Album Review: Neil Young – Tonight’s the Night (50th Anniversary)

Remastering of Neil Young’s early days.

With an extra six tracks added to Tonight’s the Night and some remastering, comes Tonight’s the Night (50th Anniversary). The amount of music Young has put out in his career is untouched by many artists. Young has put out over 50 albums since the release of Tonight’s the Night back in ’75.

“Speakin’ Out Jam – 2025 Remaster” is pure fun in the studio. With no lyrics until the last section of the five-minute song, Young and the Santa Monica Flyers just rock out, extending the introduction to “Speakin’ Out – 2025 Remaster.” This mellow, smooth run is relaxing and full of emotion.

Already having the title track “Tonight’s the Night – 2025 Remaster” and “Tonight’s the Night, Pt. II – 2025 Remaster” that open and close the album, the bonus track “Tonight’s the Night – Take 3” closes out this record. The difference between the three songs is not a great change. “Tonight’s the Night – Take 3” is more of a demo sound with a jazzy keyboard thrown in for a little more flavor.

The much-loved and appreciated artist, Joni Mitchell, makes an appearance on this record on the bonus track “Raised on Robbery (feat. Joni Mitchell) – 2025 Remaster.” “Raised on Robbery” was initially Mitchell’s song, on her ’74 album Court and Spark, that Young covered. To have these two on this song as a collaboration, and be able to create two different sounds on both songs, speaks to their shared respect for one another.  Mitchell’s original has a faster tempo with some funky elements. Young’s rendition starts out with Mitchell’s voice rising up with the crunchy, winding production.

If you are a Neil Young fan, this is most likely a record you have jammed out to already. To true fans, it is always appreciated to get some extra treats and variations with some bonus tracks on an already loved album, especially one that is from so early on in his career.