Comments of the Moment: Neil Young's "Quintessential" Greendale

The Inconvenient Truth of
Greendale

 

Recently, we posted over to the ever-so irrepressible Scotsman's Patreon on Dynamite Tracks #18: Busting out of Jail regarding Neil Young's album Greendale and it's significance.

First, a comment by Ron on the above post:

I hope no-one will be offended if I say am trying hard, but I still don't get what it is they think is important about Greendale - sorry.

The lyrics tell a tale that is interesting, the characters are all relatable, but I don't see or hear anything revelatory or new - and I don't think I did when it was first released 20 years ago either. And I listened to it a lot when it first came out and remember having fun exploring the accompanying Greendale web site.

I can see that there are likely aspects of Neil's character and personality in a lot or maybe all of the characters, I can see that it touches on a lot of the problems of the world, but is there an important insight? Some important message?

Did we not already know then that there was corruption on the highest floor? That Mr Clean was dirty too? That the Government is all bought and paid for? That we need to save the planet?

There is the 'Be The Rain' call to action but hadn't people and organisations been saying similar for many years already? Greenpeace come to mind but I am sure there were many others.

Ok, very fair question Ron and thanks for conveniently asking in comments.

Sun Green 

Neil Young's Greendale Concert Tour - 2003

 

Which brings us to the Comment of the Moment by none other than Scotsman himself on Neil Young's "Quintessential" (thanks Dionys) album Greendale:  

Thanks all for the lovely and perceptive comments.

I like people who enjoy Greendale because I get the sense we're on the same wavelength. We'd probably get on well in the real world should we meet up for a ginger beer, strong coffee, or pint of real ale.

And one of many reasons I like Greendale is because it's its own world.

Not all albums or tracks are like this. Alabama from Tuscaloosa, for instance, with no added context, is objectively an out-of-tune din. Subjectively, it's a dreadful performance. What elevates it to being perceived as a work of art is because we see it in the *context* of Neil Young's life and career in the golden 70s. It's part of the legend.

But with Greendale, although there is lots of Neil Young in it (perhaps more than any other album), all we need to appreciate it is to notice ourselves within this town he has created for us. Dionys and Dan Swan get to the heart of this, above.

Some will relate to Sun Green (seeking to break out and fulfil her potential), some to the artist Earl (trying to juggle the drive to create with the need to survive), some to Grandpa (on the Earth long enough to have seen a lot, done a lot, survived through a lot).

Many here, I think, will relate to all three. They will also relate to the grief of Carmichael's widow, and Jed, too: because like Jed, we've all made mistakes. (If we're lucky, they're the kind of beneficial mistakes that help us learn, and not the kind of mistakes that permanently derail us, or hurt anybody else.)

"Change comes slow in the country". And a big part of the success of this record is Neil is writing from his own experience of living in the middle of nowhere.

The clubs and bars in major cities might change every year — as might the political leaders. Parts of rural England, meanwhile, haven't changed in 200 years or more. The people haven't changed much, either.

The Sun Greens of the world often find peace (and the space to create and think and dream) in the countryside, but need to get out to the city to find inspiration, or to make an impact. Because that's where the change they seek to make is most likely to happen. (In the 21st century, the internet is it's own kind of city.)

So I agree with all you guys that Greendale touches on politics themes. But I don't see it as a political album, not *as such*, because the word "politics" for me brings to mind two things:

A) A sense of top-down power, sometimes rigged against those of us with a sense of ethics (on both sides of the political spectrum)

And:

B) a force that divides us into polarised groups lobbing spears at each other.

Grandpa, meanwhile, strikes me as the kind of guy who "doesn't trust any of the b*stards". The more time you spend on Earth, the more you seem unfold... And eventually, you tune it all out.

Sun Green, too, is the kind of the person who'd be out there making a positive ruckus regardless of who is in power.

Quite wonderfully, we're left with an album that retains it's relevance through the ages, no matter who's in power, no matter whether they represent us or not.

We can still go out and make a difference.

Greendale, I think, speaks most strongly to those who really believe in this. Lovers of this album want to get up and really make a positive contribution, and probably have done numerous times in their lives already. They are do-ers, not just talkers.

(The boss of this very website will certainly relate: he started the first Neil Young blog not in 2016 or 2022, like me, but in 1996 — ahead of just about everybody in the blogging world.)

I'll submit what some will interpret as a smug or deluded opinion, but I'd prefer it to be interpreted as just a bit cheeky:

Having a passion for Greendale says something very complimentary about us.

Scots.

So back to Ron's original question and Scots justifications on Greendale  being "quintessential".

"Truth is all I seek" - Sun Green

 

Not to repeat ourselves, but -- as many of our long time readers here at Thrasher's Wheat know -- we have long since declared: "The Inconvenient Truth of Greendale".

Neil Young’s Greendale
Written by Joshua Dysart, Illustrated by Cliff Chiang
The inconvenient truth of Neil Young's Greendale is that Neil Young was right -- and his message is even more relevant today than upon Greendale's original release.

Greendale is "Everything You're Looking For" - Bandit

The inconvenient truth of Greendale is its uncomfortable confrontation with themes such as the power of mass media and global corporations, loss of personal freedoms and privacy, destruction of the environment, rampant fraud and corruption, an out of balance government and breakdown of the family. All of which we've detailed before here, here, and here.

"a little Mayberry livin' can go a long way"
GREENDALE 2020 HINDSIGHT by James Mazzeo

More on Sun Green in the "compelling", "controversial" and "audiences challenging" concert opera "Greendale" by Neil Young.

"This is Greendale" Brochure - Part #1
Tomorrow's Town - Today (1948)

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Neil Young's Dynamite Tracks #18: Busting out of Jail

From the irrepressible Scotsman on Dynamite Tracks #18: Busting out of Jail:

Bob Dylan said:

“Hearing Elvis for the first time was like busting out of jail.”

Bob’s words ring true. And whether the jail-break is instigated by Elvis Presley or Bob himself, busting out of jail is one of my favourite themes for music... and art in general.

Some music is about wallowing in despair, a comfort food of sorts. I prefer tracks that provoke positive action.

Sun Green is the classic, probably definitive Neil Young song about busting out of jail. A dynamite track not just in its performance, but in its very conception.

On one level, Greendale as a whole is basically the “guidebook to Neil Young”: and Sun Green is the bit where everything reaches boiling point. Obstacles within are demolished, and the spirit reaches its potential. A journey to freedom.

On a more down-to-Earth level, Greendale is about a bunch of very normal people—and a few abnormal ones—living their lives. And because Neil created them all, he’s in all of them.

He’s the curmudgeonly, world-wise Grandpa, but he’s also the ever-youthful Sun Green.

Remember how in the Wizard of Oz the real characters from Dorothy’s life on the farm appear in Oz, but they’re not quite the same? Parallel, but not identical? Greendale is like that:

 In the character of Jed, we see an echo of Danny Whitten. And the track Carmichael tells a vivid story of a grief and mourning that is essentially the 2003 version of Tonight’s the Night.

…not identical, but parallel.

Greendale is not a political album, thank God… nor is it an environmental one. (The excellent final song kicks open the door to an environmental avenue).

It’s an album about living. And of course, there’s a lot of death in it, too. Death adds tension to Greendale, inspiring the survivors to live their lives more fully.

 

Full post @ Scotsman on Dynamite Tracks #18: Busting out of Jail.

More on "Sun Green" and GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

 
Neil Young & Sun Green
Radio City Music Hall, New York, March 18, 2004
Photo by thrashette

#BeTheRain

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Sun Green Assaulted, Full Recovery Expected

Solidarity for SF activist assaulted at APEC | GoFundMe

 

Last month, Sarah White, aka "Sun Green" from Neil Young's multi-media Greendale, was assaulted by an APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) attendee while protesting outside the conference. Sarah was in the streets alongside 1,000s of others from social movements representing climate, labor, human rights, Indigenous rights. 

Sarah White, aka "Sun Green" - Nov 15

 

Sarah has been discharged from the hospital. For the next 6 weeks Sarah will have her jaw wired shut for healing. She has a skull fracture and the healing process will be a minimum of several months. 

 

A GoFundMe  page has been setup. Interestingly, one of the top donors is the Greendale Chamber of Commerce.

 

GoFundMe 

 

Earlier this week, Neil Young held a Patron ZOOM during which he spoke about Sarah White's situation. Via a comment by Tony "Hambone" Hammond UK:

What struck me most was the discussion on Sarah White. 

Neil was visibly animated and for a short while seemed to forget the audience when discussing with his team whether donations had been made and how quickly the gofundme link could get on the Contrarian front page, leaning forward at his web cam to make the point.

It was most uplifting to see a personal response to go alongside all we know of his other philanthropic contributions.

Neil Young Patron ZOOM Call - Nov. 29

image via Rusted Moon

(see Neil Young Patron ZOOM Call Update: Archives Volume #3 w/ 17 Discs)

Back in 2003, Neil Young's nearly revolutionary multi-media Greendale, told the epic tale of eco-activist Sun Green and her battles and challenges on the front lines.

"Sun Green" in "Greendale" by Neil Young

Here at Thrasher's Wheat, where we're always trying to do a little "Greendale livin' ", we have closely followed the saga of Sun Green and those Greendale memories.

Neil Young & Sun Green
Radio City Music Hall, New York, March 18, 2004
Photo by thrashette

"There's Corruption on THE HIGHEST FLOOR"

At one point, we even went so far to suggest that the whole Greta Thunberg operation was directly formulated from the Sun Green character.

Sun Green (Sarah White, Greendale Film by Neil Young, 2003) 

+ Greta Thunberg (Climate Activist, Born in 2003)

(see  Greta Thunberg and Neil Young's Prophetic Greendale: Sun Green + Julia Butterfly ) 

 

#BeTheRain ... but be careful ...

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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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Friday Morning Fun: What is really going on here with Neil Young?!

Neil Young & Cheerleader

 

A little Friday Morning Fun.  

Regarding above photo of Neil Young and cheerleader, the question arises: "What is really going on here?!"

Well it ain't exactly clear, is it? 

First, this is an actual real concert photo of Neil Young. Not a fake photoshop. 

Second, most guesses are this is a Greendale scene with "Sun Green" as cheerleader.  However, that is obviously not the Greendale "Sun Green" character.

 

Neil Young and "Sun Green"

Greendale at Radio City Music Hall, New York City - March 18, 2004
photos by thrasher

(See Going Back to Greendale #3: Photo of the Moment - Neil Young Gets Air w/ "Sun Green")

 

And judging from some of the other theories put forth, this isn't Neil going rogue or cavorting with some former [FILL IN THE BLANK].

Actually, the photo is from the 2013 MusiCares tribute to Bruce Springsteen with Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse cover "Born In The USA"
w/ Nils Lofgren & "The Signing Cheerleaders"
Photos via Wildaboutmusic - David Wild (See  2013 MusiCares tribute to Bruce Springsteen with Neil Young & Crazy Horse) 

 

The cheerleaders were actually doing sign language for the hearing impaired and got into the act -- so to speak.

Neil Young & Crazy Horse cover "Born In The USA"
w/ Nils Lofgren & "The Signing Cheerleaders"

More coverage on Neil Young News: Bruce Springsteen 2013 MusiCares Tribute: Neil Young & Crazy Horse cover "Born In The USA"!?!. 

Also, more on "Sun Green" in "Greendale" by Neil Young.

"Sun Green" in "Greendale" by Neil Young (See  (RE-) PREMIERE*: "Sun Green" from RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse | NYA #BeTheRain )
 

Thanks Francisco! 

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Unboxing Neil Young's "Return To Greendale" by Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien Unboxing Neil Young's "Return To Greendale

 

Here is a video of Conan O'Brien unboxing Neil Young's "Return To Greendale" release.

 

Conan does his first-ever unboxing video with the help of the very real, definitely not cardboard Neil Young (@NeilYoungNYA). Shop this box and more @ https://t.co/BwCHnD9XqD. pic.twitter.com/b0RjgAA5By

— Team Coco (@TeamCoco) November 17, 2020

 

 

"Return to Greendale" - Limited Edition Box Set

Neil Young and Crazy Horse

 

The box sets are numbered and was released on 6 November 2020.  (More on "Return to Greendale" - Limited Edition Box Set by Neil Young and Crazy Horse.)

 

Neil Young & Conan O’Brien - November 2019 

(See PODCAST: Conan O’Brien Interviews Neil Young)

Neil Young is interviewed by Conan O’Brien on the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend.  (See PODCAST: Conan O’Brien Interviews Neil Young)

The interview also covers the Neil appearing on Conan O'Brien Late Night show in 2005.

Neil Young on Conan O'Brien Late Night show, 2005.
Neil Young was the musical artist in residence for the week November 1-4, 2005 on Conan O'Brien Late Night show.

Here's a recap of the week of Neil Young on Conan O'Brien:
- November 1 - "Far From Home",
- November 2 - "The Painter",
- November 3 - "This Old Guitar" and "The Needle and the Damage Done" and
- November 4 - "No Wonder" & "When God Made Me".

 

Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real w/ Conan O'Brien
(See Conan O'Brien Presents on 10/04/17)

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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.

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VIDEO: "Bandit" - RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse

"You got too many secrets.
Bob Dylan said that.
Somethin' like that." ~
~Neil Young's "Bandit"
via frame from "RETURN TO GREENDALE" | NYA

The solo acoustic song "Bandit" is a riveting moment of pure Neil Young, tinged with lost dreams and a highlight -- for many -- of the Greendale set.

   The song "Bandit" -- from "RETURN TO GREENDALE" film -- premiered in May on Hearse Theater Screen #2 | Neil Young Archives and is now available to view on YouTube (see embed above).

 

"Return to Greendale" - Limited Edition Box Set

Neil Young and Crazy Horse

 

In September, details were released for "Return to Greendale", a Limited Edition Box Set by Neil Young and Crazy Horse.

The "Return to Greendale" Box Set will contain:

• 2xLP vinyl 
• 2xCD
• Blu-ray of the full concert film
• DVD of Inside Greendale (the making of the album documentary)

 "Return to Greendale" - Limited Edition Box Set

The box sets will be numbered and will be released on 6 November 2020. 

You can pre-order "Return to Greendale" - Limited Edition Box Set by Neil Young and Crazy Horse " now @ Order here .

(Please shop locally & independently. But if you can't, we appreciate your supporting Thrasher's Wheat by clicking this link . Thank you!!!)

More on premiere screening of the film RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse was held at Balboa Theater in San Francisco, CA on Jan 28, 2020.

RETURN TO GREENDALE 

@ Balboa Theater, San Francisco, CA - Jan 28, 2020

(See reviews and comments on premiere screening of the film)

 

Directed by L.A. Johnson and Bernard Shakey, RETURN TO GREENDALE is performed live in Toronto with full cast. A premiere screening of the film RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse was held at Balboa Theater in San Francisco, CA on Jan 28, 2020, where much of the cast and crew attended, as we reported. Each Monday features a chapter from Greendale on NYA.

L Gallery Opening
via frame from " RETURN TO GREENDALE" | NYA

Neil Young writes on "RETURN TO GREENDALE" | NYA:

The Return To Greendale series continues . . . . . this chapter focusing on Sun Green’s dad Earl Green, the great psychedelic artist no one has ever heard about.

Earl Green is played by MAZZEO. The devil’s in the details.

(More insight into Neil's enigmatic allusion "The devil's in the details" @ "Devil's Sidewalk" from Neil Young's RETURN TO GREENDALE | NYA . Also, see the question in this recent tweet about "The devil’s in the details" and Trump suggesting a connection between Neil Young's song “Devil’s Sidewalk” and "The Invisible Enemy".)

Is Trump suggesting a connection between Neil Young's song “Devil’s Sidewalk” and "The Invisible Enemy"?
See https://t.co/SW74jSX8hS
☮️♥️@NeilYoungNYA #NeilYoung #CrazyHorse4HOF#DontSpookTheHorse #MoreBarn #MayTheHorseBeWithYou #BeTheRain pic.twitter.com/v94BR6s5qp

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) May 24, 2020

Back in 2004, we revealed that artist Jim Mazzeo was the subject of Neil's Greendale song "Bandit" according to a Metroactive newspaper article by Rebecca Patt.

Alexey Butirskiy, Jim Mazzeo and Neil Young by Gabreal Franklin
Greendale Artist Jim Mazzeo is "The Bandit"

The lyrics: "You're hard to reach, no one can reach you, but I can reach you" apparently refer to Mazzeo's relationship with Young.

"And he can reach me, 'cause he's like my best friend, and he knows he can," says Mazzeo.

GREENDALE 2020 HINDSIGHT by James Mazzeo

Mazzeo also worked on over 140 pen-and-ink illustrations for the book of Greendale. In the interview Mazzeo said:

"In the back, there is a really nice supplement all about me and my artwork and my biography, which is really going to be a feather in my cap when it comes out."

"Earl Green" (James "Bandit" Mazzeo)
via frame from "RETURN TO GREENDALE" | NYA

Jim Mazzeo is well known for the cover art for the album "Zuma", as well as, the Greendale artwork for the album and tour backdrop projections.

"Deju Blue"
w/ James "Bandit" Mazzeo, ZUMA & Greendale Album Cover Artist - 2015
Remembering The Warmth & Love of Bridge School Concerts

"Everything You're Looking For" - Bandit

LEAVING GREENDALE
POP. 25,810

Neil Young News: Premiere; RETURN TO GREENDALE by Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ Balboa Theater, San Francisco, CA - Jan 28, 2020
See https://t.co/hTt0IDeLud
---#CrazyHorse4HOF @NeilYoungNYA @CrazyHorse4HoF pic.twitter.com/UdjixWOKSy

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 2, 2020

Greta, Julia Butterfly & Sun Green
Neil Young's Prophetic Greendale: Sun Green + Julia Butterfly
See https://t.co/7iH6U4aIMC
"Be a goddess in the planet wars" #BeTheRain @NeilYoungNYA @CrazyHorse4HOF @dhlovelife pic.twitter.com/g6qv5TFPoN

— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) February 10, 2020

Neil Young writes on "RETURN TO GREENDALE" | NYA:

Greendale, the story of Sun Green coming of age in the world, and seeing all of the threats against the Earth, is one of my favorite films in the Shakey Pictures library. Sun Green was played by one of my daughter Amber’s friends, Sara White. I discovered her at a school play we went to see when Amber was in high school.

Larry Johnson and I shot Greendale on super 8 film cameras. I wlll never forget it. Getting up before dawn and heading to nearby Half Moon Bay from my ranch everyday, driving in Grandpa’s big white eldorado with a cup of coffee, I would meet Larry and we would plan and shoot the day. So many of my friends are in Greendale; Gary Burden as the Captain, Eric Johnson as the Devil, Mazzeo as Earl Green, Sun Green’s dad. Pegi Young as her mom Edith. Larry Johnson was the cop. Erik Markegard was Earth Brown. Erik was the son of my foreman at the ranch, Larry Markegard. Karin Markegard, Erik’s mother, played a part as well.

These folks were all my friends. I will never forget Greendale, one of the biggest highlights of my filming life.

"Support Our War"
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Greendale at Radio City Music Hall, New York City - March 18, 2004
photo by thrasher

Neil Young in Greendale - Massachusetts 2003
Photo by Brian Babineau
Broken Arrow Issue Number 91, August, 2003

w/ Artist James Mazzeo
Bridge 2011 - International Rust Festival
On The Beach in Santa Cruz, CA
(note TW Anniversary Button on Mazz's left lapel -
Button Design and Production by Rusties Geoff, Dee & Tim A. Thanks!)

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