Tribute Bands Covering Neil Young Songs
Over the years, literally hundreds of bands have covered Neil Young songs. One of the best sources of information is the The Covers Project.
Also, Thrasher's Blog has been recently documenting Neil covers as they come across.
Also, Musicians Inspired by Neil Young's Music.
SIX very talented Greater Toronto Area musicians have joined together to celebrate and perform the music of our (formerly) Canadian brother, Neil Young. Our goal is to recreate Neil's music as it was recorded in the studio (or as close as possible - some of Neil's biggest hits were recorded over 40 years ago!!!). The set list contains music from many stages of Neil's incredible career, ranging from the antique gem "Down by the River" to 1990's "Over and Over Again" and almost everything in between (if it's missing, we'll get to it eventually...)
Jeff Taylor's show is a unique performance honoring the acoustic music of Neil Young. His show is strictly a solo performance with vocals very close to the nuances of Neil Young. His stage presence combined with an array of acoustic guitars, acoustic piano and harmonicas are much in the same fashion as an "unplugged" performance of a "real" Neil Young appearance.
Jeff’s repertoire of Neil Young songs begin with “Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing” written by Neil Young and released on Buffalo Springfield’s first album in 1966 through every year including "Beautiful Bluebird" on the Chrome Dreams II Album of 2007, "Dance Dance Dance" recorded in 1971 but only released in 2007 on the "Live at Massey Hall 1971" CD and more than 100 other Neil songs in between them!
Jeff has also dedicated his recording of “Thrasher” to the Thrasher Wheat website and can be downloaded here:
"Thrasher" (right click and save as). Thanks Jeff! Nice job.
Broken Arrow: The Neil Young Tribute played on Nov. 20, 2005 at Neil Young Day in Rome, Italy.
Very cool web site for a tribute band. Site streams Neil tunes 24/7.
The Neil Young celebrations continue this weekend in honor of his 60th birthday with the Rust Never Sleeps Tribute Band's performance this Saturday, November 12th at the Big Bear Lodge in Brookline, New Hampshire.
RUST NEVER SLEEPS is a unique, live rock show that celebrates the music, and musical career of Neil Young.
Capturing the spirit, the sound, and the feel of what can best be described as a "dream come true" concert experience; you will hear selections from The Buffalo Springfield as well as Young's early 70's folk-rock gems.
THE LONER is a one man show featuring Larry Green on guitar, harmonica and vocals performing the acoustic songs of musical genius NEIL YOUNG. Green also performs with his acoustic/electric band HARVEST.
A bunch of Neil covers can be found on Tribute for The Bridge School. Some favorites include:
- Soul Asylum: Barstool Blues
Flaming Lips: After the Goldrush
Sonic Youth: Computer Age
Also, THIS NOTE'S FOR YOU TOO! (A Tribute To Neil Young), Canadian musicians' project from the mid-90's. The album has many surprises including:
- Treble Spankers - Aurora
Ron & the Splinters - Burned
Fuzztones - Mr Soul
Bevis Frond - I've Been Waiting For You
Steven Roback - The Needle And The Damage Done
Walkabouts - Albuquerque
Travoltas - Rockin' In The Free World
Slobberbone - Big Time
More on This Note's For You Too! on Insurgent Country.
Here's a review and setlist of the Neil Young Tribute in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, New York on June 26, 2004.
Rust Radio Rules on Neil Covers
Thrasher was truly stunned by the playlist in October 2003 on Rust Radio. 170 Neil songs covered by other artists were loaded into rotation. Many were from the Bridge Tribute album and This Notes For You Too tribute. Or well known like Roxy Music's Like A Hurricane.
But many were obscure gems. Cuts ranged from Duran Duran doing Needle and the Damage Done, Hole mangling Cinnamon Girl, Indigo Girls rockin out on Down By The River, and The Jayhawks doing Expecting To Fly from their current tour.
- But these days, Neil Young, a guy from Canada who has lived in California for almost his entire career, feels just as crucial to Austin music as Willie or Doug or Stevie Ray. Just look around, and what do you see? Alt-country acts that all but hoist their copies of "Everybody Knows This is Nowhere" onstage with them. Bar bands that can launch into "Like A Hurricane" on cue. Punks who have to admit "Live Rust" is the toughest concert album of all time.
Bill writes:
- "It was recorded on a small 4-track analog machine, then transfered onto a computer. "Red Sun" took approximately five hours to record, and another couple of hours to arrive with the finished take. During the chorus I sang a somewhat lower pitch than the melody and then added a high harmony. The harmonica was added later, as was the tamborine. With "My My,Hey Hey", the harmonica was again added later.
I'm most proud of "Pocahontas" as I added some drum & shaker to create a 'Native Feel'.
I then burn copies for family or friends(if they what one or not). I find that when it comes to Neil Young, you're either a die hard fan, or you can't stand him. My friends are divided when it comes to his music. I've been a fan since my teens and found that my voice suited his material. This is a hobby, as my "real job" is that of a middle years math teacher, although this summer I did play at the local coffee house when they were hard up for live music."
So here are a couple of MP3 tracks to download: Pocahontas, Red Sun and Hey, Hey, My, My.
Also, check out Bill's wonderful visit to Neil Young's boyhood hometown in Winnipeg, Canada. Lots of memories and great photos.
Great job Bill! If you want to drop Bill a line he can be reached at blaing AT esd DOT mb DOT ca. Keep on Rockin!
More Covers
Also, there's an interesting thread on Velvet Rope on Neil covers like:sonic youth: 'computer age'
golden smog: 'on the beach'
pixies: 'i've been waiting for you'
mercury rev: 'motion pictures'
Natalie Merchant - After the Gold Rush
Dave Matthews - Cortez the Killer
Low & Dirty Three - Down By the River
Trip Shakespear - Helpless
Charthogs - Mr. Soul
"Ohio / Machine Gun" by THE ISLEY BROTHERS
"The Loner" by RICHIE HAVENS
"New Mama" by Stephen Stills (feat. Donnie Dacus)
"I've Been Waiting For You" by David Bowie
"Cortez The Killer" by Gov't Mule (live version)
Chris Robinson & Marc Ford of the Black Crowes doing "Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown"
"Old Man" by N'Dea Davenport
What's Neil Covered?
From The Roots of Neil Young, you can listen to 30 second audio snippets from original versions of songs that Neil Young has covered on his own albums. Includes:
- "Four Strong Winds" by Ian Tyson on Comes A Time
"Mystery Train" by Sam Phillips on Everybody's Rockin'
"Blowing In The Wind" by Bob Dylan on Weld
"Baby What You Want Me To Do" by Jimmy Reed on Broken Arrow
More Neil Young Cover Bands and Artists Influenced By Neil
Jack Mullins - Bay-Area singer-songwriter working on his debut CD, "Tales of Reality", slated for release in 2004.Young & Old - Italian Neil Young cover band
Jammin' with Neil Young
A Neil Young Archives
Thrasher's Blog