Neil Young News: Concert Reviews: Los Angeles

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Concert Reviews: Los Angeles - 10/30/07 & 11/2/07

Photo by Tom Mendoza

11/2/07
shakeyfan reports that "Campaigner" replaced with "Love in Mind." "Cortez the Killer" added to setlist. Also, see Sugar Mountain setlists and Numbers On The Site ~ The Neil Young Tour Statistics.

10/30/07
From Los Angeles Times - "Neil Young, long may he run"by Randy Lewis :

"Young surrounded himself with the tools of his trade -- a semicircular cove of acoustic guitars flanked by an upright piano and a baby grand with a synthesizer keyboard on top, and that other piece of indispensable solo folkie equipment, harmonicas. This, he tacitly informed the 7,000 or so fans who paid rapt attention, is where songs are created, out of a single inquisitive, disciplined and inspired mind. The opened-up stage reinforced the kind of theatrical bent Young has long incorporated in his performances and cinematic experiments. It was cluttered not only with band equipment but with props alluding to the workshop atmosphere. Ladders lay on the floor, colored klieg lights were out for all to see. A stack of art canvases at the back of the stage came into play in the second half as title cards to announce and illustrate each song title. A crew member outfitted as a painter successively placed each large work on an easel at stage left as the band bit into one after another song.

The way he stamped, bobbed and weaved while wringing the neck of a trusty Gibson, it was as though he was intuitively locating the feng shui point on stage where he could channel the note or phrase he was after at any given point."

From LA Daily News - "Neil Young opens the vault for Nokia Theatre set" by David Kronke:

"Two '70s tunes resurrected by Young felt as fresh as the day they were written, thanks to the current political scene. Lyrics written about Richard Nixon for the gorgeously esoteric 'Ambulance Blues' resonated anew: 'I never knew a man who could tell so many lies 'He had a different story for every set of eyes 'How could he remember who he's talking to ''Cause I know it isn't me and I hope it isn't you.' Young even changed the lyric for another Nixon song, 'Campaigner,' to sing, 'Even George Bush has got soul.'"

From Reuters/Hollywood Reporter "Neil Young rocking in a postmodern world" by Paul Gargano:

"With the bittersweet smell of herb floating through the air, Young's anthems of subtle resistance and heartland ethos sometimes seemed out of place in the more sterile surroundings, but nobody seemed to mind. His rough-around-the-edges demeanor and ragged vocals provided all the color that was needed as he slithered in his seat, his gray suit expectedly unkempt, the perfect complement to his grizzled delivery."

AstroFutureTrends AstroBlog: Neil Young: A Scorpio Reborn:

His show was perversely old school. Maybe that has something to do with his lack of the Earth element as he pointedly reaches to ground himself in low-tech. I've seen so many music acts which, although excellent, are also a bit soulless due to their heavy reliance on computerized lighting and wireless technology. During Neil Young's concert, I actually saw a human being up in the lights above the stage, changing gels in a spotlight. A cord stretched from Young’s guitar back to a speaker—no cordless instruments on his stage. His opening act was his wife, Pegi (who did a very nice job in her own right). The stage set, intended to reflect a workshop or artist’s studio--a space where creativity happens--had a very funky, down-home quality. It was another original touch from a rock original.

The show highlight was a new song, “No Hidden Path,” which Neil Young spun out for a good 20 minutes of guitar thrusts, parries, jams, and blistering strokes. As the song concluded, the crowd rose to its feet and cheered.

He played for close to three hours. My wife commented, after the concert, on how much passion and energy he displayed. His Mars in Leo and Venus in Scorpio are exactly square and this emotional tension contributes to a release of high energy on stage through his music. He's also got a great deal of stamina: Neil Young has four planets in fixed signs, and his Scorpio Sun trines Saturn.

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26 Comments:

At 11/01/2007 10:20:00 PM, Anonymous said...: "With the bittersweet smell of herb floating through the air, Young's anthems of subtle resistance and heartland ethos sometimes seemed out of place in the more sterile surroundings, but nobody seemed to mind."

Man, the only reason I dislike the NYC indoor smoking ban is that it's now impossible to smoke something other than tobacco at a concert...
At 11/01/2007 11:15:00 PM, firehills said...: I was orchestra right center seat. One of his best concerts in these years!
At 11/02/2007 01:22:00 AM, shakeyfan said...: Saw some comments earlier this week about lighting that literally blinded folks on the left side Tuesday night in LA. Did they fix that at some point during the show ? Anyone know which area was affected ? I'm going tomorrow night and I don't feel like wearing shades.
At 11/02/2007 12:09:00 PM, Anonymous said...: "Man, the only reason I dislike the NYC indoor smoking ban is that it's now impossible to smoke something other than tobacco at a concert..."

The Nokia is a no smoking venue, as I belive alot of LA is, and yeah there was non tobacco in the air.

That LA Times review is great, pretty much spot on. Ambulance blues made someone i went with, who had never heard the song, tear up. Oh Lonesome Me was sounded great in that hall and so did Tonights The Night.
At 11/02/2007 03:47:00 PM, twentyfoursomuchmore said...: Wow, when Neil sang the first words of the first song, i teered up. it was SOOOOO good! I was floating the rest of the show.
At 11/02/2007 08:12:00 PM, Ben said...: I'll feel really luck if he only plays Hurricane at those two shows.
At 11/03/2007 05:07:00 PM, jeff said...: I still can't get Ambulance Blues out of my head. What a stirring night. I've seen him since the early 70s and this concert was a keeper. What a treasure he is. I have to echo the sentiments of a revue I read: "...brought the Nokia Theater back to a time when idealism was more than just a word, and music was more than just a marketing machine."
At 11/03/2007 08:59:00 PM, DWalt said...: I'll be seeing NY at the end of the month...I got some travel conflicts and was wondering about what time Neil takes the stage. Has there been a warm-up band on this tour?
At 11/03/2007 11:00:00 PM, shakeyfan said...: DWALT,

In LA last night, Pegi started at 8:15 and ended around 8:45. Neil came on right around 9pm.
At 11/04/2007 12:49:00 PM, Anonymous said...: anyone see the second la show? I was wonderin Neil changed it up at all...Rust Radio RULES!
At 11/04/2007 12:53:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I have two tickets on the lower level center for sale to the Minneapolis show -face value for rusties- email me at jewedekind@charter.net
At 11/04/2007 01:35:00 PM, shakeyfan said...: I saw the 2nd show in LA Friday night. In the acoustic set, he dropped "Campaigner" in favor of "Love in Mind." Also, he closed out the set with "Heart of Gold" as he has been doing in most shows. In the first LA show, he closed the first set with "Old Man." The acoustic set was incredible...As far as the electric set, he added Cortez the Killer. I believe it was the first time on the tour he had played it.
At 11/04/2007 02:46:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Neil Young featured in the celebrity blog, TMZ.com, looking like a Hillbilly...

http://www.tmz.com/2007/11/02/neil-young-beverly-hills-hillbilly/
At 11/04/2007 11:04:00 PM, LAme Neil Show at Nokia said...: I attended the Neil Young concert Friday night in LA. Unfortunately, at the end of "A Man Needs a Maid", the asshole next to me felt that my cheering was a little too rambunctious, and threatened me with phyiscal violence unless I left. "LEAVE NOW. GET THE FUCK OUT NOW FATASS." This was followed by four or five other spectators calling my wife and I "Bush Supporters" (apparently the new non-confrontational way to say FUCK YOU in LA). He was standing with fists balled, and I did not want a fight, so I left and was reseated elsewhere after about a half hour or so later.

So I missed 16 of the 24 songs on Neil's setlist because some sterile AA idiot doesn't think that you should be allowed to express yourself...at a rock concert???

I had a couple of folks in our section come up to me during the intermission (as I was dealing with the Nokia staff), expressing their support.

So to the over-testoseroned yuppie fuckhead idiot in orchestra section KK, seat 221, a big confrontational "FUCK YOU" goes out to you. Thanks for ruinining what should have been one of the best Neil shows for me ever.

Welcome to the new face of rock in the sterile corporate climate of the "Nokia" theater, which not surprisingly "entertains" rock fans with an endless supply of advertising on the pervasive video monitors outside of the venue.
At 11/04/2007 11:59:00 PM, Lance said...: I drove down from Santa Cruz to see the 11/2/07 show in L.A. I am struck by the imaginative set list Neil has put together for this tour. Ambulance Blues takes one to a deep place in the heart. The version of Oh Lonesome Me was also stellar. Cortez kicked ass as always. Perceval is still the king!
At 11/05/2007 02:46:00 AM, shakeyfan said...: I too thought the Friday 11/2 LA show was great. The acoustic set was just phenomenal. He was just in a zone up there...at one point while seated strumming and playing the harmonica, he is doing this sort of foot stomp thing with his knees going back and forth...just incredible. He was so totally focused and into the music. I enjoyed the electric set too. I could have done without "Dirty Old Man" and "No Hidden Path" as I think the sheer length and repetition of the latter sort of took the air out an otherwise awesome second set. Winterlong, Bad Fog of Loneliness, Oh Lonesome Me, Loner, EKTIN, Believer, and Spirit Road were all awesome. And then Cortez of course....Long may you run, Neil!
At 11/05/2007 11:42:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Neil
Can you put "Journey Through the Past" back in the show ?

Thanks
At 11/05/2007 02:19:00 PM, Anonymous said...: My biggest disapointment as someone who has seen Neil since the early 70's is that it sucks that we can't smoke pot durring the
show like we used to. It used to be a given, no hassles, no problems.... but now it's a big deal and security is ready to toss people out. Now I gotta make pot brownies or those honey slides Neil once spoke about....just not the same.I just wish NEil would find places to play where we can smoke weed ! You listenin' Neil ?
I'm sure you've noticed the change on stage.....no reefer smell ! It kinda goes hand in hand with seeing Neil live !
At 11/05/2007 03:36:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Come see him in B.C. dude. We still fire up all the time with relatively little hassle. Unfortuantley Neil's not coming to Vancouver this trip. Sounds like an unreal tour though.
At 11/05/2007 03:38:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Come see him in B.C. dude. We still fire up all the time with relatively little hassle. Unfortuantley Neil's not coming to Vancouver this trip. Sounds like an unreal tour though.
At 11/06/2007 04:05:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Heres my perspective, belatedly, of the Tues LA show.

Neil Young played the Nokia Theater in LA last night and what a show it was. First, the venue was pristine, having opened only last week next to the Staples Center. As it happened, the Lakers were playing concomitantly, and not far from these festivites, Bruce Springsteen had his own soiree at the LA Sports Arena.

The Nokia Theater is a spectacular venue with impressive architecture and lightness. The interior is exceedingly comfortable and despite its largess, a definite intimacy abounds. The crowd, as I have become accustomed to, comprised successful, middle aged rockers looking to relive their coming in the comfort of time's spoils. For those with the wherewithal to secure last minute tickets, there were plenty to be had for a pittance. Perhaps as the result of the second show Friday, which was added and diluted the demand. This seemingly commonplace strategy in concert promotion creates an opportunity to those willing to take make the trip and take their chances.

Pegi Young opened the show and played 5 or 6 songs which were neither memorable or unpleasant...really a quintessential opening act to allow the crowd to settle. She had a country/rocking sound not unlike Bonnie Raitt but with far less depth and sound. Her musicians (3) were bona fide Young cronies that had seasoning and talent. After a 15 minute set change Neil came out (about 9PM) alone and did an acoustic set. His deliberately coy style provided intimacy with occasional engagement of crowd banter, appropriately humorous and professional. The set design to my mind, portrayed a back stage appearance or perhaps a loft or rooftop milieu. Exposed spotlights and large individual rooftop-type signage lettering were at the stage's rear. The piano on stage had a watercolor smattering, and there was an easel stage right with additional scattered stage lighting on tripod stands. Casual appearing and thematic.

The acoustic set was Neil Young alone with an informal rotation of instruments and stage location. The transitions were deliberate if not clumsy, which evoked the intimacy and confidence of a comfortable professional. The acoustic songs were varied and mostly familiar. Specifically the sound and selection of tunes from his recent Massey Hall 1971 release were eerily similar but fresh, and their replay was thoroughly enjoyable giving a sense of distant familiarity. The sound was fabulous, and really could not have been better in volume and quality. But best of all, was the delivery which was pristine, idyllic and above all profound. I couldn't help but smile during unfamiliar tunes as each execution defined perfection. Despite his years I found it hard to identify a flaw vocally or instrumentally with Young on every song. Only when he indicated a guitar malfunction on warm up, or strummed an untuned guitar which he replaced before restarting the song, did it become known to my ears that perfection couldn't be attained. His desire and ability to make it flawless can not be understated, and this performance reflected his success. During the encore he was frustrated by a malfunctioning amplifier which made the sound distant, frustrating him to the point of lyrical vulgarity. His disclosure and the ensuing compensatory performance made the issue laughable.

One problem of note with the venue was the mid-set notification by "customer service" personnel that Young's personal desire was not to allow drinks or food into the theater. This perturbed patrons who had waited at the concessions only to find they were not allowed in, resulting in a missed song. Doors were only opened between tunes to avoid disruption. Further, the confusion continued when word spread that perhaps beverages and food would be allowed in during the electric set. Whether this was true, and the reasoning if so, were befuddling.

Lest the crowd think the solo portion was noteworthy, they forgot that Neil Young is bona fide rock and roll. The versatility of writing and performing acoustic ballads AND delivering shredding, ripping guitar hero rock is astounding. Following the break the band (Rick Rosas, Ben Keith, Ralph Molina) took the stage with Young center stage. His duds were a loose fitting sport coat and slacks each with "paint stains". During the set every electric tune was preceded by a painting change on the aforementioned easel side stage, indicating the song title and a depiction, perhaps by Young's own hand. It provided an interested climax when the paintings were rotated by the somewhat comical stage hand, divulging each song selection. Most were off the new album but whatever the choice, crowd anticipation of the forthcoming presentation was palpable. Rarely are unfamiliar new originals greeted with eager suspense, especially with a basal repertoire of 35+ years. The crowning glory of the night was "No Hidden Path" which unequivocally will be in anyones top 5 list of songs when Neil Young is remembered in generations to follow. In fact, listening to the Chrome Dreams II CD one takes pause at the studio version, something I did prior to the show. The performance was unbridled solo jamming that I can only describe as Gilmour-esque. I would pay a lot of money to see those two on stage playing this song for 30 minutes, which would be too short. I also found it enlightening to find that Neil Young can play the guitar like any number of guitar heros that I formerly would have shook my head at in comparison. It was raw, spirited and resounding. It represented what he did all night, albeit in measured aliquots. What an ending.

Lastly, it would have been nice for Neil to introduce the band. None of the names are familiar to me, and neither did they make an impression of independent greatness. Still, I would be foolish to believe they weren't essential in the production. The understated, unassuming style of Neil Young may explain a tacit acceptance of his perfection in putting together this group, but more than that, making music that builds on a past that is a tour de force for the masses.
At 11/06/2007 08:07:00 PM, LAK said...: I saw the 11/02 show at the nokia. It was nothing short of profoundly moving. The acoustic set was incredible. Ambulance blues? Are you kidding me. His harmonica solo made me cry, as did "Harvest." A man needs a maid was just sublime.

As for the second set, it too was fantastic, however, NOBODY DANCED, nobody stood up except for a few brave souls at the begining of the Loner, the opener. i mean I was dancing in my seat the best I could and tried to stay standing and dancing as long as possible, but the overwhelemeing pressure to sit was too great. It was a shame. I mean sitting down for "Everybody Knows?" Come on!

And I have to say that "No Hidden Path" was unbelieveable. Amazing! I mean I had no problems smoking in the show, so that helps a little, but I found teh "No Hidden Path" to be an extraordinary jam. It was mature and moving and psychedelic. I'm a Dead Phish person so I have plenty of love for improv, and I must say Neil just crushed it. It was a sheer delight becasue there is something more mature about "No Hidden Path" than there is about DBTR and Cortez, which are the only songs I've ever heard him do for 20 min or longer. Listening takes discipline you know. But How people weren't dancing is beyond me. I guess that's what you get for seeing a show with $260 face value tix in L.A. People stood up for the encore, but tehn they sat down again! I refused. I was the lone guy dancing to "Tonight's the night." Come on people age is just in your head.

All in all, it was one of the best live music experiences of my life, as I can shake and boogie pretty well in my seat.

Sha la la, la la la la! Everybody Everybody knows!
At 11/08/2007 02:02:00 PM, Anonymous said...: LAK, I hear you there. See my comment earlier in this section of reviews about the guy who actually THREATENED me with physical violence...for cheering too loudly???

My wife and I were eventually reseated...just in time for the encore. We missed about 3/4 of the show and I blame the hung-up LA crowd in the expensive seats. These are rockers?

We were reseated in Orchestra FF. I think you were in front of us on your feet and dancing. My wife stood up and danced as well. What a concept. Enjoying yourself at a rock concert.

Anyway, no recourse for yours truly. Both TicketMaster and Nokia Theater will not issue a refund.

Keep on rockin' in the free world? Apparently not at the Nokia Theater in LA.
At 11/13/2007 10:13:00 PM, Ben said...: I felt for the guy the first time he posted but honestly shut the fuck up.
At 11/17/2007 04:29:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Thanks for your empathy, Ben (Dover). You must be related to the asshole I was posting about.
At 11/17/2007 04:29:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Thanks for your empathy, Ben (Dover). You must be related to the asshole I was posting about.