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Neil Young's new release ""World Record" w/ Crazy Horse is now available for pre-order. Order here
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Saturday, November 15, 2014

LIVE STREAM: Happy Neil Young Birthday Tribute from WBKM.org



In honor of Neil Young's birthday, WBKM.org will be hosting a celebration tonight. It's WBKM's birthday, as well, so if you're in Burlington, VT area, check it out.

So Happy Birthday Neil! Long may you run. It's all just a magical ride. enjoy.

The Neil Young Tribute band Real Old & Insane Donkey is scheduled to hit the stage about 9:30EST.



Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

A long-standing landmark on Main Street in Burlington, VT, Nectar’s restaurant and bar has been the headquarters for thousands of local, regional and national music acts. From Phish to Grace Potter, from reggae to rock, Nectar’s Bar and Lounge is known as "THE" place to see live music in downtown Burlington.

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Neil Young Says Goodbye to Starbucks Coffee Corporation

Well, Neil Young continues on his roll against the ongoing global insanity in his latest open letter published on the official news site NY Times. After denouncing corporate corruption, fossil fuel foolishness, and poor quality MP3's -- among other crusades -- now Neil Young is going after Starbucks Corporation, Monsanto Corporation and GMO's. And standing up for the good folks up in Vermont.
GOODBYE STARBUCKS!!!

I used to line up and get my latte everyday, but yesterday was my last one.

Starbucks has teamed up with Monsanto to sue Vermont, and stop accurate food labeling.

Tell Starbucks to withdraw support for the lawsuit -- we have a right to know what we put in our mouths.

Starbucks doesn't think you have the right to know what's in your coffee. So it's teamed up with Monsanto to sue the small U.S. state of Vermont to stop you from finding out.

Hiding behind the shadowy "Grocery Manufacturers Association," Starbucks is supporting a lawsuit that's aiming to block a landmark law that requires genetically-modified ingredients be labeled. Amazingly, it claims that the law is an assault on corporations' right to free speech.

Monsanto might not care what we think -- but as a public-facing company, Starbucks does. If we can generate enough attention, we can push Starbucks to withdraw its support for the lawsuit, and then pressure other companies to do the same.

Vermont is a small, entirely rural state with just 600,000 people. It's a classic David and Goliath fight between Vermont and Monsanto. Considering that Starbucks has been progressive on LGBT and labor issues in the past, it's disappointing that it is working with the biggest villain of them all, Monsanto.

There's much more at stake here than just whether GMO foods will be labeled in a single U.S. state. Vermont is the very first state in the U.S. to require labeling. Dozens of other states have said that they will follow this path -- in order to encourage this, we need to ensure that Vermont's law stands strong.

That's why Monsanto and its new allies are fighting so hard to kill GMO labeling in Vermont.

But whatever you think of GMOs, corporations should not be using massive lawsuits to overturn legitimate, democratic decisions with strong public backing.

SumOfUs is already fighting back -- they helped Vermont raise almost a quarter of a million dollars to defend themselves against Monsanto's bullying! Help them by going to SumOfUs and registering to donate or sign a petition. The next strategic step is to pressure and call out members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the shadowy body leading the lawsuit. Your backing can help.

Add your voice now. Tell Starbucks to stop supporting the lawsuit against Vermont.

Thanks for caring!

Neil Young
Nov 9, 2014
Vancouver BC Canada

"Dream up, dream up, let me fill you cup..."

OK, so what's next? Maybe we can get Neil to go after endless war? Oh yeah, "Living with War". Maybe support alternative fuels? Oh yeah, Linc Volt. Support family farmers and healthy food maybe? Oh yeah, Farm Aid concerts.

And don't get Neil started on environmentally destructive cotton t-shirts for concert tours...

musicares-neil-young-2010.jpg
Neil Young
MusiCares Person Of The Year - 2010

That Neil. Such a Humanitarian Rebel With Causes.

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Thursday, November 13, 2014

▶ NEW MIX/VIDEO: Neil Young - Who's Gonna Stand Up (Web Video)



Here is the "Web Video" version of Neil Young's "Who's Gonna Stand Up" from new album Storytone.

This mix is the Crazy Horse live in Europe 2014 version and contains environmental activism footage.

From a comment by Babbo B. :
The "Stand Up" used for the new video is the same live-with-studio-overdubs track that Neil had up on his website, and is on the EP with the four different versions (solo, orchestra, live, children's choir). From his NY Times post, sounds like Mixed Pages will be a combination of the studio tracks, orchestra and solo.
enjoy!

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Neil Young Joins Blue Dot Tour in Vancouver


Neil Young and David Suzuki
Photo by Charlie Smith

Neil Young has joined the Blue Dot Tour with environmentalist David Suzuki.

While in Vancouver at the Orpheum Theater on November 9 2014, Young held a series of interviews, as well as, a concert performance.


Neil Young - "Who's Gonna Stand Up"

Suzuki launched the cross-country tour earlier this year to urge Canadians to support a constitutional amendment that would protect the environment.

In an interview with Georgia Straight, Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly by Charlie Smith, Young discussed the Alberta tarsands, Constitution, and First Nations.
“We believe in the same thing and we’re both Canadians,” Young said. “We believe that Canada deserves to have the right to clean air, clean water, a clean home, and a clean environment in their Constitution. We demand getting there for all of Canada, and anybody who agrees with us should go for that.”

Young also told the Straight there are some people who think that they’re actually saving the Earth because they’re supplying energy by extracting bitumen from the ground. But he insisted they’re wrong and that there are other ways of generating energy that don’t threaten the planet.

“The fossil-fuel age is over,” Young declared.

He’s been a harsh critic of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s support for tarsands developments. When Young was asked what he thinks of virtually every major newspaper except the Toronto Star endorsing the Conservatives before recent elections, he said that corporate-owned newspapers and the corporate sector share a common objective.

“They all work together, and they have a very short view of the world,” he said. “It’s called a three-month window of opportunity for profit, and that’s not the way to run the country. So you’ve got to remember where the information comes from.”

He remains optimistic about the future of the planet, despite the devastating impact that fossil-fuel companies are having.

“I don’t give up on the human race,” Young said. “We are very smart. We can do many things, and we’re very capable of recovering what we’ve lost.”

Young stated that he’s been inspired throughout his musical career by indigenous peoples. He explained that they have a belief system based on supporting the Earth and respecting animals, including those that are killed to feed humans. And he suggested that people can learn to live in harmony with the Earth if they adopt the philosophy espoused by First Nations people.

“There wasn’t a time when I wasn’t in a band where we didn’t have something to do with it—from Buffalo Springfield and all the history of everything we sang about,” Young said. “We always referred to the indigenous peoples, the original peoples.”

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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Happy Birthday Neil Young!!! Long May You Continue To Run & Run


Neil Young - October 2014
Photo by Matt Furman/The Wall Street Journal
(Click photo to enlarge)

Neil Young is 69 years young today. So Happy Birthday Neil!!!

2014 has been another amazing year for Neil.

2 albums released, a film (re-)premiere, his 2nd book published, Crazy Horse tour of Europe, CSNY 74 box set.

Just a few things off the top of our heads...



Audience sings Neil Young Happy Birthday at end of Vancouver concert, 11/11/2012. Band gives Neil birthday scarf gift.

So. Looking for somewhere to go and celebrate Neil's birthday? Check Neil birthday events around the world on our Facebook | Thrasher's Wheat page.






In honor of Neil's birthday, WBKM.org will be hosting a celebration this weeknd. It's WBKM's birthday, as well, so if you're in Burlington, VT area, check it out.


So Happy Birthday Neil!

Long may you run. It's all just a magical ride. enjoy.

namaste


Neil Young - October 2014
Photo by Matt Furman/The Wall Street Journal
(Click photo to enlarge)

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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

MIXED PAGES OF STORYTONE by Neil Young

MIXED PAGES OF STORYTONE by Neil Young

Just in case you can't get enough of Neil Young's latest album -- Storytone Solo or Storytone Orchestra -- now comes word of a 3rd version: MIXED PAGES OF STORYTONE.

From a statement on Neil Young's official news page NY Times: (Thanks BNB & bh!)
MIXED PAGES OF STORYTONE
November 10, 2014

The Storytone records have been a labor of love. Thanks to all of you who have purchased them. These songs were written during a period of profound change in my life. Everything I want to share is there.
First, I recorded the songs at Capitol Records with my old friends Niko Bolas and Al Schmitt. I sang them alone with only the instruments I desired to use. There was no over dubbing or enhancing. The resulting music is from my heart, directly to you.
Then, I entered the hallowed MGM sound stage where "The Wizard of Oz" soundtrack was recorded. Surrounded by the finest musicians in Hollywood, with arrangements and orchestrations by Christ Walden and Michael Bearden, I sang seven of the Storytone songs live for the second time. I sang into Barbara Streisand's microphone, a perfectly cared-for antique with a wonderful tone that I loved. I also went to Sunset Boulevard to record the remaining three songs with a big band in an old Hollywood studio rebuilt and now known as East West. All the performances are live with no added effects or recording. I just stood singing into the microphone with occasional harmonica notes blown in between verses, while the musician's played. Sometimes there were 92 musicians singing and playing live with me. It was a thrilling experience, both for the freedom of not playing an instrument while I sang, and for the beauty of being in the same room and listening as the music was created. I will never forget it.
The resulting two records are combined into a deluxe two record set. An orchestra only record is also available at limited outlets, mostly so the record is available in large chain stores that dictate what shape art must be in before they sell it, kind of a sign of the times.
This has been a complex experience, and as sometimes is the case, I have had trouble letting go. The solo versions have all the heart and soul, yet the orchestrated versions have the beauty and depth that these songs cried out for. I listened and listened on my Pono, finding the strengths and weaknesses of both versions. Unable to settle, after the record was handed in and finished, I continued working, trying to find balance between the two approaches I had used.
Mixed Pages of Storytone, a new single special release album, is the result of my journey through these songs and feelings, imperfectly capturing the best of both worlds by editing and combining them, with the roughness and friction of the meeting points rubbing together, bonding their soul and beauty.
Thanks,
Neil Young.
Mixed Pages of Storytone. Available soon in Pono, Reprise Vinyl, and Itunes.
Well, what could be next? A 4th Storytone version? The Crazy Horse version, maybe?!

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INTERVIEW: Rick Rosas in 2006 - “I Just Wanted To Walk With Them”

Rick Rosas - October 2006
Photos by Paul Docker
(Click photo to enlarge)

Memories continue to pour in for Rick Rosas, who sadly passed away last week.

Here is an interview with Rick Rosas backstage at the Shoreline Amphitheatre during the Bridge School concert on 21 October 2006 by with Paul Docker. The interview was published in the Neil Young Appreciation Society's magazine Broken Arrow, Issue 105, February 2007.

“I Just Wanted To Walk With Them”
Rick “The Bass Player” Rosas


Out of the blue Rick Rosas dropped me an email last year asking if he could have a copy of the magazine. He offered to pay for it, said, “I play with Neil”, and in case perhaps I didn’t know who he was sent me a photo of him on stage on the CSNY tour! Even this veryfirst contact told me something about this man’s great modesty. Of course I was delighted to hear from him and sent him a couple of recent issues with our compliments. I also asked if we could do an interview when he was playing at the upcoming Bridge School Benefit concerts, which he was happy to do. I was only sorry that I couldn’t make the trip personally and the interview was therefore left in the hands of my trusty amigo Paul Docker, who takes up the story. Ed.

Paul Docker (NYAS/BA): Thanks for giving us the opportunity to talk to you today. I’m keen to talk to you about all that you’ve done, not just about your work with Neil. Could you tell us a bit about your career, about what you have done yourself and also in terms of working with others, including Johnny Rivers and Joe Walsh?

Rick Rosas: (or RTBP as he is on his website). Well, I started playing in about 1963 in bands in East Los Angeles. I played in a lot of local bands. I moved out when I was about 19 years old and I moved in to Laurel Canyon. I just wanted to break away from the scene that I was
stuck in it, as it wasn’t getting me anywhere. So I moved down there. At that time Joni Mitchell was living there and lots of people and I got to hang out with the guys from Love and people like that. It changed my whole attitude to playing. I played in a lot of bands around that time.

I think it was about 1984 that I got a call from Joe Walsh who asked me to come in and work on his album, The Confessor. I sort of knew Joe a little bit, I knew his drummer Joe Vitale, and he said ‘If you come out you’re not gonna freak out?’ ‘Freak out?!’, I said. ‘No, I’m not gonna freak out’. F*#k you, I’m not gonna freak out. And he said ‘Alright, well come on out’. I played on a couple of tracks on the album he said ‘leave your bass here’ so I came back and finished the album and did about half the album with him.

That pretty much started things for me. I’d been in bands and I’d recorded with a bunch of people but that was the first break, right there. After Joe Walsh I picked up a tour with Dan Fogelberg about a year later. We did a little tour with Joe Vitale and the band and then after that Joe and I used to go out and do a lot of radio shows, just like Talk on the Radio and all that and Joe and I did a lot of shows. We toured all over Australia, New Zealand and Japan, a lot of different shows.

I think it was 1987, I was playing at Farm Aid with Joe, and I met Neil there. Apparently Neil remembered me and in ’88 he gave me a call and asked me to come up to his ranch and do some overdubs on the Bluenotes album. The bass and drums weren’t working together and I tried to do a few overdubs but I said ‘We’re gonna need my drummer too’.

So I brought in my drummer, Chad…Chad Cromwell, and we over-dubbed about two or three songs and when we eventually came back out here we decided to redo all the songs for the album. So that was 1988, ’89 and ’90. We did a lot of touring, New Zealand, Japan, Australia trip as The Lost Dogs.

PD: It was The Restless until apparently someone threatened to sue, is that right?

RR: Yeah, yeah, I guess so, probably yeah. These things happen. With the Bluenotes too, they decided to sue with the Bluenotes because there was another Blue Notes. So that went on in between those years. I finished working with Neil in about 1990, so it must be 16 years without working with him. He called me and he had some ideas but he didn’t have any songs yet and I said that, well, I was basically immensely prepared to do it with whatever songs he had. It took about three months or so before he finally called me and said ‘OK, I got a song’. And he flew me to Nashville and we recorded it and that night he wrote another one and we went and recorded it the next day and then the next one. He just built it up.

PD: Which was the first one?

RR: The first one was “The Painter”. Each one was pretty much done that way. The first song was the first song we did, the last song was the last song. (indicates a linear progression with his fingers on the table) (We are interrupted by Amber Young at this point…she’s looking for a beer.) After a couple of songs, that’s when he found out…he found out he had this brain aneurysm and he took a couple of weeks off. After the procedure he was raring to go and we went back and we finished that album pretty quick. So that’s history right there. We then did Living With War and all that with Johnny Rivers…. I’ve known Johnny a long time. He lives in my neighbourhood in Studio City, California. I’ve always been a big, big fan of his. I got a call and I played on his stuff. I just recently did a couple of sessions with him and Jim Keltner for Johnny’s anthology album…or something like that.

PD: So, when did you first start working with Johnny Rivers?

RR: I’m gonna guess about 1995. I’ve played on and off with him. It’s just a pleasure to
work with him. I play Monday nights with the band…. Waddy Watchel….

PD: At The Joint? (A club in Hollywood run by Waddy Watchel that has a Monday night
jam session.)

RR: Yeah, The Joint. We’ve had a lot of people come through…if you see the website it’ll tell you a lot of people that have played. Johnny played a lot.

PD: And you’re always there when you can be on a Monday?

RR: Yeah. I’m gonna be there this Monday, I’m not going to be there the next Monday after that but I’ll be there the next two weeks so it’s touch and go.

PD: Do you have any idea who’s turning up or is pot luck as to who shows on the night?

RR: Well you never know. This Monday we’re going to have a guy who plays in Mike Campbell’s Band...Mike Campbell from Tom Petty’s band. Mike has played with us, he may come to the show, it’s one of those things, we never know. Terry Reid has been with us for a long time.

(We are interrupted by Pegi coming over and I take the opportunity to tell her briefly about the Bridge School donation from the last NYASConvention.)

PD: You also did something for the Jerry Lee Lewis ‘tribute’?

RR: Yes, I did. Recently I was on the road with CSNY and I got a call from Jimmy Rip who’s
produced his album (Last Man Standing) and the bass player that played on most of it, Hutch Hutchinson, is out on the road with Bonnie Raitt. So he kind of suggested me. Jimmy had been down The Joint playing with the band and he felt I was adequate for the show and offered me the job.

About two or three weeks ago we went to New York and did two or three days of taping. The back up band was Nils Lofgren, Ron Wood, Jim Keltner, Ivan Neville and Jimmy Rip and Kenny Lovelace from Jerry Lee’s band. The first week we backed up the people with whom he did duets. This is going to be a PBS special, I believe, and we backed up Don Henley, Chris Isaac, Solomon Burke, Buddy Guy, Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, Kid Rock, Tom Jones, John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson …I’m probably missing a few other ones….

PD: That’s an impressive line up.

RR: Yeah. I imagine it’ll be out next year.

(Rick and one of the crew then notice my t-shirt and enquire about the image on it. It’s Banksy’s ‘HMV’ taken from his graffiti image of the HMV dog and gramophone with the addition of a bazooka.)


PD: Given you’ve played with a fair few people, who would you say your influences are?

RR: Neil Young and Joe Walsh. I’ve always loved their music. I’ve always been a big fan of theirs since I was a kid. I just wanted to walk with them. I got to go to some places I wanted to go and I’ve been very lucky.

PD: You chose to play the bass. When did you make that decision?

RR: When I was a kid. There weren’t too many basses around...bass players that is…I play guitar, I played guitar in a band. I got an offer from a guy I knew who was real talented and said ‘Well, if you pick up a bass you can join my band’. So I went for it and that’s pretty much it. I love it, I’ve always been fond of the bass guitar …I really just love it…the whole idea, what it sounds like and everything. (Rick is flicking through BA 103). I’ve just been on the CSNY tour. Did you get to see that?

PD: Unfortunately not. I didn’t come over as there were a string of rumours of a tour in
Europe. It didn’t happen.

RR: I guess not. (Spots advert for Heart of Gold film in back of BA). Did you see this?

PD: Yeah. Saw it at a premiere in London. Great film.

RR: Lots of people there?

PD: Yeah. It was sold out. A lot of film types as well as Neil Young fans.

RR: Was Jonathan Demme there?

PD: No. He was supposed to come and talk but cancelled, which was a real shame.

RR: Yeah. Too bad.

PD: Now here’s a question I’ve been forced to ask you by some of the girls we have with us this weekend who are very, very impressed with your hair. They want to know what hair products you use!

RR: (Rick laughs, but then gives a serious answer – for which I’m grateful given the threats levelled against me had I failed). I change around. You can’t use the same ones all the time ‘cos the hair just gets used to it. You’ve got to keep on changing.

(A crew member comes over and lets Rick know Neil wants to do some rehearsal after the current
set. Gillian Welch is on stage.)

PD: Do you like Gillian Welch?

RR: Is that who this is? This is great? Is she from England?

PD: No, no. She’s from California. She’s a big Neil fan. Sometimes she and David Rawlings will go out and play a bunch of Neil songs as well as their own stuff.

PD: You have your own studio, called Smartso, I believe?

RR: Yes. Smartso Digital.

PD: Where did you get the name from?

RR: It came from when I was on the road with Joe Walsh. I’ll try to make a long story short. The drummer we had was Zak Starkey. Zak and I were getting drunk and we played a joke on Joe’s road manager and we went through the Yellow Pages and found a clown, a guy named Smartso the Clown. We asked him to come down to the gig and apparently he got all upset because we were supposed to tell someone to let him in but we got too dunk and we forgot to tell anyone. So he called back and said ‘I don’t know who you guys think you’re clowning around with but I’m Smartso the Clown!’ He got real upset about it. So I always loved the name Smartso. Zak Starkey’s a dear friend. A great drummer and it was an honour to play with him on a tour with Joe Walsh.

PD: When playing with Neil on his albums do you get to contribute to the development of the music at all?

RR: He’s pretty free about that and let’s me play whatever I want. He will come up with maybe a lick or two and he’ll say ‘Try it’ and it’s usually great but he gives me a lot of freedom a lot of the time.

PD: What happens live? Do you then stick to the script?

RR: We pretty much keep it as close as we can. I’m free to do whatever I want but I don’t like to try playing too much. I like to remain solid. I don’t want to get in anybody’s way.

(Gillian Welch and David Rawlings are now on stage and both Rick and I are having trouble concentrating on the interview at this stage.)

RR: (Thumbing through the BA 103 again) How long have you guys had this magazine?

PD: Since 1981.

(I tell Rick a bit about the NYAS and the 100th issue party and how that’s enabled us to contribute to supporting the Bridge School - he’s clearly interested in fans taking time and effort to support Neil and the School.)

PD: Coming back to Smartso. Your studio is digital but Neil is famously in favour of analogue.

RR: Well, he’s got digital and analogue. Don’t let him fool you. At one time we were
definitely recording in analogue, y’know, 1-inch and 2-inch tape. But he had a studio
called Redwood Digital for a while. He’s always exploring.

PD: What do you prefer? Do you prefer digital or would you stick with analogue if you
had a choice?

RR: If I had enough space at home, yeah, but I would always have digital as well. It’s
great for editing and you don’t have to have all these huge machines taking up all the room. Who knows, down the road maybe I will go back to that.

PD: Who have you had through Smartso?

RR: Well, we did some Johnny Rivers stuff there. We’ve had Albert Lee. Joe Walsh has recorded there. It’s pretty much a word of mouth sort of thing. If I know somebody or they know somebody. It’s pretty much private and in the back part of my house so I try not to have too much stuff going on. But I do like to have it and of course I record things when I’m back there.

PD: Do you get to do the engineering yourself?

RR: I can but I prefer not to. I have done before but I prefer not to have to.

PD: And I guess you also get to play on the recordings?

RR: Yeah, a lot of them I get a chance to but not all. We had a project called The Wondermints (Brian Wilson’s backing band) in about a couple of years ago. They were doing their own thing. A good band.

PD: Do you have an iPod and, if so, what’s on it?

RR: Yeah. Pat Metheny, I listen to a lot of Pat Metheny. Plenty of Neil Young too – he
pulls out a song I don’t know for us to play so I listen to it on there. The Beatles, I love the
Beatles. But a lot of Pat Metheny stuff. I don’t really play jazz, but I really enjoy listening to
it.

PD: You mentioned Chad Cromwell earlier, do you mostly work with Chad now?

RR: No. I prefer to...I feel very lucky to have worked with him in that period with Neil…from
Rockin’ in the Free World. We stayed in contact and he’s a fine drummer. We have a sound. He and I have a good rapport

(Neil has joined Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and they are in the middle of “Country Girl”. Unable to stop ourselves we forget about the interview and just watch the screens and I tell Rick a little about the vintage instruments that Gillian and David use.)

PD: Where do you see yourself going in the next few years?

RR: I have no idea. There’s talk about touring with Neil next year out of the country, so I’m open for that. With Neil you never know. He might want to do some more recording so we’re kind of on hold. So I’m ready for anything. Hopefully we’ll go out. Hopefully we’ll go to Europe. I’m hoping for that.

(What started as an interview has turned into a conversation and we chat briefly about previous tours Neil has made to Europe and the acoustic Greendale tour in 2003. Rick seemed to think American audiences would have been unhappy to have got an acoustic set of songs that they were unfamiliar with.)

PD: There seems to be some confusion about the band introductions on the CSNY tour. You always seem to be from the town your playing in that night!

RR: You know who did that? Graham Nash. He wanted to make sure I got a good round of applause, y’know.

PD: So where do you hail from really?

RR: Right here in California - Los Angeles, California.

PD: Is there anything outside of music that you’re interested in?

RR: Drugs, food and wine.

PD: I’m going to need to edit this. I won’t put that first one down!

RR: I don’t care, f*#k it. Soft drugs, marijuana. And tequila, real good Tequila. Other than that I try to take good care of myself. I try to hike three or four miles a day. At my age you got to take care.

And with that Gillian Welch finishes and Rick heads off to rehearse with Neil and the band. He asks me to stick around so we can talk again later which I do. I got to talk to Rick and the rest of the Prairie Wind Band in their band room later. There are some great stories that those guys have… perhaps for a future issue…

I really want to thank Rick for taking the time and effort to meet up with me and answer these questions. As he said himself, he’s a fan of the same music we are and he feels that he’s been very lucky to be able to get involved in that in the way he has. Obviously that’s not just luck. Rick is far too modest. You don’t get to consistently work with the stellar list of musicians that he has without being an excellent musician. Also, from my short meeting with him I think that he’s a gentleman in the true sense of the word.

I also got to meet some other people backstage at Bridge including Gillian Welch, who I gave a copy of Broken Arrow to, and Bert Jansch, with whom I had a chat about us both being so far away from North London. Bert told me he was playing the Great American Music Hall the next week and invited me along but I couldn’t make that. Apparently Neil did, but he didn’t join Bert on stage as far as I can ascertain. I also got a brief chance to say hello to Pegi and Neil after the end of the show on Sunday. It had been a great day and Neil was clearly in high spirits. Pegi thanked us (the NYAS) for the donation made last year and it’s good to know she’s aware of our efforts on their behalf.

Paul Docker, member 391
Broken Arrow 105
32
P.S.
Rick has an excellent website which can be found at http://www.rickrosas.com/.

He has also appeared for the past several years every Monday at The Joint nightclub in Hollywood (on the corner of Pico and Robertson) with Waddy Wachtel, Phil Jones, Terry Reid, Stacey Michelle and – when they’re not on the road as part of the Rolling Stones touring band – Bernard Fowler and Blondie Chaplin. So far, the amazing list of guests joining Rick on stage at The Joint includes Keith Richards (twice now); Robert Plant; Jackson Browne; Roger Daltrey; Johnny Rivers; George Thorogood; Eric Burdon; Donovan; Leo Sayer; Joe Walsh, Chris Hillman (The Byrds); Randy Meisner (The Eagles); Bobby Womack; J.D. Souther; Cheech Marin (another repeat guest!), Mick Taylor and many others. Of course, there’s also Rick’s friend and great influence Joe Vitale (Joe Walsh, Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash). Most recently, Rick and the band have welcomed Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott and the hugely popular Fred Durst, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Adam Sandler
onto the stage - not to mention a surprising appearance by Neil Young in May 2005.
All photographs, Paul Docker


Tom Bray, Chad Cromwell, Rick, Paul

Thanks Paul, Scott & Neil Young Appreciation Society's magazine Broken Arrow! A wonderful memory of Rick “The Bass Player” Rosas.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”
―Thomas Campbell

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Monday, November 10, 2014

Statement by Neil Young: Rick Rosas: 1949 - 2014


Neil Young has posted a statement on his official new page NY Times on Rick Rosas, who sadly passed away last week:
RICK THE BASS PLAYER
November 9, 2014

It is with great admiration, appreciation and sadness that I note the passing of Rick Rosas. Rick played on many of my records, from Rockin in the Free World, Eldorado and This Note's for you, to Prairie Wind, Living with War and Who's Gonna Stand Up. There were great live performances with Rick which will be unveiled in upcoming Archives releases, chronicling the talent and soul of one of the greatest musicians to ever play with me. Heart of Gold and Trunk Show, two motion pictures featuring Rick and directed by Jonathan Demme, are among my favorite creations of all time. Trunk Show is still unreleased.

Rest in Peace Rick.
Lots of love,
Neil
Last week, Pegi Young issued a statement, which can be read at Statement by Pegi Young: Rick Rosas: 1949 - 2014.

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Sunday, November 09, 2014

NEW VIDEO: "Tumbleweed" by Neil Young



Here's a new music video of the song "Tumbleweed" by Neil Young from the new album Storytone.

Video features 92-piece, in-studio orchestra that was arranged, conducted and co-produced by Michael Bearden and Chris Walden.

This is video #5 of the Storytone album rollout.

Also, see Review of the Moment: Neil Young's 'Storytone'.

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REVIEW: The Greatest Albums You'll Never Hear: Unreleased Records by the World's Greatest Artists by Bruno MacDonald


The Greatest Albums You'll Never Hear:
Unreleased Records by the World's Greatest Artists

(Click photo to enlarge)

We recently picked up the new book The Greatest Albums You'll Never Hear: Unreleased Records by the World's Greatest Artists by Bruno MacDonald.

Lots of Neil Young and Crosby, Stills & Nash content to check out if obscure albums are your thing. We'll get back to those chapters in just a moment.

At once fascinating and heartbreaking, The Greatest Albums You’ll Never Hear is a guided tour of rock ’n’ roll’s most intriguing unmade marvels—and a must-read for all music lovers.

A Pink Floyd album with no instruments.

A Sex Pistols album more incendiary than Never Mind the Bollocks.

A sci-fi rock opera by Weezer.

Rock ’n’ roll history is littered with intriguing albums that never saw the light of day, let alone the charts.

Self-destructive ambition, inter-band turmoil, record-company politics, and even death have played their part in creating a fascinating sub-genre of mythic masterpieces. The Greatest Albums You’ll Never Hear untangles the twists of fate, the fights, and the sheer bad luck that prevented these musical gems from being released.

Spanning more than 50 years of music across the genres, these tales take in legends such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, cult heroes like Brian Eno and Frank Zappa, and contemporary artists such as Green Day and Dr Dre. Some of the ideas evolved into classic albums, while others became must-have bootlegs. Some endured a torturous journey to belated release, while others remain tantalizingly unreleased and unheard.


Human Highway

Crosby, Stills & Nash had been together barely a year before the honeymoon period wore off. “It started off as a really beautiful idea,” Stephen Stills reflected to Disc and Music Echo in early 1970. “We were full of enthusiasm and ideals. Now a lot of that feeling has gone . . . Maybe that feeling of us all liking each other a lot will return and we’ll go on working together.” That feeling did return—and, during a four-month reunion, Déjà vu, their first album with Neil Young, topped the U.S. chart. But by September 1970, the group had splintered once more. Nearly three years after that, the quartet reunited in Hawaii to create what could have been, in David Crosby’s optimistic view, “the best album we ever made”. But Human Highway was not to be.


Homegrown

Neil Young’s world fell apart in March 1974. The singer-songwriter had landed in Hawaii, hoping to reunite with actress Carrie Snodgress—his estranged wife and the subject of songs including “A Man Needs a Maid” and “Motion Pictures.” He soon discovered that Snodgress—the mother of his first son, Zeke—wasn’t waiting for him. She was out on a boat trip with another man. “I kinda had a major bummer, which resulted in drinking a lot of tequila,” he told biographer Jimmy McDonough. “And then I went out and played my guitar in God knows where, for God knows who.” In the months that followed, the songs would stream from him like tears and flow onto the unreleased Homegrown album.

There is also a chapter on the long lost Chrome Dreams album, as well.

Each ill-fated album is accompanied by an original artwork of the cover that might have been. The works have been brought to life by a team of acclaimed designers and illustrators, including Vaughan Oliver (Pixies, Bush, Cocteau Twins), John Pasche (The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix), and Bill Smith (Genesis, The Jam, Led Zeppelin).

More on The Greatest Albums You'll Never Hear: Unreleased Records by the World's Greatest Artists by Bruno MacDonald.

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Neil Young Tribute: "You're Only Young Once" - Brixton, London, November 15, 2014


In the week that the musical legend that is Neil Young turns 69, in his 50th year as a touring artist, the folks who run the popular quarterly Retrospectacular night have decided to branch out and organise a special show to celebrate the music of their favourite rock icon.

You're Only Young Once is an event taking place at The Windmill in Brixton, London on Saturday November 15th 2014, where YOU can sign up to be Neil Young on stage, performing vocals with a live band. In addition to this live karaoke set, ex-members of the critically acclaimed 4 or 5 Magicians and Stagecoach have formed their very own Crazy Horse style tribute act "Bastards Of Young" (named after the famous Replacements anthem), who will be performing a 90 minute set encompassing 18 vintage Shakey tunes from 10 different records. We also have three of the very best London based Americana acts around performing split sets of their own songs and Neil classics - Dead Flowers, Lowpines and Uncle Luc.

Tickets are available from musicglue.com/retrospectacular for just £6 + £1 booking fee. Email joinmyfreakinband[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk for more information and to sign up to sing a song!

Further details can be found at facebook.com/events/651466964944899/.

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Willie for a Nobel!
#Willie4Nobel

Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize
for Farm Aid and his work on
alternative fuels, and world peace initiatives.

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Farm Aid

Go Farmers Markets!


"In the >field< of opportunity
It's plowin' time again."

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The Bridge School


The Bridge School Concerts
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**100% of Proceeds to Benefit Bridge School***

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The Essential Neil Young

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Fans Favorite Neil Albums

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Neil Young Songbook Project

In the fields of wheat

"Children of Destiny" will NOT be harvested
However, the chaff will be burned by unquenchable fire

Neil Young + Promise of the Real

Europe 2016 Tour Dates



2015 Rebel Content Tour


Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Alchemy Concert Tour Reviews

Fall 2012 N. America Tour
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Summer 2013 Europe Tour

Europe Summer 2014 Concert Tour
Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Thrasher's Wheat Radio Supporters Go To Europe

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Neil Young Films

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2010 MusiCares Honors Neil Young

Features Elvis Costello, Crosby Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, Dave Matthews, James Taylor, Keith Urban, and others.
Proceeds from sales go to MusiCares,
which helps musicians in need of
financial and medical assistance.

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"There's more to the picture
Than meets the eye"

#BigShift

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Neil Young FAQ:
Everything Left to Know About the Iconic and Mercurial Rocker
"an indispensable reference"

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Paul McCartney and Neil Young

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"You can make a difference
If you really a try"

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John Lennon and Neil Young


"hailed by fans as a wonderful read"

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
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The Supergroup of the 20th Century



Director Jonathan Demme's Exquisite film "Heart of Gold"

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Eddie Vedder and Neil Young

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Revisiting The Significance of
The Buffalo Springfield


"The revolution will not be televised"
... it will be blogged, streamed,
tweeted, shared and liked
The Embarrassment of Mainstream Media

Turn Off Your TV & Have A Life


"Everything Is Bullshit" +
"Turn Off The News"
Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)


Neil Young 2016 Year in Review:
The Year of The Wheat

Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain and Neil Young

Neil Young's Feedback:
An Acquired Taste?

Young Neil: The Sugar Mountain Years
by Rustie Sharry "Keepin' Jive Alive in T.O." Wilson

"the definitive source of Neil Young's formative childhood years in Canada"

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Joni Mitchell & Neil Young

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Bob and Neil

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So Who Really Was "The Godfather of Grunge"?


Four Dead in Ohio
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So What Really Happened at Kent State?


The Four Dead in Ohio



May The FOUR Be With You #MayThe4thBeWithYou

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dissent is not treason
Dissent is the highest form of patriotism

Rockin' In The Free World



Sing Truth to Power!
When Neil Young Speaks Truth To Power,
The World Listens

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Emmylou Harris and Neil Young

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Wilco and Neil Young

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Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young

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Elton John and Neil Young

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Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young

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The Meaning of "Sweet Home Alabama" Lyrics


Neil Young Nation -
"The definitive Neil Young fan book"

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"Powderfinger"
What does the song mean?

Random Neil Young Link of the Moment
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Bonnie Raitt and Neil Young

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I'm Proud to Be A Union Man

UNITED WE STAND/DIVIDED WE FALL


When Neil Young is Playing,
You Shut the Fuck Up


Class War:
They Started It and We'll Finish It...
peacefully

A battle raged on the open page...
No Fear, No Surrender. Courage
WE WON'T BACK DOWN. NEVER STAND DOWN.

"What if Al Qaeda blew up the levees?"
Full Disclousre Now


"I've Got The Revolution Blues"

Willie Nelson & Neil Young
Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize



John Mellencamp:
Why Willie Deserves a Nobel

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BOYCOTT HATE

Love and Only Love

"Thinking about what a friend had said,
I was hoping it was a lie"


We're All On
A Journey Through the Past

Neil Young's Moon Songs
Tell Us The F'n TRUTH
(we can handle it... try us)

Freedom:
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Does Anything Else Really Matter?

"Nobody's free until everybody's free."
~~ Fannie Lou Hamer

Here Comes "The Big Shift"
#BigShift

Maybe everything you think you know is wrong? NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
"It's all illusion anyway."

Propaganda = Mind Control
NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
Guess what?
"Symbols Rule the World, not Words or Laws."
... and symbolism will be their downfall...

Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge
Be The Rain, Be The Change

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the truth will set you free
This Machine Kills Fascists


"Children of Destiny" - THE Part of THE Solution

(Frame from Official Music Video)

war is not the answer
yet we are
Still Living With War

"greed is NOT good"
Hey Big Brother!
Stop Spying On Us!
Civic Duty Is Not Terrorism

The Achilles Heel
#NullifyNSA
Orwell (and Grandpa) Was Right
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.”
~~ Bob Marley

The Essence of "The Doubters"



Yes, There's Definitely A Hole in The Sky


Even Though The Music Died 50+ Years Ago
,
Open Up the "Tired Eyes" & Wake up!
"consciousness is near"
What's So Funny About
Peace, Love, & Understanding & Music?

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Show Me A Sign

"Who is John Galt?"
To ask the question is to know the answer

"Whosoever shall give up his liberty for a temporary security
deserves neither liberty nor safety."

~~ Benjamin Franklin

Words

(Between the lines of age)


And in the end, the love you take
Is equal to the love you make

~~ John & Paul

the zen of neil
the power of rust
the karma of the wheat

~Om-Shanti.

Namaste