Zuma (album)
Encyclopedia
Zuma is the seventh studio album
by Canadian musician Neil Young
, his second with Crazy Horse
, released in 1975. Some believe the album was named after Zuma Beach
in Malibu; however, it seems more logical that the title comes from Montezuma
, as he is featured prominently in the song Cortez The Killer
.
Zuma was the first album released after the famed Ditch Trilogy
, comprising the albums Time Fades Away
, Tonight's the Night, and On the Beach. It has an overall more upbeat atmosphere, with a combination of country-tinged rock acoustics and lumbering hard-rock pieces similar in style to songs on Young's second album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
. As on the latter album, Young is backed up by Crazy Horse
with the late Danny Whitten
being replaced by Frank Sampedro
.
called "L.A. Girls and Ocean Boys", specifically the line "'Cause you've been with another man / there you are and here I am". Lou Reed
once told an interviewer that he felt Young had become a "great guitarist" during this period, specifically citing "Danger Bird" as an example. "Pardon My Heart" was originally intended to be released as part of Homegrown.
Young has claimed several different origins for "Cortez the Killer
", most notoriously saying during a show on August 13, 1996 that he'd written it in high school while suffering "Montezuma's Revenge". The song ends with a fade out because the original cut stopped abruptly due to recording tape running out before the band had finished playing. "Through My Sails", (originally titled "Sailboat Song") the final track, is the only track ever released from an aborted Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
recording session in Hawaii in late 1974 for the as yet unreleased Human Highway
album. This would be the last CSNY music released until 1988's American Dream
.
Neil Young wrote songs in Zuma during his time living on Sea Level Dr. in Malibu, California.
The song "Stupid Girl" was covered by the indie rock band The Shoe (band) on their EP "At Lem Jay's Garage."
except:
and
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Canadian musician Neil Young
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, his second with Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
, released in 1975. Some believe the album was named after Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach
Zuma Beach is a County beach located at 30000 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. One of the largest and most popular beaches in the Los Angeles County, Zuma is known for its long, wide sands and excellent surf...
in Malibu; however, it seems more logical that the title comes from Montezuma
Moctezuma II
Moctezuma , also known by a number of variant spellings including Montezuma, Moteuczoma, Motecuhzoma and referred to in full by early Nahuatl texts as Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, was the ninth tlatoani or ruler of Tenochtitlan, reigning from 1502 to 1520...
, as he is featured prominently in the song Cortez The Killer
Cortez the Killer
"Cortez the Killer" is a song by Neil Young from his 1975 album, Zuma. It was recorded with Young's band Crazy Horse and ranked #39 on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos and #321 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
.
Zuma was the first album released after the famed Ditch Trilogy
Ditch Trilogy
The Ditch Trilogy refers to a trio of rock music albums by Neil Young made in the wake of his chart-topping best-seller, Harvest. The moniker derives from a quote by Young, printed in the self-penned track-by-track liner notes to his career summary compilation Decade of 1977...
, comprising the albums Time Fades Away
Time Fades Away
Time Fades Away is a 1973 live album by Neil Young, consisting of previously unreleased material. It was recorded with The Stray Gators on the tour following 1972's highly successful Harvest and has not been reissued on CD due to Young's dissatisfaction with that particular series of concerts...
, Tonight's the Night, and On the Beach. It has an overall more upbeat atmosphere, with a combination of country-tinged rock acoustics and lumbering hard-rock pieces similar in style to songs on Young's second album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere is the second studio album by Canadian musician Neil Young, released on Reprise Records catalogue RS 6349...
. As on the latter album, Young is backed up by Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
with the late Danny Whitten
Danny Whitten
Daniel Ray Whitten was an American musician and songwriter best known for his work with Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and for the song "I Don't Want To Talk About It", a hit for Rita Coolidge, Rod Stewart and Everything but the Girl.- Biography :Whitten was born on May 8, 1943, in Columbus, Georgia....
being replaced by Frank Sampedro
Frank Sampedro
Frank "Poncho" Sampedro is an American guitarist and member of the rock and roll band Crazy Horse, known mainly for its longtime collaboration with singer-songwriter Neil Young....
.
Song notes
"Don't Cry No Tears" is a dusting off of a song Young had written in high school, "I Wonder", which appeared in his Archives in 2009. "Danger Bird" interpolates sections of an unreleased song relating to Young's breakup with Carrie SnodgressCarrie Snodgress
Caroline "Carrie" Snodgress was an American actress.-Biography:Snodgress was born in Park Ridge, Illinois. She attended Maine Township High School East in Park Ridge then Northern Illinois University before leaving to pursue acting. Snodgress trained for the stage at the Goodman Theatre, in Chicago...
called "L.A. Girls and Ocean Boys", specifically the line "'Cause you've been with another man / there you are and here I am". Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
once told an interviewer that he felt Young had become a "great guitarist" during this period, specifically citing "Danger Bird" as an example. "Pardon My Heart" was originally intended to be released as part of Homegrown.
Young has claimed several different origins for "Cortez the Killer
Cortez the Killer
"Cortez the Killer" is a song by Neil Young from his 1975 album, Zuma. It was recorded with Young's band Crazy Horse and ranked #39 on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos and #321 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
", most notoriously saying during a show on August 13, 1996 that he'd written it in high school while suffering "Montezuma's Revenge". The song ends with a fade out because the original cut stopped abruptly due to recording tape running out before the band had finished playing. "Through My Sails", (originally titled "Sailboat Song") the final track, is the only track ever released from an aborted Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
Crosby, Stills & Nash (and Young)
Crosby, Stills & Nash is a folk rock supergroup made up of David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash, also known as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when joined by occasional fourth member Neil Young...
recording session in Hawaii in late 1974 for the as yet unreleased Human Highway
Human Highway
Human Highway is a 1982 comedy film starring and co-directed by Neil Young under his pseudonym Bernard Shakey. Dean Stockwell co-directed the film and acted along with Russ Tamblyn, Dennis Hopper, and the band Devo...
album. This would be the last CSNY music released until 1988's American Dream
American Dream (album)
American Dream is the 1988 reunion album for Crosby, Stills & Nash with Neil Young.Released on November 3, 1988, there was great anticipation for the quartet's first studio album in eighteen years, but all four performers were in fact at various ebbs in their songwriting. The harmonies still...
.
Neil Young wrote songs in Zuma during his time living on Sea Level Dr. in Malibu, California.
The song "Stupid Girl" was covered by the indie rock band The Shoe (band) on their EP "At Lem Jay's Garage."
Side One
- "Don't Cry No Tears" – 2:34
- "Danger Bird" – 6:54
- "Pardon My Heart" – 3:49
- "Lookin' for a Love" – 3:17
- "Barstool Blues" – 3:02
Side Two
- "Stupid Girl" – 3:13
- "Drive Back" – 3:32
- "Cortez the KillerCortez the Killer"Cortez the Killer" is a song by Neil Young from his 1975 album, Zuma. It was recorded with Young's band Crazy Horse and ranked #39 on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos and #321 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
" – 7:29 - "Through My Sails" – 2:41
Personnel
Neil Young with Crazy Horse:- Neil YoungNeil YoungNeil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
: guitar & vocals - Frank SampedroFrank SampedroFrank "Poncho" Sampedro is an American guitarist and member of the rock and roll band Crazy Horse, known mainly for its longtime collaboration with singer-songwriter Neil Young....
: rhythm guitar - Billy TalbotBilly TalbotBilly Talbot is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the bassist of Crazy Horse.-Music career:Born in New York City, Talbot started his musical career singing on street corners at the age of 14. He moved to New Jersey with his family the next year, and by 17 he had moved to...
: bass & vocals - Ralph MolinaRalph MolinaRalph Molina is an American musician, best known as the drummer for Neil Young's backing band Crazy Horse.Born in Puerto Rico, Molina has been a member of Crazy Horse since they were formed in 1962 as Danny & the Memories. He has remained throughout the band's many personnel changes, and has...
: drums & vocals
except:
- "Pardon My Heart":
- Neil Young: vocals and all instruments except bass
- Tim DrummondTim DrummondTim Drummond is an American bass guitarist who has toured and recorded with many notable artists including Conway Twitty, Bob Dylan, James Brown, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Ry Cooder, J. J. Cale, Lonnie Mack, Miles Davis, B.B...
: bass - Billy Talbot: vocals
- Ralph Molina: vocals
and
- "Through My Sails":
- David CrosbyDavid CrosbyDavid Van Cortlandt Crosby is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter. In addition to his solo career, he was a founding member of three bands: The Byrds, Crosby, Stills & Nash , and CPR...
: vocals - Stephen StillsStephen StillsStephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
: bass, vocals - Graham NashGraham NashGraham William Nash, OBE is an English singer-songwriter known for his light tenor vocals and for his songwriting contributions with the British pop group The Hollies, and with the folk-rock band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Nash is a photography collector and a published photographer...
: vocals - Neil Young: guitar, vocals
- Russ KunkelRuss KunkelRussell Kunkel , also known as Russ Kunkel, is an American drummer and producer who has worked as a session musician with a number of well-known artists.Kunkel was born in Pittsburgh, PA...
: congas
- David Crosby
External links
- "Neil Young With Crazy Horse – Zuma". Discogs.
- Zuma at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
(streamed copy where licensed)