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Friday, October 20, 2023

PREVIEW - "Before And After": New Neil Young Re-Recordings Album

"Before And After" by Neil Young

 

"Before And After" is a new Neil Young album of re-recordings of 13 songs in one single track. 

or ... "Neil Covers Neil Unplugged". Kid you not.

This appears to be a "live concert" album from the  2023 COASTAL SOLO  -- sans audience applause -- a la Rust Never Sleeps style.

Per StereoGum by Danielle Chelosky:

Young produced Before And After with Lou Adler he [ed: he=Neil] played all the instruments (guitars, piano, pump organ, and harmonica), though Bob Rice contributes vibraphone and piano on two tracks. Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy is credited as “Electric Guitar & Amplifier Tech.”

“Songs from my life recently recorded create a music montage with no beginnings or endings,” Young says in a statement. “The feeling is captured, not in pieces but as a whole piece. Soon to your ears and heart and soul — music defies shuffling, digital organization, separation. Only for listening.”

Here's a sample video:

Neil Young - Before and After, Pt. 1: I'm the Ocean/Homefires/Burned (Official Music Video)

TRACKLIST:

 
01 “I’m The Ocean”
02 “Homefires”
03 “Burned”
04 “On The Way Home”
05 “If You Got Love”
06 “A Dream That Can Last”
07 “Birds”
08 “My Heart”
09 “When I Hold You In My Arms”
10 “Mother Earth”
11 “Mr. Soul”
12 “Comes A Time”
13 “Don’t Forget Love”

From PR:

On his new album, BEFORE AND AFTER, Young has approached a totally eclectic collection of mostly obscure songs like a painter with a new palette. Picking from a vast array of his originals, Young chooses favorites from his playbook like a trip into his music history and performs them mostly alone, taking a solo acoustic journey to a new place. Each of the songs blend and create one continuous flow, clocking in at a 48-minute pure and intimate listening experience.  Produced by Lou Adler and Neil Young and mixed by Young and Niko Bolas, aka The Volume Dealers, this is unlike any other album he has released to date.

Before And After is out 12/8 via Reprise Records and will be available in four formats: vinyl LP; clear vinyl LP (Limited Edition)), Blu-Ray disc featuring Atmos mix, Binaural mix and Hi-Res 96/24 stereo; as well as Compact Disc.

Credits: • Neil Young: Vocal, guitars, harmonicas • Produced by: Lou Adler and Neil Young • Production Assistant: Howard Frank • Mixed by: The Volume Dealers (Niko Bolas & Neil Young) • Recorded in the USA


Labels: ,


38 Comments:

At 10/20/2023 10:28:00 AM, Blogger thrasher said...

Bumped from previous thread, Flyingscotzman has left a new comment on your post "Neil Young Archives Albums Ranked | Ultimate Classic Rock":

Hi everybody. Here are a few thoughts about the first 3 songs from Neil’s new album (as linked to in N’s post, above), which are streaming from today.

I'll start with a possibly controversial opinion:

Neil’s singing here is better (if we define “better” as more nuanced, more textured, more expressive) than it was during periods of the 70s.

Not as powerful or youthful, of course. More fragile. But also more controlled, more worldly, and more like the sound of a man who’s spent 50 years mastering his craft.

So yes, it’s vulnerable, but that’s no bad thing. There’s a warmth and humanity and wisdom to these performances that remind us what singing actually is: a form of communication. The effect here is of Neil whispering softly in the listener’s ear, who in turn leans in enthusiastically. That’s magical.

The concept of this record might not be particularly original — taking inspiration from Dylan’s Shadow Kingdom, for instance. The difference is that Shadow Kingdom is a bit of a dirge. Bob sings well, but it’s the sort of record you put on whilst polishing your antique coffin collection. (Opinion: it works better as an atmospheric film than a record.)

The opening song of Before and After, meanwhile (I’m the Ocean) makes you feel 20 years younger. You feel invigorated, refreshed, inspired.

This is what happens when Neil picks a bloody good song and performs it earnestly and with positive intent. Which is what Neil Young does all the time, of course.

Those looking for a link to the past will find this album reminds them of the Boarding House gigs in 1978. (Sonically, the two sets of recordings are similar due to the combination of 12-string guitar and wireless vocal microphone.)

I’m *not sure* the album cover or the title are particularly creative (and, you might reply, who cares?). And I’m not sure how I feel about the lack of silence between the tracks. Could go either way.

But one thing’s for sure: I’m really looking forward to hearing more.

Scotsman.

 
At 10/20/2023 10:39:00 AM, Blogger Jim said...

Read about the "it's all one song" concept of "Before and After" and just wasn't sure it would work this morning. Neil has already done the live but no applause thing which for me worked fine.

Later this morning, listening to the three songs all at once I think it does work. At least for those three songs anyway...

Here is the high rez version of the sneak peak at "Before and After":

https://neilyoungarchives.com/info-card?search=true&track=t2023_0725_01

Here is the Youtube link if you don't have NYA or can't access it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up6bU8govp4

 
At 10/20/2023 10:42:00 AM, Blogger Jim said...


Here is the full song list and the credits from "Before and After" on NYA:

https://neilyoungarchives.com/album?id=A_139&tab=songs

 
At 10/20/2023 12:05:00 PM, Blogger tomatron said...

I’ve got my eye on the Blu-Ray release of this, which promises an “Atmos mix, Binaural mix and Hi-Res 96/24 stereo”. Might steer away from a 48 minute LP when we are so accustomed to shorter sides and the greater fidelity they provide. The continuity offered by a digital presentation would also seem to suit the material better. I think the whole thing will end up being one track, based on Neil’s quotes associated with the album. The binaural mix is especially intriguing, because I don’t have Atmos-capable gear. This could be a high quality spatial mix that brings you right into the Greek Theatres and Washington amphitheaters.

 
At 10/20/2023 03:32:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

I just finished listening to the three song preview. For one thing, it’s been a long time since I last listened to Burned. Fantastic to hear it a completely different setting. It jumps to life. “No use running away but there’s no time left to stay” kinda hits different coming from a man well into his 70s—not to be downcast.

I was just hoping, literally yesterday, that we’d get some kind of recording of the summer ‘23 tour. Here we are. Fantastic set list: it’s great to see My Heart and Dream from SWA, Hold you in my Arms from Ayp? revisited. The more obscure, undervalued corners of NY’s body of work deserve to be spotlit and solo acoustic is a good venue, particularly for the SWA cuts, which need to be handled sensitively. I’m just glad A Dream that can Last finally made a set list. I can understand Neil’s possible hesitation, but in my opinion, it needed to be played for an audience at least once.

Other neat twists: an official album release for Homefires and If You’ve Got Love. That may scratch my “Johnny’s Island” itch, at least for a while. The all one track thing has been done before, albeit differently, with Earth. Important not to prejudge the concept before hearing the full piece. I feel (mildly) called out as someone who habitually makes playlists, as the artist clearly intends this to be listened to as one track rather than giving the option to split up and reconfigure. However I appreciate the creativity and boldness of the idea, especially today when most music is consumed in bite-sized pieces via streaming. In age where singles and EPs are suddenly marketable again (think of the awkwardness of tape and CD singles!), Neil is trying to revitalize the album as an art form, just like the Beatles and others made it 60 years ago.

Ironically enough, Tomatron makes a strong case for blu-ray. I’m still weighing options. I did get Noise and Flowers on blu-ray, which some people will find preposterous. But in spite of the complaints, I’ve always liked the sound. I think Scotzman’s comments are right on, too. Criticizing Neil’s vocals seems to me to be missing the point anyway, but I do think he sounds good on recent albums (Barn, World Record). When Song of the Seasons popped up, for instance, I immediately felt it was a warm, sensitive, controlled performance that serves the song. Little sign of strain and nothing overwrought.

Yes, looking forward to this one. And I appreciate the nudge to revisit older albums I haven’t thought about, like Mirror Ball. Possibly a dangerous admission: I haven’t listened to Freedom, Ragged Glory, Harvest Moon in a long time. Same for the Bluenotes studio album—haven’t heard it since before Bluenote Cafe came out. Partly because I’d gravitate to Cafe, Weld or (the revelatory) Dreamin’ Man, but also because imbalances are inevitable with a catalogue this big.

 
At 10/20/2023 03:52:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

I am so thrilled to have high quality audio on the way for my all time favorite reinvented Neil Young song, “I’m The Ocean.” That alone is worth the price, but it’s not alone! It’s all one song! Thanks Neil! Just in time for winter solstice / pagan tree party!

Your Brother Alan in Seattle

 
At 10/20/2023 04:59:00 PM, Blogger Art Carey said...

forty dollars for a mug

 
At 10/20/2023 05:56:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

Might as well say I like the cover: it's that spooky, grungy but also handmade aesthetic from many of NY's releases. It's a bit minimalist but nothing wrong in that. I sometimes wonder how much energy NY puts into album covers. Some are bold and busy, most are original. Off hand, Freedom and TtN are the only ones I can think of that look like they may have been designed by some record company person.

Titles, I would think, can be challenging after 50+ years as an artist, hence the great number of title tracks and items named after recording location (e.g. Zuma). I think Neil has alluded to this before. I thought "Barn" was a rather prosaic title, especially considering some of what's on the record. And then there's Toast, though I'm not sure what else I would call that one.

 
At 10/20/2023 10:01:00 PM, Blogger Thomas said...

Wow! I’m The Ocean is a true thing of beauty and sadness - what a way to launch a new live album - Neil’s delivery is so heartfelt, fragile, human - it hit me hard thinking about what’s happening in the world - innocent lives being lost - war rages - the world keeps turning….. - these lyrics feel like the soundtrack of RIGHT NOW….

I can't hear you
But I feel the things you say
I can't see you
But I see what's in my way
Now I'm floatin'
Cause I'm not tied to the ground
Words I've spoken
Seem to leave a hollow sound
On the long plain
See the rider in the night
See the chieftain
See the braves in cool moonlight
Who will love them
When they take another life
Who will hold them
When they tremble for the knife
Voicemail numbers
On an old computer screen
Rows of lovers
Parked forever in a dream
Screaming sirens
Echoing across the bay
To the old boats
From the city far away
Homeless heroes
Walk the streets of their hometown
Rows of zeros
On a field that's turning brown
They play baseball
They play football under lights
They play card games
And we watch them every night
Need distraction
Need romance and candlelight
Need random violence
Need entertainment tonight
Need the evidence
Want the testimony of
Expert witnesses
On the brutal crimes of love

 
At 10/20/2023 10:08:00 PM, Blogger Thomas said...

PS

The new Stones LP is fantastic!

 
At 10/21/2023 11:51:00 AM, Blogger Alan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 10/21/2023 11:53:00 AM, Blogger Alan said...

Ah, the typos on my phone…

I GAVE a listen to the new Stones…

 
At 10/21/2023 12:05:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

@ Thomas : I gave a listen to several songs on the Stones album because you said it was good. I was impressed by the songs I listened to. This could be their best album since the 1980’s possibly. However, they did release an album recently of all blues covers which is absolutely fantastic, “Blue & Lonesome.” I am sure you have it already, but if not, it is Necessary! The Stones play those songs in absolute genuine perfection. It is a very strong album. I am a Blues snob from the old days, grew up listening to Muddy Waters in the house. The Stones play that album extremely well. It is harder to write great new songs.

The drums on the new album have a more modern touch, not to say that is good or bad. I do miss Charlie Watts of course, RIP.

In my home of origin, Dad played CCR, Dylan, Cash, and a ton of bluegrass. My limited playlist served as a strong foundation for music appreciation. Back in those days we had to buy an album to find out if it was good. As a child of 10, working on a paper route, I have a keen memory of buying a Jerry Lee Lewis record as one of my first music purchases. It did not disappoint. I became a lifelong fan.

I hope you all have heard Neil playing electric and singing “You Don’t Have To Go” on JLL’s first comeback record. Page does Rock and Roll with JLL, Buddy Guy does Hadacol Boogie and they rock so hard the song ignites! “Why they call it Hadacol? Had a col it something.”

I own around 20 of the Stones’ best albums. My love of music turned into an obsession that has been very rewarding. But somehow, I probably would not have even checked out the new Stones record if not for your mention of it. Thanks.

I have been listening to the tracks from Before and After and so far, I would call it a masterpiece. You all probably know how much I love the acoustic 12 string version of I’m The 0cean. Now I get 2 versions. The original is smoking hot, a park Neil Young / Pearl Jam experience to behold. The new version is also a masterpiece! That is quite a trick Neil accomplished.

I might dream that my words of praise for that song influenced Neil somehow in his song selection for Coastal. We know Neil and his People pay attention to TW of course. TW, Endorsed by NY! But really, I don’t care, just so happy to HAVE it (on NYA)…

Your Brother Alan in Seattle

 
At 10/21/2023 12:11:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

(Re NY / PJ:) ITO is a PEAK experience from Mirrorball, not “park.” Haha!

Have a great day!

-Brother Alan

 
At 10/21/2023 01:19:00 PM, Blogger Dan Swan said...

Just listened to the three song demo on NYA, and I didn’t want it to end.

A good sign I think.

Neil sounds in great voice, and I think the lyrics are the main attraction here. It’s clear by the title of the album that he’s communicating an important message that is meaningful to him. Whatever anyone else may think is (as usual) inconsequential to Neil. He does what he does, and we fans are just along for the ride. Some of us resonate with all of it, and some don’t.

For me personally, this release feels personal. That in itself is a valuable indication that we just might be in for something really special here. Not being able to hear it in its entirety makes it difficult to comment on it more. But my heart is eager for more.

After recently losing the love of my life, my heart is in dire need for something with real substance, and this just might be what it longs for. She would have absolutely loved the concept of this record for far too many reasons to mention here.

But from what I’ve heard so far, Neil is going to deliver something remarkable.

Peace 🙏

 
At 10/21/2023 02:03:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

Dan, Sorry to hear of your loss. Hopefully the music will help to heal.

OM Shanti and Blessed Be~

 
At 10/21/2023 02:09:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

For those keeping up on new released, Peter Gabriel’s new album, i/o, lands in full on 12/01. Not sure on US retailers but CD, vinyl, blu-ray different mixes available for preorder on Gabriel’s site/Real World Records. All year he has been releasing tracks for streaming one at a time, posting monthly on each full moon. A rather Neil-ish idea. Dhani Harrison (George’s son) dropped a new album on Fri, Innerstanding. Plenty to listen to.

 
At 10/21/2023 02:38:00 PM, Blogger Dionys said...

Dan, it's just a tiny fragment of your life that I know of. I read that you lost your wife when I saw the LTTE section on NYA. You reached out to Neil Young and somehow now to us here on TW. Under these circumstances the communication between human beings through music and sometimes a comment on a website may help you to find the way out from under the shadow. I do hope so, knowing you to be one of the kindest persons in my small internet universe.

Dionys

 
At 10/21/2023 05:30:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

@ Dan, somehow you found time & will to cheer ME up recently in our text exchange, in despite your wife’s passing. I am amazed by your consistently uplifting energy. Before & After is the cure for having missed the Coastal tour. You had huge reasons to not make the trip, so I am especially glad these recordings are coming out.

Your Brother Alan in Seattle

 
At 10/21/2023 05:42:00 PM, Blogger Thomas said...

@Alan - I love Blue and Lonesome so much!!! Brilliant LP - i thought if that ended up being their swan song it would have been fitting but here we find ourselves
And I love how there’s a little bit of the spirit of that album at the end of Hackney Diamonds with a smoking hot cover of Muddy Waters’ Rolling stone Blues - Mick says they’re 60% through the follow up LP!

To bring it back to Neil - the last time the Stones released an album of original material was the same year Prairie Wind was released - Neil’s put out 12 albums since (excluding Americana and A Letter Home)

 
At 10/22/2023 11:27:00 AM, Blogger mrtew said...

Thomas, I wish that Neil Young had taken an 18 year break after Prairie Wind, like the Stones did. We would have missed Psychedelic Pill which would have been a shame but we should have been spared the other 11 albums of unlistenable crap that has really tarnished his brilliant legacy. I'd much rather have waited 18 years for something great like the Stones new album than have suffered for almost two decades like I did trying to 'appreciate' Neil's steady output. I just thank God for the archives and lost albums releases which made it all worth it.

 
At 10/22/2023 12:50:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

I always feel a little sad for those who haven’t been able to enjoy NY’s more recent work. There are albums that don’t do as much for me. I’d never wish them out of existence. I’m sure they resonate with someone somewhere, and were important for the artist to do at the time. I don’t think the songs on Pill are particularly stronger or weaker than other albums. Just longer, which I’m not complaining about!

I can still remember the first time I heard Plastic Flowers from Storyone with the full orchestra, and that would be amazingly almost ten years ago. The excitement and the emotional journey. Love Earth is simple but, for me, one of the most uplifting surprises to come along in quite a while. If a song makes you feel good, that’s worth a lot. If it gives you the desire to share it with someone you care about, that’s even better.

 
At 10/22/2023 02:12:00 PM, Blogger Dionys said...

Happy and I'm smiling
Walk a mile to drink your water
You know I'd love to love you
And above you there's no other
We'll go walking out
While others shout of war's disaster
Oh, we won't give in
Let's go living in the past
Once I used to join in
Every boy and girl was my friend
Now there's revolution, but they don't know
What they're fighting
Let us close our eyes
Outside their lives go on much faster
Oh, we won't give in
We'll keep living in the past
Oh, we won't give in
Let's go living in the past
Oh no, no we won't give in
Let's go living in the past

Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson has a song about Neil's output since Prarie Wind. Just bought "Americana" (vinyl) and Pegi Young's third CD at a Record Fair, Neil Young playing guitar on one song. I am grateful for what we've got including the archival output and curious what tomorrow will bring. What's wrong in singing about "terrorist suicide hangliders" or, for a change, about peace, love, and understanding? Sometimes this bashing the recent output reads as if reproaches are being made because Neil Young didn't die in his prime.
Also bought a compilation of Janis' "Pearl Session" outtakes. What could she have achieved if she had lived to be an old grumpy granny?

 
At 10/22/2023 02:17:00 PM, Blogger Dionys said...

Rather I want to listen to an artist trying to re-invent himself for the umpteenth time and failing from time to time than to the output of a corporation that specialized in perfectly imitating its former self. Needless to say their imitation is brilliant though.

 
At 10/22/2023 02:47:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

Wow, Janis Joplin as granny—that’s a fresh thought. Wish we could see it.

 
At 10/22/2023 03:21:00 PM, Blogger Dionys said...

Probably some AI is taking care of that shortly. And the digital imitator will be perfect, you bet. And we will like her, this Dorianis Joplin. We will jump around in the timeline, see a video how she smashed her Porsche in the age of 35 and survived it, sing a song for her grandkid at sixty, singing a duet with Kris Kristofferson at his 90th birthday. There will be an online game called Chelsea Hotel. You choose to be either Leonard Cohen or Patti Smith and visit her in her grief and pain.
And then we will realize all they did is creating a monumental digital grave stone...
OK, imagination ran away with me. I prefer my friend Neil Young old and alive, really.

 
At 10/22/2023 05:51:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 10/22/2023 05:54:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

 
At 10/22/2023 05:57:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

Our TW BAA Album Release Party continues! As read in comments. I’d love to buy Before And After on blu ray as well as CD, but the latter will have to do, probably. I will squeeze a lot of juice out of that album one way or another. Too bad Dylan didn’t make any good albums after 1974. I am kidding.

I would hate to live in a world in which Neil’s last 18 years of output were suddenly erased. Maybe I’m easy to please (probably not) but I love these albums, not just PP. Le Noise is one of my favorite Neil albums, in my top 20 for sure, including live and unreleased albums. I hold Americana to be a NY & Crazy Horse classic, not kidding at all. I find amazing power in High Flying bird,for instance, and really every song on the album. Peace Trail was spectacular live (Boise sound check and show 2016) & an incredible artistic achievement, a masterpiece. I love all of these albums way more than Hawks & Doves, for instance. T Bone is a classic? Reactor is a classic? Yes, & so is the newer stuff. If Neil Young was Neil Diamond I would have hit the road a long time ago to escape, perhaps burned my credit card for fuel (doing that today anyway, because I am out of money & credit until Tuesday!). Living day to day in the USA.

This new Stones album Hackney Diamondsis better than any of their original albums since Tattoo You! Buy Blue & Lonesome too, their recent blues covers album. And yes, their cover of Muddy Waters’ “Rollin’ Stone” is terrific and true to the source.

One more thing:

if you have any coin in your bank account and have not donated to Thrasher’s TW lately, please do! Our beloved blog requires bandwidth and lots a donated labor out of the goodness of Thrasher’s heart! Please see Right hand pay pal link on home TW home page. I happen to know that the 20th Anniversary T-shirt “fundraiser” actually cost him more than the money it brought in. And, he had to bust his ass trying to work out the kinks in the design. He used the Tie Dye masters in Lahaina, Maui, actually. And thankfully they all lived thru the recent wildfire tragedy thankfully. If I remember correctly he told me that it took 20 different attempts before the classic t-shirt was satisfactory, with the logo and print. And yet, each hand made shirt is unique in its pattern.

TW uses no advertising to bring us only the real deal Neil wheat! Thank you so much Thrasher for continuing to DO this blog! My bank account may be empty but I can still do something. Here it was.

So let’s not bitch & moan too much to our old friend Thrasher, a true purveyor of peace, free speech, justice, human / animal rights, and all the Neil that’s fit to print.

As my grandfather used to say, “Let them love.”

Brother Cousin Alan in Seattle

 
At 10/22/2023 06:35:00 PM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

Alan, High Flying Bird is a good one. I think the arrangements of Tom Dula and Gallows Pole also work well and Traveling On is pleasant. I think the issue is we’re used to hearing songs like Oh Susannah and Clementine as goofy children’s singalongs, almoat nursery rhymes (some of those have dark undercurrents, too), not mindful of everything under the surface. “Her shoes were number nine herring boxes without topses” is hard to take seriously no matter how hot the Horse sounds!

 
At 10/22/2023 10:07:00 PM, Blogger Alan said...

@ Metamorphic Rocker : Agreed on some Americana songs being familiar nursery rhymes. I got the blu ray as well as the albums that came with the concert tickets to the PP tour. I gave a few away. Then I scratched my CD & rebought it. Watching the children smoke cigarettes with their families as the old cameras rolled is chilling. I find the song you quoted as being eerie & creepy as hell! The feeling is there and the power is there. What a damn great band. Oh Susana is reinvented; all the songs to me are totally redefined. I am confronted with themes of slavery & depravity, the selfishness of man. Is there any limit to it.

Meanwhile, the headlines report “Israel strikes Syria, Gaza, & occupied West Bank, threatens to become wider conflict in region.”
Wider conflict, mission accomplished. Uncle Sam stands ready… to start another war and use some new weapons (which will of course require us to raise our military budget yet again. The Military Industrial Complex (etc) stands to earn some great profits into the future, yet again. Interest payments on US debt will soon overtake our massive military budget, which is as large as the next 10 countries military budgets combined, the next 10 who spend the most in the world. And we still can’t afford health care for all, much less housing for the unhoused, food for the hungry, and so on. The US is deficit spending at such a rapid rate that future generations will be broke trying to pay for it. And all this just as Global Warming has caused world weather to spin wildly out of control. 1000 year Superstorms rolling around the globe, causing havoc to systems in cities which were never designed to handle that much water. Neil Young keeps an eye on this stuff and he really feels for the people, the critters, Mother Nature. I love that about him and his Art. I just busted out World Record for another listen. His last 3 Crazy Horse albums have been quite good.

I sound like I need some cheering up. Maybe I should just reach way down in the Rust Bucket! (My favorite live NYCH album).

I wish you all the best. Your Brother Alan in Seattle

 
At 10/23/2023 11:28:00 AM, Blogger Marty Halpern said...

Talking about the Stones' _Blue and Lonesome_... I put together a blog post that contains all the original blues songs featured on the Stones' album, along with a bit of info on the blues guys themselves. If you want to give it a listen, here's the link: http://martyhalpern.blogspot.com/2017/01/the-original-blue-and-lonesome.html

 
At 10/23/2023 11:47:00 AM, Blogger The Metamorphic Rocker said...

“Don’t beat the drum
that frightens the children
don’t song your songs about winning and losing
sit down beside me
the green fields are bleeding
sing me the music of healing

Sometimes the truth’s like a hare in a cornfield:
you know that it’s there but you can’t put your arms ‘round it
all we can hope is to follow its footprints
sing me the music of healing

Somehow this cycle of vengeance keeps turning
‘til each others sorrows and songs we start learning
Peace is the prize for those who are daring
Sing me the music of healing

Ah, the heart’s a wonder,
stronger than the guns of thunder.
Even when we’re torn asunder,
love will come again.”


https://youtu.be/e3_DfZZk03w?si=ZFB45M-BgwgDKIJd

 
At 10/23/2023 11:54:00 AM, Blogger Abner Snopes said...

Neil and the Horse disemboweled those horrifying songs on Americana. No pretending, sheer destruction and there is a immense creativity in some destructive activity. I think Americana is a great Neil album. It might be sloppy but this works with the dreadful nature of these songs. There is no other album or song cycle like this one that I have ever heard. Clementine suggests all sorts of things that would get it "banned."

"I'm the Ocean" is a song that altered my life. Too much to discuss but it makes my hair stand on end.

Dan, I hope you are doing ok.

 
At 10/23/2023 05:19:00 PM, Blogger Thomas said...

My favourite Neil LPs from the last 18 years would be:

Psychedelic Pill
Americana
Barn
A Letter Home
prairie wind

 
At 10/24/2023 02:22:00 AM, Blogger Alan said...

@ Marty Halpern : cool link to your informative blog post. Forgot to mention recently in talking about my Dad playing blues…. He played a lot of Lil Walter & Paul Butterfield, being a harmonica player. I am very familiar with most of those songs, being a hug Howlin’ Wolf fan since my 20’s (never heard that at home growing up). SRV covered 6 of his songs, with writing help from Willie Dixon of course. I did give a listen to the songs, mainly ones I doesn’t own. Like Magic Sam

If you haven’t already, a must watch movie on American Blues is Cadillac Records. It’s a true story, and very well put together. It’s all about Chess records, home of Chicago Blues.

@ Thomas : nice list. I like the clean version of A Letter Home. I never did warm to the lower sound quality of the recording, and I was irritated, having bought a blu ray surround system to listen to Neil Young music(!). I finally got over that. Now I can hardly afford blu rays; that’s life in Seattle, where you pay thru the nose.

Your brother Alan in Seattle

 
At 10/24/2023 02:22:00 AM, Blogger Alan said...

Huge… Howlin Wolf fan! Not “hug”

 
At 10/24/2023 05:22:00 PM, Blogger Flyingscotzman said...

Dan S: So sorry to hear the bad news.

Sending my very best wishes to you, and to the love of your life, too — whose spirit I'm sure will be right by your side, going onwards.

Scots.

 

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It's Been Called The
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Sugar Mountain

Neil Young Setlists
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Rust Radio


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Bands Covering Neil Young songs


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LIVE MUSIC IS BETTER


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Official Neil Young News Site

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The Bridge School


The Bridge School Concerts
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The Essential Neil Young

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Fans Favorite Neil Albums

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In the fields of wheat

"Children of Destiny" will NOT be harvested
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Neil Young + Promise of the Real

Europe 2016 Tour Dates



2015 Rebel Content Tour


Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Alchemy Concert Tour Reviews

Fall 2012 N. America Tour
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Europe Summer 2014 Concert Tour
Neil Young & Crazy Horse

Thrasher's Wheat Radio Supporters Go To Europe

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Neil Young Films

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2010 MusiCares Honors Neil Young

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"There's more to the picture
Than meets the eye"

#BigShift

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Neil Young FAQ:
Everything Left to Know About the Iconic and Mercurial Rocker
"an indispensable reference"

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Paul McCartney and Neil Young

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"You can make a difference
If you really a try"

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John Lennon and Neil Young


"hailed by fans as a wonderful read"

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young:
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The Supergroup of the 20th Century



Director Jonathan Demme's Exquisite film "Heart of Gold"

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Eddie Vedder and Neil Young

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Revisiting The Significance of
The Buffalo Springfield


"The revolution will not be televised"
... it will be blogged, streamed,
tweeted, shared and liked
The Embarrassment of Mainstream Media

Turn Off Your TV & Have A Life


"Everything Is Bullshit" +
"Turn Off The News"
Turn Off the News (Build a Garden)


Neil Young 2016 Year in Review:
The Year of The Wheat

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Kurt Cobain and Neil Young

Neil Young's Feedback:
An Acquired Taste?

Young Neil: The Sugar Mountain Years
by Rustie Sharry "Keepin' Jive Alive in T.O." Wilson

"the definitive source of Neil Young's formative childhood years in Canada"

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Joni Mitchell & Neil Young

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Bob and Neil

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So Who Really Was "The Godfather of Grunge"?


Four Dead in Ohio
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So What Really Happened at Kent State?


The Four Dead in Ohio



May The FOUR Be With You #MayThe4thBeWithYou

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dissent is not treason
Dissent is the highest form of patriotism

Rockin' In The Free World



Sing Truth to Power!
When Neil Young Speaks Truth To Power,
The World Listens

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Emmylou Harris and Neil Young

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Wilco and Neil Young

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Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young

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Elton John and Neil Young

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Lynyrd Skynyrd and Neil Young

+

The Meaning of "Sweet Home Alabama" Lyrics


Neil Young Nation -
"The definitive Neil Young fan book"

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"Powderfinger"
What does the song mean?

Random Neil Young Link of the Moment
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Bonnie Raitt and Neil Young

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I'm Proud to Be A Union Man

UNITED WE STAND/DIVIDED WE FALL


When Neil Young is Playing,
You Shut the Fuck Up


Class War:
They Started It and We'll Finish It...
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A battle raged on the open page...
No Fear, No Surrender. Courage
WE WON'T BACK DOWN. NEVER STAND DOWN.

"What if Al Qaeda blew up the levees?"
Full Disclousre Now


"I've Got The Revolution Blues"

Willie Nelson & Neil Young
Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize



John Mellencamp:
Why Willie Deserves a Nobel

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BOYCOTT HATE

Love and Only Love

"Thinking about what a friend had said,
I was hoping it was a lie"


We're All On
A Journey Through the Past

Neil Young's Moon Songs
Tell Us The F'n TRUTH
(we can handle it... try us)

Freedom:
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Does Anything Else Really Matter?

"Nobody's free until everybody's free."
~~ Fannie Lou Hamer

Here Comes "The Big Shift"
#BigShift

Maybe everything you think you know is wrong? NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
"It's all illusion anyway."

Propaganda = Mind Control
NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS
Guess what?
"Symbols Rule the World, not Words or Laws."
... and symbolism will be their downfall...

Brighter Planet's 350 Challenge
Be The Rain, Be The Change

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the truth will set you free
This Machine Kills Fascists


"Children of Destiny" - THE Part of THE Solution

(Frame from Official Music Video)

war is not the answer
yet we are
Still Living With War

"greed is NOT good"
Hey Big Brother!
Stop Spying On Us!
Civic Duty Is Not Terrorism

The Achilles Heel
#NullifyNSA
Orwell (and Grandpa) Was Right
“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery.”
~~ Bob Marley

The Essence of "The Doubters"



Yes, There's Definitely A Hole in The Sky


Even Though The Music Died 50+ Years Ago
,
Open Up the "Tired Eyes" & Wake up!
"consciousness is near"
What's So Funny About
Peace, Love, & Understanding & Music?

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Show Me A Sign

"Who is John Galt?"
To ask the question is to know the answer

"Whosoever shall give up his liberty for a temporary security
deserves neither liberty nor safety."

~~ Benjamin Franklin

Words

(Between the lines of age)


And in the end, the love you take
Is equal to the love you make

~~ John & Paul

the zen of neil
the power of rust
the karma of the wheat

~Om-Shanti.

Namaste