STREAMING THIS WEEKEND: "UNPLUGGED" by Neil Young w/ The Stray Gators | NYA

Neil Young | MTV's "Unplugged" - Broadcast Date: March 10, 1993
Streaming in Hearse Theater | NYA

This weekend, "UNPLUGGED" by Neil Young with The Stray Gators will be streaming on Hearse Theater | NYA.

The video has a very interesting backstory. Originally, a taping for broadcast was completed in December, 1992 at Ed Sullivan Theater in New York City. But Neil was reportedly very unhappy with his performance and the concert became known as the "Un-broadcast Unplugged Session".

"MTV's UNPLUGGED"

So another taping was held several months later in February, 1993 at Universal Studios, Universal City, California which apparently went much smoother.

Here is an article from Broken Arrow Magazine "Set Listings - MTV Unplugged 1992 And 1993 - Broadcast Variations" (#51, p 44) by Dave Zimmer.

"Set Listings - MTV Unplugged 1992 And 1993 - Broadcast Variations" by Dave Zimmer
Broken Arrow Magazine (#51, p 44)

One of the more remarkable aspects to the tapings was The Stray Gators lineup which included Nils Lofgren and backup singers Nicolette Larson and his sister Astrid Young.

Astrid Young and Nicolette Larson

Per Sugar Mountain, here is the setlist from the un-broadcast Unplugged Session:

1992-12-16 - Ed Sullivan Theater, New York City, New York, USA

1. Love Is A Rose
1. Love Is A Rose (take #2)
2. Unknown Legend
2. Unknown Legend (take #2)
3. From Hank To Hendrix
3. From Hank To Hendrix (take #2)
3. From Hank To Hendrix (take #3)
4. You And Me
5. Old King
6. Harvest Moon
6. Harvest Moon (take #2)
7. War Of Man
7. War Of Man (take #2)

Break

7. War Of Man (take #3)
8. Comes A Time
9. Old Man
10. Silver & Gold
10. Silver & Gold (take #2)
10. Silver & Gold (take #3)
11. Are You Ready For The Country?
11. Are You Ready For The Country? (take #2)
12. One Of These Days
13. Dreamin' Man
14. Down By The River
15. The Last Trip To Tulsa
15. The Last Trip To Tulsa (take #2)
16. After The Gold Rush

Band:
The Stray Gators, Line Up 6
Neil Young - vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, pump organ, harmonica
Nils Lofgren - acoustic guitar and accordion
Ben Keith - steel guitar
Spooner Oldham - piano, organ
Tim Drummond - bass
Oscar Butterworth (Kenny Buttrey) - drums
Nicolette Larson - backing vocals
Astrid Young - backing vocals

Neil Young w/ The Stray Gators
(Nils Lofgren, Nicolette Larson and Astrid Young)

From ‘MTV Unplugged’: The 15 Best Episodes by Andy Greene:

Neil Young was playing unplugged shows long before MTV dreamed up the concept, so he should have taken to the concept without any difficulty.

But his initial attempt to play an official Unplugged episode at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater in December 1992 was a complete fiasco. Despite reuniting the Stray Gators from Harvest and Harvest Moon, he just wasn’t happy with the performance, ultimately walking out of the show and onto the street, leaving the producers and audience baffled. He returned and treated the audience to his first performance of “Last Trip to Tulsa” in 16 years, but he hated the show and refused to release it. Two months later they tried again at Universal Studios in Los Angeles. It was a very different set list, complete with the super deep cut “Stringman” and a haunting solo rendition of “Like a Hurricane” on the pump organ.

He let MTV air this one.

In Concert
Broken Arrow Magazine, May 1993 (#51, p 8)

Broken Arrow Magazine (#51, p 8): Gig Reviews - 12.16.1992 - Ed Sullivan Theater, New York City, Un-broadcast Unplugged Session By Paul Bronstein

Per Sugar Mountain, here is the setlist from the MTV Unplugged broadcast session:

1993-02-07 Universal Studios, Universal City, California, USA

1. The Old Laughing Lady
2. Mr. Soul
3. World On A String
4. Pocahontas
5. Stringman
6. Like A Hurricane
7. The Needle And The Damage Done
8. Helpless
9. Sample And Hold
10. Transformer Man
11. Dreamin' Man
12. Harvest Moon
13. Unknown Legend
14. War Of Man (unfinished)
15. War Of Man
16. Winterlong
17. Long May You Run (unfinished)
18. Long May You Run
19. Look Out For My Love
20. From Hank To Hendrix

Broken Arrow Magazine (#51, p 8): Gig Reviews - 02.07.1993 - Universal Studios, Los Angeles, MTV Unplugged By Dave Zimmer

The MTV "UNPLUGGED" concert by Neil Young w/ The Stray Gators debuted on March 10, 1993.

Ticket Stub MTV "UNPLUGGED"
(via Sugar Mountain)

Here is the track listing for UNPLUGGED, 1993 - Reprise 45310

Old Laughing Lady / Mr. Soul / World on a String / Pocahontas / Stringman / Like a Hurricane / The Needle and the Damage / Helpless / Harvest Moon / Transformer Man / Unknown Legend / Lookout for My Love / Long May You Run / From Hank to Hendrix

"UNPLUGGED" by Neil Young w/ The Stray Gators

More on REVIEW: "Unplugged" | Albums In Order Review Series by Mike "Expecting 2 Fly" Cordova and REVIEW: "Unplugged" | FUNHOUSE! by Uncle Dave.

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POLLS ARE NOW OPEN: Neil Young Archives New Releases Survey

The Can: Time to Vote | NYA

The polls are now open to vote on the Neil Young Archives New Releases Survey!

Votes can be cast @ Neil Young Archives New Releases Survey | NYA.

Oddly, the voting doesn't seem to be restricted to only NYA subscribers? Even more oddly, the survey allows multiple ballots by the same voter? Therefore, the results are unlikely to be representative of the NYA subscriber base. (See our suggestions below on methodology improvements.)

So, definitely vote with your conscience. And here are the nominees:
(insert drum roll -> here)

• YOUNG SHAKESPEARE—Stratford Shakespeare Theater, SOLO, 1971, FILM + LP
• RETURN TO GREENDALE—Crazy Horse Stage Production, 2003, FILM + LP
• GREENDALE at VICAR STREET —SOLO, 2003, FILM + LP
• TOAST—Crazy Horse, 2001, LP
• WAY DOWN IN THE RUST BUCKET—Crazy Horse Live at the Catalyst, 1990, FILM + LP
• ALCHEMY—Crazy Horse, 2012/2013, FILM + LP
• BOTTOM LINE—SOLO, 1974, LP
• OVER THE RAINBOW—Tonight's The Night Live at the Rainbow Club, London, 1973, LP
• ODEON BUDAKON—Odeon Hammersmith, London/Budakon, Tokyo, 1976, DOCUMENTARY FILM + LP
• EARLY DAZE—Crazy Horse, 1960's, LP
• HARVEST TIME—Film of the making of Harvest, 1971, FILM + LP
• MIRROR BALL LIVE‚ DUBLIN with friends from PEARL JAM, 1995, FILM + LP
• MONSANTO YEARS—Promise Of The Real DOCUMENTARY with recording session, 2014, FILM + LP
• TRUNK SHOW—Directed by Jonathan Demme, 2009, FILM
• LINCVOLT CHRONICLES—1-5 DOCUMENTARY SERIES
• THE TOWER—Philadelphia SOLO, 2018, LIVE FILM + LP
• POLAR VORTEX—Solo Acoustic, 2019, FILM + LP
• CHROME DREAMS—Original Studio Album, 1977, LP
• BERLIN—TRANS BAND, 1982, FILM & LP
• OCEANSIDE COUNTRYSIDE—Original Studio Album, 1976-77, LP
• BOARDING HOUSE—SOLO, 1978, FILM + LP
• ISLAND IN THE SUN— 1982, LP
• TRANS 2020—Animated TRANS FILM, 2020, FILM + EP
• DUCKS LIVE IN SANTA CRUZ—1977, LP
• FILLMORE EAST—CSNY Live Band + SOLO, 1970, FILM + LP
• RAGGED GLORY—CRAZY HORSE Extended Version w extra songs, LP

Well, as they say: VOTE. And VOTE often!

Or for some honest polling results, follow the guidance of UNOFFICIAL Neil Young Unreleased Archive - NYUA, who recommends: Ducks, Toast and Island In The Sun.

NYA VOTING FOR NEXT PROJECTS
NOW OPEN!https://t.co/hw4R8rRKU7
If you want to vote on the basis of the maximum number of unreleased songs then you should go for
Ducks
Toast
Island In The Sun
Homefires seems to have disappeared off the list unfortunately!@NeilYoungNYA #NeilYoung

— UNOFFICIAL Neil Young Unreleased Archive - NYUA (@UnreleasedNeil) February 4, 2020

But don't let the pollsters steer you wrong -- Vote with your conscience! Given that the results are unlikely to be representative of the NYA subscriber base, look to demands for a recount by fans. NYA should consider re-conducting poll using same methodology for ticket sales where each subscriber is given a one time only redemption code for voting.

More on fans voting on releases that are "In The Can" on Neil Young Archives.

"In The Can"

Times-Contrarian | NYA

Once again, the possibilities are mind boggling with over 25+ completed audio and/or film projects that are "In The Can", unreleased and ready to go.

Per Lone Red Rider, who posted last month:

A poll is being conducted on the FB RUST page.

So far, with 255 respondents, Homegrown is far and away the favorite, followed by Toast and Chrome Dreams. Catalyst (1990) is a close 4th. Then the Ducks in 5th place.

More on the early betting odds for "In The Can" Poll | Neil Young Archives.

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250 Musicians Playing "Rockin in the Free World" by Neil Young

Back in 2016, over 250 musicians attempted a Guiness World Record for Number of Musicians Playing with the song "Rockin in the Free World" by Neil Young.

The event took place in Grote Markt, Haarlem (the Netherlands) on May 29th, 2016. From DGBVN 2020:

HAARLEM - Crush barriers Sunday at the Market for an unusual event. More than two hundred and fifty musicians formed together in Haarlem, The Greatest Band in the Netherlands.

Forty drummers, bassists forty, eighty guitarists and a hundred vocalists played together on the Market the song Rockin 'in the free world of Neil Young. A motley collection of tools and people, from little boys behind the drums to enthusiastic singing women behind the microphones.

The occurrence ask the musicians focus on the Youth Culture Fund, which is dedicated to children in poverty who want to follow music lessons. ,, The biggest Band Netherlands namely wants everyone can make music '', say the promoters.

The idea for The Greatest Band in the Netherlands comes from Alain Timmers after he saw on the Internet a video in which hundreds of Italian musicians and vocalists together to play a song by The Foo Fighters. Timmers this so liked that he had gathered together over two hundred musicians in no time to Facebook to make music together.

The band was Sunday conducted by Jaco van der Steen.

Another jam session is scheduled for 07 June 2020. See DGBVN 2020.

More on "Rockin in the Free World" by Neil Young.

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1999 Bridge School Benefit Concerts Highlights, Reviews

What a great weekend that was! So glad we made it both nights for Neil, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Sheryl Crow, Green day, Lucinda Williams, Brian Wilson, The Who, Emmylou Harris & Tom Waits!!! So much fun. ☮️♥️
Thanks @NeilYoungNYA & @bridgeschool !https://t.co/qTg1CBLdqE pic.twitter.com/Q9aWKiABIG

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 2, 2020

Such a great weekend back in 1999!

So glad we made it both nights for Neil, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Sheryl Crow, Green day, Lucinda Williams, Brian Wilson, The Who, Emmylou Harris & Tom Waits!!! So much fun.
☮️ ♥️

Thanks @NeilYoungNYA & @bridgeschool !

More @ Bridge School Benefit Concerts Reviews:

13th Annual Bridge School Benefit - Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA - October 30, 1999 Day #1, From 5 Horizons site, awesome review with lots of pictures

13th Annual Bridge School Benefit - Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA
October 31, 1999 Day #2, From 5 Horizons site, awesome review with lots of pictures

Bridge Poster 1999

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Premiere: RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ Balboa Theater, San Francisco, CA - Jan 28, 2020

Grandpa (Larry Cragg) & Grandma (Twink Brewer)
Scene from RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

A premiere screening of the film RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse was held at Balboa Theater in San Francisco, CA on Jan 28, 2020 according to NYA.

RETURN TO GREENDALE @ Balboa Theater, San Francisco, CA - Jan 28, 2020

The NYA posting, details that much of the cast and crew were able to attend the screening and "more special screenings will be held" before a wider release is made.

GREENDALE 2020 HINDSIGHT by James Mazzeo

Last month, a preview of the upcoming concert film of the Greendale Tour by Neil Young & Crazy Horse was featured on Goin' To Greendale | BENTLEY’S BANDSTAND | NYA.

Goin' To Greendale | BENTLEY’S BANDSTAND | NYA

Music industry veteran Bill Bentley writes about his Greendale experience and seeing the film of the 2003 Toronto concert: ‘And that, dear listeners, is when the bells start ringing, the lights start flashing and the thrillometer heats up all the way to the top of the tube.'

Sun Green (Sara White) and Grandpa (Ben Keith)

"Greendale" on Neil Young Archives in the Hearse Theater

Neil Young calls "Greendale" on Times-Contrarian | NYA "one of the biggest highlights of my filming life".

Neil Young Filming Greendale Actors Grandpa & Jed

But back in 2003, "Greendale" was one of the most controversial and divisive albums and concert tours of Neil Young's career. The importance of "Greendale" can not be understated - either in terms of Neil Young's body of work, nor its impact on his fan base. This is how we memorialized "Greendale" on Thrasher's Wheat Home Page in June 2003:

With the arrival of Greendale in 2003 -- for us -- Greendale was like a sledgehammer to the anvil of truth and awakened this blog from it's post-9/11 dormancy. Because when Neil Young Sings Truth To Power, The World Listens.

So let that soak in for a moment.

This website was launched in 1996 -- about 24 years ago. It sort of languished with periodic updates until 2003. Then, with the theme of the "Greendale" songs coming into focus, we here were inspired to begin daily blog updates. At the time we said we would update the blog daily until the concert tours "Greendale" ended. But the tour kept going and going and going around the world, well into 2004, along with all the ancillary books, videos, films, etc.

So we can safely say that Thrasher's Wheat would not exist today if it had not been for "Greendale". Period. Full stop.



'She was welded to the eagle's beak
sun green leaned into that megaphone
and said, "truth is all i seek" '
"Sun Green" by Neil Young
As many of our long time readers here at Thrasher's Wheat know, we have long since declared: "The Inconvenient Truth of Greendale".

Mainly this observation centered on the album's environmental call to action and it's plea to respect Mother Nature and all of her creations. But environmentalism is but just one of the many themes of Neil Young's 2003 album Greendale, which we once boldly declared "the most important album of 2003, the musical equivalent of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring".


Greendale Graphic Novel
By Joshua Dysart/Cliff Chiang
The inconvenient truth of Neil Young's Greendale is that he was right -- and his message is even more relevant today than upon Greendale's original release.

For some, 2003's Greendale was an incomprehensible disaster. From The Washington Post's critic David Segal on Year 2003 CDs, who labeled Greendale as the year's "most baffling critical swoon", Segal writes: "Neil Young's 'Greendale' is "a droning mess of a concept album inexplicably hailed as ingenious" and "a vanity project gone stupefyingly wrong".

For others though, Greendale was hailed as a groundbreaking concept album similar to The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Who's Tommy or Pink Floyd's 'The Wall'.

Greendale Officer Carmichael in the "compelling", "controversial" and "audiences challenging" concert opera "Greendale".

Some critics went as far as saying that Young had broken new ground by creating an entirely unique art form -- the "audio novel". From New York Times article 'Have You Heard the New Neil Young Novel?' by Madison Smartt Bell:

"Mr. Young has always been remarkable for his creative resilience, and this time he really has done something new, rendering into this combination of print and audio a novel that is surprisingly sophisticated and satisfyingly complete."

Greendale @ Radio City Music Hall, New York City, March 18, 2004
Photo by thrashette
The inconvenient truth of Greendale is its uncomfortable confrontation with themes such as the power of mass media and global corporations, loss of personal freedoms and privacy, destruction of the environment, rampant fraud and corruption, an out of balance government and breakdown of the family. All of which we've detailed before here, here, and here.

Essential Greendale Links

2004 Concert Reviews

2003 Tour Reviews

Album Reviews

Lyrics Analysis

Concert Tour Photos 

DVD Reviews

Film Reviews

Making of Greendale

Interviews

Commentary

Controversy

Challenging Audiences

Poll

Comments on Greendale Guestbook

"Everything You're Looking For" - Bandit

Neil Young News: Premiere; RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ Balboa Theater, San Francisco, CA - Jan 28, 2020
See https://t.co/hTt0IDeLud
---#CrazyHorse4HOF @NeilYoungNYA @CrazyHorse4HoF pic.twitter.com/UdjixWOKSy

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 2, 2020

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