What? And take time away from Joe B.?????
Unpopular opinion
- Thread starter Mjark
- Start date
Oh yeah, him too.
It is what it is. It was what it was. I yam what I yam. You do you.
weld and comes a time are my favorite records of Neil's. Most of his career he has either been 'coming back' or 'careening out of control'... He is an artist in the truest sense in that he creates and he pokes and prods the listener....
My sister in law's grandfather (Johnny) used to love to play 'put your little foot' way into his late 80's and i'd play with him and many people who had to hear it clearly had the 'when will it end' face on... and it made me enjoy Johnny and 'put your little foot' even more. Half the time, I'd goad him into doing it 'one more time' he was such a delight.
I watched a recent Neil documentary about him playing in a barn recently. It reminded me of my last band... hearing band members talk about playing together is like hearing someone talk about sex... it is inaccurate and kind of silly.
'What can I do, what can I say, runnin' down this suspicious highway?' Right?
My sister in law's grandfather (Johnny) used to love to play 'put your little foot' way into his late 80's and i'd play with him and many people who had to hear it clearly had the 'when will it end' face on... and it made me enjoy Johnny and 'put your little foot' even more. Half the time, I'd goad him into doing it 'one more time' he was such a delight.
I watched a recent Neil documentary about him playing in a barn recently. It reminded me of my last band... hearing band members talk about playing together is like hearing someone talk about sex... it is inaccurate and kind of silly.
'What can I do, what can I say, runnin' down this suspicious highway?' Right?
Communist! 
Neil Young is one of my favorites for so many reasons (conversely, my wife absolutely can't stand him - she's a Commie too!). He could sing the phone book and I'd give it a spin or two. IMO he can hang it up whenever he wants. Heck, Bob Dylan is still touring. That's Rock N' Roll!
"Crazy Horse..."
Neil Young is one of my favorites for so many reasons (conversely, my wife absolutely can't stand him - she's a Commie too!). He could sing the phone book and I'd give it a spin or two. IMO he can hang it up whenever he wants. Heck, Bob Dylan is still touring. That's Rock N' Roll!
"Crazy Horse..."
Interesting topic. I find myself a bit torn, because I've been a Neil Young fan since before I was big enough to hold a guitar. But I'm fading, because in recent years he really hasn't been at his best:
I agree.
On the other hand, I remember that every time he's been written off, it was right before he released something sensational:
Yeah, that's true too.
I reckon Ol' Shakey has at least one more truly great album in him. I'm eager to start hearing it.
I agree.
On the other hand, I remember that every time he's been written off, it was right before he released something sensational:
Yeah, that's true too.
I reckon Ol' Shakey has at least one more truly great album in him. I'm eager to start hearing it.
Marc Morfei
Friend of Leo's
I think there are quite a few people who belong in that category.
TheCheapGuitarist
Tele-Afflicted
Your "unpopular" opinion might not be as unpopular as you thought!!
Funny, I look at recent YouTube videos of people like Jon Bon Jovi, Vince Neil, and Don Dokken struggling with their vocals, and people commenting that they should have stopped long ago. That's because those guys were pretty good at one point (except Vince Neil...) so when they hit the wall, they really hit the wall.
Then there's Neil Young who sounded bad from the beginning, so he really couldn't have deteriorated much because there's nowhere to go from there. So he will remain respected because he started off bad. Maybe that's the secret to longevity in the music business??
[P.S. He is, however, an incredible acoustic guitarist, a chord-playing mofo. He's always been great in that area.]
TheCheapGuitarist
Tele-Afflicted
I don't know - they released a single a couple of days ago that kicks serious rump.
TheCheapGuitarist
Tele-Afflicted
To his credit, his acoustic pieces are great. His rock music though largely sounds like a guy who knows nothing about rock music trying to play rock music. There are some highlights (Powderfinger, Cortez the Killer), but.....
I loved the Harvest Moon album.
I loved the Harvest Moon album.
Fiesta Red
Doctor of Teleocity
When I’m no longer having fun and nobody is listening any more, I’ll quit.
But honestly, I can’t do everything I used to do.
My vocal range has changed—lower and narrower.
I can’t play harmonica as easily as I used to (pain in neck and jaw, less lung capacity).
Some of the guitar passages I used to fly through effortlessly are a bit less succinct and a little slower.
My drummer (20 years my senior) has similar issues. He rarely sings backup any more (live) which was a pretty big part of our sound.
Thus, we’ve dropped a few songs from our live repertoire and we’ve re-keyed a few as well.
However, when we’re on, we’re ON, and it is usually well-received. I approach the guitar differently and have become a bit more creative, fearless and raw. My drummer (who produces and often adds the basslines on studio recordings) seems to appreciate the new neuro-pathways these songs are sending him down.
We also added a new (and significantly younger) guitarist to our group, for added inspiration and possibilities.
When my drummer hangs it up, this particular band is through. Without him, it’s not “The Screamin’ Armadillos”…
I might still play some of the same songs with other groups (after all, I wrote most of them), but from the beginning, the SA’s have been him and me.
But honestly, I can’t do everything I used to do.
My vocal range has changed—lower and narrower.
I can’t play harmonica as easily as I used to (pain in neck and jaw, less lung capacity).
Some of the guitar passages I used to fly through effortlessly are a bit less succinct and a little slower.
My drummer (20 years my senior) has similar issues. He rarely sings backup any more (live) which was a pretty big part of our sound.
Thus, we’ve dropped a few songs from our live repertoire and we’ve re-keyed a few as well.
However, when we’re on, we’re ON, and it is usually well-received. I approach the guitar differently and have become a bit more creative, fearless and raw. My drummer (who produces and often adds the basslines on studio recordings) seems to appreciate the new neuro-pathways these songs are sending him down.
We also added a new (and significantly younger) guitarist to our group, for added inspiration and possibilities.
When my drummer hangs it up, this particular band is through. Without him, it’s not “The Screamin’ Armadillos”…
I might still play some of the same songs with other groups (after all, I wrote most of them), but from the beginning, the SA’s have been him and me.
That's my favourite Neil Young song.
NeverTooLate
Tele-Meister
Your "unpopular" opinion might not be as unpopular as you thought!!
Funny, I look at recent YouTube videos of people like Jon Bon Jovi, Vince Neil, and Don Dokken struggling with their vocals, and people commenting that they should have stopped long ago. That's because those guys were pretty good at one point (except Vince Neil...) so when they hit the wall, they really hit the wall.
Then there's Neil Young who sounded bad from the beginning, so he really couldn't have deteriorated much because there's nowhere to go from there. So he will remain respected because he started off bad. Maybe that's the secret to longevity in the music business??
[P.S. He is, however, an incredible acoustic guitarist, a chord-playing mofo. He's always been great in that area.]
Haha, yeah.
To address some earlier comments. I don't think that fan-based criticism has anything to do with negativity. Old-time haters will find another reason to hate, sure, but that ain't where fans of XYZ come from.
It is all about the legacy of the artist or athlete, etc.
Historically, people have looked at select few religious leaders, generals, politicians, artists, or athletes as larger-than-life and that puts the humans who find themselves in that situation in a very tough spot for they remain human. There is a good reason so many newly minted rock superstars succumbed to drugs.
What would have happened of Alexander the Great's legacy if he had lived long enough to fail?
Fans simply want to see a top singer of quarterback retire and enjoy golfing or whatever before they have become a shadow of themselves. They care for the legacy of the superstars more than the superstars themselves.
Personally, I don't think that way. I don't think that if you hit it big and you are not in your 20s anymore you should retire "to cement your legacy." The support for younger musicians is very important. People need to stay mentally busy to last as long as possible. BUT we all draw lines somewhere. If you can no longer practice your craft reasonably, ala Bon Jovi, it is time to stop and get a serious hobby.
But that's hard if you are 70 and you have never done anything else. My parents and relatives are like that. They never had a serious hobby. So they work past retirement the same thing they have always done.
Lesson: pick a serious hobby early enough! Get a Tele!
The live 'Ramada Inn' with Crazy Horse at Boston Garden on that tour was a beautiful, chilling epic ... the highlight of the show for me; Old Black sounded absolutely glorious.
Don't stop Neil, 'til they take ya out in a bag!
Neil Young sold 50% of his publishing rights to Hipgnosis Songs Fund for around $150 million in early 2021 and his current net worth is $210 million.
Amen!
Gytaurust
Tele-Meister
I soooo understand where you're coming from...but this reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend after seeing "The Last Waltz" back in the '70's. I was thoroughly unimpressed with Eric Clapton's guitar playing during a jam with Robbie Robertson. I shared this with a friend and he told me "considering everything Eric Clapton's done I don't care what else he does...he has the right"....I feel the same way about Neil Young...and it's hard for me because I used to go see Neil at The Troubadour in LA back in the sixties with Crazy Horse...even Danny Whitten was still alive....He was absolutely wonderful......so it's a kick in the butt to hear some of the crap he spews these days...but hey....he's frickin' Neil Young....just my opinion I realize...my 2 cents
Wheelhouse
Tele-Holic
I might agree just because I don't care for Neil Young. But... he can do what he wants. If people want to watch/listen, they should have that option as long as he's willing to keep going. I saw this same thread about Stevie Nicks a while back. Same thing. Sure, she sucks as a performer nowadays. But if she wants to, and people want to go to the show, let'em. It's no skin off my back. It won't be that long before we see the thread sharing the news of their death and people go in to share past music & memories. Let it be.
rxmoore
TDPRI Member
I think artists are driven to create and they quit whenever they no longer have the physical or mental capacity to go on. Consumers of their art can accept it or reject it as they please. It really is that simple.
