My Weekend: Global Festival 2012

Photo Credit: joonbug.com

This weekend I joined 59,999 other spectators in the Central Park sensation known as Global Festival, a free concert promoting the elimination of global poverty.

I may have missed K’naan’s and Band of Horses’ acts, but they were the least of my concerns. The Black Keys, Foo Fighters and Neil Young and Crazy Horse absolutely blew me away. Let’s take a step back and start at the beginning.

I walked through the gated path to the sound of John Legend covering John Lennon’s “Imagine.” I knew they said there were going to be special guests, but Legend was far more than just simply “special.” His soul monsooned with each and every word, capitulating what Global Citizen deserved with a song so appropriately chosen.

Among other special guests were Olivia Wilde and Selena Gomez. I don’t know why they were there. Their ignorant ramblings on “women’s inequity in India” and the likes were a distraction to what the show was largely about. Speaking as a woman myself, Olivia Wilde is a beautiful face and she should remain that way; the stereotypical liberal jargon vomiting from her mouth annoys me, as does Disney star’s Selena Gomez. Is that too harsh? I don’t really care.  

My first ultimate surprise of the night was the Black Keys. I knew they were an amazing band, but I really didn’t expect a live show like the one they executed this weekend. It will never cease to astound me how a band composed of only two musicians, a guitarist and a drummer, can sound like a full out blues band (despite their newly formed backing band, of course). Not to mention I was very pleased that they didn’t just reiterate El Camino all night, as I personally favor their older material. But regardless my favorite song of the night was "Little Black Submarines". There is nothing like getting tricked by a slow song’s lull, only to be cascaded into a stunning guitar riff by no other than Dan Auerbach.

Speaking of, anyone else suddenly in love with him after watching him perform live?

Next were the Foo Fighters, who met up to my expectations perfectly. I didn’t expect anything less from Dave Grohl and his motley crew. Who did shocked me, however, was drummer Taylor Hawkins. Though not the band’s main dude (that’s Grohl), Hawkins mastered his drumming, creating an exhilarating and frantic ambiance for rock fans everywhere. Sadly, the band announced this would be their last show (at least for a while), but it’s pretty cool to say that I saw the Foo Fighters’ last live gig. “Learn To Fly” was definitely my favorite there.

Ending the night was Neil Young and Crazy Horse. It disappoints me that my fellow concertgoers disliked his set for the sole reason that they knew far too few of the songs he played. But he’s Neil Young, he can rock out to whatever he wants to and would still remain godly. And that is an understatement. For example, check out his Americana album, who else could possibly pull that off? Sure, I was disappointed I didn’t hear “Heart of Gold,” “Everybody Knows This is No Where,” or even “Ohio,” but what I did hear was an awesome jam session from one of the purest of rock stars. That is something that angers me about Global Festival that others were pleased about.

When I go to a concert, I want to hear something I can’t find online or in an album. I want to hear impromptu solos, wild strings of improvised musical politics. That is where Neil Young did not disappoint me. While the Black Keys and the Foo Fighters tried to rush through each song, aiming to play as much as possible, Young lead each track as if it were a whole production. To my peers, he wasn’t great, but he was by far my favorite.

Unfortunately I left for this, but listening on YouTube of him and all predecessor bands perform “Rocking in the Free World” is phenomenal.

I had good times at Global Citizen Festival, and I hope to see another show at Central Park soon. There is nothing like sharing a great big open field with people who love the same music as you.

Here are some pictures I took at the event. I know they're far away, trust me I know. But it was the best I could get.

Grohl, Young and Auerbach. Photo Credit: neilyoungnews.thrasherswheat.com

Dan Auerbach

John Legend

Foo Fighters, Black Keys and Neil Young Headlining NYC Charity Concert

The Foo Fighters, The Black Keys and Neil Young with Crazy Horse are joining forces with Band of Horses and K’naan in Central Park’s Global Festival.

This September 29^th at the park’s Great Lawn, Global Poverty Project is hosting this charity concert to defeat global poverty. But don’t jump to buy your tickets just yet.

GPP is holding a lottery of 54,000 tickets that concertgoers could join and work to earn points by signing up for the Global Citizen website or phone app. Earning points is as easy as signing petitions, making posts on your social media or even making charitable donations. After earning your points, you are in the running for winning two free tickets to the show.

The goal is to move more than 50,000 people to fight deep poverty and to generate at least $100,000 to the cause from charities, businesses and governments. Rumors circulate that The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The Sumner Redstone Charity Foundations are largely footing the bill, along with groups such as UNICEF and Rotary International, according to Rolling Stone Magazine.

This benefit concert is a golden bridge to connect with the United Nations, who will be in town that particular day. “I think what’s exciting is all the world leaders are going to be in [New York City] that week for the United Nations meeting,” said Hugh Evans of GPP. “And this concert and the associated campaign will give us the opportunity to ask these world leaders to make a practical and tangible monetary commitments to the world’s poor and to achievement of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.” Evans also noted that the concert is a “crescendo” to fighting poverty with the upcoming UN meeting so nearby.

All the participating bands are experienced with charitable work, and often perform for free for certain worthy events. “We are very proud to be lending a hand to such a creative, important event and are looking forward to adding to the noise in the big park and helping an effort toward reducing the global shame of deep poverty,” said the Foo Fighters to Rolling Stone.

Are you looking to get involved? Why not see some of America’s hottest acts while doing so. Check out the Global Citizen website now to get started for free!

Neil Young and Crazy Horse: Americana

"Better to burn out than rust out." -Neil Young

Neil Young and Crazy Horse, circa the 80s

You know that feeling when an artist covers a classic song and it just doesn’t hit the same highs and lows as the original? Well, don’t expect that from Neil Young and Crazy Horses’ revival album, Americana.

We haven’t seen them playing together in the studio for almost nine years, but now they’re back with a set list of eleven classic folk songs that will blow your mind. If you are familiar at all with Neil Young, you know he doesn’t just play a song; he makes the song come alive. That is pretty obvious with his take on hits such as “Oh Susannah,” “Clementine,” “Gallows Pole,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “God Save the Queen.”

Yes, “God Save the Queen,” as in the British national anthem. Neil Young is the only Canadian that can pull off naming an album Americana and covering the truest of all British tunes. A little weird? Yes, but I’ll take it.

Young definitely knows how to sculpt a song. Lets take “Clementine” for example. Besides the über-creepy Great Depression-esque images in the official music video, a recurring theme in all the album’s videos, the song has no hint of its original version. Besides the lyrics, obviously. 

The song my father used to sing to me as a child has been revolutionized into a psychedelic rock song featuring Young’s beautifully-strained voice, his heavy guitar chords and Crazy Horses’ sturdy backing skills.

Oh my Darling, Oh my Darling, Oh my Darling Clementine,

You were lost and gone forever,

Oh my Darling Chementine.

Sometimes I forget how sad that song is.

Another notable is his take on “Oh Susannah,” which begins with a powerful guitar solo, taking us back to a time where Young reigned as a guitar legend. This song as an opener echos the youth Neil Young still radiates in this day and age.

Before listening to the album, keep in mind that not all songs are complete rock-and-blues covers. Some sound more similar to their original folky versions, but the pieces that are Neil Young and Crazy Horses’ own invention make checking out Americana worth it. And don't worry, this isn't their big comeback album. This is just a preview of what is to come.

Americana is out today. So, buy it. See below for the entire album, featured on YouTube.

Featured Songs: "Oh Susannah," "Clementine," "Tom Dula," "Gallows Pole," "Get a Job," "Travel On," "High Flyin' Bird," "Jesus' Chariot," "This Land is Your Land," "Wayfairin' Stranger" and "God Save the Queen."