We knew we were onto something good on August 21 – at 3.44pm, to be precise. That’s when Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s version of “Cortez The Killer” landed in mine and Tom Pinnock’s inboxes accompanied by the briefest note: “Will this work for you guys?”
We invited some of Neil Young’s most esteemed fans to cover his songs
We knew we were onto something good on August 21 – at 3.44pm, to be precise. That’s when Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy’s version of “Cortez The Killer” landed in mine and Tom Pinnock’s inboxes accompanied by the briefest note: “Will this work for you guys?”
Set over the merest shades of an acoustic guitar, it sounded like Will Oldham had recorded it on his front porch in Kentucky, with crickets chirping in the distance and the resonant tones of chime bells and the creak of a rocking chair providing further ambience. It was evidence that our plan to mark Neil Young’s impending 80th birthday by inviting some of Young’s most esteemed fans to cover his songs was off to the very strongest start.
Some 14 tracks later – the last new recording to arrive, on September 7, was Kurt Vile and The Sadies’ rowdy version of “White Line” – Tom and I had a CD every bit as stellar as the Dylan Revisited CD assembled for Bob’s 80th in 2021. A huge thanks to all the artists involved for their time – and Tom for pulling it all together so brilliantly. Call it our birthday gift from Neil to you…
“He radically changes his mind and his direction…”
Our Neilfest continues inside, of course. In our extensive cover story, we asked friends, collaborators and admirers to help us explore the many facets of Young, a contrary single-mindedness that has shaped a remarkable body of work. “He radically changes his mind and his direction, to the shock of everyone,” says one. “But then, he’s done this all his life.”
You’ll find lots of other good stuff elsewhere in these pages: Patti Smith, Otis Redding, the Stones, John Foxx, Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band, Jonathan Richman, Super Furry Animals, Donovan, Self Esteem, The Belair Lip Bombs and more.
As ever, let us know what you think at letters@uncut.co.uk.
The post Introducing the new Uncut… Neil Young at 80 and our free 15-track Neil Young CD! appeared first on UNCUT.
