Forever Neil

Neil Young + Promise of the Real - Missoula October 1, 2015

Neil Young is still kicking and screaming.  And still touring, only this time around he has enveloped himself on stage with a bunch of young whippersnappers, including two of Willie Nelson's kids.  The youngsters know how to play a note or two and could barely contain their joy at being on stage night after night with their legend.  For all of his bluster, Neil knows how to craft a set list starting out with old classic acoustic favorites, for the fans who were around for the dawn of time and gradually building to a grand finale of electric stompers, amped up enough to please the hard crusty rockers in the crowd.

For the red cherry on top he tosses in some improbable, rarely played, almost forgotten gems, such as Everybody Knows This is Nowhere for his Missoula stop.  A 20 minute romp of Down By The River provided an epic jam session with Neil and the kids clustered together in an intimate guitar heaven moment that almost made the crowd seem like an afterthought.   

Old Man, Heart of Gold, Out on the Weekend, Words, Harvest Moon, Southern Man, After the Gold Rush, to name a few, and the bulk of the latest scathing release, The Monsanto Years, as well as Lukas Nelson taking a solo turn on the piano to sing a haunting version of his dad's tune September Song, and wrapping up the nearly three hour show with the ever current classic, Rockin' in the Free World.

I first saw Neil Young on the cusp of his superstardom in the Boston Garden, February 8, 1972 on the Harvest tour when I was 14.  From the center floor, not too far back, I watched the wild man rocking out with his blue plaid flannel shirt, wailing away on his flying V guitar.  I am forever grateful I grew up in surburbia Boston with easy access to the top acts of the 1970's which nurtured and guided my love of rock and roll. 

The many incredible shows I witnessed over the years formed my being, more than a few qualifying as spiritual journeys.  The energy of give and take between a performer and his audience can create a magical atmosphere producing an indescribable shared experience. 

I remember the bumper sticker "Sing and Dance to Save the World" from several years ago.  I think of it from time to time and wonder if human beings spent more time doing exactly that, maybe they would have less time to plot their angry, revenge filled rampages to kill each other.

Halloween 2015

It landed on Saturday this year, so no excuses not to take advantage.  Luckily, my pals were up for a night of dancing and debauchery.  Singularly putting together my outfit, the girl-ghoul ensemble I sewed from scratch, it was hard not to feel like I alone was getting enthused for the big day. But when out among the wild and crazy hordes dancing to a local band on a crowded dance floor, decked out in every imaginable freakish get-up, the stars aligned for those of us who embrace the holiday.  Even at our ripe old ages, it is fun.  

Austin City Limits 2015

 

Second year in a row attending the ACL Festival.  The great lineup prompted a repeat visit and this may not be the last time making the sojourn to Austin.  The friendly, well behaved crowd was such a joy to behold and this year the stages were absent, mostly, of the faker lip sync artists; shall we call them fartists?  Modest Mouse, Foo Fighters and Decemberists stood out as pro class acts with especially firm grasps on their sound presentation, along with Florence and the Machine.  Billy Idol held his own, and although the high notes are no longer attempted, his physique is amazing for a man of any age, never mind that he's turning 60 in November.  My my...  

No rain or mud this year, the heat nearly oppressive in the mid day sun, but at least on the hottest last day the willful breeze pushed across the park mercifully over the massive crowd.  My daughter and I trekked the 5 minutes to the nearby Barton Springs the first two days, an oasis filled with the largest pool I have ever seen.  The cool refreshing water rejuvenated our staying power for the long days.  A three day success appreciated even more so due to the absence of any injuries such as the one I suffered on day one last year with my sprained ankle. The crowd watching reaffirmed my deep conviction that Americans are the worst dressers on planet earth; however, they do sustain a high entertainment factor, hippie garb and misguided tattoo decisions notwithstanding.  

Whirlwind Yosemite

End of the Summer Party

The food was a delicious and the rain stopped long enough to gift us this double rainbow.

Running Around Montana & Wyoming

Butte Folk Festival 2015

The music was great, the rain poured down, and the crowds danced with abandon.  A great event with its shit together.  The lack of hot weather and added challenge of not getting soaked in the rain enhanced the fun experience.  It helped that we'd all dragged our rain jackets along. 

Good friends and the epitome of crowd watching rounded out the day.  This three sided chalk board is something new.  Quite intriguing to see what folks decide to put down to represent themselves.  And the discovery of the Front Street Market import store, hiding out in plain sight in downtown Butte, loaded to the brim with items you would never imagine (pickled patty pan squash anyone?) was a real gem to discover.  

Seeley Lake June - Maiden Kayak Voyage

It was a gorgeous day for my first outing and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I had forgotten just how much I love the water. 

Fairview Hike June 2015

This 9 mile hike is perhaps the longest hike I've done in one day. The area is north of Helena, with a group doing a "key exchange," half the group starts at each end and drives the other half's vehicles, then returns the owner's key at the half-way lunch stop.  A lively group of speedsters, moderates, and slow poke photographers, the group was spread apart over several miles.  A perfect cooler, slightly overcast day presented perfect hiking conditions.  A narrow rocky cliff trail challenged those of us with slight height issues.  I never did look at the no doubt spectacular view, but rather kept my eyes on my next step ahead of me.  Steady breathing kept me at an even keel.  One false move would induce an unhappy ending for the unlucky hiker.  I did not want to fill that role, and safely made it to the end of the offending trail. Several pooh-poohed those of us who stated a more dicey stretch would certainly have proved problematic.

Bizarre shit  happens, and it is wise to take these circumstances seriously.  Look at those three young bible hikers who launched over the falls at Yosemite a few years back.  Just wading out for a photo op in shallow waters at the edge led to their untimely demise, one after another trying to save each other.  Not the smartest folks, they breached the "do not pass barricade" signs and climbed over the guardrail.  The many onlookers witnessed a disturbing event, their young kids in tow, as they saw the scared eyes of the three realize they were about to meet their end.