2013 Australia/New Zealand Tour Dates: Neil Young and Crazy Horse

2013 Australia Tour Dates for Neil Young and Crazy Horse have been announced!

From The Frontier Touring Company: (Thanks Andrew & Rob!!)

Concert Reviews:

Mar 2, 2013 - Perth Arena, Perth
Mar 5, 2013 - Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
Mar 7, 2013 - Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Mar 9, 2013 - A Day On The Green - Bimbadgen Winery, Hunter Valley
Mar 10, 2013 - Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney
Mar 13, 2013 - The Plenary, Melbourne
Mar 15, 2013 - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
Mar 16, 2013 - A Day On The Green - The Hill Winery, Geelong
Mar 19, 2013 - TSB Bank Arena, Wellington
Mar 21, 2013 - Vector Arena, Auckland

NEIL YOUNG WITH CRAZY HORSE ANNOUNCE AUSTRALIA / NEW ZEALAND TOUR

There have been a few whispers lately…the words ‘Neil Young’ and ‘Crazy Horse’, have been coupled tantalisingly with the word ‘tour’. In the know fans have seen news about shows overseas and waited with growing anticipation for the official word.

So it is with no small amount of delight that The Frontier Touring Company and A Day On The Green confirm the return of Neil Young with Crazy Horse for a series of arena and A Day On The Green winery shows in March 2013. With one show only in each location, the tour is one of Neil Young’s most extensive yet with shows in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hunter Valley, Surf Coast Geelong, Wellington and Auckland.

The tour will be Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s first headline tour since 2003’s critically acclaimed Greendale shows in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Crazy Horse, comprised of Billy Talbot (bass), Ralph Molina (drums) and Frank “Poncho” Sampedro (guitar), was recently described by Neil Young in his autobiography as “a vehicle to cosmic areas that I am unable to traverse with others."

The March 2013 shows promise to showcase both new material from their recently released album ‘Psychedelic Pill’ (out now through Warner) and the classic hits that helped make Neil Young a household name. Without a doubt the critical acclaim surrounding the tour dates so far illustrates just how Neil Young continues to pull massive crowds five decades into his impressive career.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote of Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s October Hollywood Bowl concert; “The made-for-each other singer and band seamlessly meld old and new amid a relentless, outstanding torrent of beautiful noise” while the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted “this tour serves as a reminder of how [Neil] became the Godfather of Grunge, and going on 67, he will still out-grunge anyone who gets in his path.”

The LA Times’ glowing review painted vivid pictures, including that of Neil Young “hunched over his Gibson electric guitar – known affectionately as “Old Black” – strangling notes out of its neck while standing in front of a Fender amp as big as the Ritz.”

Don’t miss out on seeing Neil Young with Crazy Horse live in concert this March 2013.

Also, see reviews of Neil Young and Crazy Horse 2012 Concert Tour.

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OFFICIAL VIDEO: "Driftin Back" (27:51) - Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Official video for song "Driftin Back" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse from their new album, "Psychedelic Pill".

27:51 of epic jam.

Does it get better?

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TODAY: Rock the Vote! Or Still Looking For A Leader?

"Every American President has left an impact on his country and the World. This musical history lesson from Neil Young takes a look at the past, present and future of US leadership."

With the U.S. Presidential Election today, on Tuesday, 11/6, here is "Lookin' for a Leader" by Neil Young from Living with War and some useful information to have on election day.

Lookin' for a Leader
To bring our country home
Re-unite the red white and blue
Before it turns to stone

Lookin' for somebody
Young enough to take it on
Clean up the corruption
And make the country strong

Walkin' among our people
There's someone who's straight and strong
To lead us from desolation
And a broken world gone wrong

Someone walks among us
And I hope he hears the call
And maybe it's a woman
Or a black man after all

Yeah maybe it's Obama
But he thinks that he's too young
Maybe it's Colin Powell
To right what he's done wrong

America has a leader
But he's not in the house
He's waling here among us
And we've got to seek him out

Yeah we've got our election
But corruption has a chance
We got to have a clean win
To regain confidence

AMERICA is beautiful
But she has an ugly side
We're lookin' for a leader
In this country far and wide

We're lookin' for a leader
With the great spirit on his side

Someone walks among us
And I hope he hears the call
And maybe it's a woman
Or a black man after all.

Recall in 2004, Neil Young and Pearl Jam were a few of the seventeen musicians who took part in the Vote for Change tour - caravanning through battleground states to Get Out The Vote.


Pearl Jam & Neil Young - All Along the Watchtower - Pro Shot, from the Vote for Change Tour 2004

Check out Neil's message at conclusion.

From a Time Magazine interview with Neil Young in 2005:

"I'm a Canadian. I'd like to vote in the U.S. election because I feel like I've got just as much right to vote in them as anybody else. I've lived here for so long, paid taxes for so long and my kids have to register for selective service. I guess I could be a dual citizen, but if I ever had to give up my Canadian citizenship to become American I wouldn't do it, because I wouldn't want to hurt Canada. I love Canada."

Peter Frampton, Pearl Jam & Neil
Toledo, OH - October 2004
photo by Jayson Teig
The man who once sang he "wouldn't sing for politicians" did just so in 2004.

Neil Young, wearing a T-shirt with "Canadians for Kerry" joined the Dave Matthews Band concert at the Vote for Change Concert Tour on Oct 3, 2004 at the Palace in Auburn Hills, MI.

Dave Matthews introduced Young by saying "a good friend of ours," before launching into a 15 minute electric performance of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."

Young said to the audience of more than 13,000:

"Some of you may know I'm a Canadian, and I'm here representing Canadians for Kerry. The rest of the world couldn't be here, but they say hi."

Young then dedicated the next song to Spain and played "Cortez the Killer" and the anthem "Rockin' in the Free World".


Neil Young , Dixie Chicks & James Taylor
“Harvest Moon” and “Heart of Gold"
Fox Theatre - Detroit, MI - Oct. 4, 2004
Photo by Brandy Baker/The Detroit News
(A Thrasher's Wheat Poll earlier indicated that fans are evenly divided on Neil's participation in politics. More on the Vote For Change Tour - 2004.)


IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION

With the U.S. Presidential Election today, on Tuesday, 11/6, here is some useful information to have on election day:

- If you have problems at the polls, call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Program this # into your cell now. Also, if you have a cell camera be prepared to use. Photograph any problems at polls and call # to upload.

Identification Required at the Polls. Acceptable Forms of ID include:
- Photo ID, such as Driver's license, state ID card, student ID card or tribal ID card
- Voter Registration Card
- Utility Bill
- Bank Statement
- Paycheck Stub
- Government Check or Other Government Document
(*Note: Voter without ID may vote a provisional ballot.)

You Have the Right to Vote
Here is what you can do to safeguard your vote.
- Find Out Who is in Charge - Make a list of your county and state election officials.
- Verify Your Registration - Verify your vote and your polling station BEFORE you head to the polls. Visit www.vote.wa.gov to check.
- Vote Early - Beat the lines and free up your time to help others get to the polls.
- Document and Report - If you witness any problems at the polling place, call your election officials or 1-866-Our-Vote for election protection information. Make sure to keep a detailed record of the facts including location, names and the problem.
- Plan Ahead for Long Lines - Go with friends or bring phones, iPods, snacks or reading materials. Make it fun and encourage others to stay in line too.
- Verify Your Vote - If using an electronic voting machine, check your screen and make sure it produces a paper record. Check to see everything is correct.
- Ask for Provisional Ballots - If for any reason you are turned away at the polls, be sure to ask for a Provisional Ballot (i.e. no I.D., wrong polling location, not on the voter rolls, etc.. Your vote will be counted if you are eligible.
- Spread the Word - Make sure your friends and family know these rights and they too encourage others to get to the polls. Visit www.ivoteyouvote.com to help others make that important voting connection
- Don't Believe the Polls - Be sure to make your vote heard. Don't be persuaded by polling numbers to not cast your vote. Polls can be wrong. Every vote needs to be cast and counted.

[Voters who experience problems voting are advised to not leave your polling station but to call a hotline 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) instead to get advice. The hotline will be staffed with legal experts who can help you determine your voting rights. The Election Protection group running the hotline will also have legal experts in the field monitoring situations at the polls. If you don't have a legal question but simply want to report a problem you had, you can call a separate hotline 866-MYVOTE1 (866-698-6831) and leave a recorded message. Be sure to leave your name and phone number on the recording if you want someone to investigate your problem.]



And ROCK the VOTE!

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OFFICIAL VIDEO: "Psychedelic Pill" - Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Official video for song "Psychedelic Pill" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse from their new album, "Psychedelic Pill".

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OFFICIAL VIDEO: "Born In Ontario" - Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Official video for song "Born In Ontario" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse from their new album, "Psychedelic Pill".

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PODCAST: Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour - Episode #11

Thrasher's Wheat Radio
Tune in on WBKM.org, Saturdays @ 9P EST
Logo design by
Geoff Moore - Silver Moon Graphics
Here is the latest downloadable podcasts for the Thrashers Wheat Radio Hour. [To download, right click on link, save target as, pick destination folder: the podcast will download. Select your preferred MP3 audio player and play file.]

Saturday, November 3, 2012
Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour - Show #11.

Enjoy!

Also, all previous podcasts archived @ PODCAST: Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour.

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Comment of the Moment: Reviews of "Psychedelic Pill" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

"She's Always Dancin'" Artwork
"Psychedelic Pill" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse
#1, #2 on Amazon Top 100 List
The Comment of the Moment is on album reviews of the new "Psychedelic Pill" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse by D. I. Kertis:

Interesting story: I finally got 'Psychedelic Pill' today.

(Thing is, it was considerably more difficult than I thought. I ended up getting my copy from a local book and music store. I'm still very attached to the physical product, rather than mp3s. I was trying to get it through Barnes and Noble. They had it available for order online, but when I tried to find it in-store by entering my postal (zip) code, it was listed as "out of stock" at all stores with a 100 hundred mile radius! (Of course, I wasn't going to drive 100 miles even for Neil Young, but I extended my search that far just out of curiosity.)

And all of this happened to me just today, so it sounds like there are definitely some problems with retail delivery for this item at the moment. The street date was right when Hurricane Sandy hit, so that was crappy timing for sure. Although with online shopping these days, it doesn't seem to be getting in the way of sales, interestingly enough. I just wonder how long before some of the poor people in New York get to hear it. The last I heard, there were people out there still without power. Without iTunes and online stores, I suspect this album wouldn't sell as well. Say what you will about mp3s, but it means that people can buy the album without ever having to leave their house or relying on any kind of courier service.

I know the album's been pretty well-received by the critics and the fans so far, and it looks like it is selling well.)

Anyway, 'Psychedelic Pill' is interesting so far, although I've yet to listen fully. As such, I need some more time before expecting any great reflections. When the first track is twenty-seven minutes long, it takes time to work through things. "Driftin' Back" is a little nuts, it has to be said. I like it musically, especially the introduction--which I thought was a clever, engaging switch-up for Neil. It sounds cool and has its groove. The lyrics are on the bizarre side, although some of the earlier comments had me worried that they would be worse than they are. The form and structure are simple if not simplistic, but to be honest, I find it hard to take issue with "Hey, hey, now, now" without also taking issue with "Hey, hey, my, my."

"Driftin' Back" is evidently meant to drift a little, or at least, I doubt that the title is any coincidence knowing Neil. I get the impression it's also meant to sound like a mantra: "Blocking out my anger". It seems to be about the search for something soulful or spiritually genuine in a world where many things are commercialized, superficial, phony, and purely profit-driven, whether the issue is mp3s or organized religion.

"Driftin' Back" seems to be an experiment, lyrically in particular, and I'm glad he did it even though it may have its strengths and weaknesses. By the way, I'm not one of those who finds a twenty-seven minute piece to be especially "self-indulgent" or arrogant. Not when Neil is asking us to devote time to an 85-minute album in the first place.

I'm not going to give up on Driftin' Back like some others have, either.

Whatever Poncho or anyone else was aware of at the time, I don't think Neil wrote the lyrics like that by accident. Just like he wrote 'Fork in the Road' (the song) that way on purpose. Driftin' Back sounds like part mantra and, sometimes, part send-up of rap and other overly simplistic popular music. In the latter regard, it vaguely reminds of Cough up the Bucks. It's a little nuts (not least of all on account of its being twenty-seven minutes long), but it has potential. Neil openly states in the lyric that he's blocking out thoughts and letting feelings through, so it's not going to be one of his most prosaic or lyrically ornate numbers.

I made the mistake of leafing through the booklet while Driftin' Back was playing, and in the process saw a bunch of lyrics without the music, some of which didn't seem very impressive on their own. So I wasn't sure 'Psychedelic Pill', the song, was going to be that great based on lyrics alone, but when I heard the song, it clicked. It was all in what they did with it--the music and concept/arrangement. I love the sound. It reminds me a little of 'Opera Star', but at the same time, I think it's one of the most effective psychedelic throwback songs Neil and the Horse have ever done, which is saying something considering the amount of nostalgia for old times that the relatively recent albums ('Ragged Glory' onwards) have displayed. So, stupid me: I prejudiced myself by looking at lyrics I should have known didn't represent a complete piece of music.

'Psychedelic Pill', the title track, is remarkable just because of how well it evokes the sound and feeling of rock music circa 1970. (I"m talking about the first version here, not the bonus alternate mix, which I have yet to give the attention it's due). 'Ramada Inn' also has its appeal.

Overall, I love the musical sound of the album and it seems to have a groove, but based even on the partial impressions I've been able to gather so far, I'm hesitating to call it five stars yet. Four might be fair, but I really have to give the second disc more attention before I'm in any position to judge. So far, I will say it's not making the same immediate impression that on me that 'Le Noise' did.

Then again, my tastes may be odd.

I prefer 'Sleeps with Angels' over 'Ragged Glory', can actually bear to play 'Are You Passionate?' all the way through now and then, and I'm not one of those who's spent the last ten years saying Neil needed to get back together with Crazy Horse.

Thanks, Neil, for reminding this book worm that there's sometimes more to it than words.

Thanks D.I.! We'll just add that we're really loving PP. DB, RI, & WLAG are wonderful jams by the guys. We think we'll be listening to RI for decades to come it seems to have that timeless feel to it.

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Album Review of the Moment: Psychedelic Pill | Jambands.com

"Driftin' Back" Artwork
"Psychedelic Pill" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

#1, #2 on Amazon Top 100 List
The Album Review of the Moment on Psychedelic Pill by Neil Young & Crazy Horse will probably take some heat from Bob Dylan fans by suggesting that Tempest is half-asleep compared to Psychedelic Pill.

But such is life...

From Jambands.com - Need We Say More? > Reviews > CDs > Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Psychedelic Pill by Brian Robbins:

Well, there: here’s the album for all of those who complained that Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s Americana was made up of covers when it was released back in June. (Of course, the songs were twisted and cranked by Young and company into shapes and forms of their own unique design, but you know how some folks are, eh?) The nine tracks on the new double-disc Psychedelic Pill (eight originals plus an alternate mix of the title track) are all original NY & CH tunes – as NY & CH as it gets. Young has had some brilliant collaborators over the years (the late Ben Keith being one of the best and most unique), but when it comes to simply rolling up the sleeves and getting down to it, drummer Ralph Molina, bassist Billy Talbot, and guitarist Frank Sampedro are Young’s go-to team.

Always have been; always will be.

...

In “Twisted Road” Young tells us how hearing Bob Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone” nailed him right between the ears when he first heard it: “I felt that magic and took it home/Gave it a twist and made it mine/But nothing was as good as the very first time.” As we approach 50 years since the release of that particular Dylan classic, it’s interesting to compare where the two artists are these days. Dylan’s new Tempest album feels like the work of Uncle Bob the entertainer and his hot-shot band, strolling through a set of tunes that feel comfy and easy for him. Young, on the other hand, comes across as engaged, fierce, and intrigued by his own musical muse – playing the hell out of the songs on Psychedelic Pill and knowing just the right players to do it with.

“I want to walk like a giant on the land,” sings Young in the sixteen-and-a-half minute squall-and-roar-fest towards the album’s end.

Mission accomplished.

Thanks Brian! Let's hope that Dylan fans don't get too stirred up by your review. ;)

Read full review on Jambands.com.

More reviews compiled on EARLY REACTION: "Psychedelic Pill" by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

And -- of course -- more on that rather unnecessary faux rivalry, yet fascinating, debate of Bob Dylan vs Neil Young.

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TONIGHT: Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour - Streaming Broadcast #11

Thrasher's Wheat Radio
Tune in on WBKM.org
Logo design by
Geoff Moore - Silver Moon Graphics
Tonight, Saturday, Nov 3 at 9:00 PM EST, (in about 9 hours) the Thrashers Wheat Radio Hour will begin streaming on WBKM.org.

Feedback will be back and we'll ride the rusty human highway to bring you the best Neil Young news and reviews, rumors and musings....plus rare and unreleased tracks that will help keep you rockin' in the free world.

Thrashers Wheat Radio Hour is presented and produced each week by WBKM.org in the heart of Burlington, Vermont.

Some suggestions for listening. Go to WBKM.org a few minutes before the broadcast/stream begins. In the upper right hand corner (the flower) click to launch. A small plugin applet will load and then launch your media player.

Apple MAC listeners - Use the Tune In Radio app in iTunes store.

If you have technical problems, either email wbkm@comcast.net or comment below.

We would definitely like your feedback on the program. Drop us a comment.

Also, a podcast will be posted soon after broadcast @ PODCAST: Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour.

Don't Be Denied.

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