Inherent Vice Soundtrack: Neil Young's "Journey Through The Past"

Neil Young - Larry “Doc” Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix)
Inherent Vice directed by Paul Thomas Anderson

Neil Young's song "Journey Through The Past" is featured on the soundtrack for Inherent Vice directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

From "Does It Ever End? - The Sweet Heartbreak of Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice" |
Bright Wall/Dark Room by Travis Woods:

Upon its release in 2014, Paul Thomas Anderson’s adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s neo-noir novel Inherent Vice was met with what might be best described as muted appreciation from the director’s fanbase—with an unruly runtime that stretches past long works like The Master and Phantom Thread and comes within contact-high reach of such epics as Boogie Nights and There Will Be Blood, Inherent Vice, for all its temporal breadth, seemed to say very little with its sybaritic unfurling of Pynchon’s fractal-plotted, shaggy-dog detective story, and when it did say something at all it tended to be in a wistfully depressed mumble rather than amusing stoner giggle, leaving audiences confounded as to what they just watched, and why.

At the exact moment of the film’s halfway point, she reappears in memory—Doc receives a postcard from Shasta at sea, with her sorrowful message of remembrance, of a day with a Ouija Board. “I miss those days. And I miss you. Nothing was supposed to happen this way, Doc. I’m so sorry.” Doc’s memory of that day with the board is perhaps the film’s—and Paul Thomas Anderson’s—most heartrending moment, its central moment, soaked in the sweet melancholy of Neil Young’s “Journey Through the Past” as a younger Doc and Shasta run through rain, searching for a weed connection teased by the Ouija Board. They never found the connection that day, but “that board sure did its work,” drawing he and Shasta close for one perfect afternoon, one perfect memory, kissing and laughing in the rain. The pain of this memory forces Doc to return to that spot where the board sent them, only to find the gilded, spiraling tower of the Golden Fang’s new dental headquarters. Was the postcard a secret message from Shasta, coded in lovetalk, to help him locate and bring down the Fang? Was it simply a note of lovesick regret, and his flash to return to the scene simply a moment of coincidental luck? Is the appearance of the Fang’s headquarters here, where they kissed, some brutal metaphor for time sweeping away their love? Or, like Sortilège, was the postcard quite possibly a hallucination sent forth from some blood-kinked, cell-deprived fold of Doc’s overtaxed cerebellum? What’s real, and what is simple hope? What is a real memory, and what is the fictional story we tell ourselves to survive it?

"We really stole his look from Neil Young circa 1970, with the mutton chops. Some of the wardrobes on Doc are a straight rip of him. I don’t think you can make a movie about this period and this culture without looking directly at him."

-Paul Thomas Anderson pic.twitter.com/jCKaiM0njV

— Bright Wall/Dark Room (@BWDR) April 27, 2019

New today on the site: @aHeartOfGould on INHERENT VICE, "a film that tricks us into settling in for a noir about a man solving a mystery, & instead presents us with a man confronting a melancholy truth: everything—lives, eras, and loves—comes to an end." https://t.co/3PlKAVlnhn pic.twitter.com/875v0vpp4Z

— Bright Wall/Dark Room (@BWDR) April 26, 2019

"We really stole his look from Neil Young circa 1970, with the mutton chops. Some of the wardrobes on Doc are a straight rip of him. I don’t think you can make a movie about this period and this culture without looking directly at him." -Paul Thomas Anderson

"Doc’s memory of that day is perhaps the film’s—and Paul Thomas Anderson’s—most heartrending moment, its central moment, soaked in the sweet melancholy of Neil Young’s “Journey Through the Past” as a younger Doc & Shasta run through the rain..." https://t.co/qRFcSI8iDl

— Bright Wall/Dark Room (@BWDR) April 27, 2019

"When the winter rains coming pouring down"

pic.twitter.com/hRzi8VJVT9

— Bright Wall/Dark Room (@BWDR) April 26, 2019

Inherent Vice Soundtrack
(Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking this link. Thank you!!!)

More on Neil Young's "Journey Through The Past".

Journey Through the Past - Film Poster

---

---

PREVIEW TRACK: "Don't Be Denied" by Neil Young + Stray Gators - Upcoming Album 'Tuscaloosa" (Official Audio)

Neil Young + Stray Gators "Don't Be Denied" from the upcoming album 'Tuscaloosa". Release date: June 7th.

As noted previously, the next release will be "TUSCALOOSA: Live Album - Neil Young & The Stray Gators". On March 30, Neil responds to a question that "Tuscaloosa is an album that will be as close to TFA [Time Fades Away] as I will get." Answering another letter, Neil writes that: "The real 'Homegrown' album is coming out after Tuscaloosa."

Tuscaloosa Tracklist

Here We Are In The Years (3:56)
After The Gold Rush (4:42)
Out On The Weekend (5:29)
Harvest (4:14)
Old Man (4:17)
Heart Of Gold (3:48)
Time Fades Away (6:10)
Lookout Joe (4:59)
New Mama (3:01)
Alabama (3:50)
Don’t Be Denied (8:09)

The next chapter of Neil Young’s ongoing archival series will spotlight the ‘Tuscaloosa’ 1973 live album https://t.co/6pRBiob5Tk pic.twitter.com/QRAwwOXd1g

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) April 26, 2019

From Neil Young interview in Rolling Stone:

It’s [a concert] from the period right around Harvest and Tonight’s the Night.

For me, it’s edgy.

It’s like those mellow songs with an edge. It’s really trippy to be down in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and singing those songs from Harvest and the songs that we were doing for Time Fades Away before it came out.

I found this thing and it had such a great attitude to it. I just loved the whole night, so I put that together with [engineer] John Hanlon. That will be our next album. Then we’ll do the other one and the other ones after that. There’s just so many that I keep changing my mind all the time.

It’s good.

It’s good to be able to change your mind.

A rare live recording from @NeilYoung’s vaults https://t.co/cPKJAmthmO

— Pitchfork (@pitchfork) April 26, 2019

TUSCALOOSA: Live Album - Neil Young & The Stray Gators
TUSCALOOSA - John Hanlon 3-12-19 | NYA

Last year, John Hanlon posted on NYA a teaser on the revelation of the Tuscaloosa tapes -- an "under the radar monster".

Now, Hanlon confirms that the next release will be TUSCALOOSA: Live Album - Neil Young & The Stray Gators on TUSCALOOSA - John Hanlon 3-12-19 | NYA:

Dear readers,

Regarding the upcoming TUSCALOOSA live album from the February 5, 1973 concert in Alabama; mastering for vinyl and hi-res is now underway at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood.

I mixed the album in Studio 2 at East West in Hollywood over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays from analog 16 track 2” masters to ¼” 30ips tape, sending my mixes daily to Neil in Colorado to listen to. Then Neil would send his comments to me live as he listened. Suggested changes made, I then assembled the final mixes for three master album reels for three sides of vinyl, based on sequencing done previously with Neil in the digital realm. During the sequencing, two songs, “ON THE WAY HOME” AND “THE LONER” were dropped. ‘On the way Home’ has already appeared on many live records. ‘The Loner’ was out of tune.

It was analog to analog all the way around for TUSCALOOSA, the next upcoming live record by Neil and the Stray Gators, (unless something else happens to change that). The 192/24 master for NYA will be generated from the analog mastering, directly from the master tapes through Grundman Mastering’s great console.

Happy listening, John Hanlon

Also, see In Memory of The Stray Gators: Gone But Not Forgotten.

The Stray Gators, 1971
Tim Drummond, Jack Nitzsche, Neil Young, Kenny Buttrey, and Ben Keith
Broken Arrow Ranch, September 1971
Photo by JOEL BERNSTEIN
(Click photo to enlarge)
The Stray Gators band: Ben Keith on pedal steel and vocals, Jack Nitzsche on keyboards, Tim Drummond on bass and drummer Kenny Buttrey.

Speaking of Alabama, the last time Neil Young was in Tuscaloosa, it wasn't maybe the best of nights judging from some of the reviews of the concert. See Tuscaloosa, AL Reviews – Neil Young & Crazy Horse Concert, Oct. 25, 2012, but use disCERNment -- as always.

---

---

8 New Songs Recorded With Crazy Horse Says Neil Young

NYCH
Billy, Neil, Nils, & Ralph
via Neil Young Archives | Twitter

Neil Young is in the studio with Crazy Horse recording an album, as noted earlier this week.

The band jammed on April 20 under a full moon while recording high up in the Rocky Mountains. And the sessions appear to be very fruitful thus far with Neil reporting that as of 04-22-19 "8 songs now recorded".

Letter to Editor | Neil Young Archives

Earlier this month, on Letters to the Editor section | Neil Young Archives, Neil wrote that "Crazy Horse is about to enter the studio with 11 new ones." So 8 down and 3 to go?!

Neil Young also indicates that a tour is in the works.

The studio sessions mark the first new album with Crazy Horse in 7 years since the release of Psychedelic Pill. As previously noted, Nils Lofgren has joined the sessions with Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot. Frank "Poncho" Sampedro, has stated that he is "retired" per a recent interview with Uncut Magazine.

---

---

PHOTO OF THE MOMENT: CSNY - Norfolk, Virginia, August 17, 1974

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The "Virginia Is For Lovers" Concert
Foreman Field @ Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia - August 17, 1974
(Click photo to enlarge)

The Photo of the Moment is Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at the "Virginia Is For Lovers" concert at Foreman Field on the Old Dominion University campus in Norfolk, Virginia on August 17, 1974.

The editor of this blog attended this CSNY concert. It was the future thrasher's very first concert as a young teenager. To say the day left an impression would be an understatement of nearly biblical proportions.  

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Foreman Field @ Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia - August 17, 1974 

(via Sugar Mountain)

It was - for many that day -- "our Woodstock".  An "our Woodstock" because we were either too young for Woodstock 1969.  Or too far away.  Or too out of the loop. Or not too far gone enough yet.

Since that day, we've changed right along with everyone else. Eventually our musical focus would turn to the 4th member of CSNY -- Neil Young.

Our very first album purchase was 4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. (Actually, we think it was a cassette tape since we didn't own a full stereo system just yet.)

4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
[Record Store Day Expanded Edition] (3 X LP, 180 gram)

4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is their second album (as CSNY – or third as CSN) and first live album.

4 Way Street features live recordings from their 1970 US tour, including legendary shows recorded at the Fillmore East (New York), The Forum (LA) and the Auditorium Theatre (Chicago).

Neil Young expresses warm memories of CSNY on his personal comments on Album Of The Week -- via Neil Young Archives -- posted last week.

Album Of The Week
via Neil Young Archives

4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is ranked in Best Live Rock Recordings (1969-79): Four Way Street.

Critic C. Michael Bailey writes: "Exceptional live recordings also feature performances so impassioned and so urgently propelled that the listener fears they may spin out of control at any moment. Examples can be found on any Neil Young live recording, but specifically on Live Rust's “Like a Hurricane”."

The review for Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young: Four Way Street has a nice background behind the recording.

Fillmore East, New York City - May 1970
Tickets for Crosby Stills Nash & Young concerts
6 Night Sold Out Run (June 2 - 7, 1970)

Also, see REVIEW: 4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young | Albums In Order Review Series by Mike "Expecting 2 Fly".

4 Way Street by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Wembley Stadium, London, 1974-09-14
Photo by smartsetpix | Flickr
(click photo to enlarge)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup by David Browne
(Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking link above. Thank you!!!)

More on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup by David Browne.

CSN&Y - Concord, CA, July 25, 2006

Photo by Tim Mosenfelder

Also, more on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and "Freedom of Speech 2006 concert tour:

• BOOK EXCERPT: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup by David Browne
• BOOK REVIEW: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young by David Browne | Washington Post
• Freedom of Speech: CSNY 2006 Concert Tour - Neil Young
• Reflections on Freedom of Speech Tour
• Documentary Film of CSNY Freedom of Speech Tour
• CSNY'S 1974 REUNION: A Show of Strength

More on Stephen Stills, David Crosby, and Graham Nash.

---

---

FIRST LOOK: Neil Young In Studio w/ Crazy Horse (Full Moon Session)

Neil Young In Studio w/ Crazy Horse
(Full Moon Session)
via Rusted Moon

Neil Young has posted short video sequences of the sessions for the new album with "Crazy Horse" on Instagram (see snapshots above via Rusted Moon).

The snippets show the band jamming on April 20 at full moon in a recording studio high in the Rocky Mountains.

#HAPPYEARTHDAY 🌍 LOVE 💚 - NYCH#EarthDay #NeilYoung #NeilYoungArchives #NYA #Crazyhorse pic.twitter.com/aTGUTcIAg9

— Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA) April 23, 2019

CRAZY HORSE IN STUDIO!
via Neil Young Archives

Last month, Neil Young confirmed that more Crazy Horse concerts were to be scheduled, as well as, a new Crazy Horse album was in the works.

Then, earlier this month, on Letters to the Editor section | Neil Young Archives, Neil writes that "Crazy Horse is about to enter the studio with 11 new ones."

NEW CRAZY HORSE
via Neil Young Archives

So it looks like the first new album with Crazy Horse in 7 years since the release of Psychedelic Pill. Nils Lofgren will join the sessions. Neil writes on NYA: "Nils, seen in shadow on the image above, will be with Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot and I, making our new CRAZY HORSE music high in the Rockies."

Frank "Poncho" Sampedro, has stated that he is "retired" per a recent interview with Uncut Magazine.

---

---

BOOK REVIEW: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young by David Browne | Washington Post

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup
by David Browne
(Please shop locally & independently.
But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking link above.
Thank you!!!)

A new book titled Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup by David Browne has just been published. (See book excerpt.)

From Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young | "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were completely dysfunctional. And so successful." | Washington Post review by David Kirby:

Imagine a production of “Hamlet” with three Hamlets. Or four or two: No one is certain who will show up when, not even the actors themselves. Now move the action from a castle in Denmark to a recording studio in Los Angeles, and instead of fratricide and revenge, let king-size egos drive the drama, boosted by a mountain of cocaine and an ocean of alcohol. Give each Hamlet a dozen Ophelias, even a wife or two from time to time, and encourage swapping.

Now you have a sense of what it was like to witness the rise, fall, resurrection and multi-car pileup that was Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, the folk-rock supergroup that shaped and were shaped by 1960s and ’70s counterculture while propelling millions of music lovers to near-orgasmic levels of joy, and almost killing themselves (and each other) along the way. David Browne’s “Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup” is for music lovers, but it should also be required reading for students of group dynamics. Bands implode all the time, but it’s rare for one to operate so dysfunctionally over five decades while also spawning so many imitators, influencing so many musicians and producing so much memorable music, including such hits as “Teach Your Children” and “Ohio.” Veteran journalist Browne is a senior reporter at Rolling Stone and has written books on the Grateful Dead and the Beatles, among others. It’s clear that he is a huge fan of these guys, which means that he likes them a lot more than they liked each other.

Full review @ Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young by David Browne | "Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were completely dysfunctional. And so successful." | Washington Post review by David Kirby. (Over 265+ Comments?!)

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
The "Virginia Is For Lovers" Concert
Foreman Field @ Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia - August 27, 1974

(Incidentally, the photo above. Click to enlarge. The editor of this blog attended this CSNY concert. It was the future thrasher's very first concert at a tender young age. To say the day left an impression would be an understatement of biblical proportions.)

More on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup by David Browne.

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup by David Browne
(Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking link above. Thank you!!!)

CSN&Y - Concord, CA, July 25, 2006

Photo by Tim Mosenfelder

Also, more on Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and "Freedom of Speech 2006 concert tour:

• BOOK EXCERPT: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Wild, Definitive Saga of Rock’s Greatest Supergroup by David Browne
• Freedom of Speech: CSNY 2006 Concert Tour - Neil Young
• Reflections on Freedom of Speech Tour
• Documentary Film of CSNY Freedom of Speech Tour

---

---

---