Unpopular opinion

[beyer160]

Does anyone think self reflection is important? Merely the fact that one likes what they do doesn't necessarily make it worthy. Of course no one has to buy it. I just find it odd that as fine a musician as Neil Young is/was has lost his discernment. But again this is just my opinion.

I don't think it's discernment. He never really edited himself, always went with his gut and did things off-the-cuff. On The Beach, my personal favorite NY record, was never properly mixed. Neil decided that the rough mixes the engineer dashed off at the end of the sessions for reference purposes were good enough, and put them out (the engineer was horrified).

I think the difference is that the creative impulses Young had in his 20s and 30s were different than the impulses he has now as a 77 year old. To me, the start of his creative decline was the death of producer David Briggs in the early '90s. Briggs was one of the only people Young would actually listen to, and when he was gone, there was no one left to nudge Young back on track when he needed a push (when asked which Neil Young records he'd produced, Briggs quipped, "the good ones").

Still, he's earned the right to put out whatever music he wants these days. I can listen once and then put on Tonight's The Night or Ragged Glory.

 

[BB]

50 some years ago, Down By The River was perhaps (may have been Blue Sued Shoes) the first song I ever jammed with my long time friend. A few years later, we were quite proud of ourselves with our version of Ohio.

I have not listened to much Neil over the years, but Old Man sure comes to mind...not only for Neil, but myself!!! HELP!!!

 

[BB]

Saw BB King not too long before he died.

What occurred to me, as he was brought up to the microphone in a wheelchair, is that he was carrying on (at least in part) for his support staff, his employees and such.

Long time NY fan, but it’s become difficult to recognize any differences between one release to the next.

Ditto. I have seen BB perhaps 6-7 times over the years. I also saw him about a year before his death.

Over the past 30 some years, i introduced my new family to the blues, great singer/songwriters, TRUE R & B. etc. So, when BB came to town, my beautiful step daughter bought tickets for (either my birthday or fathers day.....can't remember!) my wife (her mom) me, herself and my step son (her brother who loves my style of music!) when BB came to a local casino.

He was wheeled out in a wheelchair, but I'll tell you what.....even though he wasn't what he once was, he gave a fantastic performance. It was simply amazing and inspiring to me how he captivated not only the entire audience, but how my wife, daughter and son were mesmerized at the man. It was worth it to see the wonder on their faces and hear them talk a bout it on the 35 minute ride home.

We still talk about that night.....

Love, Love, LOVE BB (also Freddie and Albert) and even though I was wondering why he has yet to retire, I believe he would have dies years before if he had called it quite.

BB King....just amazing!

I warned them that BB was old, kinda ill and perhaps should be not touring and taking care of himself....

 

[Cosmic Cowboy]

I am NOT a Neil Young fan...in fact I cant handle more than one or two of his tunes per month.

But I say, if people want to come see you play, go for it. Fat Vegas Elvis still had some mojo man.

 

[TeleTucson]

Neil Young, it’s past time to stop.

I personally feel that critics need to reflect and curb their negativity when it is not constructive.

 

[Timbresmith1]

Most of us old farts are gonna do what we want as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody. Neil might try to hurt my ears or change my mind. I’m okay with that. As long as I don’t hear any CSNY anytime soon.

 

[acousticnitemare]

I'm tickled that people still want to go see him play and sing, and that he still does it.
He's bringing (some amount of) joy to a lot of people, and hopefully, himself.
It's always been hard to find.

...keep on rockin' in the free world...

 

[BelindasShadow]

I don't know you or your music, but you should keep playing and performing until the magic is gone for you, and only you know when that is. I'd also recommend you extend the same grace to other artists.

Beautiful and succinct, well worth repeating.

 

[acousticnitemare]

I don't know you or your music, but you should keep playing and performing until the magic is gone for you, and only you know when that is. I'd also recommend you extend the same grace to other artists.

Well alright then.

 

[Silverface]

Trans was a glitch. Many artists have a glitch or two in their back catalog.

Neil's distinctive voice and rough, aggressive electric playing - and his softer acoustic side - have changed very little over 50+years.

He's a master. There's nobody else like him. How many of you bought "A Letter Home". Truly strange, lo-fi, hard to figure out - and NOBODY else will do anything like it unless they digitally de-process something. I love it.

I hope he decides to quit touring and/or recording when HE wants to AND when people stop buying tickets and his music.

Neither have happened yet.

 

[bottlenecker]

Does anyone think self reflection is important? Merely the fact that one likes what they do doesn't necessarily make it worthy. Of course no one has to buy it. I just find it odd that as fine a musician as Neil Young is/was has lost his discernment. But again this is just my opinion.

If he lost his discernment, then so has Rick Rubin, and that's kind of all that guy does.

 

[ChicknPickn]

I feel the same way about Metallica. Sadly...

 

[Peegoo]

Rather than compel any artist to "stop," how about you just stop paying attention? It really is that simple. Are you concerned that memories you have of him in his prime are so fragile that his current performances will permanently alter your reality?

I'm not leaping to the defense of Neil; rather, far from it because the only real attention I've paid to his stuff is when someone calls a Neil Young tune at a jam. His music is just not my thing. I don't dislike the guy or his audio artworks. That's just me. I apologize for sounding so harsh, @Mjark because I'm not That Guy. You know me. We're pals.

Reminds me of a quote I recently heard from Justin Hawkins about the popularity of recording live music events on one's phone: "Nobody trusts their own memories anymore. If you didn't video it, it didn't happen. It seems to be the overriding philosophy of gig-going nowadays."

 

[Lou Tencodpees]

Its not like he's a concert pianist humilating himself by trying to perform pieces he can no longer play. Its pop/rock/whatev-genre with all kinds of interpretations by dedicated fans, critics, etc. He's been doing music all his life, maybe it's keeping him alive. Unless it's clear that an aged musician is being exploited by his inner circle I say let 'em be. Easy enough to ignore.

 

[Peegoo]

I'm wondering if @Mjark is reading all this and having a good chuckle. I'll bet he is.

He knows the demographic here.

 

[Tarkus60]

Big fan of anything before Live Rust after that nah......

 

[Cheap Trills]

I don't blame him. He should do what he wants, create as he needs. It's up to us whether we care or not.

 

[Ron R]

Reminds me of a quote I recently heard from Justin Hawkins about the popularity of recording live music events on one's phone: "Nobody trusts their own memories anymore. If you didn't video it, it didn't happen. It seems to be the overriding philosophy of gig-going nowadays."

That captures it perfectly! I'm not really a fan of the Darkness, but I really enjoy Justin's takes on his YouTube channel. And he's right - sadly, the majority of folks attending live concerts seem too preoccupied with recording, etc, to actually just be fully present in and enjoying the moment.

 

[Mjark]

He knows the demographic here.

Ha! Well I know any opinion will be churned over and over. I didn’t post this just for kicks. I was truly appalled at what I heard.

However I could have worded my post in a less inflammatory manner.

Let’s get back to beating on Clapton and the Beatles.

 

[Nogoodnamesleft]

I like Tap though.

Which is I guess the root of the issue. I like Neil Young.

Regardless of what I like though, I can almost (certainly) guarantee my neighbours would like me to stop.