A Question on Neil Young's Product "Quality"

Neil Young's COASTAL film soundtrack 
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Discussions of the COASTAL soundtrack have raised questions on Neil Young's product "quality".

As background,  Neil Young's COASTAL film soundtrack vinyl & CD product have been withdrawn from sale on Greedy Hand due to errors in the album’s production and mastering process. In addition, after a series of glitches, the soundtrack is now streaming on NYA.

A comment by Old Black on a message received when ordering  COASTAL soundtrack:

"I regret to inform you that Neil Young has discovered an audio glitch on the cd and has therefore requested that we put an immediate halt to all shipments, and also issue an immediate recall on any stock that remains at retail."

The latest episode comes after various past struggles with quality, such as the Rust Bucket DVD issue or  BBC 1971 DVD reissue,  But as The Flying Scotzman points out, is this really production and mastering issues or simply poor quality control allowing bad product to go to production?

Other fans have in turn pointed out that’s unfair, as not all these issues are equal. Why? Because while most were errors in quality control, others were deliberate creative decisions.

The Rust Bucket dvd re-think, for example, was a separate issue to some of the recent QC issues. The mix was not a mistake, as such, but an intended effect by Neil — and one with good thinking behind it. 

(To clarify, the first Rust Bucket dvd featured an remastered version of John Hanlon’s flagship master mix for the CD version. The fairly aggressive remaster for the dvd involved John’s mix being made narrower, louder, and given a treble and bass boost. This was an attempt, perhaps only partially successful, to more thrillingly simulate the excitement of the authentic live sound. The second edition dvd restored John’s unedited mix.)

But despite being an intentional production choice, the first Rust Bucket does in hindsight feel like a pivotal project — a turning point of sorts:

It was around this time Niko Bolas took over from John Hanlon. (This is perhaps relevant, or perhaps merely coincidence. Niko has certainly done great work with Neil before, even if his preference for drums over guitars is perhaps less suited to Neil’s electric work than Briggs’ and Hanlon’s guitar-centric approach.)

 As Scotsman concludes: "And is it asking too much to expect Neil’s record company to play a role in actually checking the product works as intended (and meets even a minimal-viable standard of quality) before putting it on sale?". No, not at all.

Neil Young: Coastal

Directed by Daryl Hannah

Quality issues aside, the concert film COASTAL was a joy to experience in theaters with friends and new acquaintances. So one can only hope this all resolves swiftly so that the wonderful soundtrack can be properly experienced and enjoyed.

Lastly, we can only add that Neil Young's product quantity has been staggering over the recent years.  Definitely not an excuse, but it's not surprising when one declares "open the vaults" that there are faults.

To quote Neil himself: "Quality: Whether You Want It or Not".

Occupy Audio: Neil Young is "Angered By Today's Sound Quality"Jonathan Demme and Neil Young
Slamdance Festival 2012, Park City, Utah

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Film Review of the Moment: Neil Young: Coastal

Neil Young: CoastalDirected by Daryl Hannah (Click photo to enlarge)

The Neil Young film Coastal, directed by Daryl Hannah, held screenings last week and was warmly welcomed. 

Here is the Film Review of the Moment from Neil Young Film Coastal on April 17 + "Daryl Hannah shows husband Neil Young's softer side in new tour film" | BBC by Aer:

Waves of Sadness. 

I don't know why. From the start. Not constant, but some quite extreme.

I was surprised to see the theater about 2/3's full, here in Burbank.That was nice. A nice geriatric audience, and I was one of them, now, a long time gone from the Tonight's the Night shows, which were my first. When I went to Mountaintop, there were only about 10 in the theater at the Landmark Nuart on Santa Monica in West LA.

The theaters seem to play every movie at deafening sound levels these days, but this was quite subdued, and could have used a boost. It was a lot of concert footage, and it deserved more realistic concert venue volume, at least for the music. I could hear nearby concession wrappers rustling even during the music. (I ran into the 16-plex manager on the way out, and asked about the volume choice, and she said the volume is pre-set by the film distributors for airing, so Shakey Pictures' choice?) 

Maybe it was the black and white, too, that contributed to the sadness feeling. But the movie was in the bus, out and directly to soundcheck or the start of the performance at a few venues, some concert segments from the few different venues, then immediately back to the bus, and driving again, and talking with the bus driver. Repeat. The movie seemed just as much conversation with the bus driver as was anything else. Very laid back. Nice Neil dry humor, throughout. And I enjoyed the film, don't get me wrong, but I missed the bits of real joy. 

During Mountaintop, with Crazy Horse, there was so much emotion, and much of it anger and frustration, some so intense that I was surprised they were letting us see it. But when it gelled, finally, and that scene of them listening to the play back and Neil lit up with that massive joy and happiness, and a 500 watt smile...... I missed seeing joy like that in Coastal. Neil seemed so isolated from the rest of the world. His special pocket of isolation. On the bus and off the bus. on the bus, off the bus. Looking out the bus window. Escorted every step. Maybe the aging ("I don't recognise myself"), the pace for the solo shows....... 

Mostly I was enveloped with sadness for most of the documentary. I don't really know why. I loved the few bits of Micah animation. I would have just as soon seen Coastal at home, with my own control of the sound system for the music parts. Like the last decades' releases, I enjoy them and keep up with a favorite artist that has been a large part of my personal soundtrack since 1970, but don't really know what to make of the sadness that this film bathed me in. Neil already did so much that was so very special to me, and so many. He already did that. I don't mind that the most special songs he will do have already been done. My life was enriched by them as they happened. Now, I love to check in, and see what he is doing, even if it brings me sadness, for whatever reason. Neil playing "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" on the bus might have been my personal favorite part. 

That is some bus.

Thanks so much for the review Aer!  Great to hear from you.

Know what you mean about the sadness and subduedness. The film was definitely for Neil fans.  A very intimate exploration of the solo side of Neil. Mainly, rare songs performed live that most are unfamiliar with. Prime of Life, for example. So sublime. Sub-title could have been "Secrets of a Tour Bus Driver".

Also, good points on Mountaintop.  Coastal is like the antithesis of  Mountaintop.  All of the crew tension and technical stress of Mountaintop is offset in Coastal by the whole mellow vibe and camaraderie of the artist and his fellow travelers. Its almost like Daryl wanted Coastal to be the opposite film of Mountaintop. 

Coastal and Mountaintop will be a great double feature someday.

The theater was more than half full at the American Film Institute (AFI) Screen #2 and ended with applause.  Many stayed afterwards hanging out and chatting about film.

w/ Dangerbird (NY cover band)

@ AFI, Silver Spring, MD - April 17

Henrik @ Berlin Screening

Thanks so much for sending Henrik!

More on Neil Young Film Coastal on April 17 + "Daryl Hannah shows husband Neil Young's softer side in new tour film" | BBC.

Neil Young: Coastal
Directed by Daryl Hannah (Click photo to enlarge) 

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Neil Young Film Coastal on April 17 + "Daryl Hannah shows husband Neil Young's softer side in new tour film" | BBC

Neil Young: Coastal
Directed by Daryl Hannah (Click photo to enlarge)

The Neil Young film Coastal, directed by Daryl Hannah, will screen one night only, tomorrow, Thursday April 17.

In an interview with BBC, Daryl Hannah speaks extensively about her new film "Coastal", a documentary on Neil Young's solo tour along the US West Coast in the summer of 2023.

From "Daryl Hannah shows husband Neil Young's softer side in new tour film" | BBC by Mark Savage:

"He just has an absolute, uncanny commitment to his creative muse," she argues.

"He's not driven by financial interests, he's not driven by self-aggrandisement, he's not driven by anything other than that creative force, and it's pretty incredible to witness.

"Having spent so much time with him, my perception is that he's completely guileless. He has a lot of warmth and innocence, so I wanted to show that."

...

Hannah reveals her husband was harassed during the first Trump administration, as he went through the process of becoming a US citizen.

"They tried to every trick in the book to mess him up, and made him keep coming back to be re-interviewed and re-interviewed. It's ridiculous [because] he's been living in America and paying taxes here since he was in his 20s."

Despite that, she doesn't think Young will be prevented from entering the country.

"They've been detaining people who have green cards or visas – which is hideous and horrifying - but they have not, so far, been refusing to let American citizens back in the country, so I don't think that's going to happen."

Full interview @ "Daryl Hannah shows husband Neil Young's softer side in new tour film" | BBC by Mark Savage.

Neil Young: Coastal will be shown in cinemas on 17 April.

More on "'IT’S FUNNY HOW PEOPLE ARE INTIMIDATED BY HIM’: DARYL HANNAH ON HER NEW NEIL YOUNG DOC AND MORE" | Rolling Stone.

NEIL YOUNG 2023 COASTAL TOUR Concert Reviews

The NEIL YOUNG 2023 COASTAL TOUR  has already yielded an album "Before And After" and the film COASTAL promises to reveal yet another musical chapter on the long and winding Neil road.

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Neil Young Endorses Mark Carney Ahead of Canada's Election

Mark Carney | X Post
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Neil Young has endorsed Mark Carney ahead of Canada's election in an open letter published to Neil Young Archives.

“Although I have lived in the United States for most of my life, and recently became a citizen of the USA, I am a Canadian and always will be.

So now, here we are again. Canada is facing threats to its very existence, incredibly from people we thought were our friends. They want our resources, they want our land, they want our fisheries, they want our water, they want our Arctic, maybe they want our souls. I know the U.S. president could use a soul.”

...

”Mr. Carney, I believe you are the person to do it. I believe you are the person our country needs to lead us through this crazy situation and bring us out the other side as a stronger, smarter, more resilient Canada, our core values of caring and fairness and generosity intact, along with our souls.

Without a doubt, you’ve got the chops to get it done. And man, you have got the guts to take it on.  It’s a heavy lift for sure, Mr. Carney. But I, for one, am with you all the way.”

I'M WITH YOU, MR. CARNEY

Neil Young Archives

Neil Young has also recently been involved in U.S. politics, performing at the "Fighting Oligarchy" protest on  April 12 with U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.

 "Rockin' in the Free World"

Neil Young, Joan Baez & Others

Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles - April 12, 2025

(see "Fighting Oligarchy": Neil Young & Others in Los Angeles )

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"Fighting Oligarchy": Neil Young & Others in Los Angeles Today

 

 "Rockin' in the Free World"

Neil Young, Joan Baez & Others

Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles - April 12, 2025

(Click photo to enlarge)

Joan Baez & Neil Young

Neil Young & Bernie Sanders

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Neil Young will appear  on the "Fighting Oligarchy" protest tour in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 12. 

 

Neil Young and Daryl Hannah

 Hands Off Protest, Thousand Oaks, California - April 5, 2025

image via NYA(Click photo to enlarge)

Neil Young is a "special musical guest" with Joan Baez, Maggie Rogers, and others for the rally in Gloria Molina Grand Park.  The "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" is organized by U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders as a protest against the Trump administration.

More on "Fighting Oligarchy": Neil Young Joins Protest Tour. 

"Fighting Oligarchy" 

Gloria Molina Grand Park, Los Angeles - April 12

Neil Young's setlist: "Rainbow of Colors" & "Rockin' in the Free World"

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NEW DATE: Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts @ Montreux Jazz Festival - July 6th

Montreux Jazz FestivalJuly 4 - 19, 2025

A new date has been added for Neil Young w/ Chrome Hearts' European "Love Earth" concert  tour for Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland. 

Pre-sales begin April 11. 

 

More details on Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts Love Earth Tour of Europe, Canada and USA this summer.    

Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts Love Earth Tour  

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