A Treasure

The album results from a tour following Young's recording what he later called the first Old Ways, an album of country music that his record company refused to release since they claimed it wasn't commercial enough. In this period, the early to mid-eighties, Young played music in many different genres.[6] His backing band, the "International Harvesters", consisted of professional country musicians from Nashville some of whom had also played (as "The Shocking Pinks") on his rock and roll album Everybody's Rockin'. The album contains old Young songs and newer songs from Old Ways.[4] It contains five previously unreleased songs (tracks 1, 5, 8, 11, and 12).

According to Young, the album's name comes from Ben Keith. "I hadn't heard these takes in 25 years, but when we unearthed them co-producer Ben Keith said, 'This is a treasure.'" [7]

All songs written by Neil Young except where indicated.

1. "Amber Jean" – 3:17
   • Recorded for Nashville Now TV, Nashville, 9/20/1984.
2. "Are You Ready for the Country?" – 3:39
   • Recorded at Riverbend Music Center, Cincinnati, 9/21/1984.
3. "It Might Have Been" (Ronnie Green, Harriet Kane) – 2:43
   • Recorded for Austin City Limits TV, Austin, 9/25/1984.
4. "Bound for Glory" – 5:59
   • Recorded at Gilleys Rodeo Arena, Pasadena, TX, 9/29/1984.
5. "Let Your Fingers Do the Walking" – 3:03
   • Recorded at Universal Amphitheater, Universal City, CA, 10/22/1984.
6. "Flying on the Ground Is Wrong" – 4:48
   • Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984.
7. "Motor City" – 3:22
   • Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984.
8. "Soul of a Woman" – 4:28
   • Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984.
9. "Get Back to the Country" – 2:31
   • Recorded at Greek Theater, Berkeley, CA, 10/26/1984.
10. "Southern Pacific" – 7:53
    • Recorded at Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, 9/1/1985.
11. "Nothing Is Perfect" – 5:02
    • Recorded at Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, 9/1/1985.
12. "Grey Riders" – 5:58
    • Recorded at Pier 84, New York, 9/10/1985.

• Neil Young – guitar, vocals
• Ben "Long Grain" Keith – pedal steel guitar, lap slide guitar, stringman, vocals
• Anthony Crawford – guitar, banjo, vocals
• Rufus Thibodeaux – fiddle
• Spooner Oldham – piano
• Tim Drummond – bass
• Karl T. Himmel – drums
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins – piano (on tracks 10, 11, 12)
• Joe Allen – bass (on tracks 10, 11, 12)
• Matraca Berg & Tracy Nelson – background vocals (on track 11)

• Recorded and mixed by Tim Mulligan, except track 1 by Terry Farris and track 3 by Jeff Peterson
• Mastering by Tim Mulligan at Redwood Digital, Woodside CA
• NYA Research by John Nowland and Joel Bernstein

• Directed by Bernard Shakey
• Produced by Will Mitchell
• Executive Producer: Elliot Rabinowitz
• Editor: Atticus Culver-Rease
• Blu-ray Authoring, programming at MX, San Francisco, CA
• Post Production at Upstream Multimedia
• Graphics: Kris Kunz
• Production Assistance: Hannah Johnson, Mark Faulkner
• Licensing: Marcy Gensic
• Research: Anthony Crawford, Archives Guy, Mark Golley
• Archival concert video footage courtesy of: Jay Flanzraich, Robert Sampimon
• “Nashville Now” footage used with permission by CMT
• Additional footage courtesy of BBC, used with permission
• International Harvesters photos courtesy of Pegi Young
• Joe Allen photo: courtesy of Steve Cross

Tech notes and credits film:

• Directed by Bernard Shakey
• Produced by Neil Young
• Camera: Benjamin Johnson
• Sound: Will Mitchell

• Neil Young official site A Treasure page featuring a video of tech notes on the album