CONCERT REVIEW: Neil Young Stuns Furloughed Fed on Opening Night of 2019 Mini Solo Tour

"We had a great time in Milwaukee. Played some songs for the folks! It’s always great to get the first one behind you. What a crowd! - a real NYA experience."
Thank You Milwaukee! | NYA

Here's a review we received from our buddy John Kwit, North American Reporter for 4WaySite: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Archives on
Neil Young's Solo "Big 3M Theater Tour" at Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 23.

Thanks John.
enjoy!

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Neil Young Stuns Furloughed Fed on Opening Night of 2019 Mini Solo Tour

Do you know how cold it is to stand outside next to an idling tour bus for 4 hours on a frigid Wisconsin afternoon in the hopes of directly asking Neil Young to humbly consider an in-person interview with a reporter not representing Rolling Stone magazine or The New York Times?

Do you know what it’s like to sit with your head against the wall in the very back row of the beautiful Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a furloughed, unpaid Federal employee wondering why I spent money a few months ago on a Neil Young Archives subscription & opening night solo tour ticket when bills are now sitting unpaid?

Have you ever felt like leaving a Neil Young concert early, or in my case, right after I took my seat, when you see the stage layout is the same as you’ve seen so many times before (2 baby grand pianos, an uptight piano, a pipe organ, a banjo, 1 electric guitar & a ring of acoustics)? I swear if he opened with From Hank to Hendrix I would have immediately gotten out of my seat, driven an hour and a half home and went to bed without batting an eyelash.

Luckily, a surprise opening acoustic guitarist, Benjamin Booker, got my undivided attention. Hopefully news of his smooth vocals and simple yet dexterous picking will spread.

And Neil? Oh yes he didn’t open with From Hank to Hendrix. In fact I’m oh so glad I stayed for the entire evening. If my poor memory is correct, most of the 18 or 19 songs he played were not repeats from the time I saw him solo at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre just a short time ago. I’ll let the data analysts fill in the set list, instrument used, running time, etc. One of his obscure yet fascinating songs that I got to hear live for the first time shares your name. (No, it’s not Dolf’s Wheat.)

What I will share without spoiling the surprise for anyone attending the Madison or Minneapolis gigs is that the vast majority of the set was Neil on acoustic guitar, in fine voice, with or without harmonica. The only people I felt sorry for were the roadies who loaded the pump organ & upright piano on & off the stage without seeing a note of use.

In summary: A great night for a furloughed Fed & everyone else in attendance. Highly, highly recommended viewing.

Regards,
John Kwit
North American Reporter
4WaySite: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Archives

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Thanks again so much for sending John!

We have many fond memories of meeting up in Chicago last summer. So glad the night worked out. We were kind of worried about where your review was going?!

Great that you got that Dolf’s Wheat song!!! One of our favorites of all time. ;) Now back to work!

Check out more of John Kwit writings as the North American Reporter on 4WaySite: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Archives.

Also, more on Neil Young's Solo "Big 3M Theater Tour" at Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 23.

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