Neil Young News: REVIEW: The Bridge School Concerts

Thursday, November 03, 2011

REVIEW: The Bridge School Concerts - 25th Anniversary Edition Set

Pegi Young
Bridge Parents Present Roses for Pegi's 25 Years of Support
@ Bridge School Benefit Concert 2011
Photo Gallery by By Jay Blakesberg Photography

From Jambands.com - Need We Say More? > Reviews > CDs > Various Artists: The Bridge School Concerts - 25th Anniversary Edition by Brian Robbins:

Of all the charities worth your consideration, The Bridge School is as worthy as any – and more worthy than many.

A non-profit organization that educates children with severe speech and physical impairments, The Bridge School has made a difference in many, many young lives over its 25-year history. Neil and Pegi Young have been there since the school’s beginnings – it was the need to find appropriate education for their son Ben and children faced with similar challenges that fueled the Youngs’ quest to help establish a school dedicated to that task. Pegi Young still sits on The Bridge School’s board of directors; and she and Neil have been the organizers behind the annual Bridge School Benefit concerts since 1986.

My point is, donating $15 to The Bridge School would not be a bad thing to do. The fact that you can do it and get a 2-CD collection of wonderful music from the last 25 years’ worth of concerts is a no-brainer, my friend. (A few bucks more will land you a 3-DVD collection, as well.)

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The real gold nuggets here are the re-arrangements of tunes that your rock ‘n’ roll heart knows so well – and will be delighted to find new power in an acoustic setting. Mr. Springsteen leads the way out of the gate with a minor-flavored take on “Born In The U.S.A.” that could have come right off the grooves of Nebraska. Pearl Jam’s “Better Man” has always wanted to have the living shit strummed out of it over a driving bass line and aggressive drums. Nils Lofgren will flatten you with his version of the Beau Brummels’ “Cry Just A Little”. And the Who’s 9-minute-plus tear through “Won’t Get Fooled Again” never lacks for fierce Pete Townshend guitar flailings.