Comment of the Moment: Neil Young's Fireside Sessions #2 | NYA

"Four Strong Winds"
via Neil Young's Fireside Sessions #2 | Neil Young Archives (Thanks HtH!)

Neil Young's "Fireside Sessions #2" continues to play in Hearse Theater | Neil Young Archives.

The 28 minute setlist:
1. Four Strong Winds
2. Angel Baby (unfinished)
3. Birds
4. On The Beach (unfinished)
5. Homefires
6. Words
7. Love And Only Love

via Rusted Moon (Thanks Ralf!)

Fireside Sessions
Is back for more
Come hang out
Free to all
during these times
☮️💜🎶

Now showing at the Hearse Theater
On https://t.co/CEtFyVUj9b or on our mobile app pic.twitter.com/jH18W1Mls3

— Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA) March 26, 2020

Here is the Comment of the Moment on NOW PLAYING: Neil Young's Fireside Sessions #2 | NYA by Scotsman:

Bob Dylan casually reminding us all why we care today by generously releasing a very interesting 17-minute track called "Murder Most Foul". It feels like something he's really gone to town with and, on first listen, sort of comes over like a cross between a documentary, a speech and a music playlist set to instrumentation. As with everything he comes up with, it is most certainly worth a listen.

Onto Mr Young.

I'll start with one of my usual cantankerous observations (read to the end before getting upset).

The record-breaking viewing numbers of the Fireside Sessions counts for very little: in fact, you can put a video on YouTube called "THE ULTIMATE FAILS COMPILATION" and fairly straightforwardly get over two hundred million views (yes, this video exists: no, I didn't create it).

Grabbing people's attention for a moment was much harder to do before we all had smart phones.

We live in a world so saturated that the number of choices of how to spend our time (and the sheer number of people) are so numerous that they might as well be unlimited.

And in these conditions, the popular thing isn't always the right one. At the end of all this, McDonald's will still be more popular than that small organic vegan place down the road: the one run by people who care about the environment, about animal welfare, and about you. And you will still have to choose where and what to eat.

And all it takes is an invisible killer, mutated from a bat (though next time it will just as likely be from a factory-farmed animal in the USA, China or Europe) to start effortlessly tearing down the mass-driven and tightly-knitted world that has been built over the last few decades.

Because even in the best-case scenario, the indirect damage of COVID-19 has already been done. Those who come out of this situation still in search of growth and ever-bigger numbers and expansion have probably missed one of the disciplinary points that the world is now harshly inflicting on us.

Neil's old friend John Tyson is probably in this latter category, but the damage his factory farms are doing to the environment and animals could justifiably be described as mass-market criminality. Was this ever the Tyson family's intention? I assume not. Most people aren't evil. But the more huge a system becomes, the more dangerous it becomes. And the more effortless it becomes to sacrifice basic values.

And again, all it takes is something small, something so small that we cannot even see it, to start tearing it all down. Whether that something is a malicious virus deadly to us all, or a single activist handing out flyers on the street.

Focus on the small, zoom in, and you will start to spot where the real influence is now developing.

And sadly, it's only in these times of world-wide crisis that we start to wake up, to really feel alive and appreciate what we have. Even the water we drink and the air we breathe seems to have more flavour; everything is sharper, the music is clearer and more alive.

The most expensive media player in the world can not buy you that sort of humble richness and appreciation. A "house of love", as touchingly brought to life in Neil's song Eternity, is only fully appreciated when it comes under threat, or when you don't have one. And both situations are exhausting and anxiety-inducing.

And it's in these uncertain and anxiety-inducing times that we also start to see who really cares.

My last lengthy comment on Thrasher's blog of 2019 was one about artistic generosity, how it is needed more than ever. And what makes Neil's Fireside Sessions so genuinely special is the sensation of an artist really caring, of generously sharing something with us. Something for us, not just for him.

If this were something simply designed to make the stats go up, to exclusively make money or to promote a self-absorbed agenda, then the value would be entirely lost. In a mass-market world, the precious thing is the caring small details that are getting lost.

The focus, the intensity and quality, the effort (just the right amount and in the right place), the attention to detail. The willingness to open up. The caring.

These Fireside Sessions are a small thing, but they are also a precious thing. And I guarantee you right now that the Weld Series will also be a special thing, at the other end of the musical scale. I hope he goes through with it, because the sheer passion and regimented intensity of those shows is going to delight many of you. Return To Greendale is also something you should be excited about. There is a lot to look forward to, and much to appreciate right now, as well.

If you enjoyed any of these recent films by Neil, share the link with a friend who might also like them. This might be particularly appreciated if they are stuck at home with their Sister-In-Law who they normally only have to tolerate on Boxing Day. And feel free to share this comment, as well.

Take care everyone, please.

Scotsman.

As usual Mr Scotsman, thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts on 2 of our 3 favorite subjects: Bob & Neil. Your insightful contributions -- once again demonstrate that Neil fans/rusties are some of the most knowledgeable and articulate music fans out there. We're honored and humbled to have you here.

The atmospherics and intimacy of these sessions is stunning and gripping. Hopefully this will demonstrate to artists around the world about working closely with dear friends, family and trusted associates to produce their work -- rather than vast crews of highly talented, technically professional perfectionists. (This is meant as a total compliment D.)

Neil Young's Fireside Sessions #2 | Neil Young Archives

More on commentary, setlist on Neil Young's Fireside Sessions #2 | NYA .

Keep Calm, No Fear, Shut It Down, and Keep on Rockin'
#AllTogether
#WT1sWBWO

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