Neil and the Horse still adding to their legend
by Catchlight on 2012-11-13Rogers Arena - VancouverRating: 5 out of 5When Neil and Crazy Horse started their set by tearing into "Love and Only Love" from "Ragged Glory", I thought "here we go back to the great old stuff".
But it wasn't to be a night awash in nostalgia, like concerts by some other rock legends of Neil's vintage. By mixing in gems from his 40-plus years onstage with several cuts from his new album "Psychedelic Pill", Neil showed that he and the Horse are still dynamic writers and performers, and have not become static or predictable artists yet, and likely never will.
The thunderous and profound "Walk Like a Giant" served notice that Young and the Horse can still fire up a crowd, even with a tune that few in the house have heard. By the end of the long take, which ended with several minutes of ear-destroying guitar feedback, we knew that Neil and CH had fashioned another legendary rock gem that only they could have created.
One complaint: the three extended guitar feedback sessions during the show brought back the old days all right, but one would have been enough. By the third one I was thinking "hey, guys, you could have fit in 'Heart of Gold' or 'Rockin' in the Free World' or 'Down By the River' instead of this". Apparently though, Crazy Horse has a list of Neil's tunes they never want to play again, and those three and some other fan favourites are probably on it.
I went to the concert to enjoy some nostalgia and cross Neil off my must-see bucket list, but after the challenging, yet satisfying night, I'll see him again whenever he tours -- and I just bought "Psychedelic Pill". He's still very much a legend in the making.