REVIEW: Tribute to Neil Young @ AmericanaFest Salute Concert | Lefsetz Letter

Tribute to Neil Young: AmericanaFest 

On January 31, an AmericanaFest Pre-Grammy Salute concert was held at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA , to pay tribute to Neil Young's songs, with proceeds funding MusiCares programs for music industry professionals.

Performers included Rhiannon Giddens, Margo Price, Jesse Welles, and Molly Tuttle.  

Here is a review by Bob Lefsetz.

---

On the other hand...

And then I went to the Troubadour last night.

Sitting up in the bleachers I had a long conversation with David Macias, whose Thirty Tigers is the bleeding edge of quality distribution. What I mean is...if he's involved, it's worth paying attention... All the acts the majors no longer invest in, he's the man... Like with Lucinda Williams. He's even got an Amy Grant album coming out.

And David started philosophizing, about today's music being regressive, that's the word he used. How it was looking backwards, he wanted to put out records that were something new, that pushed the envelope, and he's working on that.

But ultimately the show began.

I mean get old enough, and you start to feel removed.

But last night's show reinvigorated me, illustrated that the problem was not me, but the music being purveyed by the big time industry.

There were no hard drives. People played their instruments. The music was alive and it breathed.

And rather than dancing queens, we got endless ladies who showed how far women in music have come.

All I can say is you have to see Rhiannon Giddens to get her. The passion...she was in the moment, she melded with the music, it was riveting.

Sierra Hull performed the one song I was hoping to hear, "Look Out for My Love," which Linda Ronstadt covered so exquisitely on her "new wave" album "Mad Love." Check it out if you don't know this version, it amps up the song, gives it added gravitas.

Chris Pierce? I'd never heard of the guy, but he channeled Paul Robeson doing "Ol' Man River," only in this case it was "Southern Man," which Pierce slowed down to a dirge and bellowed...it was like watching a movie, it was more than the song, more than a performance, it was a PRESENCE!

Margo Price... Speaking of Ronstadt, Margo did "Love is a Rose" and evidenced such charisma that when she was gone you could feel the absence, she is a star.

Molly Tuttle made me like a song I never did. She took "Helpless" out of the ether with a more full-bodied version than the original. And she picked a few notes to boot. Everybody could play. Sierra Hull...

Maggie Rose belted the choruses of "Down By the River," and urged those in attendance to join along, and I don't know about everybody else, but I could not hold myself back.

Katie Pruitt I'd never heard of, but she picked the notes in "Ohio"... And even though it's over half a century old, I felt the spirit of Minneapolis in the room.

Young the Giant? I never got them, but they sang a powerful version of "Old Man" that had me reflecting on my own life, where I'd been, who I am now... That's what we want from music, to set our minds free, so they can float down the river of thought..

Jesse Welles, the man of the moment, did "After the Gold Rush" and didn't walk off immediately, so I thought he was going to break into his anti-ICE song, but alas, that did not happen.

Grace Potter evidenced more spirit, more of the rock and roll ethos than any woman I saw on the Grammy telecast. You could tell it was coming from deep inside, her soul, she was a rock chick, there was nothing calculated about her performance whatsoever.

And there was Sara Watkins and the Milk Carton Kids and even more, but all I can tell you is I started off the show at a distance, but about a third of the way in I was totally involved, I became one with the music... No, it was more than that, it was the atmosphere, the vibe, like David Byrne once sang, it was the same as it ever was.

Yet it wasn't old farts, but young 'uns. Just when I thought the formula was lost, I found that it had been channeled by a younger generation, removed from the vapid, cringe-worthy mainstream, keeping it alive and extending it. These people could play and sing and there was no dancing involved... It was about the music, pure and simple, nothing more was necessary, and it touched every single person in the place.

At dinner we were talking about how hard it is to get us out. Because we've seen all the acts, in their heyday, and the new ones...

When I left the Troubadour last night there was a bounce in my step. I felt not only did the people and the music still have it, but SO DID I! I may be closer to death, but everything that excited me, that drew me to the sound, was still there, alive and cooking.

I only wish you were there.

by Bob Lefsetz.

---

More of Bob Lefsetz writings on Neil Young @

• 
  
- CONCERT REVIEW: Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts @ Hollywood Bowl - September 15 | Lefsetz Letter

"He was definitely not like anybody else": Bob Lefsetz on Neil Young on Howard Stern Show

- ESSAY: Young Shakespeare by Neil Young | Bob Lefsetz

---

---

The Making of ‘Heart of Gold Volume 1’ – A Neil Young Tribute Album Supporting The Bridge School

‘Heart of Gold Volume 1A Neil Young Tribute Album Supporting The Bridge School

 ‘Heart Of Gold Volume 1’, a compilation of Neil Young covers performed by artists including Fiona Apple, Brandi Carlile, The Doobie Brothers, Eddie Vedder, Mumford & Sons, and more, will raise funds for The Bridge School .  The Bridge School helps children with severe speech and physical impairments through assistive technology.

Cinema Music Group (CMG) a Los Angeles-based production house founded by longtime friends and collaborators Dave Resnik and Niko Bolas, produced the benefit album. Each artist on the album personally chose the song they covered, and nearly every track was recorded in just one or two takes, giving the record an intimate, live feel. The tribute benefit album has already raised $100,000 for The Bridge School, with Volume 1 out now, and Volumes 2 and 3 on the way. 

From HARLTON EMPIRE:

Kat Harlton: How did the idea for ‘Heart of Gold Volume 1’ come about, and what inspired you to make it a benefit project for The Bridge School?

CMG: We were recording an album with Chris Pierce in 2022. He’s such an incredible songwriter. We knew we wanted to record more with him and we started looking at cover ideas. Niko’s worked with Neil for a long time and their friendship goes back 30+ years! So, we ended up speaking with Neil and got his blessing to record a few covers but the idea only ended up growing from there and after a few more conversations we booked a studio session in 2023 and invited Chris Pierce, Sharon Van Etten and Draco Rosa along. We reached out to Brandi Carlile too and she said yes but her schedule was really busy. We tracked 3 songs in one day! The session was great success and we just kept going. Brandi recorded “Philadelphia” about 15 months later! The Bridge School is such a huge part of Neil’s legacy. The old benefit concerts were so memorable, it was such an exciting thing to be part of. It only felt natural for us to turn the Heart Of Gold project into a benefit record to benefit The Bridge School.

Kat: Neil Young is such a revered and complex artist—what was it like securing his blessing for this project, and how did that influence how you approached the covers?

CMG: It meant everything, we definitely couldn’t have done it without him. His songwriting is so good, His songs are some of the best ever written. We wanted to approach recording the record with as much care and respect for the original songs as possible and we believed the best way to do that was by letting the artists pick the songs they wanted to cover. By doing that it meant that they were able to pick and play the songs that they really connected with. We wanted to make a heartfelt record and this approach made it easier to record and capture all the emotive performances.

Kat: With artists like Fiona Apple, Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder, and The Doobie Brothers involved, how did you go about curating such a diverse and legendary lineup?

CMG: Similar to how the concerts were put together… The concerts had this family feel to them where everyone knew everyone. We wanted to keep that family feel so we reached out to people who we knew. Sometimes we were able to reach out directly to the artist and sometimes we reached out to the producer, or a manager or even the guitar tech! The whole project happened via word or mouth. We ran with the whole six degrees of separation… “who do we know who knows ___?”. We were really surprised by how many people wanted to be involved. It was amazing to have so many artists wanting to use their talents and music to do something good. 

Kat: You chose to record most songs live in just one or two takes—why was it important to you to keep the process raw and immediate, and how did that affect the final sound?

CMG: We used Neil’s “1 take” approach to tracking. It’s really difficult to capture the emotion in a session if it’s all been recorded in parts and sections. It’s best to do full takes, that’s when the magic happens! You feel the energy between the musicians. The drummer is playing with the bassist and they’re feeding off of that… the guitar digs in a little harder and the vocalist is feeling it too because they’re all in the same room together! You can’t get that with a computer. It’s not squeaky clean but the magic is found in all those subtle mistakes and nuances. If you listen to any of Neil’s records you can hear him use that process too. It has such a vibe to it. It feels much more intimate. 

Full interview @   Exclusive Interview: Cinema Music Group On Curating ‘Heart of Gold Volume 1’ – A Star-Studded Neil Young Tribute Album Supporting The Bridge School | HARLTON EMPIRE.

Courtney Barnett - Lotta Love


Chris Pierce - Southern Man


More on supporting The Bridge School.

The Bridge School

---

---

Garth Hudson: 1937 – 2025 + Statement by Neil Young

Garth Hudson & Neil Young - 2010
(Click photo to enlarge)

The Band's Garth Hudson passed away recently at age 87. 

Neil Young has released a statement on T-C | Neil Young Archives  on memories of Garth Hudson.

GARTH via  T-C | Neil Young Archives 
Back in 2010, Garth Hudson produced an all-Canadian tribute album which honors the Band. The album features Neil Young with The Sadies on "This Wheel's on Fire".

Canadian Celebration of the Band

Hudson says of the Young/Sadies collaboration:

"It all came together very easily.

I was privileged to watch Neil with Mr. Bob Young backstage in Toronto and London; the concerts in London and Toronto were amazing. And Neil's equipment is not the type you expect, it's not the usual. His amplifiers are very special, a combination of old and new technology. 

It's an amazing sound, a sound you can't get with digital electronics and digital gear."

Garth Hudson & Neil Young w/ The Sadies - 2010

More on "This Wheel's on Fire": Neil Young w/ The Sadies on All-Canadian Tribute Album to The Band. + 

• This Neil’s on Fire: A Classic Cut Reborn

Neil Young & The Sadies - "This Wheel's On Fire"

Produced by Garth Hudson

---

A CSNY Family Weekend Featuring The Our House Band and Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel

Our House
Crosby Stills Nash Young Tribute
Des Plaines, IL - August 3, 2024
(Click photos to enlarge)

Here is a special report from the intrepid and oh so dependable John Kwit, our Thrasher's Wheat Intergalactic Music Correspondent via Chicago.

---

A CSNY Family Weekend Featuring The Our House Band and Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel

I want to thank Thrasher upfront for allowing me to spin my tales on his website. What an honor it is to share CSNY-related news with like-minded individuals. My goal here is to not only tell a story but give you a little bit of background so you can put my glorious weekend in perspective. I hope you enjoy it, but even more so, I challenge you to write in and share your own story with Thrasher so that we can all hear of your CSNY family adventures.

John Kwit
Aspiring Chicago Writer 

The Our House Band

It was beautiful and frankly spine chilling for me to hear the sounds of David Crosby’s Déjà vu and Delta wafting out through the closed stage door in the alley of the Des Plaines Theatre in Illinois as I awaited the doors to officially open to the public for a concert on Saturday August 3, 2024. After David Crosby passed away I didn’t think I’d hear those haunting notes again. For one night, the sounds came alive once more via the performance of songs by the mystical CSNY quartet, the trio (CSN), duos (Crosby-Nash), and solo material.

The band behind the stage door rehearsing was Our House, an eight piece unit led by former CPR (Crosby-Pevar-Raymond) band members James Raymond on keyboards (David’s son), guitarist Jeff Pevar & drummer Stevie DiStanislao. Adding sweetness to the mix, guitar/vocals were provided by Astrid Young (Neil’s sister – sorry I don’t believe in half-anything when describing family relations) who also showcased a few of her own tunes, and the bass was driven by Elijah Thomson (Father John Misty, & a member of the band Everest who opened for Neil on his Fall 2008 tour).

Pevar/Raymond

Stevie D

Astrid/Elijah

Michelle Willis

Additional keyboards and haunting vocals were provided by Michelle Willis (Crosby’s Lighthouse Band). If you caught the opening act of Neil Young’s relatively recent Coastal Tour you’d recognize the incredible harmonica/vocals of Chris Pierce. Lead guitar and vocals were astutely provided by Steve Postell (Crosby’s band & performer at Stephen Stills’ Light Up The Blues Autism Charity concert). An added bonus of attending the show in Des Plaines was the one-off and rare appearance of CSNY photographer Henry Diltz who came up on stage to tell behind the scenes stories at several points during the night. This man was part of the West Coast scene as a performer and photographer before the birth of the Buffalo Springfield. What a blessing to see and hear him. Have you heard the story of Neil cranking the sound of a large herd of cows while Henry sat petrified in Neil’s barn admiring a Lionel train set-up? Killer stuff.

Chris/Pevar

Steve P.

I want to individually thank the estimated 8.9 million people who live in the city of Chicago and the surrounding suburbs who failed to show up with me in the alley outside the stage door of the Des Plaines Theatre. God Bless all of you! Your selfless action allowed me to meet and chat with the entire band and Henry Diltz, without interruption. For me, the most special conversation I had was with Henry Diltz. I had never met him before but have wanted to for decades, and I came prepared with one of his photos just in case. The next thing I know, Henry and I were sitting next to each other on a concrete parking lot barrier chatting about his years covering CSNY. When I mentioned I was heading out the next day to see former CSNY bass player Calvin Fuzzy Samuel perform, his eyes got as big as saucers. “You tell Calvin I said Hi!”, he said as we parted ways.

John Kwit & Henry Diltz

Now I could sit here and rattle off the entire Our House concert set list but that’s not going to happen. I’ll tease you by sharing one song performed for each member: Long Time Gone (Crosby), Suite Judy Blue Eyes (Stills) and Teach Your Children (Nash). For Neil fans, I’ll mention the one song of his that was absolutely stunning: Southern Man. Chris Pierce’s vocals and harmonica playing were simply incredible on that tune, and his deep baritone reminded me of the great performer Paul Robeson. Some of you youngsters may need to Google that name.

The Our House band wrapped things up with a string of shows on the East Coast, closing with a gig in Bethel, New York on August 18. I hope you caught them live while their roughly 20 show tour occurred during July and August. I do have one wish and that is that the band will go into the studio and record original material and then go back on tour to share it with the world. This much talent should not be wasted. I have to give a special shout out to two of the performers. I’ve always been floored by James Raymond’s keyboard talents. His improvisational pieces are mind blowing. Like a fine wine, he’s only gotten better with age. Then there’s Michelle Willis. Picture a smoky 1940’s cabaret lounge inhabited by a character like Humphrey Bogart sipping whiskey on the rocks and you can imagine Michelle’s sultry yet angelic voice beaming over the pounding keys. Shameless plug: Check out her recent triple vinyl album (Just One Voice). All music, no filler and no etching on Side F.

As a follower of all things CSNY, I have seen more shows from all these individuals and their offshoots of the family tree than I can shake a stick at. My long-suffering wife can attest to that. As has been pointed out to me more than once, how many shows in a multi-night stand must one attend before you’ve seen enough? I’m still searching for the answer.

Frankly I don’t know how I’ve been so blessed in this life when it comes to CSNY. My adventure began with a love of their music in the late 1970’s/early 1980’s. When I learned how to drive and got a car, concert doors opened up. Snail mail correspondence and trading with fellow fans brought live concert tapes, photos, newsletters and assorted ephemera. When I got a job, my spending money provided books, magazines, posters, bootleg vinyl & CDs. Then came an obsession with collecting autographs. Decade upon decade of collecting autographs. I mean if I’m going to see the show I might as well wait by the stage door and see who pops out. Most of the time, members of the CSNY family were happy to oblige with their John Hancock on a single book or photo or record. Then the lightbulb came on for me. Since I had read virtually every scrap of information available in print and the family seemed comfortable talking to me, why not see if I could actually sit down and pepper them with interesting yet uncommon interview questions?

My love of writing led to my friendship with Dolf van Stijgeren of the Netherlands who ran the CSNY website 4WaySite.com. I was honored to do email, phone and in-person-sit-down-across-the-table-and-look-me-in-the-eye interviews with many members of the CSNY family: James Raymond, Shane Fontayne, Johny Barbata, Greg Reeves, Fuzzy Samuel & David Crosby. It’s mind boggling for me to think that I was actually engaged in the lively art of conversation with them. I have to pinch myself to remind me it wasn’t just a dream.

The most humbling of all of these adventures involves my friendship with Calvin Fuzzy Samuel. Yes, the fellow on the cover of the Four Way Street live album circa 1971, the compadre on Stephen Stills’ solo work and the ultimate folk/bluegrass/rock band Manassas. How can you not smile when you simply say the name “Fuzzy”? At some point back around 2009 I decided that I needed to meet Fuzzy. He was not easy to find but I somehow found out about a show he was putting on at a coffee house in Findlay, Ohio, a mere 6 or 7 hour drive from my home. I called the coffee house while I was driving to make sure he was still going to play. The owner answered the phone and said, “He’s standing right here I’ll put him on the phone with you.” Panic set in. I’m surprised I didn’t fly into the ditch. After speaking to Fuzzy and telling him I was planning to see the show and then immediately turn back around and drive home without any sleep I’m sure he thought I was more than a little nuts. Well the show was great, we chatted beforehand and after the show he says, “Do you mind driving me to my friends apartment? I’m going over to play some more music.” So not only did I get a chance to meet him but he sat in the front seat of my beat up car with his guitar case in the back.

Our friendship has only grown deeper through the years, not only with him but with his wife and children. I may be blessed to be the only person in the world to receive a call from Fuzzy looking for a ride from the airport and a bed to put his head down on. Before retiring for the night on that occasion we listened to Beatles bootleg recordings of the White Album and I woke up to the incredible site of Fuzzy making eggs in my cramped galley kitchen early the next morning. Perhaps this sort of thing has also happened to Stephen Stills but I’m guessing he didn’t have a demo of the White Album on in the background. If I’m wrong, Stephen, I encourage you to write in to Thrasher as well to set the story straight. Life is surreal.

Which leads me to the second part of my Family Weekend: Fuzzy Samuel and Jennifer Stills (Stephen’s daughter) performing at the Erie Pennsylvania Jazz Festival on Sunday August 4, 2024. Yes, another 6+ hour drive from my home but well worth the time and effort. And once again I avoided flying into the ditch.

Erle Blues & Jazz Fest flyer

 

It’s a very, very rare treat to see Calvin perform live and he did not disappoint. There were plenty of familiar treats, as not only was he on the bill with Jennifer and a backing band performing several CSNY-related numbers (Love the One You’re With, Helpless, Long Time Gone) but they threw in an absolutely scorching version of the Manassas song, Isn’t It About Time, from the album Down the Road. It’s been a while since I’ve had the hair stand up on the back of my arm when listening to music but their rendition of that song was the ultimate musical highlight of my weekend. Putting the song in the set was supposedly Jennifer’s idea. Her dad would be proud. She also treated the crowd to a solo number called Leave the Rest to Burn. Calvin was joined on stage by his wife (a performing artist in her own right - Rosalila) for several numbers and then two of his adorable young children joined in for an Antiguan-rhythm inspired set closer called Carnival which got the Erie festival crowd on their feet and dancing.

Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel & Family

Calvin "Fuzzy" Samuel

Jennifer Stills

After the show Calvin and Jennifer discussed their current solo work in the recording studio laying down the tracks for eventual individual new releases. Calvin is reaching back to his Antiguan inspired album, Island Breeze. At the close of the night, Jennifer and Calvin agreed to do a special shout out to Henry Diltz. Right back at you, Henry!

 

Jennifer/Calvin with sign for Henry

 

Truly a weekend to remember!

Now put pen to paper and share your CSNY related memories with Thrasher.

---

Thanks again JK! Keep on postin' Intergalactic Music reports from the free worlds!!!

Great to see you last year @ Farm Aid 2023! We'll miss you @ Farm Aid 2024.

---

---

REPORT - Neil Young Day 2023: A Great Success at the Broadway

Billy Bragg, Ian Knowles & Darren Rodwell Neil Young Day 2023(Click photo to enlarge)

 

As we've reported previously, earlier this month we had a Neil Young Day: The Broadway Barking, London on June 3, 2023.

 

Now comes a report on that 1st annual Neil Young Day and what might become -- hopefully -- an annual tradition.

 

 

A Great Success at the Broadway

 

The Broadway Theatre Barking welcomed music lovers and fans of an iconic Canadian singer/songwriter on Saturday 3 June for the venue’s first Neil Young Day.

Neil Young Day commemorated the time in 1971 when Neil Young recorded two tracks for his best-selling album Harvest at the Broadway which was then known as The Barking Assembly Hall or Town Hall.

Special guest for the occasion was the Bard of Barking, Billy Bragg, who unveiled a plaque to commemorate the event and spoke movingly of his memories of the venue, both professionally and personally.

Leader of Barking & Dagenham Borough Council, Darren Rodwell was also present to introduce Billy Bragg. In his powerful address, Rodwell spoke passionately of his belief and pride in the borough’s diversity and cultural heritage.

Events during the day included a Record Fair which attracted vinyl collectors from across the borough, a screening of Harvest Time, a documentary made in 1971 of Neil recording at both the barn, his studio in America and at the Barking Assembly Hall. He recorded in Barking with the London Symphony Orchestra and the film shows him at work with the orchestra and legendary engineer Glyn Johns. The film showed the interior of the Broadway before it was refurbished in 2007 and included footage of Neil and his manager in the dressing rooms. The audience was visibly moved by the material contained in the film.

Critically acclaimed author and presenter Daryl Easlea gave a fascinating talk about the career, music and influence of Young, accompanied by Southend based musician Tom Burgess who performed three songs. A mirror ball accompanied sections of Easlea’s presentation and held the audience rapt.

Rust for Glory, Europe’s premier Neil Young tribute band, performed to round off the day, playing Harvest in its entirety plus other selected Young classics. Understandably, the band were tremendously excited to be able to use the very dressing room Neil had made use of in 1971. Footage from their gig is now on YouTube illustrating their version on A Man Needs A Maid alongside Neil’s 1971 version.  

The band said “It was our honour to be asked to help commemorate this amazing occasion. To perform Harvest where part of it was recorded was an experience we won't forget".

Rust for Glory: Neil Young Tribute Performs 'A Man Needs a Maid' in the Venue Where It Was Recorded in 1971!

Neil Young Day: The Broadway Barking, London - Saturday 3 June  (Click photo to enlarge)

---

---

SATURDAY - Neil Young Day: The Broadway Barking, London on 3 June

Neil Young Day: The Broadway Barking, London - Saturday 3 June  (Click photo to enlarge)  

Neil Young Day 

Saturday 3 June 10am – 10pm 

The Broadway Barking, London

As announced earlier this year, Neil Young Day is this Saturday 3 June 2023.

This celebrates the recording in 1971 at the theatre which was then known as The Barking Assembly Hall, of two tracks on Young’s biggest selling album, Harvest. 

2022 marked the 50th anniversary of the release of Harvest. It was marked with new DVD/CD and DVD/Vinyl box sets which included a previously unseen documentary film of the making of the album. The Barking Assembly Hall can clearly be seen in footage recorded during Neil’s time working with the London Symphony Orchestra. 

The film, Harvest Time, has had a limited cinema release and we are delighted to be able to screen it as part of our Neil Young Day. The film is 125 minutes long and will be shown in the theatre’s main auditorium. Tickets £6. 

During the day, the Broadway’s first Record Fair will be held in the foyer spaces. Whether a record collector or a casual browser, everyone is welcome to come and dig in the crates for some rare vinyl or much-loved classics. Entry from 10am, entry fee £2.50. 

 

Billy Bragg

 

Making a very special guest appearance will be Barking’s very own Billy Bragg, who will unveil a plaque to mark Neil Young’s association with the venue. 

Acclaimed author and editor of the Rare Record Price Guide, Daryl Easlea will deliver a special edition of his popular Fast Forward talks: Fast Forward: A Complete History of Neil Young in Six Records. Always entertaining and very popular, Daryl’s talks such as those on Decca at the British Library and V&A, always sell out. Tickets £12. 

 Rust for Glory

 

To round off the day, the Neil Young tribute band, Rust for Glory make their first appearance in Barking. Playing Harvest in its entirety and then an array of other Neil Young classics, the band are the perfect full stop at the end of a day of music and reminiscence. Tickets £22

Ian Knowles, Creative Director of the Broadway said:

“To discover that such an iconic musician as Neil Young had recorded in our venue was absolutely amazing. To see the footage of him working with the orchestra and to recognize the interior of the building delighted us all. We hope that all Neil Young fans will want to visit to see the venue where tracks for Harvest were recorded to celebrate the album and the artist and enjoy a really fantastic line-up of events. "

 

Just added, Mercury Studios has made the documentary about the Rolling Stones mobile recording studio used to record the tracks for Harvest available for screening. 

Tickets are on sale now for Neil Young Day. Each event can be booked separately or a package of all events plus free entry to the Record Fair can be bought for £36.50. Go to www.thebroadwaybarking.com to purchase or call 0208 507 5607.

---

---

Willie Nelson 90th Birthday Tribute @ Hollywood Bowl w/ Neil Young, 30+ Guests - April 29 & 30

LONG STORY SHORT ...
Willie Nelson 90th Birthday Hollywood Bowl Tribute  (Click photo to enlarge)

 

Stephen Stills, Lukas Nelson, Willie Nelson, and Neil Young 

Photo by Jay Blakesberg / Blackbird Productions

 

Stephen Stills & Neil Young - For What It's Worth (Willie Nelson B-Day Hollywood Bowl, LA 4/29/23)

• Neil Young, Stephen Stills with Promise of the Real – “Long May You Run,” “For What It’s Worth”
  Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Micah Nelson, Neil Young with POTR – “Are There Any More Real Cowboys”  

“Roll me up and smoke me when I die”

Snoop Dogg & Willie Nelson

---

This weekend, Willie Nelson will be honored with a 90th Birthday Hollywood Bowl Tribute featuring 30+ guests, including Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, Beck, Kacey Musgraves, and many others.

Chris Stapleton, the Chicks, the Lumineers, Ziggy Marley, Miranda Lambert, Tom Jones, Sturgill Simpson, Sheryl Crow, Billy Strings, Norah Jones, Tyler Childers, Margo Price, Bob Weir, the Avett Brothers, Allison Russell, Leon Bridges, Norah Jones, Warren Haynes, Lukas Nelson, Charley Crockett, Lyle Lovett, Nathaniel Rateliff, Rosanne Cash, Orville Peck, Edie Brickell, Particle Kid and Warren Haynes. More artists are also expected to join the bill.

“I can’t think of a better way to spend my 90th birthday than being surrounded by family, friends and of course the fans who made this all possible,” Nelson said in a statement. “It’s an honor to perform with such an incredible group of artists at such an iconic venue.”

 

"Everything Is Bullshit"Lukas, Willie & Micah Nelsonphoto by thrashette(see Photo of the Moment: The Nelson's @ Farm Aid '22  ) 

Willie Nelson for Nobel Peace Prize
for Farm Aid and his work on
alternative fuels, and world peace initiatives.

---

---

"Harvest Live": Rust For Glory Neil Young Tribute | 2023 Tour Promo

"Harvest Live": Rust For Glory Neil Young Tribute | 2023 Tour Promo

 

For UK rustie grains, check out "Harvest Live": Rust For Glory Neil Young Tribute | 2023 Tour Promo.

  

From PR:

Rust For Glory - Harvest - 50th anniversary shows 

Rust For Glory are the world's rustiest Neil Young tribute band, playing to great acclaim for over a decade. 2022 marks 50 years since the release of Neil Young's classic 'Harvest' album. An album beloved of fans and critics alike, Harvest contains some of Young's best work, some of his greatest hits, and is still his most commercially successful long-player. 

Selling over 8 million copies worldwide & featuring the US number one hit 'Heart of Gold', its masterful mix of country, rock and orchestral arrangements has made it one of Neil's most enduring releases. In recent years, Neil Young himself reports he was offered "millions of dollars" to tour Harvest - but turned this down. In 2022/23, Rust For Glory are excited to bring you Harvest, performed live in its entirety. In this stunning 2-part show, audiences will hear each classic track played 100% live, so authentically you'll swear you were back in the barn.

Then, the second half of the show will see the band move from the middle of the road, and head straight for the ditch as the band perform classics from the critically acclaimed 'Ditch trilogy' of mid-70s albums, as well as classic later material. 

The Harvest shows are an absolute must for any Neil Young fan wanting to experience these classics performed live in an intimate environment. 

Booking enquiries: info@rustforglory.com / +44 0786 191 7628

 Have fun UK rustie grains checking out "Harvest Live" by Rust4Glory!

---

---

Tribute to Neil Young: Nashville Helping Nashville - May 28

Tribute to Neil Young: Nashville Helping Nashville - May  28

The second annual benefit concert for Nashville Helping Nashville, is scheduled for Saturday, May 28 at East Park in East Nashville. (thanks Bob G. !)

The show will raise funds for more than a dozen local independent venues via Music Venue Alliance Nashville,

Lucinda Williams will appear during the headlining performance: an all-star tribute to Neil Young, which will also feature Aaron Lee Tasjan, Chuck Mead, Lilly Winwood, Luke Schneider, Kristina Murray, Jon Latham, India Ramey, Taylor Brashears and Jamie Rubin. 

---

---

A Tribute to Mark Lanegan: 1964 - 2022

Mark Lanegan: 1964 - 2022Photo by Jordi Vidal (Click photo to enlarge)

 

The following tribute to Mark Lanegan is brought to us by Brother Alan in Seattle.

...

Happy Friday to all.

I have been morning the loss of a lesser known musician, Mark Lanegan. He was the singer for the proto-Grunge psychedelic punk band, Screaming Trees, and had a long and celebrated career as a singer. He died 2/22/2022 in Ireland. He had a massive amount of songs recorded as not only a solo artist but also as part time singer for Queens of the Stone Age & many other collaborations and vocals he lended to a huge # of bands.

He covered 2 Neil Young songs at least. Cinnamon Girl can be heard at this link:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=dj05xjwMIgQ

Through My Sails can be heard at this link:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OU0UNGxBn_g

He was a junkie and wrote an incredible book about his life, staying clean for 10 years before his death.

Mourning, in the morning and more in the evening. 

Mark Lanegan has left this life. I never saw him play live. I was planning on hitting up his next show in Seattle, but it was not to be. You guys know about him, I am happy to see. I have been a fan for long enough to have everything you can get on label. Solo, Gutter Twins, 2 with Duke Garwood, all the Queens of the Stone Age albums with Lanegan on them (except the last one, in which he sings one song backup). I've got Mad Season deluxe. The 3 extra tracks on that which Mark sang on to complete them after Layne Staley died. Black Book of Fear is killer. And got the 3 albums with Isobell Campbell, Soulsavers, all of his solo albums, all of the Screaming Trees albums except their first LP, Clairvoyance (which followed their 1st EP), which is out of print and expensive, more so every day now. Prices and shortages of all his albums are surging, from $40 to $100. Many are unavailable, perhaps half.

So many great songs and albums. He would sing for almost any band or Artist that asked him to. So he has a million collaborations. And you can listen to all of his recorded tracks at MarkLanegan.com It may have been created in the spirit of NYA.

Screaming Trees were a "Psycedelic Rock" band that played punk style in a different way, but Mark's vocals made it. Lee Conner wrote a huge number of the songs, but somehow Lanegan blossomed into an ever-changing, shape-shifting master of his underground musical world. His main fan base is in Europe, he said. He was still largely unknown in the mainstream until his death.

Lanegan hated being compared to Jim Morrison, he said and related in his book, Sing Backwards and Weep (2020). Just got his lyric and writings book, I Am The Wolf. I was 100 pages into his first book when he died.

I discovered his genius too late, but somehow I got into a feeding frenzy and picked up every single release I could get my hands on. Who wants to stream low resolution?

Odd coincidence of timing that I had picked up a dozen of his albums and side projects in the 2 months leading up to his death. 2 of them are still in the mail: Phantom Radio, and Gutter Twins. I missed the price surge by a hair.

I was listening to the Screaming Trees first LP, Clairvoyance, for the first time (streaming) as I fell asleep the night before the world found out that he had died. I like to think that is somehow a good omen. I hope to see him at the Great Gig in the Sky.

I am having on ongoing Mark Lanegan listening party every day, from now on, until I am intimate with every album.

He also has a bunch of off-label albums he sold at shows. Live shows on CD and LP and "Dark Mark Does Christmas" 2 different albums, 8 years apart.

His last known album is Dark Mark vs Skeleton Joe. Its pretty cool and the videos are outrageous, gritty, powerful, electronic driven music.

I have been on a bit of a limited Neil Young diet as of late. Mark Lanegan is what is playing endlessly. I will let you know when the listening party ends. It will be about a month or two.

He is gone but NEVER forgotten. His Art enriched the world. He was extraordinarily prolific and his albums are typically very good. he doesn't really have bad albums, I guess.

Lanegan used to score Heroin for his good friend, Kurt Cobain, every day after Nirvana made it big. Cobain idolized Lanegan as a Big Brother because Screaming Trees were one of the originators of of the music that became Grunge. Them and Soundgarden. There were a lot of bands. Alice in Chains in 1990 released their first album, a masterpiece.

Mark Lanegan was close friends and using buddies with Layne Staley. In fact, he hung with him even in his later years as he circled the drain. They toured together and shot a lot. Mark said Layne always gave his live shows absolute devotion and poured himself into it with great power every night, no matter how hard he partied the night before, etc.

His Artistry draw comparisons to Tom Waits in some ways.

Alan in Seattle, where Grunge was born, where Mark Lanegan launched his career. Rest in Peace. See you at the show.  

Brother Alan in Seattle.

PS- Good night. 

---

---

NEIL (Vol. 1) by Scott The Hoople: A tribute to Neil Young by Scott McCaughey with Mike McCready

NEIL (Vol. 1) by Scott The Hoople

NEIL (Vol. 1) by Scott The Hoople is now available.

 

A tribute to Neil Young by Scott McCaughey with Mike McCready

Neil (Vol.1) is available for streaming and purchase on bandcamp.com, the tribute to the Canadian Loner has been recorded by Scott McCaughey with the pseudonym of Scott The Hoople. The album has been mixed by Kurt Bloch from Fastbacks and Mike McCready plays the guitar in seven songs, he recorded his parts at the Hockeytalker Studios in Seattle.

Scott McCaughey was in many bands as Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5, Baseball Project, The Filthy Friends and has been part of R.E.M. from 1994 to 2011, the year the Athens band broke up. In 2017, Scott had a stroke and lost the ability to talk, sing and play instruments.

As part of his rehabilitation he decided to try to remember the music he loved most during the last fifty years. This tribute to Neil Young comes from that desire. He started to work on this tribute at the beginning of 2020 and it contains many Neil Young’s less known songs. Scott revealed that he had to dig deep down in his messed up brain to try and remember those songs.

You can listen and purchase Neil (Vol.1) on bandcamp.com. Here is redemption code for TW readers: de v822-62e6

Redeem code @: https://scottthehoople.bandcamp.com/yum

 

 

Scott The Hoople - Neil (Vol. 1)

1. Music Arcade 05:27

2. For The Turnstiles 02:41

3. Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing 04:45

4. Buffalo Springfield Again 02:56

5. Sad Movies 03:56

6. Trans Am 05:34

7. Mideast Vacation 04:40

8. Thrasher 05:34

9. Shots 04:56

10. Almost Always 04:54

11. Ramada Inn 07:03

12. Barstool Blues 03:35

13. Light A Candle 04:11

Scott says:

"Neil Young turns 75 glorious years old next week. [ed: last week]

For 50+ years, his music has been a huge part of my life - a source of immense pleasure, comfort, and pleasurable discomfort. 

When I had a major stroke three years ago, I lost my ability to talk, sing, make music. As I found my way back, I turned to the songs I had a best chance at recalling, music somewhere deep in the recesses of what was left of me. The Beatles and Neil were my subterranean lode ... words and chords COULD be unearthed if I tried hard and often enough. 

When this homegrown effort started taking shape, in the bowels of 2020, I consciously swerved away from much of the best known Neil songs to me, and the casual listener. Digging deeper, like I had tried to cough up favorite songs in the ditch of my fucked-up brain. 

Neil is so many things. I wanted to represent some of them. But, I also decided, hey, call it Volume One. There are a thousand more songs... "

 

 

Scott McCaughey & The Sadies Revolution Blues (Neil Young cover), Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto Canada
Dec 31, 2019

---

---

Jacqueline Jones: 1968 - 2019

Jacqueline Jones: 1968 - 2019

Sad news of another beloved rustie soul Jacqueline Jones who passed away in May.

From her husband Barney:

Friends, it is with a heavy heart and with tears streaming down our cheeks that we are letting you know that after a cruelly short illness, our wonderful, unique Jacqueline Jones left us this morning, just as dawn was breaking over the Ile de France.

The end came very peacefully. Jac was surrounded by her family. We held her hand and kissed her cheek and, as she had always wanted, played The Low Anthem song "Charlie Darwin". Her breathing eased and she slipped away.

Her family is devastated. I have lost my love, the person who kicked me around and got me to do all manner of things that I might never have done - move to Greece for 5 years, move to France, buy a house, go to festivals, you name it, Jac drove it.

For Syd and Nat, well they have lost a mother who, I suspect, was unlike most other mothers they came across. She was stroppy and rebellious and took them to gigs and had batty friends but she was also tender and loving and washed their socks and cooked their meals and made them laugh. A lot.

For all of us, she was also inspiring. Jacqueline left school at 16 and went to drama school. She had no O Levels but that didn't stop her from recently starting an Open University Psychology course. She was on track to complete her second module with flying colours when the illness struck.

She loved city life - especially London, Athens and Paris - and would drag us to gigs and exhibitons and bars. If either of the kids heads into music it will partly be down to the push she gave them.

But in recent years Jonesy found a true love of the wilds. She had started paddle-boarding on the Seine, running with Doggo and was getting more enthusiastic about mountain walking.

She grew up in Pembrokeshire in Wales and was in the process of rediscovering the beauty of her roots. Two years ago, she made us all go camping in Snowdonia - it poured with rain and we nearly got blown into the Irish Sea but it was glorious - and she loved climbing Cader Idris with her brother Owen.

Just eight weeks ago Jac was walking in the Preseli Mountains with her dad in Pembrokeshire.

A week later she went into hospital where they discovered a tumour on her brain.

It was the same thing that struck down her mother Valerie just under a year ago.

She went through the biopsy and was due to start radiotherapy this afternoon. Sadly, the tumour was too strong and just seven short weeks after taking her to hospital with a severe headache we have lost her.

I was glad that we could give Jac some music to ease her passage this morning. Music was her passion. She loved Leonard Cohen - in fact early in our courtship she confided that if Leonard ever came on to her then I would be history! - and Neil Young especially but her taste was eclectic and she was always finding new artists. Over the years she dragged us to so many gigs and festivals.

She could also sing. Boy could she sing. Like the best of the Welsh. It was her oxygen. When she was stressed she would tuck herself away and sing. I always knew when she had been singing because she would emerge from the cellar where she had privacy absolutely beaming.

As one of our friends said: "Les anges vont être jaloux de sa voix - the angels will be jealous of her voice."

Jac had recently started writing songs again and was plannning to make an album. That won't happen now but I will try to dig out her songs. Perhaps she knows enough musicians who can take her words and set them down - perhaps then she will have her album.

For those of you who knew her, you were very lucky. Please hold on to a small part of her memory and carry it with you, even if it is just one of her caustic, funny one-liners.

For my part, I was the luckiest. To spend so much time with her over the years, to bring up children, travel and live in different countries, argue and fight and love and cherish has been a privilege.

Jacqueline Jones will remain with me until it is my turn to take the long walk.

Until we meet again, my love.

---

Heartfelt words Barney and deepest sympathies to you and your family.

Our memories of Jackie are as follows from Paris in 2013. Jackie was an unforgettable human that we're truly blessed to have crossed paths with on a very hot June night in Paris...


A Rustie Trifecta
Ralph Molina's drumstick & Neil Young's towel & guitar pic
2013 Paris concert of Neil Young & Crazy Horse
Photo by Tour Manager Hounds That Howell
For those who attended the 2013 Paris concert of Neil Young & Crazy Horse, you know it was one their hottest gigs ever -- literally and figuratively.

Stage temperatures were approaching over 90 degrees Fahrenheit and Crazy Horse was on fire.

So hot that Neil played the end of the concert with an iced towel around his neck during an incendiary, deliriously furious "Rockin in the Free World" encore before tossing it into the audience in an attempt to cool things down.

To begin to describe the exhilaration in the moments after the lights came up as all the rusties raced to the center rail to share stories, we collided with all of our new and old rustie friends. For us -- with a Ralph Molina's drumstick in one hand and a guitar pic played by Neil Young on Ol Black in our pocket -- our vibrational energy was off the charts into stratospheric levels of euphoria.

But then something truly magically happened.

Up comes our newest Neil rusty friend Jacqueline clutching the cherished iced towel that Neil had tossed into the crowd. Still cool and wet, rusties gathered to touch, feel and cool down collectively. And then we all hugged.

Never before has our body and soul ever experienced so much vibrational love energy. It flowed. It exploded. it raced thru our veins with a shot to the heart.

It was as if the energy of Ralph's drumming, Billy's pounding bass, Poncho's chunky chords, Neil's love and Jackie's rustie passion hit us all at once like a lightening bolt from the heaven's above. A magic jolt ... if you will.

It was truly a love and only love moment.

Tomorrow is a long long time if you're a memory
Trying to find peace of mind
Spirit come back to me,
Give me strength and set me free
Let me hear the magic in my heart.

Past, Present & Future
The Alchemy Boys in all of their ragged glory splendor
(Jackie on rail in front of Neil)
too late, too soon, she sleeps with angels...

(Thanks for assistance HtH!)

---

---