Comments of the Moment: Neil Young's "The COVID Years", Joe Rogan, Spotify and Vaccine Disinformation

For those just tuning in, Neil Young published a letter on his website Monday afternoon demanding that Spotify remove all of his music. 

And shortly thereafter -- all hell broke loose here on this blog and elsewhere. (See here and here)

Needle Denials and the Damage Done

Washington Post Style - Jan 28, 2022

Incidentally, it seems that Neil Young's music is still available on Spotify.

 

Neil Young's music on Spotify, January 28

(thanks Timmo!)

 

So here are a few  Comments of the Moment on Neil Young's "The COVID Years", Joe Rogan, Spotify and Vaccine Disinformation.

From Aer:

I was a fan of Joe from his first LP when he was just a comedian, and a damn good one, and released "I'm Gonna Be Dead Someday". It was hilarious, and I thought he was the best Stand-up going. 

Fear Factor was a dive. Joe Rogan Questions Everything was horrible. He bores me concerning the UFC. I listen to his podcast for various guests after they are over and I can fast forward etc. His acceptance of Alex Jones makes me vomit. He also supports the use of LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and DMT toward the exploration and enhancement of consciousness, as well as introspection. He was the presenter in the 2010 documentary, DMT: The Spirit Molecule. His song,"Voodoo Punanny", is a hit in my book. His tentatively titled book - Irresponsible Advice from a Man with No Credibility - really is accurate in a lot of ways, and he knows it. He is generally irresponsible in researching his info, though, and has apologized for it.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2020/09/18/joe-rogan-uncharacteristically-apologies-for-spreading-misinformation/

Joe has more responsibility now that so many crazies listen to him. 

It would do him well to accept that responsibility.  To assume that those that criticize Joe have never heard his podcast is just intellectually irresponsible and academically nonsense. 

"I've only ever seen Joe Rogan criticized by people who've never actually listened to any of his podcasts." How is life in a vacuum? People know what he doing, and when he is spreading misinformation they quote him. I am not anonymous, and stand by my post.

In reply, a comment from  hietalaarto67:

dear Aer,

I did feel like writing now, because I figured this was going to be the only forum or platform out there where it would be Rogan getting crucified for this and not Neil, and for all the wrong reasons.

If you are capable of discussing this in civil manner without going into personal insults about vacuums etc. you can contact me at hietalaarto67@gmail.com , which includes my full name and I stand behind every word I wrote because I only wrote basic, very checkable facts in my earlier post, including the fact that most of Rogan's critics don't listen to the podcast, but repeat the quotes that the media reps have picked out for them to shout out, often falsely, by claiming Rogan's guests' words as Rogan's, or simply by lying, like the claim he suggested everyone take Ivermectin for covid. Even Neil fell for the misinformation about 200 plus doctors signing a petition, that was debunked the next day, while hundreds of physicians and health care experts also stepped in to Rogan's defense on the matter.

I will also add that the Forbes link you posted shows the other reason for Rogan's massive and rapidly increasing popularity, the unthinkable fact that when he is wrong he is upright enough and ready to admit it. This is so refreshing in any media that people love it. He's also been corrected several times during his podcasts by his guests, and has changed his views accordingly. That's what real people do,no?

I will also keep supporting, buying and loving Neil's music, as I have for thirty plus years now. But to be honest, he has certainly never been the person to go to for opinions on social issues, politics, or human relations especially. And neither has Joe Rogan for that matter. But I also still believe in the old saying that "the truth does not mind being questioned. A lie does not like being challenged".

Peace and be well

 

"It's Neil Young's Free World, Not Joe Rogan's" | CNN

Neil Young Ultimatum To Ban Joe Rogan From Spotify FAILS, Joe Rogan Wins | Timcast IRL

A comment from Harm:

A man that stands by his principles, which I can respect.

I will continue to use Spotify since it's my prime source for listening to music at work or on the road (when I'm biking or traveling by train) and for checking out new music that is not Neil Young. If I want to listen to Neil Young's music, I will listen to him on NYA at work or on the road or CD when I'm at home.

Now, do I agree with Neil Young on this matter? No, but that's OK. I feel that just because Spotify allow Rogan to speak his mind on this matter, it doesn't necessarily mean that Spotify agree with or support Rogan's point of view. Banning him from Spotify won't do any good. What would be better is to allow him to do his podcast, the contents of which are not in violation with the American constitution, BUT add a disclaimer that Rogan's views are not those of Spotify on that some of his claims are not supported by the WHO, etc. etc. The same way we shouldn't take down statues of historical figures because they did something bad (while trying to do good), but should rather provide information about what he did wrong as well.

In the Netherlands, the East India Company (in Dutch: VOC) allowed the Netherlands to grow and prosper in what we call the golden age. Now unfortunately, slaves were used on the many trading ships the VOC used. But rather than taking down the statues of the people in charge at the time, we chose to educate people on the matter, that this wealth came at a cost by starting to add this sort of information on the sign next to the statues.

Finally, I don't believe what Rogan says. I'd rather listen to scientists from the WHO, CDD (or in the Netherlands RIVM) and adhere to government policy in the battle against COVID. So I got jabbed twice and got a booster. Unfortunately, it still didn't prevent me from testing positive after both of my children got infected at school, but I do believe it's helped me from getting very sick. I only had a bit of a sore throat, not much more.

We'll see in due time if Neil's off of Spotify for good this time.

Neil Young Fans and Joe Rogan Fans

(Click image to enlarge)

 

More on Neil Young's "The COVID Years", Joe Rogan, Spotify and Vaccine Disinformation.

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RARE VIDEO: Neil Young for the National Academy of Child Development 1982 TV PSA

Neil Young 

National Academy of Child Development 1982 TV PSA

 

A very rare YouTube video of Neil Young in 1982 doing a Public Service Announcement for the National Academy of Child Development of Puget Sound, Washington.

 

Is it any wonder that Neil & Pegi would go on to found the The Bridge School a few years later? Thanks Bob D.! 

Neil Young & Bridge Kids
@ Bridge School Benefit Concert 2011
Photo Gallery by By Jay Blakesberg Photography

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UPDATED - The COVID Years: Neil Young Asks Spotify to Remove Music Over Vaccine Disinformation, Then Retracts Letter

Spotify is removing Neil Young’s catalogue from its service after the artist published —then took down — an open letter with an ultimatum: deal with the vaccine misinformation coming from Joe Rogan’s podcast, or lose his music

The Hollywood Reporter | http://thr.cm/gcBgAyb

 

UPDATED: As figures, no sooner do we publish post below, then Neil Young issues statement.

 

SPOTIFY - IN THE NAME OF TRUTH / THANKS FOR STANDING WITH ME

 Times-Contrarian | NYA

 

 

Neil Young on Times-Contrarian | NYA:

"Before I told my friends at Warner Bros about my desire to leave the SPOTIFY platform, I was reminded by my own legal forces that contractually I did not have the control of my music to do that. I announced I was leaving anyway, because I knew I was. I was prepared to do all I could and more just to make sure that happened.

I want to thank my truly great and supportive record company Warner Brothers - Reprise Records, for standing with me in my decision to pull all my music from Spotify. Thank You!

Spotify represents 60% of the streaming of my music to listeners around the world, almost every record I have ever released is available - my life’s music - a huge loss for my record company to absorb. Yet my friends at WARNER BROTHERS REPRISE stood with me, recognizing the threat the COVID misinformation on SPOTIFY posed to the world - particularly for our young people who think everything they hear on SPOTIFY is true. Unfortunately it is not."

As noted just earlier this week,  the man definitely puts his money where his mouth is.

 

And -- for better or worse -- that, our friends, is respected in today's cynical world. 

ORIGINAL POST: 

 

"They can have Rogan or Young. Not both." - Neil Young

A Message to SPOTIFY | NYA - RETRACTED

 

As you may or not be aware, Neil Young published a letter on his website Monday afternoon demanding that Spotify remove all of his music.  

Neil Young: “I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines — potentially causing death to those who believe the disinformation being spread by them. Please act on this immediately today and keep me informed of the time schedule.

“I want you to let Spotify know immediately TODAY that I want all my music off their platform. They can have [Joe] Rogan or Young. Not both.”

The original NYA post was removed but not before setting off a bit of a firestorm here on TW comments and elsewhere.

Per Rolling Stone's Andy Greene:  "Representatives for Neil Young and Spotify have yet to comment on the matter, and we’ll see if Rogan decides to address it on the next episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, but Young’s complete catalog remains on Spotify for now. That could, of course, change at any moment."

We here at TW have struggled with how best to cover this story given Neil's retraction without explanation.

Very ironically, this lack of clarification from Neil Young has created a vacuum being filled with "Neil disinformation". Primarily, a lot of "Neil who?"  "Does anyone on Spotify even listen to Neil?"

The following podcast will not be everyone's cup of tea.  However, this type of thinking is out there.  Ignore and scroll on, as you please.

 

"It's Neil Young's Free World, Not Joe Rogan's" | CNN

Neil Young Ultimatum To Ban Joe Rogan From Spotify FAILS, Joe Rogan Wins | Timcast IRL

 

 

"It's Neil Young's Free World, Not Joe Rogan's" | CNN

Neil Young Ultimatum To Ban Joe Rogan From Spotify FAILS, Joe Rogan Wins | Timcast IRL

 

From "Neil Young: No 2022 Tour Plans "Until my bus is electric"" by Richie C.:

Well, there's good news and bad news.

The good news is that Neil is being talked about by the masses today more than I have seen probably since he performed "Imagine" at the 9/11 concert.

The bad news is that I have NEVER seen such negativity towards Neil Young as I am today at this moment. I remember in the 80's how disrespected he was, but that was because of his musical choices. Today I am seeing personal attacks on Neil the likes I have never seen. If you all don't believe me, go to YouTube RIGHT NOW and type in Neil Young and see what pops up. It really isn't pretty.

I think Neil made a huge mistake here, and the firestorm could really do some serious damage to his legacy. If I was Neil, I would be calling Joe Rogan TODAY to try to book an appearance on his show, so the two of them could discuss the issue. It might be very entertaining, Rogan is actually a pretty chill guy who likes his bourbon and weed. There is actually a lot of common ground between the two gentlemen, at least the Neil I used to know and love.

Of course, Neil might want to avoid all of that. Rogan is also a very intelligent guy with a very open mind about things, and is always ready for a good argument. If all Neil has are Dr Fauci and Joe Biden talking points to bring to the table, Rogan will steamroll him.

If Neil won't do that, he should make some kind of public statement to try to do some damage control. Because believe me, some serious damage has been done. 

Very unfortunate, indeed.  So much credibility built up over decades at risk. Or not?  Is there a scenario where Neil's latest contrarian move actually builds his credibility?

To be clear here, we definitely support truth and reconciliation.  And we -- of course -- support freedom of speech.  And we respect the artist and their work and how they choose to monetize.  But we are also very strong proponents of #disCERNment.

So how about Freedom of Speech in 2022?  From Crosby, Still, Nash & Young Freedom of Speech Concert Tour in 2006:

• Neil Young News: Politics of CSNY Freedom of Speech Tour

• Neil Young News: Freedom of Speech: CSNY 2006 Concert Tour

• Documentary Film of CSNY Freedom of Speech Tour

• Neil Young News: Reflections on Freedom of Speech Tour

Or how about those Monsanto Years and GMO's?

The Monsanto Years by Neil Young + Promise Of The Real

(see Comment of the Moment: First Listen: Neil Young + Promise Of The Real, 'The Monsanto Years' )
Art by Micah Nelson
(Zoom Cover)

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Neil Young: No 2022 Tour Plans "Until my bus is electric"

Neil Young:  TOUR BUS GOING ELECTRIC | NYA

In yet another example of Neil Young putting his money where his mouth is, he has announced on NYA that he has no 2022 tour plans "Until my bus is electric".

 

In the NYA post, Neil writes that future live performances will be dependent on the availability of environmentally friendly travel options.  

 

From TOUR BUS GOING ELECTRIC | NYA:

"For me, there are no more trips with fossil fuels. The tour is waiting for the clean bus. Not for Covid.

It's about the life and death of the planet as we know it.

But I will do everything to come to you and share some music."

Full statement on TOUR BUS GOING ELECTRIC | NYA.

Aborted 2020 Crazy Horse "Rusted Out Barn" Tour

In March 2020, Neil Young announced that a Crazy Horse Tour "may have to wait" due the global Coronavirus. This was after Neil Young reversed himself the previous week and announced that he would tour with Crazy Horse in 2020 -- after all -- even though he had clearly stated that he had no concert tour plans for 2020.

 

More on Neil Young's tour bus ZUMA: Neil Young's LincVolt & Bus - 2013.

 

 

Neil Young's LincVolt & Bus - 2013

via Under The Hood
(Click photo to enlarge)

 

Also, see: Waterface Meets Neil's Bus

 

Neil Young (musician) & Carl (dog) & ZUMA (bus) & Crew (?)
Nashville, TN - June 2010
Photo by Sandy Horne(See Carl: 1996 - 2010)

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Comment of the Moment: Thoughts on Neil Young’s Duodecennial Albums

Neil Young’s Duodecennial Albums
Discography via Sugar Mountain
(Click photo to enlarge)

Neil Young’s most recent album BARN with Crazy Horse, continues to both delight and confound fans, as indicated by comments here and elsewhere.

 

To address this range of opinion and reaction to BARN by Neil Young & Crazy Horse, here is the TW  Comment of the Moment on ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Barn | Waxing Lyrical by Minke, who said:

As usual, completely off-topic, just some desultory and celebratory musings on a Sunday morning. I had been listening to some recent and not-too-recent records, which set me thinking.

In the comments section of this most enjoyable website I repeatedly read disappointment with Neil Young’s more recent work. Of course everybody is entitled to her or his opinion on this. But it is fun to disagree and bicker over taste, because it sharpens the mind and focusses the appreciation. Now for the little it is worth, according to me the past duodecennial – which I think is the right Anglo term for a 12-year period – has been one of the most adventurous and artistically satisfying periods in Neil Young’s creative career.

Not everything was a success, of course, at least in my eyes and to my ears. I must say that I was not completely taken in by NY’s collaboration with Promise of the Real, which may be a nice band in its own right, but is not a match to NY (with qualifications, as bass player Corey McCormick gives NY a great groove, and Micah Nelson adds madness, but Lukas Nelson, with due respect for his other qualities, has not the solidity of Poncho, the versatility of Nils Lofgren, or the rockin’ swing of Anthony Crawford). Although live the team could be great, the albums don’t make it work for me. But these are exceptions in a record output over the last 12 years that is amazing in its width, its explorative character, and musical greatness.

For some reasons – good ones – I constantly return to Storytone, a record of which I will be a staunch advocate until the end of my days. Especially the solo version is an absolute masterpiece, a true love record for the ages, and I am surprised that it gets so little traction and praise. I may be alone in this, as I read very little approval in these posts, or any mention of it at all. Storytone is excruciatingly intimate at times. Great melodies, tender lyrics. Well-balanced in its architecture and variety. We feel the new spirit and love seeping through. They stick and never fail to move. I guess all songs were recorded solo in one day, in a fascinating parallel to Hitchhiker (– which not coincidentally happens to be one of his greatest archives output of the past years). Similarly great, but less intimate is Peace Trail, which is so much a three-man’s band effort, with the subtle rhythms of bass and drums of Paul Bushnell and Jim Keltner graciously garlanding Neil Young’s intriguingly unsteady beat (which may be one of the secrets of his music making). They make me see prairies and pipelines and First Nations and modern wreckage. A decolonial record if there was ever one made by a white man. Those two are the true highlights of this duodecennial -- but Barn is a great contender.

For what it’s worth, I listen to this latter-day NY as somebody that is admirably able to reinvent himself, who keeps on learning to work with the new qualities that his experiences and his maturing and ageing capabilities give him. His Sprechgesang is great – I wish he would use it more – his lower voice intriguing, his faltering high pitch either chilling or extremely delicate. His gradually diminishing vocal capacities give a great patina and depth to his songs. He needs less and less accompaniment, which is borne out by Storytone solo and Peace Trail. He exploits this sparseness very well on Barn too. For that reason he ushered Nils Lofgren to the piano instead of adding a second guitar. Now even he even adjusted his electric guitar playing to this – which makes “Welcome Back” such a compelling masterpiece. Don’t get me wrong – he also has his old grunge spirit intact, but I don’t think that forms the essence of his recent style.

Having followed NY for 40 plus years now, I have learned to listen with new ears every time he came with a new record. They grow on you. They need time, sometimes even years, to be fully grasped and appreciated. I am always amazed at how this works. It seems as if Neil Young is always ahead of your taste. He is in the lead, and leaves you gasping at first, but later on you learn the steps and you kind of follow.

Now looking back over the past 12 years, it amazes me how outstanding and innovative his output has been in this . Fork in the Road is a great, and greatly underrated record. It’s crisp, fun, unpretentious but not ordinary. LeNoise is unique in Neil Young’s oeuvre and does not fail to grab you at the throat, the loudness and power of a one man’s orchestra, with a series of unfailingly great songs. Then Psychedelic Pill, reanimating Crazy Horse in a way that is completely over the top, but works like a 72-hour train ride across continents. I talked about Storytone and Peace Trail, which are absolutely mind-blowing NY late brilliance galore. And the duodecennial ends with Colorado, which actually is an extraordinarily good record – and Barn. When I listen to Colorado, it is still with the ears of Peace Trail, but played by his coffee grinding pals of CH. It is too early for me to give a full evaluation of Barn. It is still growing. But it seems that Neil Young reinvented Crazy Horse, and Crazy Horse reshaped him. On the first listens, the record seemed less coherent and balanced than Colorado, but it contains more highlights than its predecessor, and intriguingly, some of the songs that did not particularly appeal at first listen, continue to grow on me. I may be a slow adapter.

In all, the past 12 years have been a fantastic ride and his output, so disappointing to some, to me forms a true monument to the creative powers of an artist working in the lingering dusk of the northern Summer. I wonder how a ‘best of’ of post-2009 would sound. In any case, put Storytone solo on a pedestal. Did you pay attention, you lazy bunch of writing rock critics?

Sorry to have bored you. Great Sunday to all and T&T in particular.

 

A most excellent comment Minke, not off-topic whatsoever and never boring. 

Thanks so much for putting these thoughts together on Neil’s duodecennial albums.  Such an intriguing angle of analysis and delightful perspective.

We'll just make the point that this sort of approach to listening to an artist's output over a long period is really quite fascinating.  Yes, we receive incremental bites every year, but stepping back for the long arc of history is truly enlightening and what keeps many rusties and grainers coming back for more.

As you succinctly wrote: "But it is fun to disagree and bicker over taste, because it sharpens the mind and focuses the appreciation."  And that in a nutshell is what we try to do here everyday @ TW.  Please come back again soon and share more "desultory and celebratory musings on a Sunday morning"!

More on ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Barn | Waxing Lyrical.

Crazy Horse, 2021

 photo by dhlovelife

 

More BARN!!! @:

 

 

ALBUM REVIEW: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Barn | Waxing Lyrical + BARN N&D Interview

Comment of the Moment: Thoughts on Neil Young's BARN and Chrome Dreams II 

UNBOXING VIDEO: BARN by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Comment of the Moment: BARN by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Thrasher's Wheat Radio 2.0 Vodcast - Episode #12 | BARN - Neil Young Album

INTERVIEW: Neil Young - ‘Barn’ with Crazy Horse and Being Future-Forward with Care for the Past | Apple Music 

BARN by Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Official Release Today - NOW STREAMING On NYA + NEW VIDEO 

"Neil Young Has a Lot More To Give" | Rolling Stone Interview + BARN Track List 

BARN: A Band - A Brotherhood - A Barn: A Documentary

UPDATED: New BARN Video + Neil's Message + 

1st IMPRESSIONS: "Song Of The Seasons" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse 

Crazy Horse, 2021

photo by dhlovelife

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Neil Young's New Train Layout Underway in "South of California"

Neil Young's Train Layout Under Construction

Photos: Jimmy Moore via Times-Contrarian | Neil Young Archives

 

Neil Young's new model train layout is Under Construction in "South of California", per a recent Times-Contrarian | NYA post.

From  Times-Contrarian | Neil Young Archives:

Now that I have settled with my soul-mate Daryl in the South of California where we see a lot of old friends, we are creating a new layout for all the kids young and old to meet and come together again! This time with lots of new grandchildren to play as well!

There will be a long highway built ‘round the edge to allow grandkids to play with their little diecast cars until they have learned how to carefully begin running the trains. The kid’s eyes are all at track level for the perfect perspective. Ain’t that great!!

...

Both these images show the terrain on only one side of the layout, the west end. The entire layout is divided by a canyon only partially visible in the top picture. In a while, when the layout is solid on both sides of the canyon, construction will advance to the track laying stage. I hope by summer to be surrounded by kids (of all ages) playing with the great old and new electric trains we have collected over the years. We will be bringing you progress reports right here at TRACKSIDE VIEWPOINT in the near future. Stay tuned folks. Watch for Trains!

Full article and photos on Times-Contrarian | Neil Young Archives:

As Neil mentions in his NYA post, he's a big "train nerd".  He worked with Lionel Trains in the 1990’s to create a control and sound system called TrainMaster and RailSounds.

More on  "train nerd" Neil Young and "Clyde Coil - 3 Rail World".

Neil Young w/ Model Trains

Camden, New Jersey, HORDE Tour - August 17, 1997

photo by thrasher

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