"Don't Let It Bring You Down"
Bridge School Benefit Concert - Oct. 21, 2012
Photo via Guns N' Roses Paraguay
(Click photo to enlarge)
In the stranger than fiction category, Guns n Roses' Axl Rose and Neil Young performed "Don't Let It Bring You Down" together at the Sunday Bridge School Benefit Concert (Oct. 21, 2012). After completing the song, Axl said: “This is a song that always gave me some hope through the years and we asked Neil if we could do it.”
The pairing of Axl and Neil, marks another chapter in the varied musical intersections of Neil Young over the years. Or as we like to call it: "Six degrees of separation from Neil."
More on this past weekend's Bridge School Benefit Concerts.
don't let it bring you down it's only axl singing...
ReplyDeleteA couple things I take away from this:
ReplyDeleteDoes Axl even know the lyrics?
Axl's vocal style is Neil-inspired. Somehow I never noticed this until now.
It's cool to see Axl and Neil together, because it's just such a ridiculous pairing.
Neil's voice is much stronger than Axl's. When Neil starts singing, into the same mic, he completely blows Axl's whimpy delivery away.
But at least Axl managed to stay on key. So that's something.
"Neil's voice is much stronger than Axl's. When Neil starts singing, into the same mic, he completely blows Axl's whimpy delivery away. " He had some major troubles with his throat.As far as how strong his voice is/was, I read many accounts (Brian May and few others) that he had some of the loudest voice among rock singers, even Don Henley commented that Axl's voice is as loud as a chainsaw (he was reffering to the time they were together in a recording studio), so I'm pretty sure Axl would completely overpower (as far as a volume goes) Neil's voice if he was ok ( watch axl and tom petty singing Free falling, especially the look on Tom's face when they sing in the same mic )
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ReplyDeletedespite needing some axl grease, the band played on. That's a rock and roll delivery, very even and on.
ReplyDeleteHey, people from my parent's generation: Axl had strep, but he still got to Shoreline at 4p.m. to support those kids, so let's please support him. I am so happy that I got to see my dad's favorite (Neil) with my favorite (Axl). Maybe next year, my daughter's favorite (Pink) will be there, too. <3
ReplyDeleteI didn't hear Axl screw up any of the lyrics.
ReplyDeleteI think from listening to the 2 nights that Axl was probably sick - he sounds like he's trying to avoid pushing his voice too hard, so he ends up singing softly.
Cool thing of Axl to say at the end of the song about how it's a song he's always loved that's given him hope, and that they asked Neil if they could play it.
More pics:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/26th-annual-bridge-school-benefit-20121022
Axl and Neil. A match made in heaven. I hope they make an album and tour together. Beats Pearl Jam anytime!
ReplyDeleteHa. Was just about to say: can someone make sure Neil doesn't go and make an album with them...
ReplyDeletehttp://bluray.highdefdigest.com/7706/young_journeys.html
ReplyDeleteReview from Blu Ray High Def Digest (good source for Blu Ray reviews) for Journeys.
I had no idea Axl had problems with his throat - well then, that answers that question.
ReplyDeleteAxl has always had a powerful enough voice, I was just surprised that Neil sounded so much stronger.
I wondered whether Axl knew the lyrics, because it sounded like he was mumbling them purposefully and hesitantly.
Hey, Axl's a great performer, people, don't get me wrong. I grew up with Guns'n'Roses, and they were awesome - yes, it's easy to make fun of Axl because he's such a little brat sometimes, but, well... to dial back my apparent initial criticism of Axl, let me just say that I'm actually happy to see him there, and I'm also happy that he's such a fan of Neil Young, and came out to the Bridge School (and showed up! Ha ha) to support a good cause.
He's also got a lot of similarities to Neil, vocally, that I never really thought about before.
Axl was very gracious which I liked. this version was far from a train wreck. Axl doesnt need to know the song, just be able to read and have some sense of the melody(teleprompters are provided). I believe we will see GnR again at Bridge. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteOmg, Neil Young and Guns 'n Roses album!!!
ReplyDeleteI will buy two copies of that one.
Matthew L has now officially overtaken MNOTR as the most annoying commentator on here...
ReplyDeleteWhy was Jack White such a dick to not come out at the end?
ReplyDeleteI would probably pay money to avoid hearing GNR
ReplyDeleteyeah, jack white didn't come out for the all star jam either night. he managed to out-asshole axl rose.
ReplyDeleteHey man, Axl did come out for the all star jam the second night. Respect to all the people who support the Bridge School. Peace and Love.
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ReplyDeleteAnon 1:53 - It's my pleasure to annoy you! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt sounded ragged like they probably only ran through it once or twice backstage. I like it.
ReplyDeletehe has BBQ at the ranch every Friday Night before Bridge for all performers. I believe they sometimes run through and practice what they may play together
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ReplyDeleteCool little clip here, apparently Axl did his first live interview in over a decade with Kimmel the other night and the subject of BSB and Neil came up, see the following url at 2:00 on the third video (part 3). Axl was quite deferential to Neil:
ReplyDeletehttp://music-mix.ew.com/2012/10/25/axl-rose-jimmy-kimmel/