Posted on 11/22/2007 9:17:46 AM PST by ventanax5
Agood deal of hoopla greeted the grizzled rock-musician Neil Young's musical assault on George W. Bush earlier this year. His album Living With War included a hundred-voice choir singing a song entitled "Let's Impeach the President." For those survivors of anti-Vietnam war protests, and their younger would-be imitators, it was a moment for a sharp intake of breath and the tantalizing hope that maybe now, after all, music really could change the world. I mean, everyone has to sit up and take notice of Neil Young, right?
Young's crusading album included another song called "Flags of Free dom," in which he gave a name-check to Bob Dylan, and adapted the melody of Dylan's own somewhat more lyrically complex song "Chimes of Freedom."
He really should have known better. In an interview several months later with Edna Gundersen in USA Today, Dylan was asked about the absence of any song about the current war on his own latest album, Modern Times.
"Didn't Neil Young do that?" he jokes . . . "What's funny about the Neil record, when I heard 'Let's Impeach the President,' I thought it was something old that had been lying around. I said, 'That's crazy, he's doing a song about Clinton?'" With his sly and somewhat wicked response, Dylan had (1) desperately frustrated the considerable number of more obvious Dylan fans who have been waiting on the edge of a cliff for him to say or sing something--anything!--against President Bush and the Iraq war and (2) told Neil Young none-too-subtly that he found his recent ultrapolitical songwriting essentially pointless.
(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...
Ping.
So it is an added bonus to see him continually poking sticks in the eyes of those who continue to try to use him as a political tool.
That said, shame on Neil Young.
As far as never endorsing a president, Dylan did sing at Clinton’s first inaugural address on the capitol steps.
There have been a number of articles written over the years in which a reporter tries to get him to talk about politics. He refuses. There is some evidence from way, way back, before he learned not to be to clear about his political leanings, he was, at best, an amused observer of the antics of the '60's radicals.
The thing that's clear from reading what's been written by people who know him first hand is this: he's a guy who really, really, likes music; specifically, folk songs and storytelling. It's the only thing he's really interested in. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say it's the only thing his interested in talking about to others, or at least, in talking about with strangers such as magazine journalists.
I understood this instinctively as a teenager. Rock ‘n Rollers always sound unbearable when they spout off on politics or other trendy issues of the moment.
Dylan’s songs stay relevant because they never get specific. You can plug “Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall” into any era.
I agree; except his music when he was in the looney bin. Kind of strange. Neil Young should be ashamed.
The last time Dylan wrote anything resembling a "protest" album was 1963. ....before the Vietnam war. By the mid-60s he was a rocker with a (considerable) poetic bent, and he wanted nothing to do with the folkie freaks who tried to make him their own. It's been 44 years and the folkies are still expecting war protest material?...lol. Long past time for them to move on. Dylan is not one of them, and never was.
However, I saw a PBS (I must have been channel-surfing) special on him a couple years ago that featured extensive interview segments.
I found him to be intelligent, engaging, and anything but a liberal wacko.
I recall commenting to my wife, "I don't believe it...I could have a beer with this guy!"
And I don't even like beer.
If you want to know what kind of person Neil Young is, read up on how he treated Carrie Snodgrass and the handicapped son he had with her and how he dumped them and left them poor and without support.
Neil Yound is a jerk and just another cliched Hollywood Anti American.
What will all these fools do when the Islamofascist/Nazis nuke us?
“Dylan’s written a few catchy tunes but I’d sooner listen to a box of cats being slowly run over by a truck than listen to that man attempt to “sing”......or whatever he’s calling that horrible noise that he makes with his mouth.”
_______________________________________________________________
Alas, I’m with you on that, his songs are best honored at one remove.
That said, I still can’t think of anyone but him singing “Tangled up in Bleeeewwww.”
I couldn't agree more.
The ONLY song he's ever done that I almost enjoyed was "The Ballad of Hurricane".
Well, I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well, I heard ole Neil put her down.
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
a southern man don’t need him around anyhow. - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Still rings true.
Dylan’s just plain cool! And, being a Christian adds icing to the cake!
Dylan is smart enough to be a legendary poet. Dylan is smart enough to be a legendary muscian. Dylan is smart enough not to muddy his legacy with political babblings of any nature. But Neil Young is free to keep on chucking, he has no legacy to think about.
They'll probably just search for the reasons it's our fault!
Hadn’t heard about Snodgrass, but do know he’s not even American.
America’s most gifted songwriter ever.....especially amazing stuff from such a young man at the time. Very sharp commentary without being snotty and self righteous....I guess sorta Kerouac streaming...
He sprouted from the woody folkie freedom rider stuff and it stuck to him....even though he wanted to be another Buddy Holly/Eddie Cochran
He is a real gem of Americana and I still tear up everytime I hear Baby Blue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN25Pp0hrOM&feature=related
1. A handsome man.
2. A pretty singer.
You’re right, he’s a dick, I’m from around where he came from. The guy is a nob head from what I’ve heard locally.
An even more likely response will be the claim that our government actually launched the attack itself in an attempt to drum up support for further military adventurism.
Count on it. You heard it here first.
Neil Young - From “Let’s Roll” to “Let’s Troll.” Another Labatt’s, Neil?
Neil Young knows no shame. He should’ve been hanged for ruining Crosby Stills and Nash.
I've always liked Dylan, and his song on the "Gods and Generals" soundtrack is some of his best work in recent years.
Don’t follow leaders!
As Dylan currently does, rerecording it for the Expo Zaragoza 2008, in support of worldwide safe drinking water. A rare case of Dylan activism:
I don’t think Dylan is a liberal.
Whatever he is, Dylan is (was) a genius when it comes to lyrics. Baez, whose persona I can’t stand, has done some good stuff too. As much as I hate to admit it, her “Farewell Angelina” album is one of my favorites. Go figure.
Well said. I love Dylan’s music, and it’s refreshing that he doesn’t see the need to muddy his music with politics.
This article makes me want to go buy his newest album...don’t have it yet.
Most people have this image of Bob as some radical left winger—
not even remotely close to what he is all about.
He is a real cool guy...I met him once and he was real nice.
Maybe his best songs: (to a 50 year old fart)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srgi2DkDbPU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bjqYPH7rAo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvBkbPEoeAI
I love Neil Young. I learned a long time ago that you must separate the art from the artist. The art is a gift from God the artist is just another slug like the rest of us.
Neil Young is a great singer/songwriter. He's not particuarly bright when it comes to politics.
and Bob Dylan is unique.
Have you ever heard “Make You Feel My Love?”
Vaporize first hopefully
No you are mistaken. He sang at a pre-inaugaral celebration for a new U S President and yes that was Bill Clinton’s first term. But to say that means anything - you would need to be able to show that Dylan declined other offers to appear at a national celebration for a new president of a different party (for that reason alone).
Dylan played for Pope John Paul II at a Eucharistic Celebration in Bologna Italy. Dylan’s participation did not make him a Catholic. When asked about his acceptance of the invitation to perform, Dylan said, “Hey, there’s only one Pope, right?” So, to perform at an event that demonstrates the non violent transfer of power in the mightiest country on Earth is, like playing for a pope, a very unique experience. Sort of like driving an Escalade in a Cadillac commercial!
it’s amazing just scanning youtube at the body of songs I forgot he wrote:
Constant Sorrow
All along the Watchtower
Quinn
Whoa...
Could it be that Bob Dylan is...
A CLOSET NEOCON?
Just askin’.
I'd trade my meeting Springsteen for your meeting Dylan any day. ;')
Don’t need Springsteen , Stern , Young , Rosie , the Eagles or any other leftest. There all going to look like fools when this thing is over and the Iraqi people are thanking Americans for what we did too help them.
This is the essence of liberalism. Yes there are some that are decent naive good works fools who really believe they are salvation.
But most are simply transferring their own neurosis on the world and looking to “fix” it rather than themselves which shirks responsibility as you aptly demonstrate about Young.
One sees this over and over with the left.
It’s no coincidence that people with families (or from good loving families) tend to be more conservative. They understand themselves and personal responsibility.
Amen to that! He definately should have retired after "Cowgirl in the Sand."
He doesn’t like “greedy” profiteers - who only see the profits from conflicts.
There is a show that Dylan did at Eisenhower Hall at West Point. It was Eisenhower’s farewell address to the nation that inspired the lyrics. On bootlegs of the performance you will hear the cadets singing along with Dylan. The song make great points to remind those inpositions of influence and power to weigh their decisions to put others in harms way. A good lesson for all to learn - whether contractors - military leaders or elected officials.
I was never a fan of his or rock and roll when I was younger. However that has all changed the older I've become.
I think the most poignant of all his songs is the one he wrote for Gods and Generals called "Cross the Green Mountain".......
Three great Dylan tunes there, WD. Bob wrote too many great songs to list. Ever heard “Foot of Pride” (’83)? Like an 80s version of “It’s Alright Ma...” A most underrated tune, probably because it didn’t show up on record until his ‘91 “Bootleg Series.”
"The other night a funny dream came to me. I dreamt I was walking in world war three."
I didn't know anything about that. So, I took up your suggestion: Mad housewife" Carrie Snodgrass sues rocker Neil Young for support of their handicapped son.
In 1977 Neil married and had another child. After that, according to Carrie, his interest in Zeke and his unofficial family diminished, as did his financial support. Snodgress had been unable to pay her bills. Broken windows had gone unrepaired, and the phone had been turned off. Even the car had been repossessed, preventing her from driving Zeke to his special school 40 miles away. "We were down to $500 a month," she says. "We have two chickens out back and, let me tell you, I was thinking about chicken tacos."
Young doesn't appear to be much of a man.
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