A MUSICAL NOVEL FROM NEIL YOUNG.Byline: David Kronke Staff Writer Neil Young has always had a spirit more restlessly inventive than his muse. He ventures into many genres - glorified glo·ri·fy tr.v. glo·ri·fied, glo·ri·fy·ing, glo·ri·fies 1. To give glory, honor, or high praise to; exalt. 2. home movies, musical realms ranging from rockabilly to primitive techno - but all his noodling
Noodling is the practice and sport of fishing for catfish using only one's bare hands. and aggressive stomping usually reaches one conclusion. He's brilliant at rocking and great at folk melodies. But darned darned adj. Damned. Adj. 1. darned - expletives used informally as intensifiers; "he's a blasted idiot"; "it's a blamed shame"; "a blame cold winter"; "not a blessed dime"; "I'll be damned (or blessed or darned or if Young still isn't trying to stretch, with - well, I'm not sure exactly what you'd call it. It's called ``Greendale,'' and it's not out yet (but it will be released both on CD and DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. ). Young, with a troupe of spirited amateur thespians (basically it looks as though he just put a bunch of buddies on the payroll), performed it in its entirety Tuesday and Wednesday at the Greek Theatre and will do so again Friday. On Sept. 20, Young returns to L.A. with Crazy Horse and special guest Elvis Costello  The of this article or section may be compromised by "peacock terms".You can help Wikipedia by removing peacock terms. to play Verizon Amphitheatre. Tickets just went on sale through Ticketmaster for this show. ``Greendale'' has been described as a musical novel. Maybe if Richard Russo picked up a guitar, relocated to the West Coast and decided to force elliptical el·lip·tic or el·lip·ti·cal adj. 1. Of, relating to, or having the shape of an ellipse. 2. Containing or characterized by ellipsis. 3. a. narratives to the very edge of coherence, then, yes, the term might fit. Concertgoers are handed a pamphlet upon entering the venue; four pages are given over to describing the characters (most of them didn't actually seem to matter in the production, while others not mentioned did). Two more pages feature rave reviews from earlier in the tour so that we're assured the production's quite brilliant. Young's performance was a kind of a kicky kick·y adj. kick·i·er, kick·i·est Slang So unusual or unconventional in character or nature as to provide a thrill. affair, a rock opera/performance art/high-school drama production. Actors traipsed about melodramatically before cartoonish backdrops and lip-synced lyrics sung by Young, who performed all night beneath a long-billed ball cap (I never actually got a good glimpse of his face). The story, such as it was, concerned the denizens of a small Northern California town - one kills a cop, one dies under sad circumstances, and one becomes an ecological champion. Musically, it's vintage Young, simple, direct and catchy. Lyrically, only two - maybe three - songs would be able to stand on their own outside this song cycle. ``Leave the Driving'' offers Young's acerbic take on our current political paranoia (``We'll be watching you and all that you do/You can do your part by watching others too'') and opportunistic dissembling dis·sem·ble v. dis·sem·bled, dis·sem·bling, dis·sem·bles v.tr. 1. To disguise or conceal behind a false appearance. See Synonyms at disguise. 2. To make a false show of; feign. (``Some people are taking pure bulls---/And turning it into gold''). Young played the gorgeous acoustic number ``Bandit'' on a guitar with loose strings in order to get a hauntingly wobbly sound. The finale, ``Be the Rain,'' offered a rousing environmental message as the whole cast took the stage and danced their hearts out. Young's concert is probably the best way to experience ``Greendale,'' and despite its occasional overreaching Exploiting a situation through Fraud or Unconscionable conduct. , it was an entertaining spectacle to behold, admirable in its ambitions and endearing in its occasional cheesy cheesy (che´ze) caseous. production values. And Young enthusiastically thanks his fans for indulging him with a stomping mini-set of chestnuts old and new - ``Powderfinger,'' ``F---in' Up,'' ``Cinnamon Girl,'' ``Hey Hey My My (Into the Black)'' and ``Sedan Delivery.'' And the evening's entertainment value doesn't end there. Lucinda Williams opens the show with an hourlong set highlighted by scorching scorch v. scorched, scorch·ing, scorch·es v.tr. 1. To burn superficially so as to discolor or damage the texture of. See Synonyms at burn1. 2. takes of tunes from her new CD, ``World Without Tears'' ``Those Three Days'' and ``Righteously'' are particular standouts. Williams' expressively personal oeuvre and expressive singing make you want to hunt down every man who's ever done her wrong and give him what-for. Curiously, though, she shied away from the best material on her breakthrough release, ``Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.'' David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke(at)dailynews.com NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE, LUCINDA WILLIAMS Where: Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. When: 7 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $33.50 to $129. Call (323) 665-1927. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) Lucinda Williams opens the show with an hourlong set. (2 -- 3) Neil Young, above, and actress Sarah White, left, perform Young's full-length rock opera ``Greendale,'' at the Greek Theatre three times this week, including Friday night.Lucinda Williams opens the show with an hourlong set. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer |
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