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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
laps
94 posts
 

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".  

fastfreight
985 posts
 

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!

moonwatcher
538 posts
 

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. 

laminarman
6 posts
 

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. 

sns
4,148 posts
 

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.

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