Neil Young News: Toronto, Ontario Concert Reviews: 12/4 & 5/08

Friday, December 05, 2008

Toronto, Ontario Concert Reviews: 12/4 & 5/08

Photo by Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

From "Oh My, My" | Toronto Sun By JANE STEVENSON:

"The 1979 Crazy Horse classic, Hey Hey, My My, that was downright astonishing, as Young seemed to be vibrating alongside his instrument as he played like a possessed twenty-something kid in a yet-to-be-discovered garage band while Cromwell bashed away on his drum kit.

Other Crazy Horse songs from various eras - Powderfinger, Cortez The Killer, Cinnamon Girl, and Cowgirl In The Sand - plus his own anthemic Rockin' In The Free World which was the evening's undisputed highlight - provoked similar shiver-inducing reactions.

In other words, there's definitely no fading away for this still impossibly youthful musician.

It's not easy to grow old in rock 'n' roll and yet Young makes it seem effortless."

And now for something completely different, a YouTube Concert Review?!

Thanks 1021EdgeGirl & Leo!

More on Sit vs Stand: The Never Ending Dilemma.

Neil Young will be performing tonight at Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Got a report? Drop a comment below. No registration required.

Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates. Also, see Grid Chart on Rust Radio.

Also, see Neil Young 2008 Fall North American Tour and Concert Reviews and the right, middle sidebar for continuous real time RSS feed updates.

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38 Comments:

At 12/05/2008 01:34:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Just got back from the first acc show. Amazing, it's true Neils voice has never been better, clear & crisp. Noticed he put some extra passion & emotion in his new songs, speaking of which, he sang a brand new one right after Needle, what was it called? Sounded great, qite a treat. Other than that show was identical to Halifax show I believe. This was my 5th show since 1996. Met a guy next to us has seen Neil 30 times since 1968. He saw him with the Springfield, wow; needles to say we talked a bit. Highlights, Hey Hey, My My was unbelievably wonderful, actually brought a tear to my eye. Also Old Man, Cortez & Cowgirl. Alright evey song was a 10 out of 10. Long live Neil!!!!
At 12/05/2008 01:42:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Just came back from the second night at concert at ACC. It was such a great gig, especially 'Rockin in The Free World'. The 'A Day in Life' cover at the end was really great too.
At 12/05/2008 02:08:00 AM, katie b said...: I just came back from the First night, and my god Neil rocked.
I loved it. It's only my second show and I want more. I took a few pictures and I wish I could put them here !! Can't wait too see him again.
At 12/05/2008 02:10:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Hey Neil Fans !!! I have been to see Neil 3 times including tonights phenomenal show at the acc. Thanks to my husband who is a Devoted Neil Fan to put it mildly. I have been introduced to the Exceptional Talented Musician Neil Young inside out from his music to personality & life in general. It has been a Pleasure to see him Perform with such a young demeanour he definatley rose way above his young opening acts at 63. Still Neil always & forever orignal & strong. I really enjoyed hearing all the songs but really liked his new song Just Singing A Song Won't Change The World & for older songs Cinnamon Girl is one of my all time favourites to mention a few. Every song was a treat to my ears. Neil is Real. That is we Love him & One Hell of a Mesmorizing Singer, Artistic lyricist, Last but not least one Wicked guitar player, pianist,& harmonica player. Still looking Good.
At 12/05/2008 03:28:00 AM, rdvdijk said...: According to the Sugar Mountain website, Neil played a new song! It might be called "Lighting A Candle".. So the rumor of him writing new songs is true, keep 'm coming Neil!
At 12/05/2008 05:17:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Off topic, but incredibly frustrating:

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2008/12/04/neil-young-therell-never-be-another-crazy-horse/

Straight from the man himself:
"It’s gonna be BluRay, DVD, CD. It’ll be on iTunes. It’ll be everything. "

WHAT. THE. HELL?

Ach, make up your mind...

Davie from Scotland
At 12/05/2008 07:00:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I say - hell yeah Neil!
At 12/05/2008 07:01:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Just an amazing show, highlites Oh lonsome me, everybody knows, Cinnamon Girl; oh what the heck they were all good. I would like to mention that Niel was in really good spirits, big diffrence from last years middle show at Massey Hall. Everest and Wilco-well done compliments Neil to a T.

Neil is like a well aged bottle of wine, you don't want it to finish.

Long may you run Neil
At 12/05/2008 08:13:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Mind blowing show; brought my 15 year old daughter she's a Big beatle fan. She was really impressed with Everest but was blown away by the energy Neil had, almost converted her. She really liked the crowd got a Neil bag from a fan thats followed neil since 68 who was sitting behind us. By the way she sang to A Day in the Life, her highlight and comment was he's pulling it out of gutter!!! She also said she was being a contrarian!!
At 12/05/2008 10:19:00 AM, Dan said...: Man...he's just so SCARY good!! I saw the first show at Massey Hall (2007 that is) and welled up at Ambulance Blues from the fifth row - I was in front of 3 guys from the Barenaked Ladies - I wish people who have no idea would just stay at the beer kiosk...I was sick of these morons all trying to get past me to go out every time Neil played something new or not "rockin enough" for them!
Otherwise that show , as always, was just f'ing perfect!
At 12/05/2008 10:27:00 AM, Rauk Zenta said...: God Bless Neil Young! I have seen Neil et all 11 times and last night's show at the ACC was one of the best...the varity of the set list was mind blowing....A day in the Life ...Indeed!
At 12/05/2008 10:28:00 AM, Anonymous said...: As good as it gets!! Saw Neil at Massey last November and this was the perfect companion show - almost like a year long set break - Old Man with the pedal steel (Ben Keith!!) and banjo was by far the highlight - as good as the album - Cowgirl electric! just as good as the acoustic version last year - Great show!! Every note was perfection, even forgetting words is classic Neil. Highly recommended from someone who has seen Neil approx. 30 times since my first show at the Gardens in '83.
Keep on rocking NEIL!!
At 12/05/2008 10:59:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Neil Young is the greatest artist that has ever lived. No one is as diverse as he is, He goes back and forth between country,accoustic, and rock effortlessly like no one has ever done. That feedback driven Hey Hey My My, and country classic Oh Lonesome Me being played in the same set are proof of that. He has never come close to selling out and while most great artists eg. the Stones, have a 10-12 year window Neil 40 yrs. in is still great. No artist has come close to being as great for that length of time.
At 12/05/2008 11:18:00 AM, Anonymous said...: What time did Neil go on at? I am going tonight and have to rush over there and I don't want to miss anything! And how long was his set?
At 12/05/2008 11:29:00 AM, Anonymous said...: LOOK OUT MAMA:

Today (12/05/08) I noticed on Rhapsody.Com, my music streaming service, that both Time Fades Away & Journey Through the Past are listed as album selections under NY's profile, with track listings. No artwork or actual access to the music is available, though. Anyone have any additional update?
At 12/05/2008 11:44:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Neil came on at about 9:15 and the show finished just before 11:30.

Great show overall, the highlight for me was Rockin' In The Free World - it was a really tight performance, played a little faster and with more urgency than some versions with Crazy Horse. Had the crowd on their feet.

Given the predictability of the setlist, it was great knowing I was witnessing the first performance of a new song ('Light a cande'?), which was all right but it's hard to judge after one listen. I did think he tested the audience's patience by playing 3 new songs in a row, especially since they're not really that good imho, but it gave some balance to an otherwise greatest hits show.

Wish he said a bit more than "How're you doing, Toronto?" but that's Neil. Looking forward to another stellar show tonight!

Rob
At 12/05/2008 01:06:00 PM, Anonymous said...: We got a Man of the People says "Yes We Can!"
We got a Man of the People "YES WE CAN!"
YES WEEEEEE CAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!

Awesome new ending to RITFW

Great show, got to see a brand new, never been played before song and got a big smile from Larry Cragg, Incredible!

YES WE CAN!!!!!!!!!
At 12/05/2008 01:51:00 PM, Anonymous said...: That was my 11th or 12th time seeing Neil and I have to say the show had ups and downs. He came out like a freight train and was really ripping during Look Out For My Love and Hey, Hey, My, My - but then I thought he dipped for a bit. He seemed like he was just going through the motions for Everbudy Knows... all in all some really great parts (Unknown Legend, Cortez, Oh Lonesome me) but I don't think the new material was well received. The new songs aren't bad and Neil's performance was full of feeling... but it was iffy. All in all the show smoked and times and just didn't do it for me at other points!

Mike
At 12/05/2008 02:09:00 PM, Anonymous said...: SMOKIN!!!!!!!!
At 12/05/2008 04:54:00 PM, Suz said...: What an AMAZING night!!! NEil was just insane! I was lucky enough to get 1st row just to Neil's right and it felt like we were in a small bar and no one was behind us! It was truly magical...can't wait to see him in Detroit Sunday!
At 12/05/2008 05:52:00 PM, Anonymous said...: The show is great – it’s the electric bookend to the acoustic set at Massey – that was the definitive acoustic show in a small homey venue, this is definitive electric show in an GA seatless arena complete with trashing the instruments a la Keith or Jimi. Rusties were telling me last night that they were playing “A Day In The Life” as the music just before the Rust show in ’78, which I don’t remember – can anyone confirm? But if that’s true, that’s quite the grand arc from the start of Rust to the conclusion of this show.

I hope there’s tapes of these shows cuz I’d sure love to hear this again, but particular highlights were:

Cortez – a masterpiece of restraint – brilliantly handled, delicate and thrashing. Taming Fire.

The banjo player on Old Man – seems like it was Neil’s guitar roadie, I dunno, but it was terrific.

It is one month to the day since Obama won on Election Night – and it was special to hear the Neil Freight Train roaring through the center of town and blaring this anthem.
But also thematically linked to the “transformation of civilization”: See Change, Spirit Road, Mother Earth

See Change was just awesome, total “hit” and the performance last night just killed.

and so was Just Singing A Song. They both sound like timeless Neil classics to me. It’s a real blessing for all us fans and listeners and students that he’s playing them on this “Greatest Electric Hits” tour. Both songs are poignant and powerful.

The new song – I was calling it Candle In The Wind :- ) – I was right in front of the stage and they brought out the lyrics on this folded out piece of cardboard and laid them down on top of the monitor at his feet and he was reading them the whole time he was singing it.

Get Back To The Country was loads of fun and fulla life.

was that Anthony Crawford occasionally on the upright piano and electric guitar? whoever it was, he was a real spark-plug and good energy.

boy, is Ben Keith OLD! he plays great & everything, but up close he looks and moves like he’s about 95.

The whole show builds to the solo in Cowgirl in The Sand – that’s The Whole Show right there – everything else is just a set-up, and Rockin In The Free World is just a coda.

The only piss-break songs: Mother Earth (just doesn’t work in the setting of this show), and When Worlds Collide (the 3rd of the newbees), and as Meat sang, “two outta three ain’t bad.”

Wilco were just fantastic – you could sure see why they like Neil and Neil likes them. Obvious serious symmetry. “Via Chicago”, “Jesus etc.” and “Impossible Germany” were real stand-outs. Very creative arrangements, and all with a Cheshire Prankster’s grin. They’re in on The Grand Joke.

A Reminder: Especially you Neilers on the floor near the stage: It’s better to give than to receive.
Turn it up a notch and give energy back to the old man.
And he will return it to you ten-fold.

peace, love, and may the show go on forever,

Brian, sleeping under an amp case, in Manhattan and Toronto
At 12/05/2008 06:09:00 PM, Ironman Mike said...: Saw Neil in Calgary in October. As a Neiler fan who has seen him 13 times, this show topped all others (tough to say given there were some other incredible shows). He ripped the roof off with Old Blackie, took it down a few notches with favourites Old Man etc. all without losing the raw power and emotion. At 63, he demonstrates age is merely a number. My two teenage daughter who are quite concert savy were as taken as my wife and I. Keep on rocking Neil!!!
At 12/05/2008 08:46:00 PM, Trevor said...: From a town in North Ontario ... Omemee that is. Neil was at his best last night ... simply electric! The old Neil, not for better or worse, just the "OL Rockin Neil!" Back stage, he was, as usual, a thoughtful and attentive host to family and friends. He continues to be a class act in all respects ... Thanks again Neil. Trevor ... Youngtown Rock and Roll Museum ... Omemee, Ontario
At 12/05/2008 10:56:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Wow!!! What an amazing show last night! This is my 5th time seeing Neil...and once again, I am absolutely blown away by this man! What an amazing artist, he just takes your breath away with his style and energy. The best concert for me was at Massey Hall last year, only because it was a little more intimate. Still, once he started last night...you forgot all about that. Who was making comments about age?! A moron! They have been around a long time, probably longer than you have worn pants! You have to hand it to them for pumping out the energy and excitement that they do. Who cares...
Wilco, they were pretty good. I've never heard of them before, but I will be checking them out now.

It was a great show by far! Thanks Neil!!
Keep it up and please come back next year!!
At 12/06/2008 11:49:00 AM, Anonymous said...: SOOooo how was last night? What happened? No OLD MAN?
Also I think its time to face the fact that the Archives wont be out in January....as per Neil's Rolling Stone Interview
At 12/06/2008 12:41:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Why was Old Man skipped last night? Was it a timing issue? Was the concert filled with the energy that those from previous shows mentioned- or was it an "off night"?
At 12/06/2008 01:15:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Are there posters for sale at the shows?
At 12/06/2008 01:17:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Hello this is not a review but a favor to ask of someone who reads this and is willing to help me out. To make a long story short my friend left his Neil hoody on the subway, and when we went back for it it was gone obviously, so I would like to get him another one for x-mas. So if you do read this and are going to any of the remaining shows on tour and can pick me up one, that would be great and would get 100% compensation plus delivery and any other fees. If interested please email me back at mingo_d@hotmail.com, thanks and happy holidays to all.

By the way the Neil kicked ass, and is definitely a living legend.
At 12/06/2008 01:19:00 PM, Rockin' Dude said...: Just saw show#2 at the ACC... much different than the last show I saw (Chicago Theatre, Nov. 2007)which had lots of acoustic... this was pure "Rawk"!!! The encore was the best I have seen (the Beatles - A Day in the Life) finishing the song with some vicious thrashing on "Old Black" (many broken strings and lots of trademark "Neil" guitar noise)... WOW!
At 12/06/2008 04:08:00 PM, Garry J. Wise, Wise Law Office, Toronto said...: Hi folks. We have a review of Neil's December 4 concert up at Wise Law Blog. See: http://wiselaw.blogspot.com/2008/12/about-neil-young.html
At 12/06/2008 04:17:00 PM, Joe Tetreau said...: There was no "Old Man" last night and the new song about lighting a candle was also skipped. It was definitely not an "off" night, though. I think performance-wise last night's show may have been even better than the first. It may have been a timing issue but it seemed to me that "Cowgirl In The Sand" was longer then the previous night's show so maybe that was the idea all along. Who knows. Two great shows in Toronto was the end result and that's what matters...

Peace.
At 12/07/2008 06:58:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I saw Neil both nights in Toronto. They were both pretty frickin' amazing. I have to say though that Neil seemed to have much more energy on the first night. He seemed a little tired the second night. It neat to see Neil hand off his guitar to his tech for tuning a couple times. He told the audience "I can't tune, the secrets out".. Funny. But yeah, he just seemed to have more energy the first night. Anyone else find that to be the case?

Ken
At 12/07/2008 08:47:00 AM, Anonymous said...: i am from toronto, and caught the first two of three massey shows last year, but missed these most recent two as i am in australia currently.....but thank God, Neil is coming here in january...i just want to thank everyone for the reviews...they're getting me pumped up.....anyone else watch that video blog? this edgegirl is cute. i'm digging her.

ja
At 12/07/2008 12:56:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Awesome show from the "get up off your @ss and rock" opening Love and Only Love to the end where he played a couple of notes on the Vibraphone (what was that?). Two and a quarter hours of pure joy to experience. This is the 4th time I have seen him and I finally got to experience the mesmerizing and haunting Cortez .. the highlight of many highlights.

And is there anything better than jumping up and down screaming at the top of your lungs with 15,000 other people "keep on rockin in the free world". Oh, the crackling energy in the ACC.

It's amazing that Neil can keep up the pace, he's been effectively touring for over a year now. How long can he keep it up?

Three last comments. First of all I miss Crazy Horse. I'm not knocking Ben and Rick and Chad; but I hope Neil brings out the Horse one more time.

Second. I think Just Singing a Song has the potential to be the next song that he can turn into one of his awesome 10 minute anthem type songs ... I can almost hear the extended guitar solos.

And Third, Neil, if you ever add Dangerbird a la Year of the Horse, to your touring setlist, I'll travel anywhere to see you.

Rob from Calgary
At 12/07/2008 03:21:00 PM, Pete Rankel said...: We went to the second Toronto show and was also wondering about the exclusion of "Old Man" which raises a theory I have about touring in general. NY sounded amazing but when you perform 2 nights in a row, one or two of the more vocally challenging songs may get excluded on the second night. I would think OM would definitely fall into that category given the higher register that NY has to kick into. Definitely missed it. Would like to hear overall comparisons from anybody who may have seen both shows. All in all a great performance from a true legend.
At 12/07/2008 04:23:00 PM, Bob said...: Neil's 2nd show at the ACC was euphoric and out of control awesome. For me, Cortez The Killer was the highlight, although choosing just one highlight is a bit difficult. If anyone is reading yet another review of the show, mine can be found here:

http://itsnotthebandihateitstheirfans.blogspot.com/2008/12/neil-young-wilco-and-everest-air-canada.html
At 12/07/2008 10:32:00 PM, frank said...: to Pete - I was at both shows and yeah, I'd say that Neil was stronger vocally on the Thursday. On Friday, you saw him pull away from the mic just before a lyric was finished on a couple occasions. It wasn't a big thing, but it was noticeable.

I was fortunate to have been granted a photo pass for thursday night, so i've got some sweet shots up now:

http://www.chromewaves.net/concertPhotos.php?concert=neilYoung2

and I was up in a box for night two, so less sweet...

http://www.chromewaves.net/concertPhotos.php?concert=neilYoung3

I'll have a review up tomorrow AM.
At 12/08/2008 09:50:00 AM, Anonymous said...: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDV18aOri6M