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Thursday, December 18, 2008

I Sing The Song Because I Love The Man, I Know That Some of You Don't Understand

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Neil Young and His Electric Band
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York - Dec. 15, 2008

Photo by penfifteenclub on Flickr


Just as this photo was taken, we turned around to look back at the crowd in the packed Madison Square Garden. As Neil and his band took their encore bows and soaked in the cheers of 20,000 roaring fans, those of us embedded in the Rust Rail Gang Zone knew that we had all just experienced something even more special than one of your best ever rock & roll concerts.

We had just seen Neil absolutely kill on "Rockin' in the Free World" with lyrics changes of "New York City, Yes We Can. New York City, Yes We Can. New York City, Yes We Can."

And there he was. Barely out of breath. Nary a sweat stain on a face that seemed to have reversed aged from 63 to 43 over the past several hours. Grinning and beaming as if to say, "Yeah, New York. We fuckin' rocked and it was good."

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Rockin' in the Free World
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008

Photo by Lauri Stolworthy - Gallery hosted by Joyce - LAOL


Our excellent Neil adventure from Philadelphia to Boston/Worcester to New York City will be one that we'll always treasure. Sure, there were amazing concerts with a bunch of new songs. But we also met up with so many old friends and made so many new ones. And that's what it's all about when you go on tour with Neil. Hooking up with the Neil community and sharing the love. So here's a few folks we encountered on the road:

- Dee & Tim - thanks for the Philly fest and all the cool buttons
- Frankie Z. - an honor to be with you for your 110th Neil concert
- Bill Tired Eyes - Fun times on the road. Be the Handle!
- Keys Left Hangin - Finally, we're able to do a proper pre-show
- HarryO - Too funny on the CUT$'s t-shirts. Thanks for the Wilco DVD
- Brand New Guy & Paul D. - Making volume drinkers proud around the world. Hope you had a safe trip back to London. And thanks for the Grizzly Circus DVD, Paul!
- Union Man - Great to see you, bro. We'll send Wes some healing vibes.
- Rusted Sister Joanne - Free Jed Green. Peace.
- Leo E. - thanks for the miracle. Also, an honor to be with you for your 112th (?) Neil concert. Ps - Frankie Z.'s catching up.
- Mark Powderfinger & Trish Vampire Babe - You guys always make us feel welcome in Philly
- Todd & Steve - you guys ARE the Delaware Destroyers!
- Greg McG. - Great to meet you. Exc Philly review
- Nan - thanks for setting up the Worcester fest and the cool holiday card.
- Joachim from Germany - Need to get over your way and have some real beer rather than this American swill.
- Cheryl & Randy - it's like you guys are at every concert we go to?!
- Keith "Spin the Black Circle" - all the best on Grizzly Circus! You guys are awesome.
- Joe of Grizzly Circus - thanks for the late night blues-jazz seminar
- Sean - so glad I could turn you onto a ticket for your 1st neil show. Hope it was as fun for you as it was for me.
- Marilyn - terrific that you were able to work your way to the rail and have your closest Neil concert
- Ed "Wheel In The Ditch..." - Driving 95-S we had NYC#1 cranked and it was pristine.
- Sarah in DC - I must say that your uncle Lou C. is pretty cool to have such a cool neice.
- Ray Northern Man - Thanks for the NYC fest. Hope all worked out for the best.
- Stan the Southern Man - I can't believe it's been like 10 years?!
- Sarah in Philly - Great post-show fest at that Philly bar
- Robin BikerAlane - funny to hear your not-so-funny FarmAid story about the crasher
- Steve Babs - great stories in Worcester. Lookin fwd to the shots.
- Jeanie - hope you got your power back
- Jill Sweet Sweet Smile - I truly hope your camera is recovered. Love is a rose.
- Wanda - I never asked about being a left handed cook?
- Cristina Little Wing & Julie in CA - You guys deserve a medal for dealing with the Vol Drinkers
- Julio "Syscrusher" - great to see you but too brief
- Sharry "Keepin' Jive Alive in TO" - virtual thanks for cribbing the "excellent Neil adventure" concept
- and everyone else that we met and didn't mention or didn't get a chance to connect with!

And big thanks especially, a super special shout-out to Kathy, Summer of Love & Karen, loveandaffection for letting Thrasher crash on your couches. Your hospitality and generosity can't be forgotten. Love you guys!

So, the road trip. So many highlights don't know where to begin.

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Philadelphia Spectrum - Pre-Demolition

spectrum-neilyoungticket.jpg


In Philly, we had a final show at the Spectrum where the TFA cover was shot. Jill Sweet Sweet Smile had brought dozens of roses and passed them out before hand. Folks were tossing them onstage. On occasion, Neil would pick one up, sniff it, and toss it back into the audience. We had a long stem rose ready to go at the end of the show and tried to get Larry to take a shot to re-create the cover. But he said he had already taken some pix during ADITL and seemed in a hurry to do the breakdown.

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Boston - 12/13/08
Photo by Tim Bugbee


In Boston/Worcester, we hit the JACKPOT: a trifecta -- a hat trick -- a triple play -- 3 first time song performances!:
- Cough Up The Bucks - Wall St bailout
- Fuel of the People - alternative energy
- Behind The Wheel - LincVolt love song

In NYC, we had the longest show, the most songs, more debuts and a double encore. Neil was just totally on FIRE. Burning down the house fire. It was our first MSG show, so it was just too cool to be down in the pit, near the rail and feel Neil just wail in our face. The New York lyric shout outs during HHMM & RITFW were great and NYC loved it.

wilco-nyc-12-16-08.jpg
Wilco - New York City - Dec. 16, 2008
Photo by Lauri Stolworthy - Gallery hosted by Joyce - LAOL


First off, the openers were great. Everest was cool if for no other reason that they just seemed really stoked to open for Wilco, who opened for Neil. And Wilco was great too. Spiders/Kidsmoke was a blast and Nels Cline on guitar and effects just shredded.

magnatone-amp.jpg
Giant MagnaTone Amp dwarfs Larry Cragg, Guitar Tech
Photo by Paul D.


Otherwise, we'll just rundown a bunch of random thoughts. One thing that struck us right away that we had never seen before was the giant MagnaTone amp towering over the band. Apparently, it made its debut for the Philly concert as far as we can tell since no one had mentioned it previously. This cabinet was a monster and when Neil was crankin' Ol Black, we could literally see the case shake and practically feel the wind from the speakers pumping. And talk about the tone and volume in the pit! Sometimes, this is where the worst sound is but that MagnaTone amp gave us near Weld like volumes at the rail. Nothing like that feeling in your chest.

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Heart of Gold
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008

Photo by Lauri Stolworthy - Gallery hosted by Joyce - LAOL


What else? The first 7 songs of the set are just a pile driver of greatest hits:
1. Love And Only Love
2. Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)
3. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
4. Powderfinger
5. Spirit Road
6. Cortez The Killer
7. Cinnamon Girl

Such a strong start and really gets the crowd going. A couple of observations. After Philly & Boston we really felt Neil was firing on all cylinders. But then came NYC#1 when he started tearing into HHMM he just went ballistic. Lunging across the stage, dipping and weaving and ripping off the lyrics as if to dare anyone to challenge the line "Rock & Roll will never die. New York City will never die. New York City will never die." Just an unbelievable highlight and it's only song #2?!


Hey Hey My My MSG 16DEC08

Thanks underthedesertmoonmonica!

Then there were the Cinnamon Girl's. We know that Neil is rarely -- if ever -- a rock star poser that works the crowd like a showman a la Bruce or Bono. But on CG when he gets to the solo jam after "Your baby loves to dance, yeah, yeah, yeah" he starts heading out to the right corner of the stage. The lights come up on the crowd who are usually just sitting. And he stands there working on Ol Black, looks around and rocks it. And that's what it takes to get some folks off their ass and finally begin to rock out. After getting that side of the house up, neil goes over to the left side and proceeds to do the same thing. He checks it out. Once he seems satisfied that the entire audience is now finally on their feet he works his way back to center stage to finish off CG. We hadn't quite seen anything like that before. (See this comment for the full power of the CG experience.)


Cinnamon Girl - MSG on December 16th.
Thanks www.feelinyoung.ca !

Another observation from up close @ NYC#1 was the conclusion of Spirit Road. After the song finished and Larry was changing guitars, Neil walked about aimlessly for a few seconds still singing the chorus of Spirit Road to himself. He was just so into the zone and doesn't even seem to leave it even between songs.

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Old Man
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008

Photo by Lauri Stolworthy - Gallery hosted by Joyce - LAOL


Now those new songs everybody's talking about. We had 4 first live performance debuts of:
- Cough Up The Bucks$ - Wall St bailout
- Hit The Road - alternative energy
- Behind The Wheel - LincVolt love song
- Off The Road - another LincVolt car song

Then -- for us -- we were getting our first live performances of the new Fuel Line & Light A Candle. Also, we were getting our first live performances of the "old" new songs: Just Singing A Song, When Worlds Collide, & Sea Change.

So between the 3 shows we've had 10 songs that we've never heard live before. It just doesn't get any better to be a Neil fan.

Now, with that being said, it seems that a lot of folks think the new songs are lame, mediocre, or subpar.

At this point, we're just not going to get into a debate on the merits of these 10 or 11 new songs that were worked into various combinations the setlists in Philly, Boston & NYC.

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A Day in the Life
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008

Photo by Lauri Stolworthy - Gallery hosted by Joyce - LAOL


For the doubters of the new songs, we'll just say that sometimes it takes time for them to age, breathe and to come into their own. The point being, that pushing ahead into new frontiers is sometimes more inspiring then plowing the same old ground. Breaking through the wall. We like to call it taking a risk. Without risk there is no growth. I for one, would be disappointed in Neil for not trying out something new and just giving us the hits.

That being said, Neil had some heavy duty messages. We'll challenge anyone - your Dylans, Springsteens, your flavor of the month band to go out and tell it like it is. Even if it's maybe not the most elegant lyrics Neil has ever written.

cough-up-bucks-crew.jpg
Cough Up The Buck$ Crew
HarryO, Volume Drinkers: Brand New Guy, Paul D.
Madison Square Garden, NYC, NY - 12/15/2008


So let's take "Cough Up The Bucks$" for example. Who wouldn't plunk down a few $'s to hear Neil sing @ MSG in NYC -- blocks from Wall St. -- a song about corporate welfare and reckless greed? It's like going into the lion's den with red meat. So we'll cough up the bucks to maybe hear "Cough up the Bucks" again! Afterall, it's only fuckin' money.

But we think that Aaron, "That Old Country Insufferable Knowitall"'s analysis An Alternate Theory of Change (lengthy, but perhaps offensive enough to read) pretty much nails the validity of new Neil songs. Good stuff Aaron!

Regarding fashion, much has been made of the incorrectly identified Zappa t-shirt. It appears to actually be an image of Emiliano Zapata, the Mexican revolutionary of the peasants. Hmmm.

A couple things we noticed on the lighting. During "Powderfinger", when the line "Red means run" comes up, the stage lights go to red on cue. During "Heart of Gold" the lights go to yellow. During "Mother Earth" the lights go greenish. And for "A Day in the Life" -- white hot.

Some seem to find "Mother Earth" rather ponderous but even New Yorkers cheered the lines:

How long can you give and not receive
And feed this world ruled by greed


It's significance was not lost on many that night.

As for the "old" new songs: Just Singing A Song, When Worlds Collide, & Sea Change we thought when these were rolled out in Europe last summer the latter 2 were clearly referring to the Obama campaign. Just Singing A Song clearly refers to the LincVolt project. We've always been partial to music with a message but hey -- that's just us.

Moving towards the end of the show, Cortez was simply sublime in it's majestic glory. Stunning. Cowgirl in the Sand had a newish interpretation that was even more gorgeous than many previous variations. These each both clocked in at 10 minutes plus.

nyc-12-16-neil-young-aditl-jonathan-bayer.jpg
A Day in the Life
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008

Photo by Jonathan Bayer | Spin Magazine


nyc-12-16-neil-young-aditl-2.jpg
A Day in the Life
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008

Photo by Lauri Stolworthy - Gallery hosted by Joyce - LAOL


And then the Beatles cover of A Day in The Life - truly a mindblowing, transcendental & life altering experience. It literally leaves you slack jawed. I always loved this observation of Neil in concert sounding like "a jet plane in a thunderstorm". That barely begins to describe ADITL. The only flaw was that Neil flubbed the lyrics and for once looked so disappointed in himself as if to say "I can't believe that I blew it". A small error that many might have missed anyway.

nyc-12-16-ben-keith-rick-rosas-feelin-young.jpg
Ben Keith and Rick Rosas
Photo by Joey "Feelin' Young"


So what can we say about Neil's band? We saw Rick "The Bass Player" Rosas actually solo on RITFW! Thump, Thump Thump, Thump Thump, Thump. And drummer Chad Cromwell has to be the driver of the band. The man pounds away on the kit and takes it all to a new level that was so much fun to watch.

I guess the other thing we can about Neil's Electric Band is that it seems to allow him to play virtually anything in his catalog. This range of intruments and styles could very well serve Neil for years to come.

msg-band.jpg
Wristband from Madison Square Garden:
"The World's Most Famous Arena"


Regarding the whole ticket price issue which we're pretty sick of. 3 bands for 4.5 hours for $75. Basically, you can be front row if you make the effort. Wilco opening for Neil f'n Young. Anyone who complains about that value is out of their mind or cheap or stupid or all of the above.

However, you had to work pretty hard for the prime GA floor spots which turned into an endurance contest. With doors opening @ 6, cuing up beforehand, and then basically staking out your turf until 11:30+ was a 5+ hours on your feet commitment and not for the faint of heart. But this arrangement definitely solves the sit vs. stand dilemma once and for all. Thank you Elliot!

Lastly, there have been so many from the Neil fan communities of Rust, HH, RH, etc that we met up with. Thanks for everyone's encouraging support. It's appreciated.

Probably our biggest compliment came when someone accused us -- in a joking manner -- of being a dreaded "community organizer". And we've got one hell of an organized community that we're quite proud to be part of.

In conclusion, we don't think that anyone could possibly come away from this tour -- especially the home stretch -- without fully acknowledging that to experience a Neil Young concert up close is to witness a force of nature at work.

See you down the road.

nyc-12-16-neil-young-bow.jpg
Neil & Band with Wilco & Everest
New York City - Dec. 16, 2008

Photo by Lauri Stolworthy - Gallery hosted by Joyce - LAOL


Thanks for the memories Neil, Pegi & The Band. And, most of all, thank you Thrashette for letting me be me with all of our Neil buddies!


Also, see:
- New York City Concert Reviews: 12/15 & 16/08
- Boston-Worcester Concert Reviews: 12/13/08
- Philadelphia Concert Reviews: 12/12/08


Archives Update from Archives Guy comments moved here.


29 Comments:

At 12/18/2008 09:50:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was lucky to experience the Philly show with THRASHER! Cortez and Day in the Life were the highlights for me. The folks we have met on the Neil Road (should I say Ditch
?) have been so great and that Friday night was no exception. Thanks to the several who took care of Thrasher after I headed back south. You got him to the shows on time.... and he made it home in one piece. Now we take a break until Neil tours again in January (Thank you Neil for the Christmas Break!).

 
At 12/18/2008 10:27:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thrasher,
Much credit goes to you for hosting such an excellent site! It adds a whole nother dimension to the tour and expands the whole tour experience to weeks instead of one night or a few days! Great summation of the shows.

 
At 12/18/2008 11:17:00 PM, Blogger Greg McGarvey said...

Nice meeting you, too! Did you, or anyone else, get any photos in Philly? Was the picture we took together with the rose on Jill's camera?

 
At 12/18/2008 11:28:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great stuff, Thrasher! I check in on your site daily when Neiler's on tour, and still fairly regularly even when he's not....you do a bang-up job here. You obviously care a great deal, and it is obvious. You must sift through tons of reviews to post (or 'host') the winners....even mine (I posted it on Chromewaves) made it up after Neil's first Massey show last year. (I was so proud that it was worthy of Thrasherswheat!) I missed the Toronto shows this tour as I am in Australia....but Neil must have known, and he's on his way here...I can't wait! My excitement has been building with each tour stop as I come by to read the wide spread of opinions....I love it. (and sometimes feel sorry for people who come to a show expecting their own personal setlist from Neil...get real!)

Christmas has hardly registered on my radar, because I've got Neil coming!!

Hopefully we'll share a show in the future....perhaps next tour when I'm back in North America....

Roger and out good buddy.

-James

 
At 12/19/2008 12:05:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Thrasher for the upkept blog! I followed it all the way to Buffalo last year and MSG 12/15 this one, and I'll continue to. Even thought I've only seen Neil 3 time in 20yrs(Bluenotes!) with the last two times within this past year(CD II and 12/15), I've been listening and loving for many more. Keep it up.
I thought that was Jim Croce. GA at the Garden for Neil Young.....cannot be beat with a stick.

doug in Rochester

 
At 12/19/2008 08:23:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thrasher!

Great summary of a helluva road trip and Neil experience. I'm very happy for you! Neil Young, in addition to making incredibly great music, has brought together an incredible community of friends. Thanks, Thrasher, for taking the time to post about your experiences and thanks for hosting Thrasher's Wheat. (Also, special thanks to Thrashette for being so supportive.)

Mike
Expecting To Fly

 
At 12/19/2008 09:16:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great Summary Thrasher! As someone who saw Montreal, Ottawa and Worcester from the floor, your spot on. I think even though I wasn't crazy about some of the new songs, I thought by having more of them added to the show rather than detracted. Plus the best Opening G Chord on Powderfinger was in Worcester.

 
At 12/19/2008 10:11:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for your review. I saw Neil in Detroit. I wish I could have seen the MSG show.

This is off topic, but does anyone know where I could get a copy of the photo of Neil playing guitar under the spotlight that's on the banner to the right? I have searched and searched for this on the internet and I am not coming up with anything.

Thanks! Tina

 
At 12/19/2008 10:58:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

keep up the good work mr. thrasher dude.

-archives guy

 
At 12/19/2008 11:24:00 AM, Blogger designschicago said...

T--

Sounds like a hell of a trip! As one who sat (mostly) in seats (my friend let me know ahead of time there was no way she would stand for 3 hours+), I really feel I missed out on something special.

I can only hope that Neil did NOT play any harder for the celebrities in the NYC crowd than for us ordinary peeps in other cities.

I think the merit of the new songs will be proven (good, bad or indifferent), in our mutual little rooms (cars), without the magical aura and physicality of Neil in our heads.

-Chicago

 
At 12/19/2008 01:33:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Thrasher

Great report - haven't really felt the urge to be there up to now but back here in England I really felt emotional reading it and wishing now I had been there.

After seeing Hey Hey My My 5 times this year I wouldn't be too bothered about seeing it again for a while but when you describe Neil playing this in NYC I had a lump in the throat.

Ryan Adams & Oasis played the day after so it would have been a great time to go to NYC.

Hope you guys in Australia enjoy the shows next year - I have a feeling he'll be back in Europe in the Summer - the word on the street is he's playing Glastonbury (legendary UK festival)but for the 3 days and travelling involved (and wellies) I feel a mainland european road trip (well maybe 2 or 3 shows!)will be better.

One more thing.

From some of the recent comments regarding price and venues etc I would add the following from what I see.

The Chrome Dreams 2 shows last year were for the hardcore fans with tickets hard to come by and I don't recall one mention of the price once people had seen the shows - about 10 metres from Neil at the second Manchester show and getting 4 encores including The Sultan - you can't put a price on that!

This bigger tour is to get Neil's name out there again in time for the archives (and no doubt to fund the damn thing)and for everyone else to get a chance to see him - it seems like there has been a younger audience getting into Neil which is great. And the price for GA seems reasonable.

As usual, great work Thrasher - gotta keep checking the site 2 or 3 times a day - I don't wanna mis thise euro tour dates! A donation will be on the way soon for all your hard work!

Des

 
At 12/19/2008 03:41:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thrasher...thanks for the report...I love this site....on here all the time. Its good to know there are so many (as cranky as some may be) Neil fanatics and because of your site (and a few others) we are never alone! Great job!
December of this year and last year have been awesome...I saw Neil in Wallingford CT...Great show! I was able to get close to the stage for the first time to hear Cinnamon Girl and Cortez encore! What a thrill to FINALLY get close at my 14th Neil show! And now MSG 12/15/08 I will never forget! I was on the rail...front row!! for the entire show (Neil show 15)...AND WHAT A SHOW!!! I've seen A LOT of bands and NONE come ANYWHERE NEAR NEIL YOUNG...he is truly a wonder and a treasure! I've been going to Neil shows since I was 16.. (Never would I have dreamed I'd ever see Neil Young LIVE even once...when I first got into him I was into the Beatles, the Doors, Hendrix...all dead... and now its been 15th shows! and I just turned 29) Its a great thing to be alive at the same time as your favorite musician and people should remember to never take Neil for granted! Neil Young and his shows is not a classic rock revival show! And he never will be! He is living, breathing and always moving! What a ride it’s been trying to keep up and I pray it will last for many more years! Thank You NEIL! And thank you thrasher and everyone else! Happy Holidays!

 
At 12/19/2008 04:18:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh Yeah, I still think the Blu-Ray version is the best option!!!!!!!! But anyway, it's good news for all the folks that want it in their car and on their iPod.
B.S.M.

 
At 12/19/2008 04:26:00 PM, Blogger Five Hairs High said...

Thrasher and Thrashette,
It is always lovely hearing from you. Your descriptions of the shows allowed me to go back to the Everett show and really enjoy those memories. Thank you for hosting such a great site. The different people who make up this community are diverse and sometimes very enlightening (always entertaining). Wish you both safe and happy Holidays.

 
At 12/19/2008 04:47:00 PM, Blogger Archives Guy said...

in reply to B.S.M. and as a general note-

Vinyl is under consideration at this time.

Folks, I don't want to take away the focus on Thrasher's great concert post here with my off topic message. Please let's continue discussing the shows and not turn this into an Archives thread.

We are not starting a Q&A session today...just getting some info out there to ya. Please don't fill the page with a pile of archives questions that will only go unanswered at this time.

With that out of the way, from what I'm reading it seems that this past Monday's gig at MSG is being considered one of the tour's best shows, eh?

-Archives Guy

 
At 12/20/2008 01:27:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neil used to use the following combination: A Fender Deluxe, a Magnatone Stereo Vibrato with 2 12s and a huge transistor Baldwin Exterminator. This huge Magnatone seems a new addition, maybe replacing the Baldwin. I'm sure he still uses the deluxe with the whizzer.

 
At 12/20/2008 03:22:00 AM, Blogger Shadow said...

Archives Guy thanks for info . Thrasher great report on your great site . You do a great job. I check the site daily . Sitiing here reading your report and listening to Rust Radio . Thanks again Thrasher . From an old hippie .

The searcher

 
At 12/20/2008 04:09:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent reviews! Thrasher's Wheat
has developed into the premier Neil Young website. An excellent resource. Thanks, Hitchhiker

 
At 12/20/2008 04:15:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"we had all just experienced something even more special than your best ever concert."

heh... yeah... I think not but okay.

 
At 12/20/2008 05:21:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Tim said...

Great summary of your Neil 'trip' Thrasher...enjoyed hearing your take on the shows and the people you saw and talked with. What a thrilling ride Neil took us on with the GA option...after sitting in seats for 7 CDII shows last year, it was just an awesomely different experience standing on the floor with so many truly great Neil fans...that made the Philly show the best for me.

Keep up the good work with the Wheat and see ya somewhere down the road.

Tim
Makes you think about livin'

 
At 12/21/2008 05:40:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was at the Chicago show. The giant MEGATONE amp was present at the Chicago show.

 
At 12/21/2008 07:28:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I do believe as in the "RNS" Tour the Giant Magnatone would be a similar Prop as Neil hides his Monitor PA in them. Giant Mic, Giant Harmonica, Giant Fender Deluxe and Bassman....you get the picture.
With the closest Model I can figure being the Magnatone "Firestar Reverb" Model 150R as the Amp Controls are on the Front of the Amp, where a Model like the Magnatone Custom 260
(the one Neil uses) has Controls on the Top Backside. Just saying.
LIVE RUST

 
At 12/22/2008 10:22:00 AM, Blogger thrasher said...

Archives Update from Archives Guy comments moved here.

 
At 12/22/2008 05:25:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It doesn't matter where I post this comment but "The David Letterman Show" had Adam Sandler on last week and he and a very good band did "Like a Hurricane" REALLY GOOD! Sandlers lead guitarist had a look alike Ol' Black that sounded great. I know Brad Pitt is into Neil and for sure Sandler is too. Sandler actually does a great vocal and a "shakey" lead lick. Very Neil like! Check it out on Lettermans' home page.

 
At 12/23/2008 02:40:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

that big magnotone amp was there when i saw neil in halifax, a few weeks before the philly show, so it's been there for a while

i was right at the gate,a bit to neil's right during that show and got some great pictures, some including the oversized magontone amp

-Marc C

 
At 12/24/2008 06:08:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thrasher, Thanks for the terrific post and photos about your road trip! Incredible! Your words capture the fun and thrill we all feel when in the presence of Neil and his great musical energy. Being with a outstanding community of like-minded Neil fans adds so much to the experience. I very much appreciate your efforts and your expertise. Thank you, thank you!

Thrashette, You are something special!

All the best,
Pat

 
At 12/26/2008 01:14:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The big-ass Magnatone amp was there at the Vancouver show in October, so it has probably been around for the whole tour.

 
At 12/28/2008 03:13:00 PM, Blogger Sandy said...

Great report and photo choices, Thrasher. Glad you had a good time!
Sandy (Lake of Bays)

 
At 12/28/2008 06:10:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Excellent blog-saw Neil in Detroit and was blown awayexpit

 

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The Hypocrisy of the Mainstream Media

It's Been Called The
"Missing Link" in the Ditch Trilogy

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Sign the Release "Time Fades Away" Petition
Join The 10,000+ Who Have Already Signed


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Neil Young Appreciation Society


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Sugar Mountain

Neil Young Setlists
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Rust Radio


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Bands Covering Neil Young songs


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LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER


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Official Neil Young News Site

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The Bridge School


The Bridge School Concerts
25th Anniversary Edition

**100% of Proceeds to Benefit Bridge School***

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The Essential Neil Young

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Fans Favorite Neil Albums

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Top 50 MP3
Neil Young Song Downloads


Top 10 Best Selling Neil Albums Today
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Support Thrasher's Wheat
via Purchases from:
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Neil Young Songbook Project

In the fields of wheat

"Children of Destiny" will NOT be harvested
However, the chaff will be burned by unquenchable fire

Neil Young + Promise of the Real

Europe 2016 Tour Dates



2015 Rebel Content Tour


Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Alchemy Concert Tour Reviews

Fall 2012 N. America Tour
Spring 2013 Australia/New Zealand Tour
Summer 2013 Europe Tour

Europe Summer 2014 Concert Tour
Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Thrasher's Wheat Radio Supporters Go To Europe

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Neil Young Films

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2010 MusiCares Honors Neil Young

Features Elvis Costello, Crosby Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, Dave Matthews, James Taylor, Keith Urban, and others.
Proceeds from sales go to MusiCares,
which helps musicians in need of
financial and medical assistance.

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"There's more to the picture
Than meets the eye"

#BigShift

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Neil Young FAQ:
Everything Left to Know About the Iconic and Mercurial Rocker
"an indispensable reference"

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Paul McCartney and Neil Young

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"You can make a difference
If you really a try"

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John Lennon and Neil Young


"hailed by fans as a wonderful read"

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
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The Supergroup of the 20th Century



Director Jonathan Demme's Exquisite film "Heart of Gold"

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Eddie Vedder and Neil Young

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Revisiting The Significance of
The Buffalo Springfield


"The revolution will not be televised"
... it will be blogged, streamed,
tweeted, shared and liked
The Embarrassment of Mainstream Media

Turn Off Your TV & Have A Life


"Everything Is Bullshit" +
"Turn Off The News"
Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)


Neil Young 2016 Year in Review:
The Year of The Wheat

Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain and Neil Young

Neil Young's Feedback:
An Acquired Taste?

Young Neil: The Sugar Mountain Years
by Rustie Sharry "Keepin' Jive Alive in T.O." Wilson

"the definitive source of Neil Young's formative childhood years in Canada"

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Joni Mitchell & Neil Young

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Bob and Neil

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So Who Really Was "The Godfather of Grunge"?


Four Dead in Ohio
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So What Really Happened at Kent State?


The Four Dead in Ohio



May The FOUR Be With You #MayThe4thBeWithYou

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dissent is not treason
Dissent is the highest form of patriotism

Rockin' In The Free World



Sing Truth to Power!
When Neil Young Speaks Truth To Power,
The World Listens

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Emmylou Harris and Neil Young

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Wilco and Neil Young

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Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young

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Elton John and Neil Young

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Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young

+

The Meaning of "Sweet Home Alabama" Lyrics


Neil Young Nation -
"The definitive Neil Young fan book"

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"Powderfinger"
What does the song mean?

Random Neil Young Link of the Moment
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Bonnie Raitt and Neil Young

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I'm Proud to Be A Union Man

UNITED WE STAND/DIVIDED WE FALL


When Neil Young is Playing,
You Shut the Fuck Up


Class War:
They Started It and We'll Finish It...
peacefully

A battle raged on the open page...
No Fear, No Surrender. Courage
WE WON'T BACK DOWN. NEVER STAND DOWN.

"What if Al Qaeda blew up the levees?"
Full Disclousre Now


"I've Got The Revolution Blues"

Willie Nelson & Neil Young
Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize



John Mellencamp:
Why Willie Deserves a Nobel

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BOYCOTT HATE

Love and Only Love

"Thinking about what a friend had said,
I was hoping it was a lie"


We're All On
A Journey Through the Past

Neil Young's Moon Songs
Tell Us The F'n TRUTH
(we can handle it... try us)

Freedom:
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Does Anything Else Really Matter?

"Nobody's free until everybody's free."
~~ Fannie Lou Hamer

Here Comes "The Big Shift"
#BigShift

Maybe everything you think you know is wrong? NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
"It's all illusion anyway."

Propaganda = Mind Control
NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
Guess what?
"Symbols Rule the World, not Words or Laws."
... and symbolism will be their downfall...

Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge
Be The Rain, Be The Change

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the truth will set you free
This Machine Kills Fascists


"Children of Destiny" - THE Part of THE Solution

(Frame from Official Music Video)

war is not the answer
yet we are
Still Living With War

"greed is NOT good"
Hey Big Brother!
Stop Spying On Us!
Civic Duty Is Not Terrorism

The Achilles Heel
#NullifyNSA
Orwell (and Grandpa) Was Right
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.”
~~ Bob Marley

The Essence of "The Doubters"



Yes, There's Definitely A Hole in The Sky


Even Though The Music Died 50+ Years Ago
,
Open Up the "Tired Eyes" & Wake up!
"consciousness is near"
What's So Funny About
Peace, Love, & Understanding & Music?

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Show Me A Sign

"Who is John Galt?"
To ask the question is to know the answer

"Whosoever shall give up his liberty for a temporary security
deserves neither liberty nor safety."

~~ Benjamin Franklin

Words

(Between the lines of age)


And in the end, the love you take
Is equal to the love you make

~~ John & Paul

the zen of neil
the power of rust
the karma of the wheat

~Om-Shanti.

Namaste