"Mirror Ball" is the 23rd studio album by Canadian-American musician Neil Young, released on August 7, 1995, through Reprise Records. This album features collaborations with the American rock band Pearl Jam. It has been certified gold by the RIAA in the United States.
The album was notable for its blend of Young's distinctive style with Pearl Jam's sound, marking a significant collaboration between the two acts. In the same year, Pearl Jam also released an EP titled Merkin Ball, which included tracks from the Mirror Ball sessions.
The collaboration between Neil Young and Pearl Jam was a notable intersection of the grunge movement and classic rock. As grunge bands like Pearl Jam rose to prominence in the early 1990s, they expressed considerable admiration for Young’s work and his influence on the genre. Some critics even referred to Young as the "Godfather of Grunge," highlighting the similarities in ethos and style between his work and the emerging grunge sound.
Young and Pearl Jam shared a strong musical rapport and mutual respect. Pearl Jam incorporated Young’s "Rockin' in the Free World" into their setlists during their 1992 tour, and both Young and Pearl Jam performed at Bob Dylan's The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration that same year. Their connection deepened when Young invited Pearl Jam to play an acoustic set at the Bridge School Benefit concert, and the band appeared as an opening act on Young’s 1993 North American tour.
The relationship between Young and Pearl Jam extended beyond live performances. In January 1995, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam inducted Young into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Shortly thereafter, Young and Pearl Jam performed together at a benefit for Voters for Choice, where Young played new songs with Crazy Horse, and Pearl Jam joined him on stage for an encore performance. This performance of "Act of Love" inspired Young to record with the band, leading to the creation of Mirror Ball. The recording sessions were quick but productive, with Young bringing several songs to the studio and working closely with Pearl Jam to capture their collaborative energy.
This synergy between Young and Pearl Jam was reflected in Mirror Ball, an album that melded Young's rock sensibilities with Pearl Jam’s grunge energy, resulting in a unique and impactful musical collaboration.
