Neil Young Unreleased Album "Homegrown": John Hanlon Discusses on NYA

John Hanlon, Sound Recording Engineer
via JH's Notebook | Times-Contrarian | NYA

Neil Young unreleased album "Homegrown" is probably the Holy Grail of the lost albums, not least because of it's elusiveness. Ahhh, so close but no cigar.

Now along comes Sound Recording Engineer John Hanlon on JH's Notebook | Times-Contrarian | NYA with some comments on Neil Young's unreleased album "Homegrown" that appear to say "not happening anytime soon".

John Hanlon on "Homegrown"
via Times-Contrarian | NYA

Four unreleased albums from 1970's are being rebuilt and will be available in the NYA Special Release Series. Chrome Dreams, Homegrown and Oceanside-Countryside are the three unreleased studio albums. Also from this period is the unreleased Odeon-Budokan live recording produced by David Briggs and Tim Mulligan.


"Homegrown: Never Known to Fail"
Unreleased Neil Young Album
In April 2019, when answering a letter on NYA, Neil writes that: "The real 'Homegrown' album is coming out after Tuscaloosa."

Here's a comment on "So What Might We Find on The Neil Young's Online Archives?" by bigmrbee914 from December 2017:

Homegrown is by far the most coveted and therefore the most desired of all the unreleased albums.

Most are skeptical as to whether Neil will stick to the original planned album or update it to suit how he feels these days. My thoughts are that Neil is a stickler for historical accuracy. When he is ready, he will present that album as it was intended in 1975 before the playback of Tonight's The Night led to a change of mind. Regarding other material recorded during the time, expect to see those tracks appear on the timeline and file cabinet as standalone recordings. As with Archives Vol. 1, there were some tracks that were left on the cutting room floor during sessions for an album and they made it to the Archives. Just because it didn't make the cut for the album didn't mean it remained unreleased forever.

Lastly, it was sometime before we were ever able to disCERN the album's sub-title: "Never Known to Fail" down there at the bottom edge.

More on Homegrown and Other Unreleased Neil Young Albums.

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Comment of the Moment: Le Noise Sessions: Neil Young Posts New Video w/ Unseen Footage

Le Noise Sessions
via Hearse Theater | NYA

Earlier this week, a new Neil Young video from Le Noise Sessions was premiered on Hearse Theater | NYA.

And now it's gone. So onto to the next in the screening schedule in Hearse Theater on NYA.

But for those that missed this video with unseen footage, here's a recap and commentary.

With a running time of 1hr, 17min, Le Noise Sessions was produced by Daniel Lanois and filmed by CK Vollick. The newly released video contains unseen footage from Le Noise recording sessions in 2010.

via Times-Contrarian | NYA

The Le Noise Sessions features the eight songs of the album, plus four "Le Noise" outtakes. Daniel Lanois had already mentioned "You Never Call" and "For The Love of Man" in interviews in 2010. While "You Never Call" remains unreleased, "For The Love of Man" appears on "Psychedelic Pill" with Crazy Horse. Neil reveals in the video that he had already recorded "Twisted Road" and "Born In Ontario" with Daniel Lanois. These two songs did not make it to "Le Noise" and were also included in 2012 on "Psychedelic Pill".

The Comment of the Moment on Le Noise Sessions: Neil Young Posts New Video w/ Unseen Footage by the always insightful Scotsman:

Listening to these fascinating outtakes, with all the alternate songs, arrangements and production styles that were tried out, it's clear that Neil and Daniel Lanois had experimented with enough material to tell any number of different musical stories on Le Noise. So it's a mystery how they managed to conclude with something as dull as the finished album.

The main thing I notice is that they abandoned most of the best songs. So chilling, sparsely-produced gems like For The Love Of Man and You Never Call (a revelation on organ) are swapped out for Angry World.

And yes, Angry World has a great guitar tone. But For The Love Of Man is a great song. So there's no contest, really.

That's what Le Noise has a lack of: great songs. And the trademark Lanois production, as exciting as it is, does little to disguise that. Whereas the sparser-sounding outtakes, beautifully captured on film, come across wonderfully: emotional, unpretentious and moving.

Every cloud has a silver lining, of course. And by bypassing For The Love Of Man on Le Noise, it was free to become an integral part of Psychedelic Pill. Where it works brilliantly as a prologue to Walk Like A Giant. So the lesson I'm taking from that is not to decide too quickly whether something is a positive or negative. Or as Rick Danko said, "thank God for time". Though sometimes, of course, we'd all like it to go a bit slower, or sometimes a bit faster.

Anyway! The real cause for celebration is that Young and Co. are finally starting to upload some extra stuff to the website, some rare footage and outtake gems, rather than the same old stuff anyone using the website already owns already. That's what a proper Archive is, isn't it? The cobwebbed-covered stuff that was hidden away behind the mixing desk ("Where's the tape of LA Sports Arena 1991, or Cal Expo 1996, or Hollywood 2014? That's what I wanna hear. And I'll pay extra for it, too").

And it's also exactly the sort of thing the website needs to create a bit of a buzz, a bit of excitement and word-of-mouth. And in the internet age, it needs to happen often. I'll be arguing in favour of them adding more exciting stuff very soon, rather than retreating to the 90's strategy of releasing one album every 16 years.

And the fanbase needs to respond to their generosity by watching and listening, by enjoying and sharing. That's how the word spreads, and that's how the website finds a route to on-going success.

Scotsman.

Thanks so much for the Comment of the Moment Scotsman.

When we were putting this up the other day while watching and listening and multi-tasking away, we were pretty floored realizing this came out way back in 2010?! Almost 10 years ago?! Seems like the day before yesterday, practically. So here's a look back at some Le Noise memories -- which were quite fond of pleased to recall. We look forward to the return of Le Noise Sessions!


Le Noise by Neil Young
(Click to Zoom Cover)
Release Date: September 28, 2010
We first heard Neil Young's batch of new songs -- what would eventually become known as "the Le Noise tracks" -- performed live in Hanover, MA, Washington, DC and Milwaukee, WI back in May 2010.

What we saw and heard over those 3 concerts in the Spring time of 2010 was truly transformative and transcendental. Others had similar reactions while many were struck with the bleak starkness of some of the 7 new songs being debuted.

Fast forward to the September 28, 2010 release of Le Noise and listeners are just now hearing the "sonics" which Producer Daniel Lanois has introduced in the post-production process. So naturally, for those of us lucky to have experienced the raw and stripped down Le Noise tracks performed live, it is quite an exhilarating experience to re-discover so quickly the song's treatments with Lanois' studio touches.

Much, much, much has been made of this collaboration between Young and Producer Lanois. While it seems clear that the partnership works on many levels -- as evidenced not only by the results which speak for itself -- one can not help but plainly sense the apparent comfort and palpable mutual respect on display in their numerous joint interviews.

So did Neil Young found his new David Briggs? Or was Lanois now Young's "Rick Rubin" with the magic touch?

The other fascinating aspect of Le Noise was the reaction of critics who suddenly now were waxing rhapsodic in their reviews over the latest Neil Young release.


Twitter / Greg Kot
Reading some of the latest reviews, we find ourselves shaking our heads at critics (and even some "fair weather fans" too) for re-discovering Neil Young's unique charms and peculiar fondness for turning expectations on their heads. As if, lo and behold, Young has somehow re-emerged from the shadows of creativity and returned once again to form.

As if there had ever been a "form" before. (See chronology of Young's career ending moves for details.)

Our observation at this point on Le Noise is that it usually seems to take quite some time before a Neil Young album's significance emerges. Witness the recent re-appraisals of Greendale, Living With War and the much maligned Fork in the Road in the Young canon.

So we spin the black circle....



And other Neil fans?

From Isorski's Musings: CD Review - Neil Young - Le Noise:

Le Noise is a special Neil release unlike anything he has ever given us.

And as a guitar player who also loves raw tones, gritty production and 'real' playing, there is a lot to love. From the insane overdriven electric of Walk With Me to the gorgeous acoustic tone of Peaceful Valley Boulevard, Neil hits this one so far out of the park, the ball is the next county.

Neil Young and Daniel Lanois
Photo by Jeff Chiu/Associated Press
From Steve Hoffman Music Forum by Chief:

I'm listening to the full album for the first time right now.

I'd be surprised if Le Noise wasn't listed in many critics' year-end best of lists. It's that kind of album. It takes risks and sounds ugly (depending on one's perspective). I think this was the right album for Neil to make. He could have done something familiar, but he chose not to, and that's why he's still relevant.

That said, it's a challenging album simply because the sounds aren't friendly or inviting (like Harvest Moon or Ragged Glory for instance). The lack of traditional instrumentation will prevent it from gaining wide acceptance. Neil has put out other challenging albums of course. Some have ultimately rewarded over time, others haven't so much. I won't even dare to speculate where Le Noise will fall. I think Fork In The Road is challenging as well, and I also think it's really good.

Le Noise, however, is something entirely different.

From a comment on this blog by Dan:

Beyond the sonics which add richness and verve, the songs are excellent ... somehow I keep coming back to love and war which for me feels like an enduring classic ... originally I thought he'd put out a dark album to mourn the losses of LA and Ben, ... I've come around to thinking he's left that sadness off the album and instead, both on the album and in the interviews, is expressing, among other things, themes of resiliency and continuity, and within that he seems as vibrant, relevant, and fresh as he ever has. He also seems relaxed, at peace, and comfortable with himself and his scene.

Good stuff...

And how about those critics???

From Music Vice | Album review: Neil Young – Le Noise – "The anti-pop star creates his ultimate anti-pop record" by Brian Banks:

These days fewer and fewer artists seem to actually have something to say, and of those that do, not many are saying something worth hearing. Pop has never been so pop. But what do we do than when we, the all-consuming music-buying public, want to hear something tangible? Something personal.

Something that makes a statement – and no, not a fashion statement…we have plenty enough of that already. Something real. It’s a mission to find a contemporary artist whose music really has a voice and that thing called soul – there are some of course, but most of them are hiding away in obscurity and poverty, far removed from the sales charts. Leave it to the epitomist Neil Young to come along with a new album that delivers something that is both very real and very much worth listening to.

The anti-pop star has created his ultimate anti-pop record.

But wait. Who's ever heard of Music Vice and what does a blog's opinion matter anyway?

How about the elite professional music critics (as compiled by Metacritic)?


Metacritic
From Chicago Tribune:
The album is full of those kind of unexpected juxtapositions, a stunning statement from an artist who shows no signs of slowing down.

Los Angeles Times:
Le Noise is not an epic -– if it were a book, you could read it in an afternoon -– but it's statement enough from a man who's already said so much.

Rolling Stone:
Le Noise is also the most intimate and natural-sounding album Young has made in a long time: just a songwriter making his way through a vividly rendered chaos of memoir, affection and fear.

Boston Globe:
It builds a rich sonic arch around Young's voice and guitar, bottling the essence of what makes him such a compelling singer-songwriter at 64.

The Guardian:
Le Noise demands more effort than some listeners might be willing to put in, but at its best, it repays that effort pretty handsomely. In that sense at least, it pretty much sums up Neil Young's entire career.

(See Le Noise Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic for all links above. Also, see neilyoung.org - Neil Young links for more capsule reviews).


Illustration by Tim O'Brien - Rolling Stone Magazine
From Rolling Stone Music | Music Reviews by David Fricke:

But the most personal thing about Le Noise is the sense of a restless master caught in the pursuit of ideas, shaping their expression. 'Peaceful Valley Boulevard,' one of two acoustic-guitar songs, is a detailed American history lesson from Indian wars to electric cars. Yet in one line ('A mother screamed, and every soul was lost'), Young's voice cracks on the peak note — an impulsive, moving flaw.

And in 'Love and War,' Young — his creaky whisper and acoustic guitar buoyed by Lanois' watery treatments — confesses an uncertainty hard to believe in one of rock's most driven stars: 'When I sing about love and war/I don't really know what I'm saying.' But then the conviction comes back. He only has that one way forward, through the music: 'I sang in anger, hit another bad chord/But I still try to sing about love and war.' Le Noise is, ultimately, an extreme simplicity: the sound of a man who won't give up.

Producer Daniel Lanois, on making of the track "Walk With Me"
From BBC - Music - Review of Neil Young - Le Noise by Wyndham Wallace:

It’s not an easy listen, obviously, but acclimatisation to the unfamiliar, monochromatic sound of such raw electric guitar brings with it the ability to recognise that Young’s songwriting skills haven’t dulled with age. Examined as a part of his overall body of work, furthermore, it’s amongst the more fascinating left turns he’s made, and once again confirms the evergreen restlessness of this gnarly and frequently inspiring Canadian.

Once again, he’s not let us down.

And the bloggers?

From Consequence of Sound by By Evan Minsker:

In a way, Le Noise should feel like a cheap attempt to reach out to young people.

The album was promoted on Facebook, Young debuted videos on Pitchfork and Stereogum, and the record is being released as an iPad and iPhone app. It sounds like a cheap marketing ploy. Apps? Social media? Hip music sites? He’s a Twitter account away from covering all the buzzword bases. But, in reality, this is one of Young’s best albums in years, so the Internet-wide promotion is well worth the effort. With just a guitar and some fine studio work by Lanois, the soundscape here is huge and mystifying.

Not since he first recorded “Cortez the Killer” has a Young album been so full of mystique.

From PopMatters by David Gassmann :

But then comes “Hitchhiker”, and it’s incredible.

It’s as nakedly personal as anything Young has written since the Ditch Trilogy. The first several verses are straight autobiography, a laundry list of drugs, infidelities, and other transgressions. About four minutes in, it takes a turn for the surreal: “I thought I was an Aztec / Or a runner in Peru.” Young has previously said that his songs often don’t have literal meanings, so much as connotative meanings arising from words and dreamlike images. But coming after verses with such clear autobiographical content, and relying on such well-worn Young tropes as time travel and indigenous peoples, it’s hard not to see this as some sort of commentary on Young’s songwriting, perhaps as a vehicle for escape. After that verse, the song ends abruptly on a more direct and sobering note:

I tried to leave my past behind
But it’s catching up with me …
I don’t know how I’m standing here
Living in my life
I’m thankful for my children
And my faithful wife

The juxtaposition of the Incan fantasy and this conclusion seems to present an intriguing dilemma: disappear into art and fiction (and drugs), or take a chance on real-world redemption, which carries with it the inescapable fact of past mistakes? “Hitchhiker” also casts some previous songs in a new light, perhaps revealing the source of some of the frustration in “Angry World”, and amplifying the reflective tone of “Love and War”. In short, it’s exactly the sort of song you’d hope to hear from an elder statesman of rock and roll: mature, with wisdom and perspective, but still vital and rebellious.

Producer Daniel Lanois
Photo by Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
And of course not all are impressed by Young's latest.

From The A.V. Club by Steven Hyden:

Neil Young’s bulletproof status as the other ’60s rock icon you can still depend on—take a bow, Bob Dylan—has become increasingly reliant on albums boasting catchier concepts than songwriting. It’s easy to praise Young for getting fired up about the environment (Greendale), the war in Iraq (Living With War), and electric cars (Fork In The Road), but when it comes to songs, he’s been penning iffy lyrics and recycling the same by-the-numbers guitar-rumble for years. Young’s cultural engagement makes him impervious to charges of coasting, but with Le Noise, he’s once again made an album that sounds better on paper than through speakers.

But to wrap things up quietly on Le Noise (incidentally the albums name is a pun on the producer's last name which we'd be re-miss to point out since every review does as well), from Culture Belly by Chris DeLine:

Young, yourself, all of us: who knows how long any of us are meant for this world?

In all honesty, we’re all just a fluke aneurysm away from calling it a day. I can’t speak for the man, but I imagine that Neil Young doesn’t want to die—I know that I most certainly don’t want to die—and it’s my hope that you don’t want to die. And if there’s one thing that I know I can rely on while I’m still on this side of the grave it’s the perspective I gained in part from “Ordinary People”. This is why I think the song is important when thinking about Le Noise: Even if you’re riding a series of thoughts and emotions that touch on the darkest parts of the human experience, you have to do your damnedest to keep that positive outlook and sense of humanity in mind, and remind yourself of what exactly it is you’re still thankful for.

Like Young, if you have children and a wife, I hope you’re thankful for them. If you have a husband, I hope you’re thankful for him. If you have parents or friends or siblings or an annoying little bijon shih tzu that refuses to stop barking at all hours of the morning: I hope you’re thankful for each and every one of ‘em. That’s what I’m taking away from Le Noise.

Neil Young and Producer Daniel Lanois with Le Noise crew
More on Neil Young's New Album 'Le Noise'. Also, see:

- Critics Go GaGa Over New Neil Young Album Le Noise
- Comment of the Moment: Le Noise
- "Walk With Me": New Video by Neil Young
- Neil Young's Le Noise "Weaving sonic tapestries"
- CBC Interview With Neil Young and Daniel Lanois
- Vinyl Review of Le Noise: TONEAudio MAGAZINE
- NEW LE NOISE VIDEO: Neil Young's "Love And War" on YouTube
-Le Noise: "It's a keeper" Tweets Critic Greg Kot
-Neil Young and Daniel Lanois click on 'Le Noise' - latimes.com
-NEW LE NOISE VIDEO: "Hitchhiker"
-Comment of the Moment: Le Noise's "Sonics"
-Neil Young Interview on Le Noise: "It sounded like God"
- Producer Daniel Lanois Discusses Making of "Walk With Me" + UNCUT Review (UPDATED)
- Video of Neil Young's "Angry World" from Le Noise
- Neil Young's Le Noise: "Just a man on a stool"
- "Imagination never sleeps": Neil Young's Le Noise
- NPR Previews Neil Young's Le Noise's "Walk With Me"
- Dead Man Soundtrack: Preview of Le Noise?
- Anticipating Neil Young's album Le Noise
-Stream Neil Young's Entire Album Le Noise on NPR

Also, see all of Neil Young's Solo Electric Concert Tour Dates and Reviews.

And, FWIW, Le Noise by Neil Young is ranked at #3 #2 on Amazon.com Bestseller listing.

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Neil Young Archives: HEARSE THEATER SCHEDULE

HEARSE THEATER SCHEDULE
via Times-Contrarian | NYA

Neil Young has now posted the HEARSE THEATER SCHEDULE on via Times-Contrarian | NYA:

AUG 22 Thursday - LE NOISE SESSIONS
AUG 23 Friday - Like A Hurricane (a force of nature) Nyon, 7/23/13 (See Neil Young Archives (NYA) 1st Movie Night: "Hurricane" From Alchemy 2012 Crazy Horse Tour (UPDATED))
AUG 24 Saturday - BOOTLEG BOOTLEG (Neil Young goes to a record store)
AUG 25 Sunday - BIG ISLAND TRANSMISSION
AUG 26 Monday - OHIO at the Music Hall
AUG 27 Tuesday - MUDDY TRACK movie
AUG 28 Wednesday - RUST NEVER SLEEPS Movie
AUG 29 Thursday - DEADMAN SESSION
AUG 30 Friday - JUST SINGIN’ A SONG (won’t save the world)
AUG 31 Saturday - BIRDS at Fillmore East
SEP 01 Sunday - REASON TO BELIEVE - A Letter Home
SEP 02 Monday - HORSEBACK
SEP 03 Tuesday - TONIGHT”S THE NIGHT - Live, from WELD
SEP 04 Wednesday - LONDON Part 1

"Like A Hurricane" - Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Paleo Festival, Nyon, Switzerland - July 23, 2013 (REVIEWS)

Also, see REVIEWS: Paleo Festival, Nyon, Switzerland - July 23, 2013 and Neil Young Archives (NYA) 1st Movie Night: "Hurricane" From Alchemy 2012 Crazy Horse Tour (UPDATED).

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A MESSAGE TO SONGWRITERS - PROJECT AMPLIFY: The Song For The Children

A MESSAGE TO SONGWRITERS - PROJECT AMPLIFY: The Song
via Times-Contrarian | NYA

Neil Young has posted on Times-Contrarian | NYA "A MESSAGE TO SONGWRITERS - PROJECT AMPLIFY: The Song, along with the lyrics to his song "I Am A Child".

The ask:

A unique song to amplify the voices of the children that utilizes their accounts from their detention in the United States by the Federal Government through Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol.

We believe that music is universal and the best manner in which these accounts can be shared and heard throughout the world. We also believe that the songs will keep the accounts and atrocities being perpetrated against these children in the minds of the public and will be a call to take action. This can further prevent the harm and trauma that has been caused to children and their families. It is safety and a home that people are seeking for themselves and for their children. It is illegal what the US is doing to these children and their families and there is no end in sight.

Project Amplify is a 501c3 registered in the state of Washington and is fiscally sponsored by the non- profit, Lawyer Moms of America.

For further information, please contact: Mary Ellen Carroll and Warren Binford
amplifythechildren@gmail.com
www.amplifythechildren.org

While we here at Thrashser's Wheat aren't songwriters per se, we'll post the song lyrics of "Children of Destiny" by Neil Young.

"Children of Destiny" by Neil Young
via NYA

Official Music Video by Neil Young + Promise of the Real of "Children of Destiny"

Also, see "Children of Destiny": Some Commentary on Neil Young's 2017 Song. i am a child ... you are a child ... we are all children of destiny ...

be the wheat, field.

Mountain View, California - October 24, 2015
Photo by Hounds That Howell - TWR Tour Manager

But really, the bottom line -- and The Really Big Secret (shhh) -- is that it's all about The Kids ... The Bridge Kids. Seriously.

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Le Noise Sessions: Neil Young Posts New Video w/ Unseen Footage + AOTW: TTN

Le Noise Sessions
via Hearse Theater | NYA

A new Neil Young video from Le Noise Sessions has been posted to via Hearse Theater | NYA.

With a running time of 1hr, 17min, Le Noise Sessions was produced by Daniel Lanois and filmed by CK Vollick. The newly released video contains unseen footage from Le Noise recording sessions in 2010.

via Times-Contrarian | NYA

The Le Noise Sessions features the eight songs of the album, plus four "Le Noise" outtakes. Daniel Lanois had already mentioned "You Never Call" and "For The Love of Man" in interviews in 2010. While "You Never Call" remains unreleased, "For The Love of Man" appears on "Psychedelic Pill" with Crazy Horse. Neil reveals in the video that he had already recorded "Twisted Road" and "Born In Ontario" with Daniel Lanois. These two songs did not make it to "Le Noise" and were also included in 2012 on "Psychedelic Pill".

Album Of The Week: Tonight's The Night | NYA

In other Neil news, ‘Tonight’s the Night’ is the current album of the week. There is a 12-minute ‘Tonight’s the Night’ video, as well. The 12-minute ‘Tonight’s the Night’ video contains footage from the album completion party and consists mainly of Neil and friends shooting pool.

Rick Danko and Neil Young - 1975

1975's ‘Tonight’s The Night’ is the NYA album of the week! Feel it in Xstream hi-res all week free

“Why we made it and I wrote those songs was all a mistake. It wont be repeated again. Some say its the best thing we ever did.”ny

Taking care of the music: https://t.co/GNF3CuVDI9 pic.twitter.com/zpFPqm0O88

— Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA) August 21, 2019

Neil Young Racks Up - 1975

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META ANALYSIS: NYA on NYT on "Neil Young’s Lonely Quest to Save Music" on TW

Neil Young’s Lonely Quest to Save Music | NYT

A rather major article "Neil Young’s Lonely Quest to Save Music" by David Samuels in New York Times has been republished with commentary by Neil Young himself on his website Times-Contrarian | NYA. (NYA on NYT on TW ... it's all just so meta.)

As we just published earlier today on his upcoming book To Feel the Music: A Songwriter's Mission to Save High-Quality Audio by Neil Young and Phil Baker, he's been on this audio movement since practically Day #1, so for many there's not too really to say here that hasn't said many, many times already.

But what makes this interview unique is how Neil provides comments directly in the article to make corrections, clarifications and praise where justified. For example, after being quoted on a mini rant against Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Neil doubles down by declaring that Facebook "is not that great for humanity."

Facebook "is not that great for humanity."
via Times-Contrarian | NYA

As regular readers know, we too here at TW have had our issues with Facebook. Or, as we've asked before: Mark Zuckerberg - Liar? Idiot? Or Both?

The interview with Samuels seems to have taken place over a considerable period of time before eventual publication, so Neil provides context here and there. Eventually, the reporter and artist meet in the middle over the subject of children with learning disabilities and the power of music. This is where many will find most interest so we encourage you to check Neil's version with commentary.

And then there are careful observations in Samuels' interview -- such as the following passage -- which Neil lets go un-commented.

Incidentally, the NYT article on NYA runs alongside a Neil Young editorial: A MESSAGE FROM NEIL: What this Newspaper Does for Me. In the editorial, Neil expounds about how the Times-Contrarian Letters to the Editor allows him to answer fan questions directly. "That works for me much better than a blog or chat area. I am not comfortable there with the bots and supposed friends, enemies.

via A MESSAGE FROM NEIL: What this Newspaper Does for Me

And -- of course, naturally -- we're thrilled that Neil has found that comfort zone here on the wild west internet.

As for us? Our plan is to continue forward and to "keep on bloggin' until the power goes out and our battery's dead". Thanks to all of you who support what we do here at Thrasher's Wheat. We couldn't do it without you.

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BOOK SIGNING: To Feel the Music by Neil Young and Phil Baker - Chicago, Sept 22

"To Feel the Music"
by Neil Young and Phil Baker
Release Date: September 9, 2019 (Pre-order it here. Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking this link. Thank you!!!)

As noted earlier in April, an upcoming book titled "To Feel the Music" by Neil Young and Phil Baker is set for release on September 9, 2019.

A book signing event will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2019 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at City Lit Books, 2523 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, IL 60647. Further details here.

Phil Baker coauthored with Neil Young the story of Neil’s quixoticly quirky quest to deliver high-quality audio. From an early announcement to the industry from the publisher, BenBella Books (thanks rustie Robert S. & HtH!):

Neil’s efforts to bring quality audio to his fans garnered media attention when his Kickstarter campaign for his Pono player—a revolutionary music player that would combine the highest quality possible with the portability, simplicity and affordability modern listeners crave—became the third-most successful Kickstarter campaign in the website’s history. It had raised more than $6M in pledges in 40 days. Encouraged by the enthusiastic response, Neil still had a long road ahead, and his Pono music player would not have the commercial success he’d imagined. But he remained committed to his mission, and faced with the rise of streaming services that used even lower quality audio, he was determined to rise to the challenge.

But this is also a business story of what’s involved in starting a company from scratch as well as developing, manufacturing and marketing the product. It takes the reader through the ups and downs and difficulties in turning an idea into a reality. Reminiscent of the classic “Soul of a New Machine,” the book explains the formation and workings of a small team of engineers trying to build a product to literally save music.

An eye-opening read for all fans of Neil Young, fans of great music, as well as readers interesting in going behind the scenes of a startup company and the product development process, To Feel the Music has an inspiring story at its heart: One determined artist with a groundbreaking vision and the absolute refusal to give up, despite setbacks, naysayers, and skeptics.

More details on "To Feel the Music" by Neil Young and Phil Baker (Release Date: September 9, 2019) and to pre-order here. (Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking this link. Thank you!!!)

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A MESSAGE FROM NEIL YOUNG - COLORADO: "new album.. new movie.. new video..:" | NYA

A MESSAGE FROM NEIL: "new album.. new movie.. new video.."

In a message from Neil Young posted on A MESSAGE FROM NEIL: "new album.. new movie.. new video..".

Last month, Neil Young held a playback of the upcoming album with Crazy Horse titled COLORADO and the first track titled “Rainbow Of Colors” will be released in September. The album COLORADO will have "10 new songs ranging from around 3 minutes to over 13 minutes."

"10 new songs ranging from around 3 minutes to over 13 minutes" | NYA

Also, Neil announces ‘Mountaintop Sessions’, a documentary film about the making of COLORADO, which will be released in over 100 theaters world-wide the week the album COLORADO debuts, in October. And in other announcements, ‘Tonight’s the Night’ will be the album of the week. There will also be a 12-minute ‘Tonight’s the Night’ video.

12-minute ‘Tonight’s the Night’ video | NYA

Neil Young posted an image of Side #1 of the upcoming album with Crazy Horse titled COLORADO, on Times-Contrarian | NYA.

COLORADO Side #1 - New Neil Young & Crazy Horse
via Times-Contrarian | NYA

The 2 tracks listed on Side #1:

1. "Think of Me" - 3:02
2. "She Showed Me Love" - 13:36

More on Neil Young & Crazy Horse recording the album COLORADO.

NYCH
Billy, Neil, Nils, & Ralph - April 2019
via Neil Young Archives | Times Contrarian
photo: dhlovelife

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