Neil Young Concert Reviews - Dallas, TX , June 7, 2010
Photo by Danny Hurley
Neil Young will be performing tonight at the Meyerson Symphony Center Dallas, TX. Special guest Bert Jansch will open concert.
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by thrasher@PermaLink: 6/07/2010 11:48:00 PM
15 comments
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15 Comments:
Okay, me first. Neil was magical. The crowd was awesome; for Bert as well. Very respectful and into his set. Well done Dallas!
Neil. What can you say about Neil? Touched by God is what I say and I'm not a religious person. And the new songs are solid. Beautiful. Don't listen to the complainers. This is vintage Neil. I stayed away from the boots so I could hear them for the first time, and I wasn't dissapointed in the least.
A solid, solid show. Thanks Neil!! Come back to Texas soon. Don't make us wait 7 years next time. It didn't hurt that I took the liberty of upgrading my last row in the hall, 100 dollar seat into one of four empty seats on the floor, dead center, row 23. And thanks to who ever you were, that paid full price but still helped point me to an empty chair. It was a sell out besides those few seats from what I could tell.
Don't hate. I'm raising a Grandson. It was all I could do to scrape up a hundred dollars!
AMAZING -Yes, yes he was. The energy of the crowd, his jovial mood, the hitch hiker, and old man. There was so much love. Its a show ill never forget.
Savannah W.
This was our second show on the tour having caught the second show in Buffalo several weeks ago.
The 2 shows while of course having bascially the same song sets were different in a number of ways.
Firstly, I found Neil much more engaging with the crowd last night in Dallas then he was in Buffalo. The crowd was great and respectful and I think Neil felt the love and even told the audience he loved everyone.Unike Buffalo, there was never really any jerks hllering song requests to the point of being annoying.
Bert was great but of course the type of music he plays was not what the audience was in to as they were really excited to be seing Neil. When Bert played his last song he thanked everyone for not throwing things at him which was funny but sad in it's own way.
On the other hand, I found Neil's show in Buffalo a little stronger with Neil being more intense and song focused than in Dallas. Dallas started out real strong then he seemed to be thinking about this being the last show and he seemed to not nail Cortez and the remainder of the set like Buffalo. To give you an example, Cortez in Buffalo was so intense and that it brought tears to my wife and I's eyes and we agreed that was one of the strongest performances of a song we had ever seen.
Overall anyone atending was not dissappointed and Neil delivered like only Neil can.
went to the Dallas show last night and i still have goosebumps. i dont really know what to say other than it was masterful!
as most of the other venues are symphony centers as well, the Meyerson in Dallas is considered one of the best concert halls, acoustic-wise in the country. here, Neil certainly used every aspect of that space and instruments. AND he knew it!
between his harmonica, two acoustic guitars, the beautiful Les Paul, the metal, an upright piano, the organ and baby grand piano Neil was a master composer and musician on this night. incredibly fitting for the venue. his Cortez and DBTR reverberated and shook every nook and heartbeat in the entire place.
the crowd was loving on Neil and he made quite a bit of banter w/ the folks up front, sans-mic.
this was my 5th time to see Neil and may be the best show ive seen. and certainly the most special, unique. though the Chrome Dreams II and Prairie Wind tours have a special place in my heart as well.
Neil was in stellar form, both his guitar playing and voice, just right on. His new music, particularly the guitar playing was crazy good, with whatever the new twists on his guitar were with the throbbing bass sounds. We hung on every note and left wanting more. I'm so glad we broke the bank and purchased tickets way more than I ever spent on a show before. This is my 7th Neil show, last was at Red Rocks Colorado with the Pretenders. He played through a fiery thunderstorm and it was magical, but last night, just Neil and his instruments, were more memorable yet! Come back to Texas soon Neil.
My first time seeing Neil and one of my favorite shows of all-time. Can't wait to see him again. Here's a link to a longer piece I wrote about it.
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/dc9/2010/06/last_night_neil_young_at_the_m.php
I got there early enough to take in Neil's bus. cool bus. the Silver Eagle. Got some nice pics. Google it if you haven't seen it. It was hot as hell.
Went on in and Bert was playing. It was dark as fuck and I couldn't see a thing. But I'm pumped. I'm pretty much eaten up by anticipation at this point, Dallas being the last show of the leg and all. I avoided the new stuff like the plague. I wanted to go in a virgin.
I know half the crowd wanted to yell "NEIL" all the way through Bert's set. I sure did. But no one did! Amazing! Bert was awesome as well. A real treat. I'd imagine Rory Gallagher must of been influenced by him as well. Loved the riff that Led Zep staight up stole. Some real stellar moments.
Neil's first three songs took the air out of me. What a start. The next song about his friend is no doubt personal but kind of awkward. And the Peaceful Valley song dragged a little. But it was a nice chance to catch my breath and dig in. Cause after that, it was highlight after highlight. The first three songs were just the set ups for the knock out punches to come.
Neil had that place in a trance I tell you. Stick a Fork in the Road, it's done. The new stuff was more like classic Neil and it rocked.
The Hitchhiker was what? An ode to family life?! It's like, "I got fucked up out of my brain, my head exploded and my family caught the pieces....and I'd do it all again! Thank God for my wife." Someone explain it to me. Awesome song though. I guess I can relate. Not sure about the doing it all again part. Maybe he was just talking about the hash.
God, I don't know if it was the Meyerson's perfect setting, the true fans out in force or what but ticket prices be damned, it was a special night. Even if the seats were probably 50 times the price of Neil's hash that he couldn't afford way back when....it almost felt like paying for drugs. And it was the good stuff. "I'll pay anything to get a fix Neil, just please come back"!!
I thought there might be some upset people but it was a love fest. The buzz was there from start to finish. I saw one pair of couples walk out from their $1200 worth of prime seats. They must have left before the vibrations. I think the girls might have liked that part!
I'll just wrap this up because I forgot what else I was going to say! Awesome show. A special show. Thank you Neil!
I've got a funny setlist story too if anyone wants to hear it. I thought it was funny. Has anyone else been "setlist" pranked?
Went to Meyerson with a high school GF from 40 yrs ago. She knew very little of Neil. Her most significant comment was how mournful his set list seemed to be. After a moment of contemplation, I could see her point. Maybe it was the recent loss of his long time friend, L.A.Johnson. Very few if any of the audience realized that, "You Never Call"
was a tribute to Johnson, who died a few weeks back
while he and his son, Ben were attending a Red Wing's match. (L.A. AND Neil both had sons named, Ben). One of the most powerful moments in the show
was when he sat down at the pump/bellows organ, the
spots lit up the incredible set of pipes of the Meyerson's own organ and we realized he had tied his
little bellows organ into the massive pipes of the
house organ. The gut rattling lows and the piccolo
highs coming from such pipes were mind-boggling.
I had read reviews of previous shows that spoke of
how little he interacted with the audience. I think
the reverence and class of the Meyerson crowd made
him give the great deal of back and forth banter that we witnessed. An earlier blogger referenced his
mention that he "Loved" Dallas and would return. Earlier reviews also mentioned there were NO encores. Again, I think the Meyerson crowd was responsible for his two song encore. I have only been to one other Neil show in February, '89 with
Crazy Horse in Tulsa, OK. That show was half solo
acoustic and half electrified Crazy Horse. '89 was
a combination of soulful Neil and kickass C.H. THIS
show was close to being a tearjerker. But every bit
as powerful. The acoustics at the Meyerson are second to none (including Red Rocks). I for one will never forget the Meyerson show. Absoulutely PERFECT.
Well, looks like the stars certainly aligned for you guys for the perfect Neil deal!
Great, positive reviews...I wonder how much, if any,all these positive and negative reviews and concert experiences, have an impact or bearing on Neil's demeanour or enthusiasm to interact with the audience...just seems to be little things that can put Neil in a bad vibe for that specific night...''here's not here to reason why!?
doc
I read in an earlier post from someone that mentions Neil's show in Redrocks. I was at that show as well and it was one of my favorite concert moments as Neil played "Cowgirl in the Sand" through a driving rain in freezing temperatures. The harder the rain fell with lightning all around, the harder Neil grinded out that song. By the end of that show, I felt like I had witnessed something very special.
The Dallas show left me with exactly the same feelings of having witnessed something special in a completely different way. The solo show was so good and emotionally draining that again you know you witnessed something very special.
While I was sitting there taking in the show taking in the great old songs and really digging the new material, I was reminded of a quote from U2's Rattle and Hum..."It's like a muscial journey" and a musical journey it was at the Meyerson.
The Hitchhiker is one bad ass song that I had never heard before and I can not wait to get that bad boy on my IPOD :-)
Leaving the theater I was thinking about folks who do not like Neil Young and how I would respond to them when they asked how the show was. If I have to try to explain to you what makes Neil and his music great, you don't get it and I can not explain it to you.But if you are lucky enought to be able to tune in to the that special wavelength and vibe, you know what I am talking about.
Great show and thanks for allowing us to take that journey with you!
Neil Young ranks as one of the most important figures in the annals of music. His song writing is just as strong as Bob Dyan. He's one of the best guitarist in the history of rock and roll and even in his advanced age he blows the socks off most of the punks today. His music is still revelent today and don't ever expect a show of just oldies. His show in Dallas was my all time favorite concert and I've seen most of the icons in R&R. The intimate setting added whole differant element to the experiance that made me feel like I was in Neil's living room singing with him. I blessed enough to have 4th row seats and truly felt a part of when I belted out the David Crosby part at the the end of Ohio. His opening song Hey Hey My My (acoutic) gave me chills. His new material was awesome. My other favorites were Ohio, Helpless, I Believe In You, Cortez The Killer, and After The Gold Rush which was magically played on the pipe organ. The Meyerson Center was a beautiful venue and the acoustics were impeccable. I also need to give a shout out to the opening act Bert Jansch. I had never heard of him for some reason, because this dude should be famous. His guitar work was beautiful and masterful. His songs were meaningful and his voice was captivating. His songs and Neil's new songs will be on my IPOD in the not so distant future. WHAT A NIGHT!
Okay. So long story short. I was setlist pranked by someone on Neil's crew. Has this happened to anyone else? I don't recall reading about it. It was the perfect capper to the perfect evening. When the lights came up I was out of there; took a leak and headed right for the bus area, hoping to catch a glimpse of Neil. The buses were pulling out when I got there. They didn't waste any time.
So I go back inside and take some pictures of the stage while the crew is breaking it down. There's a suit in the background who comes forward to say "everyone start clearing out". There's some young guys in a box hollering for a setlist. Could we get a setlist? But they're up too high to reach the stage. I wasn't. I looked up and there was a wad of papers stuck on top of something. That's what caught their eye. So I jump up and grab the whole stack. I had to really jump up to reach it and I've got a pile of papers in my hand and I'm thinking "Wow, I've got something really special here"!
The suit screams "give that back" and the guys up in the box cheer me on as I race out the door with my prize in hand. I hauled ass into the lobby, still looking over my shoulder but I've lost them!
I unfold the bundle of papers and there's about 20 copies of the "setlist" in my hand. Large fonts. Fills the page. It read as follows; lousey spelling in tact -
YOU DON'T
GET A
SET LIST
BECAUSE
YOUR TICKET
DOES NOT
SAY
ENTERTAINMENT
AND A SOUVENIER.
IT JUST
SAYS
THAT YOU GET
TO SEE
THE SHOW.
THAT SHOULD BE
ENOUGH.
WHAT ARE YOU
*******************
GOING TO DO
WITH A LOUSEY
PIECE OF
PAPER ANYWAY?
I laughed my ass off. Gave a couple to some guys outside that had unautographed albums in tow. It really was the perfect ending to an unforgettable night!! Thanks again Neil for a beautiful show!!
I went to this show with my dad, who has seen him five or six times including at the Myriad in Oklahoma City for the Time Fades Away tour, and with my younger brother who had never seen him. Two years I saw Neil for the first time in San Diego, so we all went into it with different experience. My brother and me went to see if we could meet Neil about four hours before the show. After waiting about an hour he came out and signed something for all of us waiting. I got "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" and my brother got "Live Rust" signed. The whole time I just keep thinking this doesn't seem real, I'm standing right next to Neil. All I could manage to say was that my copy of EKTN was the first album my dad bought of his. I couldn't tell what he thought about that but as I was walking away, I turned back around and he finally broke his stern demeanor and smiled at me and waved. The show was amazing and blew me away. It was much different from the show in San Diego that seemed more like a greatest hits tour. All the songs, including the old ones, seemed almost sad and mournful; the only exception being Leia. Almost like he knows he's getting old but life goes on, a new generation is just starting. When he sang Old Man, I felt like he was singing it just for me. I could swear he looked straight at me or maybe I just wanted to believe he was. It may not mean that much to him that he means so much to me but at 24, with so much more, and he an old man of 64, I feel a strong bond with him through his songs and the emotions his passes through them.
Okay, looking back, I've still got a buzz going from this show. And it's been what...a month and a half ago? Wow. I was wrong about "You Never Call" and "Peaceful Valley". They're both great songs. I was still reeling from the opening trio and didn't fully appreciate them at the time. I was so in awe of what I was seeing.
I have a few videos on my camera and the stars really did line up that night. My videos didn't come out but the audio from Cinnamon Girl, Cortez and Down by the River proves that everyone there was so into it that night. It's a damn shame there's no recording of the show. If anyone is sitting on one, please post it. Hopefully, Twisted Road the Movie will complete the trilogy. I hope to make it to a gulf show. Sure wish they'd announce some days. I'm thinking New Orleans.
Almost forgot, I understand the placement of Hitchhiker now. I focused on the drug use first time around. He's recapping his life. Love and War, Life and Death. It fits perfectly in that context. I'll admit, I'm a little slow at times but eventually, I come around.
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