Indie rock (real indie rock- as in bands independent of labels) always seems to share one thing in common; a dedication to the music that they love making- regardless of any (or no) critical acclaim. These bands refuse to compromise, and sadly, many of them spend their entire careers struggling to support themselves as semi-successful musicians. Not so with Neil Young. After achieving commercial success alongside Stephen Stills in Buffalo Springfield by age 22, the band broke up, and Young began his solo career. Not having to worry about writing radio-friendly music, but already famous enough to sell records, Young was able to do what he wanted, and was able to succeed at it. Writing raw, guitar driven music with politically infused lyrics, Young released album after album of music that should not have been commercially successful- but still somehow was.
However, Young’s most important work wasn’t accomplished in the studio, but on the stage. Backed by his band, Crazy Horse, these guys took the jam band aesthetic, stripped it bare, passed it through a reverse low pass filter (not actually a real thing), and then stuffed it as full of feedback as humanely possible. Neil is definitely not the most technically talented lead guitarist, but what he lacks in ability, he makes up in raw emotive playing. To best describe Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s sound, I would equate them to the antithesis of Boston; instead of perfectly played lead guitars layered five billion times, these guys’ have songs that guttural appeal of a first take- it may not be played perfectly, but it damn near sounds what perfect would sound like if we all had the ability to channel our passions into electrically amplified instruments.
NY&CH’s shows at the Fillmore East in March of 1970 magnificently portray the raw (I keep trying to find another synonym for the word raw, but nothing seems to come close to describing what I’m trying to say) and unbridled jamming of this band. For those of you who want to hear Neil really cook, check out the solos on Down by the River and Cowgirl in the Sand. I don’t care if Young’s pure talents were nowhere near that of a Hendrix of a Clapton- this album shows why his name should be up there with the rest of the greats.
[Edit: As per Dan's comment, I realize that I had posted the entire album. I had posted the 6 songs I had off the album, assuming I only had about half of it, when in truth- those 6 songs were the entire album. So, in order not to have an entire "for sale" album posted, I've taken down 2 of the tracks.]
Neil Young and Crazy Horse- Everybody Knows This is Nowhere
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Down By the River
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Come on Baby Let’s Go Downtown
Neil Young and Crazy Horse - Cowgirl in the Sand
2 comments:
I'll take it, but should you be posting the entire album?
Sorry but,"No More Bandwidth"..
Bummed..Cool site though.. :)
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