canada.gif

gb.gif

de.gif

us.gif
Neil Young's new release ""World Record" w/ Crazy Horse is now available for pre-order. Order here
(Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking this link or YOUR COUNTRY's FLAG. Thank you!!!)
ADVERTISEMENT
<-Older Posts Blog Home Newer Posts->

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Archives Comment of the Moment: Gaining That New Perspective

archives-vault.jpg
The Archives Vault
An Undisclosed Bunker Location


The Comment of the Moment is from Soldier, My Ears by D.I. Kertis:
The more I think about it, the more I feel that Archives 1 puts even the most well-known previously unreleased tracks in a new context by presenting them along with all of the memorabilia and archival material that goes with them with this giant anthology of his work from this time period. One can now see each song, previously released or not, in relation to Neil's entire body of work, not just as a song in and of itself or even as part of a specific album released at a particular time. That's one of the things a retrospective release can be most valuable for -- gaining that new perspective of both the art and the artist.

Sometimes retrospectives are done as much for the artist as for the fan. The artist, too, likes to gather his work together and see for himself what he as accomplished so far at times. And I think this might be one such case. I know Neil has talked about the Archives as being something he needs to do for himself as well as his fans. ( I do say "needs", not "needed", lest we forget that what we have so far is only volume one and three or four more --even old Bernard Shakey isn't quite sure--are in the works.) But then I suspect all of Neil's releases are as much for himself as they are for us. Probably more, as a matter of fact.

It will be interesting to see what the future Archives volumes bring, and also how Neil will deal with the issue of not being able to archive everything simply because his career is still very much in motion.

How far will the proposed 4-5 box sets go in terms of chronology? Where will he stop? I guess that depends how far he gets before finishing them all. In the meantime, though, we're safely in the realm of the past. Getting the next couple of Archives sets out should be plain sailing as long as it doesn't take too long.

Thanks D.I.!

More on The Neil Young Archives.


8 Comments:

At 10/07/2009 10:08:00 AM, Blogger Tweck9 said...

Great observation. I was thinking much the same as I was watching the Live at Massey Hall DVD the other night. I haven't been able to play around with the archives, so the closest I've gotten is this live DVD.

I was struck by a review of the show that they include in the special features section, written by Scott Young (NY's father). It seemed so personal and heartfelt, it occurred to me that this must be very special for Neil, his father writing an article about how strange it felt to see his son performing to a sold-out crowd, and not only how proud he felt, but how it brought back memories of his family sitting around the piano singing together.

And putting in out in this format, and not only floating it into the public consciousness, but organizing all of this material, audio, video, newspaper clippings, radio spots, photos, all detailing intricately the people and places, and the overall experience of the time.

It's the same concept as a photo album; an very personal organization of memorabilia from the past that tells a story of your life and experiences - it just seemed like a glimpse into something very personal.

And as D.I. suggests, it must be for Neil's benefit, even moreso than for ours.

 
At 10/07/2009 05:48:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i have the Archives, BluRay, and enjoy it but find myself opting to listen to the MP3's, rather than hassle around for the BluRay version. Still, it's cool to get the downloads via BRLive.

ArchivesGuy - months ago you mentioned we'd be getting a download that would knock our socks off. No disrespect, but has that been delivered as of yet? No disrespect, but while i appreciate the BluRay Lives given to us thus far, i haven't been blown away as of yet.

please advise.

 
At 10/07/2009 06:12:00 PM, Anonymous Marc C said...

i gotta admit,i'm loving the archives....i usually look through a disc a week haha and these blu-ray downloads are just great! real exciting!!

HOWEVER...i must admit the format of the actual box itself is a bit frustrating...the physical qualities of the book made it hard for me to take it out of its compartment at first...it used to have a the top sticking out so i could slide it out,but now its so low inside its compartment i can't even take it out at all! i'm still debating on wether i'll just leave it as it is,or cut a bit of the cardboard out so i can take it out!

regardless of minor details,this thing is great! hopefully the format'll be a bit more durable next time around hah!

-Marc C

 
At 10/07/2009 08:41:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

exactly, every BR-live upload gets directly ripped to my mp3 archives version.

Get with the times Neil.

 
At 10/07/2009 09:04:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i hope navigation improves in future versions of the Archives.

i dont see it being a big seller moving forward, not at these prices.

 
At 10/08/2009 03:20:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This might not have anything to do with this topic but...I can't help but look at proposed song list for A Country Store Plays Old Changes that's pictured in Archives book and think "What Mighta Been".

Rancho Relaxo

 
At 10/09/2009 11:27:00 PM, Blogger D.I. Kertis said...

My Archives comments seem to be popular with Thrasher, which is great. Thanks for broadcasting my thoughts once again. I did want to point out that in sentence one, I meant to say "even the most well-known previously released tracks", "previously unreleased." I suspect the statement makes much more sense in that light.

As Matthew said above, Archives seems like a very personal thing for Neil-- a collection of his work and memories presented to the world. I especially like this scrap book approach as regards the book. God knows I've poured over the book probably as much as the DVDs. It's a great read, even though there isn't that much to actually read. I relish the experience of playing the DVDs, hearing the music in pristine quality, while leafing through the photographs, newspaper cuttings, manuscripts, sheet music, and other memorabilia in the book. The whole thing very much has the feel of being a personal scrap book Neil chose to release, which I like a lot. I think liner notes would have been an error. These editorials, especially when written decades after the recording of the music, give an unsatisfying kaleidoscopic view of the history, and often a rose-colored one at that. I don't need some polished professional writer to tell me how great Neil Young is-- I already know that and so should everyone else investing in this product. Neither do I need history tainted by retroactive perspective and praises bought by commissions. That probably sounds harsh, but really most historical liner notes I have read in various releases have seemed to specialize in spoon-feeding the reader history and background information while heaping hollow praises on the subject and taking as many opportunities as possible to advertise other products. I much prefer what Neil has done with the Archives book-- presented the artifacts, allowing them to tell the story without the bias of any contemporary perspective and without insulting the reader's intelligence by spoon-feeding them everything, instead leaving them to appreciate the events related through their own uninhibited mental faculties. The book thus succeeds in being both entertaining and interactive, much like the Archives discs themselves.

 
At 10/09/2009 11:44:00 PM, Blogger D.I. Kertis said...

I'd also like to throw a word in on this seemingly interminable issue of the BD Live downloads. Granted, as a DVD owner, I am coming at this from somewhat of an outsider perspective. To be perfectly honest, with the enormous amount of material already on offer in the set, I'm surprised people started clamoring for the updates so soon after the release. Don't you want to get through everything that's already there before adding more? And I guarantee you need to play these discs several times before you find all there is to enjoy. Were I a blu-ray owner, I'm not sure I'd expect frequent Live updates. It takes time to get these things right--as proven by Neil taking a good couple of decades to even release the box set--and Neil does have other things to do: Trunk Show, Archives Performance Series, tours, the LincVolt, and hopefully more new albums and the additional Archives volumes over the next few years. You're up to 4 downloads now, right? That's almost a download a month, unless I'm wrong (which, admittedly mathematics is not my strong suite), which seems like an OK pace to me. You also have to figure that, if Neil wanted to release something in the box set, he most likely did--when you've assembled a ten DVD/blu-ray set, I'm guessing length isn't a huge issue for you. So I suspect the Live feature may be used to release material discovered over the course of years let alone months, rather than as a means of putting out oodles of material Neil randomly withheld from the box set.

My best advice to anyone worrying about additional downloads is simply this: relax. Enjoy what is. I'm sure more is on the way. If you need further reassurance, think of it this way: has Neil ever NOT been productive?

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

<-Older Posts Blog Home Newer Posts->

Willie for a Nobel!
#Willie4Nobel

Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize
for Farm Aid and his work on
alternative fuels, and world peace initiatives.

farm-aid-logo.gif
Farm Aid

Go Farmers Markets!


"In the >field< of opportunity
It's plowin' time again."

SUPPORTER
logo
Silverline Communications

(Home of the FarmAidians)
Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada
(519) 737-7979



This blog supports free speech!


Demand justice for Aaron:
Support "Aaron's Law" and inquiry into his prosecution

(... he didn't kill himself either...) #AaronDidntKillHimself

Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame



Please Help Support Independent Media &
Non-Corporate Advertising
This Blog's For You!


The Hypocrisy of the Mainstream Media

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

time-fades-away-banner2a

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


broken-arrow-mag-new-logo.gif

Neil Young Appreciation Society


sugar-mtn-logo.jpg
Sugar Mountain

Neil Young Setlists
rust-radio-new
Rust Radio


bumpersticker-neil-concert.jpg


i-l-ove-neil-young-sm.jpg
Bands Covering Neil Young songs


bumper-sticker-live-music-better-sm.jpg
LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER


ny-times-logo.jpg
Official Neil Young News Site

bridgeschool_logo
The Bridge School


The Bridge School Concerts
25th Anniversary Edition

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

linda-eastman-neil-young-sugar-mtn-sm.jpg
The Essential Neil Young

neil-young-sleeveless.jpg
Fans Favorite Neil Albums

neil-young-heart-of-gold-film-still
Top 50 MP3
Neil Young Song Downloads


Top 10 Best Selling Neil Albums Today
amazon-neil-store.GIF
Support Thrasher's Wheat
via Purchases from:
United States - Amazon.com us.gif
Canada - Amazon.ca canada.gif
United Kingdom - Amazon.uk gb.gif
Germany - Amazon.de de.gif



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

jttp-film-poster-sm.jpg
Neil Young Films

musicares-neil-young-2010.jpg
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.

live-rust-promo-poster.jpg


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

#BigShift

trans-promo



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

paul-neil-bridge2004-sat-sfc-kkomenich-sm.jpg
Paul McCartney and Neil Young

woodstock-poster.jpg


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

lennon_peace_liberty
John Lennon and Neil Young


"hailed by fans as a wonderful read"

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
csny-1974-poster.jpg
The Supergroup of the 20th Century



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

eddie & neil
Eddie Vedder and Neil Young

buffalo-springfield-poster.jpg
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"

neil & joni
Joni Mitchell & Neil Young

europe 1987.jpg


dylan-young-crop
Bob and Neil

weld
So Who Really Was "The Godfather of Grunge"?


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


The Four Dead in Ohio



May The FOUR Be With You #MayThe4thBeWithYou

concert-pass-europe-2003-solo.jpg


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

emmylou-harris-neil-young-0305-crop
Emmylou Harris and Neil Young

wilco-062305-wide-background.jpg
Wilco and Neil Young

bluenotes-pass-young88crewlam-sm.jpg

bruce-springsteen-neil-young-bridge-oct-1986.jpg
Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young

europe87concertpass


elton-john-neil-young-crop-sm.jpg
Elton John and Neil Young

ronnie-vanzant-neil.jpg
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young

+

The Meaning of "Sweet Home Alabama" Lyrics


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

powderfinger
"Powderfinger"
What does the song mean?

Random Neil Young Link of the Moment
neil-sad.jpg

Bonnie Raitt and Neil Young

Wisconsin-solidarity.jpg
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

willie_picnic_poster_070503


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:
freedom-video
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

csny2k-plate.jpg
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?

churchsign

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