This was the Rust Never Sleeps tour documented in the movie "Rust Never Sleeps". Those guys are the "road eyes" I guess a joke on "roadies" :) The movie came out in 1978-1979 so the gag was quite topical.

I have all of Neil's albums. Seen him on tour 5 times:
Solo '92
w/ Steve Cropper '93 (twice)
w/ Crazy Horse (Farm Aid '96)
w/ CSNY '02

Alwasy something different. Many don't get voice or the extended feedback (with the band) but it's always a good time.

Neil never really "faded away" in the 80's... partly to protest a contact with Geffen, h e did a series of "non-commercial" records:
- This Note's For You (10 piece swing band) 1998 (before the swing thing hit big)
- Old Ways 1984 (full on country - not the country tinged rock of some of the other albums)
- Everybody's Rocking - 1983, 50's doowop type album
- Landing on Water 1986 - electonicish pop album (LOW is a joke - when a plane lands on water, nobody survives)
- Life 1987 (rocker with Crazy Horse) A couple to direct jabs at Geffen
- Trans 1982 (full on electronic weirdness. Vocorder on every song (or close) A vocorder is the thing used on Frampton's Do you Feel like we Do)

Neil hit a home run with Freedom's (1989) Rockin' in the Free World and was "back" (on Reprise records) - though he never really left.

Around 1981, Neil suffered some sort of eppileptic problem and it affected his ability to play guitar. Once a bit more fluid, his later style is more of a "choppy attack" on the strings. Most apparent in the live work, like "Weld".

I have all of Neil's stuff and like most of it. I would have to say that the never stuff, I just can't get into.

The standout albums have already been mentioned, but some other songs are worth checking out as well:

Down by the River
Cowgirl in the Sand
On the Beach (whole album)
Tonight's the Night (any live version/whole album)
Like a Hurricane
Powderfinger
Thrasher
Natural Beauty (Harvest moon)

Even his worst stuff is leauges better than stuff written by a professional and performed by a pitch perfect, good looking performer.

I've been a fan of Neil for 30 something years and have seen him preform several times. The Rust Never Sleeps show in L.A. was one of the best shows I've ever seen. Neil will always be > Rockin In The Free World.

Dave

Anyone remember Neil laying it down with Led Zep? Jimmy and Robert just stepped back and let Neil go. Whoa!!http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/.../crucified.gif

It's not important to "get" any particular artist. If you hate Neil Young and love Celine Dion, good for you. Just keep your boombox away from me!

Neil's music works for me. I especially like the soundtrack for "Dead Man" which was laid down in one continuous take...

He writes the music and songs as an expression or statement of himself and his feelings of life.

I don't think he really cares too much if anyone likes it as long as he does.

He is an artist that can walk out with just his songs, guitar, harmonica and voice and wow a crowd. Not many an entertainer can even come close to putting it all together like Neil can.