The link between Neil Young’s million-selling classic rock period and his repudiation of that scene, Time Fades Away was recorded live on a shambolic tour in early 1973, which Young recalls as one of the worst of his career. As such, Time Fades Away becomes an audio-vérité document of disintegration in real time. But the songs – all new at the time, thereby causing further consternation for audiences who came to hear the “hits” – are as brilliant as ever, and point to the uncompromising direction Young would take over the next two years.