Thursday, August 23, 2012

A Neil Young Kind of Night

"Willow," by Katherine Bowling


There's something very comforting about the onset of night, the way the air feels thick and damp as the last light slowly leaves the sky. It's my favorite time to walk around the yard in my bare feet, with the dew settling on the grass and the hummingbirds making their final pass. People like to say it grounds you, I've even said it myself, and that might be, but mostly I just like the way it feels. So, while Buddy laid down next to the steps and listened to the approaching night, I walked among the flower beds, admiring the deep red zinnias that had just arrived. 

When we finally came into the house, after dark had settled in, I had a strong desire to listen to some Neil Young. I'm not sure what Buddy was in the mood for. He acquiesces to me most nights, curls up politely at my feet and pretends to be asleep. "Bound for Glory,"came first, as it often does when I'm in the mood for Neil, then this popped out at me. Maybe it has something to do with Buffalo Springfield and how much I've always loved "For What It's Worth,"  but I think it has more to do with Neil himself. He seems like such a good soul, with his slight knowing smile, as though he's tickled as can be to be here, making music. I'm sure glad he is. Life's a little sweeter with him in it: 


31 comments:

  1. NICE...sipping coffee and listening to Neil Young. Thanks for a delightful morning...

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  2. If you ask me, "Remember 'Mr. Soul'?" and I say, "No," you'll know I've become senile.

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    1. I'll be providing a pop quiz from time to time... :)

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  3. i haven't been to many concerts, but I went to a Neil Young concert long ago. I've been a fan forever. I love that picture, too, although it's new to me. A very peaceful post, Teresa.

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    1. It's good to know there are many fans out there that share my love for Neil.

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  4. Great post

    Great music

    Great people

    (I don't know if anyone else has been noticing but the capcha test has gotten to be a real pain. I'm going for the 4th time to get this comment posted but I have always disliked tests. I'm turning off mine just to see what happens again. Last time in one day they were over 30 spam posts. Maybe I can get it this time. I will try hard)


    failed again #5

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    1. It's becoming beyond ridiculous. I will try again to do without it. Fearguth has turned it into a game, he says. I'm thinking Boggle for Bloggers. :)

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  5. I just love Neil Young. He is a Facebook friend and buried in my psyche. You know, part of the music track of my life. Look up "Unknown Legend" on YouTube and hear my favorite Neil song. He paints a wonderful picture for my Harley soul. Shall we go ride?

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    1. "Somewhere on a desert highway..." Great song, that whole album, "Harvest Moon," is one great song after another. I hope you're planning to take that Harley along to your new way of living. :)

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  6. Dear Teresa, I'm so sorely lacking in knowledge of singers--as well as contemporary poets. And so I don't know the name "Neil Young." But I did enjoy listening to the song "Buffalo Springfield Again" and so I'm going to YouTube to find out if I can listen to the other song you mentioned--"Bound for Glory." Thanks for this continuing education!
    Peace.

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    1. Hi Dee, It may not be your cup of tea, but it's always good to expand our horizons. He's one of those musicians who's been a part of my life a long time. You might want to check out Buffalo Springfield, which is an early group he was part of, and their song, "For What It's Worth," a classic protest song, and just good music, I think.

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    2. Dear Susan, I went to YouTube and listened to "For What It's Worth." I recognized it immediately from my protest days in the late 60s and early 70s. But I never realized that was the name of the song. And yes, I agree that it is classic protest plus good music. Peace.

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  7. Another lovely read. Thanks for sharing your life and thoughts with us.

    And next time, ask poor Buddy what he's in the mood to listen to!

    =)

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    1. But, but, but, what if it's rap?

      I've already determined he likes Bobby Darin. He obviously has excellent taste.

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  8. I had vinyl of Spriungfield. I like to catch a bit of Neil, love him live.that night air has been very appealing, I camped the last two days and had a hard time going to bed it was so nice out.

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    1. Camping sounds nice, especially so with the feeling in the air. I love this time of year. Thanks for reading and commenting, Steve.

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  9. Just what I needed right now, Teresa, as I set for a spell, catching up. I haven't hear Neil Young in oh-so-long, and this takes me back a ways. Great post.

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  10. Love Neil too. Just recently downloaded some of Prairie Wind. After The Gold Rush & Harvest Moon are my favorite albums.

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    1. "Silver and Gold" is another good album. So many great songs.

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  11. He definitely has his own style and the tones, are they sharps or flats, are wonderful, wasn't familiar with this song. I can't remember if he was at The Bands last waltz in SF, if so I would have seen him there. Have lots of his cds the albums are long gone.

    The painting is wonderful, almost a twilight time of night. I'm sure there are a few fireflies flying around in there.

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    1. He does have a very distinctive style and sound.

      It's a nice painting, isn't it? I did an entire post on her work last year. I too thought the image fit that twilight time you mention.

      Thanks, Linda.

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  12. It has been a long time since I've listened to that! Thanks for the reminder!

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  13. Hej Teresa, listening to the Neil Young video while writing to you. I like Neil Young and he's got lots of fans here in DK. He has often been here on tour and is an inspiration to our young musicians.
    I like what you tell about walking in the grass barefeeted (oh there's a movie Barefeet in the grass ?? ) I miss my garden sometimes. Well - and Buddy is just lying there with his head on his paws looking at you: "Why is she wasting our time looking at those silly flowers. I want to take a long walk now....."

    Cheers
    Grethe ´)

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    1. He's a good guy to have for inspiration. And not just for music, but life itself. Buddy's walks have had to be short in this summer heat, but they will increase soon as the days get cooler. He does love his walks/runs.:)

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  14. Neil Young, certainly one of my very favorites. Probably my favorite Neil Young song is "Helpless". Now, I'm thinking Buddy might be more of a "Ain't Nothing Like a Houndog" canine, but I really don't know him. I do know that my bloodhounds occasionally howl to Neil Young, he's got that type of voice, but they still prefer "Hound dog".

    When late summer nights roll in, and the dew collects on the porch railing, there is nothing like the song of evening birds. I love the anticipation of the winters that are coming while enjoying the thought of the cold days on a warm August evening.

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    1. I was thinking that very thing that evening, how winter will be coming soon and that I actually won't mind it a bit, those cold days meant for reading, even shoveling can be meditative, in it's own way. It's another beauty of a day today, with the light just perfect.

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  15. Well I enjoyed Neil's song, tho' I hadn't heard of him before, maybe he's not so well known in England? He's just full of rhythm and I love the way he keeps time with his jiggling legs and feet! It's THAT kind of beat...me too!
    Now I'm entranced by your description of Buddy and you walking in the twilight and Wild_Bill's words, 'When late summer nights roll in,and the dew collects on the porch railing, there is nothing like the song of the evening birds.' How peaceful and how lovely to be able to do that away from the bustle of the city and the chores of the day.
    Envy...envy ;)))))))

    Hugs Jane

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    1. I just love the happy beat of that song. Neil's so cool.

      I love Wild Bill's words, too. He has a great blog. Lives in the deep woods of New England.

      These late summer evenings are the best.

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