Americana Observed
AMERICANA – Everything you’d expect from Neil Young and Crazy Horse. ..a rough, raw, and radical ride. Americana provides the listener with a lively and intriguing interpretation of old classics. Neil’s move to revisit these early tunes, many of which are so integral to early American cultural and heritage, is yet another stroke of artistic brilliance. Let’s face it, many of the tracks are near forgotten or unknown to recent generations. Not unlike a restoration of a vintage, classic automobile, American is a rustic restoration of songs …recreated in the spirit from which they evolved in the first place. Additionally, the album also serves to introduce recent generations to now historic pieces, so well known to those of us over fifty, but that have long since faded from grade school song books. Finally, American succeeds in doing what any worthy work of art ought to do, it has stimulated conversation, debate, and controversy. Beyond all this, you just got to love the sound when Neil and Crazy Horse come together. Thumbs up to Americana.
T.R. Hosier / Youngtown (July 2012)