How can you NOT like Neil Young??

[Oranjeaap]

Whenever Neil Young is discussed, there are always some peolpe saying they don't like his playing.
Im a huge fan of his playing, and i don't understand how you can hate it.
So tell me, what is it that you dont like about Neil Young?

 

[Phil47uk]

He doesn't wear a top hat.

 

[Harpozep]

He doesn't wear a top hat.

Or a wig or a KFC Bucket!

 

[Harpozep]

I was not really into his voice for say my first 20 years of caring about music. I've come a long though.
While not the best vocalist or virtuoso player, he does convey his emotions well with is music. That is all that matters. He connects with me just fine now.
I don't care if he plays one long note ( he good at that for sure!), or a burst.
I drink the Neil Kool Aid.

 

[GibsonByBirth]

He doesn't wear a top hat.

That is the best answer that you are going to get. There is nothing wrong with his music.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6SSR3YY-rc]YouTube - Neil Young & Paul McCartney A Day In The Life(In HD)[/ame]

 

[mudfinger]

My respect for Neil Young's songwriting runs deep. I can't stand CSN, but CSNY is magical:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI7-m919ynU]YouTube - OHIO CSNY ( got audio back) - Kent State Massacre Montage[/ame]

But...40 years later, and the dude still can't sing or play very well. It was fine in the 60's, when lots of people couldn't play...but ffs, if that's as good as he's gonna get...Anyways, here's the trouble with Neil:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuW-MJtxpTo]YouTube - Neil Young Love is a Rose Portland Oct 22[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVhlJWjcgS0]YouTube - Linda Ronstadt : Love is a Rose (1977) ?????[/ame]

He's just a shitty performer who can't sing or play in tune. Linda's cover is the definitive version for a good reason. This many years into his career, I'm not interested in devoting any more of my precious time to an artist who appears unwilling to spend any of his precious time learning to sing and play in tune. Still a brilliant writer, and his old stuff holds up very well, he's just no longer worth the difficulty to me.

 

[Redbird]

My response is

How CAN you like his stuff?

IMO it is just awful. I made two recent trips to Toronto to manage a warehouse. Two weeks of Canadian radio, and they play this crap like every 5th song. Canadian pride I guess. To me it is just torture.

If you like him great. I respect his role and status as a songwriter, but man..........just torture to me. Just my opinion. I am sure I like some bands that others find as torture as well.

 

[Duane24]

like the music, hate the voice, so thats how i can not like neil young.

and some stuff's a bit preachy. music should rise above.

 

[GibsonByBirth]

My respect for Neil Young's songwriting runs deep. I can't stand CSN, but CSNY is magical:

YouTube - OHIO CSNY ( got audio back) - Kent State Massacre Montage

But...40 years later, and the dude still can't sing or play very well. It was fine in the 60's, when lots of people couldn't play...but ffs, if that's as good as he's gonna get...Anyways, here's the trouble with Neil:

YouTube - Neil Young Love is a Rose Portland Oct 22
YouTube - Linda Ronstadt : Love is a Rose (1977) ?????

He's just a shitty performer who can't sing or play in tune. Linda's cover is the definitive version for a good reason. This many years into his career, I'm not interested in devoting any more of my precious time to an artist who appears unwilling to spend any of his precious time learning to sing and play in tune. Still a brilliant writer, and his old stuff holds up very well, he's just no longer worth the difficulty to me.

All honest and legit opinions. I don't agree with them all but I accept them.

 

[GibsonByBirth]

After reviewing this video, I think Paul was drunk.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6SSR3YY-rc]YouTube - Neil Young & Paul McCartney A Day In The Life(In HD)[/ame]

 

[Dan]

His name is misleading. He's old.

 

[Oranjeaap]

IMO it is just awful. I made two recent trips to Toronto to manage a warehouse. Two weeks of Canadian radio, and they play this crap like every 5th song. Canadian pride I guess. To me it is just torture.

This is kinda what I refered to in my OP. You come here to say you hate him, and crap, bla bla.
But you dont give a reason for hating it. What is it that you dont like?

 

[Redbird]

I can honestly say that I have a harmonica that I have messed around with for probably 4 hours total. I really believe I can get better sounds out of it than Mr. Young. Someone please teach him a pucker or tongue blocking technique. There are chords on a harmonica as well. You can't just blow in and out.

Another? Can't carry a tune. I mean not at ALL. Tone deaf, no octaves at all.

Another? Very sloppy playing. Sounds as if it is meant to sound "rough" but to me comes off as very loose. If I were a musician recording, I would never let out a recording unless I absolutely nailed it.

Seriously. Would this guy even be considered for a record deal today?

Again, only my opinion. He is very popular. But so is Lady Gaga. Popularity does not equal talent. Just not my thing.

 

[GibsonByBirth]

I can honestly say that I have a harmonica that I have messed around with for probably 4 hours total. I really believe I can get better sounds out of it than Mr. Young.

Honestly? 4 hours?

 

[Indyclone]

I made two recent trips to Toronto to manage a warehouse. Two weeks of Canadian radio, and they play this crap like every 5th song. Canadian pride I guess.

I think they actually have laws governing radio play up there... a certain percentage of the music they play HAS to be from Canadian artists.



But, I love Neil, I love Bob Dylan too... both better writers than singers or players, but their playing and singing convey great emotion... greater emotion than a lot of people with better voices and chops.

 

[Redbird]

Honestly? 4 hours?

OK maybe 5. Twenty minutes at a time. Still better than NY

 

[Oranjeaap]

I mean just listen to this:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jxs0ybnsEQ]YouTube - CSNY - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Down By The River (Big Sur, CA 1969)[/ame]

and this

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esVniha1-wo]YouTube - Neil Young - Like A Hurricane (American Stars'n Bars)[/ame]

 

[Engel]

I can honestly say that I have a harmonica that I have messed around with for probably 4 hours total. I really believe I can get better sounds out of it than Mr. Young. Someone please teach him a pucker or tongue blocking technique. There are chords on a harmonica as well. You can't just blow in and out.

Another? Can't carry a tune. I mean not at ALL. Tone deaf, no octaves at all.

Another? Very sloppy playing. Sounds as if it is meant to sound "rough" but to me comes off as very loose. If I were a musician recording, I would never let out a recording unless I absolutely nailed it.

Seriously. Would this guy even be considered for a record deal today?

Again, only my opinion. He is very popular. But so is Lady Gaga. Popularity does not equal talent. Just not my thing.

Have you ever tried those harmonica techniques while strumming a guitar?

Didn't think so.

It's damn hard.

IMO Neil Young is a better singer/songwriter than he is a lead player. I don't hate his lead playing but it's not my favorite either. The great music makes up for it. Unfortunately the day you start critisizing music is the day you stop enjoying music.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrWNTqbLFFE]YouTube - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - Woodstock[/ame]

 

[Toris93]

Havent heard much, but what ive heard i liked, and his les paul is sexy xD

 

[John Vasco]

Not exactly a big fan of his, but this rocks, I love it!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQccK0F1_iY]YouTube - neil young rocking in the free world music video[/ame]