This old guitar, ain't mine to keepIt's mine to play for a while
This old guitar ain't mine to keep
Its only mine for a whileThis old guitar, this old guitar
This old guitar, this old guitar.
-- Neil Young, "This Old Guitar", 2005
This is a song about knowing who you are, and where you fit into the world. Neil Young has been a highly successful singer and songwriter, but he knows he wasn't the first, and he won't be the last. He has the perspective to realize that it's not him that's important, but the music. I doubt it means he is ready to quit; it's more about being able to see the past and the future simultaneously and appreciating the present.
Neil Young has travelled all over the map musically; from Transformer where he experimented with technology, to grunge rock, to country folk and even a fifties style rockabilly album. Pinning him down musically is a disservice to the man.
If someone were to mention the name Neil Young to me casually in conversation, I would get a certain "sound" in my head. This album is that sound to me. The best way to describe it would be to call it a Neil Young album. Maybe not as hard edged as some of his earlier work, but the toughness is still there in his voice and the challenges he issues with his songs.
Neil Young is a realist. Unlike some of his contemporaries who deny the reality of their aging, he accepts it, but does not surrender to it. On Prairie Wind he proves that even though the guitar may not be his to keep, there's no reason for him to be surrendering it any time soon.
If you want to give the album a listen before stepping out to buy it, the people over at Reprise records have given you plenty of opportunities to check out stuff online. The links below will take you to a variety of video and audio streams for your listening and viewing pleasure. Enjoy.
Audio Streams for Neil Young's The Painter
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Video Stream "It's A Dream"
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"This Old Guitar" - Video Stream
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Or you can even listen to the whole album on line at this link for a Neil Young Player
Ed:LisaM
Article comments
1 - Lisa McKay
Very nice review, g-man - you've really caught some of what makes Young special, I think. Haven't had the chance to give this album the attention it deserves yet, but I like what I've heard of it so far.
2 - Barry Stoller
Excuse my skepticism but it seems like every review of this record mentions the personal travails of Neil Young as if to qualifiy the work. Is it still a good album if he had a lovely year? No doubt heroes still exist in rock & roll and no doubt Young has assumed the mythic status of Dylan whom for so long he aspired. Nevertheless, the tune I heard on the radio sounded dull and recycled.
3 - gypsyman
Barry, that's a very good question, and in my opinion the album would have been good if Neil had sat around all year long strumming his guitar without a care in the world.
Butthe content and the themes of the songs would have been different. I was not using his experiences of the past year to justify the quality of the album, but rather to put the nature of the songs into perspective. At least that was my intent. If I had thought the album crap, I would have said so no matter what had happened over the year.
cheers
gypsyman
4 - Rob
Can't wait to get this album. What I've heard has been great so far. I have to admit though that I would buy anything Neil puts out. I'm at the point now where I have everything else, so why not another. He rarely disappoints.
5 - kodiak
Okay, so I'm a pedant, but the Neil Young album is Trans - Transformer is by Lou Reed.
Altho I would love to hear Neil young singing Walk on the Wild Side or vicious!
6 - thrasher
gypsyman,
Nice review!
Thrasher
7 - timbo ceaser
I was in Wallywrld buying some bleach when I happened by the record rack and remembered reading about the imminent release of this effort.I was was a little disappointed with Silver and Gold and just couldnt get into the Green thing.I was impressed with the packaging which seems enviromentally conscious.I was initially disappointed but you have to listen to this record several times before it nabs you.The man is a genius.I think this effort was genuine.At times I've felt that Neil was in it for the money- and I've loved him like a brother since'72.Timbo
8 - athina
I love this album, it is indeed poignant, thoughtful, and nostalgic. To me, it is a bit reminiscent of "silver and gold", which I also felt was a great album. I think you have to be comfortable with your own sense of vulnerability in order to completely appreciate Neil's music, he's not afraid to put it out there, and he does so, in a straightforward and humble way. As an eight year old, I listened to Neil Young on 8-track tape, and he spoke to my soul even at such a young age. I don't believe that Neil was ever trying to assume the "mythical status" of Bob Dylan. I would never try to compare the two. I don't think Neil did either- to be quite honest. His style has always been his own, and thats what I have always truly loved about Neil Young.