VOTE: Freedom vs Tyranny Campaigner

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Campaigner"/Richard Nixon

"I am a lonely visitor 

I came too late to cause a stir 

Though I campaigned all my life towards that goal 

I hardly slept the night you wept 

Our secret's safe and still well kept 

Where even Richard Nixon has got soul 

Even Richard Nixon has got Soul"

 

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

 

Ronald Reagan

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

From Boston Globe's 1990 Neil Young interview:

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

                      

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

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

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

Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama

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

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

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

 

Donald Trump & Neil Young - 2014

 

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

   

Neil Young's Open Letter To President Trump 

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

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

Also, see:

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

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

JOE BIDEN IS THE GREATEST - Aug 8, 2023

T-C | Neil Young Archives 

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

"Why I Love Kamala Harris" |  Neil Young Archives  

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"FUTURE PROVES PAST"

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

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

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

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

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

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REVIEWS: First Impressions: Live at Fillmore East, 1969 by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Live at Fillmore East, 1969 by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Click photo to enlarge)

 

From The Old Grey Cat:

Live at Fillmore East, 1969 captures the magic. The first half is acoustic, the second electric, while the sound—overseen by Stills, Young and John Hanlon—is pristine. Everything I’ve read indicates that it hails from the late show on the 20th. If the Neil Young setlist site Sugar Mountain is accurate, then, a few songs were left out and the set order tweaked—similar to what Young did with his archival Young Shakespeare a few years back. Between-song patter is also excised. 

Doesn’t much matter. What’s here is phenomenal. While Young waits backstage, Crosby, Stills and Nash weave ethereal wonders during the initial stretch of songs, with the opening “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” giving way to a cover of the Beatles’ “Blackbird,” while Crosby’s “Guinnevere” is absolutely stunning thanks to Nash’s genteel harmonies, while Nash’s “Our House”—which he’d record for Deja Vu—will leave you singing along. Neil saunters to stage center for “On the Way Home,” which rightly receives a round of applause at the start. “I’ve Loved Her So Long,” a highlight from his solo debut LP, is a stripped-down delight that’s buttressed by the addition of Nash’s harmonies. 

The electric section is as fine, if a tad more ragged, with Crosby singing his heart out on “Long Time Gone,” and the band sailing into the sky on “Wooden Ships.” The highlight, however, is a riveting 16-minute “Down by the River” that floods the brain with dopamine.

From Davy's Flicks:

 

As always, thanks for the reviews OGC & Davy!

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Boo! Happy Halloween 2024!

"On The Beach" Pumpkinby Spencer Tweedy
 (Click photo to enlarge)

 

Boo!

Here's a Halloween Pumpkin carved with the album cover for Neil Young's "On The Beach"  by Spencer Tweedy, son of Wilco's Jeff Tweedy - an avowed Neil fan.

Like father, like son.

Happy Halloween!

Which reminds us of the monster concert Neil Young did in Hamilton, Ontario, Oct 31, 1996 with a 24 song set that went for nearly 3 hours. Here's a report from HyperRust: Neil Days In Canada by Mark Klus a.k.a. "Powderfinger".

A very cool pumpkin carving for Halloween. Here's one from Neil fans Kurt & Lisa. Thanks!

Bridge School Benefit Concerts

The Great Bridge Pumpkin 

29th Annual Bridge School Benefit Concerts 

Photo by thrasher

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Elon Musk Names 1st Mars Colony Ship 'Heart of Gold'

Heart of Gold
Artist's illustration of SpaceX's Interplanetary Transport   (Click photo to enlarge)

 

Per Space.com, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says he'd like to name the first Mars colony ship "Heart of Gold".

 

The name 'Heart of Gold' pays tribute the space ship in Douglas Adams' "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" books. So sorry Neil Young fans of the song "Heart of Gold".

Speaking at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Guadalajara, Mexico in September, Musk said:

"I think probably we'll name the first ship that goes to Mars 'Heart of Gold.

I like the fact that it's driven by infinite improbability, because I think our ship is also extremely improbable."

The Infinite Improbability Drive allows the fictional "Heart of Gold" — which looks like a giant, white sneaker — to cruise through every point in every universe at the same time. The drive is powered by a Bambleweeny 57 Sub-Meson Brain and a cup of hot tea.  

More on 2017's space oddities on Neil Young regularly tweeting cryptic messages of late, and the relationship between SpaceX ZUMA payload and "The Visitor"?  

 

The ZUMA Payload
SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket - October 2017
Kennedy Space Center, Florida

(see SpaceX ZUMA payload and Neil Young's album "The Visitor"? ) 

 

"it's old, but it's good ..." 

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Neil Young Archives Timeline Concert of the Moment: International Harvesters, 1984

The International Harvesters @ Gilley's Rodeo Arena, Pasadena, Texas - 09-29, 1984 (Click photo to enlarge)

A new  Timeline Concert of the Moment is now streaming on NYA.

Thelatest Timeline Concert is Neil Young  w/  The International Harvesters @ Gilley's Rodeo Arena, Pasadena, Texas, on 09-29, 1984.

 

Neil Young & The International Harvesters (#1 Lineup)

Setlist

 

1.	Are You Ready For The Country?
2.	Hawks & Doves
3.	Comes A Time
4.	Bound For Glory
5.	Are There Any More Real Cowboys?
6.	Let Your Fingers Do The Walking
7.	Heart Of Gold
8.	Amber Jean
9.	Roll Another Number (For The Road)
10.	Too Far Gone
11.	Southern Pacific
12.	The Needle And The Damage Done
13.	Helpless
14.	California Sunset
15.	It Might Have Been
16.	Flying On The Ground Is Wrong
17.	Soul Of A Woman
18.	Field Of Opportunity
19.	Old Man
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20.	Powderfinger
21.	Get Back To The Country
22.	Down By The River

 

Photo by Pegi Young

 

More on Neil Young & The International Harvesters.

More on Neil Young Archives Timeline Concerts.

Also, see Neil Young Archives: Complete Listing of "Timeline Concerts of the Week" + UPDATE: NYA Subscriber News.

Here is a listing of all of the Neil Young concerts on the NYA Timeline.

Also, see Timeline Concert Highlights on Neil Young Archives | Only Castles Burning | SubStack.

 

TIMELINE CONCERT OF THE MOMENT | NYA 

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