NEIL YOUNG
Silver and Gold (Reprise)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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I was about to start off by saying that Neil is a true American original, but he's Canadian, isn't he? I guess when borders don't mean much to an artist it only proves his stature as one of rock's most lasting icons. Silver and Gold is a worthy addition to his monumental trove of work.

I always gave Neil plenty of airplay, though I didn't rate myself a fanatic for his work, back when I was broadcasting. It's only been over the latter part of his career that I've really come to like him in a big way. I think the turning point was around the time of Rust Never Sleeps and songs like "Hey Hey, My My." He kept mounting up the pressure with "This Note's For You," "Crime in the City," "Rockin in the Free World," "Mansion on the Hill," "From Hank To Hendrix," "War of Man," "Piece of Crap," and a hundred other songs with uncompromising lyrics. It all ads up to Neil being one of the few artists that I always seek out whatever work is released. Even Bob Dylan showed his respect for Neil by mentioning him in a song in 1997's Time Out Of Mind album. Is this record Neil's reply to Bob? No, this is nothing like Bob's darkly-brooding Grammy-winner, but it is Neil Young's first all-studio solo effort since Harvest Moon.

Silver and Gold has a hard time measuring up to Harvest Moon, arguably Neil's finest album, but it should age really well. Here he seems at ease, with very little of the acid he shows on more electric albums like Mirrorball and Sleeps with Angels. The sound is more like Comes A Time--spare and homey. Over the simple handcrafted foundation provided by Jim Keltner on drums and Duck Dunn on bass, occasionally Brian Keith's beautiful steel guitar will come to the fore for a short while, but it never overpowers. Here and there Neil or Spooner Oldham will trill lightly on piano, but most tracks are relying on Neil's acoustic guitar, harmonica and of course his singing. It's no news that few singers will lose sleep over his technique, but Neil has an uncanny knack for transmitting deep emotion.

The album opens up with "Good To See You," almost like he's welcoming fans back for a small session in his living room. There are a couple of great love songs, like the title track, and "Razor Love"--which he performed on Saturday Night Live back in the spring. A standout is "Buffalo Springfield Again," in which he longs for his old friends to make a go of it again (I guess as close as he got to that was the Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young reunion last winter). Other notable tracks include "Daddy Went Walkin," and "Red Sun"--which features backing vocals from Linda Ronstadt and EmmyLou Harris.

I don't hear a hit rivaling "Heart of Gold" here, and the album probably won't win Neil any new fans, but who cares? Silver and Gold is a wonderful companion to have for a quiet night at home. My only complaint is that it's too short.

Track List:

Good To See You, Silver and Gold, Daddy Went Walkin, Buffalo Springfield Again, The Great Divide, Horseshoe Man, Red Sun, Distant Camera, Razor Love, Without Rings

© 2000 - Rusty Pipes