It was probably about 1970. My dear friend Fred and I were staying with our friend Forrest in an old mobile home his parents had in some neglected resort development that was rapidly falling into a state of decay.
Image via WikipediaOn another day I was at the Hydraulic Lift, a head shop on the Cumberland Avenue strip near the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. I was killing some time after classes. They sold records at the Lift and I was browsing through the records. Music was playing and a floral scent of incense filled the store. I didn't recognize the music but it was some of the finest and most haunting music I had ever heard. I breathed the scent of incense and became lost in the music.
In both cases the music I was listening to was Neil Young. In the first case it was the first album and then at the Lift it was the second album. I was hooked. When I was in the record store I bought a copy of Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere as soon as I found out who it was. Soon after I bought the first album. After that I bought every album that Neil Young released.
Now, forty years later, Neil Young is still one of my favorite artists and I listen to his music frequently. He can rock hard, but my favorite songs are the dreamy sounding ones. Neil can write some great songs to dream by.
Today's song choice--"After the Goldrush"--is about a dream.
I have heard of Neil Young but he is not often played on air over here.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I am familiar with this piece and like it but I find his voice unbelievably irritating.
ReplyDeleteHe's a singer with one beautiful voice. I agree.
ReplyDeleteI'm number 100!
The music has a very dream-like quality that easily makes one's thoughts shift from past, to present, and then future.
ReplyDeleteYvonne -- I'm sure you are familiar with at least a few of his songs.
ReplyDeleteDelores -- k d lang does a very nice version of this song. Neil's voice is an acquired taste I supposed. Some people love it and some can't stand it. His songs are some of the greatest in my opinion.
C.Lee -- I agree with you. Thanks for helping me reach my goal for this blog.
Paula -- His voice, instrumental style, and his songs are all conducive to dreaming and reflection.
Lee
Great post! This is a great song. Neil Young is just a little before my time (I'm more of a U2 generation), but his music is definitely haunting in a beautiful way. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI was *this* close to posting today on "Forever Young", too--but then the Alphaville song :) Synchronicity, eh?
Guilie -- Neil is still turning out some great music. He's still in your generation.
ReplyDeleteLee
I really like Neil Young though don't have any of his albums. My music collection's in need of a refresh. Must put him on my list. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDelete