Let me clarify, new music to me. I was watching this streaming show called Loudermilk, and I heard this haunting, melodic song, lush, almost ethereal. The gentle piano chords instantly settled into my brain. This should be subtitled: Music for Introverts. The music is highly reflective and feels like is describes those puzzle pieces that … More Andy Shauf: New Music
I got this idea from fellow blogger Larry Graves, who regularly gives his YouTube followers a choice between two stacks of CDs. So, I thought, what they hey, I’ll try it too. I will list the contents of each stack of CDs, with a comparable quality of CDs. The idea is to make the choice … More Which Stack of CDs?
In his 70s, Neil Young has opened the vault. The best way to tell your story is to release your art. Young has been busy making available his music and films, releasing them his way. In Neil Young’s world, it is his way or no way. He’s amassed an incredible library of his work, from … More Neil Young Archives Vol. 2
Neil Young is in the twilight of life, but you wouldn’t know it by the incredible number of projects he has in development. He may be the youngest 75 year old. During the pandemic, there was no touring, yet that didn’t slow Young, who worked on his archives, readying several albums for release, concerts, shelved … More Neil Young: COVID Music
In 1974, Atlantic Records released this strange album, a greatest hits collection that spanned only two albums and the A and B sides of a single. It was also a bit misleading because Neil Young only played on four of the songs. The group was reportedly not very happy about the release, but it proved … More Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: So Far
Who are the best songwriters? There are many to choose from. There are some great songwriting teams, but I am only going to talk about individuals who write both music and lyrics. These are in no particular order. Bob Dylan – Bob has been at it for nearly 60 years. He is not a great … More Best Songwriters
Favorite bands and musicians? My list is long. Picking one for each letter of the alphabet is challenging. Sometimes you have to work around a first name or last. Alan Parsons Project – A studio creation, two talented guys wrote the intricate songs and hired musicians to help create the music. For nearly a decade, … More Favorite Bands: A to Z
New music that had to wait almost years to get a release. As he readied this album back in 1975, he suddenly hesitated and released something else, an entirely different album. How many musicians have Plan A and Plan B? Maybe Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen, but no one has two albums ready to go. … More Neil Young: Homegrown
The 1970s were Neil Young’s most successful and rewarding decade (in my opinion). At the time, I thought he was quite eclectic, but then came the 1980s and the Shocking Pinks (rockabilly), Old Wave (country) and Trans (electronic). The 1970s were diverse, but nowhere near the craziness that Neil would bring us in the following … More American Stars ‘N Bars: Neil Young
This is a trip into Neil Young’s most commercial period; one he seemed to quickly get his fill, and departed for rougher landscape. You sort of need to know how Young operates, he often starts a project and can change direction, put those songs aside and write a new batch with a different set of … More After the Gold Rush / Harvest
