If a lifetime can be likened to a day, then this is Happy Hour!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Today's Happy Hour Soundtrak
When all else fails there's ALWAYS Neil....
Out of the blue
and into the black
You pay for this,
but they give you that
And once you're gone,
you can't come back...
When you're out of the blue
and into the black.
Interesting. The lyrics are a variation on the age-old theme of "you can never go home again" yet remain hopeful when one considers the premise that "rock'n'roll will never die." Such were the thoughts that ran through our mind today... but let us not get TOO deep with those. It's enough that we had moderate temps and blue skies for today's (outdoor) Happy Hour, along with an appropriate soundtrack. We shall now thank The Deity At Hand for small favors. Srsly.
And that Enero was every bit as good as we thought it would be, and then some. We might do two of 'em; life's like that when the humidor is FAT.
I like Neil but only in small doses. I tried listening to a full CD (Harvest Moon I think) on a trip one time but after about the third song, his voice began to sound like a sharp edged whine. On the other hand I do like the harmonica inserts he usually provides. And, to be honest (see wv below), some of my criticism is probably rooted in his political views (every time he comes to Nashville he spouts some untopian anti-war nonsense and the local liberal rag the TN gets all excited and prints it like it came from Moses or something. Now that I think about it, as he's aged, he does look a little like Moses. Or maybe Charlton Heston.
wv: lying (I kid you not, an actual word, and a word that might be descriptive of a comment, but not this one!)
I think Young is an acquired taste as far as his voice goes (kinda like Dylan). There was a time in the way-back when I couldn't STAND his voice, comparing it to a tom cat in heat. But there also came a time (heh) when I began to see him in a different light, around about the time "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" came out... it was prolly "Cowgirl In the Sand" that turned me around. I've been a fan ever since.
I've been pretty successful at separating the art from the politics and still listen to Young, Ronstadt, and Ol' Willie (among others) even though I DETEST their political views. The only time I WON'T listen is when the politics are introduced into the art, and Young does that a lil bit. But I see yur point... and it's irritating as all hell when Big Stars pontificate on stuff they know little or nothing about.
At my wedding reception TZ Wright and the regular house band at the Motherlode in RR were guys we knew very well and had been listening/dancin' to for a while. When Neil Young joined in, everyone did a double take - his voice is definitely unique. Toby still laughs about hearing a raspy, nasal voice and thinking, "WTH."
I like Neil but only in small doses. I tried listening to a full CD (Harvest Moon I think) on a trip one time but after about the third song, his voice began to sound like a sharp edged whine. On the other hand I do like the harmonica inserts he usually provides. And, to be honest (see wv below), some of my criticism is probably rooted in his political views (every time he comes to Nashville he spouts some untopian anti-war nonsense and the local liberal rag the TN gets all excited and prints it like it came from Moses or something. Now that I think about it, as he's aged, he does look a little like Moses. Or maybe Charlton Heston.
ReplyDeletewv: lying (I kid you not, an actual word, and a word that might be descriptive of a comment, but not this one!)
I think Young is an acquired taste as far as his voice goes (kinda like Dylan). There was a time in the way-back when I couldn't STAND his voice, comparing it to a tom cat in heat. But there also came a time (heh) when I began to see him in a different light, around about the time "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere" came out... it was prolly "Cowgirl In the Sand" that turned me around. I've been a fan ever since.
ReplyDeleteI've been pretty successful at separating the art from the politics and still listen to Young, Ronstadt, and Ol' Willie (among others) even though I DETEST their political views. The only time I WON'T listen is when the politics are introduced into the art, and Young does that a lil bit. But I see yur point... and it's irritating as all hell when Big Stars pontificate on stuff they know little or nothing about.
I'm not much for Neil but Cowgirl in the Sand is a great tune. Off to youtube. Thanks, Buck!
ReplyDeleteAt my wedding reception TZ Wright and the regular house band at the Motherlode in RR were guys we knew very well and had been listening/dancin' to for a while. When Neil Young joined in, everyone did a double take - his voice is definitely unique. Toby still laughs about hearing a raspy, nasal voice and thinking, "WTH."
ReplyDeleteAnon: No need to thank me. We blog to serve. ;-)
ReplyDeleteLou: If I were you I'd find a way to work Neil into EVERY conversation. I think the fact he sung at your wedding is just too, TOO COOL.
"I hope Neil Young will remember...
ReplyDeleteA Southern Man don't need him 'round anyhow..."
Sweet Home Alabama! dadda, dadda, dada, da...
I never cared much for his stuff, but I did see an interview of him, and it was interesting how they got started in the music business.
I mean, they survived the thieves of LA. They actually made money.