Neil Young's Prairie Wind

Today I'm straying a bit from the obscure and independant to talk about the latest release by a true Canadian legend. Neil Young is an artist that has been fairly hit and miss for me to say the least. While some of his material is among the greatest ever written (Harvest, After The Gold Rush...) he has also put out a lot of forgettable material as well. Unfortunately in recent years, his output has, in my opinion, been more miss than hit.

That is why his latest CD, "Prairie Wind" is a real refreshment in that it contains some of his best songwriting ever. On the track 'It's A Dream', Neil sings of a dream of a better world, which he sees glimpses of from time to time, but admittedly seems to be fading away with each passing day. Other songs on the CD follow similar themes, and the quiver in his voice has never sounded more introspective, while, ironically, taking a long hard look at the world that surrounds him.

He has also never sounded more sincere than in the song 'Here For You'. We've heard lyrics like, "Just close your eyes and I'll be there" before, but never have I been more convinced that these lyrics are coming from deep within than in this song. And the bridge section of that song is chill-inducing too. The highlight for me though is the opening track 'The Painter,' an ode to those who choose to express their innermost thoughts and desires through art. This is something Neil has done successfully for several decades now, and although this is likely not the last we'll hear of him, this album is a great place to stop and reflect on the art that he has shared with us through the years.

I also recommend checking out the newly released DVD "Heart Of Gold" which chronicles a concert in support of this album held at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

Purchase "Prairie Wind" here.