Neil Young
Massey Hall, Toronto
From "Young, Cockburn touch on politics as they join Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame" | The Canadian Press by David Friend:
Legendary artists Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn were ushered into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame on Saturday with a celebration that carried a few political undertones.
While the live concert and induction ceremony at Toronto’s Massey Hall mostly steered away from any overt social statements, it seemed almost impossible for two of protest music’s most influential Canadian songwriters to ignore the current state of global politics.
“I’m terribly proud to be Canadian,” Young told the crowd as he was inducted. “I know I’ve travelled a lot ... but I’ve always been a Canadian citizen.”
“I love the U.S.A. — by the way,” he added before leaning into Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.
“My message is: They’re already great.”
That’s about as close as the 71-year-old singer got to his political side.
But a tribute performance of his song “Ohio” by rock band Whitehorse inched a little closer. Originally written about the 1970 Kent State shootings, Whitehorse played their cover in front of a projection screen with the names of young men killed by police, including Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Walter Scott and Canadian Greg Matters.
“We’d like to say so much has changed, but we’re not sure if it has,” guitarist Luke Doucet said as he introduced the song.
Neil Young's Induction Speech at the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame
From cbcmusic.ca by Holly Gordon:
Introduced by Randy Bachman, Young walked onstage and exclaimed “Merci beacoup!” before giving a humble speech about his songwriting.
“I really want to say songs are like animals, and you really have to be careful with them and not sneak up on them and scare them,” he said.
“Wait for this song rabbit to come out of the hole.”
“I don’t know what to say because I’m still doing this,” he continued. “I was scared to come here in case it ended.”
“I’m still writing songs all the time. It’s funny, some people see me and go, ‘What are you doing now?’ … but I love to write songs. They’re still coming. They don’t care about awards, accolades. And that’s such a gift, such a great gift.”
He finished by touching back on Venne’s admission about not being able to sing.
“I know I can’t sing,” Young said, laughing.
“It really doesn’t matter. I’m around the note somewhere…. We’ve been together [Young and the note]. For a while; not for long though.”
A standing ovation ushered Young offstage, and Arkells — with Rush’s Alex Lifeson — walked onstage to play Young’s “Cinnamon Girl.”
Arkells closed out the night playing “Rockin’ in the Free World,” with all the performers onstage — some nodding along and clapping, like k.d. lang, some joining in, like Whitehorse.
Neil Young's 'Rockin' In The Free World' | Arkells, Randy Bachman and Special Guests
(Thanks HtH!)
I'm Canadian by the way, and I love the USA... - the Visitor 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/LemTEfKcic
— Neil Young (@Neilyoung) September 23, 2017
Tonight, Neil Young and Bruce Cockburn will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame later this year.
The induction ceremony will be in Toronto's Massey Hall on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Performers include Buffy Sainte-Marie, k.d. lang, and Randy Bachman.
Neil Young's Canada | CBC.ca
By Colton Eddy & Jesse Kinos-Goodin, for q digital
Illustrations by Christine Lieu
Web development by Geoff Isaac
A major piece on "Neil Young's Canada" on CBC.ca: From a town in North Ontario to the Red River Valley, a look at the places, people and sounds that influenced the icon. By Colton Eddy & Jesse Kinos-Goodin (for q digital), Illustrations by Christine Lieu and Web development by Geoff Isaac.
How has Neil Young influenced these artists?! We asked them recently at the #CCMAawards. Hear from more musicians: https://t.co/F5LzZdywLt pic.twitter.com/LiRR2HgWBG
— CBC Music (@CBCMusic) September 23, 2017
Photo via National Post
(Click photo to enlarge)
Allan Waters Humanitarian Award, Artist of the Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year Award
2011 Juno awards at the Air Canada Centre, on Sunday in Toronto
BRETT GUNDLOCK / POSTMEDIA NEWS
More on Neil Young's 2011 Juno Awards.
https://youtu.be/au6QHLNKnI0
ReplyDeleteItalian version of Powderfinger by Francesco De Gregori (one of the best italian author)
Here comes The Visitor again. Neil has something to hype, albeit in a subtle way. Let the speculation continue! Here are Neil's irons in the fire:
ReplyDelete1)New album with POTR.
2)New book, a work of fiction, in the works for at least 5 years.
3)Some sort of film project. Rumored to be a "western".
4)Archives website.
Maybe one or more of the first 3 are related to The Visitor?
I was at the induction last night at Massey Hall. A very special night. Honoured to have been there to stand and cheer as Neil was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
ReplyDeleteMostly a humorous speech apart from 'I was saying to my true love' get me a bag
ReplyDeleteNever heard of bruce cockburn
ReplyDeleteBruce Cockburn has been making fine records for many years - produced by Colin Linden from Blackie & The Rodeo Kings
ReplyDeleteRe: Bruce Cockburn GOOGLE HIM > you are missing out.
ReplyDelete"If I Had A Rocket Launcher"
"Mighty Trucks Of Midnight"
"Pacing The Cage"
"Lovers In A Dangerous Time"
"Wondering Where The Lions Are"
"A Dream Like Mine"
& many,many more......
A Dream Like Mine
ReplyDeleteSo I'm all like "Neil is not ALREADY in the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame?"
ReplyDeleteGood work, eh.
I know. If Neil and Bruce Cockburn aren't in there then who the fuck is?
DeleteRumors of Glory
ReplyDeleteWorld of Wonders
ReplyDeleteRobbie Robertson, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell certainly deserve to be in that hall of fame too, no questions about It!
ReplyDeleteI hope one day they will include Ron Sexsmith too, but I fear they'll induct Alanis Morrissette first!
" Neil Young's Canada "...who does that include ?
ReplyDeleteOnly like minded , or those free to question ?
A privilege and obligation passed on by many before us that allows a single voice to ask why and as a collective make real change .
For those that may not know , or care less .... Neil Young , is a lost boy .
He does not have the power of the vote in Canada or Americana , he relinquished that privilege years ago .
A bit of a rant I know , but as I get on in years and learn more .
I question those that call themselves Canadians , but don't practice the honour of being so ....
Adding to my ornery disposition was having a post on this thread deleted last night by the cult leader .
The free world Eh ?
Last night's episode of the 18 hour documentary on the Vietnam War ended with the Kent State shootings and Uncle Neil's Ohio. Was once again struck by how powerful and moving this song expressed the horror, helplessness and rage of a generation. I never see this song make the greatest NY song lists, but it should. The words, melody, arrangement and intense delivery are simply brilliant and unfortunately remain relevant(Iraq, Afghanistan, NK??)today.
ReplyDeleteSunlight makes what is for me the key point:
ReplyDeleteIt is the music, and only the music, that matters.
We cannot jugde other human realtionships or hearts and we should not try.
All the clever snarkery will pass awy. The music will stay