347 replies to this topic

[Nosejavelin]

Massey Hall is now in my Top 3 Neil Young albums. That version of "A Man Needs A Maid" (the added "Heart Of Gold" isn't a favorite, but I don't mind it) is a MILLION times better than the Harvest version. I agree that the extra 2 minutes of crowd noise thing is annoying, but Jesus, this album sounds incredible.

I didn't like "The Believer" from the new one either, but it came up on shuffle the other day and I was like, "Yeah, OK!"

[The Gram]

Well done sir...greatest thread I've ever seen in this place. Has Elliot Roberts called you about writing the Archives slevenotes yet?

[Pavement Ist Rad]

You're right about the live "No Hidden Path." It's not one of his best songs, but something about that riff just completely kicks ass and comes alive in the concert setting.

"The Way" is my favorite song on Chrome Dreams II and probably the only "new" song on there that I voluntarily listen to. It's just a great melody. Sing-songy, pretty, but ever-so-slightly unsettling. Maybe the kids' voices just creep me out. Well, I dig it.

[maxexactly]

At least you got the masterpiece right on that one, Campaigner.

What can I say, I like Harvest Moon a lot more than you do.

Just wanna stress my love for harvest moon. Probably because it was the first NY album I checked out a few years back. I removed Old King from the tracklisting right away but I pretty much love the rest.

[Pavement Ist Rad]

Yeah, it's just some of the most relaxing music I know of. Just beautiful acoustic songs like Neil has always been great at, but minus all the negative "ditch" vibes. Which leaves you with something that's pretty close to "dinner music" or "dad rock," but hey, this is Neil Young we're talking about here. He's got the melody skills down, obviously. Besides, the highs on any of his recent albums don't even compete with most of Harvest Moon.

[Campaigner]

Just letting you all know that there won't be a review for Deja Vu: Live. Not yet anyway - maybe there'll be a thread resurrection later on down the track. The reason is that I've only just got the album, whereas the rest of these albums have been a part of me for at the very least a year and many more for quite a few years. I can't put down definitive feelings on an album that I've only just heard the once.

I can say that I don't like it much at all - but that doesn't mean too much as first impressions rarely last with Neil.

[M_Rots]

This has been a tremendous thread, Campaigner. Though we differ as often as concur, it's an Olympian undertaking. You've been one of the brighter spots on the Music side of the board for some time. Sad to see it end.

[Heretix]

Just letting you all know that there won't be a review for Deja Vu: Live. Not yet anyway - maybe there'll be a thread resurrection later on down the track. The reason is that I've only just got the album, whereas the rest of these albums have been a part of me for at the very least a year and many more for quite a few years. I can't put down definitive feelings on an album that I've only just heard the once.

I can say that I don't like it much at all - but that doesn't mean too much as first impressions rarely last with Neil.

Amazing thread, wish I would have participated more...

I took one look at the tracklist of Deja Vu: Live and put it back on the shelf, resolving never to listen to it. It's just a bunch of Living With War songs. I thought, he's still pushing this crap? I mean, sure, maybe the nice harmonies make the songs a bit more nuanced or interesting, but come on! Releasing a live album by a renowned and beloved band that is composed overwhelmingly of songs from one of the member's most maligned recent albums is a shitty, head-scratching decision. It's all for political "impact," to the point where the actual music clearly doesn't even matter. And it's called Deja Vu: Live, so where the hell is the Deja Vu? I don't recall CSNY performing Living With War songs in 1970.

[maxexactly]

Yeah, it's just some of the most relaxing music I know of. Just beautiful acoustic songs like Neil has always been great at, but minus all the negative "ditch" vibes. Which leaves you with something that's pretty close to "dinner music" or "dad rock," but hey, this is Neil Young we're talking about here. He's got the melody skills down, obviously. Besides, the highs on any of his recent albums don't even compete with most of Harvest Moon.

Yeah it is beautiful and relaxing and I feel fortunate to have heard it first because when I went looking for the rest I was like like holy fuck. I don't see it as dad music at all though. Then again as a russian immigrant my idea of 'dad music' is Borat lip syncing Zombie Nation at a catering hall.

[franty]

i was looking for some neil young torrents and found this video on btjunkie. what a nice find. it's a solo (just neil, a guitar, a piano and some harmonicas) performance in 1971 at the BBC.

the video and audio quality are far from perfect. well, far from good. but it's really worth it.



check out the guy's hair!

[Campaigner]

Just a quick bump to say to all the folks who followed the thread... That I will actually be finally seeing Neil Young in concert! It may only be a truncated festival set, but Neil will be headlining the Big Day Out tour here in Australia early next year. Plus, MMJ are one of the other acts on the bill, so I'm pretty happy at the moment.

[the dude]

fly across to sydders and come with me campaigner. it's gonna be aces. and mmj are the support.

[M_Rots]

Just a quick bump to say to all the folks who followed the thread...

That I will actually be finally seeing Neil Young in concert! It may only be a truncated festival set, but Neil will be headlining the Big Day Out tour here in Australia early next year.

Plus, MMJ are one of the other acts on the bill, so I'm pretty happy at the moment.

Little surprised to hear he's doing this - he's notorious for his loathing of abbreviated sets. Stopped playing Cincinnati after Riverbend made the Horse quit at 11 PM.

I've only seen him once, on the Weld tour, but oh my god are you in for a good time. Enjoy.

[Complain]

True. When he played HORDE fest, he insisted on headlining so they could go last and not deal with set restrictions. Freaking great show

[dice]

saw him headline the horde festival at alpine 10 years ago or whatever. wasn't great. lots of jamming for a shortened set. only time i've seen neil too

[franty]

Neil Young
Hawks & Doves (1980)

TRACKS:

1) 'Little Wing' - Congratulations, you're reading about the second best song called 'Little Wing' in rock history. This song (and the whole first half of the album, actually) have the same vibe that runs through 'Will to Love', and if they don't quite reach those heights, well that doesn't mean the songs are bad. 'Little Wing' is a song I heard lots of praise about, but never understood. Now I just feel like an idiot, because how could anyone not think this song is great? 9.0

2) 'The Old Homestead' - I hear a lot about how this another 'Thrasher'-esque song that rips on Crosby, Stills and the other bloke. But, unless I'm missing out on something, there's only veiled mentions to the three. What we do have is a rambling, seven-minute epic that at once is unlike anything you've ever heard, but at the same time completely and utterly a 'Neil Young' song. I don't think it's got a brilliant melody, but just like Richard Nixon, it's got a little bit of soul. And a kickass bass line...8.0

3) 'Lost in Space' - I was prepared to give this a pretty low score until today, when at lunch with this playing on the headphones, I finally heard what I was looking for. It's not much, but there's this little melodic run through the verses which just kills you. Don't know what I'm talking about? Have a listen to when he sings "I heard you got out on parole, workin' for the Queen". OK maybe that's just me, but wow. That there folks is what you call a hook. And the little vocal effects when he's singing about the ocean floor? Ween could've covered this on The Mollusk and it wouldn't have been out of place at all. 7.5

4) 'Captain Kennedy' - Second best song on the album. Wouldn't be out of place on the first half of Rust Never Sleeps. Great playing, great singing... great man. Not much else to say - just listen. 8.5

5) 'Stayin' Power' - Well, it had to end sooner or later didn't it? Maybe not, but this is a step down, no two ways about it. Love the bar room piano, but the song is too slight with not enough charms to hold my attention, ala 'Lotta Love' and a few others. Still better than most of Old Ways though. 5.5

6) 'Coastline' - More of the same, but just a bit better. It's hard not to notice the drop off in quality from the first side to the second - but this isn't completely horrible. 6.0

7) 'Union Man' - This, however - IS completely horrible. This sounds like something that would be better suited being sung by a travelling bunch of Muppets, except if they sang it, the song wouldn't be as bad. 2.5

8) 'Comin' Apart at Every Nail' - Wow - this is more of the same, exactly the same - except it's a different fucking song. Really, this isn't top-notch Neil at all - it's actually the worst he's been since he started recording. Do you think I could take tracks 5-8 back to the shop and ask the rest just to be made into an EP? Didn't think so... 2.5

9) 'Hawks & Doves' - This is a bit better. It's still a bit jarring (and not in the good way), but there's a couple of hooks here. I never knew how hard it was to write about something that disappointed you so much. So, no attempts at clever wordplay or helpful insights. This is just disappointing. 6.0


ALBUM RATING: 6.0

VERDICT: As the title suggests, this album is definitely an album in pairs. Funnily enough, if you mix this album with American Stars & Bars, you'll probably get two better albums. Take the first half of this, mix it with the second half of AS&B and you've got a great album, mix the other two halves and you'll get an album that's not great, but one that would be a lot more stylistically linked than either of the released albums. But enough pondering about what could've been. What we have here is a severly under-rated album (based solely on the first half). Not under-rated on the level of Trans, but under-rated nonetheless. The first half is full of songs that can stand proud next to more lauded songs on more popular albums.

Should I buy this?

I found this today at a used records store for a really good price (well, i'm in Brazil, the LP is an american import - this means a really better quality than brazilian made vinyl - for R$30 - about U$13) in mint condition.

But i'm thorn between going back there and buying this or Live Rust (it's in shit condition, and it's costing U$17, but i can't find it cheaper anywhere else).

The funny thing is, I was listening to H&D on mp3 this morning. I like it, but i agree with Campaigner's review.

Decisions, decisions.....

[Campaigner]

Should I buy this?

I found this today at a used records store for a really good price (well, i'm in Brazil, the LP is an american import - this means a really better quality than brazilian made vinyl - for R$30 - about U$13) in mint condition.

But i'm thorn between going back there and buying this or Live Rust (it's in shit condition, and it's costing U$17, but i can't find it cheaper anywhere else).

The funny thing is, I was listening to H&D on mp3 this morning. I like it, but i agree with Campaigner's review.

Decisions, decisions.....

I'd buy it for the first half alone.

Shit, as well as the CD, I've got two copies of this on vinyl.

Not sure exactly why...

[theremin]

True. When he played HORDE fest, he insisted on headlining so they could go last and not deal with set restrictions. Freaking great show

Did you see the World Music show of that? I had backstage and like 3rd row tickets. That was amazing.

[Campaigner]

Saw him (finally) last night; 1. Love And Only Love 2. Hey Hey, My My 3. Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere 4. Spirit Road 5. Cortez The Killer 6. Cinnamon Girl 7. Mother Earth 8. The Needle And The Damage Done 9. Heart Of Gold 10. Old Man 11. Cowgirl In The Sand 12. Just Singing A Song 13. Rockin' In The Free World --- 14. A Day In The Life Not much to say really. What's the point? Of course it was fuckin' mindblowing. Of course he put every single other band on the bill to shame.

[TJENZ]

Campaigner, you wouldn't happened to have saved your posts form this thread that you made after 02/01/09?