Comment of the Moment: 7th Anniversary of Release "Time Fades Away" Petition

RARE Yugoslavian 45RPM Single Picture Sleeve
TW TFA Archives

The Comment of the Moment is from 7th Anniversary of Release "Time Fades Away" Petition by Greg "A Friend Of Yours":

I love this album, so it's hard to pick a favorite, but I'd have to go with something from my “quiet triumvirate” (a term I just made up)- The Bridge, Love In Mind or Journey Trough The Past. The album is so hard driving, that by the time these three came along they always gave me a much needed chance to breathe a little. And they're so beautiful and poignant (“I will stay with you, if you’ll stay with me, said the fiddler to the drum”). But, if pressed I'd have to say The Bridge.

On the contrary, and it's really uncomfortable for me to talk like this, but I'd have to put Yonder Stands The Sinner at or very near the bottom of all of Neil's songs for me. Yeah, it has its moments, but ah, no, it just doesn't work for me. But it's a small price to pay for an incredible album.

BTW, it’s been mentioned here before, but I think it needs to be reiterated- can anyone think of another album or project that took such a risk in terms of its release following on the heels of a number one album? The uniqueness of a live album of previously unreleased material has already been mentioned too, and live albums are always a little rough, but unvarnished in all the ways TFA is?

I mean, I'm sure Neil didn't set out with this decision in mind, but when push came to shove he took a huge risk in his determination to be honest about what had just happened. I can't think of a similar comparison. And if Neil's penchant for willfulness was ever in doubt up until this point, TFA marks the first unambiguous sign of what was to come, not to mention how clear a statement it made in staking out the claim that the art and the artist are more important than the audience, or at the very least are the more crucial determining point in the whole process.

It's easy to say now how great an album this is, but when it first came out, trust me, the term great was not being thrown around by anyone. Really interesting stuff, surrounding a really interesting album- and on top of the whole mystery of Neil's stance toward it.

A Friend Of Yours

Thanks -- as always -- Greg "A Friend Of Yours"!

More on RARE Yugoslavian 45RPM Single Picture Sleeve and other TFA obscurities.

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Music Video: "Downtown" - Neil Young with Pearl Jam

Neil Young with Pearl Jam on "Downtown" in the music video on YouTube.

Pearl Jam and Neil Young have quite a long history dating back into the early 1990's. But the only recording Neil and Pearl Jam did together was the Mirror Ball and Merkin Ball albums.

From a Neil Young interview in MOJO Magazine with Nick Kent:

Q. This brings us neatly to the subject of Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder.

I can't help wondering whether you truly sympathise with Vedder when he moans on and on about the price of fame. Doesn't it all come with the job?



Neil Young - The way most people seem to regard Eddie - it's a little out of perspective.

No matter what he says, it all gets taken down and quoted back at him.

Who else do you know who's his age and going through the things he's going through because he just wants to make music for a living and travel around a bit? Hopefully though, he'll get used to it. People will get used to him being around and they'll leave him alone a little more.



Recording Mirror Ball was like audio verite, just a snapshot of what's happening. Sometimes I didn't know who was playing. I was just conscious of this big smouldering mass of sound.



The whole record was recorded in four days and all the songs, barring Song X and Act Of Love, were written in that four day stretch. I played Act Of Love with Crazy Horse in January at The Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame.

Then, the following night, I played it with Pearl Jam at a Pro-Choice benefit concert and the version was so powerful I decided there and then to record it with them as soon as possible. On a purely musical level, this is the first time I've been in a band with three potential lead guitarists since The Buffalo Springfield. Plus there's Jack Irons, their drummer, who was just unbelievable. He just played his ass off on every take at every session.

I can't say enough good things about him.

I didn't even think about recording a whole album when we went in to cut Act of Love. I had two days with Pearl Jam initially. Two days and just two songs - that wasn't enough for me so I had five written by the time I went in. Recorded five of them, left one out. Then I came back for another two-day session with two more new songs. Plus I re-recorded the fifth one from the first session again. Then the day after that, I wrote another two new songs. Throw Your Weapons Down - maybe. Maybe not, tho' there's a large part of making this new album that's pretty foggy... (laughs)

Another musical connection on "Mirror Ball" involves Led Zeppelin which got us thinking recently with the photo of Jimmy Page and Neil Young in 1974. When Young was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on January 13, 1995 he joined Led Zeppelin onstage for an all out guitar duel with Jimmy Page. Performing a 10 minute "When The Levee's Gonna Break", Page and Young traded licks in what turned out to be a remarkable moment in TV rock. Later that year, Neil wrote the song "Downtown" about that historic night in New York City. From the lyrics "Downtown":

Jimi's playin' in the back room
Led Zeppelin on stage
There's a mirror ball twirlin'
And a note from Page

Like a water-washed diamond
In a river of sin
Goin' down like a whirlpool
When you get sucked in
Downtown
Let's go downtown

Which brings us to the downtown connection and Danny Whitten (1943 - 1972), who wrote the Crazy Horse song "C'mon Baby Let's Go Downtown".

But that's another story for another day...

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Broken Arrow Magazine: February 2012 - Win a Free Copy

Neil Young - Farm Aid 2011
Photo by Steve Cross

The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine, published by the Neil Young Appreciation Society recently hit the streets 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.

The latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine – number 125 – is now out with another interesting mixture of articles and photographs. Included in this issue:

• An obituary for Allan Bates, one of the founder members of The Squires.
• The results of the BA Article Competition for NYA boxset.
• A picture special on the After The Gold Rush album location with some fascinating updates from the author.
• The story of a fan suing Neil after The 1973 Oakland Show.
• A Neil Spotted! from Brazil.
• Here I Am In The Years - a fan analyses why he doesn't feel as strongly about Neil's music now...
• An update on all the Tour Books out there.
• As well as lots more news, reviews and letters.

For more information and subscription information visit the Neil Young Appreciation Society or directly contact NYAS editor Scott Sandie at surfer-joe@nyas.org.uk

Don't be denied!

Thanks Scott and everyone who is supporting the NYAS & BA!

Thrasher - NYAS#2476


More on back issues of Broken Arrow magazine.

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HOW TO WIN A COPY OF LATEST ISSUE OF BROKEN ARROW MAGAZINE

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.

If you're unable to send any support at this time, we understand. But we'd still like for you to be eligible to win a free copy of the latest issue of Broken Arrow Magazine. Here's how.

We'll randomly select a Thrasher's Wheat reader who subscribes to one of our feed channels either via Facebook (LIKE us), Twitter (FOLLOW us) and/or subscribe to our email list. Just email us (thrasher ATSIGN thrasherswheat.org) with your name, postal mailing address, and which communication channel you signed up for (Facebook, Twitter, email list). *Be sure to identify your complete Facebook ID, Twitter handle, or email address.*

Click here for other support options and to learn why we need our readers support to continue operating Thrasher's Wheat.

Thanks and Good Luck to everyone!

peace & love to all,
thrasher & thrashette

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Comment of the Moment: Remembering Ben Keith

Ben Keith as "Grandpa" in Greendale as filmed by Neil Young - 2002
(Eric Johnson as "Jed", center)

The Comment of the Moment is from Remembering Ben Keith by the always oh-so eloquent BIGCHIEF:

Word's fail to describe the beauty and grace that Ben's pedal steel contributed to the sound on the recordings and live performances associated with Neil Young.

Although 'country rock' was already a genre in progress, the success of 'Harvest' made it acceptable to combine the elements of country music with the ears of the rock-n-roll community during a period in which there were no established boundaries restricting artists to the confines of a creative 'box'. As long as an artist's creativity in deviating from the norm translated into album sales and success at the box office, the record company execs. didn't place any unnecessary 'barriers' restricting an artist from his or her's creative process.

Such was the case with Harvest.

Released on the heel's of the success of his prior release, After The Gold Rush, Neil had already established himself as an artist who wasn't easily confined to a particular style. His previous recordings dating back to his day's in the Buffalo Springfield had already fused elements of Folk and Rock along with obvious hints of country influence in his roots. It wasn't until the release of Harvest, however, with the addition of Ben Keith's masterful pedal steel guitar playing, that allowed Neil Young to express his country sentiments while at the same time not having to sacrifice his R-N-R edge.

Ben Keith completed Neil Young.

Although the many years that would follow the success of those Nashville sessions would find Neil changing musical directions as a moth in a lampshade, it was almost predictable that from time to time the 'muse' would summons Neil to call on 'Brother Ben' to get back to the country and make more of that sweet, familiar 'country flavored magic' that will forever be preserved in our hearts and minds by the 'tracks in the sound' they left for us.

In addition, I would add that the greatness of Ben Keith shouldn't cast a shadow on the other great players who have contributed to Neil's success over the years. When I think of the arsenal of musicians and producers that Neil has had the fortune of working with through the years, it's no small wonder what he has been able to achieve.

The frantic pace in which Neil is driven to create his art must surely place a heavy burden on those who are called upon to support him regardless of the manner in which they are compensated. It appears that loyalty even trumps musical abilities to remain a lifelong member in good standing as a part of Neil's camp. As Nils Lofgren would tell you , as an established guitarist called upon to play piano with little experience, you don't second guess the boss. Playing the role your called upon to do will usually result in being called upon again someday in Neil's world.

Most of his associates from before the Woodstock era are still with him to this day. The 'new guy' in Crazy Horse began some 38 years ago. While the loss of Ben Keith left a void unlikely to be filled, that still doesn't minimize the loss of other members of the 'family' along the way. The technical ability to play an instrument cannot replace the love, trust, and emotional experiences that develop over several years.

While there are plenty of Cajun Fiddlers around, you would be hard pressed to find one with the stage presence as Rufus Thibodeaux. It would be impossible to list those those who fell along the way 'laying their tracks in the sound' while accompanying Neil on his journey. While survival is mans basic instinct, the downside is that along the way there will be those who lose their place along this journey earlier than others. An unfortunate fact of life that we are reminded of each time we lose another one of those who gave us so much pleasure in the beautiful noise they shared with us.

As we grow older and hopefully wiser, we take those whom we care for less for granted, hopefully, and in the case of those who contributed their talents to the music we love so much, we have a document in sound of memories we can cherish forever.

Thanks -- as always -- BIGCHIEF for the Ben Keith tribute.

More on Remembering Ben Keith.

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SOLVED: Photo of the Moment - CSNY & Jimmy Page, 1974

Neil Young, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills & Jimmy Page
1974
Photo by Joseph Stevens
(Click photo to enlarge)

This past weekend, we posted a Photo of the Moment of Neil Young, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills & Jimmy Page.

Matt -- a longtime regular TW reader -- had earlier sent it along with a note to us asking if we knew anything about the photo.

It appeared to be from the time of the 1974 stadium tour in a nightclub somewhere. Given Jimmy Page was in the photo, it seemed possibly CSNY concert at Wembley Stadium, London, England, 1974-09-14?

And what's up with Neil playing a Rickenbacker guitar?! No one has ever seen that before???

So we "fan-sourced" the photo and lo & behold within a few hours we had our answer.

Syscrusher commented:

In my book "Neil Young: The Visual Documentary" by John Robertson it says that after the Wembley show, "CSNY attend a party at Quagliino's in Piccadilly, where Young and Stills jam with members of Led Zeppelin and The Band, performing Vampire Blues and On The Beach among other songs."

And Robert "Stringman" posted on our wall on Facebook | ThrashersWheatNeverSleeps (42):

From John Bonham's site 1974 14 September. John Bonham and Jimmy Page jam with Neil Young at Quaglilino's Restaurant in London after a show at Wembley Stadium featuring Joni Mitchell, C.S.N. & Y and The Band.

Stefano Frollano added:

This photo was shot by Joseph Stevens and it was first published back in 1978 in Carole Dufrechou book "Neil Young". The book has two editions with some slight differences.

Anonymous added:

And the date is listed in Ghosts On The Road by Pete Long. It was after the Wembley Gig. It´s a shame that you can´t see it on the photo but that´s John Bonham on drums!

Unfortunatly no tape from that performance is known to exist!

From comment by Surfer-Joe:

Later that same day the musicians turned up at a post-gig party in Quaglino’s. This most famous of London’s society restaurants had been opened by Giovanni Quaglino in the 1930s. It eventually closed in the 1980s and was subsequently rebuilt in 1993 by Terence Conran on the same location (16 Bury Street, St James’s Place).

Thanks Matt, Syscrusher, Stefano & Stringman! And thanks to all the TW readers and the excellent "fan-sourcing"! (See Crowdsourcing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.)



Which reminds us of another time when Jimmy Page and Neil Young got together and jammed all night long...

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"If Bob Dylan is an icon, Neil Young is a category."

Neil Young performs at the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute to Paul McCartney
February 10, 2012 in Los Angeles, California
Photograph by: Larry Busacca/Getty Images
(Click photo to enlarge)

An amusing article on aging rockers, from Neil Young to Bono.

From Rockers aging gracefully and not so gracefully, from Neil Young to Bono BY MARK LEPAGE:

Neil Young

It’s hard to see grace in the FrankenNeil hair or in some spotty recent work, but impossible to miss it in his devotion to songcraft, and volume. If Bob Dylan is an icon, Neil Young is a category.

More bands imitate Neil.

And Neil is a family man who quietly set up a venerated foundation for his disabled kid, now celebrated by half of the rock world order, champions young bands, and still plays so loudly that rumour has it his guitar tech won’t go onstage during a song.

Consider yourself knighted, sir.

More commentary on Rockers aging gracefully and not so gracefully, from Neil Young to Bono.

Also, see more on "If Bob Dylan is an icon, Neil Young is a category."

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Photo of the Moment: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young & Jimmy Page - 1974?

UPDATE: See SOLVED: Photo of the Moment - CSNY & Jimmy Page, 1974 for photo details.


Neil Young, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills & Jimmy Page
~1974
(Click photo to enlarge)

The Photo of the Moment is of Neil Young, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills & Jimmy Page.

The photo is of unknown origin.

It appears to be from the time of the 1974 stadium tour in a nightclub somewhere. Possibly CSNY concert at Wembley Stadium, London, England, 1974-09-14?

If anyone has any info, drop a comment below.

Thanks Matt!

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Wembley Stadium, London, 1974-09-14
Photo by smartsetpix | Flickr
(click photo to enlarge)

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