Liner Notes for Americana by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Americana by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Quite a reaction thus far to an album that no one has heard yet -- out side the Ranch crowd.

Well, here's some more fodder for the naysayers and doubters to munch on.

Liner notes for Americana by Neil Young & Crazy Horse:

Oh, Susannah

This song written by Stephen Foster was originally performed on September 11, 1847. The Americana version was arranged with a new melody by Tim Rose and was originally performed by The Big Three in 1963, and updated by Tim Rose and the Thorns in 1964. This band did a lot of arrangements of folk songs that were changed to be rock and roll songs and called folk-rock. Tim Rose was one of the pioneers of folk- rock. Much of the music of Americana is based on this idea.

Clementine

This American folk ballad is believed to be based on “Down By The River Liv’d a Maiden” by H.S. Thompson 1863. However, it is usually credited to Percy Montrose, 1884 or Barker Bradford from about the same period. The Americana arrangement extends the folk process, using many of the original words and a new melody. The song tells the story of either a bereaved lover recalling his lost sweetheart, or a father missing his lost daughter. In both cases the daughter has drowned in an accident. The song is now famous as an American children’s song. The verse about Clementine’s sister has been omitted from most children’s versions. This verse has different meanings depending on whether the point of view of the singer is taken as the lover or the father.

Tom Dula

This folk song, writer unknown, is based on the 1866 murder of a woman named Laura Foster, who was stabbed to death with a knife in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Tom Dula, a confederate soldier returned from the war and Laura Foster's lover, was convicted of her murder and hanged May 1, 1868. Grayson, mentioned in the song, was instrumental in supplying information to the posse that eventually found Dula. Dula had another lover, prior to his leaving for the war, named Anne Melton. It was her comments that led to the discovery of Foster’s body. She was charged with murder but was acquitted based on Dula’s word. Dula’s last statement on the gallows was “Gentlemen, do you see this hand? I didn’t harm a hair on the girl’s head.” Anne Melton died insane a few years later. The Americana arrangement is from The Squires with a new melody and the original lyrics.

Gallows Pole

This centuries-old folk song, writer unknown, probably originates in Finland. It is about a woman condemned to die and telling the hangman to wait because someone was coming to rescue her with either money (gold) or information proving her innocence. The folk process enhanced this over the years and it has had many interpretations. The Americana arrangement, which assumes the condemned is a man, is based on Odetta’s interpretation, now an enduring American folk classic.

Get A Job


A song about a man who has not been able to find work, and is assumed lazy and a liar by his woman, “Get A Job” is included in Americana because it is a genuine folk song with all of the true characteristics. This song was written by Richard Lewis of the Silhouettes, although credit is shared with the whole group because they did the vocal arrangement. The hit recording performed by The Silhouettes was released in 1957. The Americana version follows the original arrangement.

Travel On

“Gotta Travel On”, adapted by Paul Clayton and others from a British folk tune, was recorded by Billy Grammer in 1958. His version is an American classic. The song tells of a man who has to keep moving for a variety of reasons, all common with American life. The Americana arrangement is based on Billy Grammer’s version with some lyric changes.

High Flyin’ Bird

Written by Billy Edd Wheeler, this is a folk song performed by The Company in 1964. Stephen Stills was the lead singer. The song is about freedom, life and death. The Americana arrangement is based on The Squires’ 1964 version.

Jesus’ Chariot (She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain)

Written in the 1800s based on an old Negro spiritual, this song refers to the second coming of Jesus and “she” is the chariot Jesus is coming on. Some interpret this as the end of the world. Others have said that “she” refers to union organizer Mary Harris “Mother” Jones going to promote formation of labor unions in the Appalachian coal mining camps. The Americana arrangement continues the folk process with a new melody, a new title and a combination of lyric sources.

This Land Is Your Land

This folk song was written by Woody Guthrie in the 1940s to a pre-existing melody as a response to “God Bless America” which Guthrie was tired of hearing. The lyrics Guthrie sang varied over time, but the lyrics sung in the Americana version were in the original manuscript of the song.

Wayfarin’ Stranger

This 19th century folk song is about a soul traveling through life, perhaps envisioning the end approaching. The Americana arrangement is influenced by the Burl Ives 1944 recording, with the same words and melody.

God Save The Queen

Written in the 18th century with possible melodic roots in the 17th century, this anthem has been sung throughout the British Commonwealth and may have been sung in North America before the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence in 1776, which rejected British sovereignty. The Americana arrangement draws from the original melody and changes some melody and lyrics in the folk process, also adding lyrics of the same melody taken from “My Country ’Tis Of Thee”, in recognition of the war of Independence and America’s transition to freedom.

Also, More Developments on New Album Americana by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

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All Neil All Night: Alberta, Canada on Sat., Mar. 24

Kit Johnson, lead singer for All Neil All Night

All Neil All Night will be performing at in Leduc, Alberta, Canada on Saturday, Mar. 24.

From Sounds of Neil Young coming to Maclab Centre via All Neil All Night - Leduc Representative - by Bobby Roy:

For Kit Johnson, being a musician for more than 30 years has allowed him to play with other greats, travel the world and do what he loves for a living.

“I haven’t made a cent from anything else. I’ve loved every moment of it and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else,” said Johnson of his life-long career as a musician.
...

One of the groups Johnson has been working with is All Neil All Night, a band that celebrates the music of the legendary Neil Young. The group’s success of performing Young’s songs comes from their recreation of not only his songs, but also the performance of them.

“We try our best to recreate the vibe and people have told us that is one of the aspects about our show they really like. We try to capture the whole spirit of Neil Young and that’s why we love doing it,” explained Johnson, whose voice shares an unmistakable resemblance to that of Young’s.

All Neil All Night will be performing at the Maclab Theatre for the Performing Arts, Leduc, Alberta, Canada on Saturday, Mar. 24 at 7:30 p.m

More at Sounds of Neil Young coming to Maclab Centre via All Neil All Night.

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Allman Brothers Band Cover "Southern Man", New York City - 3/17/2012

A very exciting - and smokin' -- cover of Neil Young's "Southern Man" by Allman Brothers Band at Beacon Theatre, New York City on 3/17/2012.

Grace Potter, James van der Bogert and Randall Bramblett join in.

More on bands covering Neil Young songs.

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More Developments on New Album Americana by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Geronimo in a 1905 Locomobile Model C
Photo Wikipedia
(Click photo to enlarge)

Well, much discussion, anticipation and speculation regarding the news on the album cover art and track listing for Americana, the upcoming release by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

The album cover design has a fascinating back story.

The Americana cover is based on a photograph of Geronimo driving a car on June 11, 1905, near Ponca City, Okla. The car is a Locomobile, and the Indian in full headdress to Geronimo's left is Edward Le Clair Sr., a Ponca Indian. When Geronimo died in 1909, he was buried in the vest.

Apparently, according to album notes, the Americana cover was rescued from the 2010 warehouse fire from an earlier design in 1975. The faces of Neil Young, Billy Talbot (Geronimo), Ralph Molina, & Poncho Sampedro were pasted over the original photo for a cover that was never used.

Americana by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

More from Neil Young's official website:

AMERICANA is collection of classic, American folk songs. In their day, some of these may have been referred to as "protest songs", "murder ballads", or campfire-type songs passed down with universal, relatable tales for everyman.

But -- without so much as a note being heard by anyone outside the Ranch crowd -- the album already seems to be coming under criticism:

• unoriginal, uninspiring Americana covers
• using a children's choir
• songs with titles like "God Save The Queen" smacking of "pro imperialism"
• exploitation of the Native American

A comment by thezumaband:

Seems a bit premature and in some cases ideologically biased to be judging something that hasn't been heard yet.

Lighten up, folks.

And take a listen to the acoustic version of "Oh Susannah" from the Bridge concert. He's doing a dramatically different take on these iconic songs of his/my/our 50s childhood. They should be particularly heavy given the electric treatment.

"Oh! Susanna" (Live) - Dave Matthews / Neil Young - Mtn. View, Shoreline - October 23, 2011


Neil Young wearing Geronimo T-shirt - 2004
"Geronimo - My Heroes have always Killed Cowboys"
(Click photo to enlarge)

More on album cover art and track listing for Americana.

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Album Cover Art & Track Listing: Americana - Neil Young & Crazy Horse

From Neil Young's official website, comes the album cover art for Americana, the upcoming release by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

Here is the complete track-listing for Americana:

Oh Susannah
Clementine
Tom Dula
Gallows Pole
Get A Job
Travel On
HIgh Flyin' Bird
Jesus' Chariot
This Land Is Your Land
Wayfarin' Stranger
God Save The Queen

From Neil Young And Crazy Horse to Release New Album 'Americana' on June 5th | Music News | Rolling Stone By Andy Greene, the release date is June 5.

"What ties these songs together is the fact that while they may represent an America that may no longer exist," says a press release announcing the new album."The emotions and scenarios behind these songs still resonate with what’s going on in the country today with equal, if not greater impact nearly 200 years later. The lyrics reflect the same concerns and are still remarkably meaningful to a society going through economic and cultural upheaval, especially during an election year. They are just as poignant and powerful today as the day they were written."

The newest album with Crazy Horse is eagerly anticipated by fans.

Based on the reception of Crazy Horse at the Musicares Honors Paul McCartney event in February.

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"A Conversation with Neil Young": Discussion on Autobiography at BookExpo America

Neil Young @
2008 Berlin Film Festival
Photo by Markus Schreiber

The news that Neil Young was writing an autobiography took the publishing world by storm (to a degree) last year.

Likewise, Neil fans were somewhat divided on the effort titled "Waging Heavy Peace". Fan comments ranged from the book being a distraction from the music, to we'll never live to see it a la Archives delays, to this being another brick in the artistic creativity wall.

Now comes word from BookExpo America (BEA) announcing that Neil Young will be appearing at the annual book industry trade show where he will discuss his upcoming memoir, Waging Heavy Peace.

The book will be published in North America by Blue Rider Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), in fall of 2012. BEA will take place in New York City at the Jacob Javits Center June 4 - 7, 2012 and Mr. Young is scheduled to speak on Wednesday, June 6 at 12 noon in the Special Events Hall. The program, which will be called "A Conversation with Neil Young", will follow an interview format and will be free to all convention attendees.

Mr. Young's interviewer will be named in the near future.

Waging Heavy Peace will be released on November 13, 2012.

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Americana: Possible New Album Art?

Americana - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Neil Young Photos | Facebook
(Click photo to enlarge)

Recently, an interesting art piece showed up on Neil Young's Official Facebook page.

Spotted by Rustie extraordinaire HarryO, the posting has inspired much speculation, naturally.

Could this be art for the upcoming Neil Young & Crazy Horse Americana album that is so eagerly anticipated?

Well, who knows?

More questions with no answers...

• When will the album be released?
• What's up with the children's choir on Americana?
• When will Crazy Horse tour?
• What about the Horseback track getting an official release?
• When will Trunk Show be released?
• Will Neil's biography really ever be published?
• And what about NYA Vol #2?
• Or the release of TFA??
• How's LincVolt going?
• What happened to OccupyAudio?
• Will Neil ever really appear on Jimmy Fallon doing a Fallon impression?
• So what did Steve Jobs really think of MP3s & vinyl?
• Will Buffalo Springfield reunite again?
  
• And was Toast just a joke?

"Tell me lies later, come and see me, I'll be around for a while..."

More Neil Young mysteries to solve....

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"I Am Not Neil Young": The Musical

Well, another entry in the "Neil is everywhere" department.

Seems that there is a musical play titled "I Am Not Neil Young".

It's based on the true story of Frank Wilks’ amazing recovery from the highs and lows of rock and roll playing with/as Neil Young. Frank Wilks -- who led and played in the band "Buffalo Springfield Revisited" (which featured the late Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin) -- performs as Neil Young.

Performing as Neil Young at Massey Hall, the work examines battles with fame and the more personal, ubiquitous problems many face with drugs and alcohol. The musical contains three motifs: first, the serendipity and insanity of becoming a rock star, second, the related descent into drugs and alcohol, heaven and hell with the climb back to redemption and third, living for a while under the shadow of a superstar like Neil Young and then moving on as Frank evolves into an artist and songwriter in his own right.

From I Am Not Neil Young-The Musical | Cashbox Magazine Canada by Lenny Stoute:

At the beginning, Frank and co-founder of ‘Buffalo Springfield Revisited’, Hall Of fame bassist Bruce Palmer are straight and sober. Frank delivers ‘The Needle and the Damage done’ as a cautionary tale of which he and Palmer take serious note.

Five years later, the walls came crumbling down and Steven Stills ‘4x20’ is used as mirror for Frank’s situations. Round about here is where the play shows its teeth, and Frank Wilks finds himself in a life or death struggle with drug and alcohol addictions. To his credit, while Wilks doesn’t shrink from laying out the gruesome details, this is no misery fest as the dude is now six years sober.

Instead, by the time he gets to the humorous and touching ‘No Drinking in NFLD’, the thing has become a sweet testament to one man’s triumph over the dark side. The whole thing is saved from going all preachy by the music and its place in the soundtrack of our lives. That, and the fact that Wilks never loses his innate likeability even when he’s talking about days into weeks in a crack house.

And that's a core part of the play’s appeal; that it goes from top to bottom in the key of bittersweet.

There were no firm tour dates but plans are afoot to put the show on the road this summer.

More on I Am Not Neil Young - Frank Wilks - The man, the band, the music.

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