Neil Young News: Melbourne, Australia Neil Young Concert Reviews - 01/28/09

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Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Melbourne, Australia Neil Young Concert Reviews - 01/28/09

Neil Young will be performing tonight at Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

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Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates. Also, see Grid Chart on Rust Radio.

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Also, see giant BIG DAY OUT :: Neil F'g Young Thread.

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37 Comments:

At 1/28/2009 06:27:00 AM, robynrai said...: I've Been Waiting For You & Words have been played at Melbourne from early reports......
At 1/28/2009 08:26:00 AM, Anonymous said...: ive been wiaiting for you...words...one of these days...and an awesome crowd reaction...melbourne just rocks soooo much,,im leaving sydney ..what a dump.why do i live in such a sterile dull joint??.melbnourne is awesome...beautiful city,.,beautiful people...and neil obviously was having a blast tonight.i was up the back, on the lawn and everyone was singing and dancing and rockin..what a night,,,neil neil neil
At 1/28/2009 08:45:00 AM, Seth said...: Melbourne delivered and Neil delivered.

The Melbourne crowd lucked out with a sweltering night which generated a smouldering vibe which, in turn, I think Neil picked up on. After the bouncers gave up trying to re-seat people, there were heaps of us groovin' in the aisles and a whole swag more down the front. It took some people a while to get used to the idea that this was NOT A SIT DOWN SHOW! (People in K20 area: this note's for you! Or were you from Sydney?) Neil had the "Neil grin" happening quite a lot, even joking around with the audience (feigning pulling his back waving, etc).

We got a whole raft of great songs: I've Been Waiting For You ELECTRIC, a ripping Words, Unknown Legend and One Of These Day off Harvest Moon and Four Strong Winds to name a few. The Harvest crowd had to make do with N&TDD but they got theirs on Monday night. We didn't get Cowgirl but we got yet another superb Cortez. I've never seen - or heard - him do that song anything less than exquisitely. There was actually a song I didn't know at all (not the two newies; another one). It might've been Looking Forward? Not sure.

The only complaint I have is having to actually show up to find out that no cameras were allowed; nothing printed on the tickets or on the TicketMaster or venue web sites. Luckily, my girlfriend dropped me off so I could dump the camera with her. Pity, 'cos I had a perfect vantage for some shooting. It's a joke this camera ban anyway - every mobile phone has not only a camera but usually an annoying, useless flash which no serious photographer would use in that situation. So what are they achieving? {Dismounts from soap box.]

What a week of Neil! I'm still pinching myself that I got to see not one but TWO superb - and different - shows in the space of a couple of days.
At 1/28/2009 09:24:00 AM, Anonymous said...: This was my last of three concerts of Neils during his New Zealand Aus Tour. It was the best for me! First was the big day out Sydney which I was too busy snapping away photo's and video's and should have been enjoying the concert. Technical difficulties did slow down the pase of they concert and kind of took away from the beast. The highlight was hearing Cowgirl In The Sand and listening to the kids talking about the show afterwords and saying how much they enjoyed it, especially the people who didn't really have a clue who he was. Next was at the Sydney entertainment centre. I really enjoyed the concert and Neil did put alot of energy into those songs. The highlight was when he was playing rocking the free world and reacted to the people sitting down and sat down on an amp during the song. I hesitate to say he was dissapointed that most the front rowers didn't get up and get into it but I think he was letting them know he needed a little something back from them! The highlight was Unknown ledgend and For Strong winds from Harvest moon and When I saw the Gretch guitar in his hands I knew he was going to play Words which is deffinately a favourite of mine. Unfortunately I had an Irish guy in my ear half the time talking about how awesome Nirvana is, which became irritating and made me lose focus from time to time. Thirdly was tonights one at the Myer music bowl, Melbourne. Much the Same as Sydney setlist with the exeption of "I've been waiting for you" Which is a song I have come to love in recent times. He seemed to enjoy this crowd alot more than the Sydney experience and I think the crowds reaction was a bit more energetic than the latter. His energy was high and he gave far more when fed from the crowd. He played Words again with more vigor and grit than the Sydney one and was playing with the crowds attention a bit more, like waveing his hands in the air from side to side and aknowledgeing the crowd. He played the four new songs like Sea Change, Just Singing a song Wont Chage The World, Mother Earth and a new favourite of mine Light A Candle. He also played Unknown Ledgend, One Of These Days and Four Strong Winds from Harvest Moon. The best however (and I hope I can get it off you tube or something) was Cortez The Killer, which was the best I have ever seen him do it! and thats saying something after I have You tubed the hell out of Neil Young for the past couple of years! I'm to head back home to New Zealand tomorow, but now have some amazing momories of these shows to take with me and definately have something to talk about for a long time to come! Thanks Neil! Thanks Melbourne!
At 1/28/2009 09:42:00 AM, Anonymous said...: At the risk of being overly pedantic Mother Earth is not a new song and Four Strong Winds was not on Harvest Moon. Sounds like a cracking show though!
At 1/28/2009 03:01:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Great reviews I can feel the vibe so great to hear he was on fire, Neil cook'n inthe free world. I just today decided if I open a breakfast joint, I'm calling it Cinnamon Girl's, if that is OK with Neil, Neil, Neil, Neil, Neil
At 1/28/2009 03:55:00 PM, Anonymous said...: What a hot night! - in more ways than one. It was still 37 degrees when Neil started and had only fallen to 33 by the time he finished 2 hours later. Neil ditched the suit and was wearing white shorts with his white painter's shirt. I was near the front of the lawn section where everyone was standing and quite a few dancing all night - I couldn't really see what they were doing in the seated area. Neil got us doing the Countdown style arm waving a few times which was fun - especially when he pretended to pull a back muscle.

Highlights for me were RITFW, Cortez and Words. The electric Get Back To The Country was also fun and One of These Days was sweet. The new songs were interspersed nicely with the older material.

THANKS NEIL !!!
At 1/28/2009 04:38:00 PM, Ian G said...: "What a week of Neil! I'm still pinching myself that I got to see not one but TWO superb - and different - shows in the space of a couple of days."

Yep, the 2 Melbourne shows complemented each other perfectly, 2 quite different shows but both in their own way superb. My highlights were Cortez (of course) which was probably slightly better than the BDO version, Cinnamon Girl, Words and funnily enough Light A Candle and Mother Earth. I actually had a tear in my eye during Mother Earth, and Light a Candle has leapt to the top of the new songs after seeing it live, a superb acoustic song.
At 1/28/2009 05:32:00 PM, Anonymous said...: 'Mother Earth ' from album 'Ragged Glory' (1990), and "Four Strong Winds' from album 'Come A Time' (1977). Great show.
At 1/28/2009 05:44:00 PM, Nick from Long Eaton said...: Started a little slow and lack lustre but Cortez set the place alight and Cinammon Girl fanned the flames. Suddenly the band became tighter and enthused, the sound mix became clearer and the audience engaged. Great mix of songs thereafter. Great night.
Finished with a fine version of "A Day In The Life" but not a patch on Jeff Beck's version the previous night. Has it just come off copywrite or something ?
At 1/28/2009 07:34:00 PM, Anonymous said...: What an awesome night. The anticipation has been unbearable since we bought the tickets and Neil didn't disappoint. As my brother pointed out the cost of the ticket was covered by 'Cortez' alone.

This was the second time I had seen him (Greendale in 2003) and although it didn't quite have the same lasting impression as my first ever "Neil Experience" it certainly did meet expectations. Hearing songs I haven't heard in a while, Words, Four Strong Winds, Unknown Legend means i can now go back and discover old albums once again.

I would have loved to have heard 'Old man' live but the set list was a broad cross section of old and new that nobody should have left dissapointed. Light A Candle was a standout for the new songs. RITFW after stuffing up the lyrics and unsuccessfully trying to play catchup in the second verse he rocked the free world with 4 repeats of the chorus which had the audience jumping for more.

Overall I think Neil really enjoyed himself and the crowd appreciated what was on offer. The crowd - left of stage - must have been Sydney siders as they sat there for about 90% of the show. No matter what anybody else says I loved it and just wish I could have afforded to see more shows on the tour.
At 1/28/2009 07:47:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Was I at the same concert? I left after seven songs because the sound was so terrible, where we were, at the back of the Lawn, the sound was echoing and I could honestly not say if the performance was good or not. I was very very disappointed by the event and felt ripped off.
At 1/28/2009 08:08:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Awesome concert. I saw the bid day out show too which was great too. A fair few different songs played too, which was good.

Only downer were the wankers sitting centre of stage towards the back who spent every break between songs yelling for people to sit down in front of them because they couldn't see- note: it's a rock'n'roll concert- if you can't see, get off your old arses and stand up.(also kept shouting for harvest songs).

Bloody hot too.
At 1/28/2009 08:58:00 PM, Anonymous said...: It has been many years since I have been to a rock concert at the Myer Music Bowl and the first one I went to was probably in 1972, about the time I bought my first Neil Young album. I also have to say that I had just come out of a 10 day meditation retreat so I was worried about how I would react to the crowd and the heat. I don't know why I was worried. While my companions stayed on the edge of the crowd I pushed in and stood next to a classic air guitar, spastic dancing boy and he was wonderful, even if I had to push him out of the way a couple of times. To me the highlight was Cortez because it was as vivid and intense as the recordings of so many years ago. I hate the idea of seeing a concert of my heroes for nostalgic reasons, but this was art and rock of the highest order and I was telling everyone I met on my early dog walk this morning that 'I went to Neil Young last night', even though I had never seen most of them in my life.
My dumb middle-aged life is complete!
At 1/28/2009 09:48:00 PM, Ian G said...: "Was I at the same concert? I left after seven songs because the sound was so terrible, where we were, at the back of the Lawn, the sound was echoing and I could honestly not say if the performance was good or not. I was very very disappointed by the event and felt ripped off."

Thats a pity. In the seated area the sound was fine.
At 1/28/2009 10:33:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Smokin! Loved every second of the show! I have been wanting to see Neil for years and I just couldn't believe it was him in front of me for the first three songs! Highlights included: One of these days, Cortez, Mother Earth and Unkown Legend. Would have loved to of heard my all time fave Hey Hey, My My, but you can't have it all! Oh yeh, and Words was bloody amazing, my fave off Harvest. I went away with a big smile on my face, good to finally see this legend - he and his crew really do put younger bands to shame! Thanks Neil, hope to see u again soon!
At 1/28/2009 10:35:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I agree with Ian G, the sound in the seated area was terrific, and once the wanker in the white glasses sat down so was the view. Sure you gotta get up and dance to the music, seats or no seats .... but during mother earth???
I had a ball at the concert, wish it had gone on for an hour more. And excerpt for that over the top and over indlugent end to his last song I loved it all.
At 1/28/2009 11:53:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Did anyone else notice (not that hard) that last nights show was being filmed. Could there be a possibility that there will be a release of this concert or was this a common occurance from all his gigs on this tour??
At 1/28/2009 11:57:00 PM, Anonymous said...: a wonderful experience..neil is singing and playing guitar as great as he ever was...the sound down the front was perfect...and im sorry to say..but people who think they have a right to demand everyone sit still at a ROCK AND ROLL concert are completely in the wrong...i was at the very front and told the guys behind me that i would be standing as would all my freinds and we would be sorry if that bugged them but that wouldnt change..and neil loves us up..the rest of the world gets up at concerts to..the guys said it was fine for us to be up..and they were up to..unfortuntely some idiot who bought tickets at the last minute and wound up in the front row(thats another story-they added an extra 4 rows to the front at the last minute)..thought she had every right to continually tell people to sit down ..she went and got security and basically she made a fool of herself and was a pain in the arse..security thought so to, she should of just stood up and saved alot of bother instead of clucking away like a stupid headless chicken....anyway..everybody knows this is nowhere was awesome..ritfw...one of these days..four strong winds..words..wow..and all played and sung with passion and soul..there is no..'rock n roll oldies show"with neil..simply an amazing show
At 1/29/2009 12:01:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Disappointing setlist,brisbane concert was better again crowd not that enthusiastic could be the heatwave ?
At 1/29/2009 12:34:00 AM, Anonymous said...: This was my first time seeing Neil live and I really enjoyed the show.

If I could have chosen the setlist it would have been way different - as it was he only played one of my absolute faves (Everybody Knows) - but I actually liked it more seeing him do exactly what he wanted and not just pandering to the Harvest fans or whatever.

The man is still so vital at age 63. While a lot of his contempories seem to just be going through the motions on stage, he is still playing with the same fire and intensity as he had 10, 20, 30 years ago. The mere fact he throws in some brand new stuff which the majority of the crowd wouldn't know just shows how committed he is to following his muse. While I wish I could have been around for the classic 70's tours with The Horse, I didn't feel like I was getting some sort of revival show or a legend just cashing in on past glories. The insanity at the end of Day In The Life was further proof that he doesn't want to let age or anything else slow him down.

It was a real treat to hear those big electric songs. I can think of few more exciting things than that trademark NY grunge sound and it sounded amazing last night. I only wish he would have played a few more big crazy jam songs like Cowgirl or Down By The River. I was floored by Words though. I've never taken too much notice of that song before but today I can't stop singing it. The way he just kept riding the groove in that song...awesome stuff. I was even more impressed that he rocked so hard without Crazy Horse behind him.

I liked the acoustic set too, especially Four Strong Winds. That song has always sounded like it was written just for Neil. Such a great song. Unknown Legend was nice too.
Not sure about the new songs. They sounded ok but the lyrics seemed pretty lazy. I'll probably give him the benefit of the doubt and still buy his new album anyway.

I was up on "the hill" area and the sound was brilliant. I was fairly close to the front of that area though.

Overall I have nothing really to compare this gig to seeing as it's the first time I've seen the great man. Nonetheless, I give 4.5/5.

Come back soon Neil and if you can bring Crazy Horse with you next time!

-Lee in Melbourne
At 1/29/2009 01:56:00 AM, Peter M said...: Interesting that the setlist was identical to Sydney other than the addition of I've Been Waiting For You, and that came early in the set- so maybe Neil didn't cut the Sydney show short because of the perceived lack of crowd participation after all? Although it sounds like you got a long RITFW compared to our 5 minute sample... :-)
At 1/29/2009 02:51:00 AM, Anonymous said...: It was great to see Neil! Had great seats, mid stalls... but I walked away disappointed. A few things got too me.

Like the post above the Set List - (song list) was a real let down.

With so so so many great songs to choose from... The concert start was a killer, well the opening 3 songs up to "I've Been Waiting For You" were too slow it was just dumb... with such a mixed age group the crowd got lost trying to work out how this was going to be their night. So it took some time for everyone to warm up, and this was surprising as the crowd was chafing at the bit to sing along with Neil.

We love Neil for his instrument... HIS VOICE… so what was with all that white noise? The mixer must have been deaf. To prove my point when Neil came on and started to sing his mic was off?

Then there were the long endings (muso stretch/time killer)... well 1 or 2 great... but 6?

And clean the stage; get rid of the overweight slug on the RHS back of the stage, having a sit down... He had a big sticker on his chair “TIM”, but who wanted to see that tool with his gut and legs open in shorts all night.

Then to end it with "A Day In The Life"... well ok... but he needs to follow that with a Neil Young gem... but no, the end went way over the top... at one stage I and other thought Neil was going to trash "Old Black"... However, see that Neil’s trashing of the string in this number is a end routine/common device (see YouTube the end part http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvoOUC0FXho&feature=related) but tonight it was way too long... the point is what?

I have a few other gripes, but for a/the muso[s] my last point is this… Neil... more GRETSCH WHITE FALCON!

Over all not my best concert experience, but Neil is a legend.

And on a very hot Melbourne night (41c), the Melbourne gang were 100% cool! Well done Melbourne! Love Neil, highly recommend the concert, but be warned it may not fit your expectations – until our next meeting Neil - I give 3.8/5

John in Melb
At 1/29/2009 03:22:00 AM, paul Busch said...: Same set list...but a better crowd or Neil in Melbourne?
Ahhh who knows...this is why we go to see him over and over again.
Always bittersweet with Neil...maybe if he played 4 hours I would be satisfied...but something like Sedan Delivery would be missed and I'd be miffed.
Love you Shakey!!
At 1/29/2009 06:07:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Loved the show, saw Neil in '85 (sensational), '89 (a tad strange),'03 (sensational) and last night was also brilliant.

Cortez (absolute ripper), RITFW and Words were standouts, and the new songs were very good as well.

Still have never seen him do DBTR or Cowgirl..hope I get the chance sometime.

Tua in MEL
At 1/29/2009 07:23:00 PM, Anonymous said...: My second Neil experience Greeendale in 2003 same venue was great but we were well back up in the general addimission section but this time I was able to get good seats, not that we used them.

Very hot down below and the sound was good but I expected more volume. Setlist has been done to death, I was happy but you will always have a personal favourite left out but overall I thought it was a nice mix of the old and new.
The new sounds are starting to grow on me and I liked Light a Candle. Highlights for me; Cortez, Words, Rocking in the free world.

The crowd around me were having a ball and I couldn't believe I was was so close to the great man. Great to see him in the shorts and Neil appeared to be in great spirit and enjoying the show. The buzz after the show on the way back to Federation Square was brilliant.

Probably my last chance to see him live so I am a happy man.

Justin
At 1/29/2009 07:41:00 PM, Anonymous said...: wow what an amazing show, i was pretty much dead centre front row in the lawn, and i had a great view and the sound was great, so i guess at the back of the lawn the sound quality dies.

Neil was amazing, this was my first Neil show so i was pumped. after hearing Pearl jam play rocking in the free world 8 times i finally got to hear the original.

Words and cortez the killer were highlights for me
At 1/30/2009 03:37:00 AM, Anonymous said...: It was a great show, pure and simple. Neil's voice sounded fabulous (much better than on Prarie Wind, and up with his Glory Days) though his microphone was obviously not turned on when he started to sing (someone should be sacked for a mistake like that at a major event). Overall the sound quality was excellent for a large open air venue. I don't know what some people are complaining about. It's impossible to please everyone in song selection when you have had such a long and varied career. I was a little disappointed Neil didn't play anything off After the Goldrush, my favourite album of all time, nor anything off Rust Never Sleeps, but he more than made up for that with a fantastic Cortez, which as someone else posted, justified the entry price alone. "Too good", as my companion said in awe. We love you Neil.
At 1/30/2009 04:37:00 AM, MountainAsh said...: Fabulous! Neil certainly must have been into it because, despite the scorching 40-something degree weather, he was rocking out, tons of energy, looked like he was having a great time up there. What a trooper he and the band and crew were in that heat, and what a fun evening!
At 1/30/2009 06:04:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Great concert the man knows how to light up the night.
After the concert i said to the person next to me Neil was punk before punk grunge before grunge and always rock & roll.
left with a huge smile on my dial.
At 1/31/2009 05:27:00 AM, Davo said...: Seen Neil Young three times, first Auckland, 1986 at the Greenpeace concert, 2nd 1989 at the Mt Smart Supertop when he lost it with the crowd after some nut threw a coin at him, it was too loud, too hard, especially after the coin hit him. Then this show, couldnt help thinking I was seeing one of the few remaining superstar singer songwriters, it was a great show, I couldn't be bothered with the big day out but have to say that the set list did appear better at BDO, 'comes a time' would have been ideal. It is a great venue (Neil would do well in Auckland's Vector Arena), but it was incredibly hot, I have never experienced anything quite like it, it was like a pizza oven. A little disappointed he closed the show with only one encore and it was a Beattles song, but hey, if he can perform like he did in that heat, nonstop for over 2 hours then he truly is a special man. Well done Neil under the circumstances.
At 1/31/2009 07:02:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Poppy said
Fuckin brilliant best ever Cortez !! hot hot hot what a blast up on the lawn everyone dancing singing and having a ball a night to remember xxxx
At 1/31/2009 09:44:00 PM, Peter Tisato said...: Hi there fellow Neil Lovers.

I came to Melbourne from Adelaide - best air fare I've ever paid - what a show - what an experience - I loved it all.

I was there in 2003 in Melb with the Horse, for Greendale and second half electric - was fantastic. But Melb 09 surpassed that for me. The crowd got right into it - and Neil responded with great interaction. A performer who has put so much passion into his art for so long, and continues to show that at 62, deserves a crowd that lives the experience - and that's what happened at the Bowl.

I also went to Adelaide BDO two days later - same great feel and great crowd participation - and the same warm feedback from Neil - we give a little, and he gives a lot (- I can't believe the negative vibes from the Sydney show - wake up Sydney).

My dream going into the shows was to hear Cortez - and I got to hear it twice, and how stunning it was - I can now die a happy man. I would have loved Cowgirl - maybe next time - the consolation was we got Hurricane in Adelaide - its hard to describe how well Neil delivered it - confirmed by the Adelaide BDO blogs.

What else can I say - keep rockin' - may Neil live forever, and once again return to our shores - although I think I'm going to have to think about travelling overseas to see more shows.

Love and only love will endure ....
At 1/31/2009 11:43:00 PM, DC Cardwell said...: For once, I paid the extra to get up close to one of my major musical heroes. I was accompanied by my wife Marjie and my son Samuel, both also Neil Young fans.

But it was just too hot for me to really enjoy this show. I've been in Melbourne for twelve years now, but for a Northern Ireland kid these 40+ days are hard to take, especially when they drag on for too long a period! And after a long hot day and a scorching walk to the venue, you're not exactly in the mood to rock and roll all night long, free world or not.

I regret that we stayed in our seats under the dome as it was indeed like baking in an oven, but the heat was also making us feel so tired that we were reluctant to move back to watch and listen from out in the open air. I now wish we had, judging from other people's comments.

I'm a long-time Neil fan (since Zuma) and his playing has influenced me more than any other guitarist's. Anyone who knows me will attest that I am a huge Neil enthusiast.

And I've only seen him twice before - the last two and a half songs (don't ask!) of a show in Vancouver back in the early 90s and his last appearance here in Melbourne on the Greendale tour, which was really great but not a typical performance.

So I was primed for this to be the "gig of a lifetime", but it was not to be - which was probably more due to the scorching weather, my fragile physical state (for various reasons), poor sound from where I was sitting, a guy to my left who was not large but somehow took up way more space (mine) than was justified, and a song selection which was not to my taste. So I'm surprised to be writing a less-than-enthusiastic review and I apologise for it, because I think most people there enjoyed it more than I did.

The Greendale show had been at the same venue, and from our vantage point then, much further from the stage, the sound was perfect. Tonight, down near the front, it was rather boxy and unfortunately the drums were mixed way too loud and reverberant like any crappy bar band, which was annoying most of the time, but especially in the ballads, when it was completely ridiculous. And from where I was, Neil's acoustic guitar sounded really bad and that spoiled songs that should have been good, like "The Needle And The Damage Done".

I thought the backing vocals were spot-on and beautiful, especially Pegi's, and the playing was generally sympathetic, but I couldn't really hear the piano at all from where I was. And as for the bass, it was pretty much impossible to clearly identify any particular note, so we just got a general boominess in the lower registers.

Anyway, Neil was full of energy, which amazed me given the extreme heat. He was wearing a white open-necked shirt and Eric Morecambe style khaki Bermuda shorts.

And despite regretting not moving back, it was good to be close enough to really *see* Neil and observe what he was doing with his guitar.

An early song was a fave of mine, "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" with its delectable la-la-las. But for my particular taste there were just too many songs that I find mediocre, with throwaway tunes and sophomoric homespun cod-religious or philosophical lyrics which are probably crowd-pleasing but lack the depth of which he is capable. Many of them had failed to interest me on the original albums and these live performances didn't enhance them any. I noticed that Marjie and Samuel laughed heartily at some of them, and not in a good way!

An exception was "One Of These Days" which I had never liked much but which suddenly rung very true on this occasion, and I guess it's moments like that which make a show worthwhile!

"Four Strong Winds" came across quite well too. The harmonium on "Mother Earth" was nice, but, well, the song is laughable, really! I mean, you'd think you can't go wrong with the tune of "O Waly Waly", but the words... This was one which really had Marjie and Samuel cracking up and who could blame them? (Flame away - we all have our likes and dislikes and I've already stated that Neil is one of my absolute fave artists so I don't feel guilty!)

As others have commented "Cortez The Killer" was, well, killer, and the only song of the night where he really let his guitar do what it does so well - sing.

For me, another highlight of the evening was "Words". That was the only song in which Neil played his Gretsch and I hate to say this, but it sounded way better than Old Black. I think the cleaner, bitier sound helped make up for the muddiness of the PA. I had never really loved this song on Harvest, but tonight the 11/8 time signatures (or whatever they are) sounded perfectly natural and even swinging. Marjie hated it though!

The finale of "A Day In The Life" was brilliant. It's a great song that the Beatles made kinda difficult to cover (although I have a 45rpm record of Wes Montgomery doing it) but it was good to hear it being done so well by Neil. He and his band are as capable of doing cacophonous wig-outs as anyone, as we all know, but they somehow managed to make the orchestral crescendos sound remarkably like the Sgt Pepper version! I was sure I could hear the swirling strings but it was coming out of bass, drums, piano, organ and guitars. For the second crescendo he proceeded to break all the strings on Old Black and thrash the pickups with them, at great length and to noisy effect. The middle bit (woke up, fell out of bed) was perhaps a little off, and Nil seemed to be forgetting the words or forgetting to go up to the microphone, but the overall effect was unforgettable.

Pegi had utilised the illuminated vibraphone in a pleasantly Motownish way earlier in the evening, but for the climax of "A Day In The Life" Neil ran up to where it was located at the back of the stage and hit a percussive version of the Beatles' famous piano chord. Not quite as cute as the Rutles' "plonk", but a good way to end.

- DC Cardwell (www.myspace.com/dccardwell)

For full review see my blog at http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.viewcustom&friendID=42707427&blogID=467809203&swapped=true
At 2/06/2009 02:03:00 AM, elbow room said...: COULDNT SEE SHIT,looked at a screen all night for $140.. my knee is stuffed from standing on a slope. Had some annoying yank behind me yelling "go neil go neil woooo" over the top of songs,even neddle and the damage done. Should of bought the DVD and stayed home. Why pack so many in, for fucks sake.NEVER AGAIN.
At 2/07/2009 12:05:00 AM, Andrew C said...: I'm 33 my first Neil young concert. Still reminising Shakey playing cortez on old black. That stuff stays with you for the rest of your life.
"Words" also the major highlight unforgettable. Neil come back soon.
I'm watching Rust nevers sleeps now.
At 2/25/2011 05:01:00 AM, tina said...: WENT TO THIS CONCERT IT JUST BLEW ME AWAY THANKYOU NEIL I WILL NEVER FORGET TINA

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Long May You Run:
The Illustrated History of Neil Young
"Essential for the
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"You can make a difference
If you really a try"

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Bob and Neil

Four Dead in Ohio

dissent is not treason
Dissent is the highest form of patriotism

Rockin' In The Free World
speak truth to power

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2010: Neil Young Year in Review -
A Tale of 2 Neils

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

"Powderfinger"
What does the song mean?

Random Neil Young Link of the Moment

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
Willie Nelson & Neil Young
Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize

John Mellencamp:
Why Willie Deserves a Nobel

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the truth will set you free

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