"He Has Presence": Neil Young Concert Reviews of the Moment -- Boston MA, April 19 & 20, 2011

Neil Young
Boston, MA - April 20, 2011
Photo by Steve Babineau/Sports Action Photography

"He has presence" said the son to the father after the Neil Young concert in Boston, MA, April 19 & 20, 2011.

Here is a rather remarkable story of concert memories of Neil Young in Boston, MA, April 19 & 20, 2011 by the always insightful Mr. Henry.

If you ever want to let someone know what it's like to feel a Neil concert, hand them this review.

Return of the King: Part One

Rusted wire and tilted posts more a symbol of restraint than a fence per se.
--David Foster Wallace from The Pale King

I've thought about it too much to talk; I'm going to do something about it.
--James Stewart in The Man from Laramie

Another stop on the Twisted Road...but not just another stop. Two shows in Boston: same exact set, completely different music. Tuesday night Neil seemed kind of playful and funny ("I think they call it the Kelloggs Corn Flakes Music Hall now...."). Wednesday night a bit more serious and direct, all about the music ("Welcome to The Music Hall"). Both nights performing his own unique tightrope walk, connecting the past to the present and the present to the past. Both nights incredible and unique.

No need to overstate the obvious points...but I will anyway. He's playing the same focused group of songs every night for a reason; he's giving you some hints but it only really counts if you get the answer yourself. Neil has "faith in you" and knows you're up to the task. The emphasis is on the new songs, but not all of them; not necessarily because they're on the new album and maybe not even on the album at all. He's performing a recital and working his magic within a formal construct of his own pure creation. You've heard of "Classic Rock"? Well this is much better -- it's "Classical Rock" where the structure and the flow are in total harmony, where each variation within the structure is an inseparable part of the flow of life.

Past concerts were like the ocean. Sometimes there would be endless beautiful waves that would come curling in on a sun drenched summer's day. Sometimes there were violent crashing waves that pounded mercilessly like a winter Noreaster, washing the beach clean and changing everything around. These concerts are more like a mighty river moving steadily throughout the land. Like the river, you can't separate the flowing water from the banks that barely contain the force and beauty.

Bert Jansch was superb both nights. I believe I used the phrase "quietly amazing" or something like that before to describe what he does -- he is completely one-of-a-kind. I don't think we'll ever again have someone in this world who combines technique, artistry and soul in quite this way. I had great seats for the first night (Orchestra row M almost dead center...perfect acoustics!) and very good ones for night two (Mezzanine row D again in the center). Bert's songs and playing were just so beautiful, and I had chills as he would visit the timeless well of his music. I never thought that I'd be fortunate and privileged enough to hear Bert play once in my lifetime...now I've heard him on four separate occasions! Thank you so much, Bert...the most humble superstar that I'll ever see and hear perform.

Neil Young
Boston, MA - April 20, 2011
Photo by Steve Babineau/Sports Action Photography

Return of the King: Part Two

A wise man was telling stories to me
About the places he had been to
And the things that he had seen
--David Hidalgo & Louie Perez...One Time One Night

Neil came out unannounced both nights. It seems that he totally appreciates the crowd and the love that is directed toward him, happy and thankful to just be there doing what he does best. The set structure is in five groups, each one with three songs that tell a story separately and together, along with a bridge song connecting and reinforcing the segments and an encore that combines them all together in a final farewell and hope-to-see-you-soon moment of sorrow and joy.

Out of the Blue, Tell Me Why and Helpless deal with the great sadness and mystery of life. Trying to make sense of what can often seem senseless. Keeping your candle burning bright even when it would be easier to just give up. Neil played magnificent versions on both nights, and he had the crowd completely, especially on night two when I saw lots of hugging going on during this portion. I especially loved Tell Me Why...how can this simple song be so complex and moving? I've heard this for over forty years now (along with many of you out there) and it always seems like it's the first time.

You Never Call, Peaceful Valley Boulevard and Love and War are like siblings to the first three songs, visiting the same thoughts and feelings after many years of the beauty and wonder of living in this world. My favorite on both nights was Neil's performance of You Never Call...the depth and emotion he brings forward is just incredible to watch and be a part of. Same for the other two songs and the guitar playing is sublime. Love and War especially seems different each time that I hear it...might not be "his best song ever" as I stated in my Hanover Theatre review last year, but who knows and who cares -- just amazing stuff!

Down By the River, Hitchhiker and Ohio brought everyone back home, with Neil exploring the twists and turns of his music and art. DBTR was direct on the first night, with more variations and exploring on night two. Each time I hear this live is a different experience; it's like the litmus test for Neil's performance and can be three minutes long or thirty three minutes, whatever is best for that performance. Hitchhiker is always amazing and was the biggest change from night one to night two: a glorious fuckup Tuesday night and then totally nailed and "perfect" the next night. Ohio was also near perfect both nights as Neil poured his heart out once again and then again.

Sign of Love is the bridge portion, where Neil takes a rest and a deep breath to think about all of the best things in life. It sounds old and new at the same time, with echoes of Cinnamon Girl all grown up. Neil's chamber music for the 21st century.

Neil Young
Boston, MA - April 20, 2011
Photo by Steve Babineau/Sports Action Photography

Return of the King: Part Three

I felt the rain as it
Poured from the skies
And it washed away my anger
Took the sadness from my eyes
--Tobin Sprout...Cleansing from the Storm

Leia was the biggest and happiest surprise of both nights. It's like Neil's version of a Haiku, with incredible insight and emotion contained within a very tight construction. Of all the songs, it's the one that says the most by saying the least and it's the bridge between the two thematic segments of Neil's recital. The crowd loved it...again especially on night two -- all the more amazing since it's never been recorded. And Neil seemed to be having a great time playing it "for all the little people...and also for Grandpa; I know you're out there". After The Gold Rush never sounded better and there was lots more hugging going on all around. Nothing in the world sounds quite like that organ! And then I Believe In You with it's simple and profound affirmation of faith and love, no matter what happens.

Rumblin', Cortez the Killer and Cinnamon Girl brought the show to a tremendous peak and left almost everyone satisfied. After playing Ohio on the Falcon, it's so great to hear Rumblin' as the seats literally were shaking and then see Neil shift back to Old Black for Cortez. Versions were different but equally killer (sorry!) both nights; thinking about the J. Mascis version at the Carnegie Tribute and wondering what it would be like to hear Neil and J do this one sometime as a duo! Then Cinnamon Girl closed the show, with an especially cool solo on night two as Neil took the "one note solo" thing to even greater heights.

Walk with Me summed up everything that came before. Sadness but no regrets...well at least not a lot. Moving ever forward but taking some time to look back. Joining what's happened and what is yet to come. And celebrating the mystery and understanding of life and living every moment. Be yourself and be together.

So another couple of great performances from Neil. When I reviewed the Hanover show, I stated that it might have been the best Neil concert that I had ever seen. Maybe it still is; maybe I just tuned in at the right time and in the right mood. Tuesday night was probably "better" in some ways and Wednesday night maybe was "better" in other ways. That's why this is so cool and one-of-a-kind right now. You can see one performance and it will stand on its own; you can see multiple shows and appreciate the differences and the constants.

Return of the King: Part Four

It's funny. Don't ever tell anybody anything. If you do, you start missing everybody.
--J. D. Salinger from The Catcher In The Rye

Tuesday night I went with my wife and she loved it. She's seen Neil many times and did say afterwards "well I would have liked a bit more of the old songs". So I completely understand and empathize with those fans who were disappointed by the song selection. At the parking garage elevator, a couple nice women said sheepishly "I liked the acoustic songs the best" and that is completely alright. We all have our preferences and it's fine to not just soak it all in, hoping for your favorites to be played. My feeling is that Neil will come back at some point and do just that...he's just not into that right now. He really does love his fans but he wouldn't be Neil without taking chances and going where he needs to go.

Wednesday night I went with my son and he also really loved it. This was his third time seeing Neil and he thought that both performers were just fabulous. I was especially happy and proud of how much he loved Bert Jansch. There were many, many of the young folks in the crowd and they all seemed to be having an incredible time. One man said to me "my thirteen year old daughter is now a huge fan". I overheard a guy saying to his friend in wonder "How can someone that old play and perform like that" and "Who will we be listening to when we're 50 years old?".

Afterwards talking with my son, I said that I truly believe we're in a golden age of music right now, with more diverse types and more great performers playing than maybe at any other time in history. He said he totally agrees and then went on to say that "Neil has such a presence", boiling down all of my thoughts into five words. I told him how many of the songs were ones that I've listened to over forty years now, and that I hope he'll be listening to them for even longer than that.

Last week I saw two more shows that support my "golden age of music" beliefs. Thursday night was a reunion show for the band Come; Friday night was a piano recital by the legendary Ms. Dubravka Tomsic. You couldn't get two shows much more different and yet both were completely right, so just give the music a chance and almost anything is possible. Sometimes you get exactly what you need when you need it.

Monday morning I was driving through the center of my town when I stopped at a Stop sign before proceeding. Realizing that the woman to my right had completely run her sign while talking on the phone, I jammed on the brakes and cut the wheel sharply left. The other driver saw me just in time and also braked sharply...we missed colliding by maybe an inch or so. I had Lucinda Williams' new CD playing and heard her sing "We were blessed" just as I realized there was no impact.

After both the Tuesday and Wednesday shows, the first song to play was a lovely version of Greensleeves played on acoustic guitar. My daughter grew up playing Classical Guitar, and this was the piece that she played for my dad at his memorial service on Veterans Day, just before the Army bugler played Taps. Thank you so much!

"It eluded us then, but that's no matter -- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther...."
...F. Scott Fitzgerald from The Great Gatsby

As always, thank you for sharing Mr. Henry. Your ability to tie other artists and literature into Neil's music is without compare. Thank you my friend.

Thanks Steve "Babs" for the shots. Most awesome!



More reviews of Neil Young in Boston, MA, April 19 & 20, 2011.

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