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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Neil Young announced Archives Vol. III on July 26, 2024, covering recordings and films from 1976 through 1987. The collection was offered as a 17-CD set or a deluxe version that adds five Blu-rays; the separate 2-LP Takes is only a 16-track selection, not the complete archive.
What Archives Vol. III covers
The 11-year span includes albums such as Comes a Time, Rust Never Sleeps, Live Rust and Trans, alongside live performances, alternate versions, unreleased recordings and archival films. Warner Records describes the standard set as containing 14 hours of audio, 15 completely unreleased songs and 121 unreleased versions. Those are distinct categories: the unreleased-song count is not a count of every track or version in the box.
The chronological disc titles include Across The Water I and II (1976), Hitchhikin’ Judy (1976–1977), Sedan Delivery (1978), Road Of Plenty (1984–1986) and Summer Songs (1987). The official 17-CD track listing identifies previously unreleased live versions of “Mellow My Mind,” “Cortez the Killer” and “Like a Hurricane.” Its final disc also includes previously unreleased originals such as “American Dream,” “Wrecking Ball” and “Name Of Love.”
Standard and deluxe editions compared
| Edition | Audio and video | Printed material |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 17 CDs; Warner Records lists 198 CD tracks and 14 hours of audio. | 36-page booklet and poster. |
| Deluxe | 17 CDs and five region-free Blu-rays. Warner Records lists 198 CD tracks, 11 full-length films and more than 14 hours of Blu-ray material. | 160-page hardcover book and poster. |
The standard edition is the complete audio-focused box. The deluxe edition adds the films on Blu-ray, making it the format to choose if the visual archive matters to you. Warner Records specifies a 160-page hardcover book; Pitchfork reported 176 pages in its announcement coverage, so the label’s product listing is the primary specification.
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What’s on the Blu-rays?
Warner Records lists 11 full-length films across the five Blu-rays. The titles include previously unreleased Across The Water, Boarding House, Trans and Catalyst, as well as Muddy Track, In A Rusted Out Garage, Solo Trans, Human Highway and A Treasure. The label says the Blu-rays are region free; that is the label’s stated format specification, not a guarantee about every player’s compatibility.
Is Takes the same as the box set?
No. Takes is a separate 2-LP, 16-track compilation, with one selection drawn from 16 of the box’s 17 discs. It offers a shorter vinyl entry point, but it does not contain the complete archive or replace either box edition. Pitchfork reported its release alongside the collection.
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Release date and availability
Pitchfork reported a September 6, 2024 release date. Warner Records’ product pages showed both box editions as sold out when checked for this article; stock and pricing can change, so consult the standard set listing and deluxe set listing for current status. Pitchfork’s announcement coverage also describes the release and Takes: Neil Young Announces Archives Vol. III (1976–1987) Box Set.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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