Young (and Dylan)
Went to see Neil Young at Hammersmith last week. He was as magnificent as all the reviews said he was. A one hour acoustic set, followed by 90 minutes plugged in with the band. It was mesmerizing.
What struck me was that the quality of the performance was just as good as it was 30 years ago. His singing and playing haven't declined at all. The only thing which gave Young's age away was his rather slow movements around stage during the acoustic set, although come the electric set he seemed as energized as ever.
I couldn't help but compare the evening with the last time I saw Young's near-contemporary Bob Dylan, about 4 years ago, where he spent two hours playing inaudible piano while murdering his best-loved songs. I haven't been to see Dylan since, and have no desire to do so, but I hope I see Young again soon.
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Neil Young at the Hammersmith Apollo
There is a huge chunk of Neil Young's recent Hammersmith show on this You Tube home page. Wish I'd been there.
I really don't get Neil Young
I have never been able to get past his 'unique' voice.
I bought 'Decade' and 'Rust Never Sleeps' to give it a whirl but as soon as the singing comes in I just start laughing and want to give him a slap.
Never mind, Chimmers,
Thats what we all feel about Liam.
(A word anorak and his prejudices are never parted. Or forgotten.)
Ha ha ha ha
Is liking Neil Young as ubiquitous as hating Oasis round these parts then?
Well, unlike the Oasis haters, I am willing to be persuaded.
So give me five tracks that I should give a spin - preferably ones on 'Decade' or 'Rust Never Sleeps' so I don't have to invest any more money on the whiney voiced old bugger. I like 'Ohio' if that's any use.
By the way, don't bother suggesting 'Hey Hey My My' - I've got the superior Oasis version to listen to. Arf arf
All sorts of odd bloody coves on here!
There are quite a few Neil non -abiders, it's true. And I have not heard Oasis' take on Hey Hey My My, so will search it out. It isn't, however well quoted as an example of how "in touch" old Neil is, much of a song, as is neither Rockin in the Free World, even tho' I like it. I'm a bit of a traditionalist so probably entry level recommendations: Cortez the Killer, Like a Hurricane,Broken Arrow (Buffalo Springfield), Southern Man and Mansion on the Hill. I tend to err towards his electric clumsiness over his accoustic whimsy.
I'll second Cortez and Hurricane...
...and add:
Down By The River, Cinnamon Girl and Winterlong. All on Decade.
Here's Cinnamon Girl (he even puts a bit of Norwegian Wood in at the end):
Rock, and...
roll.
Like all the appreciative girls, um, women....
....in the audience, I'd forgotten what babe magnets the Horse were. Funny, in UK the audience is mainly grizzled survivors, fit only to blog between nostalgic cross-referencing their random i-poddery with similar retrobates.
Do you remember a time when any particularly, um, unflattering picture of any male rock artiste would be bylined by a "Sorry, girls, he's married". Have we sunk low enough to revive such disgraceful sexist ribaldry?