"The Resurrection of Neil Young": TIME Magazine Interview

illustration by Brad Holland

Wait a second.

Why "The Resurrection of Neil Young"? Is TIME Magazine suggesting that Neil went away or something? Or that he's come back to life?

So just now getting around to reading the TIME Magazine Interview with Neil Young in the October 3, 2005 issue.

Lots of insight into the recent "Prairie Wind" CD and some good questions by interviewer Josh Tyrangiel.

Here's one of my favorite quotes from the interview (which did not appear in the printed edition) when Neil is asked who is the best musician he has ever seen?

"YOUNG: Bob Dylan, I'll never be Bob Dylan. He's the master. If I'd like to be anyone, it's him. And he's a great writer, true to his music and done what he feels is the right thing to do for years and years and years. He's great. He's the one I look to. I'm always interested in what he's doing now, or did last, or did a long time ago that I didn't find out about. The guy has written some of the greatest poetry and put it to music in a way that it touched me, and other people have done that, but not so consistently or as intensely. Like me, he waits around and keeps going, and he knows that he doesn't have the muse all the time, but he knows that it'll come back and it'll visit him and he'll have his moment."

Quite timely given that there is a resurrection of Bob Dylan going on now too. Oh wait. Did Dylan go away too?

Regardless, it's always fun to look at the crossing paths of Bob & Neil.

Thanks Lauren!

---

Randomly Blogged - My Morning Jacket's New CD "Z"

My Morning Jacket's New CD "Z" - download links, reviews and photos

---

Pete Townshend and Neil Young

Now here's another interesting musical intersection: Pete Townshend and Neil Young.

This is from Pete Townshend's blog Pete's Diary.

"Neil Young is in London. He is most welcome as a true ambassador of America (despite his Canadian passport). He is such an inspiration to people like me who sometimes feel I have lost my way in rock 'n' roll. He takes huge chances sometimes in his creative projects, the biggest risk probably being when he chooses to go out on tour with Crosby, Stills and Nash, bless their collected genius.

For me, to go out with Roger under the Who brand is not a risk. I find it easy. I find it natural. I don't have to think. I don't have to work at feeling good or even. I know who I am and those who buy tickets know what to expect most of the time. Lately I have begun to really enjoy it, I hope not because it such a slick gig: there are always some difficult times to savour on every tour.

I suppose what happens whenever you put creative people together in 'bands' is that you get strength at one level, weakness on another.

Neil manages the two strands of his career in a way I admire and try hard to emulate.

I don't want to be like Sting (though I do think he's a master craftsman in his work) and leave the band entirely behind as he did with Police. It was a clean divorce and he's never gone back. Neither do I want to be like AC/DC, God bless them forever and a day, who just keep working the same seam of gold and don't seem to stop for breath."

Pete's blog entry continues with some other thoughts on Pete and Neil's lives. Townshend seems to indicate that Neil has gone to Europe, but for what purpose is not known.

Maybe this is Pete's way of saying "Thanks Neil for getting me out of jam". You may recall that last summer, Neil and Pete had an interesting intersection by way of Michael Moore. More on the The Who's Pete Townshend's collaborations with Neil Young.

As if the world needed anymore examples of Neil Young's artistic integrity and influence.

---

---

Photo Of The Moment - Shakey in the Driver's Seat

Well, it's that time of the month when we try and do a little housekeeping.

So here's Thrasher's Wheat Neil Young Photo Of The Moment. OK, so it's a publicity shot that we've seen a few times already and undoubtably will see a lot more of. But here's a larger high- resolution un-cropped publicity photo from Reprise.

On the other hand, the shot is iconic. Neil in the driver's seat seems appro and symbolic of his secure place in rock & rolll history.

And speaking of moments, the Neil Page of the Moment is Karen Barry Schwarz's story "A Prairie Wind Blows Through Nashville" from the Ryman concerts in August.

Lastly, check out the Link of the Moment for some good Neil surfin'.

---