Yet Another New Year, And With More Good News for Neil Young Fans

Our Man  + Finding The Cost Of Freedom Is Steep
Happy New Year everyone!

As we do here at Thrasher's Wheat from time to time, we look back as we look ahead. Because you know how time fades away, right?

And in looking back, we go all the way back to the New Year of 2007, where we published a letter from Caryn which really moved us.  (See  Find The Cost Of Freedom: A New Year). We won't try and summarize here because the entire letter needs to be read in full context, but basically a story of going from war time despair to peaceful hope.

And in these times, we're hearing about folks trying to escape angry despair to a more positive, peaceful state of being in their life.

And as parts of our EARTH teeter along between what some consider a mix of World War 3 and Civil War 2.0, we try and bring a little joy and light.

All of which to say that 2026 has been on our mind for a very, very long time.  

2026 marks the 30th Anniversary of Thrasher’s Wheat. 5 years ago in 2021, Neil Young Archives helped us celebrate by publishing a "HAPPY 25th Anniversary Thrasher’s Wheat!" article on the front top of Times-Contrarian. 

 "HAPPY 25th Anniversary Thrasher’s Wheat!" | Neil Young Archives

Per  "HAPPY 25th Anniversary Thrasher’s Wheat!" | Neil Young Archives:

"Thanks for being there.

We at NYA greatly appreciate your members and their enthusiasm over the years. it will be a great period for us all over the next years as well. Lots more music coming. Our biggest concern is that NYA Volume 3 is so big!

Lots of love and thanks to TW and the people who love it and support it."

To say the thrashers were humbled and honored would be a vast under statement.

Just like Willie Nelson's old guitar Trigger -- while we may be worn and battered -- we will survive and thrive no matter what forces we encounter.

Willie Nelson's  guitar "Trigger"

So what shall we do for our 30th Anniversary here at Thrasher’s Wheat?

We do want to give back to the community and are looking seriously at our options.  We do hope to announce our anniversary plans in the not too distant future.

As a reminder, back in 2016, we celebrated our 20th anniversary with the incredibly popular tie dye shirt.

Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary: 1996 - 2016
Design by Silver Moon Art & Design
(Click photo to enlarge)

 

It has been a long, long road since 1996 and we would like to make 2026 a year of celebration. A celebration maybe not so much of our little blog website or even of Neil Young. No, a celebration of this wonderful little community we joined back in 1993 that eventually became known as "The force of Rust".

Photo by TW Tour & Merch Manager RotM: Hounds That Howell

(folks, let your freak flags fly!) 

The Rust community is -- without a shred of doubt -- the tightest and coolest group of music fans running in history... online or offline. (We'd be happy to have that discussion separately below in comments.)

Rusties @ The Healing Pole & Medicine Teepee
Shoreline: 2015 International Rust Fest Bridge Concerts 

Rust@yahoo 

To say that the power of Rust changed our lives would be a vast over under statement. That said, to some degree, it became our mantra to stay "rustie" at all times. To be the rust is to know the rust. And rusties understand that statement. 

Or as we sometimes say, "It's a rustie thing and you wouldn't understand".

What many may not realize, is that Thrasher's Wheat continues to be the 2nd longest continuously running website in the history of the Internet dedicated to a single topic, operating under the same "original management" and "original mission".

Period. Full stop.

Longer than eBay, Amazon, Google, Facebook, etc. Even before New York Times or Washington Post websites were launched, or about the same time. And we welcome any challenge to the above statement and will gladly correct. :)

Logo design by
Geoff Moore - Silver Moon Graphics

At this point, we could run down an amazing amount of TW post highlights. The concert reviews. The photos. The videos. The ecstasies and agonies. And so on. 

But at the moment, we just want to share the joy of Neil and the Rust community.

Telluride, Colorado, October 1, 2016

Photo by Expecting To Fly

So here's what we're thinking. Back in 2016 -- thanks to our dear friend Geoff, -- we came up with a Thrasher's Wheat 20th Anniversary t-shirt with which to celebrate.

Sandy & Tami
The Arkansas Girls

But now in honor of Thrasher's Wheat Celebrates 30th Anniversary: 1996 - 2026, we will be embarking on a new and exciting adventure.

w/ Geoff in Telluride 2016 

 

Stay tuned in coming weeks for a very major announcement in the next chapter of the evolution of 21st Century Thrasher's Wheat!

Thrasher's Wheat Radio Supporters Go To Europe

Thanks for readin' & Keep on rockin'!
thrasher & thrashette
#CrazyHorse4HoF  

Our little box at the top of the stairs

thrashers @ TW HQ w/ NYA Vol#2

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Waiting for the Wheat to be Separated From the Tares | Laura Aboli

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The following guest post is by Laura Aboli @ https://t.me/LauraAbolichannel

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“The enemy planted weeds among the wheat while everyone slept. When the servants saw what had happened, they wanted to rip the weeds out immediately. But the farmer said no, because in doing so, they’d destroy the wheat too.”

If what we’re witnessing really is a global cleanup, a dismantling of entrenched evil, a war being fought in the shadows, then it makes sense that it can’t happen all at once. You can’t purge a system this vast, without damaging what’s still worth saving. The corruption, the deception and the rot are woven into everything: politics, media, finance, even the structures that hold daily life together.

To pull it out too fast would collapse the whole field, so the process has to be gradual, strategic, almost surgical. It’s demolition, but done with precision; one beam at a time, so the house doesn’t crush the people still living inside.

And maybe that’s why it feels slow, why justice seems delayed, because what’s unfolding is not chaos, but a carefully executed plan focused on long lasting results rather than immediate fickle victories.

In the parable, the farmer says…

“Let both grow together until the harvest.”

Only when the wheat is mature can the weeds [tares/chaff] be gathered and burned without harm. Perhaps that’s where we are now, the waiting before the harvest. The moment before the great separation.

The time will come when the field is cleared, the truth revealed, and every root exposed to the light.

I pray for that moment.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

https://t.me/LauraAbolichannel

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UPDATED:

"The Harvesters" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, ~1565

+ see comments below

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UPDATE: Neil Young's New Album "Finished"

A MESSAGE FROM NEIL via Neil Young Archives(Click photo to enlarge)

Neil Young's new album is "finished" and due to be released in April, per a statement on Neil Young Archives.

With a working title "Talkin' To The Trees",  the album was completed with producer Lou Adler [Adler is Neil's brother-in-law; Adler is married to actress Page Hannah; Young married her sister, Daryl, in 2018]  and sound engineer John Hanlon. 

The album art has been completed and handed in with Jenice Heo. I am working on the lyric sheets now, hoping to hand-write the words and get them in, in time..

It is a happy feeling I have today, knowing I have made an album I think people will enjoy. I hope it’s out in April. That would be pretty fast.

...

They feel fresh to me and I am very happy to have this all ready for you. It won’t be long now and it will be great to have new songs to play on the road this summer in Europe, the USA and Canada. We are looking forward to that!

Today I will be playing at one of the shelters in Pasadena where many newly homeless people are staying, having lost everything in the fires. Daryl will be with me and we are bringing our two miniature horses, Romeo and Ziggy. They are so friendly and people love to see them with us. 

So that’s what's going on. 

Sending Love and Peace to you all.

N and D

 

Neil Young's latest album track is  "big change is coming" and there is an Official Music Video (See NEW TRACK: "big change is coming" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts. 

 

Video Frame via Official Video

Recently, Neil Young announced that tour dates will be coming in February. Earlier, Neil Young has confirmed he will perform this summer at the Glastonbury Festival saying: "We Will Be In Glastonbury" per a Letter to The Editor | Neil Young Archives.

More on Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts: Europe Summer 2025 Concert Tour Planning Underway. 

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts  

Farm Aid 2024: Saratoga Springs, NY, Sat., Sept. 21  

photo by thrasher 

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Comment of the Moment: "big change is coming" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

 "big change is coming" 

by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

(Video Frame via Official Video)

Yesterday, January 17, Neil Young dropped a track from his latest album titled "big change is coming".

In addition, an Official Music Video was released featuring the band  The Chrome Hearts waving the U.S. of A. flag and marching to the beat.

All of which brings us -- obviously -- to our Comment of the Moment on "big change is coming" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts by Dan:

Throughout Neil’s career he was borrowed elements from other songs that he has written. 

This isn’t a criticism, but simply an observation. And I have always enjoyed his occasional songs with familiar themes and chord changes. It’s kind of like his signature in a way, and this new track has several different reference points from his past.

I don’t watch music videos when previewing a new song. Because I’d rather let the song stand on its own merits. And I really like the fact that the lyrics aren’t telling you what to think, it’s just observing what’s coming. And the riff is definitely catchy.

I’m looking forward to hearing the whole album in context with the other songs. Neil has always been a great sequencer of his albums, and depending on where each song lives on the album, tends to enhance both the song before and, the song after. This is one of many reasons why I love listening to complete albums. The artists lays out the tracks with a very specific theme, or intention.

But for now; judging from this one song, I’m actually pretty excited about this new album. So hopefully we won’t have to wait too long to hear the whole thing…… soon.

Peace to all……..and here’s hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. 🙏

“Without deviation from the norm, progress is impossible “

Frank Zappa

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials".
Seneca (ancient Roman philosopher)

Thanks Dan for the comment, being here and sharing.

For us, the big takeaway is the preparation for change. Awareness of the ongoing #BigShift.

Just as  A Big Shift is coming to the Neil Young Archives, everywhere we look, we hear folks tuning into the accelerating Big Shift. Certainly, a rather major shift in thinking at Neil Young Archives and the newspaper Times Contrarian. Again, this is not merely politics or religion we speak of.  This is fundamental ... our core essence of spirit and soul. Humanity in an age of technocracy.

Earlier, we said that at the risk of saying "told you so", Here Comes "The Big Shift" and the  corruption of mainstream media is blatant and dangerous, it is sadly ironic that this all comes so late in the game for those who should have been paying attention. But, better late than never.  (More on the intersectionality of politics, art and the media.)

Stay tuned, consciousness and awareness are coming! Thanks for the heads up Neil & Hearts!

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

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NEW TRACK: "big change is coming" by Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts

 "big change is coming" by Neil Young & The Chrome Heartsvia Qobuz
 (Click photo to enlarge)

Neil Young's latest album title will be  "big change is coming" and the title song is scheduled for release tomorrow, January 17, per Qobuz. (thanks HtH!)

 

Also, there is an Official Video being released. 

 

Video Frame via Official Video

 

Last November, we reported that Neil Young was in the studio with his latest new band The Chrome Hearts.

Neil Young and The Chrome HeartsShangri-La Studio, Malibu, CAvia John Hanlon | Instagram 
 (Click photo to enlarge)

Per producer and sound engineer John Hanlon's Instagram  (via Rusted Moon Rusted Moon), Neil Young recorded at Rick Rubin's Shangri-La Studio in Malibu. From photo caption, the recording is analog 16 track direct to vinyl.

 

Lou Adler is credited as co-producer.

Shangri-La Studio is where Neil Young recorded his last studio album "World Record" with Crazy Horse in 2022. 

Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts  

Farm Aid 2024: Saratoga Springs, NY, Sat., Sept. 21  

photo by thrasher

 

The new album will precede Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts Europe Summer 2025 Concert Tour.  Thus far, the only confirmed concert is Glastonbury Festival this summer, which Neil Young will headline.

In December, we reported that  A Big Shift was coming at Neil Young Archives.  Everywhere we look, we hear folks tuning into the accelerating Big Shift.

Stay tuned, conciousness and awareness are coming! Thanks for the heads up Neil & Hearts!

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

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Remember, Remember the 5th of November: VOTE - Freedom vs Tyranny

"I'm Happy To Report In. Vote Your Conscience."Neil Young in 2020

 

Obviously, -- at least so we would like to think -- everyone votes their "Conscience", as Neil Young urged in 2020.

That is voting their conscience for "Freedom" and voting against "Tyranny".

Or, maybe not ... a terrifying realization. Or,  even worse -- those who think they  are voting for "Freedom" but -- in reality -  they're mistakenly actually voting for "Tyranny".  Quite a state of affairs, eh?

As usual, Neil Young has quite a bit to say about Presidents and politics.

Who's Going To Stand Up and Save The Earth?
Neil Young
2014-07-12, Hyde Park, London, England
Photo Paolo Brillo |Facebook 

Many of us were introduced to Mr. Young back in 1970 with the song "Ohio" and the lyrics:

"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming
Four dead in Ohio." 

CSNY's "Ohio" single with the United States Bill of Rights
Highlights the right to peacefully assemble

Richard Nixon: "Campaigner"

"I am a lonely visitor 

I came too late to cause a stir 

Though I campaigned all my life towards that goal 

I hardly slept the night you wept 

Our secret's safe and still well kept 

Where even Richard Nixon has got soul 

Even Richard Nixon has got Soul"

 

And Mr Young has not slowed down on the subject of Presidential politics since 1970.

 

Ronald Reagan

In the 1980's, there were the infamous "Reagan interviews" where -- depending on one's perspective -- either Neil Young was a Ronald Reagan supporter, detractor or undetermined.

From Boston Globe's 1990 Neil Young interview:

Young's been in hot water with certain elements of the press for what's been perceived as his support of Ronald Reagan. Imagine, Neil Young -- the man who wrote that wonderful antiwar, anti-Nixon anthem "Ohio," a longterm environmentalist and activist . . . supporting the most right-wing of presidents.

The neo-Reaganite tag affixed to him during the mid-'80s, Young insists -- quite vehemently -- was taken out of context, blown out of proportion. ''The Reagan-supporting era," sighs Young. "I don't think there is one president that's come down the line that hasn't done something good somewhere." Young says a "sleazeball journalist" nailed Reagan and then forced Young to his defense.

"Some people put down all presidents no matter what," says Young, "like once you get to be president you're a . . . idiot. So if you say anything good about any of them, they think you're supporting everything they do."

Freedom (1989) by Neil Young -
"The rock and roll coda of the Cold War"

 

In the late 1980's, Neil Young penned the song "Rockin' In The Free World"  lyrics:

"We got a thousand points of light
For the homeless man
We got a kinder, gentler,
Machine gun hand"

The lyrics are a direct reference to President George Bush's (#41) campaign pledge to create a compassionate citizenry volunteering to help cope with society's ills. The "thousand points of light" symbolize the American citizen's spirit and a shining example of giving selflessly to care for one another's neighbor and brother. Along with "a kinder, gentler hand", Bush believed that each American could contribute to helping make the United States -- and the world -- a better place to live and work. 

Jump to 2006 and "Living with War" and Neil Young's song "Let's Impeach The President".

                      

In 2008, the song "Lookin' for a Leader" with lyrics:

"And maybe it's a woman
Or a black man after all"

Referencing Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the official music video was prefaced by: "Every American President has left an impact on his country and the World. This musical history lesson from Neil Young takes a look at the past, present and future of US leadership."

Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama

After all, we're still lookin' for a leader.

Americana and The American Dream via Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Album

Rockin' In The Free World w/
Uwe "Computer Age" - White House, Washington, DC - 2013
( see The role of the artist is to make revolution irresistible")
Photo by Hounds That Howell

Which brings us to 2016 and Donald Trump & Neil Young...

 

Donald Trump & Neil Young - 2014

 

And so began our long running coverage of these two men and their apparent love/hate relationship.

   

Neil Young's Open Letter To President Trump 

‘The Visitor’
by Neil Young + Promise of the Real

In 2017, Neil Young announced his latest new album titled ‘The Visitor’ -- and sharing the 1st preview track of the song “Already Great”.  The song “Already Great” is the response to those complaining about America and the need for it to be "great again". 

Also, see:

• Neil Young: "I don't hate Trump. I do hate that he is President
  
• Neil Young to Donald Trump: This note is NOT for you!
• Full Statement by Neil Young on Donald Trump's Use of Song "Rockin in the Free World"
• Neil Young Weighs In On US Presidential Election
• "Fuck You, Donald Trump" Says Neil Young Onstage; Posts Video Clip to His Facebook Page
• "Got A Man of The People Says Keep Hope Alive": Neil Young’s "Rockin' In The Free World"
• Bernie Sanders Campaign Video of Neil Young’s Song "Rockin’ In The Free World"
• INTERVIEW: For Neil Young, the Trump Era Feels a Lot Like the '60s | Mother Jones
• Neil Young Discusses His New Album, Trump, Future of Pono | Rolling Stone
• Neil Young Discusses Donald Trump  + Donald Trump Discusses Neil Young
• "Rockin' In The Free World" Lyrics Analysis

In 2020, Neil Young was still "Lookin' for a Leader", because "The Times" were a changin'.

JOE BIDEN IS THE GREATEST - Aug 8, 2023

T-C | Neil Young Archives 

In October 2024, Neil Young endorsed VP Kamala Harris for President, per a statement on Neil Young Archives. Young wrote: "Cast your vote for a beautiful future for your family."

"Why I Love Kamala Harris" |  Neil Young Archives  

WHY I VOTED FOR KAMALA HARRIS - Nov 4, 2024T-C | Neil Young Archives 

 

So. From the "tin soldiers and Nixon" in 1970 to "loving" the current Vice President in 2024, Neil has covered the spectrum -- both as a Canadian and a U.S. citizen.

Not that music can change the world or anything like that afterall.

Because one person's perspective on freedom of speech is another's right to dissent.

Sigh. We have all been here before. Sometimes you have to lose to know how to win ... maybe.

Lastly, we bring to you one of the most viral posts in Thrasher's Wheat history: George & John, Donald & Neil + Bob: Sooner or Later, It All Gets REAL ... As in Now.

GEORGE Magazine - 1997; U.S. Citizen Neil Young - 2020

George & John, Donald & Neil + Bob: Sooner or Later, It All Gets REAL ... As in Now 

This one has it all rolled into one ... if you dare.  Why? Because the future proves the past.

"FUTURE PROVES PAST"

Alchemy ... Past, Present, Future. We're all on a journey through the past while time fades away.

More on politics and music and  The Politics of Music or the Music of Politics?

Regardless of the results of the 5th of November, remember empathy and try to focus on our common humanity rather than our often trivial differences. And remember peace, of course.

To be honest and transparent here, we're no longer just "Lookin' For A Leader", mainly because "We're The Ones We've Been Waiting For".

"We're The Ones
We've Been Waiting For"
#WT1sWBW4"

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STREAMING THIS WEEKEND: Neil Young: LIVE AT VICAR STREET | NYA

"A rich recording in a relaxed environment creating a remarkable performance.*"

 Neil Young: LIVE AT VICAR STREET
(image via NYA)

Neil Young: LIVE AT VICAR STREET will be streaming this weekend on Hearse Theater | Neil Young Archives.

LIVE AT VICAR STREET, Directed by Ned O’Hanlon, is a 100-minute solo acoustic performance of Greendale, taken from a 3 night run at Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland on 2003-05-11, 12 & 13 | Sugar Mountain.

A VERY SPECIAL EVENING WITH NEIL YOUNG
2003-05-11, 12 & 13 Vicar Street, Dublin, Ireland
via Sugar Mountain

As one fan noted*: "A rich recording in a relaxed environment creating a remarkable performance." 

Neil plays in the Irish spirit while sipping a pint of Guinness during the concert while giving in depth explanations of each Greendale song. Neil says:

"These songs are about a little town called Greendale and a family that lives there outside of town in a little ranch called the Double E.

The Green family: Earl and Edith Green and their daughter, Sun Green. Sometimes Grandpa and Grandma come by, and Cousin Jed comes by too. They were just sitting on the porch when we dropped in on them for a minute.

The Double E is a ranch just outside of town, about two miles outside of Greendale".

Neil comments on NYA:

"On an acoustic tour of Europe, playing ‘Greendale’ in small halls solo, I was on a unique journey, kind of a storyteller minstrel. Secretly . . . Elliot Roberts hired a crew and shot this show. i had no idea it was being filmed.

Gotta love Elliot! Without him, we have had no filmed record of this show."

'Carmichael' clocks in at 10:20, 'Grandpa's Interview' is about 13 minutes and 'Sun Green' is 12:03.

As noted here on TW in 2003, "Inside Greendale" replaced "Live at Vicar Street," the DVD of Neil Young's acoustic concert performance of "Greendale," part of the original two-disc package released in 2003, which also included a CD of the ten original songs that comprise the "Greendale" album.

 

 

More on "RETURN TO GREENDALE" film, directed by L.A. Johnson and Bernard Shakey, RETURN TO GREENDALE is performed live in Toronto with full cast. 

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David Crosby and The Damage Done (or Not...)

Classic Rocker Mouths Off At Fan, Gets Dragged For His Trouble | Daily Wire(Click photo to enlarge)

 

David Crosby -- yet again -- finds himself in serious blowback over some ill considered remarks. (Thanks Richie C.!)

The short story is that a Croz fan (DJBSackett @DjbSackett· Jul 16 | Twitter) sent David Crosby a portrait and The Croz response was "Don't quit your day job."

 

DJBSackett @DjbSackett· Jul 16 | Twitter

Hi @thedavidcrosby hope you are keeping well. Did a picture of you…. Thanks for the music

 

The fallout has not been kind to David Crosby.

So, the following is an attempt not to re-hash ad infinitum the never ending controversies of CSN & Neil Young , but to simply share something that we were unaware of completely.

Check this clip from 1967 Monterey Pop Festival of The Byrds.

 

 

The Byrds - "He Was a Friend of Mine" (Live at 1967 Monterey Pop Festival)

In the above clip, David Crosby makes a very brief statement about the John F. Kennedy assassination and then plays the Byrds song "He Was a Friend of Mine".

David Crosby: “They’re shooting this for television. 

I’m sure they’re going to edit this out. I want to say it anyway, even though they will edit it out. When President Kennedy was killed, he was not killed by one man. He was shot from a number of different directions, by different guns. 

The story has been suppressed, witnesses have been killed, and this is your country, ladies and gentlemen.”

"He Was A Friend Of Mine"

He was a friend of mine, he was a friend of mine
His killing had no purpose, no reason or rhyme
He was a friend of mine

He was in Dallas town, he was in Dallas town
From a sixth floor window a gunner shot him down
He was in Dallas town

He never knew my name, he never knew my name
Though I never met him I knew him just the same
Oh he was a friend of mine

Leader of a nation for such a precious time
He was a friend of mine

David Crosby: “Thank you. As I say, they will censor it I’m sure. They can’t afford to have things like that on the air. It’d blow their image.”

Due to Crosby’s controversial statement about the JFK assassination,  the Byrds'  Monterey performance was cut from television and film coverage of the festival.  It was this incident and similar circumstances which led to Crosby leaving the Byrds and eventually forming CSN.

But... history has proven that Crosby was right back in 1967 about the JFK assassination, as we know now.

It was -- as Bob Dylan put it recently -- a "Murder Most Foul".

Jackie Reaching for JFK's Brains
"If Lee Harvey Oswald's shots came from the behind (above left), why are JFK's brains on the rear trunk? (front, right)"

 

ANALYSIS: Bob Dylan's "Murder Most Foul" | Why Bob Dylan's "Murder Most Foul" Is 17 Minutes of The TRUTH

 

Even Though The Music Died 50+ Years Ago, It Still Matters More Than Ever

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