Neil Young at Malahide - Lord take me now

Id go as far as saying that he was a good as when he played in Slane in 93 with Pearl Jam, fantastic and in great form to boot and Ive seen him a couple of times since indoors, outdoors definitely suit him

kelbal wrote: »

hiya,
Was my first time seeing him - enjoyed the show, but it got a bit spoiled towards the end I have to say. The song just before the encore break, "no hidden path" I think, went on far far too long. The song lasted just under half an hour, with the verses spread between really long guitar jamming. I'm fully aware this is what makes live shows worth going to, having a bit of variety from what you normally hear on CD - but he took it way beyond that, and in all honesty, we were bored while they were jamming away. Friends of mine who are huge Neil Young fans were dying for the song to end, and were a bit pi**ed off because he could have fit in a few more classics such as Rocking in the free world, or Heart of Gold. Good show, but pity it ended so frustratingly.

P

completely agree

Predhead wrote: »

Was really disppointed to be honest. It was a great performance from him but the set was let the show down. One song from 'After the Goldrush', nothing from 'Zuma', 'On the Beach', 'Everybody Knows This is Nowhere' to name a few of his best albums.

I know he might not want to just bang out the hits but how often does he play here? Give the fans what they want. I was expecting it to be better than the Bruce gig but I very, very wrong.

The song just before the encore went on for 30 mins. It was a bit self-indulgent.
The encore itself was pathetic.

Horses for courses I guess:), I personally thought it was the best gig ive been at since I was at Planxty in Vicar St a few years ago. Yes the tune going on for 30 odd mins was a bit on the drawn-outside but when you go to a Neil young gig your not expecting 3 min pop songs are you? He gave it everything last night his voice is still in fine shape and he played the whole way through with great passion, I dont imagine that Neil would be bothered playing a greatest hits package at 62 years of age. He has nothing to prove and I doubt that if he were to do the whole greatest hits thing he would be able to keep the interest in it in order to play with such vigor or indeed at all

A Day in the Life worked terrificliy as an encore and really got the crowd envolved

Fourth time for me seeing Neil.

This was a very good gig. (better than Brixton 02 anyway - so in my top 3).

Few songs I hadn't heard before (live). Get Back to the Country - great to hear a song from Old Ways (a very under appreciated NY album). Powderfinger was awesome. Words, Mr Soul - just awesome. To hear Old Man performed by Neil with Ben Keith on peddle steel is an absolute privelige.

I thought the 30 minute Spirit Road was completely self-indulgent. Its a decent song, but its no Crime in the City.

Would have loved to hear some of the On the Beach stuff, but at this stage I've given up hoping for that really. Very rare that Neil plays any of that stuff. Ambulance Blues gets the odd airing but that's about it.

The encore with A Day in the Life was great. Cool how he produced those orchestral sound effects with his guitar. Nice way to leave the stage also ripping all the strings off of old black and just walking off.

Also a quick note about the Frames. Don't know how long they have the current drummer but he is very good. Also happy to see them belt out some of the crowd pleasers which would suit this kind of gig. Irglova on the backing vocals / keyboard was also nice.

I'd mixed feelings about this gig; was my first time seeing him and it was great to hear some classics live - but the indulgent jamming bored me senseless, I'm afraid.

Off-topic though; did anyone else notice a chap in the crowd eerily similar to or *actually* the actor Mark Boone Junior?

He's not exactly a run-of-the-mill looking chap: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095478/

I consider myself a huge if fairly recent fan of Neil Young. Since becoming a fan about two years ago i have bought over 20 of his albums and several dvds. When I watch his live dvds what always strikes me is the connection he has with the crowd. I didn't really feel this connection last night though. Mind you, these dvds are usually to a smaller crowd.
I am more of a fan of the acoustic and intimate Neil Young I suppose and was thus left a tad disappointed at the more indulgent songs in the set. I knew I would have to "put up with" the electric set but i wasn't expecting 30min+ songs. Having said this I was quite enjoying Neil's guitar playing up until the penultimate song. For me, his guitar playing has never sounded better.
I was expecting a bit more banter with the crowd. He probably talked three times during the show and didn't even say goodbye . There was a point when he was having a good old laugh with his band and I expected him to let the crowd in on the joke. With my paranoid mind I was led to believe the joke was on us when he said nothing. Despite all of this i still of course love the man. I know that some of you don't understand...

One more thing: What was the deal with the Batman-esque red/pink glowing phone on stage?

I loved it but I really really wish he had played something from Tonights the Night. To go to my favourite artist and not hear anything from my favourite album...

Dearg Doom wrote: »

His last show here afaik was with Crazy Horse in 2001 and it was a real stormer

That was a real stormer alright - but of course you are forgetting Vicar Street in between.