Neil Young's 1993 Harley-Davidson Softail on eBay

Chrome Dreams

In probably one of the more astonishing news items we've ever posted, here's Neil Young's 1993 Harley-Davidson Softail on auction on eBay.

We thinks this might signal a commitment to the LincVolt project.



Live to ride.



Motorcycle Mama.


Chrome & Rust
Photo by David Warrington
Story of "Somewhere On A Desert Highway" on hyperrust.org

Neil Young - Unknown Legend @ Yahoo! Video

---

Hangin' Backstage w/ WolfMother and Neil Young and Friends

Wolfmother's Andrew Stockdale, Neil Young, Manager Elliott Roberts, Gary Burden (Photographer of CSN Porch album cover)

From Wolfmother's Andrew Stockdale's Twitpic: "Here's a photo with Neil Young his manager Elliot and artist friend Gary, it was an incredible honour to be there....."

Check out an awesome cover by Wolfmother of "Don't Let It Bring You Down" (Neil Young).

---

Jonathan Demme Interview on "Neil Young Trunk Show"

Jonathan Demme interview on Neil Young Trunk Show film at Toronto Film Festival in September.

Thanks Liza!




From gordonandthewhale.com » Blog Archive » AFI Fest Review: NEIL YOUNG TRUNK SHOW:

Demme utilizes a variety of camera angles to go along with his disjointed “scene” order. Overall, the performances are filmed up close from either the view of a lucky audience member at the front of the stage or actually on stage with Young and his band. However, Demme also throws up ALL angles up at once giving you the different perspectives of someone watching from the back of the house to the side to the front. I found this to be one of the most interesting parts of the film because, as a frequent concert-goer, it was fascinating to see what the show felt like from the last row to the first.

I am not a huge Neil Young fan and admittedly, it did affect my overall enjoyment of the film. So if you’re not a huge fan, you may want to skip this one. If you love Neil, GET YOUR TICKET NOW. As a fan of all things electric and loud, I did love the guitar riffs he goes off on. It wasn’t until after the screening that I realized the solo for “No Hidden Path” was 20 minutes long. Even as a non-Neil fan, I was sucked in and honestly would have told you that solo was maybe 10 minutes. Having that immersive experience in a theater without being at the show itself really speaks to Young’s showmanship and raw talent.

Also, see Trailer for Neil Young Trunk Show Movie.

More on the Trunk Show concerts in Philadelphia.


Jonathan Demme and Neil Young

More on Jonathan Demme and Neil Young:

- Young and Demme Discuss Trunk Show Movie

- Unscripted Interview: Demme & Young

- Director Jonathan Demme on "Prairie Wind"/Heart of Gold film

- "Heart of Gold" Premieres at Sundance Film Festival

- The Complex Sessions: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Directed by Jonathan Demme

---

Comment of the Moment: "Neil Young's Imperfect Nature"

The Neil Young Comment of the Moment is from "Neil Young's Imperfect Nature" by Greg M (A Friend Of Yours):

Anon 1, no one should be calling you an idiot because the last several albums didn't strike a chord with you. Several of them clanked with me at first, too, even though I like them a lot now. I have some questions for you and Chris, who is also underwhelmed: Accepting that Neil can do whatever he wants, do you agree that what he has done of late is consistent with the approach he has taken to his music his entire career? Do you think that it's the same approach, just with less than pleasing results? Or do you think that the music is different because somehow Neil has changed?

I think it's the same approach, which is to create a musical interpretation of the present moment or whatever present stage of life he's in, all with a minimalist take and utilization of whatever is at hand approach in terms of performance. For me, this explains a FITR- it's a drier subject matter. Or a LWW- "No one else is talking about it, I'm not keeping quiet anymore, I'm going into the studio now with just the emotion and the message, and I'll use whatever I can get my hands on now, but I'm not going to think about it too much." The same thing happened with "Let's Roll", which was sent out to radio stations with no explanation or description, before it ended up on Are You Passionate.

I guess my question is: is the distinction between the approach and the end product being missed, with no understanding of Neil's throw it up against a wall and see if it sticks approach, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't? You may or may not like this approach, but if it's not being taken into consideration, then it's easier for me to understand peoples criticism. The upshot I'm getting from a lot of criticism in the last several years is that people think that Neil has somehow changed, and I just don't see it. I think he's the same, and circumstances- his and the worlds as a whole- are just simply different, therefore the music is different. Just a theory of mine.

Anyway, most of my frustration in the last several years is not that people don't like the music here and there, just that they've turned their dislike into attack, and I just don't get this. Another post said it all: "'How could people get so unkind?'" For me, the source is the same, and the output varies depending on circumstances. I have no problem with people questioning the output, but not the source. Neils integrity has always been a big reason why I am a fan, and I've learned to take the "good" with the "bad", even though admittedly, I like it all. That makes me a sycophant in a lot of peoples eyes, but I don't know, I place my trust in Neil, and somehow the music just always seems to grow on me.

Greg M (A Friend Of Yours)

Thanks Greg, AFOY!
More on
"Neil Young's Imperfect Nature".

---

Comment of the Moment: Official Releases Series

The Neil Young Comment of the Moment Official Releases Series (ORS) by D.I. Kertis:

I've been wondering about the Official Releases Series. The thing is, I bought the Neil Young and Everybody Knows this is Nowhere remasters earlier today.

They sound great-- in fact I'm listening to the former right now. These are wonderfully improved from their past versions and I'll probably be picking up After the Goldrush and Harvest next weekend. I'm greatly satisfied with them and I'm convinced their worth my money.

But I've been wondering, when Archives 2 eventually rolls around, I'd imagine the albums covered by the set will be restored and reissued, and the same will be done for all future Archives volumes. But the Digital Masterpiece series from 2003--On the Beach, American Stars 'n' Bars, Hawks and Doves, and Re-Act-Or--sound as great as can be.

So I'm guessing Neil won't be reissuing those again as part of the Official Release Series, since they're definitely up the standards of these new remasters. If he does, I won't have any reason to buy them. At the same time, albums that would fall into the presumptive Volume 2 time period--Tonight's the Night, Comes a Time, Rust Never Sleeps, and Live Rust--would likely get the ORS treatment, right?

Then there's Time Fades Away. I'm curious to see how that will be handled as I've heard about this Time Fades Away II business and it'll be interesting to see how that plays out. Where will the Stills-Young album and Decade fit into this? Will Decade be superseded by the Archives series once it has covered those ten years? Then there's Toast... and Journey Through the Past STILL hasn't seen CD release, in spite of the fact that it's within the time period Archives 1 covers.

I guess we won't have real answers to these conundrums until (if it ever happens) the Archives series is completed to date. I'm guessing Toast will be released in Volume 4, or whatever number we're at by that point in the chronology and like I said I'd think the DMS wouldn't be reissued. But those are just guesses. I'm also guessing Neil has more of this planned out than he's let on so far, but we'll see...

Thanks -- as always -- D.I.!

More on Neil Young's 2009 releases.

---

Tweet of the Moment: "Listening to Neil Young's Live Rust and ..."

(Note: Tweets of the Moment can be re-tweeted either within the embed above or via link in footer.)

More Neil Young Tweets of the Moment in the lower right sidebar.

---

Fresh NYA BD Live Download Now Up - #5

Another fresh NYA BD Live download is now available.

We haven't pulled it yet but will do so soon. We're hearing that it's vintage Buffalo Springfield and some other goodies. We guess that sometimes the rent is always due maybe?

Hopefully, this satisfies those who have been clamoring for more NYA BD Live downloads.

For more on previous BD-Live downloads, see on sidebar the sticky thread on NYA Easter Eggs, Virtual Bongs, and Hidden Tracks. Also, see Lone Red Rider's Neil Young Archives Vol 1 BD Live page.

ps - we understand that good things happen when there's a full moon risin'.... (moon phases in lower right sidebar.)

In other news on a variety of issues including Dreamin Man, Toast, NYA#2 and BD Live, Archives Guy commented on Dreamin' Man thread:

There will be no DVD or Blu-ray versions of "Dreamin' Man". This release is CD, vinyl and iTunes only.

Recorded during our "We Like To Record Digitally" phase, there is no analog master for this record, therefore no Hi Rez transfer for BD or DVD.

The new [BD-Live] stuff that you get helps to tell that story and is made a bit more personal and in depth by Neil's writings in the Post-Informer.

I'm pretty darn sure that the next download will be something unique that none of you have.

in reply to TOAST questions -- Be patient...it's comin' for sure.

For those of you thinking ahead (or back as the case may be) about NYA Vol2...production is in full swing and the content is AWESOME. The sheer volume of unreleased songs in Vol2 is staggering and a joy to listen to.

As always, thanks AG for sharing with us!

---

Neil Young's 17th CD Release of Year "Dreamin' Man" Pushed Back

Last August, we reported on a new Neil Young album "Dreamin' Man" scheduled for release today, November 3. This would mark Neil's 17th CD release of the year, which includes the 10 disc Archives set, Fork in the Road, the Booker T. collaboration "Potato Hole" and reissues of Neil Young, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, After the Goldrush and Harvest .

That Neil. Such a slacker.

Now comes word that DREAMIN' MAN, Neil Young Archives Performance Series #12, will be released on or about December 8, roughly 17 years after the original release of Harvest Moon.

A closer look at Harvest Moon songs, all performed solo acoustic before the release of Harvest Moon, DREAMIN' MAN contains intimate live performances recorded in concert halls during 1992.


Neil Young's 1992 "Harvest Moon" was the followup to his most commercially successful album "Harvest" - some 20 years later.

"Harvest Moon" was recorded with many of the same original musicians who appeared on "Harvest", such as Ben Keith, on pedal steel guitar, and Linda Rondstadt and James Taylor on backing vocals. The intentional sequel nature of "Harvest Moon" created high expectations which for the most part were fulfilled. The album was even accompanied with music videos and extensive interviews with the normally reticent Young himself.

But on a Canadian radio interview, Young denied that 'Harvest Moon' was a sequel to 'Harvest':

"The whole idea of following up the 'Harvest' album is something that's contrived more from the standpoint of record companies, and mostly questions.

You know, people see the correlation between the two, and it's kind of a plus to be able to refer back 20 years and see the same people and do that. But the thrust of the albums is different, even though the subject matter is similar, so I tend to shy away more from comparisons between them - they're reference points for one another.

I mean, people who have never heard of 'Harvest' may really like Harvest Moon and may end up referring back to 'Harvest' because of all this conversation about how the two of them go together..."

Naturally, there's much speculation over on rust about what all of this might mean? Afterall, NY PS#12?!? So what happened to everything in between?

Could this possibly mean that the next NYA volume will be #4 or #5??? That would be quite the Shakey move to not to followup Vol#1 with #2.

Also, see more reviews of Harvest Moon and Harvest Moon - Neil Young Albums In Order.


Back Cover of "Dreamin' Man"
The track listing for Dreamin' Man:

1. Dreamin' Man
2. Such a Woman
3. Old King Rap
4. Old King
5. One of These Days
6. Harvest Moon
7. You and Me
8. From Hank to Hendrix
9. Unknown Legend
10. Natural Beauty
11. War of Man

Lastly, no word on a Blu-Ray release. Or any news on Toast for that matter.

So. Neil's 17th CD release of the year. Hey, it's only November. 2 more months of '09. Maybe a film? Oh yeah..... Trunk Show.

Neil. slacker.

---

Comment of the Moment: The Difference between Art and Entertainment:

Neil Young
Deja Vu Press Conference - Berlin, February, 2008

In the aftermath of the 2009 Bridge School concerts there's been a lot of discussion about Neil Young's approach to recording and performing in this phase of his career. This is somewhat similar to the whole debate that raged around whether Neil following his muse was such a good idea given the critical reaction to Fork in the Road.

So here's the Neil Comment of the Moment on his "Imperfect Nature" by the always insightful D.I. Kertis:

When it comes down to it, Neil Young is about being real.

My impression, from his work and from interviews, is that what he abhors and always tries to avoid is being *fake*: manufacturing a product that expresses something other than how he feels and what he wants to do. With each new project he undertakes, it seems that Neil runs these constants through an equation. This is why we have Everybody Knows this is Nowhere; Harvest; Tonight's the Night; Rust Never Sleeps; Trans; Landing on Water; Sleeps with Angels; Are You Passionate?; Greendale; Living with War; even the Archives. All of these are expressions of Neil at the time they were created.

Even album like Trans, although it is not organic in that it utilizes digital equipment to distort Neil's voice, it is very personal and captures what Neil wanted to say at that time as he wanted to say. Similarly, Are You Passionate? has a very polished sound because of the style of music Neil wanted to express himself through. All of this work is in fact organic in the sense that it comes from his mind and soul.

One of the most consistent and pleasing elements for me of Neil's catalogue is that, unlike other stars, he is never afraid to be human: to allow his uncertainty and indecision show. He doesn't pretend to have answers if they aren't there. In fact, he encourages the listener to answer the questions he poses for themselves. His answers, when supplied, are given as one point-of-view. He doesn't profess to provide the only correct perspective. And if he's feeling down or insecure, or if he doesn't know where he's headed next, he'll say so-- in whatever way suits him. He's not about putting on any sort of "show" or artificial exterior but about honest expression of the self.

Which comes back to Greg's comment: "The art is not about you." Well, I for one don't think any art is really about *you* unless you create it. Art is by its nature an expression of the person who creates it one way or another. The audience may relate on some intellectual or emotional level--that is another essential element of art, that it stirs the mind and soul, that it evokes feeling--but it is not created simply to please the audience nor designed for them in any way. If they like it, great. If not--make your own if you want to be exactly what's in your head. Otherwise, move on and look for other avenues of pleasure and fulfillment.

Of course it is a mark of good art that an audience can relate, but this is ultimately secondary to the artist's needs and desires, for art is is one's expression of one man , which another may perchance appreciate but which he need not be obligated to give the time of day if he is not inclined to do so.

This is the difference between art and entertainment: the one is designed for self-expression while the other is designed purely to appeal for others. Art can constitute entertainment where it stirs the observer emotionally or intellectually and entertainment can be art if sufficiently effective to its aim. But whereas entertainment must be pleasing to others, art need only please the artist.

As always, thanks D.I.!

More on Neil Young's "imperfect nature".

---

Adam Sandler and Neil Young on "Powderfinger" at Bridge School Concert

Adam Sandler & Neil Young on "Powderfinger" at 2009 Bridge School Benefit Concert.

---

Pearl Jam Closes Philly Spectrum with "Rockin' in the Free World"

"Keep on "Rockin' in the Free World"
Photo Gallery by Karen 0n streamland

Pearl Jam closed out their 4 day stand at the Philadelphia Spectrum with Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" from a concert report by Karen 0n streamland.

The concert last night marked the final performance at the Philadelphia Spectrum before it is torn down to become an "sports/entertainment center".

So the final music memories of the legendary Philadelphia Spectrum (where the Time Fades Away album cover was photographed) will be a Neil song. Excellent.

More on Neil Young's final show at the Philadelphia Spectrum and why 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall the song "Rockin' in the Free World" is the anthem heard around the globe this week.

---

Sunday Morning with Neil Young

If you're in the Portland, Oregon area on upcoming Sunday mornings, here's something you might find of interest from Joseph Rose:

Hello,

I'm a journalist and long-time Neil Young fan who will be teaching a three-week class at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Oregon as part of an ongoing series on the places where God and popular culture intersect. Here's a description of the course scheduled for Nov. 1, 8 and 22 at 9 a.m. if you'd like to post something about it on Thrasher's Wheat (thank you for everything you do):

Heart of Gold: Finding God in the music of Neil Young

Neil Young has been called a lot of things over the span of his 40-year music career. Best-selling artist. Third most influential songwriter in pop music history (after the Beatles and Dylan). An enigma. The godfather of grunge. Washed up. A genius. A national treasure (in Canada and the U.S.). In this class, Trinity parishioner Joe Rose argues that Young should have a new title: Preacher. Although Young's songs are hardly considered “Christian music,” Rose shows how the songwriter's extensive catalog, from his days with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in the 1960's to the pastoral “Prairie Wind,” explore themes at the heart of the Gospels.

Respecting Neil's beliefs and position, I'm not going to stretch the lyrics and music into something they're not. Rather, I want to talk about the spiritual concept of "the seeker," using Neil and his music -- from young man to aging man -- as an example of how we all are searching for meaning on a spiritual level. In some cases, I will talk about how Neil Young's music has calmed rough sees for me and enriched my faith when it comes to my outlook on life and humanity. At different phases of his career, Neil has been like Job, King David and St. Francis, to name a few, full of love but not afraid to shout at God and show the rest of us how we are sliding off grace's highway. It will be a multimedia presentation incorporating lyrics, video and audio -- and a lot of reflection on the words and music.

I hope Rusties in the Portland area can make it.

Best,
J

Sounds enlightening Joe. Let us know how it goes.

And here's what Neil thought "When God Made Me".

---