Review: Neil Young, Stephen Stills and John Mayer spark up rock supergroup nostalgia at ‘Harvest Moon’ benefit concert
As a seasoned music enthusiast who has attended countless concerts over the years, I must say that witnessing Neil Young and Stephen Stills performing together is an experience that transcends the ordinary. Their long-standing camaraderie and musical synergy, forged since the mid-1960s, was palpable during their recent performance at the Desert Trip Festival.
Certain collaborations stand the test of time, such as that between Neil Young and Stephen Stills, who’ve been creating music almost half a century, dating back to their initial band, Buffalo Springfield, over five decades ago.
On a Saturday afternoon, they reunited to headline the “Harvest Moon – a Gathering,” a charity concert held at Lake Hughes’ Painted Turtle camp, aimed at kids suffering from chronic illnesses. Under the bright sunlight, approximately an hour north of Los Angeles, they played music.
Back in 1999, I found myself captivated by the picturesque campus nestled in Lake Hughes. This wasn’t just any ordinary venue; it was a brainchild of a remarkable group spearheaded by none other than the legendary actor Paul Newman and philanthropist Page Adler. The atmosphere here was electrifying, with a blend of classic rock and folk tunes that filled the air, from the thunderous electric guitars to the soft strums of acoustic melodies.
As a music enthusiast, I must say that attending the annual benefit concert for the Turtle Camp this year was an exceptional treat. It’s not often we get to witness Neil Young and Stephen Stills performing together as a duo, especially since their iconic group, Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, took a hiatus, leaving us longing for more of their harmonious blend.
In a conductor’s hat and sunglasses, Young strode out, cradling a Gretsch electric guitar, a harmonica already at his mouth. Stills, dressed in black with a gray beard, was strumming a nearly identical instrument.
Following a brief exchange of initial responses, they commenced their performance with “Long May You Run,” the title track from their sole collaboration album released in 1976. This opening selection was both expected and perfectly suited, encapsulating the song’s essence of warmth and sibling camaraderie, a harmony that is tender yet robust. As Young vocalized, the lyrics resonated with shared experiences: “We’ve been through some challenges together / With boxes of memories yet to unpack / We found ways to pass the time in harsh weather / May you continue your journey for a long time.
At the Painted Turtle, the ambiance resembled a leisurely weekend picnic with around 3,500 attendees dotted across the lawn, some seated in folding chairs at the front, while others stood at the back. Behind the barn, there were food trucks and additional facilities for donors and enthusiasts who were patiently waiting for the performance to commence.
Known for his ever-active musical spirit, this individual is often referred to as a prolific, restless rock star. He maintains numerous ongoing projects and collaborations, all while showcasing the past through a curator’s lens and continuously releasing fresh tunes.
At 78 years old, he continues to excel, playing with Crazy Horse, Promise of the Real, or as a solo performer. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he decided to pause his touring activities for an extended period. He was not in a hurry to return and potentially jeopardize his health, as well as that of his bandmates and fans.
2021 marked the end of an unusual period of quietness for Young, which was broken by a string of solo concerts at the Ford Theater in Los Angeles that received widespread acclaim. Since then, he has been actively performing. However, plans for a global tour with Crazy Horse this year were scrapped due to an undisclosed health issue within the band, leaving Young on the sidelines again. But now, he’s back and ready to perform.
About a week back, at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, N.Y., Young unveiled a new group named Chrome Hearts. This band consists of some young musicians he’s frequently worked with over the past few years, primarily under the moniker Promise of the Real.
On Saturday, the rhythm section of the group, consisting of bassist Corey McCormick and drummer Anthony LoGerfo, stood beside Young. With legendary guitarist Stills present, there was no need for another guitarist as he served as the counterbalance that Neil Young typically seeks on stage.
In this concert review, I found myself immersed in the captivating performance of Neil Young and Stephen Stills. For a solid hour, their song selections spanned a broad spectrum, from acoustic to electric tunes. They seamlessly switched between their instruments, with Young often gravitating towards Stills’ side of the stage for electrifying guitar duels – a testament to their long-standing partnership. Eyes locked, we witnessed a silent conversation through their nimble fingers dancing on the frets, creating an unforgettable musical symphony.
In his 1970 solo hit “Love the One You’re With,” Stills took the lead. He also unveiled a fresh take on an old Buffalo Springfield song titled “Hung Upside Down,” describing it as a revamped version that he traced back to two centuries ago. Moreover, Stills accompanied Young while singing “Helpless,” one of Young’s most poignant and exposed CSNY songs. The performance was somber and melancholic. Upon its conclusion, Stills gave Young a double thumbs-up in appreciation.
At 79 years old, Stills hasn’t embarked on a tour since 2015, but he still organizes his “Light Up the Blues to Benefit Autism” event from time to time. In these shows, Young has performed alongside him in the past. This time around, it was Stills’ turn to reciprocate, as they rekindled the spirit of their first band together, Buffalo Springfield, and the intermittent CSNY, basking in the sunlight to ignite the flame of their shared musical history.
Although Young was undoubtedly the captain on this voyage, the two seasoned musicians, Stills and Young, maintained an equal partnership, often performing each other’s compositions – a practice they’ve shared since the mid-1960s. However, with the passing of David Crosby at the age of 81 last year, any hope for a reunion among the members of CSNY faded away. Yet, despite the absence of Crosby, the bond between Stills and Young remains strong.
The group performed the tender, love-infused “Harvest Moon” by Young, with LoGerfo using brushes instead of sticks. Starting with “Heart of Gold,” Young was accompanied by a chorus of three backup singers – opening act Lily Meola and her two bandmates, Bre Kennedy and Eva Cassel, all resplendent in white, harmonizing gracefully behind their microphones.
The prevalence of Grateful Dead T-shirts among the crowd could be attributed to Mayer’s presence, who currently collaborates with Dead and Company, a rejuvenated edition of the band. During their recent performances at the Sphere in Las Vegas, he was onstage with them. However, his six-song set on an acoustic guitar mainly showcased his highly popular solo career, prompting fans to demand hits from his personal repertoire.
Mayer initially played “Who Says” and “Something Like Olivia”, and he playfully hinted about his song selections. He implied that while diehard fans might have been eagerly awaiting obscure tracks, those further back in the crowd might appreciate some well-known hits instead. At the conclusion of Stills-Young’s performance, Mayer returned to the stage, adding another electric guitar virtuoso to “Rockin’ in the Free World.
That song closed the night, after a final plea from Young about the cause of the day (“Don’t forget those kids”). The musicians cranked up the amplifiers, and Stills sang a verse of Young’s bristling standard, which landed Saturday like an angrier follow-up to the Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.”
In a unique display, Mayer launched into an intense, solo performance, which was later matched by Stills. Finally, Young concluded with a frenzied burst of notes, as expected, showing great satisfaction at the end, adding another chapter to his collection of cherished moments.
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2024-10-07 23:01