Comment of the Moment: 1980's Roadtrips with Neil Young as Co-pilot
Commenter TopangaDaze is congratulated on having 2 Comment of the Moments in a row?! Unprecedented. A 1st in the 20 year history of TW. Never before. An amazing achievement.
And without further ado... the Comment of the Moment is from TopangaDaze on 80's roadtrips with Neil Young as co-pilot:
One of my fondest memories was purchasing that tape from the back of an ad in a magazine shortly after it was recorded. I got the tape(s) in the mail a few weeks later, but didn't listen immediately because I had a long car trip to take over the weekend and saved it for the drive.Thanks TopangaDaze! Again congratulations on your achievement as a TW commenter. Want to try for a trifecta? :)
So, on a rainy Friday evening in 1989, a young man in Baltimore gets into his first new car, a 1998 Nissan Sentra and starts the engine. Minutes later as his silver Sentra finds the on ramp to I-95 North heading towards Atlantic City, he removes the "Young Man's Fancy" bootleg cassette from the car stereo and pops in the new Bronco Bowl [Dallas, Texas
January 14, 1989] tape by Neil and the Restless (whoever they were).
"Comes a Time" is immediately recognizable. The sound quality is good and the tune feels like an old friend. The young man catches a glimpse of himself in the rear view mirror and a happy uncontrollable grin stares back at him. He thinks to himself how lucky he is to have a long drive ahead of him...
"Sugar Mountain" and "The Needle and the Damage Done" follow seamlessly as the car is now filled not only with Neil's plaintive voice, but the young man's as well. He can't and won't sing for anyone else, but when he's alone and singing along with Neil, all is right with the world.
As the miles roll by, one of the greatest treats of any new bootleg reveals itself--an unexpected new song. His ears perk up as his hands grip the wheel a little tighter. "Someday" yea, he thinks that's the name of the song as he debates with himself whether or not he should rewind the tape to listen again. Yes, no, yes, no, no, he must do what he always does. So he keeps the tape rolling forward to keep the atmosphere as close to the live show experience as possible. There will be plenty of time later for rewinding. A few more old and new tunes follow, including the familiar "Heart of Gold" which is no longer a favorite to the jaded fan..
What's coming next?
Yes! it's another new song and now Neil's gone electric, likely with Old Black. It's snarling "My Love, my Heavy Love" and Neil's voice is strong, the guitar sloppy and fun, and there's something this fan rarely notices, the drums. They compliment the song and at times almost dominate. Neil and the Restless are delivering the goods, and it just keeps going. New song after new song and the new Sentra has become better than any concert hall he can remember. He wants to rewind and listen again to hear all the new words and music, but he must play it all the way through as if he was at the show. To him, that's the only way to hear a new Neil bootleg...
"Like a Hurricane" "Mr. Soul" "Cinnamon Girl" "Down By the River" and it just keeps getting better. The Sentra is cruising up 95 as rain begins to fall. Rock and roll can never die--right on he thinks to himself. Then, what? Is that "On Broadway" playing? What the hell? That sucks, but then "Tonight's the Night" jumps through the car speakers and the Sentra almost swerves off the road. This was the song and album that separated the average Neil Young fan from the true fanatic. It's got the spook and the magic, and this young man hadn't heard it played live too often. A perfect way to end a near perfect bootleg...
As the drive continues, his mind is focused on everything and nothing at the same time. Neil's music has a way of doing this to him. Where have I been? Where am I heading? What does it all mean?
The eighties were ending and my school days were done. Throughout the decade my love and admiration for Neil and his music had grown despite his uneven recorded output. Now it was clear that Neil was just beginning another round and that was more than enough fuel to keep this fan going to Atlantic City and well beyond...
Take my advice
don't listen to me
More on 1980's Neil Young & The Bluenotes.
Labels: concert, neil young
by thrasher@PermaLink: 5/21/2016 07:29:00 AM
22 comments
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22 Comments:
Thanks for the flashback, TopangaDaze. Your post reminds me of similar times. At least 2 or 3 times a year, I would load my camping gear, beer, dog, girlfriend, and suitcase of cassettes (not in preferential order) into my VW camper. We would set out on a roadtrip for an indeterminate length of time (the longest was 3 months). As I was pulling away from my house, I would start with "Neil Young". "The Emperor of Wyoming" is a perfect song to get the trip rolling. I would then, proceed chronologically through the current discology. I remember ending with "Trans" on the earliest trips, and I may have made it up to "Broken Arrow" by the time those days ended. I often still listen to his music that way. It's a great way to hear how he progressed, went through rough spells, and also went through amazing stretches of creativity.
cool story, bro.
Thanks Thrash, I'm honored to have been selected for back-to-back comments.
Rightwing: Don't love your name :) but I enjoyed your memory post.
I've never been a camper and haven't taken "extended" trips like you have, but sounds like a great time.
At times, I too have played Neil's albums in order. It's striking how the art remains the same, but what I hear is completely different. Not to get into too much detail for now, but one album that I barely listened to after its release was "Hawks and Doves" as I initially treated as a throwaway. Years later I re-played it and couldn't get it out of my mind for weeks!
"Lost in Space" has since become one of my favorite songs. The lyrics are "typically unique" Neil, combined with a catchy melody and just enough quirkiness reassuring me that Neil will always remain on his own path..
As diehard Neil fans, we're all a little quirky, aren't we?
Take my advice
don't listen to me
A lot of road trips, a lot of memories, although the only non-release I ever owned was the BBC show. My favorite memory was a road trip in New Mexico with a car load of friends struck silent by Rust Never Sleeps- the entire album damn near until somewhere toward the end someone finally turned around, and said with with a mix of awe and mystification, "Who is this?!" Just goes to show you, if the unwashed masses really knew Neil's body of work in its entirety- save for the same old radio claptrap of Cinnamon Girl, Heart Of Gold, Southern Man, etc., Neil would be ten times the star he finally became.
Thanks Topanga- A Friend Of Yours
Very cool stories folks, I just now decided to put in one of my own, one day before all the days are gone and the noggin still functions. Felt like I was in the car with ya.
It'll be no mean effort, my keyboarding and composing are abysmal.
d b denied YAH (YOUNG AT HEART) BAU
Very cool stories folks, I just now decided to put in one of my own, one day before all the days are gone and the noggin still functions. Felt like I was in the car with ya.
It'll be no mean effort, my keyboarding and composing are abysmal.
d b denied YAH (YOUNG AT HEART) BAU
I'd encourage everyone to share a personal memory--be it of a concert, an album, a moment in time that "you shared" with Neil or what his music means to you. As BB alluded to, our days are finite and the computer chip in our minds sometimes malfunctions.
I feel like Neil's music has given me several lifetimes of memories. Most of the memories return me to happy places, while a few lead me to the darker "twisted roads" we all sometimes have to travel.
Thrasher has created a great community here for us all to share. Sure, we can get our Neil news in a variety of places, but this site offers us a true chance to share, learn and belong.
Take my advice
don't listen to me
Greg,
Cool recollection. For the most part I like that the "unwashed masses" haven't found our hero--it makes our club even more special!
Take my advice
don't listen to me
One of my most cherished memories with Neil was at the Horde festival 1997 @ Portland Meadows in Oregon. It was an all day event and Neil and Crazy Horse were the headliners, but there were several artists on the bill like Primus, Morphine, and Ben Folds Five to name a few.
There were several stages set up throughout this huge race track area and my friends and I had set up close to the main stage where Neil and the Horse were going to play at the end of the day. It was July 13th and hot as the dickens, so I walked over to this area where they had a bunch of fire hoses shooting water to cool folks off, and as I was walking back to my group of friends I heard someone announce a surprise guest on this tiny little stage set up.
I turned around and out walks Neil with his acoustic guitar about five feet away from where I had stopped. He sits down and proceeds to play ten or twelve songs solo to around twenty people who just happen to be in the right place at the right time. It was sublime to say the least. I can't remember every song he sang but I do remember Heart of Gold, Comes a Time, and Needle and the Damage Done. By the time he was done and walked off this little stage, I turned around and there was this huge crowd that had gathered while he played.
It really felt to me at that moment as if Neil was playing those songs just for me, and although the crowd grew behind me as word began to spread, I had no idea that anyone else was there. It was just such a beautiful moment, and completely impromptu. No one saw it coming, and there I was having my own private little concert with Neil Young.
I still have the ticket stub for that day, $36.00 for the whole day and ten bands. Those were the day's.
I'll never forget how it felt in that moment. Just amazing!
TopangaDaze, It's funny and coincidental that you mentioned my name and "Hawks and Doves" in the same post. I love Neil's music, but I can't stand his politics. He and the Thrasher community should revisit "Hawks and Doves". For the younger Thrashers, imagine hearing Neil sing:
"I ain't tongue-tied, just don't got nothin' to say
I'm proud to be livin' in the U.S.A.
Ready to go, willin' to stay and pay, U.S.A., U.S.A."
If he uttered those words on stage today, I think he'd burst into flames before our eyes.
I am new to TW, and I'm glad I found it. I'm also appreciative that in my first post, when I mentioned my disapproval of Neil pushing Pono and his politics, I got some support.
Anyway, back to "Hawks and Doves" What a great album and song. Absolutely quirky. You can definitely hear Devo's influence.
Since we began talking about road trips, pop it in the tape deck on your next trip. At the very least, it will give some balance to what Neil is saying today.
@ rightwing:
I'm glad you found the site and hope you continue to post. Maybe someday we'll get you to change your name to: open"mined" :)
Regarding Neil's politics, he is both a Hawk and a Dove. On any given day, he's likely to have democratic, republican and liberal viewpoints--it all just depends on the topic and his mood at the time. Many words describe Neil, but the one word that has never been used and likely never will be used is: consistent
To me, I'd classify Neil very loosely as a "tree hugger" but beyond that he has no political allegiance. If Dick Nixon would have been a democrat, Neil still would've written "Ohio" and "Campaigner" without hesitation...
Hawks and Doves is definitely on my upcoming play-list.
"Oh this country sure looks good to me
but these fences are comin' apart at every nail"
Hey Dan, that definitely sounds like the moment of a lifetime. Right place & right time--I can easily imagine feeling like Neil was playing just for me, oblivious to other fans who may or may not be there.
Take my advice
don't listen to me
Right Wing, Hawks and Doves is definitely interesting from the perceived perspective of conservatism, but "perceived" is the operative term. Over the years Neil has taken on many personas, and put himself out there in many guises, but I think a lot of it was simply intended to get people thinking one way or the other. The Living With War CSN&Y tour was a good example, where Neil invited any and all viewpoints to be given a voice, because I think he was sincerely alarmed at a fundamental lack of national discourse concerning the relative merits of the war- people had mostly just resigned themselves to it all and failed to hold the government accountable for what many of us found objectionable in it. Even the infamous "support of Reagan" comments were fueled by his annoyance with an interviewer who was badgering him to deliver boilerplate quotes in opposition to Reagan, and years later he walked back the comments in different ways. In Greendale, he developed many conflicting views of Carmichael and Jed, some eliciting sympathy, some condemnation. Campaigner is a compassionate view of the mostly unlikeable and disagreeable figure of Richard Nixon. Putting all these contradictory positions and artistic statements alongside the artistic method, the acting before thinking mentality that has characterized much of the music, is a bit of a mine field for people who think they have Neil all figured out. Granted, much of what Neil voices is pretty straight forward, and doesn't require to much close examination, but I have never felt like I had Neil figured out, or that I could see inside his heart and mind. How many times has Neil veered off in a totally incomprehensible direction, because he had started to make out the hand writing on the wall that people thought they had him figured out?
When I played Hawks And Doves for my college roommate, he reacted with a sour expression on his face at Neil's seeming disparagement of unionism, which I at the time was reveling in. A few years ago, we got into a little dust up over his condemnation of unions, and my support of them. Was Neil taking on the persona of a red neck, or did he really feel this way? I don't know. Circumstances, time, wisdom, perspective, reaction against a view you really sympathize with because of the objectionable way it's been delivered by someone you just don't like, playing devil's advocate, all these and more should give everyone a little pause in thinking they have anything figured out. Of course, I'm generalizing, and talking off the top of my head, and Neil has opened up a lot of cans to throw us off the scent, but I think it's worth taking a look at when it comes to considering Neil's stances.
A Friend Of Yours
Greg: You make several excellent points. Perceived is the key word. I feel that it's important not to project my own view of the world onto any artist. Especially Neil. His intentions may not necessarily be a reflection of his core values, but more a reaction to what he perceives around him. How he choses to reflect that often times is by using a role reversal to make a point. In Greendale he plays many roles to tell his story, and they may all contain elements of Neil, but individually they are each a unique piece of the story. From Carmichael to grandpa, to Sun Green, to the Devil, Neil is creating characters to move the story. I learned a long time ago not to always take Neil's songs literally. Sometimes he's a story teller, other times he's a confessor, but most of the time he blurs the lines to keep us guessing.
I'll have to agree that Neil presents his characters very well as any great songwriter, author or director does. Greendale is a a perfect example. But, I'm not talking about his characters. His pontificating from the stage, through the media, and through many of his songs clearly define his political views. Those views have always been extremely liberal. In last 10 years, I take issue with being bombarded with his views through the sources I mentioned. I know I could just turn him off, but I love his music, and my comments about Hawks and Doves were about being nostalgic for his earlier, more subtle and less aggressive statements. I believe his music is suffering, and his creativity is taking a back seat to a tired message you can hear just by turning on the television. Compare Ohio, Soldier, Vampire Blues, Mother Earth, and Keep on Rockin, to anything from Living with War or Monsanto. I never considered anything from Hawks and Doves a political statement and still don't. I just wish Neil would go back to
"I ain't tongue-tied, just don't got nothin' to say I'm proud to be livin' in the U.S.A. I miss it.
Either way, his body of work, as a whole, will retain me as a fan.
Rightwing,
Sure, with Monsanto (both the album and tour), Neil is being very outspoken. I dislike (refraining from the using the word hate) the album and largely disagree with his stance. He is clearly pushing the envelope and trying to make a statement, but I still don't consider it too political--he's just being a hippie and clinging to earthly ideals.
Other than Monsanto though, I've never felt his stage shows reflect his preaching at all (excluding LWW).
Funny, of the 5 songs you mentioned "Ohio, Soldier, Vampire Blues, Mother Earth, and Keep on Rockin" I think 3 of them are some of his weakest. I'd easily take "Shock and Awe" "Flags of Freedom" and "Families" over the middle 3 you mentioned. Both "Flags of Freedom" and "Families" contain some sympathetic lyrics that could be embraced by either party, and "Shock and Awe" and "Roger and Out" are strong songs, one very direct and the other is truly emotionally moving.
"I feel you in the air today
Roger and out good buddy
I know you gave for your country
I feel you in the air today
Roger and out good buddy"
TopangaDaze,
I have to admit, The 5 songs I mentioned were off the top of my head. I was thinking of songs that delivered the message more subtly than those from "LWW" and "Monsanto". I'll agree with your assessment of "Soldier" and "Mother Earth", but never "Vampire Blues". Maybe it is because it is on one of my favorite albums, or maybe because I am partial to the Blues, but I love the song.
The songs you mentioned are pretty unfamiliar to me. The first time a heard "LWW", I was offended by Neil's overtly hostile attack of GWB. If I said I listened to the record more than 2 or 3 times I'd be lying. I played the songs you mentioned and you may be right about their musical merits. I'm going to listen to the album a few more times. I might even pull out "Life" and give that another try.
Just keep in mind, I'm aware that you and Neil conspiring to brainwash me, and Hillary will never get my vote.
Let's hope "Earth" pleases us all.
rightwing,
"Vampire Blues" is the only song from On the Beach I don't love.
I'm glad you played a few of the songs from LWW again and thought they were perhaps better than you remembered. Clearly I enjoy the album more than most, but I really do feel the album gets a bum rap because most people hate the overt political nature of much it (which I understand). That being said, many of the songs are strong on various levels and aren't quite as direct as the overall concept..
Hey, I'd encourage you to re-spin Life as well--it's really a good album. It's stronger than most of us give it credit for lyrically and musically.
"Mideast Vacation" "Long Walk Home" and "Around the World" are a good mix of political and world views (though you may not agree with some or all):
"I was Rambo in the disco, I was shooting to the beat
when they burned me in effigy, my vacation was complete"
"Leaders fall, leaders rise, terror wears a thin disguise"
and "Too Lonely" "Prisoners of Rock and Roll" and "Cryin' Eyes" are good fun songs..
"Your life's like riding on a fast train, it's easy to see far away
but right up close it's just a blurry haze--flying by from day to day"
Again, a pretty varied album with generally good lyrics. Several songs have sound effects which compliment the songs well. "Inca Queen" sounds like what Neil's trying to do with the upcoming "Earth" album. "Long Walk Home" has great effective gun/cannon blasts too.
Sorry I digressed, but Life is a vastly underrated album. It shows Neil as he's starting to re-focus his efforts towards "getting serious" again. I listened to the album a few months ago and it had me thinking, toe tapping and smiling. No joke!
In closing, we're not trying to brainwash you, we just wish you were able to think and see clearly! Just joking, and as said before, there's three sides to every story: yours, mine and the truth. For disclosure, I watch both CNN and Fox, and sometimes I end up with the truth.
Take my advice
don't listen to me
And just saw this from a Reuters interview courtesy of Rolling Stone. Looks like Old Shakey (bless him) is again equivocating a little about the rights to his music and Trump:
Donald Trump's presidential campaign got off to a rocky start last June when – after playing Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" after the rally announcing his presidential bid – the rocker immediately asked the mogul to stop using the Freedom track on the campaign trail. The issue sparked a public argument between Young and Trump, as Young stated that Trump was "not authorized" to use the track, while a spokesperson for the GOP candidate insisted they had acquired the necessary publishing rights.
However, in a new interview with Reuters, Young said he doesn't harbor any resentment towards Trump for using the Freedom track; in fact, he might have okayed the mogul's usage if Trump had just asked permission first.
"The fact that I said I was for Bernie Sanders and then [Trump] didn't ask me to use 'Rockin' in the Free World' doesn't mean that he can't use it," Young said. "He actually got a license to use it. I mean, he said he did and I believe him. So I got nothing against him. You know, once the music goes out, everybody can use it for anything. But if the artist who made it is saying you never spoke to them, if that means something to you, you probably will stop playing it. And it meant something to Donald and he stopped."
Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski told Rolling Stone in June 2015 after Young protested the song's usage on the campaign trail, "We won't be using it again. There are plenty of other songs to choose from, despite the fact that Mr. Trump is a big fan and likes Neil very much. We will respect his wish and not use it because it's the right thing to do."
After the "Rockin' in the Free World" incident, Young's rep issued a statement saying, "Donald Trump was not authorized to use 'Rockin' in the Free World' in his presidential candidacy announcement. Neil Young, a Canadian citizen, is a supporter of Bernie Sanders for President of the United States of America." Eleven months later, Young is still supporting the Vermont senator.
"He's the only one talking about the issues, about issues that matter to me, the issues on my mind," Young told Reuters. "Problems of corporate control of democracy and everything slipping away and not being able to have six major companies owning all the media in the United States."
Although Young supports Sanders, come November, he won't be able to vote for the Vermont senator, or any other candidate for that matter: The rocker maintains his Canadian citizenship, making him ineligible to vote in the presidential election. When asked if he'd consider U.S. citizenship, Young quipped, "Oh, that would be a big ruse. I'm a Canadian. There's nothing I can do about that."
"I vote in my own way, by making a lot of noise. If you don't want to listen to me, fine. If you don't want to vote like I would, don't," Young said. "But I still have a voice."
TopangaDaze,
Thanks, your post led me to go to Rolling Stone's website where there are a couple of related articles. I'm surprised at how tactful both Neil and (much more so) Trump handled the issue. I was impressed by Neil's statement:
"Music is a universal language. so I am glad that so many people with varying beliefs get enjoyment from my music, even if they don't share my beliefs."
although, I recognize his statement may be motivated by the fact he has to sell his music, videos and Pono, and wouldn't want to piss off half (actually more likely 20%) of his fans.
Finally I must, also, disclose that I watch both Fox News and CNN. I'm what some used to call a compassionate conservative. Usually the truth is not very illusive, regardless of what I'm reading or watching.
I'll give you and anyone else that may see this thread a parting bit of advice. The truth exists independent of what is said. Just because some state something loudly, vehemently, or repeatedly, doesn't make it the truth.
A wise man once said,
"And as an afterthought
This must to be told
Some people have taken pure bullshit
And turned it into gold"
@All - lots of great comments here and would love to comment more on a few. Actually we do have a few more roadtrip posts to make since it seems folks enjoy these.
But we'll just do this shout out.
@ rightwing - 1st, welcome. Glad to have you. At TW we like to say Love all, serve all.
As Neil said on Colbert the other night: "I don't generally like to label things." And we feel the same.
Over the years in a number of threads we've stated when folks get all divided over right & left, that this dichotomy is a false paradigm. It's a trap by the elite to keep us at each others throats. Divide & conquer. Whether you are left or right or wherever, once you label (and are labeled) you are conquered.
Remember the film Network in 1976? It is all very clear:
Arthur Jensen: "You are an old man who thinks in terms of nations and peoples.
There are no nations. There are no peoples. There are no Russians. There are no Arabs. There are no third worlds. There is no West.
There is only one holistic system of systems, one vast and immane, interwoven, interacting, multivariate, multinational dominion of dollars. Petro-dollars, electro-dollars, multi-dollars, reichmarks, rins, rubles, pounds, and shekels.
It is the international system of currency which determines the totality of life on this planet. That is the natural order of things today. That is the atomic and subatomic and galactic structure of things today! And YOU have meddled with the primal forces of nature, and YOU... WILL... ATONE!
Am I getting through to you, Mr. Beale?
You get up on your little twenty-one inch screen and howl about America and democracy. There is no America. There is no democracy. There is only IBM, and ITT, and AT&T, and DuPont, Dow, Union Carbide, and Exxon. Those are the nations of the world today. What do you think the Russians talk about in their councils of state, Karl Marx? They get out their linear programming charts, statistical decision theories, minimax solutions, and compute the price-cost probabilities of their transactions and investments, just like we do. We no longer live in a world of nations and ideologies, Mr. Beale.
The world is a college of corporations, inexorably determined by the immutable bylaws of business. The world is a business, Mr. Beale. It has been since man crawled out of the slime. And our children will live, Mr. Beale, to see that... perfect world... in which there's no war or famine, oppression or brutality. One vast and ecumenical holding company, for whom all men will work to serve a common profit, in which all men will hold a share of stock.
All necessities provided, all anxieties tranquilized, all boredom amused. "
https://youtu.be/NKkRDMil0bw
I had the best job you could imagine, travelin' through Ontario making movies. HELPLESS was the soundtrack to the road. I always thought that it would work well in an IMAX movie. The audience would be swelling with tears of joy.
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