Neil Young ~ Heart of Gold Live @ the Ryman (concert portal)

Neil Young - Heart of Gold Live @ the Grand Ole Opry
August 18 & 19, 2005 - Ryman Auditorium Nashville, TN USA
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Neil Young's "Prairie Wind" Blows into the Ryman:
A Celebration of Life and Music
by R. Dale Roth 2024-05-14

In the summer of 2005, The Ryman Auditorium, the former home of the Grand Ole Opry, a sacred space in the heart of country music, held its breath. Neil Young, a rock and roll survivor who had recently overcome a life-threatening brain aneurysm and the loss of his father, stood on stage, a testament to resilience and the healing power of music.

This wasn't just another concert. It was a rebirth. Young, his face etched with the wisdom of experience, had come to share the tender melodies and poignant lyrics of his new album, "Prairie Wind," a collection of songs born from grief and reflection.

Young's weathered voice filled the room with warmth and intimacy. Each song was a journey through the landscapes of memory and loss, filled with sun-dappled prairies, small-town nostalgia, and the enduring spirit of loved ones gone too soon.

The set unfolded like a tapestry of life, each new song woven seamlessly into the fabric of familiar anthems. Young's timeless classics resonated with newfound depth, their familiar melodies imbued with the raw emotion of recent struggles and triumphs. The performance was a testament to the enduring power of music to heal and to connect.

As the final notes of the main set faded, a hush fell over the audience. Young returned to the stage for an encore that would become the stuff of legend. Drawing from his Nashville recording past, he revisited songs that resonated with the city's musical soul, each note infused with a raw intensity that spoke volumes.

This was a night of raw emotion, a night of healing, a night that transcended the boundaries of music. Neil Young, a man who had stared down mortality, had returned to the stage with a renewed purpose. He had come to share his stories, his pain, and his unwavering hope, reminding us all of the enduring power of the human spirit.

Song by Song:

The Prairie Wind Set:

1. "The Painter": Young's seasoned voice, gentle acoustic guitar, and Ben Keith's pedal steel guitar painted a vivid portrait of life's fleeting beauty. The lyrics, filled with poignant reflections on memory, loss, and the enduring power of art, resonated deeply.

2. "No Wonder": The tempo picked up, with Young's harmonica adding a touch of bluesy grit. This introspective song delved into the complexities of modern life, questioning the state of the world with a mix of anger, sorrow, and cautious optimism.

3. "Falling Off the Face of the Earth": A whimsical waltz with a melancholic undercurrent. Young's playful lyrics and the band's lighthearted instrumentation masked a deeper meditation on mortality.

4. "Far From Home": Introduced with a tender anecdote about his father gifting him a ukulele as a child, this song evoked a sense of longing for simpler times and a yearning for home. Young's vocals conveyed both distance and connection.

5. "It's a Dream": A dreamy, ethereal ballad that transported listeners to a world of ethereal beauty and introspection. Young's vocals soared above gentle piano and brushed drums, creating a sense of wonder and possibility.

6. "Prairie Wind": The title track, a sweeping ode to the landscapes and values of Young's Canadian prairie upbringing. Lush harmonies and soaring strings evoked a sense of wide-open spaces and the enduring spirit of the heartland.

7. "Here for You": A tender ballad about the enduring love between parent and child, marked by Young's heartfelt vocals and gentle acoustic guitar. The song resonated with the bittersweet emotions of parenthood.

8. "This Old Guitar": Young, cradling a Martin D-28 once owned by Hank Williams, joined Emmylou Harris for a duet showcasing their sublime vocal harmonies and the rich history of classic country music.

9. "When God Made Me": Young took to the piano for this powerful exploration of faith and identity. Backed by the soaring voices of the Fisk University Jubilee Singers and Spooner Oldham's soulful organ, this song reached for the divine.

Encore Set: Nashville Revisited

10. "I Am a Child": Young returned to the stage alone, armed only with his acoustic guitar and harmonica. This song, a tender reflection on innocence and the passage of time, set the tone for a nostalgic journey through Young's Nashville recording past.

11. "Harvest Moon": The gentle melody and romantic lyrics filled the Ryman with warmth and nostalgia, reminding everyone of the enduring power of love.

12. "Heart of Gold": The Ryman's hallowed walls seemed to vibrate with the emotional weight of this iconic anthem. Young's iconic vocals and the band's simple arrangement gave the song a newfound intimacy and power.

13. "Old Man": Young shared the story behind this poignant ballad, explaining that it was inspired by the caretaker of his ranch. The song's message of wisdom and acceptance resonated deeply.

14. "The Needle and the Damage Done": This stark warning against addiction took on a new level of poignancy in light of Young's recent health struggles. Young's voice, raw and unflinching, laid bare the devastating consequences of drug abuse.

15. "Old King": Young strapped on a banjo for this lively tribute to his loyal canine companion. The song's upbeat tempo and playful lyrics brought a much-needed moment of levity.

16. "Comes a Time": Dedicated to the late singer Nicolette Larson, this tender ballad was a moving testament to the enduring power of love and friendship. With the backing singers and crew joining in on acoustic guitars, the Ryman was filled with a chorus of voices, creating a powerful sense of unity and shared grief.

17. "Four Strong Winds": Young's cover of Ian Tyson's classic folk song was a poignant reminder of the winds of change and the enduring spirit of hope.

18. "One of These Days": A reflective ballad that explored the themes of aging, regret, and the passage of time. Young's voice, filled with both melancholy and acceptance, touched a chord.

19. "The Old Laughing Lady": As the final notes faded, the sound of Young's solo acoustic guitar echoed through the empty hall. This poignant final song, a meditation on memory and the enduring power of the human spirit, provided a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable evening.

Featuring: Neil Young - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, harmonica, six-string banjo, piano

Guest Appearance: Emmylou Harris - harmony vocals, rhythm guitar

Musicians:

Ben Keith - Dobro, pedal steel, slide guitar
Spooner Oldham - piano, Hammond B3 organ, Wurlitzer electric piano
Rick Rosas - bass
Karl Himmel - drums, percussion
Chad Cromwell - drums, percussion
Grant Boatwright - acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Clinton Gregory - fiddle
Wayne Jackson - horns
Thomas McGinley - horns

Supporting Vocalists: Pegi Young, Diana Dewitt, Anthony Crawford, Gary Pigg, Curtis Wright, Fisk University Jubilee Choir, directed by Paul Kwami

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