Neil Young at Carnegie Hall in New York City - Friday, January 10, 2014 - Show #4
Neil Young's four-show run at Carnegie Hall in New York City continues tonight, Friday, January 10, 2014.
Got a report? Drop us a comment below.
Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates and Chronological Grid, Recording Summary, Statistics and Extras.
Also, see concert reports, reviews, photos, Youtubes, etc:
- Neil Young at Carnegie Hall in New York City - Monday, January 6, 2014 - Show #1
- Neil Young at Carnegie Hall in New York City - Tuesday, January 7, 2014 - Show #2
Labels: concert, neil young, review
43 Comments:
OUT OF MY MIND
-Dr. J
I had a chitchat with patti smith, i ran into Elliott Roberts and neil was .... !!!!
What else could you expect from a Perfect evening ?!
6 months 2 days to Hyde Park ! I Love to be a neil- Head -:)
First playing of "Out Of My Mind" since 1996.
After Neil's hissy fit during the encore at Thursday's show security was tight, nasty and abusive tonight. People were trying to take brief non-flash pictures and were threatened with ejection from the show. We're not talking about recording portions of the show or holding up lit phone screens just quick non-flash photos. I took 2 quick non-flash shots and was threatened by security. The poor guy next to me with his phone off and on his lap was nearly ejected This was not the case the first 3 nights. Clearly Neil was upset about his run-in the night before with a fan in the first row recording. He went into a semi-rational rant about modern technology and social media. Thanks for the lecture in the middle of your encore Neil. Also, remember when encores used to be unplanned and spontaneous and not some pre-planned extension of a show? With phone technology we clearly live in a different age. Most if not all concerts nowadays permit cellphone camera shots. Neil is becoming a bloody prima donna. He always was a bit cranky but these last 4 nights he couldn't resist commenting nastily about a few song requests and "I love you Neil" shout-outs. His shows are notorious for such fan behavior and yes it can be over the top and obnoxious but overall the fans were respectful and quiet this time but Neil still felt the need to put them down as if he expected the silence one would find in a cathedral. This may anger the Neil worshippers out there but hey, if not for his fans and their allegiance he wouldn't be where he is today. Another complaint - lack of spontaneity telling the same tired stories at each night's show and even cracking the same jokes as in "now I'm going to play my hit". Whatever happened to true spontaneous engagement with the audience and not just canned scripted lines? The music was incredible and that's what really counts with Thursday's show being the best of the 4. Monday he was a bit nervous and tentative. Tuesday was by the numbers. Thursday he was in a great head space full of positive energy and pouring emotion into the songs with everything he had. Friday's show he seemed a bit weary and eager to be done especially evident with a one song encore and barely waving as he left the stage. I feel privileged to have seen all 4 shows and they will not be forgotten anytime soon. Hopefully an album and/or DVD will be forthcoming. After this Carnegie Hall stint I have nothing but respect, appreciation and admiration for the music. A little less so for the man behind the music than I had before.
Nowadays, people are either going to want to take pictures of you, or you don't have an audience.
I agree that people constantly taking photos can be annoying and distracting. However, I think the best bet for those who don't want people to take pictures is to make a polite announcement themselves.
For example: "please don't take too many pictures, I understand that you want a souvenir of the show, but take one or two and then just sit back and enjoy the music".
People really respect that, more often than not. And they are happy to comply.
What people don't respect at all is over-zealous security. Going to war with the audience has never been a good idea (Bob Dylan gets away with the Nazi security thing, because he's Bob Dylan. But even he's getting old).
The Flying Scotsman.
I was not fortunate to attend to experience this show but could feel the experience through posts from the persons that truly appreciate Neil and his craft. In regard to the camera concerns, no camera - no problems. Leave them in your pocket. In my opinion, you photo takers tarnished a splendid opportunity to sit,absorb and appreciate the purity of what sounds like another one of Neil's finest performances. It's art folks. There's more to the picture than meets the eye. The same nightly comments by Neil appear to be part of the performance and mean something.
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AMAZING! The acoustic's were simply the best I have yet to experience in any of the theaters we have been to see Neil. His vocals were strong and he seemed to be in a wind down mood. He shared with the audience that Peg was in the house and sang Heart Of Gold.
"In my opinion, you photo takers tarnished a splendid opportunity to sit, absorb and appreciate the purity of what sounds like another one of Neil's finest performances".
....Security people constantly hassling audience members are far more distracting than the photo takers themselves.
I'm with Neil on this one. I've seen Neil a lot and his fans are the worst I have experience. I have had a couple of shows completely ruined by the people next to us. In all my concert going, Neil is the most consistently compelling artist I have seen, and his fans the most consistently disruptive.
Oh, and no one has a right to film his shows and publish them on the Internet.
AMAZING! The acoustic's were simply the best I have yet to experience in any of the theaters we have been to see Neil. His vocals were strong and he seemed to be in a wind down mood. He shared with the audience that Peg was in the house and sang Heart Of Gold.
About this so called Neil "hissy-fit" it was anything but. On Thursday night Neil did not say a word about camera or video (and he talked a lot) until between the last two numbers (Comes A Time and Long May You Run). I saw people taking unobtrusive video and photos all night long, and not a single security person bothered them and not a single world about it from the stage. That changed during the break between CAT and LMYR. I was in the 15th row and could see a very obnoxious "fan" standing up in what appeared to be Row 1 taking video of Neil as Neil roamed the stage during Comes A TIme. That fan annoyed me too because the light from the celly was distracting, even "way back" in Row 15. So it was not as if Neil Young was on this issue all night. He did get on one abusive member of the audience, who even filmed Neil talking to him about it until security came. Sounds like one bad apple affected the atmosphere and the artist on the following night. Anyway, just wanted it to be clear that at least from this fan's perspective, on Thursday night it seemed to me that Neil Young kept things in perspective. The audience member was the culprit.
Raincheck - Sure, the artist can go to war with the audience ("no one has a right to film his shows and publish them on the internet"), but it's the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot.
The Flying Scotsman.
I've seen NY about 10 times now. Other than outside festivals he always asks to not have pictures or video taken. If you listen to Live at Massey Hall.....in On the Way Home he addresses taking pictures. He says it Distracts him while he is playing. He's been consistent on the topic for 42 years. I do agree that its a bit of an issue when Security gets overly involved....more distracting than pict takers.
Heading to MAssey Hall tomorrow night to see the Master once again. The reviews are generally very positive and I am hoping this Homecoming of sorts will be EPIC.
I wont be taking pictures.
"It's all over...it's all over."
Can't compare Massey Hall 42 years ago to today. Back then, only a handful of the audience brought camera's. Today everyone has a camera in their pocket.
I though the audience was respectful on the nights I attended — also an effect of the passing of 42 years!
I liked his piano songs better on this one than the first two shows. Journey Through the Past was also played better than the night before, great rendition! And Birds too!
Out of My Mind was a big surprise, although I would've loved to hear it on guitar or piano.
The best takes from the four shows should make a great live album. Archives 5.3678, or something like that.
anyone know if last night's poster sold @ the show was any different than previous night's shows?
One of the MANY pleasant surprises of the night was the show poster is NOT the one sold online for twice the price! the colors are hideous and the graphics bland, IMO.
The poster I bought last night for $25 is gorgeous. just like the setlist. not framed yet or else I'd upload a pic
Flew in from Austin for the weekend. Fabulous show, fantastic venue. I stayed away from setlists beforehand. Hearing some songs like Someday, Out of My Mind, A Man Needs a Maid, Journey, pump organ Mr Soul, etc. were genuine surprises. Afterwards wished he had played After The Gold Rush and Long May You Run, but that is a minor quibble.
As for security ... good on them. I loved it. You don't need to take a photo. I guarantee it will be grainy, shit and never looked at in the future.
Regarding some comments above ... people do NOT respect a polite message to refrain. The only thing which kind of works is threat of ejection and security enforcement.
And the individual act of a security guard flashing their light at someone to stop ... that one time might be more distracting(to some, not me) than one photo ... but it stops so many more distracting photos being taken.
I hate what phones have done to the concert going performance. If I was an artist I would go one step further ... give people a grace period of the first 2 songs, and then any photo after that and you are immediately ejected with no warning.
As for post #4 anonymous ... I don't think Neil was cranky at all. You paint the wrong picture of his state of mind. I have never seen him talk to the audience as much, he was very jovial and funny, and it was a pleasant surprise ... as he usually just plays all his songs with little/no verbal interaction with the audience. His little spiels in between songs made the show that much more engaging.
"As for security ... good on them. I loved it. You don't need to take a photo. I guarantee it will be grainy, shit and never looked at in the future".
Just thought I'd quote that so you can reflect on how selfish it sounds. Please don't assume other people think exactly as you do.
"If I was an artist..."
....judging by your attitude, you wouldn't be very successful.
dave from Vancouver wa. says.....I've seen many neil shows over the years..from ones when he didn't even acknowledge the crowd to ones where he rambled on and on....every show was splendid and beautiful....never took one picture...I just soaked in the music and was amazed...leave your cameras at home people.....
I'm fairly sure that if Neil now said "I don't mind people taking photos" (as I'm quite sure he doesn't mind really!), you'd all be saying about how it's good to take photos at concerts.
I'm equally sure you'd all be annoyed if all the great concert videos on youtube, Dimeadozen etc were removed. You can't have it both ways.
Some people like photos, some don't....it's really no big deal, or at least, it shouldn't be. Enough with the telling other people what to do.
Drunks and serial-talkers....now that's another story!
Sometimes I wonder if I was at the same shows after reading some of these coments. Monday night I was first tier all the way in the back and Had a great time. Security was not an issue at all. Friday night was lucky enough to have been down front. We were able to walk up to the stage and snap a few quick photos before the show started. The only time I saw security was to gently remind people to take a quick photo and please keep it moving. As far as people speculating about Neils mood, thats all it is, speculation.If you can't understand how distracting and annoying camera phones are during a concert, let alone such an intimate setting such as Carnegie Hall, you may be part of the problem.
It looked like the poster for sale at Carnegie was the same every night.
TomCrac
When tickets go for $200 face (and $1,000+ in the aftermarket), wanting a photo is not unreasonable (as long as no flash or focus light is used).
Easy solution for this perceived problem. The performer can have his own photographer take the shots and then provide a link to the attendees.
I would think that the audio recordings (n RustRadio) and the YouTube videos would be a bigger issue for the performers.
Great performances by Neil Young this week. I'm very happy that I was fortunate to attend.
"You may be part of the problem"
What problem? You just said it wasn't an issue. Make your mind up!
he ought to give out a poster with each attendee for the price hes charging. Im sure those things could have been mass produced for pennies. as long as alcohol is served and people get drunk you will have the shout outs and a general lack of respect in other areas.
Absolutely! Security were scurrying around like angry mice. Much more distracting than non-flash photos being taken. Created a "seige" mentality and much palpable tension.
You're right. I've been to Neil shows that were nearly ruined by call-outs and requests. Neil said and did nothing at those shows. The CH shows were downright quiet compared to others and here he chooses to get nasty and pick fights? As far as posting photos or video clips - welcome to the computer age as it were. It is standard and how many of us Neil fans benefit from seeing some of these postings on YouTube, etc.? As long as no one is profiting from Neil's material or image, so be it.
Wow Neil speaks to the audience and this is cause for celebration? Isn't that what a normal human being as a performer should do? He told a few canned stories and cracked a wry joke or two and we should fall on our knees giving thanks? Stop worshipping this man and just enjoy the music.
Anon 5:31, right on. The primadonna was in full regalia this go-round. Agree that I'm not paying to be lectured, thank you very much. You're an entertainer, Neil. Get over the Messiah complex. Also agree that much of the music was great, but I lost even more respect for the musician. The Guardian reviewer got it right. Neil's an entertainer, not an artist. It'd be refreshing if he'd get over his own preciousness. I found most of his "instructive" banter irksome. We know you've always despised the audience, Neil, so why not just give it up? The older and infirmer he gets, the crankier he's gonna get. I think this is just the warm-up.
Yes, the true bane of all concert experiences - drunks and serial talkers. Amen brother!
Guardian (as all press) only prints what supports their position. NY said "Wrong. You're out a beat, I'm way ahead of you. It’s something that you probably don’t know, but there’s a hell of a distance between you and me.”
Without a drummer, the cout-of-time clapping would throw off his timing.
Reported decided to not print "You're out a beat, I'm way ahead of you.", as it didn't support the point he wanted to make (" on some level, a formal rebuke")
Anyway, the show was 2 hours of fine music. Why pick on a 30 second comment by the performer?
BTW, mp3's of all shows at: http://www.bigozine2.com
I was at the show on Tuesday night and I was glad no one was obnoxious enough or offbeat enough to elicit a comment from Neil. He's speaking for the rest of us when he rebukes those kinds of people. He can pull off being a little testy too, since his performance was fantastic, which is what really counts.
Drunks, serial talkers, and the guy next to you singing at full voice
I'm not just referring to the clapping comment. I'm referring to his consistent demeanor thruout the run of shows. The primadonna needs to hang up her tutu for a while. Life in a bubble will tend to make one obnoxious.
my .02
we were in the worst seats in the house but that's my price range. $75 ea for 'limited view" tix. my wife actually asked "where's the pole"? as in foul pole, the old shea stadium, vertigo, limited view seats, mentality. the "ushers" didn't/wouldn't even walk us down to our seats. four flights up to go two flights down. crazy. my thighs & shins were & are hurting and I'm physically fit. limited view apparently also means second row, behind a high railing/box seat. who knew? But here is the really cool part: I've seen many different incarnations of Neil over the years. over thirty shows, easily. But from this vantage point, with binoculars, I was able to see how hard the dude struggles with his epilepsy. think about it. everyone knows he's got it, no one thinks about how he deals. I saw it with my own peepers for the first time on "a man needs a maid". seems like he was fighting the spastic impulses the whole time? and still striking every key, perfectly, beautiful. I saw it, couldn't believe it and then had it confirmed by my wife. I love neil w/the horse. acoustic neil is a 360. who else grabs you and holds you like that, either which way? brilliant. Love the man. know that some of you don't understand. we're all quirky.
we're not all so brilliant.
Balcony seats were going for $500+ on StubHub!
Anon 7:27 - people with epilepsy have actual seizures, not spasms. Sounds like you're thinking more of cerebral palsy or Parkinson's.
so sorry. I mis spoke. I am definitely not a health care professional and should not have labeled what I saw as such. my mistake. didn't know what to call it & still don't. only know what I saw & felt @ the time. did not mean to offend, so sorry if any one took offense.
BTW
Ass Draggers Always pay more _ even for limited view balcony seats.
I really believe that Mr.Young has or should have by now the respect he so deserves.And with this includes his wanting to stop his show to say a few things,I say great,he NEEDS to be heard.Too many folks out there think they can do whatever,but guess what,not with the Neiler,you just can't do that!
Thank God.
Bunnie Young-Norris
Just got back to Europe from seeing the last night.
It was intimate, rambling, thoughtful, humorous, sublime.
In fact a set list most of the complainers on the Alchemy tour would love to see.
Roll on July for Neil's alter ego.
Best show in forty years
Acoustics unbelievable
Am I crazy or does Needle of Death sound like Ambulance Blues
Remember its the Man who makes the music - respect, appreciate and admire him
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