Who is the real Boss?
Glastonbury, for some people, is the music festival to end all music festivals whereas for some other people, it’s about much more than the tunes. Whatever your opinion on the festival is, you cant deny it manages to bring together a whole host of fantastic artists and two of the biggest names in classic rock are turning up for the fun in what will probably be another mud-fest. If catching trenchfoot isn’t your idea of fun, don’t despair as there is the chance to catch Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen around the UK as well in the forthcoming weeks.
When it comes to long-life and still rocking out, its hard to beat Neil Young. Sure Bob Dylan manages to tour and wow fans the world over but he has moved back to an acoustic showcase but Neil Young remains ‘Rocking in the Free World’ with a set that draws on all the hard rocking albums he has released, many ably assisted by Crazy Horse. They may not be the most technically gifted backing band but they are perfectly summed up by Neil’s own view that Crazy Horse are the American Rolling Stones. Neil Young may be no Mick Jagger at the front of the stage but the boys at the back know how to blend a tune like Keith Richards, Brian Jones and co. Closely linked with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, Young has remained at the cutting edge of music since the mid 60s. When many of his era were being scared by punk, Young was singing about Johnny Rotten and working with Devo. Well over a decade later, Young was making music with Pearl Jam and his lyrics about it being “better to burn out than fade away” was quoted in Kurt Cobain’s suicide note. From classic rock to grunge, via folk and electro, Neil Young is worthy of any platitude that may come his way.
Bruce Springsteen may not have the breadth and depth associated with Young but he has no less talent and has a few turns of pace up his sleeve. Some fans prefer ‘The River’ whereas the extremely popular ‘Born In The USA’ will always have support, his live performances are always a joy to behold and can last for hours and hours, depending on his mood. Johnny Ramone or Johnny Thunders may have felt that a short, sharp gig was the way to give their fan base genuine excitement but The Boss believes in giving value for money when he performs.
The thing is though, it is hard to think of Young or Springsteen without contemplating Bob Dylan, a contemporary of the Canadian and a huge influence on the All American boy. The times may be a changing but classic artists never go out of style or fashion and these three big names are proving this to be very true. The exact same can be said for Tom Waits, who may not have shifted the units in the manner of the other three but the gravel throated singer has a huge following of his own and with songs like ‘Tom Trauberts Blues’, more than holds his own in such illustrious company.
These guitar heroes can be found at Glastonbury or at their own major London shows this weekend and in other venues for the rest of the summer so if you fancy getting in touch with some genuine rock heroes, its never too late.
When it comes to long-life and still rocking out, its hard to beat Neil Young. Sure Bob Dylan manages to tour and wow fans the world over but he has moved back to an acoustic showcase but Neil Young remains ‘Rocking in the Free World’ with a set that draws on all the hard rocking albums he has released, many ably assisted by Crazy Horse. They may not be the most technically gifted backing band but they are perfectly summed up by Neil’s own view that Crazy Horse are the American Rolling Stones. Neil Young may be no Mick Jagger at the front of the stage but the boys at the back know how to blend a tune like Keith Richards, Brian Jones and co. Closely linked with The Byrds and Crosby, Stills and Nash, Young has remained at the cutting edge of music since the mid 60s. When many of his era were being scared by punk, Young was singing about Johnny Rotten and working with Devo. Well over a decade later, Young was making music with Pearl Jam and his lyrics about it being “better to burn out than fade away” was quoted in Kurt Cobain’s suicide note. From classic rock to grunge, via folk and electro, Neil Young is worthy of any platitude that may come his way.
Bruce Springsteen may not have the breadth and depth associated with Young but he has no less talent and has a few turns of pace up his sleeve. Some fans prefer ‘The River’ whereas the extremely popular ‘Born In The USA’ will always have support, his live performances are always a joy to behold and can last for hours and hours, depending on his mood. Johnny Ramone or Johnny Thunders may have felt that a short, sharp gig was the way to give their fan base genuine excitement but The Boss believes in giving value for money when he performs.
The thing is though, it is hard to think of Young or Springsteen without contemplating Bob Dylan, a contemporary of the Canadian and a huge influence on the All American boy. The times may be a changing but classic artists never go out of style or fashion and these three big names are proving this to be very true. The exact same can be said for Tom Waits, who may not have shifted the units in the manner of the other three but the gravel throated singer has a huge following of his own and with songs like ‘Tom Trauberts Blues’, more than holds his own in such illustrious company.
These guitar heroes can be found at Glastonbury or at their own major London shows this weekend and in other venues for the rest of the summer so if you fancy getting in touch with some genuine rock heroes, its never too late.
Labels: bob dylan, bruce springsteen, Neil Young, Politics. Grunge, tom waits
posted by Sleazy Rock n' Roll at
13:20
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