Neil Young


Thought I would share a few thoughts here.

Neil Young is again on tour, so I am again giving this artist some thought.

I remember reading an interview with Bryan Ferry where he said that Neil Young was one of his favorite artists. I thought this odd given the glam rock of Roxy Music. But he described Neil Young as a musical chameleon, always changing up his music and bands, which is why he liked him so much.

That quote stuck with me.  Buffalo Springfield, Laurel Canyon, Solo Acoustic, CSNY, The Shocking Pinks, The International Harvesters, Rockin’ In The Free World, and so on.  Always a new twist for Neil.  He really doesn’t stay stagnant.

Then, reading about his current tour it seems at every stop he is breaking out some long forgotten and unplayed live tune to keep his set lists interesting.  

I’ve never seen him live, and frankly don’t think I have that much interest in seeing him live.  Yet I own a metric ton of his recorded material.  I remember reading someone else who described Neil as a one string soloist when it comes to rock guitar playing.  That kinda stuck with me.

I do appreciate his approach to analog releases from his vast catalog.

Anyway, he is indeed a hall of famer.

pgaulke60

Showing 1 response by bob540

I have not seen Neil in concert, but I would expect he was better 30 years ago than he is now. That has been my experience with older artists — their voice weakens and they don’t have the energy they once did.  Alan Jackson was like that; so was Willie Nelson, who sang his hits as a medley instead of giving them the full treatment.  Bob Dylan was probably the WORST concert I have ever been to, with his incoherent mumbling and doing songs from his latest album instead of hits. 
 

Two exceptions to this were: Tony Bennett a few years ago — sensational concert with just a four piece backing band and help from his daughter who sang.  Kenny Rogers, who was obviously weaker a year or two before his death, and he had to sit on a stool at times (he apologized, but no one cared — he was still Kenny).  He also had help with singing, from the mother of the girl singer in Lady A.  It was a very good show and glad I attended.  But Neil, I think I might pass.