Neil Young Archives Volume III: 1976–1987

Neil Young Archives Volume III: 1976–1987 is a 17-CD and 5-blu-ray disc (comprising 11 films) box set from American-Canadian folk rock musician Neil Young that is planned to be released on CD and vinyl on September 6, 2024. Pre-ordering went live for members of Neil Young Archives on July 25, 2024, with access to a version that came with a CD sampler of 16 tracks, and a pin. The release is the third box set in his Neil Young Archives series, following 2020's Neil Young Archives Volume II: 1972–1976. and covers a eleven year period from 1976–1987.

Neil Young Archives Volume III: 1976–1987
Box set by Neil Young
Released	September 6, 2024 (2024-09-06)
Recorded	1976–1987
Genre	Rock
Label	Reprise
Producer	Neil Young
Neil Young chronology
Early Daze (2024) Neil Young Archives Volume III: 1976–1987 (2024)
Singles from Neil Young Archives Volume III: 1972–1976
"Bright Sunny Day" Released: July 26, 2024

Of the 198 tracks on the track listing, 121 are previously unreleased. These include live and alternate versions of previously released songs. Fifteen of the songs on this set have never been released in any form.

The first single for the album was released on July 26, 2024, entitled "Bright Sunny Day". The song was an outtake from the Rust Never Sleeps sessions in 1978.

Background

The first significant mention of the release of Volume III after the release of Volume II was in an article Neil wrote that was published on the Neil Young Archives site on March 26, 2021. Entitled "A Message from Neil: A Pandemic and a Rare Gift," he discussed the making of Volume III in great detail: "we continued on at the cottage in Canada with Daryl, Niko and I putting together Volume three of the archives. Seven or eight films. More discs that [sic] the other Archives Volumes. Maybe more songs. Many unreleased albums back in their original shape like we did with Homegrown when we found it." He went on to describe a box set that would end in 1990 with a live album called Live Freedom, would feature nine films, and would be released in two separate configurations: a 12 CD set and a 10 Blu-Ray set (with the Blu-Rays featuring all of the songs found on the CD version, in addition to its films). However, by July of that year, Young stated that Volume III had been "scaled back to 1987 or so."

After 2021, no further significant updates were published until 2023, when that November Young stated in a Letter to the Editor response that it would be "coming first half of 2024," while also saying in another response that it had been "delayed by me changing my mind too many times." These responses culminated in a Zoom call that was held with Neil Young Archives Patron members on the 29th of that month. In addition to laying out specifics regarding its content, including disc names and selected tracks, he mentioned that Volume III would contain, in total, "17 discs" and "four or five films."

After this meeting, in April of 2024, Young responded to a letter from a fan on his website, saying that the 22-disc set was scheduled for a release in September. This tentative date proved to be accurate once Volume III was finally announced on July 26th.

On July 25, 2024, pre-ordering went live for members of Young's website. A limited-edition deluxe box set was announced, featuring all 17 CDs in 11 "soft-paks" (covering 198 tracks with 121 unreleased and 15 never-released songs in 28 hours of content) and 5 Blu-rays in 3 "soft-paks" (covering 11 films and 14 hours of content). Super deluxe editions included a 160-page book that was "chronologically illustrated with archive materials, detailed descriptions of the music, and a fold-out timeline of the period," along with a poster. The regular deluxe edition included a 36-page booklet in lieu of the book and poster.

Also announced was Neil Young Archives Volume III: Takes, a 16 track, 2 LP release highlighting one song from all but one disc on the box set. It also came as a CD sampler along with a pin as part of the deluxe editions of the box set.

Content

Neil Young's third archival release features material from 11 different years, which spans from the critically acclaimed albums, Comes a Time and Rust Never Sleeps, to experimental albums like Trans and Everybody's Rockin'.

The first two discs, Across the Water, cover Neil Young and Crazy Horse's European and Japanese legs of their 1976 tour (something previous documented on Odeon Budokan). Hitchhikin' Judy primarily features songs from Hitchhiker (an archival album featuring a one-day studio session in August of 1976) and Songs for Judy (a live album that features Neil Young performing parts of his Crazy Horse tour solo in 1976 and 1977). A Snapshot in Time features recordings of rehearsals with Nicolette Larson and Linda Ronstadt, while Windward Passage features Young live with The Ducks (something previously covered on the Neil Young official bootleg series release High Flyin').

Oceanside Countryside is a long-rumored Neil Young release, with tracks that were recorded before Comes a Time at Triad Studios in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Union Hall features live recordings with Nicolette Larson, which Neil Young called "the highlight of everything I've done with Nicolette." The Boarding House discs feature Neil Young solo performing some of his newest songs in a several-day residency, while Sedan Delivery and Coastline feature studio and live sessions from Rust Never Sleeps, Hawks & Doves, and Re·ac·tor.

Trans/Johnny's Island covers both Trans and Young's unreleased studio album, Johnny's Island, which Young worked on in May of 1982, until Geffen Records suggested he shelve the project and work on something better (which turned into Trans). Evolution shows Young's various projects with Geffen, starting with songs from the unreleased Old Ways I, and evolving into his rockabilly persona, and ending off with solo demos recorded in 1984. Grey Riders features Young live and in the studio with his mid-1980s backing band, The International Harvesters, while Touch the Night is a live album with Crazy Horse culled from several February '84 performances at The Catalyst. The box set ends with Road of Plenty, primarily featuring Landing on Water tracks, and Summer Songs, a solo acoustic album of newly written songs in 1987. Young stated that he sat down one day and recorded a number of new songs, including harmony parts, then put them on tape (which remained on the shelf for years until 2021, when Young released it exclusively on his website).

Track listing

Disc 1 – Across the Water I (1976)

1. "Let It Shine" – previously unreleased live version
2. "Mellow My Mind" – previously unreleased live version
3. "Too Far Gone" – previously unreleased live version
4. "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" – previously unreleased live version
5. "A Man Needs a Maid" – previously unreleased live version
6. "No One Seems to Know" – previously unreleased live version
7. "Heart of Gold" – previously unreleased live version
8. "Country Home" – previously unreleased live version
9. "Don't Cry No Tears" – previously unreleased live version
10. "Cowgirl in the Sand" – previously unreleased mix
11. "Lotta Love" – previously unreleased live version
12. "The Losing End (When You're On)" – previously unreleased live version
13. "Southern Man" – previously unreleased live version
14. "Cortez the Killer" – previously unreleased live version

Disc 2 – Across the Water II (1976)

1. "Human Highway" – previously unreleased live version
2. "The Needle and the Damage Done" – previously unreleased live version
3. "Stringman" – previously unreleased mix
4. "Down by the River" – previously unreleased live version
5. "Like a Hurricane" – previously unreleased live version
6. "Drive Back" – previously unreleased live version
7. "Cortez the Killer" – previously unreleased live version
8. "Homegrown" – previously unreleased live version

Disc 3 – Hitchhikin' Judy (1976-77)

1. "Rap"
2. "Powderfinger" (3:23) – previously released on Hitchhiker
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
   • Recorded on August 11, 1976 at Indigo Ranch, Malibu. Produced by David Briggs.
3. "Captain Kennedy" (2:53) – previously released on Hitchhiker
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
   • Recorded on August 11, 1976 at Indigo Ranch, Malibu. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, Richard Kaplan, and Tim Mulligan.
4. "Hitchhiker" (4:37) – previously released on Hitchhiker
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
   • Recorded on August 11, 1976 at Indigo Ranch, Malibu. Produced by David Briggs.
5. "Give Me Strength" (3:40) – previously released on Hitchhiker
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocals
   • Recorded on August 11, 1976 at Indigo Ranch, Malibu. Produced by David Briggs.
6. "The Old Country Waltz" (3:37) – previously released on Hitchhiker
   • Neil Young – piano, harmonica, vocals
   • Recorded on August 11, 1976 at Indigo Ranch, Malibu. Produced by David Briggs.
7. "Rap"
8. "Too Far Gone" (3:15) – previously released on Songs for Judy
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
   • Recorded on November 6, 1976 at Balch Fieldhouse, Boulder, Colorado. Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
9. "White Line" (2:45) – previously released on Songs for Judy
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocals
   • Recorded on November 10, 1976 at Tarrant County Convention Center, Fort Worth, Texas. Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
10. "Mr. Soul" (3:06) – previously released on Songs for Judy
    • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
    • Recorded on November 20, 1976 at Palladium, New York City (early show). Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
11. "A Man Needs Needs a Maid" (4:54) – previously released on Songs for Judy
    • Neil Young – guitar, Stringman, vocals
    • Recorded on November 20, 1976 at Palladium, New York City (late show). Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
12. "Journey Through the Past" (3:17) – previously released on Songs for Judy
    • Neil Young – piano, harmonica, vocals
    • Recorded on November 22, 1976 at Music Hall, Boston, Massachusetts (late show). Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
13. "Campaigner" (3:30) – previously released on Songs for Judy
    • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
    • Recorded on November 22, 1976 at Music Hall, Boston, Massachusetts (late show). Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
14. "The Old Laughing Lady" (5:18) – previously released on Songs for Judy
    • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocals
    • Recorded on November 24, 1976 at Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia (early show). Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
15. "The Losing End (When You're On)" (3:52) – previously released on Songs for Judy
    • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocals
    • Recorded on November 24, 1976 at Fox Theatre, Atlanta, Georgia (late show). Produced by Joel Bernstein, Cameron Crowe, David Briggs, and Neil Young.
16. "Rap"
17. "Helpless" – previously released on The Last Waltz
18. "Four Strong Winds" – previously released on The Last Waltz (2002 version)
19. "Rap"
20. "Will to Love" (7:11) – previously released on American Stars 'n Bars
    • Neil Young – guitar, organ, piano, vibraphone, drums, vocals
    • Recorded on December 3, 1976 at Young's home and Indigo Ranch, Malibu. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
21. "Lost in Space" – previously unreleased original

Disc 4 – Snapshot in Time (1977)

1. "Rap"
2. "Hold Back The Tears" (5:15) – previously released on Chrome Dreams
   • Neil Young – guitar, keyboard, percussion, vocals
   • Recorded on February 6, 1977 at Indigo Ranch, Malibu. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
3. "Rap"
4. "Long May You Run" – previously unreleased version
5. "Hey Babe" – previously unreleased version
6. "The Old Country Waltz" – previously unreleased version
7. "Hold Back the Tears" – previously unreleased version
8. "Peace of Mind" – previously unreleased version
9. "Sweet Lara Larue" – previously unreleased version
10. "Bite the Bullet" – previously unreleased version
11. "Saddle Up the Palomino" – previously unreleased version
12. "Star of Bethlehem" – previously unreleased version
13. "Bad News Comes To Town" – previously unreleased version
14. "Motorcycle Mama" – previously unreleased version
15. "Rap"
16. "Hey Babe" (3:37) – previously released on American Stars 'n Bars
    • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank Sampedro – guitar; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Carole Mayedo – fiddle; Billy Talbot – bass; Ralph Molina – drums; Linda Ronstadt – vocals; Nicolette Larson – vocals
    • Recorded on April 4, 1977 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by David Briggs, Tim Mulligan, and Neil Young.
17. "Rap"
18. "Barefoot Floors" – previously unreleased version

Disc 5 – Windward Passage (1977)

1. "Rap"
2. "I Am A Dreamer" (4:24) – previously released on High Flyin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Jeff Blackburn – guitar, vocals; Bob Mosley – bass, vocals; Johnny Craviotto – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on July 29, 1977 at Magic Devices Studio, Santa Cruz, California. Produced by Tim Mulligan, Jeff Blackburn, and Neil Young.
3. "Sail Away" – previously unreleased original
4. "Wide Eyed and Willin'" (4:13) – previously released on High Flyin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Jeff Blackburn – guitar, vocals; Bob Mosley – bass, vocals; Johnny Craviotto – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on August 3, 1977 at Catalyst, Santa Cruz, California. Produced by Tim Mulligan, Jeff Blackburn, and Neil Young.
5. "I'm Tore Down" (3:42) – previously released on High Flyin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Jeff Blackburn – guitar, vocals; Bob Mosley – bass, vocals; Johnny Craviotto – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on August 3, 1977 at Catalyst, Santa Cruz, California. Produced by Tim Mulligan, Jeff Blackburn, and Neil Young.
6. "Little Wing" (4:42) – previously released on High Flyin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Jeff Blackburn – guitar, vocals; Bob Mosley – bass, vocals; Johnny Craviotto – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on August 3, 1977 at Catalyst, Santa Cruz, California. Produced by Tim Mulligan, Jeff Blackburn, and Neil Young.
7. "Hey Now" (2:53) – previously released on High Flyin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Jeff Blackburn – guitar, vocals; Bob Mosley – bass, vocals; Johnny Craviotto – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on August 3, 1977 at Catalyst, Santa Cruz, California. Produced by Tim Mulligan, Jeff Blackburn, and Neil Young.
8. "Windward Passage" – previously unreleased edit
9. "Cryin' Eyes" – previously unreleased original

Disc 6 – Oceanside Countryside (1977)

1. "Rap"
2. "Field of Opportunity" – previously unreleased mix
3. "It Might Have Been" – previously unreleased version
4. "Dance Dance Dance" – previously unreleased version
5. "Rap"
6. "Pocahontas" – previously unreleased mix
7. "Peace of Mind" – previously unreleased mix
8. "Sail Away" – previously unreleased mix
9. "Human Highway" – previously unreleased mix
10. "Comes A Time" – previously unreleased version
11. "Lost In Space" (3:27) – previously released on Hawks & Doves
    • Neil Young – 6 and 12 string guitar, vocal, vibes
    • Recorded at Triiad Recording Studios, Ft. Lauderdale, 9/15/1977. Produced by Neil Young.
12. "Goin' Back" – previously unreleased mix

Disc 7 – Union Hall (1977)

1. "Comes A Time" (3:05) – previously released on Comes A Time
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocal; Nicolette Larson – harmony vocal; Ben Keith – steel guitar; Karl T. Himmel – Drums; Tim Drummond – bass; Spooner Oldham – piano; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; J.J. Cale – acoustic guitar; Farrell Morris – percussion; Rita Fey – autoharp; Chuck Cochran – arranger; Gone with the Wind Orchestra – acoustic guitars, strings
   • Recorded at Woodland Studio, Nashville, 11/2/1977. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.
2. "Love/Art Blues" – previously unreleased version
3. "Rap"
4. "Are You Ready For the Country?" – previously unreleased version
5. "Dance Dance Dance/Love is a Rose" – previously unreleased version
6. "Old Man" – previously unreleased version
7. "The Losing End (When You're On)" – previously unreleased version
8. "Heart Of Gold" – previously unreleased version
9. "Already One" – previously unreleased version
10. "Lady Wingshot" – previously unreleased song
11. "Four Strong Winds" – previously unreleased version
12. "Down By The River" – previously unreleased version
13. "Alabama" – previously unreleased version
14. "Are You Ready For the Country?" (Reprise) – previously unreleased version
15. "Rap"
16. "We're Having Some Fun Now" – previously unreleased song
17. "Rap"
18. "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" – previously unreleased version
19. "Motorcycle Mama" (3:08) – previously released on Comes A Time
    • Neil Young – electric guitar, vocal; Nicolette Larson – harmony vocal; Ben Keith – steel guitar; Karl T. Himmel – Drums; Tim Drummond – bass; Spooner Oldham – piano
    • Recorded at Sound Shop, Nashville, 11/21/1977. Produced by Neil Young, Ben Keith, and Tim Mulligan.

Disc 8 – Boarding House I (1978)

1. "Rap"
2. "Shots" – previously unreleased live version
3. "Thrasher" – previously unreleased live version
4. "The Ways of Love" – previously unreleased live version
5. "Ride My Llama" – previously unreleased live version
6. "Sail Away" – previously unreleased live version
7. "Pocahontas" – previously unreleased live version
8. "Human Highway" – previously unreleased live version
9. "Already One" – previously unreleased live version
10. "Birds" – previously unreleased live version
11. "Cowgirl in the Sand" – previously unreleased live version
12. "Sugar Mountain" – previously unreleased live version
13. "Powderfinger" – previously unreleased live version
14. "Comes a Time" – previously unreleased live version

Disc 9 – Boarding House II (1978)

1. "Rap"
2. "Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)" – previously unreleased version
3. "Back to the Boarding House"
4. "My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)" – previously unreleased live version
5. "Homegrown" – previously unreleased live version
6. "Down by the River" – previously unreleased live version
7. "After the Gold Rush" – previously unreleased live version
8. "Out Of My Mind" – previously unreleased live version
9. "Dressing Room"

Disc 10 – Sedan Delivery (1978)

1. "Bright Sunny Day" (2:43) – previously unreleased song
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on August 24, 1978 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by Neil Young, David Briggs, and Tim Mulligan.
2. "The Loner" (4:52) – previously released on Live Rust
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at Chicago Stadium, October 14, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
3. "Welfare Mothers" (3:49) – previously released on Rust Never Sleeps
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals, percussion; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at St. Paul Civic Center, October 15, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
4. "Lotta Love" (2:51) – previously released on Live Rust
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – piano, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at St. Paul Civic Center, October 15, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
5. "Sedan Delivery" (4:39) – previously released on Rust Never Sleeps
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at St. Paul Civic Center, October 15, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
6. "Cortez the Killer" (7:27) – previously released on Live Rust
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at St. Paul Civic Center, October 15, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
7. "Tonight's the Night" (7:13) – previously released on Live Rust
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at St. Paul Civic Center, October 15, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
8. "Powderfinger" (5:30) – previously released on Rust Never Sleeps
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at McNichols Arena, Denver, October 19, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
9. "When You Dance, I Can Really Love" (3:51) – previously released on Live Rust
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded at Cow Palace, October 22, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.
10. "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)" (5:14) – previously released on Rust Never Sleeps
    • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank "Poncho" Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
    • Recorded at The Cow Palace, San Francisco, October 22, 1978. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, and Tim Mulligan.

Disc 11 – Coastline (1980–81)

1. "Coastline" (2:26) – previously released on Hawks & Doves
   • Neil Young – piano, vocals; Greg Thomas – drums; Dennis Belfield – bass; Ben Keith – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Ann Hillary O'Brien – vocals
   • Recorded at Gold Star Studios, July 2, 1980. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, Tim Mulligan, and Jerry Napier.
2. "Stayin' Power" (2:18) – previously released on Hawks & Doves
   • Neil Young – piano, vocals; Greg Thomas – drums; Dennis Belfield – bass; Ben Keith – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Ann Hillary O'Brien – vocals
   • Recorded at Gold Star Studios, July 3, 1980. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, Tim Mulligan, and Jerry Napier.
3. "Hawks & Doves" (3:27) – previously released on Hawks & Doves
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Greg Thomas – drums; Dennis Belfield – bass; Ben Keith – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Ann Hillary O'Brien – vocals
   • Recorded at Gold Star Studios, July 4, 1980. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, Tim Mulligan, and Jerry Napier.
4. "Comin' Apart at Every Nail" (2:36) – previously released on Hawks & Doves
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Greg Thomas – drums; Dennis Belfield – bass; Ben Keith – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Ann Hillary O'Brien – vocals
   • Recorded at Gold Star Studios, July 5, 1980. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, Tim Mulligan, and Jerry Napier.
5. "Union Man" (2:08) – previously released on Hawks & Doves
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Greg Thomas – drums; Dennis Belfield – bass; Ben Keith – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Ann Hillary O'Brien – vocals
   • Recorded at Gold Star Studios, July 5, 1980. Produced by David Briggs, Neil Young, Tim Mulligan, and Jerry Napier.
6. "Winter Winds" – previously unreleased song
7. "Southern Pacific" (4:12) – previously released on Re·ac·tor
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank Sampedro – guitar; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on December 7, 1980 at Modern Recorders, Redwood City, California. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
8. "Opera Star" (3:33) – previously released on Re·ac·tor
   • Neil Young – guitar, synclavier, handclaps, vocals; Frank Sampedro – guitar, vocals; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on December 8, 1980 at Modern Recorders, Redwood City, California. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
9. "Rapid Transit" (4:37) – previously released on Re·ac·tor
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Frank Sampedro – guitar; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals; Ralph Molina – drums, vocals
   • Recorded on January 18, 1981 at Modern Recorders, Redwood City, California. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
10. "Sunny Inside" – previously unreleased original
11. "Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze" (4:19) – previously released on Re·ac·tor
    • Neil Young – guitar, vocals, handclaps; Frank Sampedro – guitar, vocals, handclaps; Billy Talbot – bass, vocals, handclaps; Ralph Molina – drums, percussion, vocals, handclaps
    • Recorded on June 23, 1981 at Modern Recorders, Redwood City, California. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
12. "Get Up" – previously unreleased song

Disc 12 – Trans/Johnny's Island (1981–82)

1. "Rap"
2. "Sample and Hold" (8:06) – previously released on Trans
   • Neil Young – vocoder, guitar, Synclavier, vocal; Frank Sampedro – guitar; Billy Talbot – bass; Ralph Molina – drums
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch, 9/24/1981. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
3. "Mr. Soul" (3:19) – previously released on Trans
   • Neil Young – vocoder, guitar, bass, Synclavier, vocal
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch, 9/25/1981. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
4. "Computer Cowboy" (4:14) – previously released on Trans
   • Neil Young – vocoder, guitar, Synclavier, vocal; Frank Sampedro – guitar; Billy Talbot – bass; Ralph Molina – drums
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch, 9/30/1981. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
5. "We R In Control" (3:33) – previously released on Trans
   • Neil Young – vocoder, guitar, Synclavier, vocal; Frank Sampedro – guitar; Billy Talbot – bass; Ralph Molina – drums
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch, 10/14/1981. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
6. "Computer Age" (5:26) – previously released on Trans
   • Neil Young – vocoder, guitar, bass, Synclavier, vocal
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch, 10/29/1981. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
7. "Transformer Man" (3:23) – previously released on Trans
   • Neil Young – vocoder, guitar, bass, Synclavier, vocal
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch, 12/11/1981. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
8. "Rap"
9. "Johnny" – previously unreleased song
10. "Island In The Sun" – previously unreleased song
11. "Rap"
12. "Silver & Gold" – previously unreleased version
13. "If You Got Love" – previously unreleased version
14. "Raining in Paradise" – previously unreleased song
15. "Big Pearl" – previously unreleased song
16. "Hold On To Your Love" (3:28) – previously released on Trans
    • Neil Young – electric piano, vocal; Nils Lofgren – Stringman, vocal; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar, vocal; Bruce Palmer – bass; Ralph Molina – drums, vocal; Joe Lala – percussion, vocal
    • Recorded at Commercial Recording, Honolulu, 5/12/1982. Produced by David Briggs and Neil Young.
17. "Soul Of A Woman" – previously unreleased original
18. "Rap"
19. "Love Hotel" – previously unreleased song

Disc 13 – Evolution (1983–84)

1. "California Sunset" – previously unreleased original
2. "My Boy" – previously unreleased original
3. "Old Ways" – previously unreleased version
4. "Depression Blues" (4:07) – previously released on Lucky Thirteen
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocals; Spooner Oldham – organ; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl Himmel – drums; Rick Palombi – vocals; Anthony Crawford – vocals; Larry Byrom – vocals
   • Recorded on January 28, 1983 at House of David, Nashville. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young.
5. "Cry, Cry, Cry" (2:39) – previously released on Everybody's Rockin'
   • Neil Young – piano, vocals; Ben Keith – guitar; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl Himmel – drums; Rick Palombi – vocals; Anthony Crawford – vocals; Larry Byrom – vocals
   • Recorded on April 27, 1983 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young.
6. "Mystery Train" (2:47) – previously released on Everybody's Rockin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – guitar; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl Himmel – drums; Rick Palombi – vocals; Anthony Crawford – vocals; Larry Byrom – vocals
   • Recorded on April 28, 1983 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young.
7. "Payola Blues" (3:09) – previously released on Everybody's Rockin'
   • Neil Young – piano, harmonica, vocals; Ben Keith – guitar; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl Himmel – drums; Rick Palombi – vocals; Anthony Crawford – vocals; Larry Byrom – vocals
   • Recorded on May 23, 1983 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young.
8. "Betty Lou's Got A New Pair Of Shoes" (3:02) – previously released on Everybody's Rockin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – saxophone; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl Himmel – snare; Rick Palombi – vocals; Anthony Crawford – vocals; Larry Byrom – piano, vocals
   • Recorded on May 24, 1983 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young.
9. "Bright Lights, Big City" (2:18) – previously released on Everybody's Rockin'
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocals; Ben Keith – guitar; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl Himmel – drums; Rick Palombi – vocals; Anthony Crawford – vocals; Larry Byrom – piano, vocals
   • Recorded on May 24, 1983 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young.
10. "Rainin' In My Heart" (2:11) – previously released on Everybody's Rockin'
    • Neil Young – piano, harmonica, vocals; Ben Keith – guitar; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl Himmel – drums; Rick Palombi – vocals; Anthony Crawford – vocals; Larry Byrom – vocals
    • Recorded on May 25, 1983 at Broken Arrow Ranch. Produced by Elliot Mazer and Neil Young.
11. "Get Gone" – previously unreleased original
12. "I Got A Problem" – previously unreleased original
13. "Hard Luck Stories" – previously unreleased original
14. "Your Love" – previously unreleased version
15. "If You Got Love" – previously unreleased version
16. "Razor Love" – previously unreleased original

Disc 14 – Grey Riders (1984–85)

1. "Amber Jean" – previously unreleased original
2. "Get Back To The Country" – previously unreleased original
3. "Are You Ready For The Country?" (3:38) – previously released on A Treasure
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Anthony Crawford – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Spooner Oldham – piano; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl T. Himmel – drums
   • Recorded on September 21, 1984 at Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, Ohio. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.
4. "It Might Have Been" (2:43) – previously released on A Treasure
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Anthony Crawford – fiddle, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Spooner Oldham – piano; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl T. Himmel – drums
   • Recorded on September 25, 1984 at Austin City Limits. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.
5. "Bound For Glory" (5:57) – previously released on A Treasure
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Anthony Crawford – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Spooner Oldham – organ; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl T. Himmel – drums
   • Recorded on September 29, 1984 at Gilley, Pasadena, Texas. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.
6. "Let Your Fingers Do the Walking" (3:00) – previously released on A Treasure
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Anthony Crawford – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Spooner Oldham – piano; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl T. Himmel – drums
   • Recorded on October 22, 1984 at Universal Ampitheatre, Universal City. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.
7. "Soul of a Woman" (4:26) – previously released on A Treasure
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – lap slide guitar; Anthony Crawford – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Spooner Oldham – piano; Tim Drummond – bass; Karl T. Himmel – drums
   • Recorded on September 21, 1984 at Greek Theatre, Berkeley. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.
8. "Misfits (Dakota)" – previously unreleased live version
9. "Nothing is Perfect" – previously unreleased version
10. "Time Off For Good Behavior" – previously unreleased song
11. "This Old House" – previously unreleased original
12. "Southern Pacific" (7:51) – previously released on A Treasure
    • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Anthony Crawford – banjo, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Spooner Oldham – piano; Joe Allen – bass; Karl T. Himmel – drums
    • Recorded on September 1, 1985 at Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.
13. "Interstate" – previously unreleased live version
14. "Grey Riders" (5:58) – previously released on A Treasure
    • Neil Young – guitar, vocals; Ben Keith – pedal steel guitar; Anthony Crawford – guitar, vocals; Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle; Spooner Oldham – piano; Joe Allen – bass; Karl T. Himmel – drums
    • Recorded on September 10, 1985 at Pier 84, New York City. Produced by Neil Young and Ben Keith.

Disc 15 – Touch the Night (1984)

1. "Rock" – previously unreleased song
2. "So Tired" – previously unreleased song
3. "Violent Side" – previously unreleased live version
4. "I Got A Problem" – previously unreleased live version
5. "Your Love" – previously unreleased song
6. "Barstool Blues" – previously unreleased live version
7. "Welfare Mothers" – previously unreleased live version
8. "Touch The Night" – previously unreleased live version

Disc 16 – Road of Plenty (1984–86)

1. "Drifter" (5:04) – previously released on Landing on Water
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, synth, vocals; Steve Jordan – drums, synth, vocals; Danny Kortchmar – guitar, synth, vocals
   • Recorded on October 30, 1985 at Record One Studios, Sherman Oaks, California. Produced by Danny Kortchmar and Neil Young.
2. "Hippie Dream" (4:14) – previously released on Landing on Water
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, synth, vocals; Steve Jordan – drums, synth, vocals; Danny Kortchmar – guitar, synth, vocals
   • Recorded on November 21, 1985 at Record One Studios, Sherman Oaks, California. Produced by Danny Kortchmar and Neil Young.
3. "Bad News Beat" (3:17) – previously released on Landing on Water
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, synth, vocals; Steve Jordan – drums, synth, vocals; Danny Kortchmar – guitar, synth, vocals
   • Recorded on November 25, 1985 at Record One Studios, Sherman Oaks, California. Produced by Danny Kortchmar and Neil Young.
4. "People On The Street" (4:33) – previously released on Landing on Water
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, synth, vocals; Steve Jordan – drums, synth, vocals; Danny Kortchmar – guitar, synth, vocals
   • Recorded on December 4, 1985 at Record One Studios, Sherman Oaks, California. Produced by Danny Kortchmar and Neil Young.
5. "Weight of the World" (3:41) – previously released on Landing on Water
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, synth, vocals; Steve Jordan – drums, synth, vocals; Danny Kortchmar – guitar, synth, vocals
   • Recorded on January 28, 1986 at Record One Studios, Sherman Oaks, California. Produced by Danny Kortchmar and Neil Young.
6. "Pressure" (2:46) – previously released on Landing on Water
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, synth, vocals; Steve Jordan – drums, synth, vocals; Danny Kortchmar – guitar, synth, vocals
   • Recorded on March 17, 1986 at Record One Studios, Sherman Oaks, California. Produced by Danny Kortchmar and Neil Young.
7. "Road of Plenty" – previously unreleased song
8. "We Never Danced" – previously unreleased original
9. "When Your Lonely Heart Breaks" – previously unreleased original

Disc 17 – Summer Songs (1987)

1. "Rap"
2. "American Dream" (4:40) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
3. "Someday" (6:32) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – piano, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
4. "For the Love of Man" (4:19) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – piano, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
5. "One of These Days" (4:35) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – piano, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
6. "Wrecking Ball" (4:07) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – piano, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
7. "Hanging on a Limb" (4:41) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
8. "Name of Love" (5:16) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – guitar, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
9. "Last of His Kind" (3:39) – previously released exclusively on Neil Young Archives website
   • Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, Synclavier, vocals
   • Recorded at Broken Arrow Ranch in 1987. Produced by Neil Young and Niko Bolas.
10. "Rap"

Blu-ray discs

1. Across the Water
2. Boarding House, Rust Never Sleeps
3. Human Highway, Trans, Neil Young in Berlin
4. Solo Trans, Catalyst, A Treasure
5. In a Rusted Out Garage, Muddy Track

Archives Vol. III – Takes

In addition to the two box set configurations, a 2 LP version will be released that compiles some of the highlights of Volume III (one track representing 16 of its 17 discs).

Track listing

Side A

1. "Hey Babe" – Snapshot in Time
2. "Drive Back" – Across the Water II
3. "Hitchhiker" – Hitchhikin' Judy
4. "Let It Shine" – Across the Water I

Side B

1. "Sail Away" – Windward Passage
2. "Comes a Time" – Oceanside Countryside
3. "Lady Wingshot" – Union Hall
4. "Thrasher" – Boarding House I

Side C

1. "Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)" – Boarding House II
2. "Bright Sunny Day" – Sedan Delivery
3. "Winter Winds" – Coastline
4. "If You Got Love" – Trans/Johnny's Island

Side D

1. "Razor Love" – Evolution
2. "This Old House" – Grey Riders
3. "Barstool Blues" – Touch the Night
4. "Last of His Kind" – Summer Songs