an innaresting reading
― a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:39 (eleven years ago) link
POWDERFINGER
― catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:41 (eleven years ago) link
actually, now that i think about it, that reggae-ified coda on Live Rust might have been the wrong way to read it
― da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:44 (eleven years ago) link
but yeah any take that involves yearning, regret, wistfulness, etc is plenty right
― da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:46 (eleven years ago) link
still wish i could find that quote from erstwhile ilxor stormy davis (grumpier than morbs, even, bless 'im) that said something like "powderfinger is the most important song ever recorded". totally had a moment where i read that, put on powderfinger, and then thought "damn."
― catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:47 (eleven years ago) link
the reggae-fied coda on LR is probably a singer trying to keep boredom at bay afte 2000 performances
― a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:53 (eleven years ago) link
haha here's where i confess i've never actually listened to live rust (which is doubly weird cuz i LOVE neil young live albums - big year of the horse stan, etc) and you dudes tossing words like 'reggae' around in the context of neil young is not exactly doing anything to change that.
― balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:59 (eleven years ago) link
the reggae part is akin to Neil burping midsong
― a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:01 (eleven years ago) link
A friend said this in an e-mail today in reference to "Cortez": "unlike that fabled Franco government, I am a Spaniard who feels this song tells my own story quite accurately."
Having said that, I think it's a dead-end trying to analyze the song too closely as words on a page. (Nothing wrong with that, and the stuff above is interesting.) I know it's more literal than mid-'60s Dylan stuff like "Desolation Row" or "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," but I do think it's Neil's version of that. He's got a song floating around in his head, and he's just attaching some words...against interpretation and all that.
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:02 (eleven years ago) link
Or maybe a bunch of words setting up the one line: "I still can't remember when or how I lost my way." Coming out of the '73-75 period, that line seems very straightforward.
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:04 (eleven years ago) link
balls, skip to 6:05 for a taste
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSj5yOK_mt4
― da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:07 (eleven years ago) link
or you can start at the beginning and let the majesty unfold
when I saw Bryan Ferry perform "A Song For Europe" in 2010 he mimicked a southern accent. What's weirder?
― a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:08 (eleven years ago) link
Haven't listened to Live Rust in ages...would have been happier without that reminder! (The reggae schtick, I mean.)
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:09 (eleven years ago) link
Mine that didn't place:
Pardon My HeartHangin' On A LimbStringmanCountry Girl: Whiskey Boot Hill/Down, Down, Down/Country Girl (I Think You're Pretty)Ride My LlamaThe BridgeAfter The Garden (I'm fond of this, and snuck it in at #30, but I suspect it might have been its only vote!)
― funk79, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:10 (eleven years ago) link
I screened the Rust... movie during the voting process, and as the version of CTK unfurled into the reggae coda, I thought, "Hey, at least he didn't try to shove a Crazy Horse reggae album down Geffen's throat."
I know Neil has said that the real Weld experience was the long-form video/laser disc. You could make a similar argument for Rust Never Sleeps (the movie) vs. Live Rust. All that kooky atmosphere (the giant props, "Road Eyes") adds just the right amount of wtf? to the proceedings.
― Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:10 (eleven years ago) link
ok that's not so bad, i don't think david byrne can go 30 seconds on the name of this band w/o some similar move going on.
― balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:12 (eleven years ago) link
^ that post is like chum for clem i think
― balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:13 (eleven years ago) link
actually it's surprising there isn't at least one more prominent example of ras neil out there
xpost and now my own unintentional avoidance of the name of this band is given weight
― da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:13 (eleven years ago) link
It was the only "After the Garden" vote, yes...Outdoor Miner: let me know if you want your ballot posted.
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:13 (eleven years ago) link
Another thing about CTK: in the old AMG review of Zuma, the writer mentioned that the song was the lone holdover from an abandoned concept album of historical-oriented songs. That is the only place I've heard of this concept lp. Total bullshit, or is there something to it?
― Don't Feel Like Santana, But Oye Como Va To Them (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:14 (eleven years ago) link
after This Note's For You the VV's critic wondered whether "Neil Sings Nelson Riddle!" was next. Why not "Neil Sings Lee 'Scratch' Perry"?
― a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:15 (eleven years ago) link
Jah Rastafari Believe In You
― da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:16 (eleven years ago) link
is le noise the closest thing to a neil young dub album we have? also: neil young + crazy horse in everybody's dubsteppin -> yes, sign me up
― balls, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:22 (eleven years ago) link
the real Weld experience
this was intentional right? if so: ~knucks~
knucks anyway
― catbus otm (gbx), Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:26 (eleven years ago) link
can-knucks joke goes here
neil young + crazy horse in everybody's dubsteppin -> yes, sign me up
"kinda fonda wubwubwub"
― da croupier, Thursday, 12 July 2012 02:27 (eleven years ago) link
I know Neil has said that the real Weld experience was the long-form video/laser disc.
I'd hate to think the real Weld experience is close-ups of audience members singing along.
― Chuck? Chuck? It's me, your cousin, Marvin D (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Thursday, 12 July 2012 03:17 (eleven years ago) link
1. Powderfinger2. The Needle And The Damage Done3. Cortez the Killer4. Sugar Mountain5. Down By The River6. After the Gold Rush7. Alabama8. Pocahontas9. Revolution Blues10. South-ern Pac-i-fic11. Comes A Time12. The Loner13. Don't Be Denied14. Don't Let it Bring You Down15. Tonight's the Night16. Will To Love17. Cowgirl In The Sand18. Rap-id Tran-sit19. Harvest Moon20. Coupe De Ville21. Safeway Cart22. The Bridge23. Love To Burn24. For The Turnstiles25. Kinda Fonda Wanda26. My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue)27. Homegrown28. Captain Kennedy29. Fuckin' Up30. Silver And Gold
Upper 10 = 15Middle 10 = 10Bottom 10 = 5
― exclusive to this pledge group - pleasure (weatheringdaleson), Thursday, 12 July 2012 03:19 (eleven years ago) link
Placed 20 of 30. Kind of surprised "Four Strong Winds" didn't make it.
― Neil Jung (WmC), Thursday, 12 July 2012 03:22 (eleven years ago) link
27 of 30 placed. Would have loved to see Flying on the Ground is Wrong make the list. That one's come on strong for me lately. Tyler had the Kendra Smith / Rainy Day cover posted earlier this year ... so good.
For 15 points each: Tell Me Why Down by the River Powderfinger Pocahontas Helpless Expecting to Fly On the Way Home Ohio The Old Laughing Lady Sedan DeliveryFor 10 points each: Out on the Weekend Long May You Run Comes a Time Winterlong Flying on the Ground is Wrong Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing Like a Hurricane Rockin' in the the Free World Cowgirl in the Sand Hey Hey, My MyFor 5 points each: See the Sky About to Rain Birds Till the Morning Comes Thrasher Dreamin' Man Cortez the Killer Only Love Can Break Your Heart Albuquerque Walk On After the Gold Rush
― that's not my post, Thursday, 12 July 2012 04:03 (eleven years ago) link
1.) Don't Be Denied - 242.) Tell Me Why - 203.) Keep On Rockin in the Free World - 154.) For the Turnstiles - 145.) Powderfinger - 14
12 points:Down by the RiverThrasherWinterlongAlbuquerque
10 points:Pardon My HeartI Believe in YouSedan DeliveryOn the BeachBirdsSleeps with Angels
7 points:Revolution BluesCinnamon GirlWorld on a StringHangin on a LimbSlip AwayTime Fades AwayLike a HurricanePocahontasThe Old HomesteadBarstool Blues
5 points:
Walk OnLADon't Let it Bring You DownFuckin UpHeart of GoldAmbulance BluesDrivebyCrime in the CityHitchhikerYonder Stands the Sinner
2 points:
Lookout JoeWelfare MothersSafeway CartComes a TimeHarvest
0 points ;_;
Coupe de VilleWords Between the Lines of AgeChange Your Mind
― t. s. idiot (loves laboured breathing), Thursday, 12 July 2012 04:34 (eleven years ago) link
I don't think complex readings of "Cortez" are wrong, exactly, but they also don't really obviate the problems with the noble savage imagery and all that. Even as allegory, it's pretty dicey. (And "Desolation Row" is a good analog, in that the last verse recontextualizes the song, but that's a particular trick that I think Dylan does a whole lot better.)
― something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Thursday, 12 July 2012 04:51 (eleven years ago) link
Anyway, I listened to "Powderfinger" in the car on the way home tonight, with the windows down, and it really seemed like a perfect song. It wasn't my number 1, but I'm happy it landed there. It's about so much -- war and loyalty, the confusion of being young, the drastic consequences of not knowing what you're doing. It's a Vietnam song dressed up as "Deliverance," but it's also about growing up and finding out that everything you've learned won't help, nothing will really protect you, you're on your own.
― something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Thursday, 12 July 2012 05:00 (eleven years ago) link
I was out last night so missed the finale but thanks clemenza, this was a total delight from start to finish. I had Powderfinger as my #1 and Cortez at #3.
Songs from the bottom third of my ballot that didn't make it:
Everybody's AloneJourney Through the PastLove and WarWar SongBad Fog of LonelinessBurned
― Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 09:16 (eleven years ago) link
My ballot (unranked):
Cowgirl In The Sand Don't Let It Bring You Down Ohio Cinnamon Girl Down By The River Oh, Lonesome Me Heart Of Gold Old Man The Needle And The Damage Done Walk On See The Sky About To Rain For The Turnstiles Tonight's The Night Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown Tell Me Why Tired Eyes Like A Hurricane Spirit Road No Hidden Path The Loner After The Goldrush Only Love Can Break Your Heart Till The Morning Comes Birds When You Dance I Can Really Love I Believe In You Cripple Creek Ferry Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) Rockin' In The Free World Burned
was I the only voter for No Hidden Path and Spirit Road? Guess I rate Chrome Dreams II more highly than most.
― Volvo Twilight (p-dog), Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:13 (eleven years ago) link
Did you see the Chrome Dreams II tour? Great show but I remember resenting No Hidden Path for gibbling up 15-20 minutes of prime setlist real estate.
― Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:15 (eleven years ago) link
i'm sorry cripple creek ferry didn't make it, always thought it would've been a perfect song for him to perform w/ the muppets (NOT a diss!)
― Ward Fowler, Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:24 (eleven years ago) link
Gobbling. I don't know what gibbling is but I'm sure I'd have resented that too.
― Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 10:32 (eleven years ago) link
yes saw that tour, no resentment! found the 15-minute NHP pretty transcendent actually... also kind of enjoyed the fact that he was prepared to do that, it seemed a very "Neil Young" move.
― Volvo Twilight (p-dog), Thursday, 12 July 2012 11:12 (eleven years ago) link
"Dirty Old Man" is a good 'un.
― a regina spektor is haunting europe (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Thursday, 12 July 2012 11:32 (eleven years ago) link
xp Yeah, it's true. It would be weird to go to a Neil Young concert and not have a few quixotic moments. It was still a tremendous set. Looking at other setlists from the 90s and 00s, that show had more of my favourites than any other - six songs out of this poll's Top 10 in fact. This whole process has made me desperate to see him again.
― Get wolves (DL), Thursday, 12 July 2012 12:54 (eleven years ago) link
I have tickets to see him in Philadelphia in November. Ridiculously excited even though I'm afraid half the set will be Americana and new unreleased stuff.
― cwkiii, Thursday, 12 July 2012 12:58 (eleven years ago) link
And "Philadelphia," I'm guessing.
― clemenza, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:00 (eleven years ago) link
holy shit i just read (ok, skimmed) through most of this and while there are things i would like to respond to, here are the highlights for ease of digestion:
1) sorry i missed this, i had more interesting things to say than the tiny little craplets i wrote to EZ, but thank you for posting (and possibly reading) my craplets2) Yeah this song doesn't do anything for me. "I love Ohio (the place) even if it is super duper fucked up" kind of a weird reason for voting it #1?
― boxall, Wednesday, July 11, 2012 11:55 AM (Yesterday) Bookmark
I can explain. First, I'm from Northeast Ohio. Not just from there, but have a complicated and many-tentacled relationship with the politics of the place. This poll happened to coincide with (as I have mentioned elsewhere) my sorting and scanning of a huge box of old photos. When I realized that a bunch of them were related to politics, I made a tumblr for them. Most of them are 70s, but I threw the 80s on the url in case I found more. http://campaigners70sand80s.tumblr.com/
In sum, NEOH is super duper fucked up but I love it in spite of that, which is one of my ways of loving things. I feel like Neil Young understands how poignant and painful this kind of love is. Not that "Ohio" the song exemplifies it, but I know he understands. This may or may not explain my reasoning, but my reasoning may or may not make sense and that alone is emblematic of the feelings (lol feelings) I have about NEOH.
Thank you clemenza and ilxors for the opportunity to yap about my favorite NY songs -- I'm not sure any one person would have been able to handle this conversation alone because it would have been very very boring.
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:27 (eleven years ago) link
This button, an overstuffed suitcase with "JAR" on the tag referred to James A Rhodes, the governor at the time of the Kent State shootings.
From wiki
During a press conference at the Kent firehouse, an emotional Governor Rhodes pounded on the desk[17] and called the student protesters un-American, referring to them as revolutionaries set on destroying higher education in Ohio. "We've seen here at the city of Kent especially, probably the most vicious form of campus oriented violence yet perpetrated by dissident groups. They make definite plans of burning, destroying, and throwing rocks at police, and at the National Guard and the Highway Patrol. This is when we're going to use every part of the law enforcement agency of Ohio to drive them out of Kent. We are going to eradicate the problem. We're not going to treat the symptoms. And these people just move from one campus to the other and terrorize the community. They're worse than the brown shirts and the communist element and also the night riders and the vigilantes", Rhodes said. "They're the worst type of people that we harbor in America. Now I want to say this. They are not going to take over [the] campus. I think that we're up against the strongest, well-trained, militant, revolutionary group that has ever assembled in America."[18] Rhodes can be heard in the recording of his speech yelling and pounding his fists on the desk.[19][20]
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6ab8dtCxJ1rzge1ho1_500.jpg
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:34 (eleven years ago) link
love the photos (and their rudimentary captions)
― Ismael Klata, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:34 (eleven years ago) link
thanks!
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:35 (eleven years ago) link
'they're worse than the brown shirts' - what does this mean?
― Ismael Klata, Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:36 (eleven years ago) link
nazis
― nicest bitch of poster (La Lechera), Thursday, 12 July 2012 13:38 (eleven years ago) link