Neil Young Finally Releases Lost Album “Homegrown,” 45 Years After First Announced

In his own website, the Neil Young Archive, the 74-year-old musician describes "Homegrown" as "the one that got away." The website's music timeline places the album between 1974 and 1975. It was the period when the songs have been written. It was initially set for a 1975 release, intended to connect the 1972 album "Harvest" with the 1978 "Comes a Time."

In writing songs for the album, Neil Young paid tribute to his then-girlfriend and actress Carrie Snodgress. Country star Emmylou Harris also contributed background vocals for songs in the record. Before its scheduled release, his relationship with Snodgress, unfortunately, ended, causing the album to be shelved indefinitely.

After more than four decades of letting the legendary album stay vaulted, Young confirmed its release with an apology to his fans last year. "This album Homegrown should have been there for you a couple of years after Harvest," Neil penned on his site. "t's the sad side of a love affair. The damage done. The heartache. I just couldn't listen to it. I wanted to move on." The Canadian singer-songwriter then explained that he kept it to himself but that he should have shared it.

"It's actually beautiful. That's why I made it in the first place. Sometimes life hurts. You know what I mean. This is the one that got away," Young added.

A Mix of New and Familiar Songs

The twelve-track album is a mix of five songs Young has previously released or performed. It also includes seven previously-unreleased tracks. "Love Is A Rose," which appeared on the 1977 "Decade," was a rework of his single "Dance, Dance, Dance." The title track "Homegrown" was initially released on another 1977 album "American Stars 'n Bars." Aside from the two tracks, the other songs that previously appeared on other albums were "White Line," "Star of Bethlehem," and "Little Wing."

The seven new tracks are: "Separate Ways," "Try," "Mexico," "Kansas," "Vacancy," "We Don't Smoke It No More," and "Florida." Jimmy McDonough, the author of "Shakey: Neil Young's Biography," previously included descriptions for each of the songs in the singer-songwriter's official biography. It included "Kansas," which was described together with "Mexico" as "solo Young performances - short, fragmentary and hallucinogenic."

The 2002 book by McDonough fueled fan speculations for years as to which songs will be included in the final tracklisting. The Neil Young Archive confirmed the official tracks included in the 45-year-old album.

The Woman Behind Neil Young's "Homegrown"

Caroline Louise "Carrie" Snogdress was an American actress best known for her role in the comedy-drama film "Diary of a Mad Housewife" in 1970. She portrayed Tina Balser, a frustrated housewife in a loveless marriage, driven further and further into despair. Her performance earned her an Academy Award and a BAFTA nomination, as well as two Golden Globes and Laurel Awards.

She soon left her career to live with Young in his northern California ranch. They have a son, Zeke, which Snogdress took care of. Carrie later returned to acting, with the 1978 thriller "The Fury," becoming her comeback.