Neil Young

40+ releases!

Im just a casual fan since CSNY.

This past weekend while bin diving,  I found an unmolested  copy of Rust Never Sleeps, which I haven't heard in...40 years?

That prompted  dusting off Deja Vu, Everybody  knows... and Harvest.

Timeless.

Never seen Neil. My guitar teacher in 1978 couldnt stand Neil's guitar playing.

@pgaulke60 

  I remember reading someone else who described Neil as a one string soloist when it comes to rock guitar playing.

FWIW, learning to play up and down the neck on one string is often prescribed for players who are stuck in pentatonic boxes. Especially when used in conjunction with neighboring tones on adjacent strings, this can be a very useful approach. 

As a long time fan I’d say pass. His best days are long gone. I saw him at SXSW a few years ago and he was awful. Played a few hits then went into a self indulgent guitar trance that was completely incoherent. 

And that was before he acquired TDS.

Harvest is still good though and nicely recorded.

Thanks for the post, as Neil has been a longtime muse of mine and the Greendale tour, landing mid-week, has been the only tour I had a chance to see him but didn’t.

His blunt lyric honesty, beautifully melodic acoustic, and cathartic electric guitar songs never get old.

His latest political song about crime in the White House is good but doesn’t deliver the sledgehammer blow that Ohio did back in the day, however, at least he’s saying something, unlike everyone else.

Hall of famer indeed, he’s a giant!

Freedom, Rust Never Sleeps, Zuma, On The Beach, Tonight's The Night, American Stars And Bars, Harvest, This Notes for You..............  Many songwriters would sell their soul to have a fraction of Young's prodigious catalog.  Up there with Dylan IMHO.  And like Dylan, his voice is an acquired taste.  Able to convey so much emotion.  Hey hey, my my.

One of my fav songs from the '70s is 'Lotta love' by Nicolette Larson---I didn't realize that Neil Young wrote the song until recently.

The best rock concert I ever attended was Neil Young and Crazy Horse in Rapid City, S.D.   That was 1992, and was there for the Sturgis Bike Rally.  However, that being said, I agree with macg19's comment above.  I'd give him a hard pass now, due to his recent offerings, other than the Archive collections. Neil just needs to "fade away".  

I have seen him many times and would not hesitate to go. Saw him last summer in northern Virginia, and he did not disappoint. Even had a double rainbow in the parking lot!

I've liked his music ever since CSNY and Rust Never Sleeps. As I grew older I don't think much of his leftist politics or his throwing temper tantrums and taking his music off certain streaming platforms for a while, but that's beside the point. I've only seen him once when he turned 50 and thought, "Hell, this guy can still rock!". 

He's written many iconic songs over the years.  I don't play his stuff as much as I used to, but they do stand the test of time, especially lyrically. Many jam bands and others throw in covers of his songs in their setlists and keep them alive for new generations. 

Would I go to see him live now? Doubtful. I mean at some point say around age 75 or 80, these guys should hang it up and leave their reputations intact and as a part of music history. 

His library is great and vast and he is truly an artist in my mind. I ignore his politics.  I saw him in State College PA in 1990 or 91 and he said, "There is thing called grunge and these kids are famous for it, but I invented the damn stuff..." and he tore into a medley that went for 20 minutes of the most controlled and insane feedback and it was one of the best moments I've experienced in a live show. He had the place going wild.  I am not sure I'd go see him nowadays though.  His recent album about Mother Earth or whatever it was called was just awful I think but kudos for making music. 

For well over a decade Neil was a must see whenever he came to town, probably the most consistently intense rock concerts, Neil always rose to the occasion. While I believe Neil is still relevant, especially being a senior citizen, I rarely listen to 70's rock icons anymore, not particularly nostalgic for that era of rock anymore. And since his politics has been brought up, I mostly agree with his politics. Saving the family farm, speaking out about totalitarianism and authoritarianism is alright in my book.

I saw one of his solo shows at the Pacific Amphitheater back in the mid-80s; just Neil, his guitars, and an old pump organ.  Minimalist magic!

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.  

I watched Neil Young play in the Seattle King Dome in the late /70s... Just him, his guitar, a harmonica, and a stool.  Mesmerizing that one person could thoroughly entertain so many thousands.  One of the best concerts of my life.

That said, today I would not only NOT see him, but I would caution those who do regarding his very misguided late life mental crisis - he attempts to pass on his contagion to others and that is simply not tolerable.  Serious pass, so sad to watch such talent sell their souls as they age.

I have been a fan since his CSNY days and have seen him live many times through the years.

But honestly his last releases since Freedom/Glory Days, has been awful. I always thought he needed to rehearse the songs more before recording them, they seem so incomplete, and empty, compared to his earlier body of work. But I guess Neil thinks he can just sit down in one take and record them and then magic happens. Well, it doesn’t anymore.

And I believe that performers on stage should keep their politics to themselves. It’s alright to write a song about it, just don’t preach about it on stage to a captive audience who are there to hear music.

ozzy

Not surprising that Bryan Ferry is a Neil Young fan - after all, Roxy Music did a cover of 'Like A Hurricane'. Odd juxtapositions sometimes, but artists often enjoy music that is not in the genre that they work in.

I'm totally good with Neil and his views and wish more would express that. No 'mental crisis' that I've seen. 

@bluorion 

Probably do not know that Eddie Van Halen first played on a N. Larsen album

I will always think that Neil’s SNL performance was totally ballsy.  Three man band, him in his ripped knee jeans, and scorching rockin’ in the free world.  Now that was a serious performance.

I’ve also been thinking that the waves of music that Neil goes through is a lot like Bob Dylan.  Dylan has some terrible releases, only to come back a few releases later with yet another widely considered masterpiece.  Neil’s Greendale period is just such a lull in his recorded legacy.  

I love NY in all his different settings.  I’ve seen him solo, with Crazy Horse and with several other backing bands.  He puts on an amazing show.  I haven’t seen him lately because his ticket prices are so high and it’s okay with me if I don’t see him after so many shows.  A true music legend.  

Ironically, he said it himself, "Better to burnout, than to fade away"....

We knew him a bit back in the late 60's when he had a house up in Topanga Cyn and we hung out at a bar named The Corral on Topanga Cyn Blvd. Many artists came in there , Dylan , Neil , Canned Heat , Joni Mitchell and others. They were all friendly and would play a bit sometimes if handed a guitar but they were there to hang out not perform. Everyone treated them like anyone else h I'm sure was appreciated. Neil's early stuff was really good. After The Gold Rush is my favorite. It was recorded in his basement which he made into a recording studio. Pretty sure they did Southern Man on one take. That's Jack Nitzsche on piano who Neil said he had to talk into doing it as he was quite inebriated at the time. Neil was always quite cordial and I love his guitar playing. That's a Gibson sunburst given to him by Jim Messina when they were in Buffalo Springfield. Neil calls it old black because someone had painted it black. It has a terrific sound and he can sure play it although when his partner Danny Whitten O.D.'d Neil said things were never the same afterwards. I don't like his politics and didn't like it when he dumped his wife of many years Peggy but then I'm not perfect either. Neil is an icon for sure.

I like Neil especially his early LPs but think some of his political preaching is hypocritical. He’s in the money grab like including previously released full albums in the archive series and phony environmentalist using only a few minutes of a cd when the music would easily fit on another one.

I was at his show with Crazy Horse at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in 1978, the night they recorded 'Live Rust'. Got some cool photos, too. 

I have seen Neil many times over the years and he is always great.

I just saw him a few weeks back at Bethel Woods (former site of the Woodstock Festival).  He was fantastic !!! I highly recommend going to see him on this tour if you can.  Neil does not talk much, at one point late in the show he said "sometimes I forget what year it is" and launched into Ohio.

Neil Young ROCKS !!! 

I've only seen Neil Young in concert once, in Miami in the mid-90s with Crazy Horse. They put on on one of the most hard rockin', intense, and entertaining shows I've ever seen. I have great respect for him as both an artist and a person. I'd see him again in a heartbeat. 

@macg19 

+1

I long ago decided to ignore musician's personal lives and politics. I love the art- not the artist. 

@yesiam_a_pirate 

Well said!

I love the guy, he is in a class all by himself.  

You could not attend a Roger Waters concert without him preaching politics. If you listen to the preaching, you would not be able to ignore it and it ruins the act. He went on for many minutes eschewing reality. Ego maniac.

Neil is one of the artists who charges more for his albums, more for this concerts, and frequently releases material that is half-hearted. I like the man, but he cheated on me by taking my money numerous times until I finally wised up. The last thing I liked from him was Psychedelic Pill as "Walk Like a Giant" is a great jam, albeit the extended ending of the song is a hard listen. We are talking 5-6 minutes he took to end the song. WTF? I just think Neil has an equally enormous ego and never listened to anyone with respects to his music career. Typically, Canadian musicians are much less egotistical than American counterparts, but knowing what I know about his life, he is fundamentally an American.  

Similar to Bob Dylan, Neil can't sing. Dylan's most recent tour was a disaster. He comes out on stage in a wild costume and ridiculous hat, sits down at the piano, and mumbles for 45 minutes. Highway robbery. 

I would say he wrote alot of good songs. Saw and liked his concert mid 1980s. Aside from his synth and bebop albums, his music sounds rehashed to me. Lost interest by the 1990s.

Still enjoy his pre 1990s recordings sometimes, but no interest in seeing him or any of the old timers and Im in my mid 60s. So many other bands and music to experience. 

I ignore his politics and his bad music because his good music is so good.  I also ignore his awful singing because the rest can make up for it.  Similarly, nobody plays out of tune as good as Buddy Guy which is why I love him. There is a lot of music out there I just choose to ignore the stuff I don't care for.  Not a James Taylor fan at all, but the YouTube video of him on BBC singing Fire and Rain solo is the stuff of a master. And I can appreciate that. 

There are many videos on YouTube of his summer tour in Europe. New, younger band accompanying him. It seemed that most every old song was prefaced by an inordinately long jam session of Neil and the band. Then after the song, there was an inordinately long coda jam. Sorta boring stuff surrounding a tasty middle.

I've seen Young in concert multiple times starting in 1970.  He's excelled at staying fresh and reinventing himself over and over again.  The last few years he's gotten stale, like anyone that age (one might expect) but has done an enormous job of marketing himself (just go to his website).  Personally, I've had enough Neil Young and maybe he should rest on his laurels.  Stephen Stills said it best about Neil:  he never played team sports growing up.  An individual, needs to be in charge, doesn't play well with others except on bursts (CSN&Y).  Not really a putdown, but true.

When released, Greendale, I wasn't receptive to a Neil Young "rock opera" so I skipped it.

Years later ,was having a tasty beverage in a brewpub when a NY album came on I'd never heard before, and it was good!

Yep, Greendale.

I suggest all NY fans give it a chance; strident, but timely lyrics and some great playing.

I’ve seen him three times.  Twice acoustically at the Beacon, NYC and once with Crazy Horse.  He’s a master expressionist.  To me his soul comes through in everything he does.  The one string rock soloist comment stems from his one string solo on Cinnamon Girl - also full of expression.  His guitar playing is so deep in the pocket - checkout CSNY - 4 Way street, he’s the guitarist in the left speaker.  Say what you want about him, but he’s a massive talent with very broad appeal. McCartney even said “Harvest” is one of his favorite records ever.

It’s both amusing and disheartening to witness, again and again, complaints about artists "injecting their politics" into their art. These comments reveal a deep lack of understanding about both art and politics. 

First of all, it is neither the function of art nor the responsibility of artists to reinforce your personal opinions about the world. Quite the contrary. Secondly, you cannot divorce politics from the artist. To suggest so displays a profound ignorance regarding the roots of  individual’s political leanings and the depth of these roots. Those of you who like Neil Young’s music but don’t like his politics must be listening to him on a very superficial level. Whether explicitly spelled out in his lyrics or not, his politics are there, deeply entwined with everything else that makes him unique. 

As @rivington66 asserts:

his soul comes through in everything he does. 

You cannot have the soul and not have what matters to him at a deep level. You cannot expect him to move you yet be inauthentic. You cannot expect him to entertain you but censor his humanity. You cannot expect him to be passionate and discount his conscience. If this is what you want from art, you are looking in the wrong place!