Neil Young News: Concert Reviews of Neil Young in London, Ontario, Canada: 4/15/09

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Concert Reviews of Neil Young in London, Ontario, Canada: 4/15/09

From 925 JACK FM - Toronto's Best Rock Variety - Andrews Rock Blog:

: "Last night’s Neil Young show in London at the John Labatt Centre was the best I’ve ever seen from the man, and I’ve seen quite a few (I believe it was number 13). The band, who he’s spent the better part of a year touring with, has a second sense with Neil, and knows where he’s going during any one song. The set list was a great mix between classics and obscurities, the highlights for me including “Change Your Mind” from 1994’s Sleeps With Angels, and a great version of Harvest’s “Are You Ready For The Country”, with Neil playing the song’s stellar piano part.

From CANOE -- JAM! Neil Young - Concert Review By JAMES REANEY:

Nine thousand Rusties can't be wrong -- Neil Young never gets old.

Canadian rock icon Neil Young and a jammed John Labatt Centre communed in downtown London last night.

On a night when he plays miles of great guitar, Young saved his big, folk style hits -- Heart of Gold and Old Man -- for late in the main set. By that time, the star had doffed the checked shirt he wore for most of the show and was in a mystifying T, apparently celebrating somebody called Mr. Fiesta.

No matter. Just as his hard-rocking classics such as Cinnamon Girl had roused the crowd mid-set, the quieter songs produced singalongs and huge cheers.

Neil Young will be performing tonight at John Labatt Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.

Got a report? Drop a comment below. No registration required.

Check Sugar Mountain for setlist updates and statistics. Also, see Grid Chart on Rust Radio.

Also, see Neil Young 2009 Canada & U.S. Concert Tour & Reviews and the right, middle sidebar for continuous real time RSS feed updates.

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49 Comments:

At 4/16/2009 01:17:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Just saw Neil in London Apr 15. The show was about 2.5 hrs long and just awesome! Neil f****** rocks! I'm too pumped to sleep!

Here's my attempt to come up with the setlist. I don't know the potential new tunes yet so I marked them as "? new one??". Knew a lot of the old ones though, and the surprises at this show and the noticeable variations from the previous ones are as follows:

new tunes not played yet (I don't think):
Out on the weekend
Down by the river

sorry he didn't play these:
Cortez The Killer
World on A String
Mr. Soul

So here's my attempt at what he did play, sorry I know I'm missing some, likely a new one or one I wasn't familiar with:

When You Dance, I Can Really Love
Hey Hey My My
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Spirit Road
Words
Out on the weekend
Cinnamon Girl
Pocahontas
Mother Earth
Needle & Damage Done
Heart of Gold
Old Man
Ready for the Country
Speakin' Out
? new one??
Tonight's the Night
Change Your Mind
? new one??
Albuquerque
? new one??
Down by the river
? new one??

All Along the Watchtower (Encore)

Cheers!
At 4/16/2009 01:43:00 AM, Anonymous said...: if thats the what he plays in edmonton I will be so happy!!! especially if one of those "question mark" songs is "a man needs a maid"
At 4/16/2009 02:25:00 AM, Anonymous said...: When You Dance, I Can Really Love
Hey Hey My My
Are You Ready for the Country
Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
Spirit Road
Pocahontas
Words
Cinnamon Girl
Mother Earth
Change Your Mind
Needle & Damage Done
Light a Candle
Heart of Gold
Feel Your Love
Old Man
Get Behind the Wheel
Speakin' Out
Tonight's the Night
Albuquerque
Down by the river
Just Singing A Song

All Along the Watchtower

It might not be perfect, but it's very very close if it isn't.
At 4/16/2009 04:16:00 AM, dr dip said...: 23 songs, 22 songs, 24 songs, 21 songs!.....Sydney ent cent....17SONGS!
Ya definitely gotta comeback Neil..and bring ya extra 5 songs with ya!
Luv Dip
At 4/16/2009 06:33:00 AM, astrololee said...: Hey dr dip, should have come up to sunny qld, we got 21 and a top concert it was too, although I would have been happy with on 17 too. But It was Neil, It was Special and It was the Best, although looking at OMC in St Johns I think they got the cream..lol..It seems we all cant get enough of Neil not matter how much he does. Got to love him for trying to keep us all happy.
At 4/16/2009 06:57:00 AM, Dave said...: All in all, London ON, April 15 was a great show.
I hadn't seen a Neil show since Maple Leaf Gardens sometime in the late 70s ... so a bit has changed and we've apparently all aged a bit.
Still rocks like a bastard though. It was a great show overall .. squeezed a LOT of old favourites into 2.5 hours. The set lists published here look rel accurate .. hard to remember.
Did anyone else notice the wrong harmonica in the holder for Albequerque? I thought it was me at first .. he just couldn't find the notes ... when he flung the thing down to the ground at the end of the song I knew it wasn't me.
Overall a great show. Sometimes brilliant, sometimes a bit too 'sing along' .. I got what I expected ..
At 4/16/2009 08:16:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Beginning of the concert to the middle were great. Way too many guitar pieces at the end. He looked like he was having a great time. His sound and voice are as great as ever. People were leaving early, wanted more of the old tunes not so many guitar solos.
At 4/16/2009 08:54:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Great show last night. The highlight for me was Words. Wish we could of heard Cortez too.
At 4/16/2009 09:30:00 AM, biggestfan said...: What an unbelievable show, he played every song like he was saying the words for the first time, and every note means something. And he looked like he could keep this up for 10 more years, unbelievable! Second set list is right as far as I can remember - no 'Out on the Weekend'. Some will still gripe about what he didn't play, but look what he did play and it took 2.5 hours...he can't play 5 hours, and everything was awesome!
At 4/16/2009 09:41:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Fantastic show last night, and "Feel Your Love" was beautiful...anyone know where that one is from? (Says a lot when such an awesome song is new to someone who considers himself a big fan...great stuff!)
At 4/16/2009 09:46:00 AM, Anonymous said...: for you Doc-

"Now someone else
Will sleep with tears
When he hears
What we've done"
At 4/16/2009 09:54:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Review can be found here
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/Y/Young_Neil/ConcertReviews/2009/04/16/9127766-sun.html

Fantastic gig.
At 4/16/2009 10:16:00 AM, Anonymous said...: It appears my review post from early this AM was deleted? In case this was somehow my mistake, I'll repost below

sixty_2_zero a/k/a Chuck Naughton

Just home from london. GREEEEET show. Neil gave the crowd what they wanted,
It was "classic" Neil through and through. He most apparently veered from the
planned setlist on a couple of occasions. He called Feel Your Love a "bonus
track" ands he had the supoort musicians and stage handlers scrambling back and
forth on a couple occasions as Neil went in directions they weren't expecting.

He started to play something, someone correct me here if I'm wrong, but I
think it was When Worlds Collide, but then stopped a couple measures in and said
that he'd changed his mind and went into Get behind the Wheel. Perhaps this was
an example of neil veering back to the planned setlist.

Also, Old Man was obviously an ad lib as a follow-up to the top tappiers
enthusiastic reaction to HOG.

There were a couple points in the show when neil has visibly unhappy with the
drumming and the guitar work on TNT as well as Ben allowing his lap steel to loudly hummmm at the point that Neil is trying to a cappella during TNT.

Ben also was distracted at one point as 3 late teen/early 20 girls caught his
attention, he puckered his lips to themand they squealed in delight like young
girls do, all while Neil was trying to solo. I gotta call Neil out on using Ben
as his 2nd guitar. Way not worthy.

After going to this show, no one here would call it boring. My only
"disappointment" is that he didn't play Lost In Space. But I am far from
overall disappointed.
At 4/16/2009 11:00:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Sorry Anonymous at 12:43 am, "a man needs a maid" was definately not played. Those question marks are his new songs that I don't know the names of yet. I know every song on Decades, so no chance I missed any of those jewels. I did notice that the other poster missed "Out on the weekend", which I was pretty sure followed "Words", since I was blown away by him playing these old nuggets Neil fans crave to hear live. However I could be wrong, especially on the song order.

I should mention as well that this is the first concert I've been to since the smoking ban that actually smelled like a rock concert. Thank-you to the young guys in section 104 for adding that extra little atmosphere required at a Neil Young concert, especially during tunes off of TTN and my favorite Aaaaaa-aaaa-al-ba-guerkieeeeee.

Cheers!
At 4/16/2009 11:04:00 AM, Anonymous said...: he didn't do man needs a maid, but lemme tell you this, if you are a Neil Young fan of any sort...this show will blow you away!!! I'd travel anywhere to hear him again. Set list can be found at sugarmountain.com but last night in London he changed his usual set. If you are a fan and you miss this opportunity to see him, you will regret it forever!!!
At 4/16/2009 11:20:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Looking at that set list, I drool and nearly soil myself... One of the best of all time. Lucky London!

- Jim
At 4/16/2009 11:41:00 AM, SONY said...: Feel Your Love
From 'American Dream' - CSNY
At 4/16/2009 12:07:00 PM, dano said...: wow what a great show 2.5 hours long neil pulled out a gem from american dream[feel your love]he also did down by the river i was just in awe but my highlite was after the show when at his famous touring bus zuma before he left he came right out to his fans i got to shake the mans hand chat a little and he also signed my ticket also got some great photos what a humble man
At 4/16/2009 12:15:00 PM, dano said...: oh by the way this show last nite in london was just what neil loves the fans where so into it you could see him feeding off the energy best show for me since i saw neil play massey hall dec 2007 cromedreams tour.....thanks neil long may you run
At 4/16/2009 12:17:00 PM, dano said...: sorry my bad the massey show was nov 27
At 4/16/2009 12:47:00 PM, Zak Claxton said...: Sounds like an AWESOME show. I find myself more than a little jealous. :)
At 4/16/2009 12:49:00 PM, wiggy said...: wow feel your love?? that one is from american dream i believe. i love how he is mixing it up more than usual, just keeps pulling out those goodies.
At 4/16/2009 01:01:00 PM, C.C.T.B. said...: London
After 20 concerts, finally, standing forth from front, .and my 15 year olds first. Lucky bugger!
I wanted to see new stuff, thats me, it's fresh, it's new, lets hear it.
We were delivered an array of music from his collection that I think you won't here again after this tour. maybe.
"Feel your love'.. American Dream,...sweet!
I thought I would see the Horse play "Change your mind", ..happy to see it played anyway. A long rocker.
"Speakin' out" Anthony Crawford rocks in this!

FITR Toons, thank you Neil!

The topper for me was "Old man", a sure sing along.
While reminiscing the songs driving home my son says to me he really liked "Old man".
That was the key it was on of the greatest concerts ever.
Thats my bit for the day.

Peace!
At 4/16/2009 01:08:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Was in Kingston on Monday night to see the show there and it rocked!

I was lucky enough to meet Neil after the show and even get a pic with him. Although there were quite a few people there to see him, he did his best to spend a little time with everyone.

It is so nice when you meet your icon and he turns out like you imagined him, genuine and kind.

Thanks for all the great music Neil and keep on keppin' on!
Dave
At 4/16/2009 01:18:00 PM, William said...: 1st time for me to see him last night in London. The old man can rock! It's obvious that he and the band still enjoy playing together. I was a little disappointed with the conservatism of the fans. It felt like a library at some points rather than watching an icon perform a rock concert. Still I get to tell the grandkids someday.
At 4/16/2009 02:29:00 PM, Thrasher said...: sixty_2_zero a/k/a Chuck:

We had problem with comments publishing last night.

It looks like everything that got hung up has now cleared and posted.

Sorry about that.

Totally awesome show it sounds like. Looks like you guys got a great show!

Thrasher
At 4/16/2009 02:44:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Great show.... awesome set selection... old, new, popular, and not so popular.. 2 funky blues songs were very cool.. he's so diverse and talented...what can you say... would have liked to hear Hurricane...we keep seeing him, but he has never played that song when we are in the house..so many songs to pick from...he is the king of cool!
At 4/16/2009 02:52:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Anyone who thinks the sets are boring or Neil's in a rut or washed up is a fool.

London last night was for the ages.

Quinn
At 4/16/2009 03:57:00 PM, rick0145 said...: London was simply an amazing show. This guy has more Rock and Roll in him then people 40 years younger. Almost 2 1/2 hours of non-stop vintage Neil. I saw him in Toronto in Dec and this was every bit as good. My two twenty something sons loved it too. Hard to pick a highlight. He just shredded ol' black on Hey Hey My My and Down By the River. Thought the crowd was pretty involved for a London audience.

Neil has neither burned out nor faded away...there isn't anyone better at it.
At 4/16/2009 05:05:00 PM, Anonymous said...: I saw the show last night and it was phenomonal!! I don't know if I'm still feeling amazing from the fumes or if the concert was the best thing to ever happen to me!!! But no it wasn't Man Needs A Maid.
At 4/16/2009 05:50:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Last nite was my 20th time seeing Neil since the days of the Trans tour hitting T.O. & then catching him with the Shocking Pinks in Cuyahoga Falls in Ohio while still in university.
I last caught him in T.O. back in December at ACC and had missed the tix going on sale for this show so said I would check the web for setlists to see if he was coming thru again with the same show before deciding on saddlin' up the palomino & heading out on the 401...pretty obvious to me that this tour had a different vibe than most & I decided it must not be missed. Best ever decision !!! Everyone had the biggest shit-eatin' grin on their face as they left JLC last night... This was easilly in the top 5, perhaps top 3, for me & that's covering the last 25 years of Neil in these here parts. The ragged edges to the show commented upon elsewhere just added to the raw humanity & made it even more personal - far from sterile & lots there for the "first-timer" checking him off their list thru to the guys like me that actually coughed up the bucks to buy "Weld" way back when.

cheers & long may you run Neil.
At 4/16/2009 09:16:00 PM, Steve said...: Wow.....that was one GREAT freakin show. I took my wife and 2 of my sons (19 and 21)and we were awestruck. We all play guitar and my sons are familiar with a a lot of Neil's songs but they were not ready for what they got last night. Both just loved it and kept thanking me for taking them. It sure puts a lot of the fluff music that is pushed on them today in perspective. I know it will be a memory they will never forget.

Thanks Neil.
At 4/16/2009 10:06:00 PM, Anonymous said...: What can I say, He blew our faces off! I went to the show with 3 of my guitar buddies since highschool (all 45 now) We were about 20 feet from the stage and all felt like we were sing'n and jamming Neil as usual(except that He was there to lead us -and show us the right chords). I think a few times, Neil was so into his solos(Change Your Mind, Down by the River) he forgot we were out there. Change your mind especially good. I actualy enjoyed the "sing song" aspect. During Heart of Gold, It made me wonder what 9000 people with G Harmonicas would sound like. I heard him sing "I've been in my mind, It's still a fine" line" Maybe he's been doing that for a while, I dont know, but it said alot to me.
At 4/16/2009 11:28:00 PM, dr dip said...: Stuff it!.. I'm flyin' to London ...
Someone get me a ticket please!..I'll do free house calls for ya!
At 4/17/2009 06:38:00 AM, Anonymous said...: It might be time some of these concert goes started coughing up the bucks for FITR. A lousy 28,000copies sold in the US in the first week. What happened? Did 30000 rusties die where no one was watching?. Will the missing 30,000 be the people complaining when Neil no longer has a major label contract and no longer afford to put on shows such as this. FITR is in danger of becoming a great lost album and it has only been out a week. Save Neil Youlng buy a copy, make that 2 copies today.

Regards
Percy

PS Apologies as it is off topic. Perhaps you could start another heading.
At 4/17/2009 06:44:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Save Neil Young - Buy FITR ?? !!!!

You've lost your mind.
Neil doesnt need the $.Dont sweat it. He has more $ stashed away than you've ever make.

If the CD was great, it would sell.It sucks more or less, so it wont sell.So fuckin what !!!

save Neil Young. What a jerk off.
Theres alot of people in this world that need saving and Neil certainly aint one fo them.
At 4/17/2009 07:11:00 AM, Anonymous said...: To Anonymous 4/17/2009 05:44:00 AM
Humourless bastard! Guess you didn't like the album. Let's make that 30,001. Hope Harvest 4 comes out soon for you to sooth your battered soul.

Pogue Mahone
Percy
At 4/17/2009 07:43:00 AM, Anonymous said...: it's just pathetic for someone to say " buy FITR to help save Neil Young"
pathetic.
At 4/17/2009 07:46:00 AM, Hayo said...: Now now dudes, let's be nice :(
At 4/17/2009 09:02:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Being honest.
If I tell you the sky is purple and the water is orange, are you gonna tell me thats rediculous..... or will you smile and say "ok".
I prefer honesty.
FITR is a pretty bad record overall. Some hard core Neil fans will of course buy it and some will like it. But how many new people are gonna suddenly become Neil Young fans becasue of this record ? How many newbies are gonna hear a songor 2 on the radio and go out and buy this CD ? Probably none !
At 4/17/2009 09:16:00 AM, Anonymous said...: One thing is for sure Neil will record what ever he feels if you do not like the album it is alright I'm sure he is still going to record. If he stuck to Harvest like songs he would have disappeared 20 years ago. As for the London show the Grandfather of Grunge is alive and well. This man lives to jam and we where treated with an over the top jam session Neil thank-you for never staying the same it makes it worth seeing you time after time Jeff in Cambridge
At 4/17/2009 09:33:00 AM, Anonymous said...: "I'm a big rock star
My sales have tanked.."

And many don't have jobs and are in the danger of losing homes. Correlation?

Neil is doing just fine.
At 4/17/2009 10:20:00 AM, dr dip said...: "There is a town in (North) Ontario

All of my setlist changes were there

And what I find is my songs need a place to grow

And London seemed to be the best place to bear

True blue whingers behind the bars

MELLOW hoons on the rise

Big turds crying ...the "price is high"...

Throwing bad karma in our eyes

Leave us.... Speeeechless, Speeechless,speechless,speechless.
At 4/17/2009 10:43:00 AM, SONY said...: I remember reading somewhere that Neil said he and his songs have a meeting about every 6 months to decide which ones get played.
At 4/17/2009 03:38:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Simon the fireman said Roll on Nottingham UK second time seeing Neil in 30+ years if this is the set list lets KEEP ON ROCKIN IN THE FREE WORLD
At 4/17/2009 04:52:00 PM, C.C.T.B. said...: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=90249216&albumID=2780396&imageID=44139198#a=2780396&i=44139183

info
At 4/17/2009 08:02:00 PM, Anonymous said...: First time seeing neil, best concert i've ever been to. Every song was excellent. Speakin Out sounded better than it did on the TTN record. The new album is great too.

keep on rockin in the free world Neil!!!!!!!
At 4/17/2009 08:36:00 PM, dr dip said...: Ok,Ok Thrash..only one a day! Sorry, I just thought it was topical.

By the way Thrash, Am I the only guy you edit or delete?
At 4/18/2009 09:05:00 AM, Thrasher said...: dd,
no. think about it.
t