"My Boy" - Neil Young Solo @ The Farm at Lakefield College School, May 23, 2025

Labels: benefit, concert, neil young, setlist, solo, songs
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An unofficial news blog for Neil Young fans from Thrasher's Wheat with concert and album updates, reviews, analysis, and other Rock & Roll ramblings. Separating the wheat from the chaff since 1996.
Labels: benefit, concert, neil young, setlist, solo, songs
UPDATE:
Tonight, Neil Young will perform solo at an outdoor benefit concert at Lakefield College School’s Northcote Campus, Ontario, Friday, May 23.
The benefit concert will raise funds for the restoration of the historic farmhouse on the Northcote property. Neil and his wife, Daryl Hannah, purchased a 116-year-old cottage near Lakefield in September 2020.
Earlier, Neil Young made the following statement:
"This classic turn of the century farm, returned to its original greatness, is a testimony to the history of Canada."
Labels: benefit, concert, neil young, solo, tickets
Waves of Sadness.I don't know why. From the start. Not constant, but some quite extreme.I was surprised to see the theater about 2/3's full, here in Burbank.That was nice. A nice geriatric audience, and I was one of them, now, a long time gone from the Tonight's the Night shows, which were my first. When I went to Mountaintop, there were only about 10 in the theater at the Landmark Nuart on Santa Monica in West LA.The theaters seem to play every movie at deafening sound levels these days, but this was quite subdued, and could have used a boost. It was a lot of concert footage, and it deserved more realistic concert venue volume, at least for the music. I could hear nearby concession wrappers rustling even during the music. (I ran into the 16-plex manager on the way out, and asked about the volume choice, and she said the volume is pre-set by the film distributors for airing, so Shakey Pictures' choice?)Maybe it was the black and white, too, that contributed to the sadness feeling. But the movie was in the bus, out and directly to soundcheck or the start of the performance at a few venues, some concert segments from the few different venues, then immediately back to the bus, and driving again, and talking with the bus driver. Repeat. The movie seemed just as much conversation with the bus driver as was anything else. Very laid back. Nice Neil dry humor, throughout. And I enjoyed the film, don't get me wrong, but I missed the bits of real joy.During Mountaintop, with Crazy Horse, there was so much emotion, and much of it anger and frustration, some so intense that I was surprised they were letting us see it. But when it gelled, finally, and that scene of them listening to the play back and Neil lit up with that massive joy and happiness, and a 500 watt smile...... I missed seeing joy like that in Coastal. Neil seemed so isolated from the rest of the world. His special pocket of isolation. On the bus and off the bus. on the bus, off the bus. Looking out the bus window. Escorted every step. Maybe the aging ("I don't recognise myself"), the pace for the solo shows.......Mostly I was enveloped with sadness for most of the documentary. I don't really know why. I loved the few bits of Micah animation. I would have just as soon seen Coastal at home, with my own control of the sound system for the music parts. Like the last decades' releases, I enjoy them and keep up with a favorite artist that has been a large part of my personal soundtrack since 1970, but don't really know what to make of the sadness that this film bathed me in. Neil already did so much that was so very special to me, and so many. He already did that. I don't mind that the most special songs he will do have already been done. My life was enriched by them as they happened. Now, I love to check in, and see what he is doing, even if it brings me sadness, for whatever reason. Neil playing "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" on the bus might have been my personal favorite part.That is some bus.
Labels: archives, concert, film, neil young, neil young archives, nya, reviews, solo
"He just has an absolute, uncanny commitment to his creative muse," she argues.
"He's not driven by financial interests, he's not driven by self-aggrandisement, he's not driven by anything other than that creative force, and it's pretty incredible to witness.
"Having spent so much time with him, my perception is that he's completely guileless. He has a lot of warmth and innocence, so I wanted to show that."
...
Hannah reveals her husband was harassed during the first Trump administration, as he went through the process of becoming a US citizen.
"They tried to every trick in the book to mess him up, and made him keep coming back to be re-interviewed and re-interviewed. It's ridiculous [because] he's been living in America and paying taxes here since he was in his 20s."
Despite that, she doesn't think Young will be prevented from entering the country.
"They've been detaining people who have green cards or visas – which is hideous and horrifying - but they have not, so far, been refusing to let American citizens back in the country, so I don't think that's going to happen."
Full interview @ "Daryl Hannah shows husband Neil Young's softer side in new tour film" | BBC by Mark Savage.
Labels: archives, concert, film, neil young, neil young archives, nya, reviews, solo
Neil Young will perform solo at an outdoor benefit concert at Lakefield College School’s Northcote Campus, Ontario on Friday, May 23. (thanks Stuart!)
The benefit concert will raise funds for the restoration of the historic farmhouse on the Northcote property. Neil and his wife, Daryl Hannah, purchased a 116-year-old cottage near Lakefield in September 2020.
Neil Young made the following statement:
"This classic turn of the century farm, returned to its original greatness, is a testimony to the history of Canada."
Tickets on sale now.
Labels: concert, neil young, solo, tickets
Labels: archives, band, concert, neil young, reviews, solo, stream, tour
You ask, "so what might Neil Young's 2025 bring?"
Good question and a comment by Dionys whets the appetite with expectations:
Thanks for the "informed speculation" Dionys. That pretty well tracks what we're seeing as well. Obviously, all eyes on tour planning.
Regarding Oceanside Countryside, a comment by Tomatron notes that "Field Of Opportunity" landed on streaming services such as Apple Music last Friday. This is the mix with Neil’s original harmonies, before Nicolette Larson vocals were added to the track.
There is some level of confusion on the release details of "Oceanside - Countryside" which is also available as a standalone CD -- with the same cover -- from "Neil Young Archives Volume III". This CD of the same name contains eight of the ten songs, five of which are identical versions, however as a digital mix instead of analog.
Here's what seems to be the difference: the order of the songs. The 1977 version sequence is as originally planned by Neil Young, as opposed to the CD of the "Archives Vol. III" which is arranged chronologically by recording date. In addition, two songs - "Field Of Opportunity" and "Dance Dance Dance" - are missing the vocals by Nicolette Larson, which were added later via overdub.
Got it? Another Valentine's Day gift from Neil with a February 14th release date of a black vinyl and a clear vinyl limited edition.
Or, just sit back and enjoy Neil Young's "Fireside Sessions".
Labels: album, concert, fireside sessions, neil young, neil young archives, singer-songwriter, solo, song, tour
Late last year, Neil Young announced that he planned to stream another "Fireside Session" concert during the Christmas season.
As 2024 ended, Neil Young posted a video of the song "Silver & Gold" that his wife Daryl Hannah recorded in front of their Colorado home fireplace. "Silver & Gold" was originally recorded during the 1985 sessions in Nashville and remained unreleased until 2000, when it appeared as a solo version on the album of the same name. The song had not been played since Farm Aid 2007.
In the 2nd "Fireside Sessions" installment, Neil Young pulls out "Pardon My Heart" for the first time in 50 years.
Neil plays the song before a crackling fire and a sleeping dog. "Pardon My Heart" was originally released on the album "Zuma" in 1975 and again in 2022 on the "Official Bootleg" series from New York's "The Bottom Line" club in 1974.
In 2020, Neil Young produced four extremely intimate mini concerts with his wife Daryl Hannah.
Labels: fireside sessions, neil young, neil young archives, singer-songwriter, solo, song
Neil Young has announced on Neil Young Archives that he will stream another "Fireside Session" concert during the Christmas season.
During the "pandemic", Neil Young presented several "Fireside Sessions" which some labeled as the "The perfect pandemic antidote". Or -- if you preferred -- "splendid isolation".
In 2020, Neil Young produced four extremely intimate mini concerts with his wife Daryl Hannah.
Also, Neil Young has released a fireplace
video with nearly two hours of music on YouTube. The holiday soundtrack with a crackling fireplace has back catalog songs along with other Christmas songs by
other artists.
More on Neil Young's 2020 "Fireside Sessions".
"Stunningly intimate & unprecedented" says TW.
— ThrashersWheat (@ThrashersWheat) May 9, 2020
Neil Young's Fireside Sessions on NYA - STREAMING NOW: Details on Sessions #1, #2, #3, & #4 @ https://t.co/H2XvxC7cTG
☮️♥️ @NeilYoungNYA
@dhlovelife pic.twitter.com/HNt4YL0iWL
Labels: fireside sessions, neil young, neil young archives, singer-songwriter, solo, song
Labels: archives, concert, film, neil young, neil young archives, nya, reviews, solo
From Neil Young's Patron call earlier today. Many thanks to Hambone, Dan, Chris, tomatron, Greying Rider and many others for updates via TW comments.
The following distilation is from TW comments on Unboxing Video are from Wednesday's call with Neil Young and his fans.
At 8/28/2024 04:38:00 PM, Blogger Dan Swan said...
Right from the beginning he states third of five volumes, so at least two more volumes the Archives. I can imagine Neil living for quite awhile after seeing just how healthy and happy he looked in the unboxing video. So I’m really looking forward to the deep dive into Volume 3. And hoping for more while I’m still alive.
At 8/28/2024 09:48:00 PM, Blogger Chris said...
The call fell at an awkward time and, although I was able to join, unfortunately I could not give it my full attention and did not take my usual minutes. Agree Neil looked and sounded in good health. New tour announcement with POTR lite is excellent news. Though I'm not going to try and travel to the USA to see this tour having got my fingers (and heart) burnt with the cancellation of my dream ticket - I had Row 8 - to see Crazy Horse play in Hollywood. At least it saved me the irony of a long haul flight to see the 'Love Earth' tour, even with an offset. Long may you run, Neil.
At 8/29/2024 06:12:00 AM, Blogger Hambone said...
Morning all. Here's my pick of highlights from yesterday's zoom. No notes either so it's what I can remember after a nights sleep.
1. Frank Gironda mentioned that patron subscribers were at a high and I noted 396 on the call last night. When the zooms started a few years back it was nearer the 250 level, so that sounbds good for the health of NYA.
2. Tour cancellation - as tomatron said - the phrase Neil used was that a couple of the band "hit a wall" and then he felt sick at the idea of going onstage. He was clear that he couldn't just keep going and that what matters is "the art of playing, and the music".
Rolling Stone has some fuller quotes here:
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-young-breaks-silence-crazy-horse-tour-cancellation-1235090480/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3pBk7tv2ggwZfQoqO82JRNlchwDcZfkAtcSQ3MlgUx5w61w6TR46KXt2Y_aem_gI2eCa2pbA1Cc-NdmXFlhg
The new tour with Micah, Anthony Logerfo and Corey McCormick is due to follow Farm Aid, at outdoor and theatre venues, many which he has played before. He implied it would be East Coast and then an arc across the country back home - Michigan and Ohio were mention, so sounds like a road trip of sorts.
Content will be a classic Neil/ band set of solo acoustic then the band joins in - and at a less breakneck pace than the Horse.
Neil looked keen to go out, was very animated and sharp on answering questions & was pacing up and down out of camera shot. At one point I wondered if the mail had arrived as he disappeared for a minute or so.
Volume 4 - this will cover 1988 - 2002. There was some talk about where Live Mirror Ball fits in as I think someone asked about it as a separate release.
The other thing was that Neil said a majority of the studio recordings from Vol 4 would be the first band take of songs, which would be "interesting".
Also the implication that Vol 5 will be 2003- the present, whatever that will mean.
Lyrics book - this is in progress. Neil says it has 600 odd songs and will include scans of the original handwritten lyrics where they exist. Sheets are still being found and it may include a few songs where only the lyrics where written, but never found a tune.
Canary novel - this is at the line by line editing stage. There is no publishing deal for it yet, but Neil appears confident they will find one when the book is ready. As he's said before it's a Science Fiction novel.
Now as a very long term SF fan of 50 years - I just got back from the World SF Convention in Glasgow UK - I get a bit wary when celebrities start trying to write in the genre. Often their original idea has already been explored by the numerous fantastic less-known writers out there who live and breathe the genre. But hey it's Neil so I'll be giving a look in.
Coastal soundtrack - OK I hope I heard this right. This is Daryl's film of the 2023 Coastal Tour and the soundtrack will have different songs/versions from what has already appeared on Before and After. The film is almost ready, but I didn't catch a release date.
There was also some technical discussion about playing NYA via ATMOS and SONOS devices/apps but since I don't use them, sorry can't remember the details.
I'm sure others can fill in the gaps of what's been missed.
Hope the new tour is sedate and complete. I'll keep everything crossed for something in Europe eventually but it's great to hear Tales of the Rail from the US from everyone here.
Tony Hambone in the UK
At 8/29/2024 09:12:00 AM, Blogger herbsworld said...
That unboxing video, to me, was glorious! I agree. Neil is in fine form and I felt relief over not only a familiar face, but a personality that remains. I have so many older friends that just “change” with age (Or, maybe it’s me?). Neil seems as enthusiastically excited as ever. Optimistic, even. Glad to see and hear indeed! The box itself, meh.
Not to be a Debbie Downer but there were maybe 5 or 6 audio cd’s that I’m innarested in (tho not in low-fi, cd quality) and maybe 2 of the bluray titles. I would most likely spend more on cherry picking individual titles, if they become available, which I hope they do, (Along with the book). Anyway. Like I said before, I’m happy for the output and everyone who is excited about Christmas in September :)
Here’s to a Happy Neil Year!
At 8/29/2024 01:12:00 PM, Blogger Hayo said...
Other cool things Neil mentioned in the Zoom call:
- CSNY 69 is pretty much done and all analog.
- Roxy album (and maybe video?) is incomplete but in the works.
.
Excellent updates folks! Many thanks for sharing all the details. It is good to share, indeed. Sharing is caring.
So much to unpack here. The Big Amps carry on. Lost Cortez lyrics found. Archives Vol #4 being worked. So lucky for us rustie grains.
Also, see Neil Young Patron ZOOM Call Update: Archives Volume #3 w/ 17 Discs.
Labels: archives, concert, crazy horse, neil young, neil young archives, nya, promise of the real, reviews, solo, stream, tour
From Neil Young's Patron call earlier today. Many thanks to Greying Rider for updates via TW comments.
Greying Rider posted to TW some notes from today's call with Neil Young and his fans.
Hi All
Notes from today’s Patron call:
Neil looks well sitting on the floor in his sunny living room in Malibu with a nice open fire in the background and his super vintage Artistico Pergurtorio t-shirt that was a gift from the ranch days.
Yes, the big amps will be going on tour with CH! They set them up last week.
Rev Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir will support….
Setlist: they are all working on it. But Neil just discovered something from when recorded Cortez. There was a power cut and lost some verses but Neil has FOUND THE LYRICS FOR THE LOST VERSES. He is going to try and work out where they fit in the song by looking at the cuts in the original master.
New tour always feels different.
May play something off of Psychedelic Pill.
Bus is renewable diesel.
Having Micah join was a no brainer. Keeps the Horse simple.
There will be an acoustic portion of the shows.
DH Lovelife will film. May go to theatres first. Possibly as a double feature with Harvest Time.
Old Black is in excellent shape.
Linkvolt in in good shape too. Just got back from fix up after damage ardour covid.
Neil watched the eclipse in Malibu.
Neil asks for everyone to keep those cards and letters coming.
Audience keeps him going.
Neil just sent Graham Nash the acetate for the Filmore 1969 but Willy has covid (for the fourth time!). Neil feels indoor shows have a lot higher risk of getting covid.
Vol 3: Not on the shelf behind John. More audio verite in it. Scene of Briggs, Nicolette and Neil at a table and them singing things for the first time. Film “Across the Water” is a great CH film. It is very big. Much bigger than the other volumes.
Thought they would have 4 volumes when started. Vol 3 covers 30 years and 4 will cover another 30. So stick to 4 volumes. Started on Vol 4. It is a monumental task but Neil enjoys making it and listening/finding things. Nico and Neil have begun mixing. A lot of original analogue mixes for it as at this stage he went back to only recording on analogue masters. Why vinyl form this era sounds as it should.
No albums he would re-record because he did not like the production. Does not like redoing things.
Neil will play Farm Aid this year.
Neil’s wrists are feeling great. He has laser and sound/vibration treatments that he can feel makes a difference.
Fuckin’ up is basically a live performance of Ragged Glory. You can hear the freedom of Neil in it.
Neil says he’ll see what happens x suggestion of Arc 2 feedback album. Neil has no interest in anything particular. He’s not going to try and plan things or think about it. When he feels it, he’ll go into the studio.
The best invention for recording music is the microphone as key to getting the sound.
Neil is working on a lyric book and looking at After The Goldrush he thinks we are not losing ground on the environment compared to the past. Nothing will change until we change. He admits he could be wrong but thinks the issues are intense.
Neil will look at the 2009 Glastonbury gig and maybe release.
Neil was hanging out with Stills recently and did the CSNY 1969 with them and John Hanlon. They listened to Rhino’s digital mixes and this pissed Neil off and so they found the analog tapes and redid it. Sounds amazing. There is an 18 minute Down By The River with Stills smokin’ it (and Neil says he may already have smoked it!).
Canary making progress. Sci-fi book. Neil talks about his Dad’s work.
Model Railway is fantastic. Another video coming soon. It’s outside of the scope of what people think he should be doing and so that makes it even better for Neil.
There are plans to record video and/or audio from the Roxy gig but not ready yet. It’s all there. Maybe Vol 4.
There is an all new archive storage area. John says it’s not set-up to be visually interesting but they’ll see what happens about doing another video walking around it.
Neil would come to Europe but just not a plan to do it yet. After this Summer he’ll be open to new areas. Does not want to tour all year long though. Would like to go to Australia as there are cool people and they are really into it.
Poncho is doing pretty good gardening and swimming on the big island in Hawaii. He just wanted to do something else.
Neil announces Hollywood Bowl Crazy Horse gig on September 29th. Pre-sale announcement later today!
They have Deer Creek from the 1992 solo acoustic tour with a good film. In the Volume 4 pocket.
Neil is using a Hugo TT2 DAC. He gets up to check it.
Fireside sessions were special to covid and Colorado.
There will be more timeline performances.
Daryl has made a new Video “From Before and After the Show” with 80-90% of songs that are not on Before and After. Shows what it is like in real life to be on the road.
Neil likes the idea of PONO 2. Streaming killed PONO.
No NHL playoff predictions.
Its good to share.
Toby
Excellent update Greying Rider! Many thanks for sharing all the details. It is good to share, indeed. Sharing is caring.
So much to unpack here. The Big Amps carry on. Lost Cortez lyrics found. Archives Vol #4 being worked. So lucky for us rustie grains.
Also, see Neil Young Patron ZOOM Call Update: Archives Volume #3 w/ 17 Discs.
Labels: #CrazyHorse4HOF, archives, concert, crazy horse, neil young, neil young archives, nya, reviews, solo, stream, tour