Neil Young – Live @ Massey Hall DVD

I realized that I have done a lot of reviews here and I think that all of them are probably positive.  This review, however, is not one.  It’s hard to be critical about artists you truly love and respect so it’s always a fucking bummer when one puts out a product that just makes you feel like they reached into your pocket, took money and laughed.

When the “Live @ Massey Hall” CD came out, I was ecstatic.  It was a great collection of songs from a pretty legendary show.  It was Neil Young playing in an element that I wish he would’ve played in more: just a man and his guitar and sometimes a piano.  The songs were so powerful and getting to hear “new songs” like “A Man Needs A Made” and “Old Man” in this stripped down element was beautiful yet dark and haunting.  I was really excited to see the video of this performance.

Popping the video I see what looks like old 8mm type imagery in a washed out sepia tone almost.  I’m thinking, “Cool way to start it off”.  Well, it stayed like that.  Not only did it stay like that but then the video would get “artistic” and cut to an image of a reel to reel tape recorder on a chair with a microphone in front of it.  You can call it artistic, I call it an absolute waste.  You pretty much would be fine listening to this thing for just the soundtrack and clean house, or make dinner, or clean the litter box.

I really think this is easily one of the worst music DVDs i have ever watched.  I would’ve been so mad if I had spent money on this (thank whoever for Netflix!).  As for the soundtrack, I would buy it 100 times over as it is truly a great documentation of a singer/songwriter in his finest element.  Just don’t expect to be visually blown away.  Kinda makes you even wonder if ol’ Neil thought this was any good or was it just a way for the record company to cash in?  I’d be willing to bet on the later…

~ by chapelhillbilly on July 15, 2008.