Neil and Bert, Alone Again, Naturally
by OMC1 on 2010-06-07Ryman Auditorium - NashvilleRating: 5 out of 5I saw both of the Ryman shows on June 1st and 2nd. Both were great but the second night was amazing.
It is hard to believe that Bert Jansch had never played in Nashville but this was his first visit to the Music City. Needless to say, he blew the audience away with his amazing percussive guitar work especially on my favorite tune, "Poison". He also performed
his signature treatment of the traditional tune "Blackwater Side" which Jimmy Page copied almost note for note on Led Zeppelin's first LP and while changing the title to "Black Mountain Side" and claiming songwriter's credit. Bert is one of the greatest guitar players of all time. He proved it in these shows.
Neil offered up one of the finest solo performances of his career. Armed with his acoustic and electric guitars, pump organ, piano, and a series of pedals and gadgets,
Neil brought the house down with a scorching versions of "Cinnamon Girl", "Rust Never Sleeps", and "Down By the River". He also performed many of his great acoustic tunes.
It almost sounded like Crazy Horse was onstage with Neil's effective use of the pedals.
The audience went wild when he performed "After the Goldrush" and sang "Watching Mother Nature on the run in the 21st Century", an appropriate reference to the BP tragedy in the gulf.
Keep on Rockin', Neil!