"Speak the Truth": New Song by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real

"Speak the Truth" is a new song by Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real which debuted at Harrah's Resort, San Diego, California on Oct 15, 2018.

The song "Speak the Truth" follows a similar theme put forward earlier this year by Lukas Nelson's "Turn Off The News" and brother Micah Nelson's "Everything Is Bullshit".

As we've mentioned previously, Lukas Nelson speaks from the heart with a maturity far beyond his years. And -- obviously -- in these strange days, the themes of truth and the ability to express it freely are of paramount importance. Long time readers know that here at TW we hold these truths to be self-evident and non-negotiable. Transparency and full disclosure will eventually win the day. "The Big Shift" rolls on and on...

So thanks Lukas and Micah for keeping the promise real!

(Thanks HtH!)

---

---

Neil Young Says "Alchemy: Probably The Last Crazy Horse Live Album"

Alchemy
via NYA Times-Contrarian

According to the latest edition of the NYA Times-Contrarian, Neil Young writes that "Alchemy is probably the last Crazy Horse live album."

Having had a ride on the rails across the continents from 2012 to 2014, we can definitely say that the Neil Young & Crazy Horse Alchemy Concert Tours will make for a compelling live album.



Thrasher Wheat covered the Fall 2012 N. America Tour, Spring 2013 Australia/New Zealand Tour, Summer 2013 Europe Tour and Europe Summer 2014 Concert Tour.



The third episode of A Rust Trilogy, which began with Rust Never Sleeps in 1978, and continued with Weld in 1990, now concludes with Alchemy in 2012. Things have changed, yet they stay the same. The Alchemy Tour of Neil Young & Crazy Horse -- like Rust and Weld -- brought back those old stage props like big roadcases, giant monitors and towering mic stands.

Alchemy was deja vu all over again.

Alchemy Tour Stage Setup
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Windsor, Ontario, Oct. 3

---

Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Cleveland, Ohio - Oct. 8
Alchemy Tour 2012
Photos by TW
(Click photo to enlarge)
We are very fortunate to have just returned from attending both the Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Neil Young & Crazy Horse Alchemy 2012 Tour shows.

And, boy, what thoughts and memories we have of Neil and The Horse in all of their splendid ragged glory.

From our vantage point of just off the rail, what we witnessed was nothing less than two nearly perfect nights of rock and roll power delivered with raw abandon yet punctuated with all the fun and delight one could ever want. And more.

To say that we've been lucky is a vast understatement. This was our third lifetime installment of "The Rust Trilogy". We saw the Rust Never Sleeps in 1978, the Weld tour in 1991, and now the Alchemy tour in 2012. While the boys in the band and some of the songs are still the same, life's journey has continued. As they say, "their spirit seems unstoppable." Just ask anyone who has seen the chemistry of the Alchemy tour.

Highlights? Too many.

The Crazy Horse huddle.

The dinosaur stomp of "Walk Like A Giant".

Flipping off Poncho during "Fuckin' Up".

The Psychedelic Mic

The flying keyboard descending for "Like A Hurricane". (Note new tye-die draping for the crying dove)

And good news! Concerts being filmed by Shakey Pictures.

What else?

And of course our fellow rusty Neil fans who get it and know The Way. We're honored to be part of the tribe. See you next time at the campfire.

Love and Only Love will endure.

peace,
thrasher

More photos of Neil Young & Crazy Horse Alchemy Tour 2012.

More on Thoughts & Memories on Alchemy Tour: Neil Young & Crazy Horse 2012

---

---

Kurt Vile on Neil Young's Space Travel | WTF Podcast Episode #958

Marc Maron & Kurt Vile
WTF Podcast Episode #958, October 11, 2018

Kurt Vile was interviewed on Marc Maron's WTF Podcast Episode #958, October 11, 2018 and discussed Neil Young, as well as, Tom Scharpling, the blues, Randy Newman, and the fascinating topic of flat driveways.

They also talk about Kurt's unique upbringing with nine siblings in Philadelphia and the banjo that led to his development as a musician. In his early 20s, Kurt had a job driving a forklift and in his free time he was making home recordings, which eventually became the tracks on his first album. They also get into Kurt's time with The War on Drugs, his band The Violators and his various side projects.

Regarding Neil Young, Kurt Vile's admiration runs very deep as he shares tales of backstage encounters and other mishaps along the way.

Listen @ ~58:00 - WTF Podcast Episode #958, October 11, 2018

Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile
Anthem, Washington, DC - November 7, 2017
Photo by thrashette

More on Kurt Vile and The Neil Young Solo That Changed Kurt Vile's Life.


Kurt Vile - "Loading Zones"

Also, listen to Neil Young on WTF w/ Marc Maron - Podcast Episode #717, June 20, 2016.

---

---

Next Neil Young Album? "Songs for Judy" (aka Joel Bernstein Tapes)

John Hanlon's Notebook
via NYA Times-Contrarian

Might the next Neil Young album release be "Songs for Judy" (aka The Joel Bernstein Tapes)?

From John Hanlon's Notebook on NYA Times-Contrarian, Hanlon writes that Neil Young is preparing to release a new archival album titled "Songs For Judy". A double album, "Songs For Judy" will feature 23 songs from the acoustic sets of the 1976 "Crazy Horse" tour.

Hanlon describes engineering for the new album involving remastering tour photographer Joel Bernstein's recorded audio cassettes. Extensive details for high-quality vinyl pressing and high-resolution digital files are shared. Mastering has been completed by Bernie Grundman in Hollywood - based on the work of Young's longtime sound engineer Tim Mulligan, who had previously edited Joel Bernstein's tapes. Together with Engineer Chris Bellman, Hanlon works to preserve the rawness of the original audio and not digitally (artificially) enhance.

So why the title "Songs for Judy"? Well, Neil refers to actress and singer Judy Garland, while at the Austin, TX concert before the song "Too Far Gone". So was Judy "Too Far Gone" in 1976???


Joel Bernstein, NYA Archivist
More on The Joel Bernstein Tapes and The Making of The Neil Young Archives Volume #1.

For more on NYA Times-Contrarian posts see:

• Dear NYA: Why Isn't Ragged Glory Available on Vinyl?
• 34+ minute version of "Like A Hurricane" on NYA Movie Night @ Hearse Theater
• "Campaigner": Neil Young Archives Song of the Day
• Neil Young Calls Out Big Tech ... Yet Again
• Neil Young's Song Of The Day: "Heart of Gold" + 1971 Interview
• Neil Young Remembers "The Innocence": WORDS
• Dear Neil: New Feature "Letters To The Editor" on Neil Young Archives (NYA)
• Neil Young Archives: "Huge drop of unreleased tracks!"
• "Enjoy NYA - Still Free" Says Neil Young
• Membership to Neil Young Archives Opens June 1
• "Muddy Track": Movie Night on Neil Young Archives
• Song of the Day: New Feature on Neil Young Archives
• Neil Young Archives (NYA) Times-Contrarian Launches Debut Issue
• "FREE THE MUSIC": Update on Neil Young Archives (NYA) Times-Contrarian
• "Vinyl is KING" Says Neil Young
• Neil Young Returns To #1 On The Charts!
• Neil Young: Tech Giants Rip Off Artists

Dear NYA
NYA Times-Contrarian
photo by dhlovelife

---

---

Bob Dylan & Neil Young - Concord, CA, Pavilion (7th June 1988)

Here is a rather historic recording of a widely circulated bootleg of Bob Dylan and Neil Young in 1988.

This was the first concert on what became known as The Never Ending Tour (NET) and Bob invited Neil to help him out at this critical time.



Neil Young plays guitar on tracks #1-6 and #10-13.

Concord, CA, Pavilion (7th June 1988) setlist

1. Subterranean Homesick Blues 00:00
2. Absolutely Sweet Marie 03:59
3. Masters Of War 09:21
4. You're A Big Girl Now 14:31
5. Gotta Serve Somebody 20:19
6. In The Garden 26:16
7. Man Of Constant Sorrow 32:07
8. Lakes Of Pontchartrain (trad.) 36:51
9. Boots Of Spanish Leather 41:34
10. Driftin' Too Far From Shore 45:41
11. Gates Of Eden 50:37
12. Like A Rolling Stone 55:53
13. Maggie's Farm 1:05:05

At one time, there was some dispute as to whether Neil Young actually appeared on the recording, as he only plays guitar. But listen closely @ ~20:05 where Bob introduces Neil.

From Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands:

This is the very first concert of the Never Ending Tour and of the Interstate 88 Tour (Part 1, Summer Tour Of America). The tape comes from LB-252. It was first thought to be a complete stereo soundboard but in fact is a complete audience stereo recording.

1988 marked the beginning of a new era for Bob.

For those who don't know, after a long period of creative disarray, Bob Dylan went back on the road in June 1988 with a completely new band, with unknown players. It began with G. E. Smith on guitar (known for leading the band on SNL), Kenny Aaronson on bass and Christopher Parker on drums. For Bob, it was his last chance on the road... If it didn't work, he'll stop writing music and playing all together.

Bob and his Band started in state fairs and small clubs, long gone from the stadiums and arena rock that plagued Bob's talent and reputation, mostly unannounced. Bob didn't play the hits, changing the setlist as it goes, sometimes in the middle of the song, singing deep-cuts, covers, and old folk tunes. Every song was different one night from another.

After more than 30 years, the Never Ending Tour didn't stop and Bob is still on a creative high. All the stories began in Concord at the Pavilion. Bob launched his first tour, the Interstate 88 Tour, from the Never Ending Tour. Bob started with the very first live Subterranean Homesick Blues, sounding like a punk band. Bob goes on with many other firsts like Absolutely Sweet Mary, Lakes Of Pontchartrain, and Driftin' Too Far From Shore. Bob and his Band create a blistering experience thanks to G.E Smith and the talent of the amazing Neil Young, who helped Bob to regain his confidence during his first shows. It worked with wonders. This show is a milestone that everyone needs to hear at least once to understand how Bob came back after a decade in the desert.

I'm sure you will love it.

Thanks so much SELOTL! Great info.

Bob Dylan and Neil Young Interview: 1986
More on that tangled up in blue musical relationship of Bob Dylan and Neil Young.

---

---