The Godfather of grunge: Neil Young

First of all let me say that i love Neil Young's acoustic side. He is one of greatest singer/songwriters of all times. But he has also heavier side, so heavy that some ignorant people call it noise. Well now, listen to the melodies, he might hit some heavy chords on electric guitar and the band might sound like a "Crazy Horse" running wild on you, but hey there is always amazing melodies behind even his most grunge songs. 

So this poll is about Neil Young's heavy "grunge" side. He has made lot of amazing work in this sub-genre. I think his best efforts can be heard from live albums. My definite favourite and absolute masterpiece is Weld -live album from year 1991. Just look at the song list:

1.1	Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)	5:42
1.2	Crime in the City	6:32
1.3	Blowin' in the Wind	6:49
1.4	Welfare Mothers	7:04
1.5	Love to Burn	10:01
1.6	Cinnamon Girl	4:45
1.7	Mansion on the Hill	6:14
1.8	f**kin' Up	7:09
2.1	Cortez the Killer	9:46
2.2	Powderfinger	5:58
2.3	Love and Only Love	9:17
2.4	Rockin' in the Free World	9:22
2.5	Like a Hurricane	14:00
2.6	Farmer John	5:00
2.7	Tonight's the Night	8:45
2.8	Roll Another Number (For the Road)	5:19

This is really wild album. Mr Young plays even a Bob Dylan song Blowin' in the Wind just like Curt Cobain and Jimi Hendrix had been on acid with divine inspiration. There's also 14 minute version of Like a Hurricane. If you ask me, this is one of all time greatest live albums and also one of all time greatest albums, no matter if you like grunge or not.

Voted Weld.

It could have been Live Rust but the production let's it down a bit.



Edited by Man Erg - August 03 2007 at 18:39

Neil Young has many epics and usually best versions are to be found from his live albums. He really likes to make noise and crazy feedback when he plays on stage.

I wonder if any of you know about his electric guitar gear in detail? I've seen some pictures of his equipment and he plays really antique worn out guitars. But the sound is monster.

darren wrote: It is said he doesn't use that many pedals, just plugged into a powerful amp and cranked.

Thanks for interesting background info. I believe in that "powerful amp and cranked" part. But it is too bad that years on the road have caused some serious ringing in his ears, at least that's what i read from somewhere. There is a price to be paid for being Godfather of Grunge.

Ragged Glory is so good it should be the basis of all "grunge" and "post-grunge" albums.