As one of the most influential singer-songwriters of the 20th century, Neil Young's insistence on personal spirit from beginning to end has made him a role model for many future generations of musicians.
Translation: Laura
Editor: North Asia
From the timeless lyricism of "Heart of Gold" to "Harvest Moon" country ballads, from "Ohio" to "Rockin' in the Free World" anti-war and anti-cultural sonorous excitement, what runs through the rock veteran's nearly 60 years of music career is the infinite yearning and desire for freedom and peace, and the deep love and care for life and the world.
On the occasion of the purchase of 50% of Neil Young's 1180 songs by renowned agent Merck Mercury reese and his company Hipnoris, Billboard magazine selected ten Neil Young cover songs. Rock folk songs, country carols to heavy metal, electronic dance music, fist and fist heart of the heart of the touch is beyond the musical genre.
Neil Young
Joanie Mitchell,Sugar Mountain
Joni Mitchell
Before Young and Joni Mitchell became the most iconic singer-songwriters of the '60s and '70s, the two, also from Canada, were already acquaintances of each other and admirers of each other's work. On a 1967 Philadelphia Folk Radio show, Michelle covered Young's '60s masterpiece Sugar Mountain.
This lyrical song that remembers youth is very suitable for Mitchell, who is a literary fan. But thinking about the nostalgia of Young and Mitchell in their early twenties, it is inevitable that some of them are worried about giving new words.
Smoking Gun Cowboy "Powderfinger"
Cowboy Junkies
It can be said that any lyrical song by Neil Young will fit in with the lazy and hallucinogenic blues folk style of Cowboy Junkies, and here they chose to cover this more anthem-like narrative rock "Powderfinger".
The cold and detached voice of the female lead singer Margo Timmins, combined with the gentle harmonica and mandolin in the background, turns this narrative song into an elegy for mourning youth. Although there are no Yang's signature guitar chords, the cover creates a poignant atmosphere that transcends the original song and makes people indulge in it.
Dolly Parton, Linda L'Lonsday and Amero Harris, "After the Gold Rush"
Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton & Linda Ronstadt
After the Gold Rush 1999
Trio
"After the Gold Rush" has many cover versions, and there is no shortage of beautiful or interesting adaptations. The version chosen here stands out thanks to the perfect harmony of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
Abandoning the complicated arrangement or the singing voice of the showmanship, the minimalist piano accompaniment sets off the sincere vocals, presenting the beauty of "clear water out of the hibiscus, natural to carve".
Into the Wartime Southern Man
Inter Arma
Inter Arma, an epic metal band from Southern Virginia, is perfectly fitted to perform the 2020 version of Southern Man in a bursting fashion. Under the stormy layers of electric pianos, manic drum beats, and tearing core voices, the same riff flows from the original song of the "After the Gold Rush" album 50 years ago.
Buddy Miles, "Down by the River"
Buddy Miles
Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys drummer Buddy Miles covered the song "Down by the River" on his debut solo album, Them Changes, released in 1970.
If Young's Crazy Horse performs an unrelenting farewell to a cheating lover, then in Miles's version, the rhythm of FunkLaid-back and the dialogue with the female harmony of the spirit song add a more sinister color to the murder cage.
"Harvest Moon" by the pool
Poolside
An electronic version of Harvest Moon? It sounds a bit out of the ordinary. But the DJ duo poolside from California, with air-filled bass lines, briskly clapping snare drums, and a fitting synth distortion, takes the shotsweets to the palm-drenched Pacific Beach.
If Neil wanted to see that dancing figure again, he should play such a song as "Harvest Moon" on such a beach.
Rocky Music "Like a Hurricane"
Roxy Music
Avalon, published in 1982, was a sweeping transformation of Roxy Music into a new wave of sophisti-Pop. On this album tour, the band covered Young's classic love song "Like a Hurricane", which was included on the live album Heart Still Beating, released in 1990.
Lead singer Bryan Ferry's ethereal and seductive chant, Andy Mackay's sobbing saxophone, Phil Manzanera's heart-tugging electric guitar, paired with a powerful female harmony group, make this unavoidable love song extremely gorgeous.
圣埃蒂安《Only Love Can Break Your Heart》
Saint Etienne
British alternative dance group Saint Etienne won their first record contract for a subversive cover of Young's 1970 passion song "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" .
The cover single was credited before lead singer Sarah Cracknell joined, with female singer Moira Lambert contributing her voice. In the arrangement, on the one hand, the beautiful lead vocal melody of the original song is greatly retained; on the other hand, the reggae-echoing bass rhythm, the crisp drum beat of the shaking legs and the house-style piano Loop are added, making this cover have a sense of rebirth.
Screaming Female "Cortez the Killer"
Screaming Females
In many of the cover versions of the rock classics that critiqued the Spanish colonizers, The Screaming Females, an indie punk band from New Jersey, won with their unique "Up And Up" song formations.
The atmosphere of the mad horse's original song is deep mournful, and accompanied by the vibrato of the female lead singer Marissa Paternoster's sense of urgency, the screaming female condenses this seven-and-a-half-minute large structure of large emotional slow plate lament into an indignant battle song.
Radio commander "On the Beach"
Radiohead
Radiohead lead singer Thom Yorke said Yang's songs had grown with him long before he knew Neil Young's name. When the BBC told 16-year-old York that their music sounded like this grunge daddy, the fledgling talented musician began to really get to know Neil Young.
Radiostar has covered many of Young's classics, and in the melancholy minor key of On the Beach, York uses his signature falsetto to bring out the heartbreaking slender sensitivity.
Reference：
https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9509028/neil-young-best-covers/
Rock 'n' Roll Paradise recommends searching for Neil Young