I flew back from Bonnaroo on Sunday, and when ”For What It's Worth” played on my iPod, I got to savor the experience I had seeing them on Saturday night. It was a wonderful romp through the past. Neil Young, with his coltish energy; Richie Furay in fine voice; and Steve Stills ripping it up on guitar. They are obviously loving this moment together in the spotlight. At one point, Neil commented that they had never played in front of that many people before as the group Buffalo Springfield.
There was a lightning strike early on in the set, which knocked out the Jumbo-tron and some other stage lights. I was parked behind a metal barricade, actually standing on it and holding onto it, when it dawned on me that might not be such a great idea. I let go and jumped off, and the girl behind me said, "Listen, if you get killed by a bolt of lightning at a Buffalo Springfield concert at Bonnaroo, it would be epic. So I jumped back up and held on, no worse for wear, as it turned out. The set was especially memorable for the fact that I never thought I would hear any of those songs performed. There is such an interesting chemistry between their voices, which mesh to form something unique. I sang along to every song. They will play Farm Aid, and launch a 30 city tour in the fall, so see them if you can. I found a period piece video from the Hollywood Bowl that is a medley of “For What It’s Worth/Mr. Soul.”
We also want to let you know that Neil Young has a country rock album coming out today; one from his vast archives called A Treasure, recorded with The International Harvesters during the 1984-1985 tour. It features five previously unreleased songs mixed in with older ones you know like "Flying On the Ground Is Wrong," "Are You Ready For the Country?" and “Bound For Glory.” Here is Neil to tell you all about it, in typical snarky style, with some too-cool music clips.
-Jessie Scott