EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Crazy Horse's Ralph Molina - Getting the magic, the passion, and playing till the end

  

MTL&Y

 Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot, Neil Young & Ralph Molina 

Credit Joey Martinez

 

Ralph Molina: Getting the magic, the passion, and playing till the end

In a TW exclusive interview, the drummer of Crazy Horse, Neil Young’s legendary band, talks to Robert Broadfoot of Neil Young Unreleased -NYU about being there, “in the pocket”.

 

It would not be a misnomer to call Ralph Molina the dark horse of the Crazy Horse stable. He talks rarely in public. Interviews with him are few and far between, and mostly to be found in specialist music blogs and ‘drummer’ magazines rather than mainstream music press. It has something to do with the way he is: unbelievably warm-hearted, polite and charming, but at the same time a very very modest guy, never putting himself front of stage. Jimmy McDonough, author of the Neil Young biography “Shakey”, quoted Ralph’s band companion Nils Lofgren: “Ralph is the deadpan guy… never gets excited. He lowballs everything.” I guess that comes from being a drummer. Ringo was like that. But Ralph is actually very passionate. He just lowballs it.

 

He came to songwriting “late”. His only project as a solo artist was the album “Love & Inspiration”, released in 2019. However, with the current release of “All Roads Lead Home”, an album whose existence is best ascribed to the exceptional circumstances of the Corona epidemic and the impact of lockdown on artists and musicians, Ralph Molina the solo artist now has another outing doing his own thing. This new joint-venture album by Molina Talbot Lofgren Young is the result of four musicians putting their own music down at a time when getting together with each other was not an option. It is a hybrid album, with the three members of Crazy Horse each contributing three songs they produced separately, and Neil Young contributing a different solo version of a song they had all recorded together as a band on the album “Barn”. As it says on the back of the album: “Friends with deep bonds, though at times on different paths, found that All Roads Lead Home.”

 

Jimmy McDonough also quotes Neil’s very own personal description of the Crazy Horse drummer: “Ralph? The greatest drummer in the world. What can I say. Number one… For my music, he’s fuckin’ great.” Ralph himself would never dream of claiming to be anything remotely like a number one. As he says himself, he is a team player. What is important to Ralph is fitting in right there “in the pocket”. He knows instinctively what Neil needs and how important it is to hold it all together. And that’s what makes him number one, certainly as far as Neil is concerned, and Neil is a better judge than most.

 

Born in Puerto Rico, Ralph grew up in New York under the Brooklyn Bridge. Too late to think about being a Dodgers fan, he went for the Yankees, and to this day sports a Yankee cap on stage. At fifteen he was singing doo-wop with a group in Florida until a cousin summoned him to California to join a new vocal group called Danny & The Memories. He can tell you the rest himself. But first I asked him about his new songs.

 

Q: Tell us about the new album “All Roads Lead Home”, the latest Crazy Horse project with Nils, Billy Talbot and Neil. How did it come to be and how was it realized in terms of organization?

 

Ralph Molina: Billy and I had spoken a lot before about doing our own album and about a year ago or so we decided to go ahead and actually do it. I called Nils and asked him if he’d be willing to add three songs to the project, and he agreed wholeheartedly. And then I talked to the big guy [Neil Young] and asked him if he’d add a song. He agreed and sent us a solo version of “Song Of The Seasons” that we had already done as Neil Young and Crazy Horse on the album Barn. He had recorded it back in his home town Omemee during the Corona shut down. We had also recorded our own songs during the pandemic, and we worked on them separately, but we were thinking of them all the time as Crazy Horse. And although we worked on them separately, we felt that Nils suggestion for the title. “All Roads Lead Home”, seemed to be just right for what we were doing. Crazy Horse is our home.

 

What about your own contribution to the album? Take us through the three songs.

 

I arranged “It’s Magical” with a guy called Marco Valerio Cecilia, the lead guitar player of Francesco Lucarelli’s band from Rome called The Rawstars. Marco and I together have arranged about eight different songs of mine. “Look Through The Eyes Of Your Heart” is a song I wrote together with my buddy Anthony Crawford, who as you know has also played with Neil a lot. The Rawstars played on that song too and I asked their drummer, a guy called Marco Molino, to listen to a track on Neil’s Colorado album called “Shut It Down”. I wanted him listen to the tom toms I had played on it, which is why the drums sound the way they do. I also got Marco Cecilia to play some raunchy guitar and lead work, and he, Francesco and I arranged it all. On the third song, “Just For You”, Marco Cecilia played the piano, beautifully I must say, and I wanted a sax to play the solo, so I got Dave Becker out here in California and he played it beautifully. Marco added strings during the solo, and that was it, my three songs.

 

You’ve been pretty busy with Neil in the recording studio (and the barn!) these last few years. Touring is a different matter though. After the major Alchemy tours back in 2012-2014, the Horse has only played the five Fresno/Bakersfield dates in 2018 and a couple of isolated Canadian shows in 2019. Are you up for a big long Crazy Horse tour sometime soon? Physically too?

 

Of course I’m ready for a long tour, both physically and mentally, whenever Neil decides to give the go ahead. And glory be to God, I’ve been blessed to be able to do what I do. He’s kept me strong in every way. Physically, touring does not actually take anything out of me, not one bit. I’m as ready as I ever was.

Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse

Credit Warner Records

You came pretty late to drumming. How old were you when you got your first kit? You sound very accomplished on the The Rockets album, presumably after only a year or so playing? What was the learning curve like in those earliest days?

 

As you know, I had just been singing in a doo-wop group and I was working out in Florida at the time. When the Beatles started to get known, playing their own instruments, I got a call from my cousin Lou Bisbol to come out to LA. Danny [Whitten] already played guitar, and he asked Billy to play bass and me to play drums. I had never played drums in my life LOL, but that’s how it started! My first recollection of drums was playing cardboard boxes, with a spaghetti strainer as a hi-hat and I was 22! It was just me, Danny and Billy at the time. I really have no idea at all what it sounded like but that’s the beauty of being young. You just don’t care! I think it was our roadie, Willie B. Hinds, who first got me a small set of drums. Then we got three other guys to play with us, the Whitsell brothers George and Leon on guitars, and Bobby Notkoff on violin. And so The Rockets were born. We originally just played small gigs around Hollywood, but then we got a break and in August 1968 played our biggest gig so far at the Whisky A Go Go on Sunset Strip. That was when we asked the big guy [Neil] to sit in with us. By the time the first Rockets album came out, I guess I had been playing drums for about a year or so. The rest I guess is pretty much history. Neil wanted a band so Danny, me and Billy left the Rockets and became Crazy Horse.

 

What makes a good rock ‘n roll band drummer? Do you have a philosophy of drumming? What are the essentials? Do you have any idols?

 

The essentials are a drum kit LOL, that’s all I ever needed! I guess the absolutely most important thing about being a good rock drummer is keeping time and being right there in the pocket. Me, I just try and play what I feel is the best for each song. I like to improvise a lot... you can start a song and I’ll just jump in! I don’t really have any other drummers as my idols but I love Dave Grohl and Neil Peart for example. My favorite guitar player is of course the big guy, Neil, because of his passion. He doesn’t pose, he’s not a ‘supposer’. It’s all feel, every note means something.

 

What is your “go to” kit when playing with Neil? Can you give some details? What about your newer Craviotto kit? How did that come about?

 

I never really got into the technicalities of what cymbals are best etc. etc. In the early years, I just had one ride cymbal and one crash, that was it. The drums I have mostly used with Neil were my Blue Pearl Ludwig set which I bought back in 1969, I think. I used them on practically all our tours, until I believe the Psychedelic Pill album. Neil had gotten a Craviotto set from Johnny Craviotto, the drummer from his 1977 Ducks band who had in the meantime set up his own drum manufacture. I still had my Ludwig set up, but Neil asked me if I would play the Craviotto kit, and I said no problem. I am an easygoing kind of guy! I’ve used the Craviotto set on our last 3 albums together, and also on our latest tours. I generally use 18-inch crash cymbals and a 20-inch ride. And then I use two 18-inch crashes as hi hats. But it’s my snare, a clear Ludwig snare, which is most important, as it is with most drummers. It sounds great, as does the Craviotto snare. I’m actually not too particular about what I use as far as my Ludwig set goes. It’s just got to feel comfortable. Like I said, I’m not into sizes, shapes or model numbers. 

 

It turns out you are still a crooner at heart. I guess it’s the Danny & The Memories pedigree! Am I right that your solo album “Love & Inspiration” from 2019 has been your only solo project, or is it the only one that made it to release?

 

I guess I am a bit of a crooner still! I just love to sing. I started writing late in life, and yes, “Love & Inspiration” was my first and only solo album, at least until the new songs on “All Roads Lead Home”. I have always been more interested in being a team player. All my time so far has been spent in helping other people’s songs. I have no regrets, I’ve always been a team player.

 

You once said in an interview: “I love playing when I don't know the song. [Neil] knows I hate listening to tapes, and rehearsing a song because when it's time to record, all you have is a part, no magic.” Do you ever get specific input from Neil when you are working up a song or does he really leave it up to you entirely?

 

Sure, there are times when Neil might say “Why don’t you maybe try it this way?” I’m not an egoist, I’ll try anything. But most of the time he leaves it up to me. If you know a song too well, or get a cassette in advance to start preparing for a session, you tend to focus on working out a part. And all of a sudden, you’re just playing the part, there’s no magic any more, no passion. At least that’s the way it is with me. I’ve loved working on the recent albums with Neil. We’re even more raw now than we were. I guess it’s a mind thing. In the early years, as in the first Crazy Horse album with Jack [Nitzsche] and Nils, we would rehearse almost every day, it was really tight. I didn’t mind that at all, in fact I loved it at the time. But now I really love to improvise, like in jazz… just improvise. That’s why Neil loves to record live. He will start playing a song, and we just jump in. We get the feel… heart… magic… passion that way…

Crazy Horse 

Credit Warner Records

Exactly 50 years ago you were dealing with Danny Whitten’s passing. After Danny’s death, Neil went on his troublesome Time Fades Away tour with the resurrected Stray Gators. And then came the double whammy of Bruce Berry’s death followed by the legendary Tonight’s The Night sessions, the Roxy shows and the equally legendary Tonight’s The Night tour. What memories will you never forget of that time? What places do you still like to go back to in your mind?

 

Needless to say, Danny’s and Bruce’s deaths were heart breaking… bless their souls. First thing I remember is where we recorded Tonight’s The Night, at Bruce’s brother’s rehearsal studio in Hollywood, the S.I.R. studio. We would shoot pool, and just walk around. The thing was, we all somehow got the mood at the same time, usually around midnight, and we all just walked to our instruments and began to play. The mood we had was light but at the same time dark, it was as one. The album with those great songs was magical. Then the shows at the Roxy, where Elliot Roberts [Neil’s manager] was one of the owners... those shows were magical too. Neil, Billy, Ben [Keith], Nils and myself, were just one unit. The songs made it possible to play… passionately. They were the very first shows played at the Roxy.

 

Tell us a little about your life at home without giving any secrets away. How do you live day to day? Can you sum up your philosophy of life? What are the principles that guide you?

 

At home, I’m with my family. Family, as always, is the most important. I write, I pay my taxes, I garden, I watch sports, I take walks. I guess I live like anyone else. On the road, after a show, I toss and turn, thinking how we can play better, sing better. My philosophy, my principles? I was raised to be fair, no more no less. I try my best to be kind to all. I believe that to hate anything or anyone, is not hating anything nor anyone, you’re simply hurting yourself. So I don’t hate. I don’t step on anyone’s toes. I wish that people who preach about love would stop using it as just a word. True love is in our hearts. So don’t just say it, show it. I live like it’s my last day. 

 

And what’s next on the Ralph Molina “To Do” list? Do you ever think about retiring completely? Do you ever think about writing a book? Any big round birthday wishes for June?

 

I may, God willing, write a book but I don’t mix music with family. The only wish I would have is to stay healthy, and that my loved ones, all my friends, my musical cohorts, all stay healthy too. Retire completely? Never! I’ve been blessed to be able to do what I do, and that’s what I’ll do. I’ll play till the end.

© Robert Broadfoot: Neil Young Unreleased - NYU 2023

All Roads Lead Home by Molina, Talbot, Lofgren & Young (Click photo to enlarge)

 

ALL ROADS LEAD HOME is released on the new NYA label, catalogue #09362486951, on vinyl and CD via The Greedy Hand Store at Neil Young Archives (NYA)and music retailers everywhere. It is also available on hi-res audio at Neil Young Archives and most DSPs.

Track list
1. RAIN - Billy Talbot

2. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW - Nils Lofgren

3. IT’S MAGICAL - Ralph Molina

4. SONG OF THE SEASONS - Neil Young

5. CHERISH - Billy Talbot

6. FILL MY CUP - Nils Lofgren

7. LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUR HEART - Ralph Molina

8. THE HUNTER - Billy Talbot

9. GO WITH ME - Nils Lofgren

10. JUST FOR YOU - Ralph Molina

 

Also, see First Impressions: All Roads Lead Home by Molina, Talbot, Lofgren & Young | The Old Grey Cat

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Comment of the Moment: "ALL ROADS LEAD HOME": MTL&Y = Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren & Neil Young

 

MTL&Y

 Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot, Neil Young & Ralph Molina & ???

 

Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren and Neil Young have completed a new album titled All Roads Lead Home and scheduled for release on March 31.

Here is the Comment of the Moment on "ALL ROADS LEAD HOME": MTL&Y = Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren & Neil Young by Ron:

I  have been enjoying listening to this tune by Nils too. 

He is indeed a very talented guy - guitar, piano, accordion and vocals he can do it all - and its good to see his brother Tom involved again too.

I saw Nils a few times in the seventies and they were great shows. As part of the show he and Tom used to get together on one song and pick each other's guitar strings while fingering the notes on their own guitars. Bit of a gimmick but the crowds loved it. And then of course Nils would do a backflip on a mini trampoline for fun too.

Nils was quite big in the UK in the seventies - he appeared on the unique Old Grey Whistle Test show on UK TV a few times which helped. His first self-titled solo album and Cry Tough were and are big favourites of mine. Billy and Ralph sing on one track on Cry Tough.

He still tours solo/with friends in the UK regularly. I saw him a few years back and it was another great show. A great mix of acoustic and electric songs and he even plays a harp on one song. He's a good storyteller too and has a many good anecdotes to share. Catch him if you can if he comes to your town.

PS - The first time I saw Nils the support act were a just starting out Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. They were great too and you just felt sure they were going to be stars. So sad that we lost Tom so young.

Thanks Ron for the CotM. Yes, Nils and Neil have quite a history... a tale we've told before that never gets old.

More on "ALL ROADS LEAD HOME": MTL&Y = Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren & Neil Young.

'ALL ROADS LEAD HOME'Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren & Neil Young 

 More on Nils Lofgren and Neil Young.

Nils Lofgren w/ Neil Young - "Believe"
29th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts
Photo by thrasher
(Click photo to enlarge)

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'ALL ROADS LEAD HOME': MTL&Y = Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren & Neil Young

'ALL ROADS LEAD HOME'Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren & Neil Young 

Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, Nils Lofgren and Neil Young have completed a new album titled All Roads Lead Home. 

ALL ROADS LEAD HOME is available for pre-order now and is out March 31. 

STREAM "YOU WILL NEVER KNOW"

 

MTL&Y

 Nils Lofgren, Billy Talbot, Neil Young & Ralph Molina & ???

 

ALL ROADS LEAD HOME track listing:

1. RAIN - Billy Talbot
2. YOU WILL NEVER KNOW - Nils Lofgren
3. IT’S MAGICAL - Ralph Molina
4. SONG OF THE SEASONS - Neil Young
5. CHERISH - Billy Talbot
6. FILL MY CUP - Nils Lofgren
7. LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF YOUR HEART - Ralph Molina
8. THE HUNTER - Billy Talbot
9. GO WITH ME - Nils Lofgren
10. JUST FOR YOU - Ralph Molina

CLICK HERE TO PRE-ORDER

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INTERVIEW: Ralph Molina, Crazy Horse's Drummer w/ Neil Young | Perfect Sound Forever

Ralph MolinaPhoto © Corrina Jones

 

Crazy Horse's drummer Ralph Molina was interviewed recently by Perfect Sound Forever's John Wisniewski & Jason Gross on working with Neil Young and he shared a few interesting details on his 50+ year career in music. (thanks Richard T & Dr J!)

Perfect Sound Forever: What kind of equipment (drums, sticks) do you like to use?

Ralph Molina: I have an old Ludwig set that I've used on many recordings and tours. It's like wearing a comfortable old shirt.

Last couple tours, I used Craviotto [drums]- the Ducks' drummer [Johnny Craviotto] began building them. Neil asked if I'd use them and I said 'fine.' But I prefer my Ludwigs. I started with Promark [drumsticks], 5b sticks, down to 7a Promark. Now I use cool rods. While recording Greendale, I was using sticks, and I was so much louder than Neil and Billy for those songs, I picked up a pair of [Promark] Cool rods, and the feel and blend was aces. I hit hard enough on my drums, with touch of course, that I've used them the last couple of tours.

PSF: Any fun(ny) Neil stories to share? The best I've heard is when he rowed Graham Nash to a lake/pond on his property, with barns on each side blasting out music, and Neil yelling "I want to hear more left barn!"

RM: Of course, but you'll have to read my book. There are too many.

PSF: So, you have a book coming out?

RM: Not 'til after I'm through playing.

PSF: It was just announced that a live album is coming out in February called Way Down in the Rust Bucket. Any thoughts on that particular show that was recorded for the album?

RM: That album was recorded during what we called 'the bar, club tour.' 

We were really grooving, getting ready to go out on the Ragged Glory tour. I remember Neil calling me, excited as crap- 'Ralph, you've got to hear these tracks, shows we found, it's the real shit man.' 

Me, I don't get excited, LOL. 

He said he was so happy that he had, I think he said, 8 cameras filming the show. He said we did 3 sets that night. I never thought we did 3 sets, but we did. It was from the Catalyst, a bar, club near San Francisco. But I've got to say, it was great. 

After those shows, we were all hot and ready to go on our tour. 

From what I remember, we were having too much fun. But I must say, 'great call, Neil,' to record that particular show. 

I guess he felt it would be a magical night. It was.

Full interview with Ralph Molina on Perfect Sound Forever's by John Wisniewski & Jason Gross.

For more on upcoming "WAY DOWN IN THE RUST BUCKET" -- both a film and double album -- by Neil Young w/  Crazy Horse, scheduled for release on February 26, 2021, see here.

More on Crazy Horse's Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot.

Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot - 2017
Photo by Ellen Goffin

Also, see Crazy Horse's Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot & Frank "Poncho" Sampedro @ MusiCares Honors Neil Young - Los Angeles, CA - 1/29/10.

Crazy Horse
Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot & Frank "Poncho" Sampedro
MusiCares Honors Neil Young - Los Angeles, CA - 1/29/10
Photo by Joni Milken-Noah 

"OK, who wants a drumstick???" (says Drummer Ralph Molina)
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
A Day On The Green, Hunter Valley, AUS - Mar 9, 2013
Photo by Davey Bob
(Click photo to enlarge)

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LAST CALL: CONTEST: Uncut Magazine: Neil Young & The Legend of Crazy Horse - May 2019

"I'm tapped into the source!"
Neil Young & The Legend of Crazy Horse
Uncut Magazine Cover - May 2019
CONTEST: Win A Copy

Last call for our contest to win a copy of the latest issue of Uncut Magazine celebrating 50 years of the band Crazy Horse. Full contest details @ CONTEST: Uncut Magazine: Neil Young & The Legend of Crazy Horse - May 2019.

Also, how about it Rock Hall?! 50 years of Crazy Horse! Let's Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!

Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Interview: Crazy Horse Saddles Up with Phil Lee | Americana-UK

Ralph Molina, Phil Lee & Billy Talbot

Last year, we posted on news of an album by Phil Lee, a long time friend of L.A. Johnson and the Shakey Crew.

Phil Lee's new record -- The Horse He Rode In On -- released in December 2018 with Crazy Horse's Billy Talbot on bass and Ralph Molina on drums as the core of his band. Phil lives near Ralph and they play together frequently. It's a pretty cool record with great tunes.

Phil Lee & The Horse He Rode In On

From Interview: Phil Lee on how he finally saddled up with Crazy Horse | Americana-UK by Paul Kerr:

Q: What it was like to work with the legendary rhythm section?

Phil Lee: Well, it’s taken like 30 years to get these guys in the studio with me.

You remember those gigantic amplifiers Neil had on stage for his Rust tours? The company I worked for built those sets and I was hauling them from gig to gig. I also knew Larry Johnson since NY in the 70’s and he was the line producer on the Last Waltz and he also filmed much of Neil’s stuff so he introduced me to these guys and that’s how I first met Ralph and Billy. We’d always talked about making a record but we had to postpone it several times.

Most recently, Ralph had some health issues, I mean he’s strong as a horse, but he had to take some time out but once we eventually got together it was plain sailing. First off we got the right studio. Ralph helped me find Painted Sky studio and although its taken like forever to get off the ground, once it started happening it was incredible. You know, Billy and Ralph never got the memo that they are rock stars, they’re the most affable hard working chaps. They come in a 10 o’clock and work like hell, take a lunch break and get back to it, they still have the enthusiasm of teenagers.

They’ve been playing together since the early 60s so they’re like twins, I’ve only seen one blow up between them when they started to argue about some shit that went on in 1972 and they were like it happened yesterday! So, we got into the studio and cut the stuff in a week. Ralph and I had been playing together on and off but Billy had only got the demos so he wasn’t quite as up to speed as we were. But we kept it all simple and we were in the studio as I say for a week recording the songs with just the one guitar player and we’ve actually put some of those takes on the album as we didn’t think we could add anything to them.

Q: Phil reminded us of your first band, Danny and The Memories. You were singing kind of doo-wop rock’n’roll back then and I was wondering what got you into the Rockets and then Crazy Horse?

Ralph Molina: I was called to come to California by my cousin, who knew I was singing in Florida with a doo-wop group, he knew I sang falsetto. So I came out and began singing in Danny and the Memories and from there, when The Beatles came, Danny asked that I should play drums and Billy the bass. We got three other guys to play with us and we became The Rockets. Neil had just left the Springfield and used to hang out with us at Billy’s house where we would play in his garage in Laurel canyon. We were going, The Rockets, to play at the Whiskey A Go Go and we asked Neil to sit in with us. I guess he liked our sound and next thing we were recording ‘Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere’ and we evolved into Crazy Horse.

Billy Talbot: It was a natural progression. We came from the east coast, both Ralph and I, and here we are on the west coast with this guy from Ohio, who was really born in Georgia. A real conglomeration. Phil could have just added to that. It would have been great then. It’s really great now. I just love the record—the way it turned out.

Q:What’s the difference in recording with Neil Young and then Phil Lee?

Ralph: No difference. Phil is Phil, Neil is Neil. We record live and they both have the passion, feel and heart…

Billy: It’s like the difference from one day to another.

Full article @ Interview: Phil Lee on how he finally saddled up with Crazy Horse | Americana-UK by Paul Kerr.

Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, & Phil Lee

More on Phil Lee and recording album "The Horse He Rode In On".

Also, check this Phil Lee interview by Tom Snareside. More Horse!

Tom Snareside- The Phil Lee Interview from Will Mitchell on Vimeo.

but just a song before we go...

Also, see CONTEST: Uncut Magazine: Neil Young & The Legend of Crazy Horse - May 2019:

"I'm tapped into the source!"
Neil Young & The Legend of Crazy Horse
Uncut Magazine Cover - May 2019

CONTEST: Win A Copy

Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!

Induct Neil Young & Crazy Horse into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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Hey Rusties! Phil Lee Album Promo w/ Crazy Horse's Ralph Molina & Billy Talbot,

Last week, we posted on Phil Lee & The Horse He Rode In On | New Album w/ Billy Talbot & Ralph Molina.

Now, Phil has put together a special promo video just for us "Rusties". Check it out

Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, & Phil Lee

And here's a Christmas music video, filmed in classic Shakey Pictures run’n gun style! Phil Lee takes an evening stroll thru a festive Holiday neighborhood and breaks out in song.



Happy holidays and enjoy!

More on Phil Lee & The Horse He Rode In On.

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Phil Lee & The Horse He Rode In On | New Album w/ Billy Talbot & Ralph Molina

Phil Lee & The Horse He Rode In On

Here's some news on an upcoming album by Phil Lee, a long time friend of L.A. Johnson and the Shakey Crew.

Phil Lee has a new record -- The Horse He Rode In On -- coming out in December with Crazy Horse's Billy Talbot on bass and Ralph Molina on drums as the core of his band. Phil lives near Ralph and they play together frequently. It's a pretty cool record with great tunes.

In this day of calculated some-assembly-required Americana nimrods strutting around in Civil War outfits, rodeo garb, and ripped jeans declaring themselves outlaws and poets, Phil Lee stands out like a Krugerand in a pile of tarnished pesos. A former truck driver with a penchant for throwing knives to keep his head in the right place, Lee managed to escape Durham, North Carolina with his drum kit and guitars before the authorities felt the need to restrain his activities. After further adventures and misadventures, Lee eventually fell in with Neil Young’s organization where, with that CDL of his, he drove the Rust Never Sleeps props around, performed as Young’s party band on a few special occasions, and became part and parcel of the whole organism that is Crazy Horse.

Ralph Molina, Phil Lee & Billy Talbot

On his latest album, Lee teams up with old Crazy Horse pals and California neighbors Ralph Molina (drums) and Billy Talbot (bass) — “the horse he rode in on,” get it? The core threesome is augmented by legendary keyboard wiz Barry Goldberg (Electric Flag, Steve Miller Band) and guitar slinger Jan King. Add-ons include long time cohort and guitar maestro Richard Bennett (Neil Diamond, Mark Knopfler), twang guru Bill Kirchen, Bill Lloyd of Foster and Lloyd fame, slide guitarist David Weeks, keyboardist and another long time associate Jack Irwin, guitarists Dorian Michael and George Bradfute, and singers Molly Pasutti and Taryn Engel. Molina, Talbot, and Lee laid the basic tracks at Painted Sky Studio in Cambria, CA, then let the cast fill in a few holes. Jake Berger and Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakam) add their guitars to one track. Lee says the biggest problem with the creative process was getting people “to stop fixing it.”

Billy Talbot

Lee has been at this long enough — his first Shanachie album Mighty King of Love dropped in 1999 — to subscribe to Vince Bell’s adage, “The first time it’s art, the second time it’s show biz.” His view on fixing everything? “It’s Crazy Horse, not Tidy Horse, for Christsakes.” He uses “Bad For Me” as an example.

“This is my personal favorite. It’s a personal song anyway but I dig how we played as if we were all buying into it and all mad as hell by the end. And heartbroken. Wild and mercurial and nowhere near perfect, it starts out low key and confidential but because we cut it live and can hear each other and feel the emotion, the song was gradually able to build to a seething, guitar-smashing crescendo. Also, because we hadn’t really talked about how to end it, we just ran out of steam at the end. We could’ve faded it easy, but I’m glad we didn’t. It would have been wrong. It’s this soul-deep empathy that keeps Big Daddy Neil coming back for more. They feel it like you feel it, they aren’t phoning it in. It’s not about the paycheck.”

Ralph Molina, Billy Talbot, & Phil Lee

Indeed one of the album’s greatest charms is its ragged, dangerous, we-could-be-in-jail-soon feel. But as always, Lee brings the words that make us pay attention and climb deep into the all-to-familiar, all-to-common scenarios of friendship and love, of the attainment and the loss. And the damage. A master of sly-dog observation and telling regional colloquialisms, Lee throws out lines none of today’s Americana wannabes could. “I was kickin’ down some doors / I was in my party drawers / Where were you when all of that was going on?” Lee even remakes the title track from his first album, “The Mighty King of Love” and the newer version finds him in a reflective, 4 a.m. frame of mind, the impish smart-ass persona of the original replaced by a man who’s seen the damage love can do and is still feeling the aftershocks. Some of Lee’s characters are survivors, but there’s accompanying wreckage that can’t be put entirely out of mind. Both “Turn to Stone” and “Wake Up Crying” work this ever fertile psychic turf.

Phil Lee
Photo by Will Mitchell | Hands on Sound

More on Phil Lee & The Horse He Rode In On.

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Billy Talbot And Ralph Molina Look Back On Neil Young’s ‘Tonight’s The Night’ 1973 Gig At The Roxy | UPROXX

Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot - 2017
Photo by Ellen Goffin
(Click photo to enlarge)

With the big news that Neil Young & Crazy Horse will perform two concerts in Fresno, CA in May and Nils Lofgren confirming the gig, here is a timely interview with Crazy Horse's Billy Talbot and Ralph Molina.

From Billy Talbot And Ralph Molina Look Back On Neil Young’s ‘Tonight’s The Night’ 1973 Gig At The Roxy | UPROXX by Corbin Reiff:

“Tonight’s The Night was special,” bassist Billy Talbot told me about those recording sessions. “It was real life. He was just rapping out shit that happened,” he explained. “We’re with Neil and Danny’s passed away… it was kinda like a wake. An Irish wake. We were aware of the situation and trying not to be too heavy about it. We were playing music after all and music is a joyful thing. You don’t get that vibe every day.”

“We all just played pool and stood around,” Molina remembered. “We would look at each other, and we all knew. The mood was where we wanted it to be [and so we] walked into the rehearsal room, went to our instruments — this was about midnight, 1 AM — and just started playing. The passion, feel, heart, all came together. That’s how it was through the sessions; wait until the right moment came.”
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“That night at the Roxy, we did just what we did when we were recording, except there was an audience there,” Talbot explained. The feeling in the room was loose. Maybe too loose. Neil is half singer, half-comedian, cracking wise about strippers and Perry Como, mocking Geffen out amongst the crowd. Onstage is that fake palm tree they swiped from S.I.R., as well as a cigar store Indian, and about $900 worth of glittery boots arranged around Neil’s grand piano. For most of the performance, the band acted as if no one else was even there. “When you’re tuned-in as one, we forget there’s a room,” Molina explained. “Could’ve been the garage, living room…etc.”
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“As a fan, I’d want to hear classics, as a player, you can’t just live on your laurels,” Molina said. “The big guy likes to move on.” Talbot agreed, “Each performance was a trip unto itself,” he said. “We were doing Tonight’s The Night after all. Because they weren’t expecting it, it put a little stain on the whole performance, but we made use of it. Just not doing what they expected and going to the edge with these different songs was really cool for us. It was artistic. I was glad to be a part of it.”

Full interview at Billy Talbot And Ralph Molina Look Back On Neil Young’s ‘Tonight’s The Night’ 1973 Gig At The Roxy | UPROXX by Corbin Reiff.

Also, see Neil Young & Crazy Horse will perform two concerts in Fresno, CA in May.

Crazy Horse - Unrehearsed
Logo by Geoff Moore Silver Moon Art & Design & Hounds That Howell

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A Conversation with Ralph Molina | North of the Internet

Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot - 2017
Photo by Ellen Goffin
From A Conversation with Ralph Molina | North of the Internet, Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina discusses California wildlife, why recording with Neil Young is always a mindblowing experience, telling his drum tech to never stare at him while he plays and the Horse having one more album left in it.

North of the Internet: One could spend a lifetime dissecting the history and evolution of Crazy Horse, but Psychedelic Pill may have the most personal significance to me. When I need a dose of the Horse, it works in a pinch because it’s so powerful and undiluted, committed to extreme repetition and hypnosis. Just thinking about that record gives me chills – not a day goes by I’m not glad it exists!

Can you describe your experience of working on Pill with Neil, Billy and Poncho?

Ralph Molina: We got into Psychedelic Pill after we did Americana. That one, like the others we recorded, was special. It was during a time that the big guy was in a writer’s block. We recorded Psychedelic Pill, left for home, came back and the big guy dubbed in that roaring guitar towards the end and blew us all away.

It’s always a special time recording with our band.

Full interview with Crazy Horse drummer Ralph Molina at A Conversation with Ralph Molina | North of the Internet.

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Ralph & Billy - 2017

Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot - 2017
Photo by Ellen Goffin
(Click photo to enlarge)

A nice photo of Crazy Horse's Ralph Molina and Billy Talbot.

The photo is by Ellen Goffin and taken sometime recently. The occasion -- according to Facebook -- is that Michael Hamilton, songwriter/guitarist, is having Ralph & Billy in his studio in L.A. working on material. (Thanks Paul D.!)

Nice to see the guys hanging out and smiling.

And good to see Billy coming along after a stroke back in 2014.

Also, from back in 2013, an interview with Crazy Horse Drummer Ralph Molina.

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EXCLUSIVE: Crazy Horse Drummer Ralph Molina Interview

Crazy Horse on Australia 2013 Tour
Neil, Poncho, Billy & Ralph
Photo by Robert (Stringman) Sampimon
(Click photo to enlarge)
In an exclusive for Thrasher's Wheat, here is a recent interview with Crazy Horse's drummer Ralph Molina.

The Q&A session with Ralph came about after this past Spring's Neil Young and Crazy Horse Australia/New Zealand Tour. Aussie rusties Tony Maplestone, Robert (Stringman) Sampimon & Karen (Kaz) Webb had quite a bit of interaction with Ralph during the tour through Facebook and also on stage. Kaz managed to get 4 drumsticks from Ralph!! :) Also some of the guys went backstage after the Sydney shows and gave Neil and the Horse some Aussie made t-shirts.

A few days after the tour Tony Maplestone was chatting to Ralph to thank him for the great tour. This was just after Poncho's interview with Rolling Stone where he mentioned that this might have been the last tour. Evidently Ralph didn't agree, so Tony and Robert had the idea of compiling 20 odd questions from the Aussie Rusties and getting Ralph to answer them. Ralph preferred doing the interview via fax so we didn't get a chance to do follow up questions. Hence it is quite short but interesting to compare and contrast.

Q: "What's it like recording at Broken Arrow? Do you stay there? Do Neil and Pegi cook and feed you all and is it a real homely atmosphere or does Neil keep his private life away from the recording studio"?

Ralph Molina: Recording at "Broken Arrow" is awesome! We prefer recording in "garages, living rooms, Barns". I don't like studios! The Ranch and places I mentioned are not "sterile". Neil has the producer/engineer at all times keep the "tape" rolling!

The Ranch is so much more "cozy homey".

We have a "cook" at the Ranch whenever we are there - Linda is her name. We've had others but she's the cook now - awesome.

Our "private lives" are an open book, known each other a looong time.


Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Adelaide, AUS, 3/5/13
(Click photo to enlarge)
Q: On the ALCHEMY tour of Australia there was general admission standing at every venue. There was a lot of interaction between those standing & the band during each show. Did this format affect the way the band performed at each venue, as it seemed you were all enjoying yourselves immensely?

Ralph: The only way it affects us, or any other band, is that it is awesome having the audience/fans standing, dancing, rockin' with us. It helps to interact with each other which we love. It makes us even "looser"; the fans "looser". We're all part of each other; the band, the fans.

We were totally enjoying ourselves, totally.

Q: In the concerts we've been seeing down in Oz with at least four of the songs being over 10 mins long, extending out to nearly 23 mins, does playing songs for that length of time cause any injuries and if so, what do you guys do to lesson the chances of serious long term problems?

Ralph: Lordy, we've been playing songs like that forever. We love to jam, extend the songs.

I love when Neil has the chance to play his long, soulful solos, that's what makes us get off!

We just stay in shape, we exercise, eat good, stopped the messing around (if you know what I mean).

I've been asked by younger bands, "How are we still playing? Where do we get our energy?".

I tell them, "If you want the longevity, lose your egos and realise what you have to do, to last as long, you have to make changes".

I don't believe we will have any long term problems. We "think good, live good, take care of ourselves and love each other".

Q: On the "Road" what "Riders" do you request these days..have the requests gotten more elaborate over the years or have you all gone back to basics?

Ralph: No we don't have any elaborate requests on our "riders". Just no junk, plenty of water, fruit, salads, it's pretty basic. Like us.

Q: I always wanted to know what they all do when they are not playing with Neil...is that a good enough question..i.e. do they do session work or what...I know Billy has one album, but does he do other stuff and apart from Ralph growing veggies what does he do....I heard Barbara bakes cookies for the school kids...but what do they do musically!!

Ralph: When we are not playing, we do what you do, live normal lives. I play with my friends, Sometimes we play at my house; George Whitsell, Sonny More, Phil Lee and others, we just jam.

I've done some playing with Billy, on any projects he may have. We stay in touch with each other.

Play; Think Music mentally; it's what we do!

I've written some songs which I hope to record.

We just stay ready for what may come.


Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Perth Arena, Perth, Australia - 3-2-2013
Photo via Perth Arena on Twitter
Q: Has there been anything planned for putting down another album other than a live version of this tour?? Has Neil been writing during touring (ie. Hole In The Sky)?

Ralph: Well yes, "Hole In The Sky". I'm sure he (Neil) is writing and if he wants to record with us any other new songs, that's what will happen.

Right now we are concentrating on the NOW!

Q: Have they ever considered issuing USB concerts after the show like others are now doing ?

Ralph: Everything is considered! USB concerts? Time will tell.

Q: I know Neil often suggests to the guys to play like this or try that however do they in turn tell Neil to try this or that or do they not interfere with Neil’s creative?

Ralph: Neil doesn't do much "telling" of what to play, nor do we. Any suggestions by him or us will never interfere with "creativity". We'll ask each other, we suggest but don't "tell" each other.

Telling interferes, suggesting doesn't, it's co-existing. We don't mind suggestions, neither doe Neil. (That's) why we're together.

Q: I want to know about the Danny Whitten era Fillmore footage !! and what outtakes of alternative versions are there from everybody knows this is nowhere and after the goldrush

Ralph: Danny Whitten era? All I know are happy times, for the most part, the majority of it.

Only footage I know of are the "Scopitone Songs", the Fillmore East footage. Before the Horse we didn't do much, if any, filming.

Billy, Poncho, Ralph & Neil
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Albuquerque, NM, Aug 3, 2012
Photo by Steve Snowden/Getty Images North America
Q: After each show do you guys like to dissect it and think about what you could have done differently. On listening to the songs of PP on the Australian leg of the tour, each night I noticed there were lots of differing little changes occurring, from all you guys. Was that a conscious effort to bring more life to the songs, or have the songs just naturally evolved, and will they keep evolving or are you all happy with how they sound now?

Ralph: To me recording and playing live are different! Right, there are times you do some dissecting while in the dressing room after shows. I call it locker room talk.

Recording , you don't have any fans, live obviously you do.

It's like an actor, they love to film and act but it's when they get on a live stage, they love more.

I don't believe we make any conscious effort to bring more life into the songs. It's natural, it's like there's the adrenaline (of) the fans, you play for them.

Yes, of course songs are always evolving, songs like "Cinnamon Girl" don't really evolve but the anthems do "Danger Bird" etc. They will keep evolving, each show you are different, the music will too.

Q: What I want to know is the band dynamics. On one hand they are effectively session players. Neil writes the songs, they play as instructed. On the other hand he obviously writes certain songs with them in mind, he has referred to them in YOTH as a true band (check the intro section), they look like a band on stage. Do they have any input into the shape of the song? does he tell them what he wants it to sound like or do they play and see how it goes?

Ralph: Band dynamics? Session players? Are you talking about us? lol

We're "feel" players, all of us! The arts of all arts is feeling. I'd rather look ugly playing with feel then pretty reading a chart. It doesn't matter who writes the songs, again suggestions may be made, that's it.

He doesn't tell us what he wants the song to sound like. Geez what a question.

If you want the "magic feel" you don't instruct someone. You (as Neil does) let them play. Put their own feel into the song. If you instruct you restrict and you are not going to get that.

We play, let it go.

Q: If it was up to to you Ralph, what setlist would you choose?

Ralph: I like our setlists. I love the way Neil has new songs to do, he doesn't live (rest) on his laurels, he continues to evolve.

I would at times throw in "Dangerbird", "Cortez" which we do occasionally. It depends on the night, the way the show is going. Sometimes you have your setlist but you may not want to do the next song on the list.

I have to say, Neil is the most soulful guitar player on this or any other planet.



Q: On this tour, which song did you enjoy playing the most and why??

Ralph: Honestly I love them all but "Ramada Inn", "Giant", "Love and Only Love"," Mr Soul", Fuckin' Up", I love!

And of course when we would do "Dangerbird", "Cortez", I love the "anthems", where you can play them different each night.

Q: Are you ever going to play She's always Dancing?

Ralph: Working on it.

Q: We know a lot of music that influenced Neil growing up, what was the spark that drove the passion within you to pursue a career in music?

Ralph: I believe it was pre-destined for me. As a teen growing up in NYC Lower East side I used to read movie mags. I would sing in the hallways of my project building with friends. When we moved to LA at 16 years old, I ran into guys who sang and I sang with them. Bit I don't believe I ever pursued a career in music.

I grew up listening to the "Doo Wop" songs mostly, it's what I loved.

Q: You just had a long tour of Australia with a lot of days off in between shows...what did you guys get up to in your spare time? Write new songs like ‘Hole in the Sky’? practice obscure old songs (danger bird)? Hang out on the beach? Explore the cities?

Ralph: We spent some time on the beautiful beaches; some sightseeing yes; went to the shops; rested; yes we talked about putting songs like "Dangerbird", "Surfer Joe", etc. into the setlist or as encores

"See No Evil"
Neil Young & Crazy Horse
1987 Japan Tour Program
Q: Which Crazy Horse tour would you like to see released from the archives? Are there any truly memorable shows that you will never forget?

Ralph: Oh Lordy! The "Rust", the "Garage", the "Tonight's The Night" tours stand out from the past.

Honestly I will never forget any of the tours; the music; the friendship; all the "behind the scenes" goings on, never!

Like I will never forget my childhood!

Any tour from the Archives I would relish.

Q: Is there any truth to the Melbourne show at The Plenary being released as a DVD/Movie in the near future as reported in the press?

Ralph: I'm sure the Melbourne (Plenary) show will, in the near future be released!

Q: You have been playing and touring with Neil for almost 45 years, what has been the highlights for you in terms of touring, both musically and atmosphereHighlights?

Ralph: All of it.

Each tour, Each recording, Each moment is a highlight for me, us.

The things we did, got into, while on tour when we were younger. The initials tours to Australia, Japan, Europe as mischievous little lads. Way too many highlights to mention.

Some I'd be in trouble if I mentioned them.

Q: Can you describe how your drumming has evolved over the past 45 years?

Ralph: My drumming, I believe, has evolved from my earlier years. I watch, I listen. I don't copy but I try something, to make me feel less constricted.

Most important to me and the guys is passion and feel.

If I've instilled those 2 things I'm happy.

Q: After a 3-2 hour show how do you recover?

Ralph: I just wait until I come down. No aches, no pain, I feel we could play for 5 hours as long as you're having fun, the music flowing, it makes it easy.

Me? I've been blessed in not having to (as you ask) recover.

Q: Neil in his book talked about compiling a boxset of Crazy Horse music. Can you give us an update on the likely release and what it might contain?

Ralph: Neil has the answer to that!

No release date yet. But sure it will contain unreleased tunes and his years of music with all his friends.


Handwritten FAX from Ralph

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