Steve Earle: Perhaps second only to Neil Young?

From Blogcritics on Steve Earle's double-CD live set "Just An American Boy" by critic Eric Olsen :

"Steve Earle has become one of our greatest songwriters, producers, impresarios and accumulator of roots music styles - as a widely eclectic master he is perhaps second only to Neil Young (who finds the essence of and takes ownership of most every style he touches) - in Earle's case: roots rock, outlaw country, bluegrass, Irish folk, neo-psychedelia, folk balladeering."

While critic Olsen respects and appreciates Earle's music, he is troubled by Earle's political ranting on the CD. A few readers take Olsen to task for injecting personal politics into a music review. Hmm, sound familiar?

More on music and politics.

David Bowie Covers Neil Young on Current Tour

David Bowie played a cover of Neil Young's "I've Been Waiting For You" for the second time on the current tour at the Calgary, Canada gig on the January 21st, according to Sharry over on the discussion list Human Highway .

Jay Farrar abandons 'alt country'

From BBC NEWS :

"Jay Farrar - the man credited with starting the Alternative Country genre - produces an experimental album which abandons the sound he is credited with creating. Farrar is seen as the godfather of alt country - otherwise known as Americana - after he formed Uncle Tupelo in the early 1980s."

"Terroir Blues, the latest album by Farrar is a highly experimental work. It is an ambitious 23-track CD featuring backwards-played tape and five different "Space Junk" tracks - which has more in common with the Beatles' Revolver than alt country.

"Indeed, Terroir Blues is much more reminiscent of Neil Young, and especially his famous album Tonight's The Night."

"Farrar says: 'The most surprising thing is that alt country was perceived as a movement - in actuality, I don't know if it ever was.'

An interesting interview with Jay with comments on Uncle Tupelo, Sebastopol, and more.

Dave Matthews Band covers 'Cortez the Killer'

The Dave Matthews Band has released a three-hour long, three-disc set "The Central Park Concert" from their Summer 2003 concert.

The CD's contain 'Don't Drink The Water', Neil Young's 'Cortez the Killer', a 15-minute jam of 'Jimi Thing' with Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes, and the 20-minute long 'Two Step'.

More on Neil Young's Cortez The Killer.

Sun Kil Moon 'Ghosts of the Great Highway' - Something like Neil?

From Wall Street Opinion Journal on rock-music for fans 40 years old and beyond BY JIM FUSILLI. An interesting listing which includes 'Take Them On, On Your Own' by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, 'Feast of Wire' by Calexico, and 'North' by Elvis Costello.

Fusilli also includes Sun Kil Moon's latest 'Ghosts of the Great Highway' (Jet Set):

"Mark Kozelek, formerly of the dour Red House Painters, has a new project that's about the best thing he's ever done. Quiet, introspective ballads stand alongside whirling sonic bombasts featuring Mr. Kozelek's squealing electric guitar. Sound like something from Neil Young? Yes, but it's been awhile since Mr. Young has produced a work this good."

Well, I certainly don't agree with that last comment by any means, but still Sun Kil Moon's latest 'Ghosts of the Great Highway' is worth checking out. More music for those not just 40+ on Jim Fusilli 's website.

Elliott Smith's Suicide in Question?

From MTV.com news that Elliott Smith's family feels that Elliott's girlfriend doesn't speak for the family:

"The statement is in response to an interview Smith's girlfriend Jennifer Chiba gave to MTV News on Friday, a day after the Smoking Gun (www.thesmokinggun.com) posted the entire coroner's report online (see 'Elliott Smith's Girlfriend Insists No Involvement In Death'). The presence of cuts that appeared to be consistent with defensive wounds and the claim that Chiba had at one point 'refused to speak with detectives,' two occurrences that were not publicized until the report surfaced, may have presented Chiba in a new light to some. "

More on the loss of Elliott Smith , his impact, and his music.

Before The Gold Rush: Peace, Love And The Dawn Of Canadian Sound by Nicholas Jennings

From The Rock and Roll Report comes news about an interesting new book on Canada's musical roots.

"If you are looking for a fantastic history of the early Canadian rock and folk scene, a good place to start would be Before The Gold Rush: Peace, Love And The Dawn Of Canadian Sound by Nicholas Jennings. Set primarily in the Yorkville neighborhood of Toronto (Canada’s answer to Haight Ashbury), “Before the Gold Rush” tells the interwoven tales of folkies like Ian and Sylvia Tyson and Gordon Lightfoot against long forgotten rock and roll bands like Luke and the Apostles, Stitch in Tyme and Kensington Market."

And if you're curious, check out the origin of the book's title -- Neil Young's After The Goldrush album.

Includes the story of Rick James and Neil Young. More of review and other news on The Rock and Roll Report

Dan Smolla 'Swimming In Wind' - A minor masterpiece

From Americana UK Reviews on Dan Smolla's 'Swimming In Wind' :

" Illinois based Smolla has crafted a minor masterpiece with this, his second album, a largely acoustic collection for, he says, 'fans of Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Tom Petty, Beck and Neil Young', to name just a few of the influences writ large on his sleeve. Playing and singing everything and independently released its a testament as to what can be achieved in this industry if one is so driven. "

Bonnie Raitt Says "Never say die"

From The Australian on Bonnie Raitt's upcoming tour of Australia in an interview with Mike Safe:

"Blues and roots champion Bonnie Raitt finishes a long discourse on being true to herself, to her long-time fans and to her craft. Then she pauses and adds: "I don't have the luxury of being a jerk."

Raitt talks about Neil Young - another survivor, often against the odds and, like her, on his terms.

'It plants a seed about ferocity and passion. It's not about chops (technique) with Neil, even though he's a great guitar player. The guy just inhabits the damn music. It doesn't matter if he looks like Ebenezer Scrooge, the truth is he still kicks arse. When some 12-year-old kid sees that, he's going to remember and one day he's going to play like Neil Young, not like some wuss.' "

The Influence of Guitarist Bert Jansch

From Scotland on Sunday article by Aidan Smith on the highly influential guitarist Bert Jansch:

"Neil Young says Jansch did for the acoustic guitar what Jimi Hendrix did for the electric guitar. And one thing Jimmy Page will admit is that he was 'absolutely obsessed' with Jansch when his self-titled debut was released in 1965."

Bert Jansch performed in the band Pentangle which played the Isle of Wight Festival twice with the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.

For more on Bert Jansch and Neil Young, see this interview on guitars and on musical inspirations.

Jason Molina's The Magnolia Electric Co. - Best Neil Young album since Ragged Glory

From +++ neumu [ the drama you've been craving ] on Jason Molina's latest by Michael Goldberg:

"Jason Molina, who records albums under the name Songs: Ohia, wants to do the right thing. On his latest album, The Magnolia Electric Co. (Secretly Canadian), with the help of a full electric backing band, Molina sings about the mistakes he's made and how "something's gotta change."

Molina's new album just might be the best Neil Young album since Ragged Glory, and I hope you don't take that the wrong way. When you focus in on the details - the actual sound of Molina's affecting but plainspoken Ohio Everyman voice and frank lyrics, the band's country-rock sound, the tone of the guitars, the way the musicians work to make this music - none of it is really anything like the details of Young's work. Yet the feel is very much early-'70s Neil Young - After the Gold Rush/ Harvest/ Time Fades Away/ Tonight's the Night - period Neil Young.

Imagine a sweet, country-flavored lap-steel guitar riff, joined by a rhythm section dealing a version of Young's "Heart of Gold". And then Molina sings, "You'll never hear me talk about/ One day getting' out/ Why put a new address/ On the same old loneliness/ Everybody knows where that is...."

Canyon: Neil Young-meets-Pink Floyd

From San Diego Music Scene on Canyon, a D.C.-based band opening for Jay Farrar:

"Canyon has a sound that's been described as Neil Young-meets-Pink Floyd. Founded by ex-Boy's Lifers Brandon Butler and Joe Winkle, Canyon fuses time-tested rock songwriting with spacey instrumental additions like an accordion, lap steel and harmonium. "

Mr Encrypto “Secret Identity Crisis” (Silent Bugler, 2003)

From Americana UK Reviews :

"Against all odds though the whole concoction works, and works pretty damn well. The vocals remind you of a slightly less raddled and more poppy Neil Young, and its simply impossible not to tap your toes and nod along, at the very least. The albums keynote track is "Rock and Roll is killing me", which appears as both the opening track (quietly) and the closer (full on). Its hard not to be reminded of "My My Hey Hey (Into the Black)" in both style and track positioning, but Mr. Encrypto holds his own, which is no mean achievement."

Greendale 2004 Concert Tour Dates

From Neil Young News comes word that more Greendale 2004 Concert tour dates have been added. Cities include Sacramento, Milwaukee, Moline, Cleveland, Wallingford, Washington, DC and Amherst.