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Album of the Week #6: "On the Beach" by Neil Young
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07-03-2006 1:42am#1
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A fer feck's sake - just noticed this thread now.
Mother of christ.
Well, this album sits hansomely among Neil Young's "Dark Trilogy" - which includes Tonight's The Night and Time Fades Away. Tonight's The Night probably pushes some of his other albums very closely for his second-best album (some might say its his best), whereas Time Fades Away (only on vinyl) was recorded entirely live, during a very bad tour, it raw and edgy and even out of tune a lot - but i think its great - Neil hates it though - that's why we still haven't (and may never) see it on cd.
On to the album itself:
first - the cover....
Neil stands by the shore, with his shoes off looking out to sea. Is he implying he is about to go into the sea (to drown himself?). There's a table, covered with a parasol, and some deck chairs - underneath is a newspaper reading "Senator Buckley Calls For Nixon To Resign". There's also some kind of old american car, seemingly crashlanded into the sand. Its an odd album cover to say the least, and it reflects Neil's state of mind, personally and politically. The album itself is both personal and political.
The album open in a relatively high-tempo and immediately catchy tone with Walk On. The song itself attacks critics who have bemoaned him. His stock was at its highest after Harvest became a hugely commercial success - but subsequent to that he released Time Fades Away (his least commercial album) and a soundtrack to a movie he made called Journey Through The Past - which was largely made of old material (with the notable exception - the excellent Soldier - which can be found on Decade). In his own words Harvest put him in the middle of the road - so his reaction was to head for the ditch. A few other factors also contributed to this "Dark" period. There was the breakdown in relations with CSN. One of his greatest musical accomplices - Danny Whitten (original Crazy Horse member) died of a heroin overdose (from money Young payed him off to get lost basically). Also Neil's roadie Bruce Berry (eulogised in Tonight's the Night) died of a heroin overdose.
In the first british tour immediately following the release of Harvest (and riding high on the crest of that highly polished, commercial wave) - Neil played the album Tonight's the Night in a tequila-fueled state to an increasingly irate crowd. Towards the end, he proclaimed he would play a song they had all heard before - to much cheering - he proceeded to re-play Tonight's The Night (the song).
This all puts into context - somewhat the vibe of this album, and his attitude to critics and so-called friends.
The second track, is a much more gently affair, See The Sky About To Rain. Its straightforward enough and sounds like the last words of someone about to commit suicide - but its a beautiful song nonetheless. This is where we first really hear the beautiful sound that will become signature of this particular album. Neil's voice strikes a painful yet beautiful tone, Levon Helm (of The Band) with his signature drumming, and Ben Keith on slide guitar. However, although not present on this song, a major overriding influence was the mercurial Rusty Kershaw - who features in later songs on peddle steel and fiddle. He acts as kind of a producer, and his hand to a large extent dictates the pace relaxed "feel" of the album.
Revolution Blues is probably the best song on the album. Its inspiration is Charles Manson, whom Neil met and to all extents got along with at some get-together in Laurely Canyon. Soon afterwards the Manson family went on its killing spree.
The song is strikingly up-tempo compared to STSATR. Its very meanacing and its lyrics are profoundly evocative and some of the best Neil has ever written.
Well, we live in a trailer
at the edge of town
You never see us
'cause we don't come around.
We got twenty five rifles
just to keep
the population down
The most evocative lines I think are:
I got the revolution blues,
I see bloody fountains,
And ten million dune buggies
comin' down the mountains.
This really is a gem of a song, musically and lyrically - I can think of few better.
The next song, For The Turnstiles provides anotehr sharp contrast - just Neil's voice and a banjo, with Ben Keith providing some backup vocal and musical backup on dobro. The most telling lines are:
All the great explorers
Are now in granite laid,
Under white sheets
for the great unveiling
At the big parade.
This reference has been taken to refer to musicians who repeat and regurgitate and stagnate (they have become statues - in granite). Neil never was one to stand still. The title itself "for the turnstiles" is a theme he would return to at various points in his career - cashing in - selling-out etc.
Vampire Blues is a simple enough blues formula. The Vampire in question is the Oil Industry and its victim is the earth - Oil is the blood. At its heart its an environmental song - another enduring theme in Neil's work.
The title track, On The Beach - returns to the overriding theme of Neil's disillusionment. Here he talks about the unease he has with fame.
I need a crowd of people,
but I can't face them
day to day.
and...
Though my problems
are meaningless,
that don't make them
go away.
Motion Pictures (for Carrie) is a song to his then wife, Carrie Snodgrass (the actress). He talks of life on the road, away from his home and his wife - and the difficulties therein. The relationship was slowly worsening at this stage. This song could be interpreted as an attempt to reach-out.
And I'll stand before you,
and I'll bring
a smile to your eyes.
Its a bitterly sad song. With a haunting combination of slide guitar and harmonica.
The final song, Ambulance Blues is the second biggest jewel in the crown. Many would argue that it is superior to Revolution Blues - but its a matter of preference. Its more of an opus, and is quite an achievment. This song is certainly set apart by the amazing fiddle of Rusty Kershaw. Its a huge 9 minute song.
guess I'll call it
sickness gone
It's hard to say
the meaning of this song.
An ambulance can only
go so fast
It's easy to get buried
in the past
When you try to make
a good thing last.
He has another go at the critics:
So all you critics sit alone
You're no better than me
for what you've shown.
He refers to his relationship with CSN. These lyrics are what (if i remember correctly) Elliot Roberts (his manager) told him about the ongoing situation with CSN.
And there ain't nothin'
like a friend
Who can tell you
you're just pissin'
in the wind.
Its a deeply personal song. But in the end he apparently has a stab at RIchard Nixon....
I never knew a man
could tell so many lies
He had a different story
for every set of eyes
How can he remember
who he's talking to?
Cause I know it ain't me,
and hope it isn't you.
I love this album. I have yet to hear an album that comes close to its beauty in music or lyric. If you haven't ever listened to this album - please do so, you'll thank yourself.0 -
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