Hey Roberto,
I can't let you be the only to raise a head above the parapets!
First, Neil Young. I'm not a huge fan, but I do like a lot of his stuff. I
even like his first album, which seems to be something of a minority interest
("The Loner" is a terrific song). His renaissance in the 90s was as
heartening as it was unexpected.
HOWEVER! Paul Weller, that firebrand of the 70s and 80s, once said in an
interview, in recognition of his unusually high hot air/fair comment ratio in
his conversation, the following: "90% of what I've said has been complete and
utter bollocks." Substitute the word "garbage" for "bollocks" and throw in a
bit of humility, and Neil Young might have said that. It wasn't just his
muse that went walkabout in the 80s - his brain seemed to too. I remember
his lurches across the political spectrum and his violently homophobic
pronouncements as well as the inxplicable Trans album. So, a pinch of salt
with what he's apparently been saying about music.
Then there's Joni with the economy-sized chip on her shoulder. This is not
to forget that she can be the most engaging conversationalist around, as
heard in live recordings, interviews and by those of us lucky enough to have
met her. Still, she IS always banging on about how there's nobody with any
talent out there, formula junk food for girlie guile, blah blah blah. I wish
she'd stop moaning about the dearth of good songs being written and music
being made and start listening to [insert name of your fave unsung genius
here]. It might buck her ideas up a bit - as it is, she's in danger of
becoming the Norma Desmond of the popular song.
As to the vexed question of her post S&L output, I agree with you, and I've
probably said enough about that in the past. And I have to confess (and I
know I'm always banging on about this!) that Both Sides Now completely lost
its appeal for me after a couple of listens; once I'd admired the beautiful
arrangements and the lush sound, there was nothing left to enjoy, and I don't
even have it any more.
Azeem in London
NP: Paraguay v Spain (yes, watching yet more football!)
