Almanac Music: Neil Young and Crazy Horse @ JazzFest 2024.
‘Hey hey, my my
Rock and roll can never die
There’s more to the picture than meets the eye
Hey hey, my my’
The Off The Record New Orleans 2024 Tour: Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Neil Young with Crazy Horse at JazzFest was as rough and ready as the clothes Neil was wearing.
Baggy, paint spatted pants with holes, a rather ragged looking old t-shirt and with a cap set low over his eyes set the scene for his performance. It appeared he had arrived straight from an art studio!
It was typical Neil though. Grungy and loud; power chords pounded from his beloved ‘Old Black’ Les Paul Gibson guitar intermingled with often long and screaming lead breaks creating the music we know and love and come to expect from Neil.
The lineup of Crazy Horse features Neil along with long time members, bassist Billy Talbot, and drummer Ralph Molina; together with Willie Nelson’s son Micah Nelson on guitar filling in for Nils Lofgren currently on tour with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Long time guitarist Frank Sampedro retired from the band in 2014.
‘Cortez The Killer’ opened the show and it wasn’t long before Neil was in the groove and we knew what we were in for. Neil was on fire!
With an open air show the sound can often be variable in its quality and level of amplification, it wasn’t an issue from my vantage point and sounded fab to me, and being in the presence of a legend mitigated any sound issues that did occur.
With the fifty-fourth anniversary of the Kent State student killings by the National Guard, Neil performed a solo, impassioned version of ‘Ohio’ to which we all sang along with, mindful, at that very moment police and authorities were again entering American universities to breakup peaceful student demonstrations. History repeats itself!
Neil obviously was enjoying himself as he bounced around the stage in his usual manner, only lifting his head and eyes from his guitar when returning to the microphone to sing. His concentration on ‘Old Black’ as he played emphasised the love and affection he has for his craft.
The drums and the bass are always the driving force behind Neil’s songs when he plays with Crazy Horse and today was no exception. I have not always appreciated the importance of that driving rhythm Talbot and Molina generate adding to the power of Neil’s mighty chords and lead breaks to produce that grungy Neil Young sound but now I am.
‘Powderfinger’
‘Powderfinger’, possibly my favourite Neil song, and gauging by the reaction as he started playing it, a favourite also for many in the crowd. Gleefully we sang along, and noticeably, some unabashed air guitar players joined in nearby – not me though, too busy taking a vid!
‘Hey, Hey, My,My (Into the Black)’
Before we knew it, Neil was gone, and it was all over but ‘hey, hey, my, my, rock and roll will never die’.
How are the ears boys? Michael, Col, and Grant after a loud and exhilarating Neil Young performance
In front of Neil’s tour buses.
All images and videos CGR
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Great stuff Col. Neil Young live “makes you earn it”. Just magnificent.
Just can’t understand these student protests but that’s another story.
Thanks Col. Pretty impressive setlist with Cinnamon Girl a highlight for me. That plodding, grungy guitar. Enjoying the photos too.
Thanks for sharing the trip Col. You’re certainly livin’ the life.
Wow CR, and for a second time re your JazzFest post, this guy is envious. Love your descriptions of the event, sound and Neil (especially love the shot in front of the bus), really feels like we’re a part of the show. Great setlist. Keep on rockin! Cheers
Brilliant Col. And also your review of the Rolling Stones concert.
Vivid descriptions. Brought back memories of seeing them both live in concert. Thanks.
Time fades away, but not Neil Young. Great setlist, as others have said . Haven’t played The Losing End (When You’re On) for a while. Love the line “Alright Wilson, pick it.”
Did you get to any jazz on Frenchmen St?
What a wonderful piece Col about an amazing experience. Congrats. What memories!
Cracking piece Col. Infinitely jealous that you got to experience this. Helluva setlist there, some of my “go to” songs, and chuffed to see ‘Don’t Cry No Tears’ got a run.
Good read Colin – always like/enjoy your music pieces. Writing this from the Broadbeach Blues Festival where Melissa Etheridge, Ana Popovic, Samantha Fisher and Eric Bibb slayed us. All free concerts too.
I’ve seen Neil live several times over many years. My most enjoyable concert was Sydney ,1985 ‘Rust Never Sleeps At Night’ – fantastic. I have to say that on the couple of occasions I’ve seen Neil with Crazy Horse I haven’t enjoyed the concerts as much due to the band and Neil getting it on really, really loud making it hard to hear him. Maybe I’m just getting old!!
My favourite albums ares still his early ‘After the ‘Gold Rush’ and ‘Harvest’.
Thanks Col. I am British Racing Green with envy – that’s a helluva setlist!
Don’t Cry No Tears.
Brilliant.
Great review, Col.
Neil Young’s setlist can be hit or miss, but that one was a cracker!!
Well played Col. What a year you are having.
Are you aware of the Devo connection to Rust Never Sleeps?