. Awesome stuff!

[@rockroom3294]

Omg. Thank you.

[@jessimmersimqueen]

Thanks so much! A new recording I have not heard. I wish he hadn't been such a recluse. I would have loved to hear him live. But by the time I was born he had already gone back to Florida to hide out and love on dolphins. I can't blame him. But I wonder if kept playing and recoding from home. I hope so. Where is the little kid pictured with him on his self titled album?

[@finderskeepersreal]

Wonderful to hear good quality recording of Fred Neil from back then. Fine song selection, too. Just one suggestion: Change the title to say, "in Woodstock." Saying "at Woodstock" implies you mean the festival, not the town, which is misleading. These little words mean a lot. Thanks.

[@JoeyMcGowan1]

Great suggestion. I have just adjusted the title.

[@stacyblue1980]

Click bait title but great stuff. God bless ya Fred. Om Nama Shivaya. 🙏

[@johnkimmel]

cool pioneer of folk

[@spb7883]

Thanks for posting and providing details about the songs. Who’s in the band?

[@steveblack7331]

Is there any chance you could rip and post an audio version of this performance on the Net? I'm also looking for the Rolling Coconut Review performance with John Sebastian. I'd love to hear that. Many thanks

[@northernmuse9]

There are two videos currently on YT of the Rolling Coconut Review performance. ;-)

[@MrCrispian]

he went down to coconut grove to work with dolphins in his later life....

[@marcblack]

You can hear tim buckley in his tone. Takes me right back there. Thanks,

[@zarthus8545]

The other way round, maybe

[@drjawn]

@@zarthus8545 yes, indeed, I love Tim, but he was heavily influenced/inspired by Freddie, hence his cover(s) of some of Fred's tunes no maybes about it!

[@jessimmersimqueen]

Tim loved him and pushed his voice deeper. And got there somehow!

[@744mp]

Awesome!!! is there any way i can get the original recording as a file? Wanna add it to my playlist

[@N_A_Lund]

Shit I love this

[@orangehillaudio]

Wow never heard this before! Where did you find it?

[@JoeyMcGowan1]

Hey Tom, I have a DJ Friend at WFMU that knew Bob Fass & would take me to his apartment in New York where he would lend us some tapes to Copy. This was among the ones I borrowed.

[@pytzhan]

@@JoeyMcGowan1 Dear Mr McGowan, I am a huge Neil-Fan form Germany and was wondering if it would be possible to share this Freddy-Tape? Ripping it from YT would just not be the same...

[@JoeyMcGowan1]

@@pytzhan Hi, Certainly, I Love Germany. My Brother lived there for two decades and my Sister-in-Law is from Berlin. Share Away, I Myself simply collect rare recordings and don't place claims on anything I uncover.

[@davesullivan4426]

I just discovered Fred Neil today on The Sopranos Series 6 Episode 9, they played 'The Dolphins' and now love his voice and guitar.

[@YakovNurok]

Please let us know who are the other musicians. Thanks.

[@JoeyMcGowan1]

Hi, At this show he is accompanied with Guitarist Monte Dunn.

[@YakovNurok]

@@JoeyMcGowan1 Thank you very much. I don't need to tell you what a talented and well respected musician Monte Dunn was.

[@flat9design]

You came his influence on David Crosby's guitar playing.

[@ofbyforpeople1384]

Interesting insight. What do you notice? The rhythm patterns, chords?

[@aaronm.1998]

RIP Crosby.

[@ukebob]

Who're other player(s)? Anybody know?

[@jackwezesa1081]

Didn t know he was there , interesting .

[@jamiecouanis7236]

Tim Buckley,Stephen Stills and Harry Nielsen all rolled in one

[@drjawn]

not quite, those you mentioned maybe are a third of Freddie's total package, all had heard Fred, were inspired/influenced by him and his songs/playing/singing. love & enjoy them them all, but Fred was first and best

[@JAMaxeRestoration]

Harry Nilsson ruined Fred Neil's Everybody's Talkin with all that candy ass "Whaa, wha wha, wha" crap he added. From what I've heard Fred hated it! Loved the royalty checks, hated the cover. Fred's original version is a masterpiece.

[@JAMaxeRestoration]

@@drjawn Best way to describe Fred was he was a musicians musician. He was adored by so many big names. Just to name one Johnny Cash loved Fred and Fred's voice. they recorded together but the tapes are locked away and haven't seen the light of day for 45 years. Can you imagine!

[@drjawn]

@@JAMaxeRestoration while I felt negative towards Harry about this outrage, but when he appeared on Johnny Carson promoting, he clearly stated that the song was by Fred Neil, *shrug* maybe not much by that point, but showed integrity and honesty; and how can I not love the creator of "The Point"

[@drjawn]

@@JAMaxeRestoration I think that sells him short; while a case can clearly be made to support such a label, his songwriting, and philosophical focus certainly made him more than a musician's musician; don't mind me, I am old, but perhaps not as old as that phrase. *wink*

[@wandamundy1759]

Ohhhh . . . massive disappointment !!! When I saw the word, "live" - I'd thought it was LIVE !! We'd actually SEE him singing. Not jus the sound. 😪😪😪

[@martafulton-colby1444]

I was just listening to Freddy's Tear Down the Walls and saw that you have a documentary I have known him since 63 I am near 71 now I grew up in Coconut Grove and a friend and co-worker of his and his coffee houses in coffeehouses he played Vince Martin very very very close friend of mine but I've gone sailing I've done a lot with Freddy in my younger years I would love to tell you a lot that maybe you don't know about him and Vinny I had worked and all the coffee houses and Coconut Grove and Miami back in the 60s and know a lot about him please contact me if you want to know some real good details about him and Vinny which played with Tear Down the Walls I was all around during then and when his son died all died

[@martafulton-colby1444]

Look for Gale satz right they were hot lovers till at least 75 she was my best best friend and her family most of them are dead now

[@martafulton-colby1444]

The dolphin project that he was in Rick Feldman he calls himself o'berry I was involved in there too Freddy and dolphins were really close and of course Rick Feldman now oh Berry it's a stupid Google I should have printed it but I know what I'm talkin about that I can say been there and was apart of it

[@cian4624]

Hi Marta, thanks for sharing. I would love to hear more stories about Freddy and Vince. Peter Neff may also be interested as he has written a book about him. Please let me know how is best to contact you