Vancouver Sun, May 14, 2019: Difference between revisions

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{{:Canada publications index}}
{{:Canada publications index}}
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<center><h3> Review: Neil Young and Elvis Costello in Vancouver</h3></center>
<center><h3> Neil Young and Elvis Costello in Vancouver </h3></center>
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<center> Stuart Derdeyn </center>
<center> Stuart Derdeyn </center>
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'''Eight acoustic guitars, one electric, one banjo, two amps, three pianos and an organ. The stage set-up at the first of Neil Young’s two night solo stand at the Queen Elizabeth theatre was certainly full.'''
'''Eight acoustic guitars, one electric, one banjo, two amps, three pianos and an organ. The stage set-up at the first of Neil Young's two night solo stand at the Queen Elizabeth theatre was certainly full.
{{Bibliography text}}
{{Bibliography text}}
Young played his first solo show in Vancouver at the venue in 1971 and said as much before he broke into [[Buffalo Springfield]]’s On the Way Home.
Young played his first solo show in Vancouver at the venue in 1971 and said as much before he broke into Buffalo Springfield's "On the Way Home."


That song was old in 1971, but it still sounds great and so decidedly Neil. So is [[Cinnamon Girl]], but without Crazy Horse or Promise of the Real behind him on it, there were elements of campfire singalong to the classic rock standard. But one suspects that the version coming off the stage probably was how it sounded being previewed at the Trobadour before it was first recorded.
That song was old in 1971, but it still sounds great and so decidedly Neil. So is "Cinnamon Girl," but without Crazy Horse or Promise of the Real behind him on it, there were elements of campfire singalong to the classic rock standard. But one suspects that the version coming off the stage probably was how it sounded being previewed at the Troubadour before it was first recorded.


No doubt about it, Young is a master of the solo performance.
No doubt about it, Young is a master of the solo performance.
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Thanks to the sound crew for the impeccable mix which gave that quavering, high-pitched unique voice all the oomph it needed to fill the room as he pulled out a set that featured show-stopping tales of lesser know tunes such as Green is Blue and Eternity. He took a pause in the latter number to berate the crowd for its spontaneous off-tempo clapping which was pretty hilarious.
Thanks to the sound crew for the impeccable mix which gave that quavering, high-pitched unique voice all the oomph it needed to fill the room as he pulled out a set that featured show-stopping tales of lesser know tunes such as Green is Blue and Eternity. He took a pause in the latter number to berate the crowd for its spontaneous off-tempo clapping which was pretty hilarious.


“If anybody comes back tomorrow, you better know it better than that.”
"If anybody comes back tomorrow, you better know it better than that."


Then he had more water — an ongoing joke about nectar of the Gods — before proving that After the Goldrush is an enduring work of songwriting genius whose lyrics still resonate.
Then he had more water — an ongoing joke about nectar of the Gods — before proving that After the Goldrush is an enduring work of songwriting genius whose lyrics still resonate.


That holds true for so much of the songwriter’s finest moments. He is one-of-a-kind for sure; sometimes maddening and often mediocre. But when he is on and the set list is this well chosen, as in the version of Mother Earth played on the pipe organ, Neil Young is at his best.
That holds true for so much of the songwriter's finest moments. He is one-of-a-kind for sure; sometimes maddening and often mediocre. But when he is on and the set list is this well chosen, as in the version of Mother Earth played on the pipe organ, Neil Young is at his best.


Free from endless guitar solos, you can really appreciate the melodies, the lyrical intelligence and genuine emotion he pours into his art. The comic relief of watching him prowl the stage deciding which instrument to play was funny and his dry wit paints a curmudgeonly picture. It works.
Free from endless guitar solos, you can really appreciate the melodies, the lyrical intelligence and genuine emotion he pours into his art. The comic relief of watching him prowl the stage deciding which instrument to play was funny and his dry wit paints a curmudgeonly picture. It works.


The cigar store Indian on stage certainly didn’t. Why is it there?
The cigar store Indian on stage certainly didn't. Why is it there?


Elvis Costello was an added bonus as the opening act.
Elvis Costello was an added bonus as the opening act.


“It’s my first show in six months and a special one because my boys are here tonight.”
"It's my first show in six months and a special one because my boys are here tonight."


Elvis Costello solo isn’t something that his fans see too often and it was a good gig for the kids to come to as daddy got a standing ovation.
Elvis Costello solo isn't something that his fans see too often and it was a good gig for the kids to come to as daddy got a standing ovation.


He certainly worked for it.
He certainly worked for it.


Known for the driving backing of [[the Imposters]] and his own slashing guitar style more than his strumming side, Costello is most certainly a writer in the English folk tradition drawing out narratives of working class lives and old families. Even his grandfather entered into his banter as he recounted how his relative losing his job as an ocean liner entertainer inspired the moving [[Jimmie Standing In The Rain|Jimmie Standing in the Rain]]. By the time he sat behind the piano to croon the new [[A Face In The Crowd|A Face in the Crowd]], he was in fine voice and full control of the material.
Known for the driving backing of the Imposters and his own slashing guitar style more than his strumming side, Costello is most certainly a writer in the English folk tradition drawing out narratives of working class lives and old families. Even his grandfather entered into his banter as he recounted how his relative losing his job as an ocean liner entertainer inspired the moving "Jimmie Standing In The Rain." By the time he sat behind the piano to croon the new "A Face In The Crowd," he was in fine voice and full control of the material.


The same can’t be said for those big pop choruses in classics from his career such as the opener [[Accidents Will Happen]] or [[Veronica]].
The same can't be said for those big pop choruses in classics from his career such as the opener "Accidents Will Happen" or "Veronica."


Stripped of the bouncy backing band, Costello jumbled the choruses and, at times, seemed at odds with the timing of the tunes.
Stripped of the bouncy backing band, Costello jumbled the choruses and, at times, seemed at odds with the timing of the tunes.


Truth is, he has a huge catalogue and based upon past set lists has been playing around with what works or doesn’t.
Truth is, he has a huge catalogue and based upon past set lists has been playing around with what works or doesn't.


That’s what you have to do when you translate your material to just one musician and a guitar. Personally, it would be great if he did more piano playing as he seemed right at home with the instrument and its full sound behind him.
That's what you have to do when you translate your material to just one musician and a guitar. Personally, it would be great if he did more piano playing as he seemed right at home with the instrument and its full sound behind him.
 
At least he hasn't strapped on a harmonica.


At least he hasn’t strapped on a harmonica.
{{cx}}
{{cx}}


{{Bibliography notes header}}
{{Bibliography notes header}}
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'''Vancouver Sun, May 14, 2019
'''Vancouver Sun, May 14, 2019
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[[Stuart Derdeyn]] reviews Elvis Costello opening for  [[Neil Young]] on, Tuesday, [[Concert 2019-05-14 Vancouver|May 14, 2019]], Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, Canada.  This review also appeared in [https://theprovince.com/entertainment/music/review-neil-young-and-elvis-costello-in-vancouver/wcm/77385f9b-7060-4eae-9247-1b524cd4044d The Province].
[[Stuart Derdeyn]] reviews [[Neil Young]] and opening act Elvis Costello, Tuesday, [[Concert 2019-05-14 Vancouver|May 14, 2019]], Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, Canada.   
 
<span style="font-size:92%">(This review also appeared in [https://theprovince.com/entertainment/music/review-neil-young-and-elvis-costello-in-vancouver/wcm/77385f9b-7060-4eae-9247-1b524cd4044d The Province.])</span>


{{Bibliography no images}}
{{Bibliography no images}}
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/review-neil-young-and-elvis-costello-in-vancouver Vancouversun.com]
*[https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/music/review-neil-young-and-elvis-costello-in-vancouver VancouverSun.com]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vancouver_Sun Wikipedia: The Vancouver Sun]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Vancouver_Sun Wikipedia: The Vancouver Sun]


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[[Category:Vancouver Sun| Vancouver Sun 2019-05-14]]
[[Category:Vancouver Sun| Vancouver Sun 2019-05-14]]
[[Category:Newspaper articles]]
[[Category:Newspaper articles]]
[[Category:Concert reviews]]
[[Category:2019 concert reviews]]
[[Category:2019 concert reviews]]

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Neil Young and Elvis Costello in Vancouver

Stuart Derdeyn

Eight acoustic guitars, one electric, one banjo, two amps, three pianos and an organ. The stage set-up at the first of Neil Young's two night solo stand at the Queen Elizabeth theatre was certainly full.

Young played his first solo show in Vancouver at the venue in 1971 and said as much before he broke into Buffalo Springfield's "On the Way Home."

That song was old in 1971, but it still sounds great and so decidedly Neil. So is "Cinnamon Girl," but without Crazy Horse or Promise of the Real behind him on it, there were elements of campfire singalong to the classic rock standard. But one suspects that the version coming off the stage probably was how it sounded being previewed at the Troubadour before it was first recorded.

No doubt about it, Young is a master of the solo performance.

His acoustic guitar playing is dramatic, with perfectly placed percussive slaps, reverberant picking and a fluidity that flows right along with his lyrical hooks. The pauses and muted chording in Old Man were riveting. And the audience singalong was pretty happening too.

Thanks to the sound crew for the impeccable mix which gave that quavering, high-pitched unique voice all the oomph it needed to fill the room as he pulled out a set that featured show-stopping tales of lesser know tunes such as Green is Blue and Eternity. He took a pause in the latter number to berate the crowd for its spontaneous off-tempo clapping which was pretty hilarious.

"If anybody comes back tomorrow, you better know it better than that."

Then he had more water — an ongoing joke about nectar of the Gods — before proving that After the Goldrush is an enduring work of songwriting genius whose lyrics still resonate.

That holds true for so much of the songwriter's finest moments. He is one-of-a-kind for sure; sometimes maddening and often mediocre. But when he is on and the set list is this well chosen, as in the version of Mother Earth played on the pipe organ, Neil Young is at his best.

Free from endless guitar solos, you can really appreciate the melodies, the lyrical intelligence and genuine emotion he pours into his art. The comic relief of watching him prowl the stage deciding which instrument to play was funny and his dry wit paints a curmudgeonly picture. It works.

The cigar store Indian on stage certainly didn't. Why is it there?

Elvis Costello was an added bonus as the opening act.

"It's my first show in six months and a special one because my boys are here tonight."

Elvis Costello solo isn't something that his fans see too often and it was a good gig for the kids to come to as daddy got a standing ovation.

He certainly worked for it.

Known for the driving backing of the Imposters and his own slashing guitar style more than his strumming side, Costello is most certainly a writer in the English folk tradition drawing out narratives of working class lives and old families. Even his grandfather entered into his banter as he recounted how his relative losing his job as an ocean liner entertainer inspired the moving "Jimmie Standing In The Rain." By the time he sat behind the piano to croon the new "A Face In The Crowd," he was in fine voice and full control of the material.

The same can't be said for those big pop choruses in classics from his career such as the opener "Accidents Will Happen" or "Veronica."

Stripped of the bouncy backing band, Costello jumbled the choruses and, at times, seemed at odds with the timing of the tunes.

Truth is, he has a huge catalogue and based upon past set lists has been playing around with what works or doesn't.

That's what you have to do when you translate your material to just one musician and a guitar. Personally, it would be great if he did more piano playing as he seemed right at home with the instrument and its full sound behind him.

At least he hasn't strapped on a harmonica.

-

Vancouver Sun, May 14, 2019

Stuart Derdeyn reviews Neil Young and opening act Elvis Costello, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver, Canada.

(This review also appeared in The Province.)

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External links
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