Neil Young Concert Reviews - Oakland, CA , July 11, 12 & 14, 2010
Photo gallery by Gretchen Robinette
And the rave tweets continue to flood into TW....
Twitter / Emilie G.
Neil Young "Cinnamon Girl" - Live from Fox Theater at Fox Theater, Oakland CA on 7/11/2010
Setlist:
1. My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue) (acoustic guitar)
2. Tell Me Why (acoustic guitar)
3. Helpless (acoustic guitar)
4. You Never Call (acoustic guitar w/ pickup)
5. Peaceful Valley (acoustic guitar w/ pickup)
6. Love And War (acoustic guitar w/ pickup)
7. Down By The River (electric guitar - Old Black)
8. Hitchhiker (electric guitar - Old Black)
9. Ohio (electric guitar - white falcon)
10. Sign Of Love (electric guitar - white falcon)
11. Leia (piano)
12. After The Gold Rush (pump organ)
13. I Believe In You (piano)
14. Rumblin' (electric guitar – white falcon)
15. Cortez The Killer (electric guitar - Old Black)
16. Cinnamon Girl (electric guitar - Old Black)
---
17. Walk With Me (electric guitar - white falcon)
Thanks Sugar Mountain for the setlist!
More YouTube videos on
http://purplewordsonagreybackground.blogspot.com/.
From San Jose Mercury News: "Review: Neil Young performs short, but sweet set at Fox" By Jim Harrington:
There might not be another rocker in the game that can deliver a more thrilling solo show than Neil Young.
He can just sit on a stool with an acoustic guitar in his hands and unleash one mesmerizing song after another. Then he'll move over to the piano or the organ—or, perhaps, grab an electric guitar—and the whole process repeats. His lyrics, so thoughtfully poetic and imaginatively accessible, tug at the heart and stimulate the brain with equal force.
Some of his selections, of course, are more effective than others, but nothing in his song book is without some kind of merit.
Indeed, there were moments of pure brilliance during his concert on Sunday—the first of three nights at the Fox Theater in Oakland. (Young will also perform Monday and Wednesday at the Fox, as well as Thursday at UC Davis.) That said, however, the capacity crowd was a bit shortchanged by the 64-year-old rocker.
The 2nd Leg of Neil Young's Twisted Road Tour Opens Tonight!
Neil Young will be performing tonight at the Fox Theater, Oakland, CA. Special guest Bert Jansch will open concert.
Got a report? Drop a comment below. No registration required.
Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates. Also, see Song Grid Chart.
Also, see Neil Young's "Twisted Road" Concert Tour Reviews and the right, middle sidebar for continuous real time RSS feed updates.
Labels: concerts, neil young, reviews, tour
by thrasher@PermaLink: 7/11/2010 06:01:00 AM
121 comments
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121 Comments:
dave from vancouver wa. says YES!!!! keep on rocking...my wife and I are freaking out....we'll see him july 19th in portland...THANKS NEIL!!!!
Anonymous from Amsterdam says YES!!!! Keep on Rocking... TONIGHT is Holland versus Spain. Imagine that Neil would play Amsterdam or Rotterdam tonight... that would add an extra dimension to the word SOLO... he would be alone in the theater... anyway, if we win the world cup what song should I ask Neil to play tonight? I was thinking about it and couldn't find a song that fits something like "world cup victory"...
This comment has been removed by the author.
He said in the liner notes of Decade that Cowgirl was about how he imagined the beaches of Spain.
I will be there tomorrow. First time ever seeing Neil live after 40 years of being a fan. It's my 53rd birthday present. I will be back with a report.
http://www.sugarmtn.org/show.php?show=201007110
Fantastic show tonight 7-12 in Oakland Fox Theater. Unbelievable, only Neil Young could pull of a show like this. Electric and acoustical solo. My favorite song of the night, I Believe in You. Very sweet on the piano. Don't want to spoil the show for the rest of you going in the days to follow. Have a great time. John L.
Sorry, the show was 7-11, the first show in Oakland Fox Theater.
John L.
Neil was great, this was my first time seeing him live. Once went to the CNE in Toronto where he was playing with Pearl Jam. I could not get a ticket so just listened outside of the stadium for free.
Will be back on Wednesday in the second row (B) wearing a T-Shirt with a red Maple Leaf on it. Hope he says hello.
- Windsor
I wasn't sure what to expect except for the unexpected. I have seen Neil perform everything from computer generated music live (from transformer) to blue grass, garage band and solo acoustic but never solo electric. He manages somehow to create the effect of an entire band by thumping the "e" string, strumming the rest while playing lead on the neck. Yeah, that's what i thought!
what was his setlist for tonights performance?
doc
Twisted Road is such a great Tour but hey, would you please sign this petition in order to bring back Crazy Horse !
This is an online petition of sorts to bring back Billy Talbot and Crazy Horse to do one more American tour with Neil Young. The solo tour was fantastic and will always stand out, but just for fun let's get this thing going. The last Crazy Horse tour was the 2004 Greendale tour. Who knows what could happen if we get enough support.
Here is the link
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128780127150881
How can Neil take a month off and come back and play the exact same show as 1st leg. I expect to see some new songs possibly, but at least some variation. I thought the Facebook message was a clue of what's to cone. Goes you never now what will happen on the hippie highway.
- Robert Ford
Well does anyone have any clue why Neil hasnt toured with the Horse in 6 years, even though he's been touring pretty regularly ??
Ralph was the drummer at the begining of the CD2 tour, but later he was off the next phase of that tour. Yes, everyone knows Neils likes to play with various people, but he always comes back to the Horse at some point. Does anyone know if there's some personal problem between some member of Crazy Horse and Neil ?
Just seems odd he hasn't done any tour with them is so long.
@ 7/12/2010 10:24:00 AM
Good question.
But can we hold off discussion on this thread so we can focus on last night's Leg 32 opener?
If you can't wait, take it here.
Thanks!
peace
Neil can take a month off and then come back and play the exact same show because he's Neil and he does what he wants. Folks in Oakland might not have seen any of the 1st leg shows. Now they get to see what all the buzz was about during the first leg. And I'm jealous.
Thanks Jonathan.
Exactly. Neil ain't the Grateful Dead playing before the same audience night after night.
If the setlist flow works, go with the flow. he's the ocean, the giant undertow...
I agree with Thrasher. This tour is much focalized on the new songs. I think that Neil is happy that the other old songs are just "flowin'".When Neil'll write other new songs, he'll test them before the audience for sure. Anyway, during the last european tour the setlist was quite regular too.
Neil is working yet, as he is singing in the beautiful "You Never Call" and maybe sometimes the same short setlist is the price paid .
Andrea."So Tired"
Thrasher,
I just thought Neil might have written a new song during the time off. With the BP disaster and everything else going on it seems like a good time to write. I also thought Neil might have just switched some songs or added a few. He has been known to tinker with tracklists on occasion.
- Robert Ford
After the Sunday night show at the ornate Fox Theater in Oakland, a heated debate ensued in the men's room. A couple of fans were disappointed to pay $200 for a Neil Young show clocking in at less than 90 minutes, with no variance for the hometown crowd from previous setlits. Others disagreed, saying they enjoyed it for what it was.
Neil was intense, in good voice, and brief. It's up to you to decide if that's worth your $200.
SF Fog
I can understand the curiosity about the setlist and why no changes. It does seem a bit strange to me and I already got to see the show. While he's all set up with the keys and the axes, it's just him. It would seem to be a bit mundane to perform the exact same show each night, but somehow it keeps rollng. Live new album? I can see if a band was invloved, but it'll be of interest how this leg shores up regarding the songs. Granted, it's been this way before, but.....
Mr Ford,
Cool. I hear ya.
Afterall, he kinda got us pumped for Vampire Blues.
But I guess he needs band?
@ Thrash
2 words : Crazy Horse
it's funny that neil, known for his unpredictability, is so damn predictable sometimes.
now who could predict that?
I was at the concert on Sunday 7-11and have seen him several times over the last 30 years. My overall feeling about Sundays concert can be summed up in one word: Whatever. On the one hand it certainly is special to hear Young sing songs like “Tell me why” and “After the goldrush” etc. But he did not seem to be into it and seemed to just be going through the motions. And the concert was really really short. The audience was shortchanged. Neil is infatuated by the gritty down and out characters in his songs and he almost seemed to have contempt for the Bay Area audience he was playing to. Does he realize that although we are not farmers some of us work our asses off and have huge mortgages and that it’s a splurge for us to spend $200 on a concert ticket? Would an extra song or two have been that painful for him? Whatever.
The Twisted Road Tour is like an opera to Neil. The setlist will not change apart from Neil dropping in a few extra encores, most likely Old Man and/or Heart of Gold.
As for ticket prices, Neil's tickets are cheap compared to recent shows by the likes of James Taylor & Carole King, Eagles, Paul Simon, etc, etc.
The best thing about going to a Neil show is that you will get to see an artists who is still current.
I can't wait to see another Twisted Road Tour. You Never Call is worth the price of a ticket alone. :)
Regards
Stringman
Agreed Stringman!! Neil is keeping to that set list because it is saying whatever it is he wants to say right now...i don't know exactly what that IS, but i don't believe he is being lazy or anything else like that, he is being true to his muse, this is the SHOW he has for us this time around.....just like greendale, or the third best garage tour, or welcome to miami.....all the same NEIL for sure.....
Hey Stringy, gotta agree with you on the price of a Neil ticket..
The eagles are visiting our shores in early December..so I thought of getting tickets to the show for my wife and I as a birthday present to each of us.... the so called Platinum tickets were $1326 a double!
looks like I'll be getting my "Hell Freezes Over" DVD out,get some Thai takeaway, a bottle of wine..and watch them on my big screen in the comfort of the lounge room!
doc
Waiting for Mr Young at the Riverside in Milwaukee wi on July 30th. A change in the Setlist may still happen...but...Cortez only on the Falcon..WOW1 RD
I've just seen the Massey Hall shows.I'm a bit disappointed.The sets were too short and quite the same.Too many new songs.No Squires songs.Maybe, as he is singing in his just ok new songs(Old Man and Heart Of Gold) he is twenty four and is getting old.
Andrea."So Tired"
@ Stringman"
"The Twisted Road Tour is like an opera to Neil."
That about sums it up!
thnx!
I must say, I am VERY Unimpressed with the posted CG performance. I was going to be forking out $300 on StubHub to get a seat at the Minneapolis concert but not after seeing that. Thanks, Thrash, for posting! Hell, my 17 year old son can play CG like that down in the basement and it sounds just as good. What a f&*ing waste of an opportunity! I would MUCH rather see him playing new songs, even if they suck, than performances such as these. All downers, too!
How about some energy? Where is the joy in Rock and Roll, Neil?
Old Black
How is the audience responding to Neil Solo? I just read that ticket sales in general for many musicians are down about 17%
I can't imagine ever being disappointed leaving Neil's concert even when he was in the ditch.
I know people who can rock CG like a wagon wheel, too, but listening to Neil playing it with nothing between us except the strings on his guitar is a real turn on and I'm not talking about a sexual turn on you perverts.
Sorry you dudes don't get it about the muse & music but hearing him sing and play the song without all the layering crap is nirvana.
This man goes deep. To the core.
XOXOXO
@ Mother Nature on the Run:
Yeah.
I mean electric solo Cinnamon girl??
Really. If you told me I'd live to see that day, i wouldn't have beleived you.
It was like a personal performance to see the show in such an intimate setting.
I'd never heard a CG like this before .. it was beyond sublime.
peace
xo
reading these comments, I have to pick out a few key elements.
"This tour is much focalized on the new songs. "
* Hey folks, this is what Neil Young does and has been doing for years. When there are new songs, they get recorded and then played in concert. They are what is current and fresh. If you want to get an "oldies/ greatest hits" act go hear the freakin' Eagles or some other act that won't play anything new....'cause THAT never works.
"Exactly. Neil ain't the Grateful Dead playing before the same audience night after night."
* well put and a bulls eye observation.
"The Twisted Road Tour is like an opera to Neil."
* another superb evaluation. As it has been said, 'it's all one song'. This is a song cycle that fits together and not just a random grouping of songs.
A note from me- the name TRT that folks are giving to the tour in our business stands for Total Running Time. Kinda funny considering some of the comments.
I also think that Neil's new sound and sonic tones are mind blowing.
Enjoy the music and listen to some vinyl today.
-Archives Guy
Right on!! Neil has re-invented himself yet again and is giving us where he's at RIGHT NOW. It's not 1971 anymore and like Thrasher pointed out, he's not going to just be pulling random songs out of a hat every night to mix it up. Hell, the entire presentation on this tour is mixing it up if you ask me.
But no one did.
Neil isn't the Grateful Dead at all, but it certainly doesn't mean he can't vary his set list by 3 or 4 songs each night, especially if it is "the hits" along with new material. Even Dylan varies three songs a show. And you certainly don't have to be a Dead Head to go see your favorite musician perform two nights in a row. I just paid $450 for two nights at the Fox and am fine with doing so - I love the man and his music - but I think there is a reasonable expectation, especially with Neil Young, that he'll vary the set list a least a little. It is reasonable for him to expect fans like me will see him two nights in a row, so throwing in a Harvest instead of a hey hey my my or a Philadelphia instead of the I Believe in You (Which was AMAZING)the second night would not be asking too much. I was a little disappointed.
I don't think Neil works like you think, Louis. I think he goes out there and just does what he's feeling. It's possible that he intended to jumble the list a bit and it's also possible that he thought he was jumblng it around.
I don't think he was putting on a canned show or anything like that. That has never been Neil's style. I think he's very honest and sincere about what he brings into his performances.
Well I see that some of us are bellyaching again about set lists and the length of Neil's shows. Well I have to say that Neil doesn't owe any of us a damn thing. If anything, we owe him for the art he has GIVEN us over our lifetimes. I just don't get it when I read about how some of us are disappointed with all that Neil gives us ( from Archives, to BD downloads,and so on.)
AG, you're right, sit back and listen and enjoy!
Sorry, one more thing. Andrea, what Massey Hall shows are you talking about? It's just down the road from me and I'm in need of some clarification on your comments.
Actually I think Neil usually does work the way I expected him to. I'm 35 yrs old but I've been seeing Neil for 17 years now, and every time I've seen him (on multiple consecutive occasions)he has varied his set list at least a little. He did it at the Paramount/Sacramento run ten or so years ago, he did it recently a couple years back at the Nokia theater run. Not a lot, but at least some.
In my mind, because these are intimate expensive shows, he has to know his biggest fans are going to go see him a couple nights in a row. Frankly all the talk about "setlist flow" and "Neil can do what he wants" is B.S. - every performer is subject to reasonable expectations (don't come out hammered and play for 5 minutes, for instance) that are based in large part on previous experiences let alone the size of his songbook. There was no reason for me, as a huge Neil fan, not to expect to hear at least a few different songs. Even sir Paul varies his cheese fest a little each night. Neil is being a little lazy, methinks. Don't get me wrong, I'd pay again to see the same set, but I'd prefer to hear "You and Me" for the second time in my life than Goldrush for the 15th (not that it wasn't lovely). And I'm still waiting to hear my "Motion Pictures" live.
It's amusing to listen to everyone state what they think Neil should do. It sounds like maybe a few of you need to sell the tickets you bought to that "second" show.
Personally, I'm happy for most of you that he DIDN'T change anything. It was the most beautiful, raw and emotional show I've ever witnessed. Why mess with a good thing? Thanks Neil for putting yourself out there like that! It is appreciated.
I would LOVE to put on a 180 gram vinyl version of Ragged Glory today..but I can't...yet.
Archives Guy?
Maybe when NYAS catches up to that era?
Right now I've got Neil Young Unplugged tracking under the needle.
Sounds pretty good!
Gotta go flip to side two now.
I've got an early '70's Pioneer turntable that looks like it's
made from Redwood. It has served me well!
Vinyl..makes me get up off my butt!
Plugged in or unplugged!
Live music IS better!
"Hair lines don't mean shit anymore!
Nowadays it's thin to win!
Like an Olympic skiers wax!
Or a vinyl groove..."
In reply to Archives Guy & eric:
I think Andrea was being sarcastic, implying that the complaints about Neil's recent shows are similar to ones that may have been made about the '71 Massey Hall shows which are now considered classics.
Jon
@ AG - Thanks for dropping by!
@ Jon - thanks for clarifying.
I was quite curious on the comment as well and figured that a lot got lost in translation...
Andrea, Oh to live on Sugar Mountain... in the audience at Massey Hall or at the Canterbury
Actually it works better if you sing it "Oh to live on Sugar Mtn. at the Canterbury or at Massey Hall...
Jon - Thanks, got it. Just felt like I was drowning in complaints! Sorry Andrea!
Thrash, you're right. That plane landing on water flew right over my head!
Cheers
Louis, Long before you were born, the only expectation for the band was that it show up. Most venues back then, too, were pricey because they were intimate. (As intimate as sitting in the front row and passing a doob to BB King.) No one would ever presume to suggest to a musician what was expected beyond showing up to do the show.
First off, I was there (only my 2nd Neil show, but whatever) and it was incredible. I was going to comment on some of the feedback on this post, but Archives Guy summed it up for me. I agree w/him completely - it's Neil, and it's what he does. How fans of his fail to remember that is beyond my comprehension.
Seeing "Down by the River" played solo electric is one of the high points of my life.
@ Doc,
hmmm. thought you were in AUS?
busted
All you set-list freaks remember this is The Solo tour. Some songs just don't transfer to this format. But the beauty is we are seeing the songs performed as they were composed. A very rare treat...
OK. Let us know net this out.
Based on the shows we saw on 1st leg. Here's how we saw it, as we mentioned afterwards...
solo. electric. old black. cinnamon girl. totally cranking. in a small theater. 20 feet in front of you.
priceless
AG:
TRT - nice . . .
You're totally right, the sound's incredible, maybe it was a short set but there's nothing quite like it anywhere or anytime - it was a gas to be in the room with the man last May
old sound man
Reading the complaints I think its not just the same long song from Neil, its also the same long complaint from people too ... kind of comical or maybe sad, I've been shut out of this tour so far, so enjoying it from TW vicariously and reading the complaints ... "no set list variety, too many new songs, not enough new songs, no CH, not electric enough, too expensive, Neil's not into it, ect..."
Neil will be Neil that's why he's more relevant than ever and on top of his game. It seems this tour will go down in the history books as a classic ... Neil the one man solo electric band
Any complainers want to trade places with me?
AG - thanks for showing up and sharing your insights, its always a thrill to get some inside scoop.
Dan
thrasher said:
"solo. electric. old black. cinnamon girl. totally cranking. in a small theater. 20 feet in front of you.
priceless."
thrasher, allow me to abbreviate:
NEIL. YOUNG.
: )
lovekaren (going to next show and cannot wait)
Thrasher, my favorite one-stop concert hopping place to be!
Hey Doc! (He studied in Toronto and took a job down under.)
While you're in California, Karen, I'm going hang out on your website. I see you've been very busy.
Karen, Where do you leave a comment on Streamland?
Personally I think Eva Marie was pushed off the bridge. No joy.
Can't wait for the concert in Portland. I am bringing my 8 year old daughter to it. She has been listening to his work all her life. The first song she ever sang was Cinnoman Girl. This is going to be great! (Great to see AG here, again.)
I don't know what's gotten into me, Thrasher. I just finished a bowl full of cherries and I'm on the moon. Do you think it's a "girl" thing that we're all getting swooped off our feet with Neil's solos?
To anyone complaining about the variety of the set lists. As observed by many others, this is a show. He wants these songs in this sequence. Years ago, without people sharing recordings online, there would be no reason to complain about a relentlessly invariable setlist. Be careful what you wish for, because Neil's alternative is to record the show, release it and forget about touring all together.
Yes, it is a big revenue source, but Neil is not hurting for cash.
Some of you speak as if Neil is your own jukebox. Others appreciate witnessing the process of unifying his physical and metaphysical means. In this sense, he IS like a jukebox, but only his brain puts coins in.
@ karen - enjoy! Lookin for a report by 11PM
@MNOTR - i dunno, u tell me. i think it happens w/ guys too. so i hear...
@ MMnTO - "he IS like a jukebox, but only his brain puts coins in."
great line!
@ doc - busted. sock puppet. go away
I must, MUST see this show!! I need one ticket for Milwaukee. Please if you have an extra, let me know!
XO
Mother Nature on the Run,
Feel free to hang out in there but it's kind of easy to get lost (in my stream of consciousness)
: )
There isn't a comment section, but you can send me an email if you like by clicking on the typewriter.
lovekaren
Uh ... I dunno. Didn't Neil say he was a microphone and aliens were communicating through him?
I've been invited by My Twin Sons to see NY in Milwaukee for a Father's Day Gift...It's pretty pricey for them.I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves though.Thanks Neil! RJ
The more I think about the Twisted Road Tour the more I believe that the entire show is dedicated to Larry Johnson. Apart from Neil's new songs, the rest of the setlist I imagine were all Larry Johnson's favourites.
Stringy
Can someone who went to the show comment on what time Burt took the stage, how long he played, and what time Neil took the stage? I want to make sure I'm there on time for the show tomorrow night.
The world has truly changed thanks to the Internet. I'm sure Neil never thought his set lists would be compared to each other nightly, but he's certainly aware of this fact now and maybe this is his reaction to that. If you notice, since 1999 hes pretty much stuck to the same set lists (not that he didn't before but there was a little more variation). I think a live performer is kinda screwed by this because people are watching for variation and for rarities to be played. I like looking at set lists as much as the next fan but really, what is to be gained? Its not like you can be at every show. Say Neil decided to play half of tonight's the night at the show after the one you just went to? Wouldn't you feel a bit burned? But we complain that he plays the the same set list every night. Its a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't.
As far as playing new songs? Come on now... Are we REALLY STILL TALKING ABOUT THIS? Its such a ridiculous statement to say "Neil is playing too many NEW songs! What? Listen, I'm not a fan of music that is popular today. I'm just not. And yes I put on the Beatles, Hendrix, even Devo and the Replacements, from time to time, but that doesn't mean I don't LOVE hearing new songs from an artist I love. Who doesn't like fresh music? Christ, songs played on the radio today are completely forgotten in a month so obviously most people like new music too. Neil is still ALIVE man. He's still a musician, He's not some pale imitation of his 24 year old self! Neil grows, Neil changes, He challenges. I think Neil refuses to acknowledge that his best days are behind him, and I agree with that sentiment. We should all have that attitude about ourselves and stop trying to relive a mythologised youth.
Neil is a writer, first and foremost! Without his song writing abilities he wouldn't be NEIL YOUNG as we know him. Like AG says this is what Neil has always done, and I am damn glad for it. He's right...go see a retro act if that's your bag. Neil is still writing great songs, and they will be classics in a few years. I think the day Neil stops writing new songs and performing them is the day he hangs up Old Black and sits back and relaxes with Pegi on the ranch for the rest of his days. As fans, lets hope it never happens.
I love Neil's old songs....the classic albums. I also love his 90's stuff. His 80's stuff, I knew it all well, but its only now that I'm starting to really get what he was doing. I'm into it. Neil's stuff from the 80's is among a very small, select amount of music from that decade that doesn't sound dated now, no matter how much synth he used. The more music Neil makes the better. I'm sure there will be years to come of more music to love, either right now in the moment, when its fresh or years later, you can re-discover some great tune and finally get it. In my opinion, when all is said and done, it will never be enough. I hope Neil is still rockin' out writing new tunes and confounding fans well into his 90s.
Rock on NEIL!
"Ain't a day goes by I don't burn a little bit of my soul"
Nice SH. very nice
Here's another angle on the time/value proposition.
Bert Jansch opening.
Bert + Neil = nirvana
peace
Well, since we can't pay those astronomical prices often enough to compare shows, and this in fact was my first time seeing Neil live EVER (despite being a fan for 40+ years), I was beyond satisfied.
Come on, EIGHT great new songs and an interesting assortment of oldies? This is what I want out of Mr. Young.
I'm looking at the titles on the set list, but I can't figure out which one was the autobiographical song that chronicled Neil's drug history, referred to his troubled relationship with Carrie Snograss and ended with a nice tribute to Pegi. Anyone remember which one that is?
I saw two shows on the first leg and want to add one thing to this debate: It's interesting to me that the few changes to the setlist so far are Heart of Gold and Old Man, the very two songs that put Neil in the "ditch" in the first place. He is clearly saying something about audience expectations. It wouldn't surprise me if he played Out On The Weekend as a surprise song in the weeks or months to come for the same reason. Neil is not a greatest hits act and never was--that's the reason so many of us love what he does!
Joe Humbucker in Indonesiana
I think we are all blessed to have Neil P. Young among us doing what ever he wants to do. In this case, it is communicating deep feelings through his music. I hope Neil continues to tune out people who try to tell him what to do, just like he did when they tried to sue him for not sounding enough like Neil Young. Life is change, and Neil is on it!
He could stand on that stage and do nothing for 90 minutes, and I would be in awe!
I'd be happy if Neil never played any of his greatest hits ever again. Bring on the new songs and the songs that are not classified as greatest hits.
Sugar Mountain (Fantastic site Tom!!) has a great set of statistics of his most played songs, http://sugarmtn.org/stat.php?stat=1.
I'd be happy if Neil started to play songs from #40 down. :)
Stringman
Hitchhiker is Neil's biographical drug song
Stringy
@Stringy:
yes, it does seem the setlist is themed to L.A.
A lot of death here...
- BBTR
- CTK
- L&W
- Ohio
Heavy, man. very heavy
Watching anything or anyone do nothing for 90 minutes sorta puts you into a different life-form category.
That thought that's what rocks do, but I get your point.
Some people write the most confounding things here.
Doesn't anyone know that most bands / groups / songwriters on tour tend to play the same set-list night after night?
I thought people knew that. I mean, it's the way it is, right?
I would give my left leg to get to see a show on this tour. You people are lucky to get to see such a beautiful, passionate performer performing his new songs in this way. Yet you complain and whine like babies.
Hey, I don't have the $200.00, and I'm not even complaining about ticket prices. If I could afford it, I'd be thrilled just to be in a theater watching Neil play brand new material live.
Yet people just complain complain complain, and whine like brats. Don't you have more important things to complain about?
Like, maybe, the fact that the gulf of Mexico is currently being doused in poisonous chemicals and flooded with oil by a giant multinational corporation that's hell-bent on destroying the world for profit?
And another thing - this whole other argument, "I can listen to my 15 year old kid play Cinammon Girl on his guitar in my garage and it sounds just as good!" garbage?
Have you no appreciation for the nuances of sound?
Or do you just wanna cry, cry, cry... boo hoo hoo. Because that's all you know how to do.
Ridiculous.
@Matt:
Thanks for the pushback. jeepers.
Agree on if folks want to complain about something, the Gulf tragedy is a real good place to start.
Or this bailout's not for you...
Or climate change...
Or the wars....
or...
Naturally I've tried to be ironic. Neil has always played new songs before his audience, recorded them and released on new records.During the Harvest time and now. I've crossed the Ocean for listening to his new songs.
The sets were short too, but everything was O.K for the audience.
Naturally people pay and has every right of complain. Anyway, Neil is not really changed much.
Andrea."So Tired"
P.s. Just seen ZZ Top in Tuscany. Great show. It's a pity that they don't present any new songs. I know that they've written many.
Y'know, it occurs to me that I'm starting to come off as the guy who complains about the people who complain.
Kind of post-modern, I suppose.
Really, there's lots of great comments and posts here by people who get it, and are thrilled to see such a great artist perform, and that's awesome to see.
Neil keeps writing new material year after year, and he's 64 years old! He could have retired a long, long time ago and he'd still be a legend.
But he keeps on doin' what he loves, and it's such a wonderful gift that he has, to transform his personal feelings about life and the world into these beautiful songs and share them with us, and it's awesome that he keeps the creative spirit alive, and is such an inspiration to people, and just keeps on truckin', even after 40+ years on the road and in the studio.
It's good to see him getting the love he deserves from people, because Neil so often gets crapped on by the media and by supposed "fans".
He got so much flack over the past 10 years from people for FITR, LWW, Greendale, etc. that it's good to see even the media coming around with some good things to say about this tour.
I can't wait to hear the album when it comes out, it sounds like it's gonna be a doozy.
Oh, and we're right around that 10 year mark again... if Greendale is his 2000's masterpiece, I'm really lookin' forward to seeing what his 20-teens masterpiece is going to be.
CAN't wait to hear the new album. This tour is really awesome, makes me think about Bottoms Up 1974 : dark, raw... Asskicker !
Go Neil (and please, saddle up the horse once again).
Does anyone else out there agree that Hichhiker should be considerd a new song?It's new to ALOT of us anyhow.
Rancho Relaxo
in light of historical comments from Neil, may I paraphrase...
"It's all one SHOW"
No doubt in my mind that 'Greendale' is a 100% masterpiece. Matthew - terrific spot-on comments!! Shitty Horse as well - there are many many of us that do get it and are thankful for a host of reasons, not the least of which is that like you said, he's still here with us giving us new music.
I saw the DC show from the third row and like all of his performances that I've seen, I wish that I could get the chance to see it again since like all good things in life (or great things), you should really try to treasure the moment cause they don't last and things change. Sort of like watching my kids grow up, man. I try to take note of how special each and every stage is of their development because once its gone...its gone.
Thanks, Thrasher as always.
'Sock puppet' gave me a good laugh earlier by the way. :)
I can't wait to hear the album when it comes out, it sounds like it's gonna be a doozy.
Unless of course, he scraps them all in favor of 10 newer songs he just wrote the week before, and we have to wait for Archives Vol. 4 to come out in 2035!
Hope that doesn't happen. If these songs are the core of his next album, it could be his best in 15 years or so.
Was just passing by our radio in the shop here."Heart of Gold" was playing.Made me reflect for a moment.Long may you run Neil.With trunks of GOOD memories still to come.
Rancho Relaxo
350. Berlin 1
351. Bright Sunny Day 1
353. Comin' Apart At Every Nail 1
354. Cry, Cry, Cry 1
355. Everybody I Love You 1
356. Get Around 1
357. Goodbye Dick 1
358. If I Could Have Her Tonight 1
359. Johnny Magic 1
360. Lookin' For A Leader 1
361. Love Hotel 1
363. Motion Pictures 1
364. Pardon My Heart 1
366. Star Of Bethlehem 1
367. Stayin' Power 1
368. Sweet Joni 1
369. The 1956 Bubblegum Disaster 1
370. The Great Divide 1
371. Turbine 1
372. Union Man 1
373. Vampire Blues 1
374. Walking After Midnight 1
375. Western Hero 1
376. Whiskey Boot Hill 1
List of 'one-offs' from all tours, these songs played only once live. Looks like a great setlist for a single show.
- Not Rotten Johnny
Indeed, another tour going down in the books.
Can't wait for Seattle.
So what's the sock puppet stuff about? Must've missed it.
Marc
Not Jonny Rotten,
Great list! I noticed Vampire Blues on it. Maybe Neil's been scanning the same list. Wouldn't put anything past him.
Not Johnny Rocket: I've personally seen 2 of those "one off" songs done live. I feel like I hit the jackpot!
one of eleventhousand
once an angel, always an angel...
- NRJ
God bless Archives Guy. After scrolling through and reading most of the comments posted here, I was a bit thrown off. AG's voice is about the only one ringing true because he does actually know the man. And that man, Neil Young playing SOLO, is passing through my town, Davis CA, tomorrow. That in and of itself is a minor miracle. We get some world class acts here, of course, with the Mondavi Center acting as a magnet. And we used to have the Palms Playhouse in an old barn (long live the Barn!) south of town before development forced it to Winters, CA. Those who know of it, know the priceless artists who graced it during its ragged glory years. Seeing Neil solo there back in the day would have been like dying and going to hog heaven. It was in a BARN for chrissakes and you could see just feet away the musicians working up a lather while the wooden walls vibrated and the roof almost got blown off. It would have been perfect for Neil with or without Crazy Horse circa Fillmore East. I'm sure he would have gladly signed his name on the backstage walls along with the likes of Junior Wells, Richard Thompson, and Alejandro Escovedo just to drop a few names.
But I digress... Neil and his muse circa 2010 is coming here tomorrow night. And I don't really give a rat's ass about his setlist (I'm sorry I even read about it), ticket prices, or if he's suddenly decided to play all Beach Boy covers. Whatever drives him and his muse, I'll witness it and be thankful. He could play one song (it IS all one song after all) on Old Black and it would be a blessing. Like every fan, I have my biases and preferences. I cut my teeth on Time Fades Away as a teenage kid and lived and breathed every Crazy Horse release. I even found something to like in the 80s, a tough decade to like much of anything. That killer crunch buried in that Sample and Hold riff helped me keep the faith even as the rest was washed in vocorder (Sylvia!) and sweet longing to communicate with his son. "So many things still left to do / But we haven't made it yet." (Transformer Man)
My loving rant is about over. I know that I've just added to the endless stream of words that will be vapor trails in the Thrasher's Wheat blog background once Neil picks up Old Black and crunches away at the walls of the state-of-the-art Mondavi Center. It ain't the old Barn, and I won't hear Crazy Horse clomping away, but it'll be Neil in the present. That, my Rustie friends and acquaintances, is a gift unlike any other. I can't wait...Peace and love. Brian from Davis, CA.
p.s. I'm putting on my vinyl copy of Time Fades Away and turning it up to 10 to prime the pump before the show. I might even report back with a setlist. LMAO....
DUDE - Neil needs to start playing playing Motor City...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Man, he only played Western Hero ONCE live?? I love that song. From one of my all-time favorite albums too.
"Open fire, here comes the western hero...Standing there, big money in his hand..."
Goosebumps, I tell ya.
in reply to Brian from Davis:
While blog discussion, banter and point-counterpoint is entertaining and interactive, I must say that you "get it" in regard to this current tour.
I attended my first show last night and was very impressed...and that takes a lot for that kind of reaction from me.
Have a fantastic time tonight at the show.
The Mondavi Center will be rumblin' for sure.
-Archives Guy
ps: maybe don't be one of those guys who keeps yelling out " I Love you Neil!!".
Davis is just far enough away from San Francisco to make that pronouncement a bit awkward. :-)
Following up on Not Rotten Johnny's comment, Sugar Mountain also lists about 50 songs never, ever performed live and many others performed only a few times. Considering how many *great* songs Neil has in this back catalogue, it's a shame he doesn't play more of them.
Of course Neil can do what he pleases - he's the artist, not us - but as a fan it's kind of sad knowing we will probably never witness a live performance of I'm The Ocean or Change Your Mind ever again. Again, I respect Neil's decision to play what he wants, I'm not faulting him, just speaking as a hardcore fan.
Mick
I'm in a mood today.......
a Dylan revision, if you will
Neil thinks
cause he rules the earth
he can play what he pleases
and if things don't
change soon
we will
Neil has invented this doom
the first step
not playing harvest moon
now there's woman
wanting to rock
she just sits there
with Love to Will
saying who's
gonna take away
Neil's licsense to kill
:->
-NRJ
Matthew - I should clarify
My 17 year old son is very good. He plays a hand-built replica of Old Black through a rebiased 5e3 with 6L6s fed through the padded down extension speaker to a Magnatone 280. My point is this - Neil Young playing solo electric isn't all that special (albiet unusual).
You guys may all be made of money, but I sure ain't. Forking over the money to see the show is a serious trade-off for other things. Don't get me wrong - I would LOVE to see it. Chrome Dreams II was real value. Great band, great set list, good duration, a wonderful experience. 90 minutes of songs mostly meant to be played with a band is not worth what they are asking for in ticket prices, IMHO.
Why does Neil tour this way? Because that's how he earns money these days. That's how most bands earn money in this day and age of "my sales have tanked" music market. I think it's really cool he is playing small venues but to say he's doing it because he doesn't need (or want) the money is not true. If it were true, why not charge $40 a ticket? This is a tour with almost zero overhead (I don't think Larry Cragg is even on tour with him this time). More for Neil and Elliot.
Neil really needs revenue from touring because he doesn't get the residuals like some other song writers because of his principled stance on not commercializing his songs. But there is a financial consequence to that posture.
I'm not saying he isn't doing this without artistic motivation. But he and Elliot understand his audience and his market.
I would love to see Neil. Last time I looked, stubhub tickets were about $300 for a decent seat in Mpls. Everybody has to do their own math. I just can't justify the cost for 90 minutes of the current set list with the current solo lineup. If you've never seen him, it might be worth it. If you saw Chrome Dreams II, my feeling is you will be disappointed.
Old Black
geez, your son could have played guitar just as well on an epiphone les paul through an epiphone valve jr. seems like he wasted a lot of valuable money there, slick.
Oh man!I'm just salivating over the Fox Theater 7/14 pic.All those vintage Fender amps.Wowy Zowie!!
Rancho Relaxo
I was Justified
When I was five
raising cain
I spit
in your eye
times are changing
now the poor get fat
but the fever's
gonna catch you
when the bitch
gets back
____
Lots of squakin' on here, crying and whining. If we were in Oakland at the show, Neil woulda put his guitar down and walked out, like another time.
"Neil Young play solo electric isn't all that special"???
WTF?
I restraining myself here, Thrasher - help me out.
Ummmm, the show I saw was one of the best shows I've ever seen. I'll just leave it at that.
Saw the tour in Buffalo, May 19th. A once in a lifetime magical experience for me, went alone, having just seperated from a 25 year marriage - was a nite for me to begin a new life and only a nite with Neil would help me do that - Neil has kept me going for over 30 years - there are no words to explain my love and admiration for the man. Got Neil - Got Life!
It's a gift, really. Anyone ever want to play along with Neil?
Well?
Here's your chance... put your pedal to the metal and leave the driving to Neil.
@ Jonathan said...
"Neil Young play solo electric isn't all that special"???
WTF. exactly. no clue here. as stated earlier:
solo. electric. old black. cinnamon girl. totally cranking. in a small theater. 20 feet in front of you.
priceless
@
7/15/2010 04:35:00 PM
"Got Neil - Got Life!"
exactly. Mind if we use that one?
Old Black - interesting to see that you know so much about Neil and Eliot's finances. I guess you're in on all of the negotiations with the venues and insurance and everything that goes along with a tour, right? You do sound like a fan (sort of).
No offense to your son, but there are probably several (countless) fans that visit this site who are very good guitar players, including me. What does that have to do with anything?
And I am absolutely not made of money and I sacrificed quite a bit to obtain my ticket. Lots of us did. I don't know. Missing this tour is missing a rare treat that you'll regret years down the line.
Love your passion Jonathan. I saw Neil at the Ryman and had read all the previous comments, good, bad, blah, blah. I didn't let myself listen to any of the new songs that had been posted because I wanted to experience them for the first time live.
I sat and absorbed every note and let them seep into my pores. Of course I could listen to him for hours, but it was still the best musical night of my life. I feel priviledged to be given the chance to experience such an emotional, personal gift.
Sandy Horne
Mick,
Forget about what he hasn't played or what he might not play, look at what he IS playing and how he's playing it ... he'll eventually bring some of those hidden jems out but don't lose sight of the gems he's playing now.
I purposely did not check the setlist before I went to the Houston show. I had absolutely no idea what was going to unfold, and was completely surprised by what unfolded.
Hearing him play Cortez, Down By The River, Ohio, Cinnamon Girl solo electric was something else. Especially Down By The River, as it was the first song where he retrieved Old Black and as the opening chords rang out, followed by the first proper crunching of chords ... that was definitely something special.
Damn the internet to hell. I highly recommend ignoring it in the lead up to going to concerts. You'll have all the time in the world to review things post-show, but why go to a show knowing what is going to happen?
I had front row centre seats (which I purchased the normal "non-scalpers" way, just got online early) and the experience is one I will always cherish.
@archives guy
"I also think that Neil's new sound and sonic tones are mind blowing."
That's right. Neil adds a new wooden tone using the Guild acoustic- all mahogany wood that produces a totally different and WARM sound compared to his life long Martin sound (now THERE'S a change for a musician!). The effects he uses only add more to this. Great mastery of tone and sound!
And one more thing, Archives Guy - I just bought 'Dreamin Man live' this week. It immediately struck me how the songs on that album stick together. Neil must have put them together with the same kind of care he did when thinking of the song cycle for the Twisted Road Tour.
Theme: live your dreams, love your dreams. A dreamin' man thinking over the love he felt for his wife, his friends, his dog, his musical inspiration, his love of nature. Really, this album is something very special!
Peter Dees
Really enjoyed the show on 7/12. Were there things I might have changed? Sure. Still, Neil is nearing 65, but he doesn't sound like it. Voice is still clear, passion is still there, or at least he's faking it well. He's moving a bit slower than in past years, but so are most of us. The electric part of the show made me dream of Crazy Horse a bit, but that's not what this show was about. I hadn't seen him in 5 years, and it was good to see he stil can put on a show. Made a lot of music with the electric, especially using the pedals for bass. Yes, shows are too expensive. It sucks but that's life.
Not too much on Bert here. He is opening for Neil...for a reason.
Neil is surrounded by a lot of guitars and picks one out that is probably tuned and ready for one particular song. Which is great.
Bert, when I saw him, played on just one guitar,(Yamaha, don't know the model), and had to tune and capo change before every song. It makes watching Bert,to me, very interesting.
If you're going to see Neil this leg, take the time to check out Bert Jansch. Bert's playing begs your attention. I can't help but think having Bert open is Neil's way of saying."Wake The F#*K Up!
I am so excited by this. My wife and I have been wanting to see him in concert for a while now.
I saw the first show in Oakland on 7/11 and was disappointed. Dunno why but it was the first time I have ever seen Neil in concert - although have long enjoyed his music - and forked out $200 for each ticket (plus a ridiculous $25 each in "service fees"). Neil played for less than 90 minutes, and barely acknowledged the audience all night. He did not play most of his biggest hits - Heart of Gold, Old Man, Out on the Weekend, etc. instead opting for some obscure stuff. My wife had to ask me what songs they were. Also only two songs on the piano and one on the organ. On the positive side, Neil was mostly brilliant in the songs he chose and the time he played - but I was expecting more.
The above comment to me is worse than finger nails on a chalk board.
Expect the unexpected.
Now I have to go to the eye doctor because they won't stop rolling around....
hey hey!
tonight will be the first "home" show in winnipeg. i'm really excited about it. was on the rail right in front of him last time he was in town.
from what i hear, he takes people on a tour of winnipeg, showing them where he lived, went to school etc.
his last show hear was pretty emotional, although neil didn't talk too much with the crowd. if there is more banter in the intimate setting that will be tonight, it will just be gravy.
this city is highly connected to him. winnipeg has a small town city feel to it. it seems i've heard at least 25 different stories about him from people who grew up with him, saw him in basements jamming, etc. i think it will translate from him and from the crowd tonight.
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