A Tribute to Neil Young
Stubb’s, Jan. 28
With almost 40 years of the Neil Young songbook to choose from, the possibilities for this local event seemed endless. That many of the 12 Austin acts assembled claim some sort of influence from Shakey’s music made it a minor disappointment. There were moments of expected rage and temporary insanity, but overall, there was too much parroting, which led to a wearying sameness and not enough inspiration. When starters Tammany Hall Machine concluded “Sedan Delivery” with feedback a-squealing, things seemed right, yet when the Fighting Brothers McCarthy melded “Old Man” with “Heart of Gold” next, the proceedings ground to halt that even a rightly ragged “Cinnamon Girl” couldn’t save. Oddster quartet Mandible stood apart with their use of electronics, turning “Sugar Mountain” into a Dada lullaby and “The Needle and the Damage Done” into an ironic piece of disco fluff. The best channeling of Crazy Horse came from Gleeson’s ferocious version of “Cortez the Killer,” while a surprisingly countrified “Cowgirl in the Sand,” courtesy of Grand Champeen, landed a close second. Other highlights included the Missing Tapes punky take on “Mr. Soul” and Superego’s ramble on “Powderfinger.” As tributes go, it was another night of great compositions played fitfully, which come to think of it, matches Young’s career: great spirit mingled with moments of seeming indifference.
This article appears in February 3 • 2006.