It's easy for so called legendary artists to head out on tour and play a ready selection of “hits” with a smattering of surprises for the hardcore fans. What happens when that “legend” is Neil Young though who has hardly had a hit on a long career and has a reputation for being an old curmudgeon who will play what he damn well feels like?
Well, when you have a backing band such as Crazy Horse the answer is a no-brainer. They may not have had “hits” as such but they have a back catalogue brimming with stone cold classics to take on tour with them. Tie in this with a sparkling new album Psychedelic Pill which more than matches up to the '70s stuff and away you go.
For Birmingham, the second night of the UK tour, there were a few surprises tucked up their sleeves from the first night. Opening song ‘Love To Burn’, replacing standard opener ‘Love and Only Love’ made it immediately obvious that this night was going to be different.
The slow build up of lab-coated technicians setting the giant amps and microphones up had given way to the national anthem with all the stage members including band paying homage. It was then down to The Horse to start the dance as ‘Love To Burn’ began it's slow creep into the hearts and minds of the fans. Pristine sound and immaculate guitar playing belied the hoary old vultures on stage as they felt their way into the song.
‘Surfer Moe and Joe the Sleaze’ followed in another surprise move. Young enjoys throwing in songs from forgotten albums and this little gem worked well in its new early slot. It provided a neat segue into the title track of the new album with The Horse hitting full throttle now. And then it came, the first epic of the evening.
Much has been said about people walking out of his shows in Australia because they didn't get what they expected. For a Crazy Horse show you know you will get feedback and this is what ‘Walk Like A Giant’ provided...in buckets. Already epic and long on the album, this song now became monolithic with the first twenty minutes being an almost immaculate conception of guitar solos jammed from the huddle in the centre of the stage to absolutely pristine harmonies. As the song built, the guitar jams got more and more feedback drenched as the venue literally shook. By the end it was all feedback and psychedelic strobing as a giant fan blew rubbish all over the stage. Thirty minutes later and the crowd was left breathless by what they had just heard.
The feedback merged into a thunderstorm as video screens took us back into the past with flashes of lightning greeting the classic “no rain” chant from Woodstock. It was time for The Horse to calm down as Neil led them on new song ‘Hole In The Sky’. This gave way to ‘Heart of Gold’ which prompted a mass singalong which carried on into his cover of ‘Blowing in the Wind’; as much a nod to his folk past as a way to prepare for more Crazy Horse, it was a nice mellow respite. ‘Singer Without A Song’, another new one finished up this section.
It was time for The Horse to get moving again, this time with ‘Ramada Inn’, the lengthy song of lost love on Psychedelic Pill. Lumbering and transcendent, there were moments when you were literally lifted out of your body as the song soared it's gracious way over the arena. ‘Cinnamon Girl’ followed in what was a refreshing blast of garage rock from the greatest garage rock band around. You forget how talented this band is as you get drawn into the music, and they can certainly teach a few young folks a thing or two about rocking out.
‘Fuckin' Up’ was next with its long drawn out rap from Billy Talbot enticing the crowd to yell “he's a fuck up” at Young. This could have failed if it wasn't for the sheer humour and faith that The Horse wouldn't let you down. It is songs like these which sort the real fans from the fake as Neil tests your patience but in the end rewards you.
And what better reward could you get than the next song. This reviewer gawped open mouthed as the familiar guitar of ‘Cortez The Killer’ started it's slow burn. This was most definitely NOT in the script but tonight it was here. The legendary “classic” from Zuma finally making its appearance. Yes, you could maybe fit two songs into its length but that's not the point. Epic and moving in equal parts, the band huddled together in stage centre, teasing out the lengthy jams that take the song. Young's voice was on immaculate form as all emotion was wrung from it.
A quick blast through ‘Mr Soul’ led us straight into ‘Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)’ giving a one/two of classics to finish the main set off. The latter being greeted like a long lost friend as Young wailed the immortal line “it's better to burn out than to fade away”. On this showing, this is exactly what Young is doing as he guides The Horse to a powerful finish.
Last surprise of the night was the encore as ‘Powderfinger’ prompted a mass singalong. Removed from its usual place second in the set, hope had been lost of it being played but faith was rewarded. There is nothing quite like singing along to this song after two and a half hours of The Horse taking you on a journey through their career. Immortal and legendary, much like the man and band himself. A truly tremendous experience from a classic band and artist.
