I think you're right Kerouac, because Neil said in an interview that he had chosen Ethan Johns as producer for ToE because he had sensed (paraphrasing) an authentic joy in the projects with which Johns had been involved -- the most significant of which would have been Ray LaMontagne's debut album.

quote:

Originally posted by KEROUAC:
Thanks for the posts so far ..it's made an interesting read. This is entirely hypothetical but I can imagine Neil appreciating Ray LaMontagne as he's quite Crosby, Stills and Nash influenced who I think I've heard Neil namecheck somewhere.

I also agree with the Radiohead suggestion as there are one or two songs Neil has writen that have reminded me of them - particularly the chorus of Turn it Around

quote:

Originally posted by GraceToo:

quote:

Originally posted by lavar78:
IIRC, that story is told in Something So Strong. According to Chris Bourke, Neil started singing "Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" as a sort of tribute to Sting, but Sting misinterpreted it as making fun of him.

Actually, I remember it the other way around. Sting came backstage singing "hey now, hey now" in honest tribute. Neil thought he was being made fun of and replied with "De do do do...".

No, I'm sure I'm right. Sting started singing "hey now, hey now," Neil thought he was responding in tribute, and Sting thought he was being made fun of. Think about it; is the more likely scenario Neil being ashamed of DDIO or Sting of DDDDDDD? I mean, Neil could've picked something like "Roxanne" or "Message in a Bottle."

quote:

Originally posted by lavar78:

quote:

Originally posted by GraceToo:

quote:

Originally posted by lavar78:
IIRC, that story is told in Something So Strong. According to Chris Bourke, Neil started singing "Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" as a sort of tribute to Sting, but Sting misinterpreted it as making fun of him.

Actually, I remember it the other way around. Sting came backstage singing "hey now, hey now" in honest tribute. Neil thought he was being made fun of and replied with "De do do do...".

No, I'm sure I'm right. Sting started singing "hey now, hey now," Neil thought he was responding in tribute, and Sting thought he was being made fun of. Think about it; is the more likely scenario Neil being ashamed of DDIO or Sting of DDDDDDD? I mean, Neil could've picked something like "Roxanne" or "Message in a Bottle."

Checked the book and you are right. I agree, Neil's choice of lyric to pay tribute was an odd one.

RE:Ethan Johns--I think Neil mentioned appreaciting his work with both Ray Montagne and Ryan Adams...

Speaking of Neil's dislikes, I've always been surprised regarding his dislike of the blues and blues riffs. You'd think with rock and roll having its roots in the blues that he'd be more tolerant of it, but I've read a few accounts where he's chastized Mark for playing something too "bluesy."

I've often wondered about Neil's thoughts on Springsteen (as well as if they've ever crossed paths...).

And since this is the CH thread, do we know the likes of either Nick or Mark? In addition to a group-mockery mentality on The Police/Sting, I've also caught the occasional jab at U2 as well(though I know Neil's a big fan of the song "One," so their must be some love as well).

Well..whatever he was doing 'do do do de da da da" was everywhere back then. It was just sort of totally ubiquitous as something you would associate with Sting/Police just as..at the time "hey now hey now" was totally Neil Finnish/CH.

Don't know what Neil's motive was--but yea, I remember reading that passage in SSS --I think the way Sting interpeted it was as taking the piss. Hopefully it all worked out

Edited to add: I've also wondered about the apparent distaste for blues/jazz that Neil seems to exhibit. It could be that these are both sort of American genres mainly and Neil is on record as having said he was brought up on English style pop/rock.

Which certainly didn't stop him from getting into a lot of North American bands..but possibly not ones involving Miles Davis or Big Bill Broonzy.

I thought I read once that he wasn't a fan of Steely Dan. Or maybe I'm imagining things.

BTW, Steely Dan isn't my cup of tea either.

quote:

Originally posted by Anna21:
I've often wondered about Neil's thoughts on Springsteen (as well as if they've ever crossed paths...).

I remember reading somewhere (SSS probably) that once Temple of Low Men was released, and it became clear it was getting the shaft from Capital Records (they gave up promoting it), The Boss took it upon himself to personally march up to some executive's office and tell them how dumb they were being, because he thought TOLM was an amazing album.

I'm not sure what that says about Neil's opinion of Bruce and his music, but it's interesting..

Steely Dan are very very talented...you can't diss them on that aspect...but, their music is really an acquired taste. I don't like them in general but really like some songs I've heard.

Chris Bourke - Something So Strong, Page 140

quote:

"Temple should have been massive" says Mitchell Froom. "It came out at a very bad political time for Capitol. There was six months around that they didn't have anything on the radio anywhere. I remember Bruce Springsteen calling up Joe Smith, the president of Capitol and saying about Temple, 'How could you lose this record? What's wrong? This record is great?'"

quote:

Speaking of Neil's dislikes, I've always been surprised regarding his dislike of the blues and blues riffs. You'd think with rock and roll having its roots in the blues that he'd be more tolerant of it, but I've read a few accounts where he's chastized Mark for playing something too "bluesy."

I'm not sure if he completely dislikes all blues. He's name-dropped John Mayall (hometown boy! ) a few times. I seem to remember he mentioned something about being lucky enough to be sitting at the side of the stage at Auckland Town Hall watching John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers when they toured NZ in the early/mid 70s (supported by Split Enz!).

quote:

I've also wondered about the apparent distaste for blues/jazz that Neil seems to exhibit

Isn't Neil's dad into jazz, or am I just starting a hole new family-related thread now?!

I forgot about artists Neil mentioned in Spinner last year:

1. Bob Marley: Melodies so direct and straight from the heart -- and such pure positive vibrations that have given me great comfort in my darkest hours.

2. John Lennon: Beyond those exquisite melodies and chords he made words sound so good and revealed his innermost feelings -- equal parts pain and joy.

3. Paul McCartney: No Lennon without McCartney -- he added the melancholy, the art and the wandering bass to the greatest band ever, and he gave us tunes that will live forever.

4. David Bowie: 'Hunky Dory' is still my template for songwriting and artful arrangement. But he kept doing it album after album.

5. Neil Young: Enduring, soulful, tender, fragile and yet wild and abandoned as a stormy sea

quote:

Originally posted by lavar78:

quote:

Originally posted by KEROUAC:
Just reading on another thread that Neil is a fan of Guster - a band I'm not familiar with.

You should check out Guster. I love Keep It Together.

I've seen Neil mention the Arcade Fire and the Shins.

Man, everyone should check out Guster's "Ganging Up On the Sun".

He always seems annoyed with comparisons between CH and Squeeze. I wonder if it's just tiring to hear the comparisons since most of the similarity is that of his and Glenn's voice or whether he doesn't particularly care for them as a musical entity.

PS, am seeing Squeeze at the Ryman in Nashville on Sep 3rd. If anyone is coming down, let me know 'cause I'm arranging a get-together.

Aimee Mann is opening and since she played in the band in the 90s, it's likely that she'll join them onstage at some point.

Ooops, clean up on Aisle 3!

Note to self - must learn the difference between quotes and erasers...

Double post - sorry...

I'm pretty sure that he is a fan of Peter Gabriel's work even though their process is completely different. Neil can write songs with great energy and honors the rawness of the process. Peter seems to use the studio more as a compositional tool and in my opinion loses some of the spontaneity, especially in live performances when so much of what he does is programmed via synths and samplers. One of these days I would love to see the two of them perform together. It would be awesome to hear Neil do "Solsbury Hill" and Peter do "Try Whistling This" or some other Neil / CH tune.

I would highly recommend Joseph Arthur's work, starting with NUCLEAR DAYDREAM and the group Death Cab for Cutie, esp. the album PLANS for Neil and anyone here who enjoys strong songwriting talent.

Yay for Neil liking Guster. They've got a number of amazing albums that are very CH-like ... Also, like CH, they are a couple of goofy guys who can perform very silly concerts but also write some very moving tunes.

Check out Lost & Gone Forever, Keep it Together, and Ganging Up on the Sun.

quote:

4. David Bowie: 'Hunky Dory' is still my template for songwriting and artful arrangement. But he kept doing it album after album.

I know Neil likes David Bowie. Bet he loved Flight of the Conchords' Bowie song too! Some very interesting lyrics in that one!

quote:

Originally posted by Tail of a Finnatic:
Chris Bourke - Something So Strong, Page 140

quote:

"Temple should have been massive" says Mitchell Froom. "It came out at a very bad political time for Capitol. There was six months around that they didn't have anything on the radio anywhere. I remember Bruce Springsteen calling up Joe Smith, the president of Capitol and saying about Temple, 'How could you lose this record? What's wrong? This record is great?'"

Oh, another reason to adore Bruce...

I've often wondered what his opinion of Brian Wilson is.

I know Neil once listed on the itunes play lists that Caroline No was one of his favourite songs(in fact the blurb said Neil had sang it on stage with Ron Sexsmith)and thought it was an amazing song.

Agreed jacocake,I'd love to hear Neil do a cover of Solsbury Hill..I share my birthday with Peter Gabriel (and Robbie Williams but lets not go there)

quote:

Originally posted by Anna21:

quote:

Originally posted by Tail of a Finnatic:
Chris Bourke - Something So Strong, Page 140

quote:

"Temple should have been massive" says Mitchell Froom. "It came out at a very bad political time for Capitol. There was six months around that they didn't have anything on the radio anywhere. I remember Bruce Springsteen calling up Joe Smith, the president of Capitol and saying about Temple, 'How could you lose this record? What's wrong? This record is great?'"

Oh, another reason to adore Bruce...

One of the thousands yes...

I will make it my mission for the future, if I ever get the opportunity again, to ask Neil his thoughts on Bruce. Now if only this thread had have been started around 2 weeks ago ...