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An unofficial news blog for Neil Young fans from Thrasher's Wheat with concert and album updates, reviews, analysis, and other Rock & Roll ramblings. Separating the wheat from the chaff since 1996.
It's been 50 years since the Berlin Wall went up. And 22 years since the Berlin Wall went down.
So here's a cover of one of Neil Young's more obscure songs -- "After Berlin". "After Berlin" was only performed once in 1982, in what was West Berlin, with The Trans Band. The video is set to historic footage from during the Wall's construction in 1961 and it's destruction in 1989.
Some impressions of the Berlin Wall in 1961 and 1989.
These pics should never be forgotten! I hope such political madness will never come back to Europe. The song “After Berlin” is an old Neil-Young-Song, interpreted by Bozz Rockband in 2010 live at the Rock-The-Garden-Festival. bozzrockband.de ”
It’s a stunning documentary. Never to forget that we have to stand up and fight against dogmatic willpower, tyranny, dictatorship and the like.
Thankfully, the wall has been torn down since and people could reunite. There should be no more walls forever.
Take me take me take me just the way I am…
AFTER BERLIN
Just like a young boy running down the road
I'm singing out the same old song
Can't go back the way I started from
The road goes on and on
Won't you help me, help me, help me, help me,
Help me, help me, help me, help me,
Make my way on home
Help me make my way on home
After Berlin.
Lights are shining in the German sky
Clouds make walls between the moon and I
Don't know where I started from
So won't you take me, take me, take me, take me,
Take me, take me, take me, take me,
Just the way I am
Ah, take me, just the way I am
After Berlin.
I'll be cruising down the corridor
Seeing things I never seen before
Tomorrow morning in old Berlin
Where they lock you out or lock you in
Won't you save me, save me, save me, save me,
Save me, save me, save me, save me,
From the final day
Save me from the final day
After Berlin.
Just like a young boy running down the road
I'm singing out the same old song
I can't go back the way I used to go
The road goes on and on
Won't you help me, help me, help me, help me,
Help me, help me, help me, help me,
Find my way back home
Won't you help me make my way on home
After Berlin.
Help me, help me, help me, help me.
Help me, help me, help me, help me.
Before the Fall: Neil Young writes "Love Is All We Need" on the Berlin Wall in 1982
Merle Haggard, Neil Young: Soldiering On | LikeTheDew.com
Merle Haggard
In a rather interesting analysis of the music of Merle Haggard and Neil Young, one finds many similar themes and odd juxtapositions. Maybe not so surprisingly, both Haggard's and Young's work reflect socio-political commentary for the ordinary people caught up in the machinery of the elite.
Neil Young, like Merle Haggard, has included social and political concerns in his songs in the four-plus decades of his recording career.
Both artists have taken on their concerns in subtle and direct ways.
In January 1970, Haggard released his love- it -or- leave- it anthem, “The Fightin’ Side of Me,” a bristly follow-up of sorts to his “Okie From Muskogee.” [It was] Haggard’s take on protesting the war, pacifism and draft-dodging.
I hear people talkin’ bad
About the way we have to live here in this country
Harpin’ about the wars we fight
And gripin’ about the ways things oughta be
Four months later Neil Young wrote “Ohio,” a response to the killing of four students at Kent State University during a mass protest against the United States’ invasion of Cambodia which grew out of the Vietnam War. Young’s anger and sorrow over Kent State was as sure as the faith in the nation’s leadership that Haggard voiced in “The Fightin’ Side of Me.” For people who listened to both artists, the two songs indicated what a toll the fighting thousands of miles away was exacting on America.
As the article continues, Cochran brings in Neil Young's “Flags Of Freedom,” from the Living With War album and it's homage to Bob Dylan’s classic, “Chimes of Freedom”:
With this song, Neil Young isn’t running the country down as Haggard accused war protesters of doing in “The Fightin’ Side of Me.”
He’s reporting on what ‘s happening to people in the country; his observations are focused and they’re prayerful. He seems to care more for the people of the country than a young man, who during the Vietnam War cleverly managed to avoid the draft. That young man, Dick Cheney, commented on it some twenty years later, saying, “I had other priorities in the ’60s than military service.” The soldier marching off to war in “Flags of Freedom,” perhaps not thinking of the politics behind his service, had priorities as well: fulfill his obligation and come home alive.
Dave Matthews Encores "Like a Hurricane" by Neil Young
Dave Matthews (solo) played Neil Young's "Like a Hurricane" during his encore on Friday night (8/26/11) at Governors Island, New York. As we all know, Dave Matthews and Neil Young go back in time in their collaborations.
This video is interesting in that it seems to be an edit of multiple cameras synced to a soundboard recording?
Broken Arrow Magazine: August 2011 - Win a Copy and a NYA Boxset
Neil Young & International Harvesters New Orleans, Sept. 27, 1984 Photo by Pete Haas (Cover scan by Ian)
The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine, published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society just arrived and we're now finishing up reading the issue. As always a nice read -- especially as we look back while looking ahead.
And -- thanks to the generous support of NYAS and editor Scott Sandie -- we're pleased to be able to offer a copy of the latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine to a Thrasher's Wheat reader. Details follow below.
Issue #123 (August 2011) of Broken Arrow Magazine - as usual - has some fine articles, commentary and nice photos.
This issue concentrates on the Buffalo Springfield reunion tour, the release of ‘A Treasure’ and two fascinating insider reports on the Joel Bernstein/Henry Diltz photo exhibition ‘Two Takes on Neil Young’. It’s once again packed full of photos, and there is also the bonus of a 4-page full-colour centre section consisting of several previously unseen historic photos from the 1984/85 International Harvesters Tours. These really have to be seen.
Amongst the many other articles is a surprising Spotted! of Susan Young in the 1970s and one fan’s ongoing (and expensive!) search to re-create Neil’s guitar sound. In a busy letters section find some interesting comments on last issue’s ‘London Calling’ feature and see another picture from Joe Stevens, the photographer who took the famous ‘cream pie’ photo in 1976.
And as usual, a news section edited by Guy Haslam, with lots of innarestin' items.
In the last issue of Broken Arrow Magazine: May 2011, in the final article 'Last Dance', NYAS editor Scott Sandie and esteemed colleague (and pint consuming connoisseur) Guy Haslam issued a call for submissions to Broken Arrow from all Society membership.
So have a look at this article list below and use it as a prompt. Why not write that article that you’ve always thought about, either on one of these topics or anything else that you have in mind? Set yourself a target to write one, or at least have a go. At worst it won’t be published. At best you’ll see yourself in print in your own magazine. And earn a NYA boxset, to boot.
Drop editor Scott "Surfer Joe" Sandie an e-mail (surfer-joe@nyas.org.uk) to talk about it and make a proposal. They’re open to almost anything.
The deadline for article submissions has been extended indefinitely. So you have plenty of time to do your Neil research, polish it up, and send it in.
This is the first volume of the Neil Young Archives series of box sets, produced by Neil Young himself. This series is the definitive, comprehensive, chronological survey of his entire body of work. Volume I covers the period from his earliest recordings with the Squires in Winnipeg, 1963, through to his classic 1972 album, Harvest and beyond, including studio and live tracks with the legendary Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse. This Blu Ray disc edition contains 10 discs, each in its own custom sleeve. 9 of these discs hold a total of 128 tracks (12 hidden), all presented in ultra high resolution 24-bit/192 Khz stereo PCM state-of-the-art master quality sound, and featuring nearly 60 previously unreleased songs, versions, mixes, or rare tracks.
One lucky Thrasher's Wheat supporter will win a free copy of the latest Broken Arrow Magazine. We truly appreciate being able to what we do here at TW, and we love being able to give something back in return.
All Thrasher's Wheat supporters between now and the end of the month will be automatically entered into the Broken Arrow Magazine drawing. (If you donated in the last 30 days you are automatically eligible and no further action is necessary).
Click below to send support now via Visa or Mastercard — or send support via Paypal.
"Like a Hurricane" by Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Hammersmith Odeon, March 1976
First came the earthquake, then came the hurricane.
As hurricane Irene bears down on the U.S. east coast, a little classic video to get folks in the mood.
"Like a Hurricane" was written by Neil Young in July 1975 with friend and La Honda neighbor Taylor Phelps in the back of his car, when he was unable to sing due to an operation on his vocal cords. The song was first released on the album American Stars 'N Bars in 1977. Driven by Young's trademark fierce guitars, the song has been a concert staple over the years.
There are a number of factors which make the film extraordinary. Besides the near 10 minute length, the film/video is a single take performance filmed during a 4 night run at London's Hammersmith Odeon March 1976. This is not a lip synch performance as is now standard. Also, this was in the pre-MTV age when performance videos were virtually unheard of marketing tools.
This past May, Neil Young brought his solo tour to Toronto’s Massey Hall, an iconic venue in the city of his birth. Jonathan Demme was on hand to capture the two nights, which highlighted new songs from the album Le Noise, produced by Daniel Lanois, mixed with classics like “Ohio” and “I Believe in You.” At sixty-five, Young retains a youthful vitality and musical curiosity that balances his wisdom and experience. It’s no wonder he’s been an inspiration to the likes of Pearl Jam and Sonic Youth. In Neil Young Life, Demme intersperses the Massey Hall concert footage with brief scenes from a road trip through Ontario. Driving a 1956 Ford Crown Victoria, Young visits the rural town of Omemee, where he spent a key part of his formative years, and reminisces about his former neighbours and their daughters. As he drives past bulldozers transforming the landscape, he remarks, “It’s all gone… it’s still in my head.”
For Mavericks, Young and Demme will present the world premiere of Neil Young Life in the splendid Princess of Wales Theatre, followed by a live conversation. Demme previously filmed Young performing in Nashville, the year after the musician survived a brain aneurysm, for the documentary Neil Young:Heart of Gold. Their second collaboration was Neil Young Trunk Show, memorializing a Pennsylvania concert during the tour for his album Chrome Dreams II. Young’s repertoire is so vast that none of the songs in those previous films overlap the selections featured in Neil Young Life.
At Massey Hall, Young shares the stage only with a wooden statue of a Native American as he moves between two pianos, an organ and several guitars, acoustic and electric. The songs are full of intense, poetic imagery. In one haunting number, “You Never Call,” he pays homage to his late friend Larry “L.A.” Johnson, who ran Young’s film company, Shakey Pictures. And in “Love and War,” he offers a kind of summation of his whole career: “Since the backstreets of Toronto/I sang for justice and I hit a bad chord/But I still try to sing about love and war.”
In keeping with the never ending theme that the craziness never stops, here's just one more wacky Neil Young story.
In the film “Paul,” an alien sci-fi comedy, actor Seth Rogen was cast as the alien. In this behind the scenes video (latimes.com), Rogen explains that his inspiration for the alien role was actually Neil Young, “someone who was aggressively kind of laid back.”
UPDATE: Video seems to play only from latimes.com site.
The final installment in Demme’s concert film trilogy, after Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006) and Neil Young Trunk Show (2008), is due out in theaters later this year.
In other film news, the world premiere for Cameron Crowe’s new documentary "Pearl Jam Twenty" will also be at TIFF.
It is with great sadness that we've learned that Rustie Carol "Roadeyeluv" Snyder has just slipped away from us.
From Rustie Kathy "HippieGirlSmile" on Thursday, Aug 18, 2011 posted to rust@yahoo:
Carol passed away today at 4:30 PM.
She was in the hospital for over 4 weeks on a respirator. She had a lot of Neil music in her room. Yesterday she was "conducting" our concert. Family and Friends!!!! It was sad to see her go.
Tree Top Flyer was her friend for over 25 years. I knew her 6 years. Carol gave her heart to anyone who knew her. She loved her Rustie friends!!!
Anyone who would like to send a card to her family:
> Gayle Ross
> 8078 Crockett Dr
> Cicero, NY 13039
The Funeral Home is:
> Houghtaling & Smith
> Funeral Home, Inc.
> 20 Otsego Street
> Canajoharie, NY 13317
Thank you all for your friendship to her !! She had been a fan since 1971.
Peace, Paintin' and Smilin' from all four directions
Kathy HGS
We're so saddened by this news.
As so many have already said, Carol was a special friend to all Neil fans.
We enjoyed catching up with her at the last few Bridge concerts and she was always eager to catch up with everyone and make sure they were enjoying the fests.
In 2009, Carol won a Neil photo we had donated in the IRF Bridge raffle. In 2010, she told us that she had put the photo on a shelf by a light and when the light was just right, it shined through the photo and she could see a little heart shape on Neil's chest.
When she had the fire earlier this year, we sent her another copy. We didn't hear back whether she was able to re-create the experience but she was going to try.
Carol, your heart of gold will always be missed.
she just slipped away...
rust in peace
thrasher & thrashette
Neil Young inspires us all! He turned his artistic energy and creativity into a world famous message and attitude that has spread around the world. Now, it’s time to share your personal message from the heart. Here’s your chance to write a poem for Neil. The best poems will be considered for publication and recording.
Willie Nelson’s new song, ‘Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die” Photo Gallery by photographer Mary Francis Andrews
(via Linda @ www.stillisstillmoving.com
Just recently, an unreleased Neil Young cover by Dinosaur Jr of ‘I’ve Been Waiting For You’ has surfaced on Slicing up eyeballs:
In December 1988, when Dinosaur Jr entered Boston’s famed Fort Apache Studios to record a track for The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young, the trio cut not one but two songs: “Lotta Love,” which would be included on the disc alongside covers by the Pixies, The Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth, and “I’ve Been Waiting For You.”
Never officially released, the latter song — off Young’s 1968 debut album — finally has been made public by bandmember Lou Barlow, who this week posted it on his Loobiecore website (you can also stream it below) along with a handwritten account of the band’s visit to Fort Apache. Barlow recounts that the session, which also yielded a Byrds cover and future B-side “Chunks,” likely was “my last proper session with the band (not counting Peel Sessions and whatnot).”
He writes of rediscovering “I’ve Been Waiting For You”: ”I found the cassette of this stuff while home for the holidays… it hasn’t aged well, not the condition of the tape (sounds whooshy + chewed), not the performance of ‘I’ve Been Waiting For You’… it ain’t great, but it’s RARE.”
Neil Young in the street of Glasgow outside a subway station back in April, 1976 singing the "Old Laughing Lady" on his banjo. The impromptu session took place just prior to Neil's appearance at the the Apollo Theater.
The photo above is where Neil Young was busking 35 years ago, just behind the guy with the bicycle.
Bob Dylan & Neil Young: "Helpless", 1975 Radio Broadcast
Here's Bob Dylan & Neil Young on "Helpless" and what has come to be known as "Knockin' on the Dragon's Door" from a 1975 radio broadcast of a benefit concert in San Francisco, CA.
Unfortunately, Dylan is all but inaudible on "Helpless", as the radio announcers comment on after tracks complete.
Bill Graham created the SNACK Benefit concert in 1975 at Kezar Stadium. When Bill learned a budget cut was about to put an end to all extracurricular activities in San Francisco public schools, he persuaded the city to let him put on a benefit he called SNACK -- an acronym for "San Francisco Needs Athletics, Culture, and Kicks."
On March 23rd, 1975, fifty thousand people filled Kezar Stadium to watch The Grateful Dead, Graham Central Station, Bob Dylan and the Band, Jefferson Starship, Tower of Power, the Doobie Brothers, Santana, Mimi Farina, and Neil Young perform. Featured speakers at the event included Marlon Brando, Joan Baez, and Willie Mays. The concert raised enough money to fund after-school programs in San Francisco schools for another year.
Although Bill had been doing benefits ever since he had first opened the Fillmore, SNACK was the first big rock benefit concert in history (*see comment below). By using the drawing power of artists who were willing to contribute their services for a worthy cause, Bill had discovered a way to use rock "to solve a social problem." His willingness to invest his time and energy in projects from which neither he nor his company earned any money would in time make him the go-to guy in rock for anyone with a worthy cause.
The highlight of the set comes next, when the band plays together on Young's classic ballad "Helpless." On this number the loose circumstances actually work in the song's favor and it sounds quite good with these musicians. As "Helpless" is coming to a close, the group continues playing, and the song flows very naturally into Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" - an inspired pairing. It's a unique version lyrically as well, as Dylan improvises lyrics and changes the chorus to "Knockin On The Dragon's Door," a change that's significance is open to speculation.
This show has "Legend" status for one key reason: the Bob Dylan / Neil Young paring. If those students needed their kicks, they got 'em that day.
Neil and two of the Stray Gators (Ben Keith R.I.P and Tim Drummond) teamed up with Bob and the Band for a ramshackle rumbling through a selections of stellar songs. We get some Band songs, we get a handful of Neil songs, Bob songs, a couple cover songs and then we get a crazy off--the-cuff concoction of classic and combustion: "Knocking on Heaven's Door".
This was no ordinary version of "Knockin'". No, this was a spur of the moment, wing-it, striking sparks sing-a-long. First of all, they don't just start the song, they conjure it up off of the back end of Neil's "Helpless". Yeah...Helpless right into Knocking on Heaven's door. Whew.
These two songs tower above in the respective collections of hits, misfires and experimental musings from these two champions. This is a Haley's Comet union. It is unique that these songs show up in a setlist segue; it is even more impossible that they are performed live, together, by their masters. The playing is not perfect, but would you want it to be? No, you want surprise and shock and awe and a "moment". Well folks, you get that and more.
The craziest thing about this pairing is the version of "Kockin'". Bob goes all William Burroughs on us with a completely new set of obscure and indecipherable lyrics. Well, not all of the new lyrics are indecipherable...we know that they don't knock on heaven's door, rather they are knock, knock, knockin' on the Dragon's Door. WTF? Who/what is the dragon? Where is it's door? Are they singing about Richard Manuel?
Thanks Scott!
Bob Dylan, Neil Young & Eric Clapton Madison Square Garden, New York City - 1992
Song written and performed by Muscle Shoals singer/songwriter Mark Narmore.
For your Sunday morning...
UPDATE: Here's the backstory...
First of all thrashers wheat is the coolest website on the planet! You more thank likely don't know me, so..a quick bio..I'm Mark Narmore,the writer and performer of "Neil Young On The Prayer List" Muscle Shoals/Nashville songwriter, hits include Craig Morgan "That's What I Love About Sunday", Shenandoah's "Moon Over Georgia" and Blackhawk's "Like There Ain't No Yesterday"plus 70 writer credits on major acts,mostly country and gospel.....Spooner Oldham is my first cousin and we both attend the same small family church in Center Star, Alabama(72 members now!!lol)everyone is related in the congregation! Spooner was recording with Neil and band in Nashville a few years back when Neil was rushed to NYC with an aneurysm..Spooner, in a cool, nice gesture for his friend, called back home and asked that "Neil" be put on the prayer list, he didn't think a thing of it, he was concerned for this friend....but when folks rolled in to Sunday service the next day, it was the most wonderful, surreal moment you can imagine...there was Neil Young, nestled in the church prayer listing, with aunt Mamie Jenkins who had a sore hip, and Clarence who twisted his ankle in an armadillo hole!!lol....I couldn't help but document this true, touching, yet humorous moment and at the same time offer up a big hats off to Neil Young....I understand that the Southern, homespun, tongue-in-cheek humor is lost on some, but for those who get it, it's just a humorous, based on a true story type of song, (it is very self depracating,as we Southerners, love to laugh at ourselves..lol) This version is a country publishing demo that is designed to get other acts to record it....I do it live with much more a Delbert or Ray Charles musical slant on it, it's my most requested song when I perform...hope that explains a bunch for you guys and gals...God bless Mark Narmore
Farm Aid 2011 will be webcast at FarmAid.org starting at 5pm Central. Also, Sirius XM radio on Willie's Roadhouse (channel 56) starting at 1pm Central.
Announced Lineup:
Between 1pm and 3 Willie Nelson welcomes everyone to Farm Aid!
Blackwood Quartet
John Trudell
Hearts of Darkness
Rebecca Pidgeon
Ray Price
Between 3 and 4 Robert Francis
Billy Joe Shaver
Between 4 and 6 Will Dailey & the Rivals
Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real
Jakob Dylan
Between 6 and 7:15 Jamey Johnson
Jason Mraz
Between 7:15 and 11-ish Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds
John Mellencamp
Neil Young
Willie Nelson
(Please be aware that it's definitely still subject to change!)
Learning from Neil Young: Nearly all of the acts paid lip service to supporting family farms, but Young spent nearly half his time on stage talking up the cause. Ultimately, it was the lecturing that earned him a standing ovation. 'Maybe you don't realize what's really going on with factory farms in this country, how they are displacing family farms at an alarming rate,' Young said. 'Factory farms are the reason why we have food alerts. They are the reason why we have dying people and disease. Try to buy something from a family farm, something that's sustainably grown. You deserve the best. Your children deserve the best.'
There Comes A Time When Some Things Just Must Be SaidFarm Aid, 1995 - YouTube
"Comes A Time" by Neil Young at Farm Aid, 1995.
Here's a Comment of the Moment from last summer that came in the midst of Neil Young's announcement to help residents of the Gulf coast in the aftermath of the BP oil disaster.
A few folks took serious issue with Neil's partnership with Tyson Foods on the Gigs For The Gulf, given his stance against factory farming.
So much has been so eloquently said I'll never come close—but really, people, before the current economic crisis there were children in this area going to bed hungry. Every night.
The long-term effects of cheap food consumption—simple carbohydrates are cheap—begin early and can be life-long ... even after eating habits have been changed. Ask any observant teacher who's been in front of a class—she can tell you which children don't eat right.
I mean, come on people, we tell pregnant women to supplement their B vitamin intake to foster normal fetal neurological development, then forget how important nutrition is to minds that have left the uterus for this environment? Why do we have school lunch programs? Nutrition matters. Quality matters. But that's an economic issue too ... and there are many people in this country who do not have the resources which afford opportunities to choose wisely.
I don't know what world you live in, but I grew up in this area. The summers of my childhood were spent on my maternal grandparent’s farm: my favorite way to spend the morning was riding with my grandfather to deliver his milk. I have churned butter—and I have family who STILL farm (personal and small). I also have family who raise chickens for Tyson. Hate if you must—but everyone who's struggled to make a decent living in that area knows getting a Tyson contract means you will actually get to live above the poverty level—in a state that's been in the 'Top Ten' of THAT list for ... well, as long as I can remember. But what about raising chickens for Tyson? For my extended family, it was a business decision—one made by a man who’d watched his own children languish on the meager sustenance he could provide by working a factory job AND farming the muck of red clay so abundant here ... but I digress ... Wanna criticize? Put on the hungry shoes. Better yet, put them on your child. No? Then do something to make a difference. And here's the twist--in SOMEONE ELSE'S life.
It gives you less time to point fingers at those who ARE doing something. And if you find you STILL have time to blast others who are trying to make a difference, then take legitimate action toward change—let Tyson's know directly you disapprove of their practices. Pursue legal action. (That means you'll have to do more than quote dated material tho' ...) Better yet, go to work in the areas where Tyson plants are, where Tyson farmers live, to change THEIR lives—and the lives of their children. I know those people and I guarantee you, those parents are like most—they want better things for their children. Those plants are there for a reason you know ... I understand that even more, now that I know about the Tyson-Farm Aid connection ....
Finally, I wonder which of you could bear the scrutiny you seem to think appropriate for others. Are you perfect? Are all your friends? Associates? Have you ever done something for reasons you didn't care to explain to the world, ever wished you could simply help without taking a tongue-lashing for it? Or have you, perchance, ever baked a cake—without eggs? Not the same as one with eggs—so do you forego the eggs because the lives of egg-producing chickens is less humane than that of chickens allowed to live free and produce eggs at will? Hmmm. No chickens in the wild? No chickens out there en masse, defending themselves against predators, foraging for food, building up those wings so they can soar to new heights, take their rightful place with the hawk, falcon, eagle? No ideal chicken state?
Don’t misunderstand me—I’m not ignoring issues—I have problems with hormones and antibiotics being introduced into the food chain, I don’t think any creature should be abused, and I don’t like the fact that what we routinely do to food in order to make mass quantities conveniently available to a disparate and distant populace often destroys nutritive value—I’m just being inflammatory …
Sorry. That really wasn't my point—my point is that it is, at times, necessary to do things in a particular way because that provides what is needed. Sure, it would be great if 1,000,000 pounds of fresh, organic protein were made available to the area—but Tyson stepped up. And while you, personally, might throw their chicken back at them, you don't have the right to take it from a hungry child to throw at them.
Live what you believe. Be who you want to be. Let others do the same. Help them every chance you get. That's how we make the world a better place.
Here's an update on Studio Master audio quality and cars, although we're not exactly sure how this all ties together as the blog refers to a Buick -- which we assume is LincVolt?
The Buick had a laptop in the trunk loaded with music, connected to an outboard 24-bit DAC, and an iPad in the front which allowed Neil Young to select easily between studio master, CD-quality and two variants of mp3 (bad and worse!). We rocked out to the studio masters, the music so loud that one of the door panels removed itself.
But whenever he selected a lower quality he would complain loudly and bitterly, turn down the volume, and curse that the music industry had allowed not just mp3, but even CD-quality to come into being and permeate the mass market. There was genuine sadness in his voice as he explained that Harvest Moon, his 1992 follow-up to the original, had been recorded at only 16-bit, the depth of emotion in the music lost forever during the process. (Sad really that the supposed breakthrough of the digital recording process has resulted in roughly fifteen years of recordings that can never be heard at anything better than CD quality.)
What struck me most was Neil Young's passion for the quality of music, not just his own, as we played through some other studio masters including Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. The man is on a mission to demonstrate to the key influencers in the music industry the difference that quality makes to the listener's emotional connection.
The blog goes on to discuss Studio Master as possibly being released as a proprietary format. We disagree and feel this should be an open format which does not require purchase of yet another playback device.
The Farm Aid 2011 Concert is this coming weekend in Kansas City, Kansas on August 13.
In the spirit of the event, we bring you Farm Aid Memories from one of our dear friends, Kevin "Union Man" Woodard. we've known "Union Man" for a long time now and go back in the years of seeing Neil Young concerts. Kevin aka "Union Man" has been to more Farm Aid concerts than just about any Neil fan that we know. This year will mark his ~19th Farm Aid concert -- a remarkable achievement.
Here are some of Kevin "Union Man"'s Farm Aid memories based on attending the concerts over the past 25 years including the first concert in 1985 in Illinois.
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I first started watching Farm Aid in 1985. I am a huge Neil Young fan. That is what first got my interest. It soon became a yearly ritual with my wife and I. We would donate fifty dollars and get a t shirt. I got the odd years she got the even years. We became very interested in the cause.
I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. In 1999 Farm Aid came to Virginia. I had to go! My brother, David went with me. My brother Chuck and his wife Terri also went. I attended this Farm Aid and caught "The Fever" ! I told myself that I would not ever miss one.
Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Neil Young
The next year it was back in Virginia, no problem! I had a great seat. I think it was fourth row on the aisle. I was approached by security early on and was told that they would give me a concert t-shirt to move to seats further in. I said I didn't want to and they said they weren't asking! My wife and I took the shirts and moved. A little while later Tipper Gore and her entourage came in and took our seats! That was pretty cool!
In 2001 came my first challenge. I had only flown once in my life. I was flying to Indianapolis alone! Then came 9-11. Made me a little more nervous about flying but I had to get to Farm Aid. I was fortunate to have met a friend through the Neil Young Internet community who lived near Indianapolis. He actually picked me up at the airport, took me to his home, kicked his kid out of his room and treated me like royalty all weekend. Thanks John!
Then came Pittsburgh. We drove to this one. My wife and several friends attended.
Some old friends of mine, Cope and Diane, attended and have gone to every one since with me! I think this might be the year that my friend Kathy Popple brought Chief Dennis to dinner and I got to meet him. One thing I remember about this show is purchasing my STOP FACTORY FARMS shirt directly from Roger Allison and the folks at Patchwork Family Farms before they were sold by Farm Aid. One of the highlights for me every year is stopping by to chat with Roger and eat some of his great food. This is usually the first thing I do when I arrive.
In July of 2003 I broke my leg. Did this stop me? No way! My wife and I flew to Columbus, cast and crutches and all. Cope and Diane drove. A volunteer met me at the venue gate with a wheelchair and took me down to my seat.
The longest trip came next, Seattle! We decided to turn this into a vacation and stayed a few days longer than usual. My wife, Suella and Cope and Diane went along this time. Seattle was awesome! We had a little incident with parking downtown. A tow truck and a long walk in the rain was involved!
The 2005 show was particularly special for us because our oldest daughter, Rachel, then 15 years old went to Chicago with Suella and I for her first Farm Aid. She has not missed one since. Rachel is a vegetarian but she goes to see Roger with me and he gives her a roll! Cope and Diane were with us and Chuck and Terri were back on board also! They have not missed one since!
We drove to the Camden show. Cope and Diane and Rachel and I. Chuck and Terri went also. Rachel and I rode to NYC with Chuck and Terri. Cope and Diane drove separate. My brother David made this one with his wife and nine year old daughter. I got my picture taken with Al Sharpton in front of my hotel and Rachel got to get her picture taken with one of the guys from Guster, one of her favorite bands!
Neil Young at Farm Aid Press Conference Neil Young - 2006 Photo by Kim Buchheit
Then came Mansfield. By far the best trip! After a great deal of consideration we decided to drive. Diane borrowed a conversion van and drove the whole way! Over 400 miles! Cope sat up front and David, Rachel, Rebecca (my other daughter) and I sat in back. We laughed and carried on the whole way. Stopped in New Haven for pizza and ended up turning a long drive into a very long drive!
The girls got their picture taken with Carson Daly and with Steve Earle. Then they convinced Steve Earle to get a pic with me and one with David. Fun memories. Neil performed " A Day In The Life " at this one. A performance that I will never forget.
Last year, Cope, Diane, Chuck, Terri, Rachel and I flew to St Louis. We attended the Homegrown urban county fair and I got to meet Cornelia. What a pleasure!
Phish & Neil Young - "Down by the River"
Every year I look forward to seeing other regulars. There are several of us who met through the Neil Young Internet community that usually get together the night before and at the show. I have met several others such as Roger Allison and some farmers from Virginia, Debbie and Jackie Seale.
The whole atmosphere at the concert appeals to me. I love being there. I have hardly mentioned the music. As you know it is always fantastic. I love hearing the guys talk about the issues etc. I would love to get a chance to attend the press conference one year.
Looks like my regular gang, Chuck, Terri, Cope, Diane and Rachel will be going to Wisconsin with me this year. In my wife's defense, we have been putting both girls through college and she elects to stay home to save the expense. I on the other hand don't have that choice. I HAVE to go! :-)
Neil Young at Press Conference Photos by Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve Inc. 2008
I am 53 years old and work for a large grocery chain. One of the Farm Aid enemies sort of. As produce manager I do however continuously expand the offering of organic produce as well as purchase everything I can from local family farms. Try to make a difference in my own little way...
I hope you had as much fun reading this as I had writing it! I could go on and on...
See you in Milwaukee and thanks for all you do, Kevin "Union Man" Woodward
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