Buffalo Springfield - Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing - Fox Theater - Oakland, CA - 6/2/11
Naturally, quite a bit of discussion around the Buffalo Springfield reunion gigs and the band's dynamics and interplay.
It would seem that much of the triumph centers around the mutual respect, the spotlight that Richie Furay so rightly deserves, the come back of Stephen Stills, and Neil Young's somewhat muted but enthusiastic presence.
We can think of no better example than the video above of "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing".
We all know the story. Neil wrote the song. Richie sang it on the album because producers didn't think Neil could sing.
Now watch and listen to it 40+ years later... and cry that this never could have happened back in the old folkie days...
So, in reaction to a comment by Zot on Buffalo Springfield: "Bluebird" @ Fox Theater - Oakland, CA - 6/2/11, Dan1 said...
Don't disagree with the comments but its clear that in the current iteration of the Buffalo Springfield Neil is the star, he's the reason this is happening, he's the relevant one ... its just stating the facts ...
its Neil's graciousness and lack of ego to step back and be just "part of the band" that enables this whole fabulous experiment to exist ... when you look at it in perspective, that in the old days they tried to discourage Neil from singing his own songs because he had a unique voice, its all the more impressive that he's willing to so joyfully return to a configuration which in many ways really held him back ...
true, this band was the band of their youth, they were a legendary band with immense talent and potential that was largely expressed in live shows and never properly captured in the studio, so for those who knew them then knew them, kinda seems impossible to know the original BS if you weren't there ... their implosion opened the door for Neil to become among the greatest singer songwriters / rock and rollers / musical artists of the last 50 years ...
seeing it come full circle is an amazing thing and kudos to all the band members for curtailing their egos, going out there and having a great time ... in the past years we've seen Neil bring back so much of his past from the squires, to the harvest material, now the BS, I guess for this die hard Neil fan this current iteration of the BS is another iteration of the long, always running Neil Young show...
Thanks Dan!
Also, see Buffalo Springfield Reunion Tour Reviews.
I think they all look pretty humbled by the experience of performing together live again.
ReplyDeleteI know Neil can do these songs on his own and at will pretty much, but the only way Neil can create the sound of the "Buffalo Springfield" is weaving his guitar with Steve's and blending his vocals with Steve & Richie.
Together, Steve, Richie, and Neil are the Buffalo Springfield. (RIP to Dewey & Bruce, man, but we all knew who the real heavies were in this band even back when they were recording the songs.)
Totally agree with all of the comments posted here. Richie has always said that the Buffalo Springfield was always in Neil's hands. I do find it interesting that all three have referenced to the Buffalo Springfield in their works since then. They have always understood that the Buffalo was greater than the sum of it's parts.
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