FILM TRAILER: Human Highway - Director's Cut + TONIGHT: Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour

Human Highway (Director's Cut) Trailer from Shakey Pictures on Vimeo.

Here's the film trailer for Human Highway. As we blogged recently, Neil Young's film Human Highway will have the director's cut version premiere at Toronto International Film Festival | TIFF.net in September. "Neil Young's mind-bending 1982 post-apocalyptic musical comedy, in which the rock legend writes, directs and stars alongside an eclectic and eccentric cast including Dean Stockwell, Russ Tamblyn, Dennis Hopper and Devo."

Neil Young as Lionel
(Click photo to enlarge)
Tonight, Saturday, August 16 at 9:00 PM EST, (~2 hours from now) the Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour from WBKM.org will be streaming.

Tonight's edition will feature concert highlights from the just completed Europe tour, dicsussion and news.

Tune in details and podcast info @ Thrashers Wheat Radio Hour.



Thrasher's Wheat Radio
Tune in on WBKM.org, Saturdays @ 9P EST

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Arcade Fire Cover Neil Young’s* “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown” in Winnipeg Last Night

Arcade Fire covered Danny Whitten's “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown,” last night in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
A fitting tribute to Winnipeg's Neil. (*Though Neil Young did get a secondary writing credit for contributing the "Sure enough they'll be selling stuff ..." verse - Thanks Anon!)

Not sure about the paper mâché heads tho?

Also, see Neil Young emphasizes what’s missing on “Come On Baby Let’s Go Downtown” | The A.V. Club.

Remembering Danny Whitten and Bruce Berry...

Neil Young's 1975 "Tonight's The Night" is considered to be his 'darkest' album - both literally and figuratively - and the last of the "Ditch Trilogy" (along with Times Fade Away and On The Beach). The album explores the depth of Neil's pain over the heroin overdose deaths of Crazy Horse's Danny Whitten and roadie Bruce Berry.

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"Living With War" - Neil Young & Crazy Horse at Mönchengladbach, Germany - 2014

Neil Young & Crazy Horse's "Living With War" from 2014-07-25, Warsteiner Hockeypark, Mönchengladbach, Germany.

A roadtrip memory from Tomer | Rusties:

PART ONE - "LIVING WITH WAR"

Every story needs to start at the beginning I guess...So for months I've been waiting for the Neil & Crazy Horse show in Tel Aviv. It was the concert of the year for me. Neil only played Israel once, back in the Mirror Ball tour 1995. Two nights in Jerusalem. I was only 12 years old at the time, so I wasn't there...After almost 20 years, many people, old fans and new fans alike, were waiting to see Neil again in Israel. July 17th 2014 was supposed to be a legendary and historic date that all of us will remember for a long time. About 40,000 people bought tickets for the show. I have a music blog in Hebrew and as a big Neil fan I started a couple of months before the show to write a special project dedicated to the music of Neil. It had 8 parts and the final one was the ultimate post dedicated specifically to Neil with Crazy Horse career all over the years. It was the perfect article to get the fans here prepared to the show. I post it about three weeks before the historic date. And then all the bad stuff started here.

Me and many of my friends and Neil fans got worried. When the days went by and still everyday I could hear the sirens in the center of Israel and hearing/seeing the big explosions in the sky (Our "iron Dome" system taking down the rockets), I knew the chances are not good. Then a few days before July 17 we got the bad news and it was cancelled. It was a really bad feeling, cause Neil and the crew really wanted to visit here, but they couldn't. And I can understand that. You can't put 40,000 people in an open park when there are alarms and threats to the city.

Myself and many people I know were so disappointed. I've seen Neil & The Horse before, last year in London, but I just didn't want to miss them this year. Especially when I was waiting for so long for the home show that needed to give some two hours of "Freedom" and happy break for all the people . So I decided to enjoy it anyway and started my own "Operation German Horse"...A spontaneous trip to three shows. I quickly arranged all the things. Talking with some rusties friends I knew to get my tickets, booking last minute flights, checking hotels (and my finance situation) and more. I said to myself there's no way I'm gonna miss them this tour. So one home show in Israel turned into three shows in Germany.

Before I left I've met Howell in Tel Aviv. He was coming anyway, because he did a whole trip in Israel before coming to the (cancelled) show. We walked the city, I showed him some places and we ate dinner together and talked. We should have been excited for the concert here...But it was great meeting him anyway. I also had plans to arrange a nice Rustfest in Tel Aviv. At my regular pub here where the owners knows me and the place even have a playlist of mine to blast out for us Neil fans. That also didn't happened and made me sad. All you rusties would have loved Tel Aviv, I'm sure. But now I'm off to see a lot more rusties in person. The excitement of the journey to the shows was mixed with "leaving" all my friends here that had tickets for the home show and won't be able to see The Horse live.

So now the journey begins. I landed in Dusseldorf on Friday the 24th. Gerd, who was supposed to come to Tel Aviv (straight after Istanbul), picked me up from the airport and we went to dinner and drinks and see some of the city. Later on he also drove me to my Hotel in Monchengladbach. I thanked him so much. He helped me a lot on this trip. Then I wake up on Saturday and it's time to the first show! Right before 12:00 I walked to the concert area and Gerd saw me on the way from his car, stopped and we went there together. Four people were already there (the two youngsters from Holland, Peter and Patrick).

Later on more rusties arrived and I met a lot of people and saw many faces for the first time, that I knew only from Facebook and stuff. Then Roel arrived as well. He's one of my closest friends I know because of music. This is the 5th year in a row we're meeting for concerts in Europe. He also gave me the Rust Radio t-shirt, because this is our first Neil concert together. I love that guy.

Now to the concert - I was on the rail and Roel and Ruby Inthedust were behind me. We talked a lot and then it was time for Neil and the Horse to take the stage. It's been only a year since I saw them last time, but I was so excited. The show was great, I saw some stuff I never seen. Was happy to get Cortez and Barstool Blues, Love To Burn and some more. There was one moment though in that show that I will never forget...It was one of the most powerful and emotional experiences for me at shows. It was when Neil started playing Living With War.

You all know that he started playing it right after the cancellation of the Tel Aviv show. And for a reason. I fly to a lot of shows out of Israel, making these special trips for music every time I can. It set my soul free and I forget about anything every time when I'm in the music for a couple of hours. But this time it was very hard to disconnect from everything. Especially when the concept of Neil's setlist this tour is very much about love, save our planet, peace and anti-war. I had some teary eyes in the middle of Living With War. It was even harder when Roel & Ruby behind me tapped my back and were very supportive and understood the meaning of this song for me, right now. Because I AM living with war...I took personally every word on that song and I can relate to it very much as you can all figured out. I thought about all of my friends and the 40,000 people back home that couldn't see Neil because of the stupid war now. After the show I told everybody that I was seeing this in Germany, but my heart was at home with them.

PART TWO - "LOVE AND ONLY LOVE"

So after the first show ended I hanged a bit with some people, but had to cut short cause had an early flight in the morning to Dresden. Me and Ruby found out we're on the same flight, so it was nice taking the trip with friends. Throughout all the time in Germany I've met and made so many new friends. The rusties family is really special. Every show bunch of people came over to me to say hi, shook my hand or gave me a hug, and told me how they're happy that I made it to here. There was a "Lotta Love" I received. And this is what it's all about. The love of music bring people together and it's my favorite thing way up there with the music itself. Love will break it down...No matter where you are coming from, how old you are and what language you're speaking. We all actually speak the same one. Music.

The international rusties were so nice. From everywhere; Germany, Holland, The UK and Ireland, France, the US and others. And of course Israel now. So much fun. Had very nice talks with everyone. About music, life and beyond.

On Sunday it was time for the Dresden show. We all said it's a good place for Down By The River, because of the beauty of the stage, right on the river behind it and the cool old buildings in the back. We got our place on the rail dead canter. Before the show started I talked to Mark, Neil's old time soundman, telling him I came from Israel. He was happy to see me, said that it's really too bad about the Tel Aviv show. This will continue after the show. Anyway, show started and we indeed got "River", as an opening song. 25 minutes of madness. It was a fantastic show. Every song in there got ripped real well by Neil and Poncho. They were very much into it. When it was over Mark came down and handed me the setlist, telling me he's sorry for not coming to Tel Aviv. What an awesome guy he is. After the show we had a fest at the pub and it continued to the street up until 3am or so. Rusties playing guitars, singing, talking and sharing smiles. Had a blast and met even more new people.

I woke up pretty late on Sunday for the long trip to Mainz. My buddy Gerd picked me up from my hotel, we jumped in his car and started the ride. He told me a lot of interesting stuff on the way, with some history of the cities and roads we ride into. We had a stop at his long time friend's house in Erfurt (spelling it right?). Then he dropped me at the train station and I made my way to Mainz. Went out to eat in the evening and came back to the hotel to sleep some. I was pretty tired.

Next day it was time for my final show. Arrived pretty early again and saw all the familiar faces, including my buddy Mark from England who does the numbers system It was cool meeting again at Neil & The Horse show, cause last year in London I was the first guy at The O2 and Mark was the second. We heard Tonight's The Night on soundcheck, hoping for a surprise, but it didn't happen. Instead we got an intense 2:20 hours show. Again opening with "River". This one and Love To Burn were like 50 minutes together. Crazy. They also didn't drop "Cortez" like in Dresden, so was happy to see it again. Fantastic show to end my short journey. When it was over I called Mark on stage telling him quick two things; First was thank you very very much. And second that I hope they'll get to come to Israel sometime soon. He told he knows and that they'll try and come over.

It's always bittersweet after the last show. I knew I was flying home the next day, so you gotta say goodbye to everybody. Had a nice gathering at a pub and then some of us went to some Rusties' hotel and played there until 3:30am I think. Harry, Lucas and the main man Uwe were playing. When we called it off I was walking to my hotel, bit drunk, bit tired, and full of joy.

PART THREE - "GOIN' HOME"

On my last day I walked the city of Mainz for a couple of hours, had something to eat and then left to Frankfurt Airport for my flight in the evening. At the airport I started writing all this…I was looking at the pictures, remembered all the moments at the shows and the good times with all the people. My favorite movie of all time is “Almost Famous” and there’s a line in there I’m always relating to (as for many others in the movie) every time I’m going back home from the road. It goes ”This is the circus. Everybody’s trying not to go home”. And that’s indeed the general feeling. Especially for me, coming from Israel, not knowing when will be the next time I’ll see this entire people.

But the Neil experience of 2014 is not over for me. In October, my birthday month, I’m gonna fly to the US for a month and I got tickets for the Boston solo shows. Hope to see some rusties in there once again. And I sure hope that somewhere in the near future all the rusties will come here to Tel Aviv, for the show that we’re all missing in Israel. Until then I’ll keep traveling for music as far as I can go to, when I can.

Those five days in Germany are going to stay with me for a long time. In my head and in my heart. I want to say a really big thank you to ALL the people I’ve met. To everyone who helped and shared some of my amazing experiences. I’m back to reality now, at home, finishing this review. Hoping to see you all again. Hoping the many fans here will get to see Neil. And I just hope in general.

Thanks all Rusties for being a part of my journey. The music wouldn’t sound the same without you.

Peace,
Tomer.

Thanks so much for the roadtrip memories. Was it all just a dream?

Praying for peace yet we are Still Living With f'g War.

namaste

Neil Young & Crazy Horse + Dorene Carter & YaDonna West
Photo by Martin Stubbersfield | Rusties

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Randomly Blogged Neil Young News - August 2014

Neil Young Signing Pono Ownership Certificates
Here's a new video over on ponomusic.com showing Neil Young signing numbered certificates of ownership for Pono players. It's sorta funny.

Neil Young as Lionel
(Click photo to enlarge)
Neil Young's film Human Highway will have the director's cut version premiere at Toronto International Film Festival | TIFF.net in September. "Neil Young's mind-bending 1982 post-apocalyptic musical comedy, in which the rock legend writes, directs and stars alongside an eclectic and eccentric cast including Dean Stockwell, Russ Tamblyn, Dennis Hopper and Devo."

More on Neil Young: I Got Lost on the Human Highway.


Graham Nash
(Photo: Joel Bernstein)
From Graham Nash on 'CSNY 1974' and Watching Stephen Stills and Neil Young Battle | Guitar World by Brian Robbins:

How would you describe Stephen’s guitar playing compared to Neil’s?

They're very different, not only sonically, but different in style, as well. Stephen is much more blues-based and Neil is more … “experimental” isn't the right word … “futuristic” isn't the right word …

I’ve used the word “angular” at times to describe Neil’s playing

That’s a good word, yeah. To me, Neil’s one of the great guitar players in the world. They both are, and to stand in the middle of that shit and watch these two longhorn stags — “Hey, I’m playing this.” “Oh, yeah, motherfucker? Well check this out!” “Oh, really?” — it’s very interesting as a musician. I can't look at them from the point of view of being a guitarist as I’m an incredibly simple guitar player. I hardly know what I’m doing.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - 1974
(Click photo to enlarge)
From Jambands.com - Need We Say More? > Reviews > CDs > Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: CSNY 1974 by Brian Robbins:

Perhaps the songs that provide the most insight into the sum of CSNY’s parts are the ones birthed on solo projects. Here Nash’s “Immigration Man” is ominous and frightening (as it was meant to be); Stills’ “Black Queen” is transformed from an acoustic tequila-drenched blues to a primal stomp, dripping with tar; and Young’s “Don’t Be Denied” is everything it was ever meant to be: plaintive and open with an edge that keeps it from becoming just another anthem. There is fire in these performances that you will not find in any other archival recordings, whether it was Crosby and Nash with the Mighty Jitters, Young’s Stray Gators or Stills’ Manassas ensemble – a one-of-kind excitement that only this quartet (along with Kunkle, Drummond and Lala) could generate.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Hyde Park, London, 12 July 2014
Gallery by DDconcertphotography

Awesome Cortez the Killer by Neil Young & Crazy Horse - - Barolo 21 luglio, Italy 2014. Weird angle but good audio.

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VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert: Colmar, France - August 8, 2014

Here a little compilation of some video clips from Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert: Colmar, France - August 8, 2014. Excellent audio and screen shot video.

Also, the Concert Review of the Moment is from Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert: Colmar, France - August 8, 2014 by Bruno:

I just came from the show, after 2 hours in car to reach back my town. It was better than the 2013 tour, at least to my opinion. Neil was in great shape, great guitar playing and singing during the whole show. Ralph seems a bit tired and Rick Rosas is a wonderfull bass player to replace Billy; Frank was really great too and the show was emotional for me.

I can't really say why, but they make me cry twice during "Living With War" and "Heart Of Gold" I feel so lucky seeing Neil for the 11 times. My friend Jean-Michel and his wife "Dédé" bought me a ticket, thanks again to them, they are great people and i'm really happy to have shared this show.

The set list for the last show from that tour:
1) Love And Only Love (from "Ragged Glory" 1990)
2) Be The Rain (from "Greendale" 2003)
3) Standing In The Light Of Love (unreleased, last played on 2001 tour)
4) Day That Used To Be (from "Ragged Glory" 1990)
5) Like A Hurricane (from "American Star's And Bars" 1977)
6) Living With War (from "Living With War" 2006)
7) Blowin' In The Wind (Accoustic solo - Bob Dylan Cover)
8) Heart Of Gold (Accoustic solo - from "Harvest" 1972)
9) Powderfinger (from "Rust Never Sleeps" 1979)
10) Down By The River (from "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" 1969)
11) Name Of Love (from CNSY album "American Dream" 1988)
12) Rockin' In The Free World (from "Freedom" 1989)
Encore:
13) Who's gonna Stand Up And Save The World (Unreleased new song 2014 )

It was a fantastic Neil Young & Crazy Horse show with a wonderfull set list, i was waiting for 25 years to hear "Down By The River" and that version was awesome, it almost make me cry another time !

To me it's kinda perfect set list even if it's too short "only" 2h10 !

Rockin' In The Free World is the perfect song if you want to change an average audience in mad screamers and clappers. What a fucking moment !

"Hurricane" was a surprise for me, i didn't notice he play that one on that tour. I read some comments about the two womens who sings on stage, some don't like because it "would not be" Crazy Horse. Honestly i don't care, these singers were damn good and fitted so wel with the songs, on "Be The Rain","Standing On The Light Of Love" and "Living With War" for example.

Don't hesitate to buy a ticket if the show come near your town, Neil is maybe around 68 but he can still shake your mind & soul with his wonderfull skills. Thanks (again) Neil, love you.

And another report by Unknown:

For many reasons too numerous to mention here, this was, on a personal level, a very special NY&CH concert experience for me.

Special thanks to David who provided me with some invaluable Neil/crew member insights and anecdotes that added to the overall experience. For me, when you see Neil Young and Crazy Horse play you are not just appreciating and experiencing the music but you are also buying into the whole mythological and historical package.

To see Neil's best friend, the legendary Elliot Roberts, on stage in the background looking on laughing and smiling, was something that will stay with me until the day of my passing. As I pondered on that brief, but for me nevertheless profound moment, I'm reminded of the famous black and white photograph of Neil and Elliot at the USA film festival in Dallas in 1973. For so many other reasons, this was a concert I will never forget. It was an extremely emotional experience, that for me culminated in what was to become a seminal 'Hurricane'. For the sheer pleasure and intensity of feeling that particular version evoked, was worth the entry price alone. It was a tremendously exhilarating rendition of the song - the best I've heard which reached a level of beauty bordering on the transcendent. I cried during that song because it was the realization of what (for me at least) being a Neil Young fan is all about - a perfect moment encapsulating both time and place.

It was also great for me to finally meet in the flesh the legendary Ruby In the Dust as well as Tom who were both delightful company.

Thanks Bruno, Unknown, & Christine "misstrefle" !!!

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Photo of the Moment: Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert: Baralo, Italy - August 8, 2014

Collisioni Festival 2014 – Baralo, Italy
Photo by Francesco Lucarelli
(Click photo to enlarge)
The Photo of the Moment is from Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert @ Baralo, Italy on July 21, 2014.

The Review of the Moment is from Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert @ Colmar, France - August 8, 2014 by our newest TW buddy Ruby Inthedust:

Last Trip To Colmar

The second week of August is usually blocked for my second passion besides the music: historic motor racing. That's why I was booked for the Nürburgring since last year and didn't buy a ticket for the Colmar show. But after seeing Neil Young and Crazy Horse four times during this AMAZING tour, I decided to go to Colmar as well. I had to see them again!

So I went to Colmar on Friday, 3.5 hrs chaotic drive, but so excited for the show!

The venue was in a wine fair in Colmar, a beautiful old town in the heart of the lovely Alsace region of France.

Of course I went to the venue early, even though I wasn't able to get one of those priority entrance tickets. But it's always part of the experience to meet all the Rustie friends, to get excited for the show together, to chat about concert experiences, expectations and of course to have fun! Neil Young fans are the sweetest people and so it started with a big surprise, when I was given a birthday present by my Facebook friend Tom. I was hoping for Danger Bird, as that song was on the options list and not played yet... He bought me a beautiful, beautiful belt clip, showing an eagle and said "Here you go Ruby, if he plays it or not, here you have your Danger Bird." So sweet, thank you so much Tom. It will suit my Cowgirl hat perfectly!

And then queuing, mixed emotions, excited... special song tonight? , sad in a way ... last show of the tour, nervous... will I make it to the front?.. 600 people with priority tickets in front of me... ?

Later we all, queuing in line had to laugh... many of the priority ticket holders just took their time, walking in, looking for a seat... phew.. I made it: second row!!

First surprise: no keyboard on stage for the Magic Numbers... hmm... And then: Two of Neil's crew members came on stage! An acoustic guitar and a gorgeous voice! Little Red Rooster and DEAR MR. FANTASY! WOW!!! Another song and off they went. The crowd was wooing! What a performance! Later we heard, that the Magic Numbers didn't make it to Colmar, cause their bus broke down. What a wonderful idea to have these two great musicians instead!

And then 9:15 pm: the Man himself enters the stage, waving, smiling...

Love And Only Love ...will endure. ... could be the message of that tour!

Second song, first surprise: Be The Rain! What a version of that song. I LOVED Rick Rosas' bass playing on that one! We've got to save Mother Earth! So true! We! No one else!

Standing In The Light of Love and Days That Used To Be... that song touches my soul like no other song in these days...

And then.. the dove, the organ came down... aahh Living With War.... but wait... what's that? An awesome thunderstorm of guitars begins, Rick's bass touching us to the bones... Hurricane?!?... HURRICANE! !! WOO HOO! What an intense version, Neil's guitar playing like destroying the guitar, the song, every single note like hammered, nailed ... One of the best Hurricane ever. .. and I 've seen many ....

After Hurricane the dove had a funny flight.... up and down again, up and Neil calling her finally down again. .. There it was, the saddest song of the Tour... and my friend Tomer from Tel Aviv on my mind...

Acoustic Blowing In The Wind and Heart Of Gold again. ...

Expecting Love To Burn after that... first chord. .. WOW! Down By The River! Much shorter than the versions I saw before on this tour, but so intense, like a psychedelic journey 'out of my mind'... and the crowd making it so soulful in responding during the repeated "Be on my side" sequence "I'll be on your side", Neil taking it up... for minutes. .. still sends chivers down my spine... no one I talked to and also I never experienced a crowd responding that way during that song. .. moment of the night for me!

Name Of Love. .. do it in the name of love... yes we should. .. always!

And then the most beautiful bass line started... Rockin' In The Free World! Rick smiling, seeing him playing bass on that song was the highlight of that tour for me! (with best wishes to Billy on my mind).

Woom... guitars taken off, waving to the crowd....

Who's Gonna Stand Up.... it was clear when that song started, that this would be the last song, ending with the last chord of that OUTSTANDING, AMAZING tour... waving, bowing, a quite short Who's gonna stand up with the crowd... Off they went!

It felt unreal for a moment, that this was it! 10 thoughts on my mind at the same time. ..

Please come again -
So glad I could see them 5 times -
What an amazing journey -
They seemed so young, so happy -
My friend, who's spirit was with me all the time, how he would've loved it! -
This will have to sink in first -
Memories for a lifetime -
These gorgeous 26 minute versions we heard. .. -
So good to have met all these wonderful Rustie friends -
Thank you Neil, Poncho, Rick, Ralph, YaDonna and Dorene!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

PS: No word from Neil during that show. .. not even one! He was so focused on the music... But during Blowing in the Wind and Who's gonna stand up he looked me in the eyes, directly, for a couple of seconds... no words needed. ... We're all one song!

Thanks so much Ruby Inthedust. Wonderful word imagery which we love here @ TW. Hope you make the next tour and can bring us back of your reports to share with our beloved TW readers.

And here's the Video of the Moment from Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert @ 2014-08-05, Lokerse Feesten, Lokeren, Belgium by the ever generous, sharing buddy Roel of radio of the rusties.

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