Neil Young

On 12/13 I travelled will my friend Brohan to see Neil live in concert at the DCU Center in Worcester MA. Wilco, another favorite of mine, opened up the show. Along with a newer band called Everest. As a pre-show tune up we ate Vietnamese food drank some special type of coffee that expanded our already ample amount of chest hair. Both openers were in good form but Shakey was clearly the highlight. He and his band were in fine form. Pulling from his whole catalogue from hard rockin' to gentle acoustic, Neil threw it down like no-one else can. Some of my personal highlights were sweet renditions of "Cortez the Killer", "The Needle and the damage done", "Cinnamon Girl", "Old Man" and a killer encore with a fantastic version of the The Beatles "A Day in a life".

I have seen Neil five time before, but this was his best show yet. Which is saying a lot as the other shows were also nearly flawless. The exception being a 1985 show where he was touring as "Neil Young and the Blue Notes". It was good for what it was, but I'm sorry I just don't want a brass section at a Neil Young show.

As I am writing this I find myself thinking in my "second job as a rock critic" mode. So... without further adieu I will offer up that time honored rock critic staple: The definitive list. Today's list is the Top Ten Rock and Rollers of all time, in no particular order.

1. Neil Young
2. Bruce Springsteen
3. John Lennon
4. Bob Dylan
5. Elvis Costello
6. Pete Townshend
7. Brian Wilson
8. Elvis Presley
9. Frank Zappa
10. Ray Davies


Who would you add/remove?