NEIL YOUNG: SOMETHING LIVE, SOMETHING RARE , SOMETHING NEW

NEIL YOUNG: SOMETHING LIVE, SOMETHING RARE , SOMETHING NEW- by Tony Mastrianni.

Neil Young remains alive and very busy these days. He revisited one of the most personal songs in his extensive catalog during a special benefit concert on May 23rd, delivering the first live performance of his song “My Boy” in more than four decades. The show, a solo acoustic set held on the grounds of Ontario’s Lakefield College School, in his native Canada marked his first full performance of 2025 and supported restoration efforts for a historic 116-year-old cottage nearby. Despite the cold and rainy conditions, attendees witnessed the intimate 18-song performance. While the set featured classics like “Heart of Gold,” “Comes a Time” and “Sugar Mountain,” it was  mid-show performance of “My Boy” that drew audible emotion from the crowd. Originally released on 1985’s “Old Ways,” the banjo-led ballad is a tribute to Young’s eldest son, Zeke. The song had not been performed live since the 1983 Solo Trans tour. Young also surprised fans with rarely played tracks like “Love/Art Blues” (last performed in 2008) and the CSNY deep cut “Name of Love,” which had not been seen on a setlist since 2014. He closed the show with “Old Man,” although a printed setlist hinted at two intended encore tracks – “Throw Your Hatred Down” and “Rockin’ in the Free World” – though they were scrapped due to inclement weather. The crowd would have welcomed them; however, they got more than their fair share of Neil’s musical magic.

Oceanside Countryside is the latest of Neil Young’s great “lost” albums vinyl LP album was recently released as part of his Analog Original Series (AOS) by Reprise Records.  The album was recorded from May to December 1977, preceding the release of Comes A Time in 1978. The two albums share the same country/folk sound, and three songs (“Goin’ Back,” “Human Highway” and “Field of Opportunity”) appear on both albums. The vinyl release of Oceanside Countryside includes some tracks that are on the CD of the same name in Neil Young’s Archives Vol. III. However, this track list is how Oceanside Countryside was originally planned to be released a long time ago and finally made available on vinyl for the first time ever.  Recorded on tape, these are the original mixes done at the time of recording. The sound is superb.

And to top things off, he just came out with a new studio album with a brand-new band, Neil Young and The CHROME HEARTS . The debut just released is called Talkin To The Trees. It is a deeply personal and powerful album containing ten new compositions by Young. “Big Change,” the first song from the album, was released in January 2025, with a message that left no doubt where Neil Young stands in these challenging times.  Neil delivers big time his high-pitched/high octane vocals and gritty trademark guitar lines, and superb harmonica in many of these tracks. The Chrome Hearts are Spooner Oldham (Organ); Micah Nelson (Guitar and Vocal); Corey McCormick (Bass and Vocal); Anthony LoGerfo (Drums); with our legendary Neil Young (Guitar, Harp, Piano, Vibes). The album was co-produced by Lou Adler and Young, and recorded in Malibu.  His new band is a bit less fervent than his old legendary mates Crazy Horse. They are tight and offer full-bodied a fluid rhythm section to support the iconic Mr. Young. I would like to pass along the lyrics to my favorite track on the new LP, which again reflects Neil’s personal feelings and insights. It is the opening track “Family Life.”

Lyrics:

“Family Life” 

When today has come & gone

I might be singin my new song

It might be short and it might be long

But I’ll be singin my new song

Might be one I wrote for Ben

Who always smiles when I sing to him

It might be one I wrote for my grandchildren

Who I can’t see

But I’ll sing it from the heart

And that’ll be the easy part

Singin for Ronan and Aliyah

So they know just how I feel

Might be one for my man Zeke

Who’s growin’ tall and strong & free

Buildin’ dreams with his new girl

Livin’ life that’s meant to be

And I’ll call it family life

When I sing it for my wife

Who I love and I adore

And she’ll smile for me once more

Yeah I’ll sing it from the heart

And that’ll be the easy part

Singin’ for my best wife ever

The best cook in the world!

Yeah I’ll sing it from the heart

That’ll be the easy part

Then I’ll remember Amber Jean

And I’ll sing it from the heart

It all started in Canada with The Buffalo Springfield in the mid-late 60’s and Young’s monumental trail of some of the finest music brought forth by this pioneering rock icon for half a century, with no plans for slowing down. There is the R&R HOF and then there is an elite level that surpasses that plateau. Neil has cleared the bar, and is at the highest level of productivity and stardom. He is in a stratosphere of his own! Lurking around my turntable right now is Neil’s NEIL YOUNG GREATEST HITS 2-LP which also includes a bonus 45 single of “Sugar Mountain” b/w “The Loner” (Reprise Records).The tracks selected for inclusion were based on original record sales, airplay, and known download history.

**note: NEIL is currently on a national tour promoting the new band and album. He is also appearing at Bethel Woods, New York-Center For The Arts on August 24^th.