canada.gif

gb.gif

de.gif

us.gif
Neil Young's new release ""World Record" w/ Crazy Horse is now available for pre-order. Order here
(Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking this link or YOUR COUNTRY's FLAG. Thank you!!!)
ADVERTISEMENT
<-Older Posts Blog Home Newer Posts->

Sunday, February 05, 2017

Comment of the Moment: NEW VIDEO - "My Pledge" by Neil Young


"But I Do See What I See,
And I want to do My Duty"

"My Pledge" by Neil Young

Quite a bit of discussion on the new music video of Neil Young's song "My Pledge" from the album "Peace Trail".

The Comment of the Moment is from Ian -- attempting not to be strident -- in the face of negativity over the the "lyric quality" and "vocal delivery" of Neil's latest offering:
Well, I'm not trying to be strident, but it does seem to me that out of all the songs from the new album one could bag on, this is an odd choice.

People bemoaning a lack of interesting, carefully constructed, and meaningful lyrics should be relatively satisfied. I'm also a little confused by the mention of "half-talking songs". Anyone remember Tired Eyes? No complaints about that one being half-spoken. And not to beat the AYP? horse to death, but Mr. Disappointment strikes me as another "talking blues" type song that works very well, along with Bandit from Greendale. Both favorites of mine.

In any event, I thought and still think this is one of the best sets of lyrics on the new album. It is meant to be from the POV of the Average Joe, so it's not flowery. But any sense that Neil is making this up as he goes along is, I think, more than anything else an illusion of style and Neil's (ever-present) disinterest in polished production. The vocal performance may have rough edges or flaws, but the ideas seem quite complete to me. I could be wrong and maybe he was entirely improv-ing this "rap" in the studio. But I don't think so.

Incidentally, in American folk music of the Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger class, there is a tradition of "half-spoken" songs, also called talking blues or even referred to as rapping. My sense is that Neil is tapping into that idea to create a voice and feeling for the first person character of this song. My larger point is, there is a precedent for this sort of thing, and given Neil's current focus on folk protest, a little bit of singspiel (German word for opera with some spoken dialogue, applied liberally here) fits right in.
Thanks Ian, you're never too strident in these here parts of town, at least by our reckoning. (btw, congrats on latest TW COTM)

As usual, you get it. Obviously, if the lyrics are really meaningful, you put to use like this in a video. IOW, to creatively highlight their meaning and significance. You won't see Fuckin Up lyrics put to use this way.

We understand and hear your pledge Ian. Your transparency is appreciated. So we say our pledge at TW is we plan to continue to separate the wheat from the chaff. Or the REAL from the Fake. Or The Truth from the Lie.

How about others out there? What's your pledge? Thanks to those who shared. Others remain silent in their pledges. Why might that be? Might their pledges be secret?


7 Comments:

At 2/06/2017 09:26:00 PM, Blogger Grey Rider said...

Like the My Pledge video. It's simple in a good way, homemade, handcrafted with friends, from the heart. Homegrown's all right with me.

 
At 2/06/2017 10:00:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

The Pledge to Oneself


I pledge allegiance
To myself,
Whole as I know I am,
And to the conscience I follow,
One individual of many,
Invaluable
Entitled to liberty and justice
And never to take an identity
Other than my own.

 
At 2/07/2017 12:26:00 AM, Blogger rlr783 said...

Oh my goodness! I've been accused of "negativity" here. Never want to be linked to negativity. Never. I'll slowly retreat back into the weeds and leave all you comrades alone.

I did thoroughly enjoy the discussion though. Many of you made excellent points.

So long.

 
At 2/07/2017 02:31:00 PM, Blogger Dan Swan said...


@rlr783.... I have just finished carefully going back through all 48 comments on the "My Pledge" video post, and I found no one accusing you of negativity. I actually found the lengthy discussion between you and Ian Kertis and Flyingsctsman to be not only informative but gracious by all concerned.

The fact that you feel that everything Neil has released since Silver and Gold stinks is simply your opinion, and from what I see here on Thrashers Wheat, that is exactly the point; we all have a right to express our opinions. Negative or positive, they are all valid.

I would suggest to you that although you may feel you are in the minority here, that it is incorrect, and that many here may agree with some or all of your feelings on Neil's recorded output. You are clearly a true fan of Neil Young just by the amount of knowledge and experiences, and passion you shared with us in the above mentioned post, so you clearly share a commonality with everyone here.

I do not link you to negativity, I simply link you to a alternate perspective that has as much validity as anyone else here on this site. So please don't spend too much time out in the weeds, we all share something special here and it can get lonely out there in the weeds. Believe me I've spent some time out there myself and it's not all that much fun.

Thanks for all your input here and I'm sure I speak for some here who appreciate your opinions. We may not always agree, but remember we're all Neil Young fans, and if nothing else we share that one thing in common.

Peace

 
At 2/07/2017 04:35:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

@ Grey Rider - Homegrown's all right with us, too. Maybe folks are wishing for the MTV days where visuals took precednce over the music. As Neil called it, TV Music.

@Ian - Excellent.

"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself — and you are the easiest person to fool."
~~ Richard Feynman

@ rlr783 - Godspeed.

@ Dan - thank you for taking the time to review 48 comments. It really is an excellent little thread we had going there on the "My Pledge" video post. Especially given how "some" thought it wasn't much.

Clearly, a huge amount is going on in the song. Anything that causes folks to look deep in themselves and ask if they're doing their part is a good thing.

As you say so well, "we may not always agree, but remember we're all Neil fans, and if nothing else we share that one thing in common."

United we will never be defeated.

peace

 
At 2/07/2017 09:33:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

@Dan Swann, Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Certainly I never meant to be aggressive or hostile in my own words. Nor, from experience, did the Scotsman. I found the conversation fruitful. I'll admit that I occasionally come across opinions I find slightly puzzling, but it's never been my intent to drive anyone into the weeds. In this regard, I hope none of my comments have been unduly strident or confrontational. Honest, yes, but not intended to upbraid or reproach.

I'll also point out that not all the threads here at TW get as active as that one. I'm glad when we have little spikes in activity, It shows we're still a vital, vibrant community. But wouldn't want occasional visitors to think we're always rambunctious or pouncing on things. Compared to other sites I've seen, we keep things pretty nice here. And I don't often use the rhetorical "we", simply because I wouldn't presume to speak for others or, indeed, that there's anyone else necessarily to speak for. But in this case, I've developed a degree of familiarity and a sense of how things operate here, in spite of some of my own lengthy absences. So I feel fairly secure in surveying the community as a whole here and concluding that we have a very nice virtual neighborhood, of which spirited differences of opinion can be part of the pleasure.

 
At 2/08/2017 11:49:00 AM, Blogger Dan Swan said...

I couldn't agree more Ian. I look forward to many more lively conversations here in our cool little neighborhood.

Peace

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

<-Older Posts Blog Home Newer Posts->

Willie for a Nobel!
#Willie4Nobel

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

farm-aid-logo.gif
Farm Aid

Go Farmers Markets!


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

SUPPORTER
logo
Silverline Communications

(Home of the FarmAidians)
Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada
(519) 737-7979



This blog supports free speech!


Demand justice for Aaron:
Support "Aaron's Law" and inquiry into his prosecution

(... he didn't kill himself either...) #AaronDidntKillHimself

Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame



Please Help Support Independent Media &
Non-Corporate Advertising
This Blog's For You!


The Hypocrisy of the Mainstream Media

It's Been Called The
"Missing Link" in the Ditch Trilogy

time-fades-away-banner2a

Sign the Release "Time Fades Away" Petition
Join The 10,000+ Who Have Already Signed


broken-arrow-mag-new-logo.gif

Neil Young Appreciation Society


sugar-mtn-logo.jpg
Sugar Mountain

Neil Young Setlists
rust-radio-new
Rust Radio


bumpersticker-neil-concert.jpg


i-l-ove-neil-young-sm.jpg
Bands Covering Neil Young songs


bumper-sticker-live-music-better-sm.jpg
LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER


ny-times-logo.jpg
Official Neil Young News Site

bridgeschool_logo
The Bridge School


The Bridge School Concerts
25th Anniversary Edition

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

linda-eastman-neil-young-sugar-mtn-sm.jpg
The Essential Neil Young

neil-young-sleeveless.jpg
Fans Favorite Neil Albums

neil-young-heart-of-gold-film-still
Top 50 MP3
Neil Young Song Downloads


Top 10 Best Selling Neil Albums Today
amazon-neil-store.GIF
Support Thrasher's Wheat
via Purchases from:
United States - Amazon.com us.gif
Canada - Amazon.ca canada.gif
United Kingdom - Amazon.uk gb.gif
Germany - Amazon.de de.gif



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
Spring 2013 Australia/New Zealand Tour
Summer 2013 Europe Tour

Europe Summer 2014 Concert Tour
Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Thrasher's Wheat Radio Supporters Go To Europe

jttp-film-poster-sm.jpg
Neil Young Films

musicares-neil-young-2010.jpg
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.

live-rust-promo-poster.jpg


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

#BigShift

trans-promo



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

paul-neil-bridge2004-sat-sfc-kkomenich-sm.jpg
Paul McCartney and Neil Young

woodstock-poster.jpg


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

lennon_peace_liberty
John Lennon and Neil Young


"hailed by fans as a wonderful read"

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
csny-1974-poster.jpg
The Supergroup of the 20th Century



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

eddie & neil
Eddie Vedder and Neil Young

buffalo-springfield-poster.jpg
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"

neil & joni
Joni Mitchell & Neil Young

europe 1987.jpg


dylan-young-crop
Bob and Neil

weld
So Who Really Was "The Godfather of Grunge"?


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


The Four Dead in Ohio



May The FOUR Be With You #MayThe4thBeWithYou

concert-pass-europe-2003-solo.jpg


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

emmylou-harris-neil-young-0305-crop
Emmylou Harris and Neil Young

wilco-062305-wide-background.jpg
Wilco and Neil Young

bluenotes-pass-young88crewlam-sm.jpg

bruce-springsteen-neil-young-bridge-oct-1986.jpg
Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young

europe87concertpass


elton-john-neil-young-crop-sm.jpg
Elton John and Neil Young

ronnie-vanzant-neil.jpg
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young

+

The Meaning of "Sweet Home Alabama" Lyrics


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

powderfinger
"Powderfinger"
What does the song mean?

Random Neil Young Link of the Moment
neil-sad.jpg

Bonnie Raitt and Neil Young

Wisconsin-solidarity.jpg
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

willie_picnic_poster_070503


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:
freedom-video
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

csny2k-plate.jpg
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?

churchsign

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