Anyone who knows me is aware of my unwavering admiration of Neil Young. He is, without question, one of the most innovative, influential, and passionate musicians of the 60’s rock era that just won’t quit, thank God. His show at Allstate Arena in Chicago on Tuesday night was just another proof point of this. Let’s get to it.
He opened with Love and Only Love and in doing so he made no bones about setting the table for the evening. It’s pure reverb out of the gate and he goes straight into Hey, Hey, My, My (Into the Black) as if to say “stand up and rock with me all night, folks.” He followed that with Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere. The man knows how to grab your attention and get you hooked.
This was the 22nd time I have seen Neil Young live. My first time was in 1983 at the Austin Opera House in Austin, Texas. Since then, I have been fortunate. Dallas, New York City, Jone’s Beach Long Island, Alpine Valley Wisconsin, London, Reading Music Festival (UK, with Pearl Jam), Portland, LA, Chicago. I owe a great deal of my love for Neil Young to my old friend David Hudgins who first introduced me to Neil’s solo music (not just CSN&Y) in high school. I may have been a late comer, but I embraced his music vigorously. Dave and I can sing it, play it and connect through it.
So, it made sense that when he played old standbys like Powerfinger I would think of Dave who lives in California. When Neil pulled out his acoustic guitar and started playing Oh, Lonesome Me, it was time to call this one in. Thankfully, Dave was at dinner so his voicemail has captured a moment of Neil history. It’s not a popular song on the standard set list and not one I had yet had the pleasure to hear live until last night.
But wait. To hear Old Man sung by, well . . . he’s not 24 anymore. Magic. Poignant. Ironic.
Cortez was spot on. Cowgirl in the Sand delivered perfect tempo changes led by drummer Chad Cromwell. Back to the Country was as good with Ben Keith on steel guitar as it was in 1985 when I saw them play that song at Reunion Arena in Dallas.
The whole time Neil kept thanking us for being there, chatting briefly, but mostly jamming as hard as he always has. Gracious. Appreciative. Unassuming for a legend. This guy loves his job. And what a great gig he’s got. He travels with his wife Peggy who seems to love the music more than anyone as she waits between screaming guitar solos to sing backup harmony. He’s revered by fans. He has huge amps and beautiful guitars. He’s always doing something strange on stage, like the guy who painted art on canvas throughout the show last night. Who knows why – or where the art is now. Not as trippy as nomad dwarfs on stage, but random. And typical Neil.
The real magic came at the end when Neil came out to play the only encore. You see, I stopped going to see Neil Young shows about 10 years ago apart from a couple of opportunities. Ticket prices are crazy. I have kids and they have better things to spend my money on. But this encore was unexpected. And he truly turned me on when he started playing A Day in the Life. Neil Young singing Lennon and McCartney. This wasn’t whimsical, it was pure enchantment.
I was hoping to hear Mr. Soul. Instead, he touched my soul, again.
Crackberry Photo, Allstate Arena, Chicago 12/9/08
For the set list, email me. hugh@marketingindependence.com
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