Customer Reviews

Prairie Wind (Special CD/DVD Edition)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There are few artists in the music industry that can be classified as "great songwriters." Virtually everyone in the music industry has some form of talent, and every artist has his or her own way of expressing themselves within their lyrics. But, great songwriters transcend this common musical talent. They don't just create a song --- they create a song with meaning: songs with words that lift off from the voice and touch us in ways that nothing else can. If there were such a definitive list entitled "The Great Songwriters," Neil Young would be somewhere near the very top.

Neil Young's new "Prairie Wind" album is, along with many of his other albums, a masterpiece, and some may even be so bold as to call it the apogee of his career. The "Godfather of Grunge" once again, as he has so many times, in albums such as "Comes a Time," departs from his hard rock and enters a more quiet and harmonious musical state. But, it is one he has had much practice with over the years. It is one we have always appreciated. It is one that never tires us. And we can't help but thank God for making such a musician as Mr. Young.

So, as he sits and plays his pieces - his ten songs that flow between his childhood life (and the influences of his family and friends), politics, and spirituality - and we quietly sit beside him, right there on the prairie, we listen to his wonderful lyrics: lyrics that may pass us by in an instant as they blow off with the wind, but resonate with us for the rest of our lives.

"Prairie Wind" has been called, consistently since its release, the third part of trilogy including "Harvest" and "Harvest Moon". Personally, I would beg to differ. "Harvest" was Young's first (and most successful) country experiment; "Harvest Moon" was a blatant attempt at recapturing its predecessor's magic (and a result being the only Neil Young album I consider boring.) "Prarie Wind", on the other hand, is, in actuality, more like a cross between "Comes A Time" (it's closest musical approximation; 'Gone With The Wind' orchestra and all) and "Freedom" (in so far as the melodic commercialism of the songs- even though Young would probably deny that.) But the new album goes even further. It is a work of art unto itself.
"Prairie Wind" has not a weak song among its ten tracks; the opener, "The Painter", and the second song, "No Wonder", in particular, are simply brilliant. Young and the band, a fusion of the Stray Gators and his eighties combo The Lost Dogs (aka The Restless) are totally simpatico here. Emmylou Harris also lends a hand on a few tracks.
"Prairie Wind" is also, for the most part, a subconcious ode to Canada; many of the songs evoke Young's Canadian roots, which is quite gratifying, in light of his early eighties blatant pro-Americanism (i.e. "Hawks And Doves".) He makes up for all of that here.
In the Spring of 2005 we nearly lost Neil Young, who is definitely one of modern music's few original greats, to a brain anyeurism. Hearing "Prairie Wind" will make you glad we didn't. The album is a richly rewarding listening experience, and certainly gets my vote for album of the year.

Listen to the lyrics as you view the dvd and let your ears enjoy the images your eyes are seeing. Neil Young has given us so many great songs and albums, but this CD/DVD is his best effort yet. I am so happy that Neil is a Canadian who remembers his heritage and relays his experiences and our history into his music. Prairie Wind spans a history of a bond between our nations. It paints a picture and lets us live a dream that should not fade away. Prairie Winds blow in the U.S. and Canada because we are one. Neil's insight into family relations is brought out in this effort, but his brillant tribute to the king shows his love for the neighbors to the south. In Canada Elvis will always dwell in all our arenas, he will never leave the building. Neil's old guitar was made by God for Neil to play for us. So enjoy a masterpeice given to all by a true Canadian icon.

To the dude right below my review who gave this one star.....try to listen to it again, give this one another chance!! I love it, it is something else. To any Neil fan...buy this now!!

My fellow Neil fan and I opened a bottle of wine and listened to Prairie Wind two times non-stop ... halfway through most songs either one of us said "this is my favorite so far" followed by laughter and shaking our heads at our reaction to the lyrics, it's emotional at times, especially When God Made Me, one of the most melodious songs he's ever written... NY fans will LOVE this CD, even though his voice falters here and there, and sometimes the backup vocals drown him out -- it's what we love about Neil - he is human, and real. This CD is definitely a journey, with a lot of metaphors (quintessential Neil)... it's nice that he brings in so many Canadian images. Long awaited, and worth it... a comprehensive Neil Young collection should not be without Prairie Wind.

Neil Young's Prairie Wind is a blast from the past and one of Neil's best in years! Out of the ten songs on the whole cd, every song is worth while and magnificent! If only all music was this good! I highly recommend this cd, especially the CD/DVD combo! The DVD auctually shows Neil making the CD! Its Awesome 5 Stars, one of Neil's best! If you're going to buy a CD, this is the one to buy!!

Okay first off, I am a big Neil Young fan and wanted to give this album more than 3 stars but only for sentimental reasons so 3 stars it must be and that is a bit of a stretch.
Its a nice album, easy on the ear but also a little too easy on the mind. Yes I know Neil had a real close call with the grim reaper but we must remain objective and compared to his great works this one pales in comparison.
The playing is flawless throughout, which is again somewhat disconcerting because with the older albums Neil would go for broke, resulting in edgier, more interesting work.
People are saying this album is a return to the Neil Young of "Harvest" and "Comes a time" but that is not the case. Those albums have so much more spark than here. I can enjoy this music for what it is, but isn't it sad when a tiger loses its claws?

Comes a time, now that was an album. I'm sad to report that to me, this album was a big dissapointment. Only if I were in a bar slugging back beers would it sound good. After only a few seconds of each song, the tune becomes predictable. Maybe thats why I don't really care for country music. This album makes me think that Neil was out camping and decided to throw an album together. I'll save this cd to play at my drunken parties.

The reviews (including that at Amazon) indicated that Prairie Wind was Neil Young returned to form, his best work in (or since) Decades. But, geez, what a disappointment. Limp wristed, boring tunes without hooks or discernible melodies. I guess it is too much to expect the Neil Young of his amazing creative period. I mean, I should have known - Emmy Lou is on the album, which guarantees a high snooze factor. I don't mean to insult the positive reviewers, but I just don't get it. Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's Neil.