With a back catalog as strong as Shakey, it’s easy to pass off or prematurely dismiss current output. Doing so with the recently released Le Noise would, in my opinion, be very unfortunate. These songs have been swimming in the back of my brain since seeing Neil at the Ryman in Nashville earlier this year.

The video companion piece above was released today and showcases a solo Neil plowing through the record start to finish. Set aside the 40 minutes and give it a watch/listen.

Buy: Neil Yoing – Le Noise

I’m in Nashville today. First time. I’m here to see Neil Young at the Ryman Auditorium. I’ve seen Neil before. Never solo. I couldn’t let this opportunity pass me by. I’ve wanted to sit within the confines of the Ryman for many years. My dad told me yesterday that he was at the Ryman when he was in 5th grade. Another relative met the late great Johnny Cash outside the Ryman after a performance over 30 years ago. I guess it’s for my own memories and stories to tell down the line.

I’ll leave you with two bootlegs that I’ve been wearing out in anticipation of tonight’s show (via Largehearted Boy). The first is a 16-song collection from the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago from November 15, 1976. The second comes via more recent days, as in, Neil’s May 18th performance at New York’s Palace Theater last month. Both are top-notch and essential listening for any fan of Shakey. Truly timeless.

It’s worth mentioning that I’ve been pouring through the pages of the recently released, Neil Young: Long May You Run: The Illustrated History. It’s an overwhelming amount of content with a plethora of photos and information previously unknown or see by these eyes. Highly recommended.

Welcome to the 39th podcast/download I’m co-hosting with Ryan Schleicher at 91.7 WMSE.

Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast :: Volume 39

Galactic – “Friends of Science” / The Growlers – “Wet Dreams” / Drakkar Sauna – “Nuclear Medicine” / Post Data – “In Chemicals” / Roadside Graves – “Jesus Is A Friend Of The Family” / Kasey Anderson – “Bellingham Blues” / Neil Young & Crazy Horse – “Round & Round (It Won’t Be Long)” / Juniper Tar – “Strings” / Frank Hoier & the Weber Brothers – “Time Flies (When You Are With The One You Love) / Sharon Van Etten – “Love More” / The Low Anthem – “Keep On The Sunny Side” / Eef Barzelay – “Two Tickets To Paradise” / Carolina Chocolate Drops – “Your Baby Ain’t Sweet Like Mine” / Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore – “Sweet Marie” / Bakers at Dawn – “Undefined” / Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – “The Seedling”

Download: Muzzle of Bees + 91.7 WMSE Podcast :: Volume 39
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[photo by Haley Jane Samuelson]

Wilco pulled out their cover of Neil Young’s “Broken Arrow” last night in Portland, even teased “Mr. Soul” during the intro. The band had previously played it in Los Angeles during the MusiCares tribute to Neil Young at the end of last month.

Paul McCartney jumped on stage with Neil Young last night to guest on vocals during “A Day In The Life.” Pretty great stuff, wish Neil would have turned over vocals to Macca completely, but I’m not gonna complain.

(via)

As I’m rounding third and coming home to the conclusion of the Neil Young bio Shakey, I’m reminded of the above collaboration featuring Neil Young + Pearl Jam from the MTV Music Awards circa 1993. Somewhere I have a well-worn VHS tape with the same footage. I must have played it a hundred times. The instrument/stage destruction at the end of the performance is a result of poor monitor performance (according the Shakey) and a lot of pent up frustration.

I recently engaged in a lengthy discussion over at Via Chicago in reference to Young’s post 1980 output, where I declared his collaboration with Pearl Jam, Mirror Ball to be one of the high points since that time line marker. Feel free to discuss Young’s post 1980 output – the highs and lows – and, at some point I’ll be back with my review/recap of Shakey.

Buy: Neil Young – Mirror Ball