Neil Young Archives Vol. II: "LIVES!" Says Neil - Now Taking Pre-Orders

Neil Young Archives Vol. II: "LIVES!" 

Neil Young Archives Vol. II: "LIVES!" says Neil on today's T-C on NYA. 

A  "deluxe" NYA#2 edition with subtle art differences is coming March 5 2021. Also, a "letter of authenticity" will be sent to those who purchased the original -- apparently non-deluxe -- edition.

No details on what will make the 2021 version "deluxe" other than "subtle art differences". 

 

UPDATE: The Greedy Hand store is now accepting Pre-Orders.

For those just tuning in, lots of drama lately over Neil Young Archives Vol. II.  A quick recap:

In October, all 3,000 units of the long awaited Neil Young Archives Volume II Limited Edition Boxset (@ $249 USD each) sold out in less than 48 hours -- somehow inexplicably and unpredictably -- demonstrating a huge pentup demand for physical Neil Young product by a global hardcore fan base. (See SOLD OUT: Neil Young Archives Volume II Blows Out in 48 Hours.) 

 

SOLD OUT: Neil Young Archives Volume II Blows Out in 48 Hours

 

Subsequently, auctions have appeared on sites like eBay.com with an unreleased copy of the sold out Neil Young Archives Vol#2 selling on eBay last week for USD$2,970.66. 

 Neil Young Archives Volume II (1972 - 1976)(see SOLD: Neil Young Archives Vol#2 @ USD$2,970.66 | eBay)

 

Of course, we do hope that Neil Young enjoyed his 75th Birthday yesterday as the world celebrated his eternal music.  The thrashers enjoyed the 40 minute Dangerbird Megamix which was delightful, especially the piano version. just wow. (See https://aquariumdrunkard.com/2020/11/12/neil-young-danger-bird/)

But not all is well in rustdale as the tricks of disaster continue to come fast and hard.

Fallout continues over the fake, "CGI Poncho" in "Return To Greendale" by Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse.

 AFTER: "CGI Poncho" 

"Falling From Above" in
"Return To Greendale"

 

Here is a comment  on "Return To Greendale" bluray by Dan:

 

Finally received my Return to Greendale box set yesterday, and we watched the BluRay last night. 

 

I don’t know why Neil chose to transformed Poncho into a cybernetic doppelgänger, but I do know how it effected my enjoyment of the film.

Greendale is one of my favorite Neil Young albums, and it was such a joy to see it on NYA one song at a time a few months back. So perhaps it was naive of me to except the same experience on BluRay.

A fictional tale of a small town and the struggles of a loving family living there, all brought to life through a series of beautifully written songs. A story of humanities challenges with itself and the earth they live on. Portrayed lovingly by a group of people with the best intentions to communicate a difficult narrative in an entertaining way. All this successfully accomplished with the feel of a local theater company production Charming, and effective....... until the decision was made to de- humanize the entire event by adding a lifeless digitized replacement of a key member of the band.

Every time I saw the CGI version of Poncho, it took me out of the experience. His replacement resembled a lifeless caricature from a Hanna-Barbera cartoon character from the Flintstones. The technology used here is sub par in comparison to high quality CGI, and completely unconvincing of anything other than what it is. Stilted and lifeless.

To say that I am disappointed would be an understatement. Neil has taken what should have been a successful presentation of a wonderful concert, and turned it into a slap in the face. Thanks Neil.

With the NYA Vol. 2 fiasco, and the grossly over priced After the Gold Rush 50th box set, you currently seem to be on a rather self destructive path.

Peace

Thanks for comment Dan, as always.  Your measured tone is most appreciated in these heated times.  

 

While we could say more here about "fake Poncho" and the good ship NYA, we'll move to the next subject.

 

Sometimes you just have to laugh so that you don't cry no tears ...

 David Crosby & Neil Young - 1977

 

A recent letter on NYA on "The Geffen Years" by Donal brings into question the contents of NYA Vol#4:

"The Geffen Years" | NYA

So definitely no Geffen era vinyls are being released as part of Original Release Series, skipping 5 "Geffen Years" albums:  Trans, Everybody's Rockin', Old Ways, Landing On Water, and Life.

 

Say what you will about Neil's 80's albums but this would be a big hole in NYA Vol #4. 

More on the infamous Neil Young "Geffen Years" albums.

 

LIFE Album closeup - From Neil Young's "Geffen Years Number of Neil Young records on Geffen Label scratched out on prison wall
(Click photo to enlarge)

---

---

LAST CALL - CONTEST: Rolling Stone German Neil Young Cover Issue + 7“ Vinyl Single

Rolling Stone #11/20 (Germany) - Neil Young covers

 Regular cover (L) &  Collectors cover

 

Here is a reminder about our contest to win a German Rolling Stone Neil Young Cover Issue + 7“ Vinyl Single.

Rolling Stone German Neil Young Cover Issue + 7“ Vinyl Single

 

Details to win a German Rolling Stone Neil Young Cover Issue + 7“ Vinyl Single can be found here.

We truly appreciate being able to do what we do here at TW, and we love being able to give something back in return.

---

---

Neil Young's 75th Birthday Today, November 12 - Happy Birthday Neil!!!

Neil Young on his 74th - November 12, 2019
via Instagram

 

View this post on Instagram

It’s better to burn out than to fade away ☮️

A post shared by Neil Young Archives (@neilyoungarchives) on Nov 12, 2020 at 10:26am PST

 

First off, Neil Young is 75 years young today, November 12. So Happy Birthday Neil!!!

2nd, a tremendous amount of happenings since Neil's last birthday and the Year 2020 which began momentously as Neil Young took an oath of citizenship to become a U.S. citizen.

Neil Young News: CITIZEN NEIL: Neil Young Becomes A U.S. Citizen
See https://t.co/nOylPQPFZr
---@NeilYoungNYA pic.twitter.com/vZzCFONArd

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) January 23, 2020

 

Which was good news given that Neil Young's citizenship application was delayed due to "possible lack of GMC (Good Moral Character)".  At the time, many, many others rushed to attest to Neil Young's outstanding moral character citing his efforts for The Bridge School (USA) and Farm Aid (USA), as just two examples (more below).

Neil Young & Bridge Kids
@ Bridge School Benefit Concert 2011
Photo Gallery by By Jay Blakesberg Photography
Farm Aid: The Music Industry’s Longest-Running Philanthropic Concert
Farm Aid executive director CAROLYN MUGAR (center), w/ DAVE MATTHEWS, JOHN MELLENCAMP, WILLIE NELSON and NEIL YOUNG (from left).
2008 - Mansfield, Mass., Photo by Mark O'Stow
We know that Neil Young is a humanitarian rebel with causes.


Neil Young
MusiCares Person Of The Year - 2010

 

In 2011, Neil Young was honored with the Allan Waters Humanitarian Award at Canada's Juno Awards. The award honors a Canadian artist whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and recognizes Young's compassionate legacy behind events such as Farm Aid, Live 8, and Bridge School Concerts.

As we have noted previously, rarely -- if ever -- has a single artist supported so many causes, for such a sustained period, raising considerable funds and awareness while reaching out to millions and millions around the world. When reviewing a listing of benefit concerts that Neil Young has played over the years, one is struck by the sheer diversity of causes he has supported over his 45+ year career.

One could contend that no other artist has made such an impact on causes involving social justice -- or a better moral character. As we documented in 2010, The Charitable Mr. Neil Young Keeps On Giving & Giving & Giving.

Neil Young
MusiCares 2010 Person of the Year

In 2010, Neil Young was honored as the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year in Los Angeles, two days before the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. An impressive roster of musicians lined up to honor Young which included Booker T. Jones, Jack Black, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Everest, Patty Griffin, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, k.d. lang, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Ozomatli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Leon Russell, James Taylor, Wilco, and Lucinda Williams.

Here is just a partial list of benefit concerts that Neil Young has played over the years that we posted on the Rust list back in 1994. And the diversity of causes is particularly striking. Of course, the two primary beneficiaries of Neil's generosity have been the Bridge School Benefit Concerts and Farm AID. The Bridge School concerts began in 1987 and are to benefit the school for children with severe speech and physical impairments. The Farm Aid concerts began in 1985 and benefit the small American family farm. Farm Aid is the longest running event of its type in music history.

Neil has performed annually at both the Bridge and Farm AID shows and has raised considerable sums for these causes. The performances at these two annual benefits are well documented.


The Farm Aid 4
Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Neil Young
But what about the other benefits and causes of the charitable Mr. Young?

Here's what we've found from perusing the indispensable Ghosts On The Road - Neil Young In Concert by Pete Long.

Operation Challenge/ACLU Kent State Project, Cleveland, OH 11/14/70

Prisoners Welfare Fund Benefit Concert, San Francisco, CA, 3/26/72

Red Wind Foundation Benefit Concert, San Luis Obispo, CA 3/16/74


Bob Dylan, Rick Danko & Neil Young

S.N.A.C.K. Benefit, Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, CA w/ Bob Dylan & The Band, 3/23/75

Mike Bloomfield Benefit, The Ritz, NYC, NY, 3/82

Tears Are Not Enough - Canadian Artists Band AID video, benefit African famine victims 2/85

Live AID w/CSNY - Philadelphia, PA, 7/13/85

Greenpeace Benefit - Arlington Theater, Santa Barbara, CA w/ CSNY, 2/6/86

Vietnam Vets Benefit Forum, Los Angeles, CA w/ G. Nash, 2/24/86

Greenpeace Benefit - Auckland, New Zealand, 4/5/86


Neil Young at 2006 Farm Aid Press Conference
Photo by Kim Buchheit

Get Tough on Toxics Benefit, Long Beach Arena, CA, 6/28/86

Greenpeace Benefit Concert, Santa Barbara, CA 2/6/87

Shakin' All Over - Winnipeg Band Reunion - benefited the Variety Club of Manitoba - charity for handicapped children, 6/28/87

Saragaso Tornado Benefit, Manor Downs, Austin, TX, 8/16/87

Hungerthon - Palace Theater, Los Angeles, CA w/ CSNY, 11/12/88

Nordoff Robins Music Therapy Benefit Concert - NYC, NY, 11/17/88


Paul McCartney and Neil Young
"Only Love Can Break Your Heart"
Bridge School Benefit Concert - October 23, 2004
Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, CA
Photo by Kim Komenich of San Francisco Chronicle

Friends of Parents Helping Parents - Santa Clara, CA, 12/88

Earthquake Aid - Cow Palace, San Francisco, CA, 11/26/89

Dallas Taylor Benefit - Santa Monica, CA benefit former CSNY drummer, 3/31/90

California Environment Benefit Concert, Santa Monica, CA, 4/1/90

Nelson Mandela Benefit, Wembley Stadium, London, 4/16/90

Bill Graham Tribute w/ CSNY, San Francisco, CA, 11/1/91

Walden Woods Benefit - Los Angeles, CA, 4/1/92

Children's Health Benefit, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, LA, CA w/ Simon & Garfunkel, 3/1/93

Save Old Growth Forests - Portland, OR, 4/1/93


photo by Buzz Person

Native American Scholarship Fund Concert - Verde Valley School, Sedona, AZ, - 10/22/93

Voters For Choice Benefit, January 14 & 15, 1995

Walden Woods Benefit concert - NYC, NY, 10/1/95

Multiple Schlerosis Benefit concert - NYC, NY, 10/29/96

BAMA Works Benefit concert - Charlottesville, VA, 4/21/01


Neil Young Performs "Imagine" on 9/11 Tribute

"America: A Tribute to Heroes" 9/11 Telethon, 9/2001

Clean Air Benefit, Vancouver Island Clean-air Benefit, Canada, 9/2004


St. Paul, MN - October 5, 2004
photo by Muriël Kleisterlee and Jos Westenberg

Vote for Change Concert Tour, 10/2004

Adopt-A-Minefield Benefit, Los Angeles w/ Paul McCartney, 10/2004


Hurricane Katrina Telethon: React Now - 9/2005

Hurricane Katrina Telethon: React Now - 9/2005


Neil Young and Fisk University Jubilee Choir

Hurricane Katrina Benefit: "Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast", 9/2005


Neil Young, Buckcherry's Josh Todd & Gordon Lightfoot

Live 8 - End Global Poverty, 9/2005

Benefit For Museum Of Natural History in New York City on 16 November, 2005.


photo by Evan Agostini

AIDS Foundation's fifth annual benefit at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Elton John and Neil Young performed together at the October 3, 2006

Cinnamon Girl Benefit: Women Artists Cover Neil Young for Breast Cancer, 2008

Sarah McLachlan Foundation Benefit, Vancouver, Canada, 9/2009


Dave Matthews and Neil Young
Covering Hank Williams’ “Alone and Forsaken”
Hope For Haiti Telethon
Screen Grab by Patricia

Hope For Haiti Telethon, 1/2010

Gulf Coast Benefit Concert Tour 2010

Certainly this is only a partial listing as there are surely many undocumented causes and performances that Neil has supported over the years. But you get the idea. He's got a heart of gold.


Pegi & Neil Young at Bridge 2005 Concert
photo by Craig Abaya

---

Neil Young Night 

 Tonight's The Night Because Every Night is Neil Night

Happy 75th Birthday Neil Young!!! Long May You Continue To Run & Run.

"Happiness is the valuable commodity and that's what makes life good."
~~Neil Young
Photo by Matt Furman for The Wall Street Journal
(Click photo to enlarge)

 
Here's a birthday message by Neil Young to fans from 2018.

Time Flies! A Birthday Thanks
via NYA Times-Contrarian

From 2015's celebration, we have an exclusive interview with author Harvey Kubernik on his new book "Neil Young - Heart of Gold". Details @ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Author Harvey Kubernik on "Neil Young - Heart of Gold" Book on WBKM.org.


Audience sings Neil Young Happy Birthday at end of Vancouver concert, 11/11/2012. Band gives Neil birthday scarf gift.



So Happy Birthday Neil!

Long may you run. It's all just a magical ride. enjoy.

A Neil Young Birthday Tribute
by Ian

---

---

"The Losing End (When You’re On)" by Neil Young - New Unreleased Version From Archives Vol. II

Bill Graham @ Roxy, Los Angeles - 1973via NYA video
 

A new, unreleased version of "The Losing End (When You’re On)" by Neil Young from Archives Vol. II is now streaming on neilyoungarchives.com. 

Recorded at Roxy in Los Angeles on 9/22/1973, the track features a rather rollicking jam of a longtime favorite song with Ben Keith, Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina.

Also, streaming on Instagram below.

 

View this post on Instagram

New Unreleased Version From Archives Vol. II Streaming Now ‼️ Exclusively Only on neilyoungarchives.com or in the Neil Young Archives mobile app

A post shared by Neil Young Archives (@neilyoungarchives) on Nov 10, 2020 at 6:36pm PST

 

Roxy Night Club, Los Angeles, CA
Photo by "Billboard" Magazine - Issue #22, September 1973

See EXCERPT: The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood By Thomas R. King 

(Click photo to enlarge)

 

Vinyl Edition
Neil Young's "ROXY TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT LIVE"

See Review: Neil Young's "ROXY TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT LIVE"

 

More on the unreleased tracks from Neil Young Archives Vol. II.

---

---

RARE PHOTO: David Crosby & Neil Young - 1977 + Comment of the Moment: CGI Poncho

 David Crosby & Neil Young - 1977

Baffled?  Amused? Consternation?  Bemusement?

The rustie mood code is swinging wildly across the dial in these strange days as the vanquishing light of 2020 fades away.

An unreleased copy of the sold out Neil Young Archives Vol#2 just sold on eBay last week for USD$2,970.66. 

 Neil Young Archives Volume II (1972 - 1976)(see SOLD: Neil Young Archives Vol#2 @ USD$2,970.66 | eBay)

 

In the film  Return To Greendale, Poncho has been replaced  by "CGI Poncho", a jacket and fedora hat wearing facsimile of Crazy Horse's Frank "Poncho" Sampedro.

AFTER: "CGI Poncho"

"Falling From Above"

(see CGI Poncho, "DIGITAL MAFIOSO" & Return To Greendale by Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse)

 

We could go on, but you get the picture.

Here is the Comment of the Moment on CGI Poncho, "DIGITAL MAFIOSO" & Return To Greendale by Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse  by tomatron:

To me it’s just the hilariously weird sort of thing we should expect by now from Shakey Pictures. And it’s fun to try to decipher why such a bizarre decision was made. In the end, Return to Greendale is a piece of art that Neil Young has produced, and as such he has the full right to make “artistic” choices.

When it comes to the audio itself, I find this version far superior overall to the studio album. Frank Sampedro is a major reason why. His soulful electric piano bounces off Neil’s guitar just like when their Les Pauls are face to face, only softer, more subdued; headphone listenings bring out his work just high enough in the mix to sparkle at the right times.

And inarguably these Wurlitzer parts make for a fuller, more satisfying sound. Of course, the performances are often more natural and engaging when this band takes its songs to the stage. That difference is even more pronounced with Poncho back in the fold. In 2003, Crazy Horse were not Crazy Horse without all four of those guys. Take my advice; don’t spook the horse.

Regarding CGI Poncho: I am so grateful this post exists, because I have to admit I have squinted a few times at the screen trying to figure out exactly what was “off” about that man’s appearance. For a while, I was nearly convinced it wasn’t Sampedro at all, possibly Ben Keith standing in while Poncho quit for the night to fly out early to his other gig. When the full movie was released, I could positively ID the axeman, but something still wasn’t sitting right.

There are a few key ingredients that make this a Bad Neil Young Movie: the awkward juxtaposition between the original film and the stage presentation, the hokey acting-out of every last plot point (complete with perfect lip-syncing and choreography), the cringeworthy dance party that rounds out the extravaganza.

The mystery of CGI Poncho is just another sprinkle of ugly into Return to Greendale’s aesthetically questionable video stew.

 Thanks tomatron!

 And what will tomorrow bring in Shakey World? 

In the meantime, more on CGI Poncho, "DIGITAL MAFIOSO" & Return To Greendale by Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse . 

Oh, by the way, new unreleased track "The Losing End (When You're On)" on NYA now streaming.

---

---

CGI Poncho, "DIGITAL MAFIOSO" & Return To Greendale by Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse

"CGI Poncho"Return To Greendale  @ ~00:26:00

OK, rusties, if things haven't been shakey enough for you lately in Neil World, then hang on for this one ... CGI Poncho?!

Say what?  Yep, Poncho has been replaced in the film  Return To Greendale by "CGI Poncho", a jacket and fedora hat wearing facsimile of Crazy Horse's Frank "Poncho" Sampedro.

BEFORE: Poncho w/ Spirit Talk Shirt

"Falling From Above"

AFTER: "CGI Poncho"

"Falling From Above"

 

In fact, in a Letter to Editor on DIGITAL MAFIOSO | NYA, Neil was asked directly about the switch: "When did Poncho dress like the great Benmont Tench III while playing the keys during the live Greendale tours?"

 

DIGITAL MAFIOSO | LTE | NYA

Neil blithely replies to the charges of  "photoshopping" a member of Crazy Horse as  "the wonders of science!"

 

 Return To Greendale | NYA

Even now as NYA promotes Return To Greendale,  the "real" Ponchoo can be seen sitting stage left on keyboards on the front page of Times-Contrarian.

Well, we know that the "aimless blade of science" cuts both ways, sometimes deeply. And this is what we call "junk science". And it hurts us to say that we -- the citizens of Greendale -- demand to have our real Poncho back.

Check out "Be The Rain" from Return To Greendale by Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse.

  

 

 

"Return to Greendale" - Limited Edition Box Set

Neil Young and Crazy Horse

 

More on "Return to Greendale" - Limited Edition Box Set by Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

---

---