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Elly Roberts reviews
Reprise Records
- Cat.no: 9362-49593-2
- Released: September 2005
- Rating: 10/10
Prairie Wind breezes in like a folk-rock hurricane,signalling the return ofthe genius that is Neil Young. The complex Canadian singer-songwriter hasalways been his own man. For over 30 years, fans have been waiting for theAfter The Goldrush/Harvest trilogy to be completed; now it’s finally here.
Frustratingly though, it’s been well worth the wait. Prairie Wind is hisbest offering in years and years. Famously in charge of his own destiny,Young has exasperated record company bosses, band mates and fans alike.
Never one to pander to commercial demands or to be typecast, he’smeticulously steered a career from Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills Nash &Young and several other incarnations, flirting with rockers Crazy Horse onmore than one occasion. However much he might wish to deny it, this type ofalbum is where he excels himself in every department. This is where hisheart really lies.
After the disastrous last solo album, Are You Passionate?(2002) and equally appalling Greendale (2003, with Crazy Horse) Young pullsout all the stops and drops his Godfather Of Grunge tag. The lyrical mood isalmost melancholic but never depressing – more of a longing. Musically, itsometimes goes on the up in contrast to the lyrics as found on the brassyFar From Home. The reasoning behind its reflective mood might come fromdiagnosis of a dangerous brain aneurysm. The songs were written and recordedbetween the diagnosis and resulting surgery.
The Painter, indicates his statement of intent – gentle strums and pedalsteel guitar blows a warmth not heard since 2000’s Silver And Gold album.It’s not all genteel stuff, as Young dips his toe into the rock-riff pond onNo Wonder, but it’s kept under control in pseudo-Eagles styling. Among theHarvestesque leanings, It’s A Dream is arguably the outstanding beautycomplete with swirling strings, pedal steel and that perennially youthfuluncultured trademark voice. His other trademark – harmonica style – israndomly exhibited, but put to great effect on the chug – along Here For Youand the playful He Was King, a belting Elvis tribute.
Shakey’s guitar has been a faithful friend, so he celebrates its usage onthe understated plodder of This Old Guitar as he philosophically remindsus… “This old guitar has caught some breaks / But it’s never searched forgold / It can’t be blamed for my mistakes / It only does what it’s told.”
Finally, we’re left with a gospel tinged When God Made Me which might oneday be sung in churches around the globe. Hopefully this won’t be hisepitaph.
Commentators said that Harvest was a wistful album, full of crafted songswhich created an international hit – Prairie Wind is set do the same.
A timeless classic from a rare genius.
Weblink:Neil Young.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. The Painter
2. No Wonder
3. Falling Off The Face Of The Earth
4. Far From Home
5. It’s A Dream
6. Prairie Wind
7. Here For You
8. This Old Guitar
9. He Was The King
10. When God Made Me
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.