Playlist Ponderings: Neil Young

The ‘60s have always been a fascinating era in history for me. It was a time of social and political upheaval, of discovery, and of pushing the envelope of our collective thinking. A man on the moon within a decade. Civil rights. War protests. Woodstock. Philosophically, this era has always made sense to me – for countless reasons. Music was inherently tied in to “the message”. Music became a powerful connector of people and of social causes.

One of the icons of the era would have to be Neil Young. I have always had an immense appreciation for Young. I can thank my father for first exposing me to Young’s musical brilliance. I came to Young’s music primarily through albums like “Rust Never Sleeps” (1979). It was the raw guitar edge that was so stunning to me. The sounds that he could pull out of “Old Black” defined the word “grunge” before that phrase ever became popular.

But Young’s music (and guitar playing) is just a part of this equation.

As a lyricist and songwriter, Young will most certainly be considered one of the greats of our era. Over the past 4 decades, he has continued to meld strong social lyrics with a fearlessness to say what needs to be said – about love, and about war. And he has been his own man in the process, marching to the beat of his own drum.

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