DVD Review: Neil Young: Heart of Gold - Page 2

Young himself is playing his 1941 Martin D28 — a guitar that once belonged to Hank Williams, who used to play it in the Ryman Auditorium. ("I'm glad to see it back here," the singer says, lifting a hand toward heaven.) He seems relaxed and satisfied, but as he sings his way through haunting new songs like "When God Made Me" and, especially, "Falling Off the Face of Earth," you know he's experienced some things recently that have left a permanent mark.

He does a number of older songs, too ("I Am a Child," "Harvest Moon," a cover of Ian and Sylvia's "Four Strong Winds"), and they fit right in with the set's sometimes bleak tone — particularly, a solo, somber reading of "The Needle and the Damage Done." Despite the tough subject matter, the music is infused with a spirit that's unmistakably born from the roots of rock and roll. 

The two-disc Special Collectors Edition DVD of Neil Young: Heart of Gold is crammed with special features. The second disc has a bonus song, “He Was the King,” rehearsal diaries – narrated by director Jonathan Demme, 6 in-depth featurettes: “Fellow Travelers,” “Cruising With Neil,” “These Old Guitars,” “Cruising With the Players,” “Finishing Touches” and “Warming Up With Neil and the Jubilee Singers.” The disc also includes Neil Young’s performance on a 1971 episode of The Johnny Cash Show.

Heart of Gold is one of the best concert films I’ve seen in a long time. There is no big light show or massive stage props; it’s just Neil and his band singing and playing well crafted songs about love, loss and longing, and doing it with expert precision.

For more information on Neil Young: Heart of Gold go to the films official site and be sure to check out this E-card to preview video from the DVD.

Article Author: Rebecca Wright

Rebecca is a freelance writer, concentrating in the areas of film, television and music criticism. Her B.A. is in the Humanities with an emphasis in film and writing.She holds an M.A. in American and British literature with an emphasis in dystopian …

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