Here is a short film from December, 1971 of Neil Young shopping in a record store and coming across his own work on bootleg albums.
The clip is from Neil Young Archives Volume #1 and is quite amusing on a number of levels. The sheer audacity of Neil essentially stealing back his own work, the clueless record store clerk trying to handle the situation, and of course that '70's vibe all make for a vintage time capsule.
Here's a comment on the YouTube video:
But the point is that artists need to be paid for their work.
That is all this is about.
Forget it’s Neil Young. It’s very simple. If you were an artist - musician, actor, photographer, painter, whatever - you would have no trouble comprehending the spirit of what he’s doing in this clip. This is where this notion of taking from artists started, back then. And look where it’s left us. People ripping shit off all over the internet. It’s not fair and you would understand if someone at your job said “Well Jim, sorry but we’re only gonna pay you for some of the work you did. The rest of it we’re giving out for free.” Neil was making a statement, plain and simple, and yes, you’re right, hardly any of this affected him monetarily him back then or now or will in the future. Personally it’s a whole other story when that is your work. He’s doing it for the greater good, which is in fact pretty awesome.
More on Neil Young Archives Volume #1.
Thrasher:
ReplyDeleteyou should be ashamed of yourself for publishing a video of Neil "following his muse" by bullying a record store clerk who obviously has no control of the Bootleg Industry, an actual legit issue.
It wasn't funny, clever or interesting;
Just Neil being a bully
Shame on NY and shame on you.
Give it a rest Andy or TOM or whoever you're calling yourself today
ReplyDeleteGreat time capsule, thanks for posting it. Yes, NY was being a bit of a dick, but the sales dude should be used to dealing with customer issues; that's part of the job. If he had said at the outset "talk to my boss" the situation wouldn't have dragged on. The boss then admitted he was wrong and let the bootleg be repatriated to the rightful owner. If it was free to make then it should be free to take. And NY did buy a candle afterwards!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a super funny scene to watch. I have DVD archives of that Era from 71.
ReplyDeleteTo Peace Lover Andy & Tom are different people - I have no issues being who I say I am and happy debate the pros and cons of being a fan. But being told to f.........off is out of order and whilst I can criticise Neil I have an opinion that is valid and well supported. I'm amazed TW allowed such blasphemy to be used on here and just left.
ReplyDeleteShocking.
"Peacelover" eh?
ReplyDeleteIncongruous is the nicest response I can think of...
@TOM - TW is a designated "safe space" for persecuted Neil fans.
ReplyDeleteThis is where Neil fans can go to get away from all of those mean bullies over on FaceBook.
Here's a pillow for you.
peace & love
A mood might have developed here, had it not been for the unfortunate score by Neil Young, which for the films final thirty minutes sounds like nothing so much as a man repeatedly dropping his guitar. Roger Ebert review of Dead Man
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI would like to thank that lovely couple hiding behind a
hay bale somewhere in the D.C. area.
Your passion is what makes this site so wonderful for us fans.
Long May You Run!
Happy Holidaze! Peace, Love and........Doc!
"...Don't let it bring you down..just find someone who's turning...."
It's nice to come down to this river of sight where we can try to understand all
of the ricochet's our friend Neil puts us through!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/neil-young-standing-rock_us_584efbf8e4b0bd9c3dfdecb1
ReplyDeleteThrasher-
ReplyDeleteI do not understand your post...
Please illuminate me
Namaste
I feel so sorry for NY being bootlegged like he is that I almost want to send him my copy of Chrome Dreams (1). He would be so much richer if only people wouldn't download his music etc. It's weird though how struggling unknown bands are dying for people to hear their music in any way they can but once they make it big then they only want their music heard if it's the official release that they get money for. I thank god that I've gotten paid for everything I've ever done in my life.
ReplyDeleteThanks Arthur. It means so much to us to mean so much to you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
Actually The STore Clerk was really cool , composed, welcoming from the start. Almost endearing, NO reason to call him clueless. He handled it all pretty calmly and assertively
ReplyDeletePeople are taking this way too seriously. Neil was slyly smiling a couple times during the video. This was essentially a prank video.
ReplyDelete