Neil Young - More Tributes

For the year-end: a music firework. A firework of Neil Young covers, not less than three Tributes were released lately, a handful of great songs covered by a bunch of very good musicians who are not afraid to give to a classic song a new cover. This is a nice present for the Neil Young fans who are waiting for the Archives which are postponed month after month.

In order of appearance, the two-CD Borrowed Tunes II (Borrowed Tunes/Sirius Canada), produced by Mike Roth, shows Canada’s established and up-and-coming musicians admiration to one of rock’s most important composers. Among the 37 songs, some were almost never covered before like Alabama, A Dream That Can Last, Change Your Mind, When God Made Me… An other surprise is to hear Neil Young’s half sister Astrid Young giving a startling rendition of Sleeps With Angels.

Next, is another two-CD Tribute called Cinnamon Girl (American Laundromat Records). It is also called Women Artists cover Neil Young for charity (read below), a project held by Joseph H. Spadaro. Again, nothing but good and soulful cover versions of songs that mainly celebrate woman - funny to hear Dala singing “He was watching a movie with a friend/He fell in love with the actress/She was playing a part that he could understand” (A Man Needs A Maid). No surprise with the choice of covers who inspired these amazing artists (Kristin Hersh, Elk City…), the songs were all released by the Loner during the 60’s and the 70’s.

At last but not least, More Barn (Slothtrop Music), an idea from Eric Hester. A single CD this time but not less than 78 minutes of enjoinment. “There were no rules we gave the artists when they signed up for the record, which fits well with Neil's aesthetic," Hester said. "Some of the songs are close to the originals, while others are radically reworked. It's quite a ride, but one we hope fans of Neil's music will enjoy." Among others, you’ll hear amazing renditions of Sleeps With Angels by Steve Wynn and Music Arcade by Howe Gelb. Cocaine Eyes, Bandit, Through My Sails, Star Of Bethlehem are among the best surprises that you can find on this record.

Again, it’s year-end but it’s never too late to make yourself happy in ordering those Tributes. Don’t hesitate, all proceeds from the sales will benefit to non-profit charitable organizations:
. As for the first Tribute, Borrowed Tunes (1994), Borrowed Tunes II will raise money for two charities The Bridge School and Safehaven (Residential and Respite Care Programs).
. All proceeds from Cinnamon Girl are donated to Casting For Recovery a US non-profit support and educational program for women who have or have had breast cancer.
. Slothtrop Music and the artists on More Barn are proud to contribute all profits from it’s sale to The Bridge School

Some artists and bands who made those projects possible:
The Silos - Behind Me Now .mp3
Waco Brothers - Nothing At All .mp3
Steve Wynn - California Style .mp3
Tanya Donelly - The Storm .mp3
Kristin Hersh - Deep Wilson .mp3
Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins - Born Secular .mp3 via Lack of Style