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InHidingInOttawa
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Young’s heart of gold rewarded
By DARRYL STERDAN, QMI Agency
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Neil Young. (WENN.COM)
Neil Young’s heart of gold is being rewarded at this year’s Grammy Awards.
The Canadian folk-rock icon was previously named 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of both his artistic achievements and his philanthropic work for charities, such as Farm Aid and the Bridge School for children with special needs.
On Friday night comes the celebration.
After Young is honoured at a gala dinner and an award presentation, a star-studded tribute concert takes place, featuring (in alphabetical order): Jack Black, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Everest, Patty Griffin, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, k.d. lang, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Ozomatli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Leon Russell, James Taylor, Wilco and Lucinda Williams.
“I’m more excited about that, to be completely honest with you, than the Grammys,” says Lady Antebellum vocalist Charles Kelley, whose Nashville trio is up for two awards at Sunday night’s ceremony thanks to their hit single I Run to You. “I have no idea how we got invited, but it’s a huge honour and I can’t wait. In my old cover-band days we used to play Southern Man and Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World.
“We’re getting to perform Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” he said. “I wanted to do Helpless so bad, but I think they said Elton John was going to do it, so I’m not going to argue against that!”
Wilco bassist John Stirratt didn’t want to give out any spoilers about what the Chicago alt-rockers will play, but he wasn’t shy about discussing Young’s impact on the band.
“Had he not picked up a guitar and made music, we would not be around,” said Stirratt. Wilco’s eponymous CD Wilco (The Album) is up for Americana album of the year on Sunday, but he says honouring Young is “the main reason” they’re going to L.A.
“Boy, does he deserve this — if only for all the work he puts in every year on the Bridge School Shows. You know how annual events are; they come around so fast. But they’re so nice in how they treat the artists, and they have a big party out at their house.”
Now, he just has to forget the fact that he has to play Neil Young songs in front of the man himself.
“You know, I never really thought about that until you mentioned it. That’s going to be brutal. Thanks a lot.”
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/Y/You ... 1-qmi.html
By DARRYL STERDAN, QMI Agency
Bookmark and Share
Neil Young. (WENN.COM)
Neil Young’s heart of gold is being rewarded at this year’s Grammy Awards.
The Canadian folk-rock icon was previously named 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year in recognition of both his artistic achievements and his philanthropic work for charities, such as Farm Aid and the Bridge School for children with special needs.
On Friday night comes the celebration.
After Young is honoured at a gala dinner and an award presentation, a star-studded tribute concert takes place, featuring (in alphabetical order): Jack Black, Jackson Browne, T Bone Burnett, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Sheryl Crow, Everest, Patty Griffin, Josh Groban, Ben Harper, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Norah Jones, Lady Antebellum, k.d. lang, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp, Ozomatli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Leon Russell, James Taylor, Wilco and Lucinda Williams.
“I’m more excited about that, to be completely honest with you, than the Grammys,” says Lady Antebellum vocalist Charles Kelley, whose Nashville trio is up for two awards at Sunday night’s ceremony thanks to their hit single I Run to You. “I have no idea how we got invited, but it’s a huge honour and I can’t wait. In my old cover-band days we used to play Southern Man and Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World.
“We’re getting to perform Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” he said. “I wanted to do Helpless so bad, but I think they said Elton John was going to do it, so I’m not going to argue against that!”
Wilco bassist John Stirratt didn’t want to give out any spoilers about what the Chicago alt-rockers will play, but he wasn’t shy about discussing Young’s impact on the band.
“Had he not picked up a guitar and made music, we would not be around,” said Stirratt. Wilco’s eponymous CD Wilco (The Album) is up for Americana album of the year on Sunday, but he says honouring Young is “the main reason” they’re going to L.A.
“Boy, does he deserve this — if only for all the work he puts in every year on the Bridge School Shows. You know how annual events are; they come around so fast. But they’re so nice in how they treat the artists, and they have a big party out at their house.”
Now, he just has to forget the fact that he has to play Neil Young songs in front of the man himself.
“You know, I never really thought about that until you mentioned it. That’s going to be brutal. Thanks a lot.”
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/Y/You ... 1-qmi.html
2005 - Montreal, Ottawa / 2011 Montreal, Toronto 1, Ottawa / 2013 London, Calgary, Vancouver
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John Mellencamp & T-Bone Burnett | Down by the River
Young's FarmAid colleague opens the show with a slow-burning version of a classic from Everyone Knows This is Nowhere. His band consists of superstar producer T-Bone Burnett on guitar, Kenny Aronoff on drums and musical director Don Was on bass. (The latter two serve as a house rhythm section for most of the evening.)
Ozomatli | Mr. Soul
These Angeleno rockers add some heavy Latin grooves to this Buffalo Springfield oldie -- without sacrificing the fuzzy, Satisfaction-style riff-rock at its heart.
Jackson Browne | Don't Let it Bring You Down
Backed by Aronoff and Was, the troubadour turns in a rich acoustic-guitar version of this powerful cut from After the Gold Rush.
Stephen Stills & Sheryl Crow | Long May You Run
Crow dons a squeezebox and trades verses with Stills on a mellow version of this number cut by the Stills-Young Band in '76. Black needles Young for using such a boring band name, and makes up for it by christening the Stills-Crow ensemble Rocketnuggetthunderclaw.
Lady Antebellum | Only Love Can Break Your Heart
These quickly rising country-pop stars told me they were more excited about playing this event than they were about their Grammy nominations. They play this country waltz fairly straight, but their three-part harmonies add some layers to the melody.
Norah Jones | Tell Me Why
Another cut from Gold Rush, this time picked by Jones and a bandmate playing acoustic guitars. It's wonderfully simple. And simply wonderful.
Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin & Lucinda Williams | Comes a Time
The trio of roots queens join forces -- along with some steel guitar and accordion -- in this folksy chestnut. I wonder why Lucinda is wearing glasses. Then I notice the giant teleprompter screen behind me.
Wilco | Broken Arrow
If you can think of anyone more capable of handling all the intricate twists and turns of this shape-shifting epic from Buffalo Springfield Again, you let me know. Then again, don't bother. You're wrong.
Josh Groban | Harvest Moon
The popera sensation takes a seat at the piano for this gentle ballad, which he gussies up a little too much with all his technique and talent. Neil needs to be a bit ragged, you know?
Everest | Revolution Blues
Who? Well, put it this way: These L.A. roots-rockers are signed to Young's Vapor Records. Hey, throw Neil a bone: It's his big night. Besides, they crank out a smoking version of Revolution Blues. It's the heaviest performance so far.
Dierks Bentley & Booker T. Jones | Cinnamon Girl
Backed by frequent Young sideman Booker T. and his instantly identifiable organ, Bentley and his gruff pipes transform this immortal tune into twangy country-rock -- and lose a bit of the song's edge in the process.
Ben Harper | Ohio
The musical centrepiece of the show. Armed with his slide guitar and accompanied only by three female backup singers, Harper recasts Young's Vietnam-era protest song into stirring gospel-blues. Quite simply one of the finest, most moving versions of this song I've ever heard. It deservedly brings some attendees to their feet.
Keith Urban, John Fogerty & Booker T. Jones | Rockin' in the Free World
Another winner. Urban and Fogerty crank up the amps and blow the roof off the dump, trading solos and belting out the vocals on Young's slamming rocker. Urban is playing harder -- and grinning wider -- than I've ever seen before. And Fogerty still hasn't lost a step. Afterward, Black quite rightly tells the swells, "I know it's expensive -- but I think you're getting your money's worth. This is insane! Can you appreciate how insane this is?"
Elvis Costello | The Losing End
The roll continues: An acoustic-guitar toting Costello takes this lesser-known number from Everybody Knows This is Nowhere and turns it into a country weeper that could have come straight from ole Hank's pen.
Jason Mraz & Shawn Colvin | Lotta love
A horn section and some organ add some soulful backing to Mraz and Colvin's duet. Still, it's not one of the evening's more memorable moments. Then again, they did have to follow Elvis.
Dave Matthews | Needle and the Damage Done
On the plus side: The singer-guitarist totally nails Neil's anti-drug ballad, right down to the mournful falsetto vocal. On the downside: He delivers a rambling introduction that makes him look like a goof.
Red Hot Chili Peppers | A Man Needs a Maid
Not surprisingly, the Peppers -- making their first public appearance with new guitarist Josh Klinghoffer -- lace Young's Harvest track with their heavy, slogging funk. But that's not nearly as alarming as Anthony Kiedis's Mexican porn-star moustache.
James Taylor | Heart of Gold
Hey, I respect JT as much as the next guy -- but does the world really need an easy-listening version of Heart of Gold? The good news: Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Elvis Costello and Jason Mraz help out on backing vocals.
Elton John, Leon Russell, Neko Case, Sheryl Crow & T-Bone Burnett | Helpless
The stage is getting a little crowded at this point -- but really, the song belongs to Elton, who converts it into a work of classic country-pop vaguely reminiscent of his own Burn Down the Mission. Neko, Sheryl and Leon each get a turn at the mic.
Crosby, Stills and Nash | Human Highway
"We made some of the best music of our lives with you," says David Crosby before the legendary trio close the show by putting their gorgeous harmonies to work on this underappreciated '70s track. Neil's reaction? "Now I gotta go write some more songs." No argument here.
no cortez?
it would've been great to hear him sing 'Needle and The Damage Done' like he did in Chicago for Neil.
a beacon on dry land
eyes above the horizon
in the dark before the dawn..."
"i am a donut"