The Concert

I know I promised to share my thoughts about the Neil Young concert with you, but I'm finding it hard. I'm still kind of speechless and I'm still processing it... if that makes any sense?
Like a treasured memory or gift that you just want to hold tight to yourself and not share, because sharing it will cause it to be diluted or lessened in some way.
Is that nuts, or what?

I can share the external parts, like what the concert was like, and the people watching part that I was reveling in, but the internal parts about how it affected me, well... that's a little harder to do, I think. I just don't have the words. I'll try though.

Neil Young is simply... Neil Young. His voice was instantly identifiable, with no change whatsoever in the last 30 years. The minute I heard that voice again, something inside me just panged. I was transported back 36 years - all in a heartbeat.
It was bittersweet.. it hurt... but at the same time, it just felt so damned good, you know? I felt raw and exposed, but soothed by the balm of changeless-ness at the same time. I went "home" again.

Some of the highlights for me included, Cinnamon Girl, Words, One of These Days, Cortez, Mother Earth and Unknown Legend. I would have loved to of heard "Old Man" or "Hey Hey, My My", but he couldn't have crammed in everything I was hoping to hear. What we got, was perfect in every way... and to be honest, I'm still floating.

He still "looks" the same, although it's been decades and he has aged a bit. But not in a bad way at all. He seems to have a "patina" now that he didn't have 3+ decades ago, and if his classmates didn't know that he was a legendary musician, he would be instantly identifiable at his high school reunion - because he's mellowed a bit, maturity-wise and looks-wise, but he hasn't changed at all. The man is, and will always be "the man".
He was dignified, relevant and honest, just like he's always been... but wow, he threw in some doozies and arse-kickers on Wednesday night, that just took my breath away.
I've never in my life seen, or heard, him do any song less than exquisitely, and the concert the other night was no exception. I just love how he can slightly "change" the delivery of a song, but the meaning and impact is always the same.

Neil Young, to me, is just one of those rare, enduring, musicians for whom the term “ music legend” is more of an under-statement, than it is an over-statement ...and I still love him to pieces.

I've heard that CSN&Y will be doing an Australian/ New Zealand tour later in the year, and I will definitely booking again! I don't know if it's true... but if it is, it would be fantastic!