Elly Roberts reviews
Neil Young: Prairie Wind
Distributed by
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 of
the genius that is Neil Young. The complex Canadian singer-songwriter has
always been his own man. For over 30 years, fans have been waiting for the
After The Goldrush/Harvest trilogy to be completed; now it's finally here.
Frustratingly though, it's been well worth the wait. Prairie Wind is his
best 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's
meticulously steered a career from Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills Nash &
Young and several other incarnations, flirting with rockers Crazy Horse on
more than one occasion. However much he might wish to deny it, this type of
album is where he excels himself in every department. This is where his
heart really lies.
After the disastrous last solo album, Are You Passionate?
(2002) and equally appalling Greendale (2003, with Crazy Horse) Young pulls
out all the stops and drops his Godfather Of Grunge tag. The lyrical mood is
almost melancholic but never depressing - more of a longing. Musically, it
sometimes goes on the up in contrast to the lyrics as found on the brassy
Far From Home. The reasoning behind its reflective mood might come from
diagnosis of a dangerous brain aneurysm. The songs were written and recorded
between the diagnosis and resulting surgery.
The Painter, indicates his statement of intent - gentle strums and pedal
steel 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 on
No Wonder, but it's kept under control in pseudo-Eagles styling. Among the
Harvestesque leanings, It's A Dream is arguably the outstanding beauty
complete with swirling strings, pedal steel and that perennially youthful
uncultured trademark voice. His other trademark - harmonica style - is
randomly exhibited, but put to great effect on the chug - along Here For You
and the playful He Was King, a belting Elvis tribute.
Shakey's guitar has been a faithful friend, so he celebrates its usage on
the understated plodder of This Old Guitar as he philosophically reminds
us... "This old guitar has caught some breaks / But it's never searched for
gold / 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 one
day be sung in churches around the globe. Hopefully this won't be his
epitaph.
Commentators said that Harvest was a wistful album, full of crafted songs
which 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 :
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.