From Neil Young concert review; Young at Chicago Theatre reviewed - chicagotribune.com by Greg Kot:
His eyes shaded by a black fedora, Neil Young strapped on a guitar that once belonged to Hank Williams Sr. and leaned in, as if ready to whisper in someone’s ear.
“Come a little bit closer, hear what I have to say,” he sang near the end of his sold-out concert Monday at the Chicago Theatre.
But even in relatively mellow acoustic mode, the singer conveyed a restless energy. He strolled the stage adorned with two pianos, a pump organ and a half-dozen acoustic guitars as if he were an avuncular landowner surveying his property. He was comfortable in this space, talking easily with the audience between songs, and at one point humorously thanking his “sponsors”: “Water,” he said, “and glass -- brought to you by sand and fire, two other great products.”
It was all in service of an evening that might have been described as casual. But beneath the rumpled outfit and graying sideburns, Young still harbors an intensity that surfaced at key points in the two-hour (plus intermission) concert. These moments were all the more striking because of the dynamics in Young’s still-pliable voice, his ability to play with tone and phrasing, and to create atmosphere with the barest essentials.
Neil Young performs solo concert at Chicago Theater, Chicago, IL, Monday, April 21 & Tuesday, 22, 2014.
Got a report? Drop us a comment below.
Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates and Chronological Grid, Recording Summary, Statistics and Extras.
And while we're awaiting CHI reports to roll in, please enjoy this report from Marilyn meeting Neil in Dallas:
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Truly a Neil Hall of Fame story for the ages! Thanks for putting down the details and sharing for all to enjoy.
Well deserved and earned.
Enjoy those scattered memories of Dallas forever.
see you down the road!
thanks to the A-holes at ticketmaster got an extra upstairs for tues apr. 22
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tprclake@yahoo.com
Chicago show was tremendous. Acoustics were great. Chicago Theatre is beautiful and Neil commented on that and his performance was in harmony with the venue. He never sounded better. When he came on stage and started playing an electric pulse coursed through me. Was very engaging bantering on stage between songs, much good humor. After intermission came back on stage and told us we were going to get something special that no other audience has heard. It was a "hippy beatnick" poem. It was probably just written that day and had to do with local Chicago, alleys, the elevated trains, etc. Loved the rendition of "A Man Needs A Maid" on grand piano and electric keyboard that he played as a stand-in for the London Symphony Orchestra. Don't want to give away too much. Go see it. Great show by a great artist.
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ReplyDeleteCORTEZ THE KILLER !!! ACOUSTIC !
ReplyDeleteI've waited 20 years for this !
Neil was in a much better mood than at carnegie Hall. No bad comments on yellers at all, nice little stories, a small spontaneous poetry about Chicago ...
Show was slightly shorter than NY. Count the hours until Second Show tonight !
He's just amazing
ReplyDeleteGreg Kot Chicago Tribune review: http://tinyurl.com/mko5mhk
ReplyDeleteHe played lots of stuff rarely if ever heard: someday was fantastic. Reason to believe. If you could read my mind. The Phil Ochs song.
ReplyDeleteOff topic.
ReplyDeleteNEIL YOUNG SPEAKS! in the new Uncut Magazine:
“Elsewhere in the issue, there’s a personal update on his forthcoming projects from Neil Young, who’s been on the phone to tell Uncut about his ‘historic art project’, A Letter Home, the RE-ISSUE OF TIME FADES AWAY, an eventual release for Archives Volume 2 , a follow-up to his autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace, a “fucking weird” science fiction novel and the launch of his digital music player, the much-touted Pono, which will be available from October.”
Read more at http://www.uncut.co.uk/node/20127#JrldPwH1WVGimikd.99
After reading the comments about folks calling out for songs at the other shows, I thought last night's Chicago crowd was very well behaved. There were a few now and then, but I had the sense that people understood this was a pre-set acoustic show and they did their part of contribute to making this a special night. It was very special. Getting Pocahontas and Thrasher was just great. Seeing him solo/acoustic in a lush theatre setting is an amazing treat. There is no one quite like Neil Young.
ReplyDeleteNeil day Two Chicago was fantastic. His voice gentle, sweet touching and at the right times raucaous. Does not at all seem like he's losing anything. Keep on rock'n the NEIL world!
ReplyDeleteI've seen Neil a dozen times or so but last night was just magic. Neil nails it with the feeling, rich tone on the acoustics the timing and humor. I don't know but I think this sobriety thing is agreeing with him. Saw his son and other family members sitting stage left and I was so moved. I felt the pain and existential angst he sings about as we all get older and try to stay "part of." He does it so well. Thanks Neil for keeping it real.
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