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February 8, 2008

Neil Young A Remnant Of The Original Big Bang Of Stupid

Other news from the world of science;

Theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking admits research into the influence of meteorites on personal wish fulfillment has hit a dead end.

Posted by Kate at February 8, 2008 2:27 PM
Comments

I wondered if you were going to post this one Kate. Its a beauty eh?

The estimable Mr. Young has discovered that some ideas are so stupid that they can't be sold, no matter how good the sound track is. Late in life to be sure, but he did do a lot of acid in the Old Days so perhaps we can be magnanimous.

Posted by: The Phantom at February 8, 2008 3:21 PM

I would still guess that he is only one tiny step closer towards growing up. It will hit him only when he becomes gravely ill and he stares down mortality.

For what possible reason would this brain-adled moonbat need to mature and become an adult? His entire life's work is a celebration and marketing of adolescence.

Posted by: Doug at February 8, 2008 3:25 PM

Rock and roll can never die.

News to Neil: have your listened to the radio/watched Much Music these days? It's dead

Posted by: Mississauga Matt at February 8, 2008 3:32 PM

Phew. I can finally stop rocking to the free world...

Young has crafted some exquisite music but all you need to know about his maturity level is: he collects model trains.

ALWAYS a deal breaker.

Posted by: Kathy Shaidle at February 8, 2008 3:32 PM

Mark Mothersbaugh (of Devo fame) told a funny story about Young on a Wired interview a month back.

Neil was on the same label as Devo, so the bands got together every once in a while for parties and such. Seems Young was really, really offended in 1976 by Devo putting items for sale on their liner notes - keychains, buttons, t-shirts, etc.

Mothersbaugh replied that that is what merchandising is & what Devo is about - marketing a concept.

He also noted in the interview that on Young's last tour, it was mentioned in Rolling Stone as having the most expensive concert shirts yet seen by a major artist - starting at $70.

Guess Neil also figured out what commerce can do for your bank account.

But Neil....it's about the music man....

Posted by: hardboiled at February 8, 2008 3:46 PM

Surprisingly, I don't believe rock musicians have any special insight on foreign policy issues. Or anything other than music.

Posted by: grok at February 8, 2008 3:49 PM

Neil Young is an amazingly talented musician.

Yes, he has said some incredibly stupid things and has been responsible for some unbelievably bad music [hey,hey my my...4 dead in Ohio...]

He may be an asshole, but as J Edgar Hoover said, he's our asshole,

He is a great Canadian - I'm far prouder of NY than I am of Pee-air Idiot Turdeau.

"..did she wake you up to tell you that
it was only a change in plan...."

We are all somehow misguided and all somehow wrong
Neil Young reminds us that we have to stay strong

Posted by: jlc at February 8, 2008 3:57 PM

Neil Young is an amazingly talented musician.

Yes, he has said some incredibly stupid things and has been responsible for some unbelievably bad music [hey,hey my my...4 dead in Ohio...]

He may be an asshole, but as J Edgar Hoover said, he's our asshole,

He is a great Canadian - I'm far prouder of NY than I am of Pee-air Idiot Turdeau.

"..did she wake you up to tell you that
it was only a change in plan...."

We are all somehow misguided and all somehow wrong
Neil Young reminds us that we have to stay strong

Posted by: jlc at February 8, 2008 3:57 PM

Young has crafted some exquisite music but all you need to know about his maturity level is: he collects model trains.

ALWAYS a deal breaker.

Kathy, I suspect you've just broken a few hearts around here.

Graphic novels must score much higher on the maturity scale. Either that, or my wife and kids didn't get your memo about deal breakers.

Posted by: Damian at February 8, 2008 4:00 PM

personally i think he sucks...majorly...always have.....that voice.....those inane lyrics......that faux dylan harp playing....the utter lack of growth musicianshipwise....and the never failing to surface goofy public commentary that makes me want to kick something....or someone in the arse.....preferably his of course......

does that make me a bad Canadian person ?

Posted by: john begley at February 8, 2008 4:09 PM

Have to align with begley on this one...

Posted by: Skip at February 8, 2008 4:17 PM

About being a bad Canadian person... I can go you one better.

I had to Google and read the Wikipedia entry to find out who Neil Young is.

I'm 40. Should I have known who he is?

Just wondering.

Posted by: Lickmuffin at February 8, 2008 4:21 PM

Like so many social activists of the 1960's and 70's, Young has his head so far up his *** that he can't see that the culture of the West has changed dramatically since the heady days of unrestrained appeals for cultural and political collectivism. That's why his songs don't have the impact they used to. Sour grapes, Neil. You lost the war for the heart and mind of the nation. Maybe it's time to consider that your ideas might be falling on deaf ears simply because people have figured out that you were wrong all along.

Posted by: Dennis at February 8, 2008 4:35 PM

As I keep saying, if I only listened to musicians whose politics agreed with mine, I'd have a bunch of KISS and Megadeth records. At least most of my country collection would stay intact (but there go the Willie records ...)

Neil's a beautiful example. Kathy does a beautiful job reminding us of the truth about Kent State every year during its anniversary, but "Ohio" is still a great song, as long as I don't pay too much attention to the lyrics.

There's a theory that there are two kinds of people - lyrics people and music people. My wife is the former; I'm firmly the latter. I think that makes all of this so much easier.

Posted by: rick mcginnis at February 8, 2008 4:52 PM

As someone in the past has noted, he fails to admit that there are hard men who make difficult decisions and do dangerous things, while he sleeps, so that he may have the freedom to say/sing that which he does.

So, who will these people bash in 10 months when Bush is gone?

Posted by: Yoop at February 8, 2008 4:57 PM

What I don't get is why Canadians are so proud of artists/musicians etc, who left this country years ago and rarely step foot inside the borders, only to perhaps accept a lifetime achievement award with all expenses paid at some cheesy taxpayer supported yawn fest. These people left for a number of reasons, largely taxes and weather. They are Canadians by accident and Americans by choice.

Posted by: cappy at February 8, 2008 4:59 PM

I'm going to go against the flow somewhat on this one...

Awhile ago I watched a show about Paul McCartney performing in Russia for the first time, part of the show was them interviewing Russian people my age & older, I was surprised at how many of them said the Beatles music had such an impact on them, and how much it made them want to find out more about the west and how we lived. It actually was a catalyst in bringing the western influences into their world. Of course it was verboten at the time with the Soviets, but that made them all that much more to want listen to it and learn more about the west where this was coming from.

The impression I got was that the Beatles in particular really fuelled the thirst for knowledge about things outside their world as the Soviets let them see it. I think it helped plant a seed that came to fruition when Gorbachev took over and dismantled the Soviet Union.

Note though, that this was "music" in general, not a few corny anti-war songs, and the Beatles were much bigger than their music in their heyday.


my .02

Posted by: The Hammer of Thor at February 8, 2008 5:02 PM

"There's a theory that there are two kinds of people - lyrics people and music people. "

Listening to Acadie by Daniel Lanois the other day and realized the song Still Water is about Caledonia and the Grand River. Ironic!

Sad eyes, sad eyes
Where're you going with that confidence?
Sad eyes, sad eyes
Where're you going with that confidence?

I'm going to where the boats go by
Caledonia river flow so wide
I'm going to where the boats go by
Caledonia river flow so wide

Wild eyes in the wilderness
Where're you going with the devil in hand?
Wild eyes in the wilderness
Where're you going with the devil in hand?

I'm going to build the bridges high
for working money, for working money
I'm going to climb the bridges high
Caledonia brother far away

**********************************************

Well at least some of those bridges were burned by the Mohawks. Nevertheless, what a masterpiece; the definition of unfair is getting Aaron Neville to sing the high parts of your songs.

Posted by: dafdsadsadfsafd at February 8, 2008 5:05 PM

"News to Neil: have your listened to the radio/watched Much Music these days? It's dead"

Yes, Yes I find the whole state of Rock and Roll hilarious. When I was in Jr.High (late 80's) I took a lot of grief from whites because I was listening to RUN DMC, and other Hip Hop bands. I believe the line was something like this: "Rap is crap", " It won't be around in 10 yrs" ect...

Today I laugh my a$$ off when I see you rockers with your out-dated hair-cuts all huddling around a tape player listening to the OLDIES STATIONS. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Posted by: Jon at February 8, 2008 5:07 PM

Jon ,

out dated haircuts? who needs a haircut at our age.

what are you bunch going to do when you have nothing to make spikes out of ?

Posted by: cal2 at February 8, 2008 5:15 PM

I think it was James Thurber who originally made the statement:

"There are two kinds of people in the world.

Those who divide the world into two kinds of people;

and those who don't.

Posted by: jlc at February 8, 2008 5:18 PM

Lickmuffin: "Should I have known who he is?"

Not really. He has not done any great music since Harvest, released in 1972, which would have been when you were four years old.

Posted by: Woodporter at February 8, 2008 5:22 PM

Just another celebrity pushing his agenda. Nothing to see here. Move along, move along.

It never ceases to amaze me how celebrities think they are somehow qualified to make statements on politics.

Further to that, it never ceases to amaze me when people accept them as authorities on a subject.

So a drug using hippy doesn't like george bush or the war in Iraq. Who cares.

I don't like drug using hippies!! so there.

I wish these celebrities would get up, do their job(entertain me), and keep their mouth shut. That way I might judge them on their body of work, not their goofy ideals and ideas.

Rant off, Sorry

FWIW, if you are a 40 yr old Canadian, how do you not know who neil young is?

Posted by: Trevor at February 8, 2008 5:26 PM

"Not really. He has not done any great music since Harvest, released in 1972, which would have been when you were four years old."

wood, you have a point, but I liken it to not knowing Anne Murray or Rita mcNeil. Like them or not, the CRTC forces the media to cram that stuff down our throat.

Posted by: Trevor at February 8, 2008 5:29 PM

There are 10 kinds of people in this world, those who understand binary, and those who don't.

Posted by: Woodporter at February 8, 2008 5:33 PM

Young has crafted some exquisite music but all you need to know about his maturity level is: he collects model trains.

Sure, but he also owns one of the primary companies that make them. That counts for something, methinks!

Awhile ago I watched a show about Paul McCartney performing in Russia for the first time, part of the show was them interviewing Russian people my age & older, I was surprised at how many of them said the Beatles music had such an impact on them, and how much it made them want to find out more about the west and how we lived. It actually was a catalyst in bringing the western influences into their world.

Also, Valcav Havel has spoken of the importance of rock music and lyrics in inspiring Czech artists and activists to push against the Communist government. The Velvet Revolution, Czechslovakia's transition from Communism to democracy, was so called in part as a nod to the Velvet Underground, who Havel regarded as a particular inspiration. Not many bands can say they played even a minor role in major political events like this!

Posted by: Dudley Morris at February 8, 2008 5:37 PM

"out dated haircuts? who needs a haircut at our age.

what are you bunch going to do when you have nothing to make spikes out of ?"

lol, true enouph but we have a built in mechanism for that. Backwards Ball Caps

Posted by: Jon at February 8, 2008 5:45 PM

Well Trevor, I don't know who this Young guy is and I could care less. I take it he's some kind of
musician from Canada.If I've ever heard his music I don't remember.
Stephen Hawking on the other hand is a well known character. Never understood a word he said but...
Guess I'm just another stupid bastard.

Posted by: Hector Mauvaise at February 8, 2008 5:50 PM

Whether or not you agree with his political views (I think he is an ignoramus of the highest order), he has created some beautiful music (Vitruvius' opinion notwithstanding).

Case and point.

http://tinyurl.com/2ouunu

al

Posted by: al at February 8, 2008 6:09 PM

Neil is a music genius.
Dylan couldn't hold his hat!


I rest at ease telling myself "Neil is an idiot savant, his politics, are just those of another hollyweirdo Belaire shutin.

It is, however, a shame Old Neil can't recognize that times have changed.
"Vietnam is Iraq", WTF Neil?
Can you really not see any difference?

"Keep on Rockin In The Free World" and "Let's Roll" (based on the 9/11 American Airlines flight that fought back) hold the anti-establishment, anti status quo truth, of our times, right now.
How ironic is it that the same idiot hippies like Neil, invented this entire mess when they promoted their defeatist "peace, love, and incense man", and, "tune in and Drop Out" relativism, that has murdered modern liberal "thought".

It is a shame.
"Needle and the Damage Done"

Posted by: richfisher at February 8, 2008 6:12 PM

News flash.

Pied Piper looks around and finds out nobody is following his parade.

Too bad, so sad.

Should have looked around sooner. Much sooner.

Posted by: rockyt at February 8, 2008 6:30 PM

Grok @ 3:49 said . . .

**Surprisingly, I don't believe rock musicians have any special insight on foreign policy issues. Or anything other than music.**

Neil Young may have written some good lyrics but I never could stand his thinking..er sorry, singing.

Hearts in the right place. Wishes for miracles to happen. Very emotional.

Foreign affairs analyst? Zero!

Posted by: TG at February 8, 2008 6:32 PM

Rick Moranis's SCTV version of The Needle and the Damage Done (forget the critics - nothing is good until SCTV spoofs it):

I opened the door and it was Stephen Stills,
He wanted to know if I wanted to buy some pills.

. . .
I opened the door and it was Graham Nash
He wanted to know if I wanted to buy some hash.

Posted by: Mississauga Matt at February 8, 2008 6:34 PM

To me good music is good music and I have diverse tastes. Some music I like for the lyric and some just for the music. The bands I hold in the highest regard are the ones that have both (eg. Megadeth). What I don't like is an artist that is contantly straining to be political, tell us how to live or try to ran guilt down out throats. (Bono)

Incidently I was really, really disapointed in Ozzy's latest album obviously written by some looney leftard moonbat with Black Rain (a cry against the "terrible" Iraq war) and The Almighty Dollar (about the nasty "Planet raping" buisnesses). Hurt hearing Ozzy sing that drivel.

Posted by: Voidraithe at February 8, 2008 6:46 PM

Thor: Rock and Roll celebrates above all one thing: YOUTH. I have another word for your when it comes to celebration of youth, rebellion, action over reasoned debate, etc: FASCISM.

Do leftists sing Beethoven at so-called "Peace Rallies"? His music at times contains ideas of the "Brotherhood of Man" and other naive bull shit notions. Hitler, Mussolini, even Stalin would have manipulated Rock and Roll given the chance. The only reason the Iron Curtain suppressed it was simply because it was Western and they had no control over it.

Now of course, there is some "Rock and Roll" that does not necessarily celebrate youth but it is the exception. Taken as a whole, it is the Western expression of statist/fascist tendencies.

And in case you are curious, I'm a professional classical musician. I know what I'm talking about.

Posted by: Doug at February 8, 2008 6:46 PM

Jon FYI rap is crap, as is much of the North American music scene. Rock lives in Europe
Check this out! http://www.nailband.com/

Canadian band, chicks voice spans fine octaves.

Posted by: greg at February 8, 2008 6:46 PM

Mississauga Matt; take a look at Neil's patches when he faces the drummer.

Lickmuffin , just to better understand the way we revere him, I refer you to the comments after this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02z3gIg9lcQ

I will always remember watching this live on Saturday Night Live!

more
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0t0EW6z8a0

Posted by: richfisher at February 8, 2008 6:48 PM

I think Neil is being to hard on himself. I think he and his ilk convinced alot of people to parrot his viewpoint. Turns out the kinds policies and elected officials that spring from that mindset have changed the world - but not for the better. Nice work Neil.

Posted by: ward at February 8, 2008 6:49 PM

You'd have thunk Neil would have clued in by 1980, not 2008, that he was not changing anything. A delayed reaction perhaps to some of those 60's and 70's drugs? I never give much credance to musicians political posturing either. Bono talks, what i hear is blah, blah, blah (kind of like the teacher on Charlie Brown). And yes, I would expect a 40 year old should have known who Neil is.

Posted by: gobi desert at February 8, 2008 6:52 PM

A guy told me if you thought a lot about the personal views of actors you would never attend another movie.

Same with musicians.

Have always loved Young's music. My only (weak) defence of him is in this quote from the article:

Young said he deliberately included interviews with unimpressed critics and soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan in the documentary of his band's "Freedom of Speech" reunion tour, which earned them both praise and death threats. "Otherwise I thought it would just feel like a bunch of old hippies. And nobody would care. I would not, I would have left," said Young, . . .
"I wanted to serve the people who came to see the shows, to serve the soldiers who fought in the war and to serve the people who started the war. It sounds naive but everybody has to make a decision in their hearts about how they want to live."

Posted by: Bart F. at February 8, 2008 7:02 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9Pin3SiQXo

Doug and Bob only copied; it was Neil who made the Muskoka Dinner Jacket, a "must have", wear anywhere, fashion staple, for Canada's men.

Posted by: richfisher at February 8, 2008 7:10 PM

Greg

I don't and most people I know don't hate rock, lots of good rock songs and groups. I was merely pointing out how ridiculous people like you look and sound when you make blanket statements about something you obviously know nothing about.

Rock may have survived the 90's if any of the artists actually said something. As many have pointed out on this blog, rockers and their "political" messages have always been B.S.
Give love a chance, or peace blah blah blah.

Guys like Lennon and Dylan may have made great music and been crafty writers, but the "political" content has always left much to be desired. The tradition carries on with groups like Green Day who like to act like their songs have substance, but in reality its is just a bunch of complaining with NO constructive insight to the ACTUAL problems we face.

Don't hate me, or Hip Hop for ruining rocks little reign at the top. Hate the thoughtless crap that came from the 80's like "pour some sugar on me" which no GUY in his right mind could actually relate to. Your whole genre was punked by guys who had nothing but two turntables and some CREATIVITY.

Posted by: Jon at February 8, 2008 7:10 PM

Greg

I don't and most people I know don't hate rock, lots of good rock songs and groups. I was merely pointing out how ridiculous people like you look and sound when you make blanket statements about something you obviously know nothing about.

Rock may have survived the 90's if any of the artists actually said something. As many have pointed out on this blog, rockers and their "political" messages have always been B.S.
Give love a chance, or peace blah blah blah.

Guys like Lennon and Dylan may have made great music and been crafty writers, but the "political" content has always left much to be desired. The tradition carries on with groups like Green Day who like to act like their songs have substance, but in reality its is just a bunch of complaining with NO constructive insight to the ACTUAL problems we face.

Don't hate me, or Hip Hop for ruining rocks little reign at the top. Hate the thoughtless crap that came from the 80's like "pour some sugar on me" which no GUY in his right mind could actually relate to. Your whole genre was punked by guys who had nothing but two turntables and some CREATIVITY.

Posted by: Jon at February 8, 2008 7:10 PM

As I recall, it was American-based actors and musicians who were absolutely PETRIFIED -- TERRIFIED -- about flying in the days immediately following 9-11.

Now that the US government has restored a degree of safety and security, they feel brave enough again to come out and diss GWB.

Posted by: Richard Ball at February 8, 2008 7:12 PM

Four dead in O-HI-O -- BIG.

Over a thousand killed in Kenya's post-election.

Ho.

Hum.

Posted by: Richard Ball at February 8, 2008 7:14 PM

Big Rap fan here, Jon.
Fixed up your last sentence.
"Your whole genre was punked by guys who had nothing but two turntables (a shitload of rock albums) and some CREATIVITY."

Rappers who can't sing, nor play an instrument have pretty much plateaued already.
Really, how long could that last?

I have a music teacher friend who's worried that none of the rappers who fancy themselves (new musicians) can read, play, or sing any music.

Creativity and ripping off led zepplin will only get you so far.

Posted by: richfisher at February 8, 2008 7:23 PM

If you're going to slam NY's music at least have the common decency to know what he's done for over 40 years. He may be OTFL when it comes to some of his political views but to slam his musical resume is ignorance of the highest order.

He also gives more time and effort to charity than 99% of us but because he doesn't have the same political views as some (including me) many of you take gratutious shots at his music. Ignorance. Sheer ignorance on a grand scale.

Kate - NY had a close brush with death a couple years ago (and had to cancel performing at the junos in the 'peg) and released an album pretty much dedicated to growing up on the prairies. Kinda a life flashing before his eyes thing. It's the best CD I've heard in years. Prairie Wind.

Now if he would just shut-up with all this anti Bush shite he'd be much better for it methinks.

Posted by: Garry at February 8, 2008 7:30 PM

I don't think Neil is being stupid here. He disagrees with wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? Fine - every war should be critiqued, and I don't think someone is stupid just cause they do so. He wants to use his music to do that? Fine too. Use whatever you got. Free expression and all that.

Bout the only dumb thing is perhaps his attitude towards Bush. Neil doesn't have to like or agree with him, but America is littered with the sad remnants of people who underestimated George.

Posted by: rabbit at February 8, 2008 7:32 PM

Since I've been a musician for about as long as Neil ... I think I can safely say that ....
He's a frickin musician...NOT a damned guru or sage.

If Niel Young starts making sense to you there are only two explanations:

1 - You are stoned.
2 - Neil has managed to reconnect a couple of synapses that disappeared in 1969.

Sheesh

Posted by: OMMAG at February 8, 2008 7:33 PM

NY is a great songwriter as long as he keeps the lyrical message non-political. His voice is not terrific and his technical instrumental skills are somewhat lacking but he does have a large catalogue of decent to excellent songs. Vocal srtists llike Nana Muskouri (sp?) covered songs such as 'After The Gold Rush' because they were truly wonderful.

He is an old hippie for sure. A hippocryte as well. Many years ago he won a 'Lifetime Achievment Award' at the Junos and I specifically remember him saying that he had to leave Canada in order to become successful.

So he left, got famous and made a boatload of money and then starting telling everyone that they shouldn't be war-mongering capitalist pigs.

Never had much respect for him (the person) after that.

Posted by: Brian M. at February 8, 2008 7:46 PM

I think both Neil Young and Bob Dylan have done enough to distinguish that they are far more than whatever silly political opinion can taint them. Bob Dylan, for the record, is apolitical, but Young was always about the philosophy side as well. Regardless, he won't lose any popularity bashing George Bush.

Posted by: Raphael Alexander at February 8, 2008 8:12 PM

Jon you're an idiot. Rock is not dead. Musical instrument sales are better than ever and youngsters are picking up and actually learning how to play and create. Boys still dream of being guitar heroes and the girls still love them for it, that is those who aren't picking up instuments with the dream of becoming heroes themselves! You really need to get out more! Most of todays rock groups are now indie. The North American recording industry took their audience for granted with their girlie superstars and no talent ganstas. We still buy as much as ever, we just don't buy SONY! And sorry lip-sync artists don't cut it in the real world. Rap was just another fad that has seen it's better days, after all, most of their lily-white audience has matured, and the rap message(muhfa beech keel da man muhfa) has become, shall we say, a little tedious.

Posted by: greg at February 8, 2008 8:23 PM

Neil Young was pro Reagan.

He doesn't hold the same respect for Bush.

I believe that when we lose the ability to individually think beyond the conventional party line - can we really believe ourselves better than those we accuse of collectivism?

Having said that, what cultural business does Angelina Jolie have in Iraq?

Or Bono, or George Clooney, or, Sean Penn...?

Can purveyors of poetry, music and motion pictures heal the world better than experienced diplomats and pragmatists?

What role does emotion play in a practical reality?

What privilege does the arrogant academic professor have over the farmer blessed with common sense?

(Yes, on ice please)

I don't think that the west can be successful in Iraq, or Afghanistan, or Canada, for that matter, without understanding and dealing with the oppositions 1400 year old - stuck in the 7th century - ideology.

But, unforgiveably, we already forgot Japan and Shintoiism as an abject lesson.

Posted by: irwin daisy at February 8, 2008 8:49 PM

Neil Young - with a voice like that of an out of tune bagpipe drone and lyrics that bear a remarkable similarity to scrawlings commonly found on outhouse walls.

Does anyone gather I'm not a Neil Young fan?

I don't like his brand of politics either, but then again that's just my taste.

Posted by: Joe at February 8, 2008 8:53 PM

Jon, backwards ball caps? One young fella in my workplace was told only two kinds of people are allowed to wear their cap backwards - welders and c***suckers - I hope you're a welder!

Posted by: DJK at February 8, 2008 9:16 PM

backwards ball caps?


are they worn to off set the effects of ancle crotch pants??????

Posted by: GYM at February 8, 2008 10:04 PM

The important thing to remember about Neil Young is that he is the son of Scott Young, a half-decent sports columnist.

Cheers

Posted by: J.M. Heinrichs at February 9, 2008 1:02 AM

Neil Young is okay in my book. In fact, I think he is one of the greats no matter what his political views are.

I looked at the youtube things from Richfisher. Neil's got the big Toronto Maple Leafs patch right on his backside - he knows where he's from.

Posted by: cconn at February 9, 2008 2:48 AM

I love DJK's comment re the backwards ball caps. But I'll submit that there is another legitimate work-related circumstance that permits wearing a ball cap* backwards. If you are a geologist working in the field, and you need to examine a rock specimen with a hand lens, you will find that the shade from the bill of your ball cap obscures the view. In which case, it is permissible to reverse the polarity of the ball cap for the duration of the rock-study session.

*In order to claim full credit for this particular work-related exemption from the "ball cap on backwards makes you look like a degenerate moron" rule, the ball cap in question should bear the logo of a helicopter company. I'm sorry, that's just the way it is. If your cap has a Nike logo, or a Maple Leafs logo, too bad, you're f****d.

This has been a public-service announcement.

Posted by: gordinkneehill at February 9, 2008 4:34 AM

Oh great that great bastion of knowledge Neil Young speaking out on issues he knows diddly about. Only thing stupider is the reporter who ran with the story. After Neil was booted from the Bob Dylan school of singing and voice control he has been on a one idiot crusade to change the world through music. Well note to Neil, sing something that sounds a little better than cats mating on a tin roof and you might have a hope.

Posted by: bartinsky at February 9, 2008 9:53 AM

restored a degree of safety and security

Most of this is "Security Theatre" designed to deter the wannabes. I once forgot that I was carrying a blade in a toolkit (this was a flight inside Canada, however) and security didn't catch it. No worries, though, I wasn't planning on using it on the plane anyway.

I've been to the states twice over the past 6 months (Seattle and Houston) and haven't had any problems. Taking off my shoes was a bit of an annoyance and I've since given up on taking off my belt as my pants might spontaneously fall down (just scan me).

It's annoying, but I figure the system must be fed and provide jobs so I try to be as pleasant as possible while being screened.

More frequent fliers might be more annoyed though. Here's a plug for WestJet that can be removed by Kate: I made reservations months ago with them and wanted to change the itinerary. I called the number from their webpage yesterday and an actual human being answered the phone within 2 rings and sorted everything out for me. I was shocked and pleased.

I'm originally from Montreal (been in Calgary for 2 years), and this level of service is amazing. Then again, we easterners are used to talking to infernal machines.

Posted by: PiperPaul at February 9, 2008 10:24 AM

Young has crafted some exquisite music? Please!! The guy has a terrible voice, his intonation stinks by his own admission. His guitar playing is average and the tunes are juvenile. Exquisite music? Look to Gershwin, Porter, Ellington and even Lennon/McCartney. When the current generation of hippies is gone, no one will remember Young's music, while tunes like "Summertime", "Take the A-Train" or "Yesterday" will live forever

Posted by: George at February 9, 2008 10:33 AM

How did that song by Lynyrd Skynyrd "Sweet Home Alabama" go?

Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the Southland
I miss Alabamy once again
And I think its a sin, yes

Well I heard mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A Southern man don't need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

In Birmingham they love the governor
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Here I come Alabama

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feeling blue
Now how about you?

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet Home Alabama
Lord, I'm coming home to you

Sweet home Alabama
Oh sweet home baby
Where the skies are so blue
And the governor's true
Sweet Home Alabama
Lordy
Lord, I'm coming home to you
Yea, yea Montgomery's got the answer

...we dont need your kind around? is that it?

Posted by: FREE at February 9, 2008 1:17 PM

For the record, I can't stand his music what so ever. Dubbed 'neil ancient' around here.

Rather listen to some old Long John Baldry anyway.

Posted by: ldd at February 9, 2008 1:35 PM

The only creativity to be found these days in in Techno, House, Trance, club music basically. IMHO, of course. All the weird off the wall stuff being made by kids in the garage. Mostly crap by volume, but you get these little nuggets of brilliance in there.

You know, like rock used to be and isn't any more. These days I listen to mainstream radio, half of it sounds like it was written by a computer program and the other half is covers of '80s tunes by new artists.

Then there's Neil Young, missing half his brain from dropping acid in the 1960s (that's more than 40 years ago, eh?) and can't understand why 18 year olds won't rock out to a bunch of 60+ year old Geritol chugging fossils who's last hit was when, 1985? 1991? When the audience was watching Barney the purple dinosaur and liking it, pretty much.

You guys seen any pictures of the Stones lately? My mum looks spry compared to that lot!

Posted by: The Phantom at February 9, 2008 10:41 PM

Generic comment about my cynicism and lack of naivety leveraged on an attack on music I don't like!!!!!

Does everyone here just like to listen to themselves talk? Or is there just one guy with a bunch of accounts echoing the voices in his head? Blogs truly are the DEATH of original thought.

Good work, Kate.

Posted by: anon at February 10, 2008 12:26 AM

** "We just don't have to go and spread democracy around the world."**

It's official! Three out of four dictators agree with Neil Young in a new Zogby poll!

As for me. Whoa, that's some strange s*** coming from a dude who preached love, peace, and "Do Your Own Thing" in an age when David Crosby still had a 32-inch waistline.

Nowadays, if you're hanging out with Neil Young, be careful when you're speaking to him because he's hard of hearing due to years of high volume levels. Definitely don't ask Neil to "Pass the grass" in a closed room because, well, y'know, he might do something ELSE now that he's on a high-fiber diet.

Posted by: MarkJ at February 10, 2008 10:43 AM
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