We spend so much time talking about hott new bands … sometimes it’s important to check in with the superstars of the ’70s.
Elton John VS Rude, Vile Pigs
This was the scene yesterday at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, where Elton John arrived for a concert in Tapei. Aggressive photogs caused the diva to go ballistic, telling cameramen they’re a bunch of “rude, vile pigs.” John continued, “Do you know what that means? Rude vile pigs. That’s what all of you are.” According to AP, one of the photographers shouted back, “Why don’t you get out of Taiwan?” John answered, “We’d love to get out of Taiwan if it’s full of people like you. Pig! Pig!”
Bruce Springsteen VS TV News
In the new Rolling Stone Bruce Springsteen’s got some harsh criticism of TV news journos: “The press has let the country down … things are distorted by ratings and by money to where you’re getting one hour of the political conventions. No matter how staged they are, I think they’re a little more important than people eating bugs.” More important than eating bugs?! Boss you so crazy!
Cat Stevens VS United Airlines Flight 919
By now I’m sure you heard that Cat Stevens was ordered off a London-to-Washington flight on Tuesday when authorities realized the singer-songwriter’s last name is Islam (he changed it 25 years ago, duh). “I’m totally shocked,” he told reporters when he landed at Heathrow. “The whole thing is totally ridiculous … Everybody knows who I am. I am no secret figure. Everybody knows my campaigning for charity.” As Jon Stewart pointed out on my DVR last night: Good job Dept. Of Homeland Security, you finally caught the motherfucker who wrote “Peace Train.”
Billy Joel VS Good Taste
I’ve already bemoaned the tarnishing of my guilty pleasure‘s legacy. Now the pop star turned nostalgia act has announced he’s marrying 26-year-old girlfriend Kate Lee next month. (Yep, she is younger than “Just The Way You Are.”) Asked for comment, the 54-year-old rocker (who finally just got a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame) said, “Whad’ya expect? I’m a friggin’ alcoholic.” Ahh, just kidding folks. Sidenote: Detroit’s Greatest Blogger got an impromptu mini-concert from Mr. Joel in Beverly Hills last week. Shmears.
Finally … this is the MP3 part so pay attention … I’ve been listening to a lot of Neil Young this week. As Stereogum faves Drive-By Truckers sing, “Stars today ain’t half as real.” Neil’s got a new greatest hits coming out. Here is the tracklisting:
1. Down By The River (from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, 1969)
2. Cowgirl In The Sand (from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, 1969)
3. Cinnamon Girl (from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere, 1969)
4. Helpless (from CSNY’s Déjà vu, 1970)
5. After The Gold Rush (from After The Goldrush, 1970)
6. Only Love Can Break Your Heart (from After The Goldrush, 1970)
7. Southern Man (from After The Goldrush, 1970)
8. Ohio (from CSNY’s Four Way Street, 1971)
9. The Needle and the Damage Done (from Harvest, 1972)
10. Old Man (from Harvest, 1972)
11. Heart Of Gold (from Harvest, 1972)
12. Like A Hurricane (from American Stars ‘n’ Bars, 1977)
13. Comes A Time (from Comes A Time, 1978)
14. Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black) (from Rust Never Sleeps, 1979)
15. Rockin’ In The Free World (from Freedom, 1989)
16. Harvest Moon (from Harvest Moon, 1992)
He’s put out ten albums since 1992, but none of ‘em had any hits (though I highly recommend Silver & Gold). My parents saw him perform his Greendale opus at Jones Beach this summer and they said it was the worst concert they have ever been to. I think they were expecting some greatest hits, not a rock opera (though I hear those are hott these days). So today I present to you Neil Young in his glory days, thanks to Glide Magazine.
Neil Young 2/29/1971 Royal Festival Hall, London
He performs pretty much ALL MY FAVORITE songs, complete with cool stage banter (e.g., before playing “Harvest” … “I got this new song I just wrote last night. I can’t remember all the words … it’s gonna be the title song on the album when it comes out April 15th in the United States.”)
Download it. I don’t know how long it’ll be up. You’ll really feel like you’re at an intimate Neil Young concert in 197fucking1. Long before Greendale, before he became an avid toy train collector, before he was Eddie Vedder’s raison d’être.
Jeez, sorry for getting all classic rock on your ass. More Britney tomorrow, k?
UPDATE:
A Stereogum Challenge
Here’s a cover of the brilliant Young tune “Don’t Let It Bring You Down.” First person to correctly identify the mid-’70s band performing it (leave your guess in the comments section) will receive a package of cool promotional shit culled from my desk drawers. For reals!
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Dude, I want some posts involving Speedwagon. Or maybe Kansas. The band, not the state.
Dude, the Billy Joel mini-show was AMAZING! And re: his future wife, she’s very hott, esp. if you’re into that whole East Coast WASPy look. Very distinguished and exxxtremely classy, she looks very “old money” … if ya know what I’m sayin.
Ha… So we’re talking East Egg stizz? Phew!
Neil Young has a new greatest hits album?
Geez, I’m still waiting for the Neil box set which has never materialized — seems like every year it’s rumored to be appear…but it never does. Damn you Neil!
And what kind of Neil Young set neglects to include the greatest
Neil song of all time: Powderfinger.
yeah, that greatest hits list isnt that great. powderfinger? pocahantas?
DUDE!!! Keep the classic rock coming!
Seriously your timing couldnt be more perfect. My roomie and I were just talking about how we’re heading back into our classic rock phase these days. Could be the Fall reminding us of what we were listening to in school, could just be the fact that the shits the jam. Hole up and listen to Fleetwood Mac, Zep, Stones, Kansas, CCR, CSNY… and fuck it.. JOURNEY!!!! It will make you feel like a happier person. Promise.
And then listen to the Futureheads.
If I show recorded in 1971 contains most of your favorite Neil Young tunes, you haven’t heard enough Neil Young.
OOOH CONTEST … reread the bottom of this post kids.
I already have a Neil Young greatest hits album, it’s called Trans.
the cover sounds like steely dan to me.
> the cover sounds like steely dan to me.
Good guess, but no. Jazzy though, mos def.
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
Traffic?
last exit
$%#@!!!
Hookfoot
Thought I’d be clever and check the web … and I think I have an answer, but this rates as cheating, so I’ll police myself and withhold the answer for now …
that’s a good show from 71. journey through the past is so best. neil needs to release his other greatest hits cd, the excellent live album that has never seen it to cd, Time Fades Away. this was neil’s heaviest drug, most out of tune, who gives a shit, best song writing album ever. and cameron crowe nods gently to it in almost famous by re-enacting the cover. right before still water goes on, it’s the shot with the rose on the stage. ok, enough neil-school.
that sounds suspiciously like gordon sumner to me. good hint there jb.
ding. joe locke
OK, ok. You figured it out quicker than I thought. Matt wins though.
I hate to sound like such a pretentious, ass kisser of a fan, but I liked Greendale.
i liked Greendale as well, live too.
I love Neil Young. Among the most covered rock musicians ever. Heard an interesting (and suprisingly not-great) Cowboy Junkies cover of “Helpless” recently..
=darwin
Oh, there’s some good ones missing in that BestOf.
I’m currently obsessed by On The Beach, this is a pure classic. The last 3 songs on that album are total aural bliss, I really really recommend it.
Thanks for the great link!!
this is the beegees
the police…
WOW WAIT A GO HOMELAND SECURITY AND FBI AND BUSH YOU GUYS FINIALY DID IT YOU CAUGHT A TERROIST BY THE NAME OF CAT STEVENS…
Hookfoot? I mean, it sounds crappy like Hookfoot, and I think someone has played me this cover and it was them…maybe. That’s my try, anyway.
Dont let it bring you down.
HOOKFOOT of course – brilliant band – musicians’ musicians 30 years ahead of their time!!
Get “Live in Memphis” by Hookfoot. Knock-out.
I suppose I’m cheating though – my old man is the drummer Roger Pope of Hookfoot.
Sue